The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

A bit from Ms. Ryan's website: There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.

Annah's world stopped that day and she's been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn't feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.

Except, Catcher has his own secrets—dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah's longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah—can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

My Take

The third and final book in the Forest of Hands and Teeth series.  I just decided to read all three, one after another.  I couldn't wait to read the last one anyway.  This continues with the characters we've gotten to know, especially in book two (The Dead Tossed Waves).  Everything in this book feels more intense, more urgent. 

Ms. Ryan's writing is taut as ever.  The thirst of the characters to survive is more desperate than ever.  I loved this book and felt it was a terrific wrap-up to the series.  Full of action but the love stories so central in the plot as well.  Another 5 smooch-erific zombified story!

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Here's a blurb from Ms. Ryan's website: Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness.

But life after the Return is never safe, and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.

One night beyond the Barrier...

One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery...

One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.

Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

My Take

This is the second in the series of the Forest of Hands and Teeth books.  I loved the first book and this one did not disappoint either.  Carrie Ryan sucks you in with her writing.  Each chapter ends with you dying to turn the page and keep reading.  Her descriptions have you visualizing everything clearly and when the characters are desperately trying to get away, your heart is pounding almost as hard as theirs.

Gabry is a great main character.  She's so much stronger than she realizes.  It's nice to get a glimpse of Mary from the first book as well.  I loved how the storylines would tie together to make you feel as though you were coming full circle with it all. 

I never thought I could get into zombie stories.  However, I'm a convert.  I really do love these books.  They have a wonderful love story woven around the fact that there are undead everywhere.  I'm giving this one 5 fleshy kisses!