Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Review: The Dark and Hollow Places

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The Dark and Hollow Places
(The Forest of Hands and Teeth #3)
Carrie Ryan
Release date: March 22nd, 2011
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads / Purchase

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister’s face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed 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 Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn’t feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again.

But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has 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 covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return’s destruction?

*This review is part of Zombies vs Unicorns month co-hosted with Literary Exploration, YA-Aholic and YA Bookmark.*

This was definitely the best of the three. Just as original and thought provoking as the first two in the series- in The Dark and Hollow Places we follow yet a new character, Annah, as the protagonist. Although the others from The Dead-Tossed Waves are present as well. Some more than others, but don’t fret- you won’t miss anyone; Annah’s story is plenty interesting. I also found her to be a much more competent main character than Mary and Gabry. She is strong and self sufficient. I really admired her determination and will to live.

In addition to its originality, we still run and hide, escaping the Unconsecrated, fighting for our lives in this exhilarating pulse pounding conclusion. Although the ending is still a bit open-ended with room for more books in the future, I’d be fine if this was it. It’s a perfect way to end this series: Hopeful and believable.

There is no slow start in this third novel. We are thrown right in at high speeds that don’t slow down until the last page. It’s easily the darkest book in the series. The Unconsecrated are not the only enemy anymore, and I don’t know which is worse. We really see the lengths that people will go to in order to survive. Some even make the zombies seem charming. Regardless of all this horror, we’ve still got some love and romance to gush through. The chemistry between the characters is much more present which makes it even easier to root for them.

It’s all brilliantly written; the settings, the different protagonists, the passion, the helplessness, the hope- it all adds up to give us a very realistic world. It made my adrenaline pump and my heart ache. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. I also have to mention that the covers are gorgeous!! That alone is worth having these on your shelves!  

5 Hot Espressos
The Forest of Hands and Teeth series:

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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27 Responses to “Review: The Dark and Hollow Places”

  1. Amy

    I have only read the first one. I started to read the second one, and then got side-tracked and never got a chance to get back to the series. I have all three of them though for when I am ready to dive back in. They are some of my books for my TBR pile challenge. Great review!

  3. Alexa

    I am SO excited to read this one. I got the opportunity to meet Carrie Ryan last month and I totally gushed about zombies. TEAM ZOMBIE!

  4. Karen

    I totally agree, both that this was the best book in the series and that Annah was a much better main character than Gabry or Mary. I really loved this series and I plan to eventually buy all of them.

  6. flashlightpotential

    I had trouble connecting with the first book in this series and ended up skipping the second. It sounds like the series has grown and maybe this one is worth a read. Do you think that I could skip the second book if I get my hands on this one first?

  7. Giselle

    @flashlightpotential : You could probably skip book 2 and still make sense of it. But this one follows book 2 a lot more than book 2 follows book 1. The protag of this one meets up with the protag. of book 2 and they stay together. So it depends how badly you want to get the full story.

  8. Kat Balcombe

    Ah that was my Q too. Book 1 was OK, but Mary? jeez Louise I couldn’t even work up the energy not to like her! I guess I’ll have to read book 2 first then – tried to one and gave up!

  10. Danny

    Damn it, I really have to pick this series up. I still haven’t started it yet but I only see good reviews!! Reading your review about the last one, I’m much more reminded of yet another series I have to pick up. *sigh*

  14. Maja

    I think it’s about time for me to start this series. I’ve been neglecting my zombies lately, and that simply won’t do.

    Lovely review as usual, Giselle. 🙂

  15. Lindsey (A Storm of Words)

    Awesome review! I agree with you on everything! This is also my favourite book of the trilogy. Annah is an amazing character – so strong and independent. While I also think it was a good end to the trilogy, I totally wouldn’t be opposed to more because I really loved the characters in this one (Catcher!).

  17. layoffthebooks

    Sadly, I had actually forgotten about this series so thank you for the reminder. I really enjoyed the first two books, the first more than the second. I’ve been looking for a fast paced book, I’ll have to pick this one up.

  20. Candace

    I’ve had the first book for aged but still haven’t read it. So happy to see your enjoying the series though! Ill have to pick it up soon.

  24. Sam

    I agree that this was the best of the three. The books definitely got better as the series went on. Awesome review, Giselle! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

  25. Erica

    I really loved this one, though I thought that Dead Tossed Waves was my favorite of the 3. I cannot wait for another Carrie Ryan book 🙂