Review by Alex- The Dead Tossed Waves

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.

First Impression: The Forest of Hands and Teeth didn't really impress me, but I figured I'd try The Dead-Tossed Waves since I'd heard from Lauren it was better, and I needed something to read.

The Dead-Tossed Waves was quite a bit better than The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but it still wasn't really for me. The writing's a lot better in this one. It's quite lyrical and descriptive- but it's also not all that captivating.

I did like the characters from this novel a lot better than it's companion. Gabry is quite likeable, as confused and scared as she is. Elias and Catcher are good as the two main love potentials, though perhaps both of them could have used a little more background information. But the interactions between all the characters was a lot more enjoyable in The Dead-Tossed Waves in general.

A high point in the novel is the plot. It's hard to make zombies dull. There are some good plot twists and details, along with exciting moments and a climax that is interesting, even if some parts fall short.

Final Impressions: Overall, The Dead-Tossed Waves is pretty good. But it's not really for me- it didn't keep my interest very well, and so that's why it took longer to read; because I could easily put it down and not think about it for a while. It's interesting, but it's not entrancing and impressionable.