The village surrounded by The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a dark and dirty place saturated with fear that stems mostly from the Unconsecrated that claw at the fences, but also from the Sisters who control the villagers. They maintain their status as the leaders by perpetuating the fear and guarding the secrets of what lies beyond the forest.
Mary has dreamt of the ocean since childhood. Her mother told her stories passed down from her mother about the world before The Return. When Mary's mother is turned and pushed out into the forest and her brother turns his back on her, she is forced to take a life of solitude with the sisters. Mary deals with many heartaches. Her father disappears, her mother is lost, and she carries the blame from her brother. The one she truly loves,Travis, is betrothed to her best friend, and she is forced into the rigid confines of the sisterhood. When the fences are breached and the unconsecrated engulf the village, Mary and a small group manage to escape down a path that leads through the forest.
Their journey is full of danger and death. There is so much sadness and despair. I kept thinking this story could not possibly get more bleak, and yet it did. It was hard to read. I can't imagine how writing this affected the author, who was certainly more invested in the story than I.
I know the ocean represents a better life, but I was never uplifted by this hope. It was just one bad event after another. Even when she finally makes it to the ocean, she is alone. Maybe the sequel, The Dead-Tossed Waves will be more hopeful. Perhaps, Mary will finally find happiness.
Overall, this book really bummed me out.
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