The Dead Tossed Waves - Audio

Title/Author: The Dead Tossed Waves (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2) by Carrie Ryan.

Narrator: Tara Sands.

Genre:  YA, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Sci-Fi.

Publisher: Listening Library.

Source: Library.

Synopsis:  Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves. ~Goodreads.com.

Midnyte Musings:  I have mixed feelings about The Dead Tossed Waves.  I liked it, but I had a lot of  issues.  I like the way that it is kind of a continuation of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but not necessarily a sequel.  It is the same world, a few of the same characters, but a different location and a different time.  If you only wanted to read The Dead Tossed Waves, you would not be lost. 

Things got off to a slow start but the story picked up and became more interesting as events became  more complicated.  I love the twists and turns the plot took.  It's a big world out there, but in this story the communities and connections are close and intertwined.  When Gabry discovers her mother, Mary, holds secrets that are a key to their past, she questions who she is literally and figuratively which is already in question because of her actions when she ran to safely while her friends were in danger.

The zombies in this book, or Mudo, or Unconsecrated, are frightening, but not the main aspect of the story.  They are more like the catalyst as to why the world is the way it is. Communities are secluded and the landscape is walled, fenced and barricaded so the undead can't invade and infect.  I don't really consider this Horror or "about zombies" because the story is about Gabry.  The zombies are background.

Although I did like Gabry to a point, she was also a character that for me was a bit too naive and sheltered to the point of her being a little shallow only because she doesn't know better. It worked because of the way she was raised, but it didn't mean she didn't irritate me at times.  I felt as a reader, I was inside Gabry's head more than in the story.  She belabored her thoughts way too much for my taste.  Showing inner turmoil is helpful, but not with every single move and decision.  Was it necessary for plot and character development?  Or was it filler?

I also didn't enjoy the love triangle between Gabry, Catcher (her childhood crush), and new boy Elias.  I thought her dilemma was interesting, but at the same time thought it was kind of convenient.  The issue with her childhood crush, Catcher, made reality easier, her choice obvious.  However, I did like how guilt and loyalty came into the equation.  The ending had Gabry making her choice in many aspects, but obviously there is another book.  If I can find it on audio I would listen to it, but I don't think I would read a print copy.

Narration: Tara Sands gave Gabry a very appropriate performance.  Her voice matched the youth and innocence of the main character and made the book exciting when needed.  I think people who loved Forest of Hands and Teeth, fans of Carrie Ryan, and lovers of YA will appreciate this book.

Starstruck Over:  The world building and mysteries.