The Dead-Tossed Waves (Forest of Hands and Teeth, Book 2)

Carrie Ryan's novel, `The Forest of Hands and Teeth', was one of my favorite books of 2009. In fact, I count it as one of favorite books of all time. Ryan's debut was an exhilarating and frightening tale set in a post-apocalyptic universe. `Forest' told the story of Mary, and her village's fight for survival in the aftermath of a disease that destroyed the world, as we know it. The `unconsecrated' do not die; they are savage and ravenous, desperate to taste flesh and pass on the virus that wiped out millions... `The Dead-Tossed Waves' is a companion novel to `Forest'. The story picks up years later and is about Mary's daughter, Gabrielle `Gabry'. Gabry's life is forever changed when one reckless, youthful act of defiance sees the death of her friends and forces Gabry to realize her own fragility. This second novel is glorious. `Forest' introduced readers to a changed world riddled with fear and disease, as seen through the eyes of one girl and her close-minded village. `The Dead-Tossed Waves' sees Ryan's story grow, as layers are added to this destructed world and the plot thickens... In this second novel Ryan explores more complex issues that arise from the aftermath of infection. She puts a very human face to the post-apocalypse, and also ties up loose ends created in `Forest'. Whereas the first novel concentrated on the disease's effect on one small village that was secluded from the rest of the world, in `Dead-Tossed Waves' Ryan gives readers a glimpse of the more far-reaching disaster. She introduces `Soulers' - a crazy cult that has arisen, who believe immortal life can be found in an unconsecrated's bite. Gabry and her friends talk about traveling to `The Dark City', the last bastion of city life, and one of the only densely populated urban areas to survive since disaster struck. Then there's `The Recruiters' - an army of citizen volunteers who patrol village borders and kill the undead. Ryan's series is firmly grounded in the horror genre. Her scenes are cinematic and spine tingling, at once exhilarating and terrifying. But it's not enough to simply say Ryan's books are about `zombies'. Sure, the unconsecrated are frothing, horrifying and undead - but there's real heart behind the zombie plot. Ryan's series is ultimately about hope - that tiny ember that pushes humanity to survive against all odds: to keep trying, fighting and holding on, no matter what. Ryan beautifully encapsulates this idea of survival and hope in the tender romances of her protagonists. In `Forest', Mary was torn between her love for two brothers - Harry and Travis. Gabry follows her mother's footsteps in `Dead-Tossed Waves' as she has conflicted feelings for her childhood sweetheart, Catcher, and a stranger she meets beyond her home's border, Elias. These romances have real heat to them - the characters spark on the page and it's impossible for readers not to feel just as torn as Mary and Gabry between the loves of two good men. These romances are so important to the story and they hold such weight - after all, love is worth fighting for, and one of the best motivators for survival. Carrie Ryan is a perfect example of the Young Adult genre's growing popularity and widening readership. The genre is no longer just for the audience of its namesake - adults are reacquainting themselves with a genre that is growing more sophisticated and garnering more publicity than books in its adult counter-part. `The Forest of Hands and Teeth' and its companion novel, `The Dead-Tossed Waves' are two books that will appeal to young adults and adults alike for its dark themes and complexities. If you haven't already, I implore you to read `The Forest of Hands and Teeth' and then `The Dead-Tossed Waves' for a sinister but fulfilling read.

After falling in love with FOHAT, I eagerly awaited the release of TDTW. I wasn't disappointed! From the very start you are plunged into action, romance,(HOT!)danger, and suspense. I was a little surprised that this book was no longer centered on Mary, but as I suspected, she is linked to the book later on. I think Gabry is a well written character. Yes she's unsure of herself and full of angst, but in truth, WHO ISN'T!? I think it makes her even more REAL to the reader. I did get a bit frustrated with Gabry at certain points, but that was true (probably even more so) with Mary in FOHAT. The writing is beautiful and lush. The attention to detail leaves you awed and terrified. While I was reading I had to keep looking around me every few minutes because I swear I could smell the smells, hear the voices and (gulp) mudo around me! I was so completely engrossed in Gabry (and Mary's) world. The pacing of the book was great, the suspense, killer! I would definitely read FOHAT first. There are little sentimental throwbacks to the first book scattered throughout this one. From what I could put togther, the events from the first to the second book take place around 3O+ years apart, although an exact timeline is never mentioned. I feel like Carrie Ryan did a great job developing her characters. I absolutely adore Elias and Catcher. I kept flip flopping between the two myself. The sexual tension is palpable with both male leads. I love the internal dialouge, and there is a LOT of it. Some other reviewers mentioned that fact, but to me a book IS supossed to be largely internal. That's what's so great about books! To be able to be intimate with a character on that level, to see into his/her head. I liked Gabry's internal struggle and her eventual growth and change. Life is not a straight shot, you get tossed around along the way. Forwards, backwards, from one side to another. You learn, you're uncertain, you hurt, you do stupid things, make bad choices, act selfishly on occasion, and eventually (hopefully) you evolve. I love being able to live that through another persons eyes, especially when it's done right. In this case, it is. I can't wait for the next installment to the series!

Tout simplement génial ! C'est une super idée de nous avoir fait vivre l'histoire du point de vue de la fille de l'héroïne du premier roman. Tout aussi bon que le premier tome et pas mal de rebondissements !

Following on from The forest of hands and teeth is no mean feat and this book delivers. I love the way this book skips ahead in time and follows the next generation of characters, but still gives you some info about the fate of characters from the first book. Without giving any clues away, what happens to one of the secondary characters - catcher - in this is one of the things that made the book for me. imagine what he could do! If you enjoyed the first book, you won't be disapointed.

Loved this series in highschool and now years later as a young adult I have my own copy thank you ❤️

VORWEG: „The Dead-Tossed Waves“ ist die Fortsetzung zu „The Forest of Hands and Teeth“. Für alle, die es nicht wissen: die Geschichte aus „The Forest of Hands and Teeth“ geht weiter, wenn auch aus der Sicht eines anderen Charakters. Die Bücher können allerdings auch durcheinander gelesen werden. Das heißt: Die Reihenfolge, in der man die Bücher liest, ist vollkommen egal! (Die Autorin legt sehr viel Wert darauf und wiederholt Schlüsselelemente.) Nun zum Inhalt: Gabry hat ihr Leben bisher nur in Sicherheit verbracht. Ein Leben hinter den hölzernen Zäunen ihrer Heimatstadt „Vista“. Während um jene Zäune die Untoten, Zombies, ihre Hände nach den Lebenden ausstrecken, verbrachte sie ihre Kindheit zusammen mit ihrer Mutter in deren Leuchtturm, ständig begleitet vom Licht der Lampen und dem rauschenden Meer. Doch als Gabry eines Tages ihren Freunden in die Ruinen des alten Stadtteils folgt, um zum dort angesiedelten Vergnügungspark zu gelangen, ereignet sich eine Katastrophe. Plötzlich ist all die Sicherheit, die Gabry ihr Leben lang gekannt hat, fort. Die Hälfte ihrer Freunde ist tot, die andere gefangen genommen und ihr erster, bester Freund verschwunden. Und Gabry sieht sich konfrontiert mit der Welt außerhalb von Vista, der Welt der Toten, und der Vergangenheit ihrer eigenen Mutter. Carrie Ryan und Spannung muss man fast in einem Atemzug aussprechen. Während ihr Erstlingswerk „The Forest of Hands and Teeth“ mehrere bekannte Elemente verwendet, ist „The Daed-Tossed Waves“ um einiges fantasievoller. Bekannt sind nach wie vor die Zombies, die manch einer vermutlich aus Filmen wie „Resident Evil“ oder „Shaun oft he Dead“ kennt. Dafür gibt es mehr Fantasie und man merkt, dass die Autorin dieses Mal an ihrer Welt gefeilt hat. Die Charaktere sind wieder einzigartig und Ryan legt Wert darauf, dass sie alle eigenständig denken (wobei man sich als Leser oft fragt, wie sie derartig unterschiedliche Charaktere als Einzelperson überhaupt zusammenbringt). Lediglich ein Minuspunkt ist, dass die Geschichte an manchen Stellen zu langatmig ist. So hätte Ryan durchaus einige Szenen streichen können. Fazit: 3,5 Sterne + tolles Cover (das die Stimmung der Geschichte meiner Meinung nach gut einfängt) + wieder Cliff-Hanger Kapitel, die die letzten 100 Seiten im Flug vergehen lassen + Individuelle Charaktere + Schauergarantie! - an manchen Stellen zu langatmig Ich würde das Buch für Fans von Zombies und Horror empfehlen. Doch man sollte sich nicht zu viel erwarten. Die Geschichte wird aus der Sicht von Gabry erzählt und trieft daher nur so vor Teenager-Zweifeln und der Gefühlswelt eines 18-jährigen Mädchens. Für Englisch-Fortgeschrittene und Leser im Alter von 16+.

With yet another wonderfully evocative title Carrie Ryan carries on the great story she started with 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth'. Now it is ten years later and the heroine of that tale has taken over the role of the lighthouse keeper who found her and this story focuses on her daughter Gaby and her adventures. Gaby is a nervous rule abiding girl who has never fit in. She accompanies a group of teens in a reckless trip to the other side of the wall that protects their town and ends in a disaster that changes their lives for ever. As you would expect the story further expands the world she created in the first novel and introduces lots of new elements like a government of sorts and the Soulers, a religious cult who worship the infected. As the story unfolds, Gaby's mother flees back into the forest once again taking us back to the world of the paths and soon Gaby and her friends are forced to follow her revealing a whole lot more revelations and mysteries. Like the excellent reviewer 'Teens read too' I also found the character of Gaby a little irritating and irrational but the strength of the story carries the reader past that and once again you'll be swept up into the world of the Unconsecrated, known as the Mudo in this new world. Carrie Ryan skilfully continues the story from its link with the original book to its conclusion which leaves no guesses as to where book three is heading. If there is one fault it is that there is little to bring the new reader into this world gently. A knowledge of the first book is a definite advantage. Ms Ryan is a wonderful writer but she should read some Patricia Briggs to see how she does it. On those grounds the star rating should really be 9/10 but it doesn't deter my passion for the series and I'll be forking out for the hardback next time too.