Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

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. (From Goodreads)

I'm not a zombie fan. In fact, I tend to dislike zombie stories/movies/etc, because they scare the heck out of me. Honestly, after I saw the movie 28 Days Later, I had horrible nightmares. Still, I picked up Ryan's first book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and enjoyed it. So, I grabbed the companion, knowing that I'd enjoy it. I also knew, however, that I'd probably experience a lot of anxiety, and have to read it in one sitting.

I really enjoyed meeting the new characters in The Dead-Tossed Waves. I loved Gabry, Catcher, and Elias, but was particularly fascinated by the Soulers. They were an extremist religious group, who had a completely different opinion on what it means to be a Mudo (known as the Unconsecrated in The Forest of Hands and Teeth). Without giving too much away, I was mystified, and a bit disgusted with their actions. I really felt what Gabry was feeling as she watched them. I also enjoyed seeing some stories that were carried over from The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I'm sure that many people are dying to know what became of Mary.

I think that Ryan's storytelling is what really draws me to her books. From the start, I'm anxious about what's going to happen, because you know something will. So for the first few chapters, I waited for the bomb to drop, so to speak. Throughout the rest of the book I experienced a lot of anxiety about what was going to happen to the characters (in a good way). Once again, Ryan was able to make me want to read a book involving my greatest fear, zombies. Now, I just have to suffer through the year until the third book is released!

The Dead-Tossed Waves
By Carrie Ryan
Published by Delacorte Books
407 Pages
Rating: B+