The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves
(Forest of Hands & Teeth Book #2)
by Carrie Ryan

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic / Young Adult

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.

Gabry is satisfied with her life by the ocean. Sure she has to deal with the zombie bodies coming upon shore and sure she has friends that test her patience by going beyond the barriers, but overall - she has a Mother, a best friend, a boy she sees a future with, and a community that embraces her. All is okay . . . until one night when everything changes. Now her future is not as bright as she had hoped, friends/family are leaving, and the village is starting to ask questions she doesn't want to answer. She soon realizes that to find the truth, she must face her fears and go outside into a world she has ever known.

Being part of the millions who devoured The Forest of Hands & Teeth in one sitting, I couldn't wait to begin The Dead-Tossed Waves. Though I would have liked to not have such a time jump in between the two stories, it was enjoyable to see past characters emerge and witness that life really does carry on, even in post-apocalyptic times. Gabry was a brave soul (since their are many scary moments) and I was heartbroken right along with her throughout all her pit-falls. Unfortunately, since the audience is already use to the world that is baricades, curfews, religious freaks, and crazy zombies - the book doesn't make you cling to it as the first one did. Yet, it definitely makes you interested in what's to come . . .

Likes: Carrie Ryan's spook factor and how she can make your heart beat rapidly.

Dislikes: The time gap. The readers had to get to know all NEW characters before getting back into the setting again.

Rating: