Saturday, June 26, 2010

Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Book Info:
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 9, 2010)
ISBN-13: 9780385736848
Genre: YA
Source: Library, Audio
Rating: 4/5


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.




The Dead-Tossed Waves is the second book in a trilogy, following The Forest of Hands and Teeth (review).  These types of books are a bit of a departure for me.  I don't usually read books that involve dead things like zombies, and I listened to the first book based on Beth's rave review.  I enjoyed The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but liked the audio production more than I liked the story itself.  Still, I was interested enough to listen to the second book, and I enjoyed The Dead-Tossed Waves much more.
 
I think the difference between Forest and Waves, for me, was how prominent the Unconsecrated were in the story.  In Forest, they were front and center all the time, and since the walking dead don't appeal much to me I didn't enjoy the story as much.  In Waves, the Unconsecrated are still a very important part of the story, but the setting and other characters allowed them to blend into the background a bit and I found myself much more interested in the story.  I also felt  more of a connection to Gabry's character than to Mary's.  I'm not sure exactly why this was, but it was one more reason Waves worked better for me.
 
A different narrator read The Dead-Tossed Waves, and I don't think it was quite as good as the first book in the trilogy, but it was close.  While I didn't expect to be pulled into this series like I have been, I am now very excited for the last book in the trilogy.  I will be listening to it as soon as it becomes available.  4 stars

5 comments:

Wrighty said...

I just read this a few weeks ago and I thought you brought up some great points, especially about the Unconsecrated not being the main focus. I liked this series too although I preferred the second book because it started to finally answer some of the many questions I had. I'm curious about the audio version now too since you liked it. Great job!

Sandy Nawrot said...

I had to chuckle when you said the walking dead don't appeal much to you! Me either! I have yet to read these books, but they've been on the list forever. I think I could even let my daughter read them, and was really hoping I could find them on audio but no luck yet. I imagine, when the first movie gets closer, the library might pick them up.

bermudaonion said...

I really do want to try this series even though I'm not a fan of the walking dead either. LOL

Zibilee said...

I bought the first book for my daughter and really want to get the chance to read it. It sounds like the series doesn't disappoint and it sounds as though I'd actually like it a lot. So, so glad that you enjoyed it!! Great review!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

The cover caught my eye on this one; thanks for the review -- it now has my interest.