Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #1) by Carrie Ryan 
 

Published July 1st 2009 by Gollancz (first published March 10th 2009)
Hardcover, 320 pages
Source: From the Library

"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?"

- From Goodreads

 

6/10

I have wanted to read this novel for quite a while, and I am glad that I finally did! I enjoy most zombie novels, and this was no exception.

The village Mary lives in is so intriguing and full of mysteries that you can't help being dragged into the story. What I liked most were the nuns that "run" the village. It draws an interesting line between religion and blind faith and I think this and remaining mystery about how the rest of the world looks after the zombie "disease" is what will make me read the second one.

The characters were a bit bland, but the story was interesting enough. There was also a lot left unanswered and I hope we get to find out the answers!

So if you like YA novels with some zombies thrown in, then this is your book!

For those who have read it (SPOILERS):

I can't believe what happened to Travis and Jed!!! What now?

http://www.carrieryan.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/carrieryan

http://carrie-me.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarrieRyan

“Suddenly, all I can think about are all the things I don't know about him. All the things I never had time to learn. I don't know if his feet are ticklish or how long his toes are. I don't know what nightmares he had as a child. I don't know which stars are his favorites, what shapes he sees in the clouds. I don't know what he is truly afraid of or what memories he holds closest.
And I don't have enough time now, never enough time. I want to be in the moment with him, feel his body against mine and think of nothing else, but my mind explodes with grief for all that I am missing. All that I will miss. All that I have wasted.”

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan  
 

 

Review: Deadlands

Deadlands by Lily Herne

Published February 2011 by Penguin 
Paperback, 293 pages
Source: Won in a Penguin SA competition

"Ten years after Cape Town was destroyed in the War with the living dead, zombies ramble free in Cape Town's suburbs (known as the Deadlands), and the remaining living are either in fenced in on farms or in urban shantytowns.

The living are watched over by the mysteriously robed Guardians, a race of humanoid figures who appeared at the end of the War and who keep the living dead at bay, albeit for a steep price. Every year the Guardians stage a human Lottery and select five aspiring teenagers to be whisked out of the enclave for a secret purpose. To be one of the chosen five is a highly sought after and prestigious accolade.

No one (yet) knows why it is that the Guardians prize teenage bodies so highly, how they control the zombies or what they look like under the robes that cover their bodies..."

- From Goodreads

 

7/10

At first I thought that I might not like this book as zombies does sound like a terrifying subject, but the author made it work! With just the right amount of horror, mystery and post-apocalyptic feel, you get drawn straight into the story and you will be delighted at the twists and turns.

You can easily visualize everything in this book and I think that it would make a terrific movie or TV series. I must say I liked all the references to movies, books etc. in this novel (the main character even donning a Team Jacob t-shirt at one stage). It made the world seem more real and some of the characters sound like someone you would know.

The ending leaves some unanswered questions and I really hope there won't be a love-triangle in the future! I think any South African would appreciate its grittiness as well as the South African slang and references.

The novel is exciting, fast paced and it make you think. What would you do in such a situation? The only complaint I have is that I felt like I have heard aspects of the story before.

Mild spoiler:

For all the Twilight haters out there, there is even a scene where a stack of Twilight novels get used as weapons and thus gets chucked at the zombies!

http://twitter.com/#!/herne13
http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Lily-Herne/100002078111953

"Everything's better with zombies - NOT"

Not sure

 

Review: Matched

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie

Published November 30th 2010 by Dutton Juvenile

Hardcover, 366 pages
Source: Bought from Bookdepository

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

- From Goodreads

 

6/10

I think I went into this book expecting a little too much. At first it was going fine, then I found myself bored. The last 60 pages or so was really exciting though so it sort of made up for it.

I love the world Ally Condie created. The society, the officials, the rules.. its fascinating.

The romance felt a bit forced at times for me. Like the only plot...
I want to know more about the society, the background of it!

But as I said the ending made up for the boring bits in the beginning and middle.

Now for those who have read it:

I really liked Xander and felt really bad for him. But love triangles always leaves me a bit bitter. Do you think she should have stayed with Xander? Or maybe taken him with somehow?

The red pill scenario was really great, I love how everyone follows blindly but at the same times is happy with their lives.

http://www.allysoncondie.com/
@allycondie
http://matched-book.com/
http://matched-trilogy.livejournal.com/

"I came up on the screen, too, Cassia. But he was the one you chose to see."
 

"Our time together feels like a storm, like a wild wind and rain, like something too big to handle but too powerful to escape."

 

Crossed (Matched, #2) by Ally Condie

 

Review: Mockingjay

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Published August 25th 2010 by Scholastic (first published 2010)

Paperback, 455 pages

ISBN: 1407109375

Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $9.21

"My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost."

 

8/10

What a great trilogy and what a brilliant ending! Although I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the 2nd one, it was still a great read! Things happen in this book I didn't even think of or couldn't even imagine and to me that makes a great read.

I was surprised, thrilled, shocked and at times sad that the story had to come to an end. I do have one complaint, the end pages seemed a bit rushed but its only a minor thing.

This is definitely one of my favourite series and I will re-read it soon! I'm also excited about the movies coming out :)

*Spoilers*

I was really glad that Katniss ended up with Peeta and was really sad about Prim. I loved that Katniss shot Coin, she had it coming!

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

"Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear."
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay)

"Finnick?" I say, "Maybe some pants?"

He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips off his hospital gown leaving him in just his underwear. "Why? Do you find this" -- he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose -- "distracting?"
I laugh. Boggs looks embarrassed and Finnick looks more like the guy I met at the Quarter Quell"
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay)

"What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again."

— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay)

Spoiler

"You love me. Real or not real?"
I tell him, "Real."
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay) 

None :(
 

 

Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Published September 7th 2009 by Scholastic

Paperback, 472 pages

ISBN:  1407109367

Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $9.22

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge."

 

9/10

Wow! This book had me hooked from the start and took my breath away several times. This is one of those rare books I will never forget and can only describe as being brilliant!

It definitely surpasses the previous book. I never once hoped for something else to happen and I loved all the great surprises! It was gripping, thrilling and has truly fantastic characters!

Suzanne Collins is a visionary!

I cannot wait to read Mockingjay!

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

 

"We star-crossed lovers of District 12, who suffered so much and enjoyed so little the rewards of our victory, do not seek our fans' favor, grace them with our smiles, or catch their kisses. We are unforgiving.
And I love it. Getting to be myself at last." 

 

SPOILERS:

 

"But I have to confess, I'm glad you two had at least a few months of happiness together."
I'm not glad," says Peeta. "I wish we had waited until the whole thing was done officially."
This takes even Caesar aback. "Surely even a brief time is better than no time?"
Maybe I'd think that, too, Caesar," says Peeta bitterly, "If it weren't for the baby." 

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins