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The Forest of Hands and Teeth #0.6
A Game of Firsts
***an original short story set in the world of The Forest of Hands and Teeth***
When the zombie apocalypse hits, brother and sister Danny and Julie are stranded at home alone. As the world crumbles around them, they take refuge in the attic over the garage. But it only takes one small mistake for the illusion of safety to break and for any chance of survival to disappear.
When the zombie apocalypse hits, brother and sister Danny and Julie are stranded at home alone. As the world crumbles around them, they take refuge in the attic over the garage. But it only takes one small mistake for the illusion of safety to break and for any chance of survival to disappear.
17 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2014
16 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Ryan
55 books4,823 followersCarrie Ryan is the New York Times bestselling author of a lot of books. She use to be a lawyer. Happily, she is not anymore. You can keep it that way by reading her books:
Latest release (out Aug 2, 2022), perfects for fans of thrillers, serial killers, missing girls, mysteries, unputdownable books: Trapper Road
If you like zombies, try the Forest of Hands and Teeth series.
If you like clever, fun adventure fantasy for 8-12 year olds, definitely read the Map To Everywhere series (co-written with her husband, John Parke Davis).
If you like cold calculated revenge involving hidden identities and lots of secrets: Daughter of Deep Silence.
If you or your kids like multi-author, multi-platform series like 39 Clues and Spirit Animals, try Infinity Ring: Divide and Conquer -- it's produced by the same publisher (and has vikings and true history!)
If you like true-crime stuff (both fiction and podcasts), check out her upcoming release, Dead Air, a serialized thriller co-written with Gwenda Bond and Rachel Caine.
If you're pretty sure you won't survive the zombie apocalypse, you're in good company. She won't either.
instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
twitter: @CarrieRyan
website: www.CarrieRyan.com
Latest release (out Aug 2, 2022), perfects for fans of thrillers, serial killers, missing girls, mysteries, unputdownable books: Trapper Road
If you like zombies, try the Forest of Hands and Teeth series.
If you like clever, fun adventure fantasy for 8-12 year olds, definitely read the Map To Everywhere series (co-written with her husband, John Parke Davis).
If you like cold calculated revenge involving hidden identities and lots of secrets: Daughter of Deep Silence.
If you or your kids like multi-author, multi-platform series like 39 Clues and Spirit Animals, try Infinity Ring: Divide and Conquer -- it's produced by the same publisher (and has vikings and true history!)
If you like true-crime stuff (both fiction and podcasts), check out her upcoming release, Dead Air, a serialized thriller co-written with Gwenda Bond and Rachel Caine.
If you're pretty sure you won't survive the zombie apocalypse, you're in good company. She won't either.
instagram: @CarrieRyanWrites
twitter: @CarrieRyan
website: www.CarrieRyan.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 10, 2017
A game of firsts
Wow will I ever know if any of these people did survived makes me upset not to know. Ugh lol I hate wondering.
Wow will I ever know if any of these people did survived makes me upset not to know. Ugh lol I hate wondering.
December 5, 2017
Set in the world of the Forest of Hands and Teeth but separate from the known characters within the series, this short story takes a look at two siblings at the very start of the apocalypse.
Stuck in their neighbourhood with not a lot to do and with very few zombies at this point, two kids essentially bond over their first experiences in life. This really makes you think about how desperate times make people stronger.
Unfortunately, as much as I liked the cute characters and simplistic story, it didn't have the grit I've become used to with Carrie Ryan. It's no secret that Ryan knows how to spin a good tale; she's dark and twisted and I love her work. This one just felt a little tame although I was never bored enough to call it quits - can't get enough of a zombie fix from this author.
Worth a read for fans of the series and a great teaser for new readers to her work - just might not have as much bite as you're used to!
Stuck in their neighbourhood with not a lot to do and with very few zombies at this point, two kids essentially bond over their first experiences in life. This really makes you think about how desperate times make people stronger.
Unfortunately, as much as I liked the cute characters and simplistic story, it didn't have the grit I've become used to with Carrie Ryan. It's no secret that Ryan knows how to spin a good tale; she's dark and twisted and I love her work. This one just felt a little tame although I was never bored enough to call it quits - can't get enough of a zombie fix from this author.
Worth a read for fans of the series and a great teaser for new readers to her work - just might not have as much bite as you're used to!
August 31, 2025
A Game of Firsts Review on K-Books
A Game of Firsts Review on Instagram
A Game of Firsts Review on TikTok
This is going to be a very short and different kind of review as this book includes multiple short stories set in the world of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I came across this collection just before I was due to start re-reading The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I am a huge fan of the series, but didn’t know about many of these short stories. I had previously read Hare Moon and you can find my separate review of that one by clicking here.
The majority of these novellas are not specifically related to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, just set in the same world, around the zombie apocalypse. I enjoyed some of them more than others. The first few novellas such as Flotsam & Jetsam, and Scenic Route were really fun to read. I enjoyed seeing people’s reactions just as the apocalypse happened. When you’re reading the main series, it’s been a long time since the zombie apocalypse happened so it was nice to see some short scenes back when it was first happening. Some of the other novellas, such as ‘Bougainvillea‘ and ‘A Game of Firsts‘ were less enjoyable to me. I found these ones just okay and a little boring.
