While I was reading The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan, I kept waiting and waiting for the big conflict to occur and when it never came, I was disappointed. Finally, the second book came out and I was eager to read it. I was waiting for a big climax that never came. The Dead-Tossed Waves seemed like it was repeating The Forest of Hands and Teeth (the first book). Both books had the same problem, always being surrounded and enclosed by Mudo or Unconsecrated, and fighting to be free.
While the book didn’t fulfill my expectations, I thought the author’s writing was incredible. Throughout the book I kept marking pages with quotes I loved, one that I especially love was, “I hold my breath, waiting for her touch to bring me comfort. And then I realize that that’s been my problem all along. Not only wanting comfort and security and safety, but looking to others to find it when I need to find it inside myself. I’ve spent every moment I can remember scared: scared of the Forest, scared to break the rules, scared of the world outside the Barrier. Scared of life. I’ve always looked at everything as black-and-white: alive or dead, safe or savage.” (Pg.324) This quote summarized the book completely. I especially enjoyed the blend of romance, adventure, and conflict.
Another thing I would like to commend the authors writing on, is the development of the character Gabry, she starts as a content, scared, young girl and changes into a strong, mature women.
Even though this wasn’t favorite book and I probably won’t be reading it again (because I’ve basically read it twice now), I found that a lot of the things the author wrote about really stuck with me. The Dead-Tossed Waves, made me think about my conflicts in life, if and how I will overcome them. How everyday I make choices and overcome small, but life changing things. I can’t go back and change them, I have to keep going on my adventure. The boundaries that I have, are made by life and by myself. As a individual, I have to push those boundaries to succeed. "There’s no way for us to ever go back. We keep going.” (Pg. 401) In Gabry’s adventure she realizes (at the end of book) life will never be like it was before the Return. She has to keep going and look for a better life. “We don’t have to live within the boundaries we set up… We have to learn to push those barriers.” (Pg. 404)
Here is a quick summary of this book:
Gabry is a only child, living in the small town guarded by high walls off the coast of an ocean. From the top of her lighthouse, she lives a quiet and content life. Listening to her friends dream of the Dark City, trapped between the barrier and the ocean. The world is unknown to Gabry besides the hungry Unconsecrated (Mudo) waiting to feast on the living. But one childish moment suddenly changes everything. The stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry, the secrets Gabry's mother has kept are now threats that she can't hide, and Gabry's friends are either dead (including the boy she loves) or imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she has to face the forest in order to save herself and the one she loves. The unexpected life adventure leaves Gabry always wondering, there must be more.
So for those who have read, and enjoyed The Forest of Hands and Teeth (or have not read the previous book), and also love continuous long reads, and books that are quite repetitive but have lots of twist and turns that will keep you guessing. I would recommend this book for you!
