The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

I have wanted to read this series for over a year now.  I was originally afraid that it would prove too much for me but after reading Carrie Ryan's short story in Enthralled anthology, I just had to give it a try.  When our library finally got this book (and the third in the series but not the second- what about that makes sense), I decided that it was time.  Here's the cover and Goodreads blurb:

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

This book was an interesting read.  It set up a world that is similar to those of typical zombie books but with a difference.  Most books deal with what happens in the cities and towns when this kind of plague hits.  It would be a misnomer to call the place where Mary grows up a "town."  It is more like an outpost or something.  A place that is small and isolated.  It is really a story of adventure and what makes life worth living more than it is a mystery or a scary story.  Although, there are zombies in it- they are never actually called zombies- and zombies do eat people which is gross.  But there is no heavy scary gore or anything so traumatic that I'd put a warning on the book. My creep tolerance is lower than most people's so I think that anyone could handle this book.  I enjoyed the book over all but felt that it was more of a world building book than anything else.  I can't wait to read the next in the series, though.

You can click here to find The Forest of Hands and Teeth series on Goodreads.  Carrie Ryan can be found on her website, on her blog, on Twitter and on Facebook.  I give The Forest of Hands and Teeth 3 Fairies for an interesting take on a zombie book that builds a world that I want to see more of.