Wow. You never think that a sequel will equal its predecessor, but Carrie Ryan has managed to do it...and I even liked it better. The Forest of Hands and Teeth blew me away with its creative setting and premise and with its strong female lead, but when I got hold of The Dead-Tossed Waves I could NOT put it down. Told from the point of view of Mary's daughter, Gabry, its about a girl who is forced to step outside of her "safe" world and learn what courage is. In contrast to her mother, Mary, Gabry is timid and cautious about the world around her. Watching her grow, develop, and rise to the challenges that she met with throughout her story was amazing. And the love triangle with her initial first love, Catcher, and her mysterious rescuer (gosh, I just love a good rescue), Elias, was beautifully written. Great example of how to write a love triangle without making your reader hate someone...I can honestly say I love both Catcher AND Elias (although...I'm rooting for Elias. I can't lie.) Absolutely cannot wait for book three.

AND...having met Ms. Carrie Ryan in person, I can honestly say that she is as cool as her books.