The Dark and Hollow Places

Jul 28, 2011 Morgan F rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: zombies, young-adult, series, goodreads-author, 2011, favorite-covers, its-a-girl, awesome-titles, read-2011, otis-library, medium-sized, scary, fantasy, dystopian-apocalyptic

In some parts, it was my favorite. In others, it was my least favorite.

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Sep 17, 2011 Ticklish Owl rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: n-america, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, ebook, undead, paranormal, young-adult, horror

After reading and reviewing The Dead Tossed Waves, I wasn't planning on reading the final book in this series. But, I hate starting a series and not finishing it, and I really hoped this book would be better.

The plot follows the previous two books; there's the whiny, self-pitying girl, the love triangle, and the need to escape. The writing hasn't improved either. Something is always almost like something else, unimaginative similes abound. Someone is always retching or vomiting. When hands, fin...more After reading and reviewing The Dead Tossed Waves, I wasn't planning on reading the final book in this series. But, I hate starting a series and not finishing it, and I really hoped this book would be better.

The plot follows the previous two books; there's the whiny, self-pitying girl, the love triangle, and the need to escape. The writing hasn't improved either. Something is always almost like something else, unimaginative similes abound. Someone is always retching or vomiting. When hands, fingers, or knuckles are mentioned, they're raw, ragged, bloody, or bruised. Throats and voices are raw and ragged too. If you need an adjective, any adjective, just use one of these four.

Annah is always whining about her scars and hiding behind her hair. It makes her look meek. Instead of being invisible, she stands out as an easy target. Like Catcher, I was tired of having her 'badge' thrown in my face. It's her personality and her refusal to open up, not her scars, that makes her ugly.

In contrast, Gabry is more mature and steady. She's much more likable than in the previous book. Catcher and Elias are nice guys, even if they're not very multi-dimensional. The remaining characters were just filler, bad guy #1, bad guy #2, victim #1, etc. No personality or motives needed.

This could have been a 2 star book, except for one thing. The escape at the end is beyond ridiculous. (view spoiler)

If you liked this series, you might also enjoy The Clockwork Century series by Cherie Priest.(less)

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Nov 07, 2010 thync rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

How the hell can you give something 5 stars when you haven't read it yet? Stupidest thing in like the history of ever, duh. lolz or something.

I'll have to give it 1 star for the sake of parity.

Edit: Aha! It's already gone down 0.11 points. Justice will be done...

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Dec 02, 2012 Krys rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: zombies, young-adult, own, read-in-2011, horror-thriller, dystopian-post-apocalyptic, monster-hunting, first-person-narrative, twins, autographed, series

I've been slowly working through The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan for the last couple of days. Partly, I blame the stupidity of ongoing health dramas... partly I blame myself. This is "the final" book in the trilogy... and I simply did not want to let these books go.

The Dark and Hollow Places starts out with a new character - Annah, the twin sister of Gabry from book 2. Annah lives in the Dark City and is patiently awaiting the return of Elias, who went off to find Annah's sister, Abiga...more

I've been slowly working through The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan for the last couple of days. Partly, I blame the stupidity of ongoing health dramas... partly I blame myself. This is "the final" book in the trilogy... and I simply did not want to let these books go.

The Dark and Hollow Places starts out with a new character - Annah, the twin sister of Gabry from book 2. Annah lives in the Dark City and is patiently awaiting the return of Elias, who went off to find Annah's sister, Abigail. Annah and Elias left Abigail behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth ten years ago while fleeing the Unconsecrated. Since then Annah has regretted the decision every day. Her guilt is visibly represented on her flesh by severe scars, an accident caused by barbed wire. Annah thinks of her sister and knows that she herself is ugly.

Three people come into the city that irrevocably change Annah's life. One is Elias, the man Annah is in love with. Another is Gabry, Annah's sister, who is in love with Elias as well. The third is Catcher, the Immune former flame of Gabry. All three of these characters serve as symbolic counterpoints for Annah in provocative ways. They also make a very impacting point in the story. Because of Catcher's immunity the Recruiters (who secure the defenses in Dark City) have forced him to infiltrate the infected areas for supplies. To keep him in line they imprison Annah, Gabry, and Elias... but they really only need to keep one alive to maintain Catcher's loyalty. The threat of their deaths are ever present in (and out) of Dark City.

I really like what Ryan did with this book. Granted, it took me a minute to get into the storyline... but once Gabry and co. made their presence known I was hooked. Annah is a hard character to wrap your brain around. I wasn't convinced, at first, that I was going to like her voice... I wasn't sure I was ready for her darkness. She's a completely different character than the first two women; her inner strength comes from years of self-loathing more than success. I was scared of how dark she was in the beginning, but I quickly grew to appreciate her. To love her.... I really grew to love her.

This is, potentially, the darkest book in the series. But it's not because of the dead... it's because of the living. The things that people do, the things that people become in order to survive, is truly monstrous... and Ryan drives this home with efficient grace. It's not the undead we need fear, it's ourselves. Beautifully, masterfully done.

I'm really glad that I had this book to read this week. Really. Very. Glad.

5 out of 5 stars. It's bittersweet to see this series end, but I'm very happy with the final book.

- review courtesy of www.bibliopunkk.net (less)

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Oct 15, 2011 Megan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, zombies, dystopian

Perhaps I need to go back and reread The Forest of Hands and Teeth. The thing is, that book blew me away. I loved the mystery, the surreal quality, Mary's craziness, the pervading sense of doom and of course the never ending onslaught of the Unconsecrated. I remember reading the book late at night, in the middle of a storm while the hubby was away. Between the wind and lightening I could hear moans of the undead, and when thunder shook my old, isolated house I imagined hoards at my door. I was s...more Perhaps I need to go back and reread The Forest of Hands and Teeth. The thing is, that book blew me away. I loved the mystery, the surreal quality, Mary's craziness, the pervading sense of doom and of course the never ending onslaught of the Unconsecrated. I remember reading the book late at night, in the middle of a storm while the hubby was away. Between the wind and lightening I could hear moans of the undead, and when thunder shook my old, isolated house I imagined hoards at my door. I was so spooked that I actually had to put the book down and take a break from it! Carrie Ryan can write a creepy zombie story that is for sure.

Needless to say, I was completely let down by the teen angst portrayed in The Dead-Tossed Waves, almost so much so that I considered not continuing with the final installment of this trilogy. But of course I did finally read The Dark and Hollow Places. The verdict? Well, Carrie Ryan can still write some of the best zombie scenes ever. So many zombie books fail because they go for the immediate scare and shock value. But Ryan manages to build up a slow tension and throughout the novel and allow the reader to truly see the hopelessness and horror of a zombie apocalypse.

And then they come, stumbling from the cloud of dust and dirt: Unconsecrated. At fist it’s just a few, but then there are more and more, struggling across the rubble and flooding into the streets. Slow but steady they flow like blood from a seeping wound.
Some are short and some are tall. Some men and others women. Some wear clothes from olden times and some are naked, their bodies striped with wounds. But all moan with gaping black mouths. All claw at the air, reaching and needing. Some of them shuffle on broken limbs, arms gnawed away, with stringy gray tendons swinging with each step.
There are more than I could ever count and I know this is just the beginning. Soon the entire City will fall to them. I stare and wonder how we’ve survived as long as we have against such an inevitable destruction.

Unfortunately, Ryan also has a desire to write about teenage angst and lurve. While this worked well in The Forest of Hands and Teeth, it’s old hat by now. At this point the zombie scenes and the supporting characters are meant only to hinder the romance and heighten the angst. Teenagers talk philosophically about the nature of life, love and death and manage to be the only good guys amongst many of the survivors we encounter. *yawn*

The Dark and Hollow Places is a solid three stars for me. While I absolutely love Ryan’s ideas and writing style, her execution of this trilogy leaves something to be desired. I would love to see her break away from a plot which is so dependent on the lurve and the angst.
(less)

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Jul 17, 2011 Giselle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, zombies, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic

This is 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...more

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Apr 16, 2011 Steph Sinclair rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads, i-loved-it, i-really-enjoyed-it, original-and-creative, dystopian, zombies-zombies-everywhere, realistic-fiction, young-adult

You know how when you are reading a book and you can sort of tell when the author lets her characters off the hook or saves them from a potentially devastating situation? Well, Carrie Ryan spares no sort of mercy for her characters. In fact, she leaves your soul begging for a way out for them. I found myself bargaining with Ryan to please cut them some slack! But Alas, such is not the way in any of the Forest of Hands and Teeth novels. While the POV changed from each of the three books, one cons...more
You know how when you are reading a book and you can sort of tell when the author lets her characters off the hook or saves them from a potentially devastating situation? Well, Carrie Ryan spares no sort of mercy for her characters. In fact, she leaves your soul begging for a way out for them. I found myself bargaining with Ryan to please cut them some slack! But Alas, such is not the way in any of the Forest of Hands and Teeth novels. While the POV changed from each of the three books, one constant always remained:

Or the “Unconsecrated,” “Mudo,” or “Plague Rats” depending which book you’re on.

The Dark and Hollow Places (or the series in general) is epic. I can honestly say I really, really liked it, perhaps even loved it. However, it is not an adventure I would want to read again. It is just too damn depressing. And I’ll probably have Zombie filled dreams the next night I sleep. The world Ryan creates is so grim, so full of darkness and despair. Honestly, its awesome. It feels like you are watching a horror movie.

The book picks up with Gabry’s twin sister, Annah. What a broken character! At first, I thought Annah was sure to annoy the hell out of me with her constant complaints of her scars. But she quickly grew on me. Annah is a very strong, solid, female protagonist. Is she flawed? Sure. She is so used to depending on herself for everything, that she is afraid to let anyone get close to her. Throughout the novel, she learns that if she or her loved ones are going to make it, she has to learn to trust again.

Annah can not take a break in this novel. Ryan puts her through some pretty hellish situations that left me doing something like this:

Or this:

I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Nowhere was safe, not from the Zombies or the recruiters. Many times they all just wanted to give up. But really, who could blame them? Ryan brought up a very good question in this book: What is the difference from surviving and simply existing? What do you do when you only have a short time to live? Well, you LIVE. You continuing fighting, feeling, believing.

So, if you haven’t read this book or series…what are you waiting for?! The Return?!

More reviews and more at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.(less)

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Oct 15, 2011 the golden witch. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: zombies, 2011, dystopia, best-of-11, reviewed, favorites-novels, own, own-1st-edition

Picking up right where we left off at the end of "The Dead-Tossed Waves", "The Dark and Hollow Places" ups the pace of the story, making us feel just as desperate as the rest of the main characters thus far.

This last third book in the trilogy (though I really, really hope there are others!) unites all of the characters we've met since the first book together in a frenetic union of panic and love, lust and hurt. Annah's love of her sister combined with the hate that springs forth once she learns...more Picking up right where we left off at the end of "The Dead-Tossed Waves", "The Dark and Hollow Places" ups the pace of the story, making us feel just as desperate as the rest of the main characters thus far.

This last third book in the trilogy (though I really, really hope there are others!) unites all of the characters we've met since the first book together in a frenetic union of panic and love, lust and hurt. Annah's love of her sister combined with the hate that springs forth once she learns how Abagail/Gabry grew up is a tasty treat, sweet and sour, to be enjoyed slowly as it simmers to a head near the middle of the book. Just as the first book was Mary's story and the second was Gabry's, make no mistake that this last story in the trilogy belongs to Annah and Ryan never lets us forget that. We're deeply immersed in Annah and her psyche the entire time, and how she fights with herself on whether she loves or hates her sister, Catcher, and Elias.

Between this and the panic spurred on by the actions of Catcher, Elias, and Gabry at the end of the previous book, it feels like you're on a marathon - heart pounding, lactic acid in your legs the entire time. And it burns - teenage love in the middle of a world that's ending.

But it burns so, so good. Ryan has only honed and perfected her craft of agonized teenage affection throughout all three books, which is really well represented in this last story.

And then there's the generational aspect as well; Mary's story was the first story, somewhere around 20 years previous to the second book. By the end of this third book, you get the feeling that things have come full circle, that there is hope, another generation to be born, and even though they may have to fight for their lives, they WILL live.

That, ultimately, I think is Ryan's message: if there's life there's hope, and if there's hope, there's love. And that's what makes us different from the dead, just as Annah says in the book - the fact that we're aware and fight for these emotions makes us alive, makes us fallible, but makes us human. This is the line that separates us from the dead.

I really hope there are more books in the world of "Hands and Teeth" - "Hare Moon", a novella just released online (which I haven't had a chance to read yet), apparently also takes place in the same universe. But I'd like a prequel, maybe something to answer what happened to cause the Return, or a sequel/separate trilogy of what happened after this last book. I won't take no for an answer.

This one's in my top five for 2011 so far, and the year's not even over yet. Simply gorgeous.

(crossposted to librarything, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com) (less)

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Apr 18, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian-post-apocalyptic-utopian, pn-zombies, young-adult, read-2011

I really liked The Forest of Hands and Teeth, which I thought was a bleak, well-written take on the whole zombie story. I wasn't as big a fan of the follow-up novel, The Dead-Tossed Waves, primarily because I thought Gabry was a bit of a whiner and a little too obsessed with boys in the middle of all the death, dying, and undead.

As such, I wasn't sure whether I was eager to follow the story with the third installment in the series, but happily The Dark and Hollow Places returns with a compellin...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Lupita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

i want to know what happeds to gabry!!!!!!!!! but can not wait till it comes out

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Apr 12, 2011 Lola rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It seems to be happening a lot to me lately first with the next part if the Gone series and now this too... I don't know how I'm gonna wait a whole year

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally a whole year has passed and I just finished reading the book this morning , 1 am counts as morning right??

After reading it I feel kind of overhelmed with all the emotions the story has generated on me, I even feel a bit sore of been pulled through all the tension moments along the story.

"What would you do if you knew...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Enna Isilee (Squeaky Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, read-in-2011

Wow. I wasn't too thrilled with this book at first, but that ending... Wow. I hope with all my might and soul that this isn't really the end of this fabulous series. But if it is, it's still a beautiful ending.

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Feb 26, 2012 lilly bear ♡ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs, awesome-authors, from-author, the-haves, first-read

Oh, my goodness, I'm completely fangirling out right now! I cannot believe that I just won an ARC of this book in one of the goodreads giveaways, one of my most coveted this year. A signed copy! Someone pinch me, please. I think I've died and gone to bookish heaven. I've completely adored this series so far, and I'm sure this book won't disappoint. Zombies are forever ♥ Thank you, Carrie!

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Jul 18, 2012 Tanja rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

OK just reading about this book makes me kind of vomit into my mouth.... Oh look it's Gabrys long lost twin, but with a scar! And hey lets recycle that love triangle from the last book shall we? Awesome.. But I'm still going to read it... cause I'm a fool... a sleep deprived zombie loving fool...

P.S. what the hell is up with the cover... is she so depressed by the fact that she can't choose between two men who love her twin sister and the fact that zombies roam the world that all she can do is s...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Maree ♫ Light's Shadow ♪ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay.

I am not one of those people who jumps out and reads the next book in a series immediately after putting down the first one, unless the book is insanely good. And while I appreciated Ryan's take on zombies, I didn't think The Forest of Hands and Teeth (aside from having an awesome title) was quite worthy of that. So I had to muddle through the first part of this book putting together my ragged memory of what happened in book two to take us here to book three. It took a while. Maybe because...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Scott Pilgrim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopia-post-apocalyptic, zombie, paranormal

Check out more reviews at Scott Reads It!
"Sometimes life isn't about the end. It's not always about tomorrow and the day after that-what we achieve over the years and how we leave the world. Sometimes it's about today."
I was a bit reluctant to read The Dark And Hollow Places for two reasons. I have read tons of trilogies and the 3rd book in a trilogy almost always manages to disappoint me. I usually don't like how authors resolve trilogies because the conclusions usually feel way too rushed....more Check out more reviews at Scott Reads It!
"Sometimes life isn't about the end. It's not always about tomorrow and the day after that-what we achieve over the years and how we leave the world. Sometimes it's about today."
I was a bit reluctant to read The Dark And Hollow Places for two reasons. I have read tons of trilogies and the 3rd book in a trilogy almost always manages to disappoint me. I usually don't like how authors resolve trilogies because the conclusions usually feel way too rushed. Second of all, it sounds kind of juvenile but I avoided reading this book because I didn't want this series to end. The Dark And Hollow Places is an extremely satisfying conclusion that definitely exceeded all of my expectations.

Carrie Ryan is truly a literary genius. Only Carrie Ryan could make a zombie book into something so beautiful and emotionally powerful. The Dark And Hollow Places filled me with hope and yet at the same time it broke my heart and shattered it into a million pieces. No matter how hopeless a situation may seem, no situation is entirely hopeless.

Annah is so different from Mary and Gabry but I still loved her nevertheless. Annah is extremely insecure about herself but you really can't blame her. Some readers will probably find Annah irritating but her insecurity is really a result of her situation. Even though everything feels so bleak and hopeless, Annah is determined to continue to fight each and every day.If I was in the situation that Annah was, I highly doubt I'd be as hopeful or determined as she was. I really loved watching Annah evolve as a person and accept who she is.

The Dark And Hollow Places is even more horrifying than both The Forest And Hands Of Teeth and The Dead Tossed Waves. Everything feels even more bleak and hopeless in this book. Carrie Ryan takes advantage of the situation and uses the setting to put across some thought provoking messages. What does it mean to be human? When is it okay to give up? Is life worth living without hope?

Some people have complained about how this series ended because it's a bit open ended. I found the ending extremely satisfying and it was a truly perfect ending. I don't want to give anything way but I loved the ending!

The Dark And Hollow Places is a thought-provoking conclusion to one of my all-time favorite series. I really look forward to reading more of Carrie Ryan's books and I hope I enjoy them as much as I enjoyed this book. I'd highly recommend reading all of The Forest Of Hands And Teeth books and I believe these books really deserve the hype they receive!(less)

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Apr 14, 2011 Mandy Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm thankful this is the last installment of The Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy. Carrie Ryan came out strong in the first two books of the series, but I feel that there must have been some pressure to Tame the direction in which her stories head.
I've always felt that Carrie Ryan is awesome because she ignites the same fear or passion in the reader as the characters in her books, and she doesn't pull any punches. In The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead Tossed Waves, it is very easy to i...more I'm thankful this is the last installment of The Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy. Carrie Ryan came out strong in the first two books of the series, but I feel that there must have been some pressure to Tame the direction in which her stories head.
I've always felt that Carrie Ryan is awesome because she ignites the same fear or passion in the reader as the characters in her books, and she doesn't pull any punches. In The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead Tossed Waves, it is very easy to identify with the main characters, to fall in love with the love interests, and to feel the relief of narrowly escaping zombie filled towns and villages with your life. Carrie even goes so far as to kill the love interest in book one, nearly kill the love interest in book two, and kill the best friend in book two. That must have been difficult for her to do to these characters she's developed with love and care, because I certainly loved them and mourned their loss.

In The Dark and Hollow Places, hope seems like a distant memory. Annah, the main character is more angst ridden and self pitying than Gabry or Mary. The dedication of the book is to Carrie's sisters, and the book mostly feels like an homage to sisterly love and insecurities. No one central to the story dies, although there is a set up for Gabry and Elias to both die of flu. There are no Breakers, although there are times when you think there absolutely will be one. The escape possibilities are more far-fetched than previous installments. Worst of all, mostly all of the build up to Annah discovering her love for Catcher is luke warm, at least in comparison to Mary and Gabry's abilities to pine away. Anna's feelings are more elusive and sullied by living the hard life she has lived, and being abandoned by Elias, whom she loves.

I wish Carrie had been more willing to make the hard choices this time around. Perhaps she could even have infected Annah so the reader could experience Returning themselves. I'm happy Catcher has someone to love, but the fact that not everyone gets a happy ending was evident in the other stories, and I was prepared to deal with Carrie's characters hard knock lives.(less)

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Apr 16, 2011 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-release, 2011-100-book-challenge, arcs-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews, signed-books-arcs

Carrie Ryan has a talent for writing. Not only does her writing increase in perfection with each book, but she creates a world that feels so real while reading it, that I hopelessly and willingly fall victim to it's brilliance. Yes I know zombies aren't real, but they sure feel real when you're reading Carrie's series. I can honestly say I am NOT a zombie fan, but I'm a die hard Carrie Ryan zombie fan. There's a difference, as Carrie's main characters are not zombies, but the world in which they...more Carrie Ryan has a talent for writing. Not only does her writing increase in perfection with each book, but she creates a world that feels so real while reading it, that I hopelessly and willingly fall victim to it's brilliance. Yes I know zombies aren't real, but they sure feel real when you're reading Carrie's series. I can honestly say I am NOT a zombie fan, but I'm a die hard Carrie Ryan zombie fan. There's a difference, as Carrie's main characters are not zombies, but the world in which they live is over run with them.

The Dark and Hollow Places lives up to it's name and is the darker of the three, but it also made it the most realistic. Without giving away any spoilers, what happens with the characters in the story wasn't shocking to me and is something that fits a story who's world is facing an end. This is something that felt real and something I can see really happening, as human nature takes over. People either fight to survive or become barbaric and let me just say that a few of the Recruiters make the zombies look nice.

What I've loved about this series is that each book is from a different character's point of view, and each story is told in manner that I not only get to see the characters in a variety of ways, but also their world. What I loved most with this story is the way in which Carrie brings all her characters together and wraps up her series. The Dark and Hollow Places is told from Annah's point of view, Gabry's twin sister. I really enjoyed getting to know Annah, and I loved the romance that grows between her and Catcher. It's so broken, and hopeful all at the same time and filled with tension, which I love. I really fell in love with Catcher in TDTW, but this time his desperation is so much more urgent that I really wanted to reach out to him. Annah and Catcher mold together perfectly, as they're the only ones who are able to really understand each other. I'm so glad that Gabry and Elias were apart of the story, but this time they were great supporting characters.

The setting in which the story takes place really helps set the tone and feel of the book. Dark City is overrun and falling apart and it's the last strong hold survivors have. The darkened subway tunnels are beyond creepy! My adrenaline started running while reading these scenes they're that creepy, but so fitting for the story. While the setting makes the world and the story feel helpless, the characters give it hope, which was so appealing to me. Annah for me is the essence of survival. Her passion for living really brought the story to life. She often questions the way in which she was changing and how could she not? She's had to deal with some pretty horrific things both from what she's seen and experienced. She won't give up, even when all seems lost.

I truly loved the moments I spent being apart of the world Carrie created. With The Dark and Hollow Place I had a few of those "ah ha" moments when Carrie ties together her previous two story lines, and adds them to this story's deliciously twisted plot. And oh what an ending! It's biter sweet, hopeful, and exactly how a series should end. If you have not picked up Carrie's series, I highly recommend it. The Dark and Hollow Places is a must have book and I recommend running out today to pick up.(less)

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Mar 28, 2011 Penny rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brief-ish summary (that isn't so much spoilery as it is more of a quick set-up of the plot during the first chapter or so): Teenage Annah has been on her own for three years, since Elias--the boy with whom she got lost in the forest several years prior--left to join the protectorate to secure a better future for both of them. In the Dark City where lawlessness prevails Annah learned quickly what it takes to fend for herself. She's had to be strong in order to survive.

Because of street smarts an...more Brief-ish summary (that isn't so much spoilery as it is more of a quick set-up of the plot during the first chapter or so): Teenage Annah has been on her own for three years, since Elias--the boy with whom she got lost in the forest several years prior--left to join the protectorate to secure a better future for both of them. In the Dark City where lawlessness prevails Annah learned quickly what it takes to fend for herself. She's had to be strong in order to survive.

Because of street smarts and childhood accident that left part of her face and body marred Annah's been fortunate to fend off creepers and the like. Unfortunately the very same scars cause Annah to keep everyone at arms length. She walks the streets with her head down, speaking only when necessary and has no friends or acquaintances. She's literally all on her own as she waits for Elias to return to her.

Near the beginning of The Dark and Hollow Places Annah makes the decision to move on--Elias has been gone three years when he only signed up for two. She knows that there is a good chance he's dead or worse. She knows it's foolish to continue living in the same building they lived in together as it's been declared unsafe and the city is getting more dangerous every day.

It's when she's leaving the city for what's supposed to be the last time she sees a teenage girl who has her face, or rather the face she would have were it not for all the scars. Annah knows without a doubt the girl is her long-lost identical twin, Abigail, whom she and Elias left in the forest all those years ago. Guilt-stricken, there hasn't been a day in which Annah hasn't thought about Abigail, about her fate--whether she found her way back to their village or not.

Annah attempts to get to Abigail who, ironically enough, is entering the Dark City. She fails because of the excessive, though entirely necessary security measures in place. Helplessly she watches Abigail pass by, hoping she can locate her after she returns to the city. Around the same time a young man, also entering the city, becomes the focus of nearly everybody's attention when security dogs start barking at him, identifying him as infected. Turns out Abigail is traveling with the young man and helps him escape from the peacekeepers. In turn they take her into custody while Annah looks on, horrified.

And this, folks, is when things get truly interesting but I'm going to have to finish reviewing this book later as my five year old needs attention RIGHT NOW! (Seriously, the world might just end if I don't do her bidding.)

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Original short review:

More like 3.9 stars but I went ahead and rounded it up because it is the series finale and it ended well. The protagonist is the strongest Ryan has written to-date, though a little too much of a tortured soul from time to time. There are times in which I found myself choking on her pain, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It's just that Ryan writes heartbreak and rejection so well, I found myself sort of reliving some of the nastier, best-left-forgotten experiences from my adolescence. I was choking on bitterness on the MC's behalf and I even hated the 'other girl'. So glad I'm no longer a teenager, but I digress.

I'll write a full review when I get to my computer as typing this out from a phone isn't very fun.(less)

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Sep 29, 2012 Lissa & Alexa The Novel Lasses rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Ages 16 and up

The Dark and Hallow Places: Book 3 "Forest of hands and teeth Series"

Star stats:
Jaded Adult: 4 Stars
Forever Young: 5 Stars
Over All: 4 1/2 Stars

This book is definitely darker than the first two, and lighter on the romance. It follows Annah, Gabry's sister who has grown up in the ruins of New York City. While leaving the Dark City Annah catches a glimpse of her sister Gabry and returns to the city. Catcher Gabry's boyfriend is immune to the virus and warns her of the Horde of Zombies. The two...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Angie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-future-earth

The first book in this series "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" was such a great story, then the second book "The Dead Tossed Waves" wasn't really a sequel, it was a whole different story with mostly different characters and it didn't make references to the first book very often, so you didn’t get any answers to the questions that the first book raised. This last book "The Dark and Hollow Places" is a sequel to "The Dead Tossed Waves", I started skimming about mid book because I thought it was get...more

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Feb 12, 2011 One Pushy Fox rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

I absolutely adored this final book in the Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy!!! Anna and Catcher are so sad and broken and they go through such harrowing events but watching their love story unfold was beautiful. I adore love stories that show how love can heal a person and I definitely got that here.

I also love the gripping way Carrie Ryan grabbed me at the beginning of this book and wouldn't let go. She kept the tension and suspense going the whole time which made this book exceedingly hard to...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Chara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Great read. Very quick to get through. Unlike much of the other paranormal romance type stuff for teens, this one isn't overly sexual or overly violent.

It def ended in a way that I didn't suspect Carrie Ryan to end it. Not saying it was bad or good, but I expected something very different.

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Jul 23, 2011 Cecilia Solis-sublette added it · review of another edition

The third and final novel of the series, Ryan raps this saga up very well. The third novel is much more satisfying than the second because the second left us hanging but this one serves in tying up loose ends and presenting us with a plausable ending for the saga. The plot is touching, a little cheessey at times, but good. There are some cliched ideas but they are developed interestingly. Let's face it; Ryan is a pretty good writer. Ryan does break away from the torn between two lovers idea that...more

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May 07, 2011 Kristin Rae added it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, read-in-2011, random-house

A fast-paced, intense ending to one of the most horrifying yet fascinating series I've ever read. I feel slightly let down that I didn't get some of the answers I was looking for, but I guess these books really aren't about the state of the world, how it got to be that way, and what can be done about it... they're about the people, *coughFORBIDDENLOVE*, and survival. Fighting to live against all odds, because life and love are worth fighting for.
I look forward to what Carrie Ryan releases next!...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Kaleigh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the second most amazing book I have ever read, the first was the dead tossed waves which I was not planning on reading but at my school book fair I saw it the cover looked so fascinating. So I bought it. That day changed my life forever. I fell in love with Catcher and was so jealous of Gabry it's almost as though I was in the book myself. If I could read them again and again I would.. And I did already. Once in English class my teacher wouldn't letter me read the book and I started cryi...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Cassy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This time, we get Annah's (seriously, it couldn't have been spelled Anna?) POV. Annah is the sister of Gabry, and Elias's childhood friend, and she become fierce and broken since they are both gone. But then they show up with Catcher, and stuff goes down.

Did I mention she has scars on one side of her body? Oh yes, we are constantly reminded of the fact that Annah feels ugly and worthless and unwanted. It started to get old really quickly.

And the romance. The love triangle is rehashed from the se...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Jessie Pendergast rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

....I regret this book. It was good, it kept me busy, and it infiltrated my dreams (even dreams about zombies are not what I necessarily consider nightmares). But...what did Ryan do to Gabrielle (Gabry sounds stupid)? I liked her. So much. She wasn't perfect, but they tried so hard to make her everything she wasn't in the second book - everything she wished she could be at first until she found herself. Maybe something inside me identified with her in the second book. I swear though, I almost pu...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Bryn Greenwood rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been waiting to review the first two books until I finished the whole series. Now I fear I've tarnished my goodwill toward the first two books by reading this, the last.

In short: this isn't much of a zombie book. It is primarily a teen wangst book. Oh, I'm horrible. Oh, I'm ugly. Oh, no one could ever love me. Oh, my sister is so beautiful and perfect and the boy I think I love loves her, but wait no ... maybe I love this other boy who also maybe once loved my beautiful sister. But I'm so...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Giota Papadimakopoulou rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Το πολυαναμενόμενο τρίτο και τελευταίο μέρος της τριλογίας, "Το Δάσος Με Τα Χέρια Και Τα Δόντια", που ακούει στον τίτλο, "Σκοτεινά Κι Έρημα Μέρη", βρίσκεται πλέον στα χέρια των fans της Carrie Ryan που, για μια ακόμη φορά, αποδεικνύει πως, όταν ένας δημιουργός έχει ταλέντο, μπορεί κι εξελίσσεται με το πέρασμα του χρόνου, είναι σε θέση, να προσφέρει στους αναγνώστες του αυτό, το κάτι παραπάνω, και να κρατήσει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον και την αγωνία του, από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα. Και...more Το πολυαναμενόμενο τρίτο και τελευταίο μέρος της τριλογίας, "Το Δάσος Με Τα Χέρια Και Τα Δόντια", που ακούει στον τίτλο, "Σκοτεινά Κι Έρημα Μέρη", βρίσκεται πλέον στα χέρια των fans της Carrie Ryan που, για μια ακόμη φορά, αποδεικνύει πως, όταν ένας δημιουργός έχει ταλέντο, μπορεί κι εξελίσσεται με το πέρασμα του χρόνου, είναι σε θέση, να προσφέρει στους αναγνώστες του αυτό, το κάτι παραπάνω, και να κρατήσει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον και την αγωνία του, από την πρώτη μέχρι την τελευταία σελίδα. Και μπορεί η αναμονή να ήταν μεγάλη και να διήρκεσε έναν ολόκληρο χρόνο όμως, άξιζε τον κόπο αφού, η σειρά ολοκληρώνεται με τον πιο, απόλυτα ικανοποιητικό τρόπο, ταξιδεύοντάς μας ξανά, στον κόσμο των Ακαθαγίαστων και των ανθρώπων εκείνων που, έχουν καταφέρει να αποφύγουν να μολυνθούν, παλεύοντας με νύχια και με δόντια προκειμένου να επιβιώσουν.

Η ιστορία μας εξελίσσεται ανάμεσα στην Σκοτεινή Πόλη και τους Κακότοπους, ένα από τα λίγα μέρη στον πλανήτη που μετά την Επιστροφή, καταφέρνουν να προφυλαχθούν από τη μεγάλη μόλυνση που έμελλε να αλλάξει το μέλλον του κόσμου. Εκεί, ζει και η Άννα, προστατευόμενη του Ιλάιας και αδερφή της Γκάμπρι που γνωρίσαμε στο δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς, "Κύματα Νεκρών". Η Άννα, παλεύει κάθε μέρα προκειμένου να μείνει ζωντανή, έχοντας να αντιμετωπίσει, τους Ακαθαγίαστους από τη μία, τις ακραίες δυσκολίες της καθημερινής διαβίωσης από την άλλη. Το πρόσωπό της, που έχει σημαδευτεί από ένα ατύχημα στο παρελθόν, την βοηθάει σε έναν βαθμό να μένει μακριά από μπελάδες ενώ, η ίδια έχει δημιουργήσει γύρω της ένα πλαίσιο άμυνας, κρατώντας μακριά της τους ανθρώπους. Έχει μάθει να είναι αγωνίστρια και κάθε μέρα, προσμένει την επιστροφή του Ιλάιας που όσο ο καιρός περνά, φαντάζει όλο και πιο αμφίβολη. Μέχρι τη στιγμή που στη γέφυρα που χωρίζει τα σύνορα, θα δει ένα πρόσωπο που θα της θυμίσει το δικό της, το πρόσωπο της χαμένης αδερφής της και όλα, θα αλλάξουν.

Η Άννα θα συναντήσει ξανά την αδερφή της και οι τύψεις από την εγκατάλειψή της τόσα χρόνια πριν, στο Δάσος με τα Χέρια και τα Δόντια, θα επιστρέψουν πιο δυνατές από ποτέ. Από την άλλη, ξυπνάει μέσα της ένα αίσθημα ζήλιας, για όλα εκείνα που η αδερφή της κατάφερε τελικά να αποκτήσει μακριά της όπως, η μητρική αγκαλιά ή ακόμα χειρότερα, η λήθη ενός τρομακτικού παρελθόντος, με το οποίο η ίδια, καταδικάστηκε να ζει κάθε μέρα της ζωής της. Παράλληλα, ο άντρας που τόσα χρόνια νόμιζε ότι αγαπούσε, είναι ερωτευμένος με την αδερφή της κι εκείνη, πιο μόνη από ποτέ. Μέχρι την στιγμή τουλάχιστον που ο Κάτσερ, μπαίνει για τα καλά στη ζωή της κάνοντάς της για πρώτη φορά να αναρωτηθεί ποια επιλογή είναι η καλύτερη. Είναι προτιμότερο να παραδοθείς στον θάνατο ή, υπάρχουν πράγματα για τα οποία αξίζει να παλεύεις για να ζήσεις, ακόμα και σε έναν κόσμο που έχει παραδοθεί στο ανθρώπινο αίμα και την οδύνη; Μπορεί να υπάρξει φως εκεί που το σκοτάδι μοιάζει να έχει κατακλύσει τα πάντα;

Κι αν αναρωτιόμασταν τι περισσότερο θα μπορούσε να μας προσφέρει η Ryan σε έναν κόσμο που σταδιακά καταρρέει, η απάντηση, έρχεται μέσα από το βιβλίο αυτό. Γιατί αυτή τη φορά, οι πρωταγωνιστές της ιστορίας της, δεν έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν μόνο τους Ακαθαγίαστους και τη δίψα τους για ανθρώπινη σάρκα κι αίμα αλλά, ακόμα πιο αιμοβόρα και σκληρά πλάσματα. Γιατί ο άνθρωπος αγαπητοί αναγνώστες, μπορεί να γίνει το πιο σκληρό και αδυσώπητο πλάσμα στον πλανήτη. Όταν η βία και ο θάνατος έχουν τον πρωταρχικό ρόλο στην καθημερινότητά μας, πόσο ανεπηρέαστοι μπορούμε να μείνουμε μπροστά του; Οι τέσσερις φίλοι μας, θα βρεθούν αντιμέτωποι με τους Στρατονόμους, που ο αέρας εξουσίας τους έχει μετατρέψει σε σκοτεινά πλάσματα που μοναδικό στόχο έχουν, να επιβιώσουν οι ίδιοι, αδιαφορώντας για την ανθρώπινη ζωή και το μέλλον του κόσμου, που οδεύει όλο και πιο κοντά στο τέλος του. Γιατί οι Στρατονόμοι, δεν ενδιαφέρονται για κανέναν άλλον, παρά για τους ομοίους τους και δεν διστάζουν, ακόμα και προς χάριν της επιβίωσης και της ψυχαγώγησής του, να εκβιάσουν, τα σκοτώσουν, ακόμα και να θυσιάσουν άλλα ανθρώπινα όντα.

Στο τελευταίο μέρος της τριλογίας, η Ryan, μοιράζει την ιστορία της σε δύο επίπεδα. Το ένα, έχει να κάνει με τη δράση, με την προσπάθεια των ηρώων της να επιβιώσουν, να παλέψουν ενάντια στις αντίξοες συνθήκες και τον χρόνο που μοιάζει να τους πιέζει ασφυκτικά. Οι επιλογές τους περιορισμένες και εκείνοι, πρέπει να κάνουν τα αδύνατα δυνατά προκειμένου να ξεφύγουν από τη μοίρα τους και να χαράξουν μια νέα πορεία που ίσως, τους επιτρέψει να ζήσουν, να χτίσουν ένα νέο, δικό τους κόσμο από την αρχή. Το άλλο, έχει να κάνει με την προσωπική, εσωτερική τους πάλη, κάτι που ισχύει σε ακόμα μεγαλύτερη βαθμό για τον Κάτσερ και την Άννα. Είναι εκείνοι που πρέπει περισσότερο από οποιονδήποτε άλλο, να παλέψουν με τους προσωπικούς τους δαίμονες, με τις φοβίες και τα άγχη τους και να αποφασίσουν, αν αξίζει να ρισκάρουν προκειμένου να ζήσουν, έστω κι αν αυτό σημαίνει ότι κάθε φορά, θα αγωνίζονται για την επόμενη μέρα. Και η Άννα, θα πρέπει να ξεπεράσει όχι μόνο τον εαυτό της αλλά, να συμβιβαστεί με το παρελθόν, να μάθει να πορεύεται με αυτό, προσπαθώντας να δημιουργήσει ένα μέλλον, πλημμυρισμένο από αγάπη κι αισιοδοξία ότι όλα, μπορούν να πάνε καλύτερα.

Μια ιστορία φαντασίας, ένα δυστοπικό μυθιστόρημα που μέσα του, ίσως και να κρύβει μεγαλύτερες αλήθειες από αυτές που μπορούμε να αντιληφθούμε με μια πρώτη ματιά. Μια ιστορία που στο σύνολό της, δεν έχει μοναδικό σκοπό να μας ταξιδέψει στο σύμπαν που δημιούργησε η συγγραφέας αλλά, να μας κάνει να κοιτάξουμε καλύτερα τους εαυτούς μας και που αυτοί οδηγούνται από τις αποφάσεις του σήμερα, από τις πράξεις ενός παρόντος που μας κατευθύνουν σε ένα μέλλον που η επιστροφή, θα είναι πολύ δύσκολη. Μα πάνω απ' όλα, είναι μια ιστορία που μέσα από τον τρόμο, γεννά την ελπίδα και την αγάπη, είναι ουσιαστικά, ένας ύμνος σε αυτά τα δύο συναισθήματα που αν βρούμε τη δύναμη, το κουράγιο και το θάρρος, μπορούν να υπερνικήσουν τα πάντα. Τρία βιβλία, διαφορετικοί πρωταγωνιστές, μια ιστορία τα κομμάτια της οποίας με μαγευτικό τρόπο ενώνονται, για να μας ταξιδέψουν μέσα από την αυτογνωσία σε ένα μέλλον, που μπορεί να μην είναι όλα ρόδινα όμως, μπορούμε με χαμόγελο, αισιοδοξία και θέληση, να αντικρίσουμε ένα αύριο για το οποίο, αξίζει να παλέψουμε, αξίζει να γίνουμε καλύτεροι από αυτό που είμαστε.(less)

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The Forest of Han...: The Dark and Hollow Places	1	20	Sep 22, 2011 06:13pm

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The Dark and Hollow Places (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #3)

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