The Forest of Hands and Teeth

By: Carrie Ryan

Narrated by: Vane Millon

When a teen girl’s world is thrown into chaos, she must venture into the deadly Forest of Hands and Teeth in this post-apocalyptic New York Times bestseller perfect for fans of The Last of Us.

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. And when the fence is breached, her world is thrown into chaos.

Now 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 by so much death?


"Intelligent, dark, and bewitching, The Forest of Hands and Teeth transitions effortlessly between horror and beauty. Mary's world is one that readers will not soon forget." —Cassandra Clare, bestselling author of City of Bones

"A postapocalyptic romance of the first order, elegantly written from title to last line." —Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies series and Leviathan

★ "A bleak but gripping story...Poignant and powerful." —Publishers Weekly, Starred©2009 Carrie Ryan; (P)2009 Listening Library

Critic reviews

★ "[T]he suspense that Ryan has created from the very first page on entices and tempts readers so that putting the book down is not an option." —School Library Journal, starred review

"Opening The Forest of Hands and Teeth is like cracking Pandora's box: a blur of darkness and a precious bit of hope pour out. This is a beautifully crafted, page-turning, powerful novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it." —Melissa Marr, bestselling author of Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange

"Dark and sexy and scary. Only one of the Unconsecrated could put this book down." —Justine Larbalestier, author of How to Ditch Your Fairy

Good story

I’ve read this entire series myself many many years ago. I thought I’d give it another go and chose to listen this time. It’s a good story but I have to remind myself Mary is just a kid compared to me, as her actions and thoughts and selfishness annoy me quite a bit. As for the narrator I wasn’t impressed.
I remember the other books being even better than this one so I may listen to them, depends on how the narrator sounds. Or I may read them, though with the busyness of my life I prefer to listen now.

Character changes

I loved the book but i did not like the selfishness of the main character!

Outstanding book as well as the lady reading it!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Forest of Hands and Teeth to be better than the print version?

Yes, because the lady reading this book does a great job!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sister Tabitha...lol just kidding...can't say I have a favorite, I like the traits of several of the main characters

Which character – as performed by Vane Millon – was your favorite?

(Same as above)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but due to my work that's not really an option, otherwise I would have, it is hard to stop listening to it!

Any additional comments?

I hope they turn it into a movie...but ONLY IF THEY KEEP IT LIKE THE BOOK!

Favorite for years

Read the book 3 times but listening to made it sound a little different. Still loved it.

Such a good book.

This should be a movie or a series. This is such a good book, such a good base, so heart-gripping and jaw dropping. Its so easy to get lost in this book. Especially with the voice actor. I pictured white old catholic sisters, but listening to the book and the spanish accent it made it 10x’s better.