Tuesday

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Title:  The Dark and Hollow Places
Author:  Carrie Ryan
Pages:  384
Genre:  YA/ Teen Horror
Source:  Purchased

In the third and final installment in her Forest of Hands and Teeth series, Carrie Ryan, introduces you to Annah.  Annah has been living on her own in the Dark City since Elias left to join the protectorate.  With scars that mar her face and body, Annah is more of a recluse.  She uses her street smarts - bowing her head, not making eye contact and blending into the shadows as a weapon.  Without any friends or family she has used these skills as a way to survive the dangers of the Dark City.  Waiting for Elias, her life has become as lifeless as that of the Unconsecrated but then she meets Catcher.  Catcher who brings with him memories of a past that she has longed to forget.

Out of the three leading ladies you will find in this series, Annah was hands down my favorite.  She wasn't a whiner like Mary, and Gabry annoyed me with all her boy drama... but Annah was phenomenal.  She was tough as nails, brave, strong and courageous.  Her will to live was a breath of fresh air.  Even though she's scarred, feels alone and even broken at times - she still was not willing to give up.  

Out of the three books I believe this was the darkest one.  Their struggle for survival was the most intense.  I went through a slew of emotions from sadness, hopelessness, and even found myself choked up more than once.  I can't even imagine a life this bleak where the unconsecrated are a threat but humans can be just as dangerous.   

Yet through it all I found myself hopeful.  I found myself waiting for and really savoring the moments that weren't as dark... moments of light.  Especially when those moments dealt with Annah and Catcher's relationship.  The fact that they are both so broken and flawed really makes you hope that they can find a way to make it work in a world infested by the living dead.  Originally, I was worried that I wouldn't like this final installment since I was so focused on Gabry and Elias's story (The Dead-Tossed Waves) but I think Ms. Ryan did a wonderful job in connecting everything together. 

Overall this book was incredible.  The whole series is amazing.  Full of tension, suspense, nail-biting action and Unconsecrated... lots and lots of Unconsecrated.  I can't recommend it enough!

My Rating:

8 comments:

Lola said...

I bought this one when it was released, but haven't read it yet! I really need to! Awesome review Nelly! :)

Felicia the Geeky Blogger said...

I so could not read this one but it sounds good. I am so weird about horror, it makes me have nightmares :) I do try it occasionally though LOL

Savannah said...

Great review! I loved this book :)

Natalie Frampton said...

I'm going to have to re read the first 2 before I try this one. So excited. Thanks for the review

Michelle said...

I loved this one! If I had one complaint it would be that we didn't get any time with Mary before it all finished up but that's not even something that would truly affect my enjoyment or love of the series as a whole.

Book Butterfly (Kim) said...

I have got to read this. I didn't really like the second one so I've been leery about this one, I think I'm going to have to go for it. thanks for the fab review!

Rea's Book Reviews said...

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Eesti said...

In The Forest of Hands and Teeth and even Dead Tossed Waves our view of the world is very limited. The characters are all hemmed in by the fences. Their whole worlds are their villages then what's inside of the gates. We don't really get to see how the rest of the world survives and is dealing. It's in human nature to be greedy and selfish, so I was fascinated in Dead Tossed Waves at the mention of the Dark City. Certainly we would be able to see how humanity (those not `protected' by the gates and fences) survived. We definitely get a look at that in this book.

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