The Dark and Hollow Places
Mar 21, 2011
Author: Carrie Ryan
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (March 22, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-0385738590
It's finally here! The third book in the series that started with The Forest of Hands and Teeth series.
These young adult books are positively addicting. They have adult situations and issues - not so much sexual as survival, but the mind set is still that of a mature teenager. An adult, as well as a teen can read these books and stay interested. I would say if your child is under 13 that it might not be for them. While there is no overt sex, there is quite a bit of hinting around and some of the violence is fairly realistic in what could lead to.
The story starts with Gabry, Elias and Catcher (from The Dead-Tossed Waves) arriving in the Dark City to find Gabry's twin, Annah, who was left there three years ago by Elias when he went into the woods as a Recruiter.
Annah has had a very hard time of it. A rebellion has occurred, the protectors of the people - the Recruiters - have gone rogue for the most part and Annah spends most of her time trying to stay out of their hands.........and the teeth of the undead.
On the day she discovers her sister and Elias crossing into the Dark City with Catcher, at the same time she's trying to leave it, she also discovers "The Horde" has reached the city's gates, awakened by Gabry and Elias when they crossed over them to get back into the city in the hopes of finding Annah.
As The Horde takes out the city, the girls and Elias are used as bait to keep Catcher in line so that he can bring food to the Recruiters on the last safe place on earth - a small island. Catcher is immune to the zombies you see and can walk right through the mass of them without fear of harm.
Non-stop action, sexual tension, (on a teen level) violence and a completely disheartening look at the future all work together to keep the pace moving in this book.
Slightly devastated to hear this is the last book in the series, but have hopes of short stories popping up down the line to keep us happy.