In general, these novellas are more just little extras that have been wrote for anthologies and so I didn’t really find them all that important. If you’re a long time fan of the series like me, you’ll really enjoy this as it’s fun to get some little extra content from a beloved series. However, if you’re new to the series, I would recommend reading the main trilogy first. The only one that is linked to the main series is Hare Moon and even still I think it’s important to read at least The Forest of Hands and Teeth first.
A Game of Firsts Review on Instagram
A Game of Firsts Review on TikTok
This is going to be a very short and different kind of review as this book includes multiple short stories set in the world of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I came across this collection just before I was due to start re-reading The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I am a huge fan of the series, but didn’t know about many of these short stories. I had previously read Hare Moon and you can find my separate review of that one by clicking here.
The majority of these novellas are not specifically related to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, just set in the same world, around the zombie apocalypse. I enjoyed some of them more than others. The first few novellas such as Flotsam & Jetsam, and Scenic Route were really fun to read. I enjoyed seeing people’s reactions just as the apocalypse happened. When you’re reading the main series, it’s been a long time since the zombie apocalypse happened so it was nice to see some short scenes back when it was first happening. Some of the other novellas, such as ‘Bougainvillea‘ and ‘A Game of Firsts‘ were less enjoyable to me. I found these ones just okay and a little boring.
In general, these novellas are more just little extras that have been wrote for anthologies and so I didn’t really find them all that important. If you’re a long time fan of the series like me, you’ll really enjoy this as it’s fun to get some little extra content from a beloved series. However, if you’re new to the series, I would recommend reading the main trilogy first. The only one that is linked to the main series is Hare Moon and even still I think it’s important to read at least The Forest of Hands and Teeth first.
October 3, 2019
"We could’ve left the city—there was probably still time after we saw the first one. The problem was, we didn’t realize it was the first one, not really".
Carrie Ryan just has me hook, line and sinker into her zombie apocalypse world. This story between a brother and sister, caught unawares as they didn't realize what was happening and by the time they do, it's too late.
It's a short one, for sure, but the little peak into their first stories and the camaraderie as they try to survive what's happening and what's to come. I can't even imagine. Keep this series going and I'll keep reading it.
Carrie Ryan just has me hook, line and sinker into her zombie apocalypse world. This story between a brother and sister, caught unawares as they didn't realize what was happening and by the time they do, it's too late.
It's a short one, for sure, but the little peak into their first stories and the camaraderie as they try to survive what's happening and what's to come. I can't even imagine. Keep this series going and I'll keep reading it.
July 13, 2020
Αγωνιώδες και τρομακτικό, παρά τη μικρή του έκταση, που καταφέρνει να σε καθηλώσει, αφήνοντάς σε να κρέμεσαι μόνο από μια λεπτή κλωστή ελπίδας πως ίσως αυτά τα παιδιά να τα κατάφεραν. Άραγε, να επιβίωσαν μετά απ' αυτή τη φρικτή εμπειρία κι αν ναι, βρήκαν τρόπο για να ζήσουν; Το ότι σε "τρώνε" αυτά τα ερωτήματα, το λες και επιτυχία.
July 10, 2019
A prequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. During the zombie apocalypse, a brother and sister attempt to survive in their home. A short story about survival during a zombie outbreak. A quick and entertaining read.
December 28, 2019
A short story set in 'The forest of hands and teeth'. Two siblings are stranded in the attic of their house when a friend joins them. With resources running out and the dead surrounding the house, hard choices must be made.
February 2, 2020
The horrible scenerio of the zombie apocalypse and what the people had to suffer is so sad.
December 10, 2020
Felt really sad for Danny.
September 1, 2023
These short stories are like 10x scarier than the books. I never expect it. So good!
March 1, 2017
A Game of Firsts' is the story of brother and sister, Danny and Julie, who find themselves trapped in their home as the zombie outbreak begins. The siblings talk about their firsts, first kiss, etc as they face the unknown and what to do next.
Recommended.
Recommended.
December 8, 2014
Disappointment
I like the story, I love the forest of hands and teeth series, but this one starts, and then just, ends. Super disappointing.
I like the story, I love the forest of hands and teeth series, but this one starts, and then just, ends. Super disappointing.
July 19, 2017
Forest short story. Another great one from this amazing storyteller!
March 6, 2015
A game of firsts
Like all the stories in this series, it is realistic and chilling. You know the outcome even if it is never really stated.
Like all the stories in this series, it is realistic and chilling. You know the outcome even if it is never really stated.
April 10, 2017
This was so short and I wanted more. What can I say I love zombie stories.
July 19, 2017
I like this series and I know this was a novella, but it still felt way too short. I wanted more of an ending.
September 7, 2016
Too short
April 10, 2017
Oh Carrie Ryan why do you do this to me? You did the fans dirty with the ending.
June 13, 2023
Unrelated to the other books - Just a standalone but I liked it!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews