📖 Overview
Carrie Ryan is an American author primarily known for her young adult post-apocalyptic novels, particularly The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. Her work frequently explores themes of survival, romance, and zombie horror.
Ryan's debut novel The Forest of Hands and Teeth (2009) launched her career and became a New York Times bestseller. The book was followed by two sequels, The Dead-Tossed Waves and The Dark and Hollow Places, completing the trilogy that established her reputation in the YA horror genre.
Beyond her dystopian works, Ryan has written middle-grade novels including the Map to Everywhere series, co-authored with her husband John Parke Davis. She has also contributed to various YA anthologies and published standalone novels including Daughter of Deep Silence.
Prior to becoming a writer, Ryan worked as a litigation attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina. She left her law career in 2007 to pursue writing full-time and has since published multiple novels across different age categories and genres.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Ryan's worldbuilding in The Forest of Hands and Teeth series, noting the blend of horror and romance. The atmospheric tension and unique take on zombie fiction draws frequent mention in reviews. Many point to her character development and ability to create high stakes situations.
Common criticisms focus on repetitive internal monologues, slow pacing in middle sections, and what some readers call "love triangle fatigue." Several reviews note frustration with passive main characters and unresolved plot threads.
Review Averages:
- The Forest of Hands and Teeth: 3.8/5 on Goodreads (95k ratings), 4.2/5 on Amazon
- The Dead-Tossed Waves: 3.9/5 on Goodreads (45k ratings)
- Daughter of Deep Silence: 3.7/5 on Goodreads (3.5k ratings)
One frequent reader comment praises "the claustrophobic atmosphere and constant tension," while another common note mentions "too much angst and relationship drama taking focus from the zombie elements."
Her Map to Everywhere series receives higher ratings for pacing and adventure elements, averaging 4.2/5 on Goodreads.
📚 Books by Carrie Ryan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
In a post-apocalyptic world, Mary lives in a fenced village surrounded by zombies (known as the Unconsecrated) and controlled by a religious order called the Sisterhood.
The Dead-Tossed Waves Gabry, Mary's daughter, lives in a lighthouse by the ocean where she must face her own encounters with the undead and uncover dark secrets about her world.
The Dark and Hollow Places Annah searches for her twin sister in a dangerous city while dealing with survival, loss, and the constant threat of the undead.
Daughter of Deep Silence Frances Mace, one of three survivors of a devastating attack at sea, assumes a false identity to seek revenge against those responsible for the tragedy.
Map to Everywhere (co-authored with John Parke Davis) Two children from different worlds team up to navigate magical streams connecting all places, times, and dimensions while searching for what they've lost.
City of Thirst (co-authored with John Parke Davis) Marrill and Fin continue their adventures through the magical Pirate Stream while facing new dangers and racing to save both their worlds from destruction.
The Dead-Tossed Waves Gabry, Mary's daughter, lives in a lighthouse by the ocean where she must face her own encounters with the undead and uncover dark secrets about her world.
The Dark and Hollow Places Annah searches for her twin sister in a dangerous city while dealing with survival, loss, and the constant threat of the undead.
Daughter of Deep Silence Frances Mace, one of three survivors of a devastating attack at sea, assumes a false identity to seek revenge against those responsible for the tragedy.
Map to Everywhere (co-authored with John Parke Davis) Two children from different worlds team up to navigate magical streams connecting all places, times, and dimensions while searching for what they've lost.
City of Thirst (co-authored with John Parke Davis) Marrill and Fin continue their adventures through the magical Pirate Stream while facing new dangers and racing to save both their worlds from destruction.
👥 Similar authors
Suzanne Collins writes post-apocalyptic YA featuring young protagonists fighting for survival in dangerous worlds. Her Hunger Games series combines elements of action, romance, and social commentary similar to Ryan's work.
Patrick Ness creates dark fantasy and dystopian stories that blend horror elements with coming-of-age narratives. His Chaos Walking trilogy explores themes of survival and human nature in hostile environments.
Jonathan Maberry specializes in zombie fiction and horror that incorporates young protagonists facing undead threats. His Rot & Ruin series focuses on survival in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies have overrun civilization.
Lauren Oliver writes dystopian fiction centered on young characters navigating dangerous societal structures. Her Delirium trilogy features forbidden romance and survival themes in a controlled society.
Scott Westerfeld creates post-apocalyptic and dystopian worlds with complex social structures and survival challenges. His Uglies series examines themes of identity and rebellion in a controlled future society.
Patrick Ness creates dark fantasy and dystopian stories that blend horror elements with coming-of-age narratives. His Chaos Walking trilogy explores themes of survival and human nature in hostile environments.
Jonathan Maberry specializes in zombie fiction and horror that incorporates young protagonists facing undead threats. His Rot & Ruin series focuses on survival in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies have overrun civilization.
Lauren Oliver writes dystopian fiction centered on young characters navigating dangerous societal structures. Her Delirium trilogy features forbidden romance and survival themes in a controlled society.
Scott Westerfeld creates post-apocalyptic and dystopian worlds with complex social structures and survival challenges. His Uglies series examines themes of identity and rebellion in a controlled future society.