The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Book Summery:
Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves. -goodreads.com

Book Trailer:



My Review:
This book begins several years after the end of The Forest of Hands and Teeth (my review found here). If you have read said review of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, you know that I some major issues with the book. This made me quite apprehensive towards The Dead-Tossed Waves. However, I went to the bookstore and sat down with the book, thoroughly flipping through it's pages and reading excerpts until I was firmly convinced enough to buy the book. I was a bit surprised that the majority of the content on the back cover occurred within the the first 20 pages. I was a little discouraged that the rest of the book was going to drag on and on...One of my primary concerns was that it was going to be quite similar to the first; masses of zombies for a new generation. However, I continued to plow my way through the pages, and I am glad I did.

Ryan does a good job of filling in the gaps and smoothing over the rough edges that were left over from The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Furthermore, she introduces a new cast of characters and re-introduces some familiar faces from book one. Let me just say, that I really, really like Elias and hope to see more of him in future books. ;) My only compliant is that Gabrielle can be really, really indecisive, which did grate on my nerves quite a bit. It reminded me a lot of Mary's younger character from book one. I did enjoy the maturity and evolution of Mary's character. On a whole, I found The Dead-Tossed Waves to be a more accomplished and fulfilling read.

Favorite Quote:

"I hold my breath, waiting for her touch to bring me comfort. And then I realize that that's been my problem all along. Not only wanting comfort and security and safety, but looking to others to find it when I need to find it inside myself." (p. 324)

Cover Art Commentary:
Though not my foremost favorite cover, it definitely fits the story well. I like the color scheme and the use of the water. What plagues me is who is on the cover and are they dead or alive?

Overall Rating:

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Synopsis from goodreads:
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?

Trailer for book:


Review:

*Warning! Contains spoilers! Do NOT read below if you plan to read this book!*

This book started off great. Impossible to put down. Obviously, it was interesting enough to keep me reading as it took me very little time at all to polish this off. However, I do have some reservations with this book. 1. I probably shouldn't have read it right after The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. They are quite similar in some ways, and comparing them may have detracted from my overall rating of The Forest of Hands and Teeth. 2. Mary, the main character, is a bit too indecisive and selfish for me. Throughout the entire book, she does nothing but yearn for Travis, and then ends up deciding that he isn't enough until she's about to lose him for good. I think she may be the type of person who is never completely satisfied with anything. I suppose I can understand this to a point, as she has basically lost everyone close to her at one point or another. 3. Her unending love for her brother Jed. He does nothing but continuously hurt Mary over and over again, yet she is always willing to comfort him and soothe his pain. I guess it's a bit more understandable as he is literally the only family she has left, and the human population is dwindling. However, I did get irritated with it from time to time. 4. I feel as if the starts out on one end and ends up completely somewhere else. I will say, that seems to be setting in zombie-related media. As you fight for your life, one must flee their locations, their desires, their expectations, and whatnot. I guess if I look at this book as more of a journey than a roundabout story that ties it's loose ends, I find it a bit more satisfying.

*End O' Spoilers*

Ok, enough griping. Seriously, I really enjoyed this book, despite my critiques above. It was moving, fast-paced, and endearing. There is a little bit of everything in this book; religion, ethics, love, friendship, survival, betrayal...The list just goes on. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a) zombies and b) a good story that will leave you forgetting your reality, at least temporarily. ;)

Cover Art:
Honestly, at first I thought this was a book about runaway teens or anorexia based on the title and the cover. It wasn't until I read a review at Book Love Affair that I discovered that I was clearly mistaken! :P Based on what I know now, I have to say that the cover is beautiful. The solitary character outlined by the forest, covered in mist, is giving you a taste of what's to come!

Overall Rating: