Review-The Forest of Hands and Teeth

This was a great zombie book that never actually used the word zombie anywhere in it. I wouldn't call it scary, but definitely suspensful it was interesting to see how the Unconsecreated turned the world back to such primal ways of living. I don't think I would have been able to function if I were in the same conditions that Mary was, but her longing for something she's never known was definitely familiar. Ryan does a great job at crafting a dystopian world that is anything but, and it makes you wonder what could happen if we try something like reviving the dead. A beautifully crafted world of horror The Forest of Hands and Teeth is a great read for all of you who enjoy zombie movies or just a good suspense movie in general. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the next installment of the series. The only thing that bugged me was the fact that we didn't learn what CAUSED the "Return" in the first place. But maybe if I keep reading that will become clear? Other than that it was great and the tension that she laced throughout the book was definitely a great way to keep readers hooked.

4.5/5 dust spirits



*Note, this was an older review originally from the facebook page.

Review-The Dead-Tossed Waves

I was really pleased with this companion novel to Carrie's The Forest of Hands and Teeth because we saw some old characters, met some new ones, and we really got to see past the Forest and some of the reasons for the Return.  I think that when we leave a book we all want to know what happens next but sometimes a sequel isn't always the best way to do that.  A companion novel can be great as long as it's set up right, and this one was set up very well.  Returning to the same world was really great because you leared about the world before, and now you're building on what you already know.  Gabry was a really great character because I think she's what most people in zombie, excuse me Mudo/Unconsecrated books (and movies) aren't; afraid.  In all of the movies and books you have a head-strong hero/heroin who seems to not be afraid of anything, but I think that honestly in that situation most of us would be scared sh*tless, and I think that sometimes writers/authors forget that fact because they feel that it's unapealing in a character.  Carrie is such a great writer and I think that she really hit her calling when she started writing YA zombie suspense novels.  The thing is, she's not afraid to kill characters, which I think is something a lot of YA writers are afraid to do because they feel it will be too dark.  Honestly I did like this book more than the first in the series, maybe it was the characters, maybe it was the setting, maybe it was the romance that seemed to blossom, and maybe it was because I could see myself as Gabry but she was so much stronger than I think I would be in her situation, which is why I really admire her.  It was a riveting sequel and I can't wait to see if we see more of Gabry in the last companion novel, The Dark and Hollow Places.

5.5 dust spirits

(Technically it's more like 4.75/5 dust spirits, but since it would be weird to cut a dust spirit into 3/4 and then everything would ger REALLY complicated we'll just round up to 5)