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

I suggest that you not read this review if you have not read the first book in the series. I wouldn't want to risk spoiling something for you.

You can check out my review of the first book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth here.

Goodreads Summary:

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.

My Review:

I was a little confused at first when I started reading this book. It doesn't begin how you might think after having read the first book. But quickly enough some of your questions are answered and you're sucked into the story.

There are a few big similarities and a few big differences between books 1 and 2. I cannot tell you what they are but just know that if you liked the first book, then you will love the second! The Dead-Tossed Waves held my interest much easier and I finished it in one sitting.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #1) by Carrie Ryan

Goodreads Summary:

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?

My Review:

This was my first zombie book (technically they are Unconsecrated in this book, but zombies all the same) and it was a great introduction into the flesh eating undead! I already have my eyes on a few other zombie books!

For some reason I didn’t read this book in one sitting or in one day like is somewhat normal for me. Instead I read the first half little by little over two weeks and then finished up the second half in one sitting.

The first half is a little slower pace because there’s a lot to learn about the relationships between the Sisterhood, the main characters, and the Unconsecrated. The pace then picked up in the second half and I flew right through it. Well, aside from a certain devastating part where I had to put the book down for a minute because I was tearing up. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised by this particular part but I was! I was also a little unsettled with the main character’s decision towards the end. Half of me was rooting her on and the other half was yelling ‘What the heck are you doing!?’. I just hope she’s happy with her choice.

Overall I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a good undead read!

Book #2 (The Dead-Tossed Waves) is in route to me as we ‘speak’!