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What Members Thought
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The future is full of zombies.
In her tiny village, Mary has grown up believing that the few people here are the only survivors of mankind, that the Return has caused those infected to become the Unconsecrated, endlessly craving flesh. Their only protection is the fence maintained by the Guardians and the care of the Sisterhood. Mary's heartbroken mother tells her stories of another time, when there were no fences or Unconsecrated. When things existed outside the forest, like an endless body of w ...more
In her tiny village, Mary has grown up believing that the few people here are the only survivors of mankind, that the Return has caused those infected to become the Unconsecrated, endlessly craving flesh. Their only protection is the fence maintained by the Guardians and the care of the Sisterhood. Mary's heartbroken mother tells her stories of another time, when there were no fences or Unconsecrated. When things existed outside the forest, like an endless body of w ...more
Well, I guess this is one of those love-it-or-hate-it books, and I was surprised by how much I loved what is essentially a zombie book! It has a nice, creepy, post-apocalyptic village setting and a heroine who, while obsessively in love at points, is not entirely defined by her love for her man and does actually have some dreams and ideas and bravery of her own. It was also a nice coming-of-age story about pushing out into the unknown and struggling to find the line between idealism and realism.
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Mary lives in a world where their village is surrounded by a fence keeping the zombies from them. Protected by the sisterhood and the guardians, they fear for the day they break through. When the day finally comes, Mary and a few others escape and try to survive, all the while she dreams of finding the ocean - a place described to her by her mother from the old legends.
I really enjoyed this story. Mary was a strong and interesting character. Conflicted by many warring emotions.
I really enjoyed this story. Mary was a strong and interesting character. Conflicted by many warring emotions.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It is written very unique for a zombie post-apocalypse setting. The characters were realistic in that when things didn't make sense, the main character didn't just do what she was told, but did her own thinking.
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I liked this book for a few reasons. I like a good looney tunes narrator. Mary delivers on that point. I also think that it sets up an interesting world for the rest of the series (which I've heard is better). It was creepy and scary in places, and the pacing was pretty heart-stopping at times. If you can handle zombie gore, then you might enjoy those bits. I even felt like the ending was fitting, if completely tragic.
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I am not sure what to think of this book. There were parts I really liked, but others that just had me scratching my head. The whole sisterhood aspect of it was weird and strange. I can see why it was there, but I don' t think it was as developed as it could have been.
Recommended for ages 14 and older. ...more
Recommended for ages 14 and older. ...more
This book came up a star when I realized it's part of a series. I was thinking that the book itself was enjoyable and entertaining until I got to the end and wondered why the hell Carrie Ryan dropped the ball.
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This book had such potential. I wanted to like it. I really did, but I just didn't like the protagonist. She was a whiny, self-involved teen. I can't read angst. Life is too short.
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