106. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (Canada) - (US)
Forest and Hands and Teeth Trilogy, Book 3

Pages: 376
Ages: 15+
Finished: May 1, 2011
First Published: Mar. 22, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Genre: dystopian, post-apocalypse, science fiction, horror, zombies
Rating: 5/5



First sentence:

This city used to be something once.

Acquired: Borrowed a copy from my local library.

Reason for Reading: Next and (last?) book in the series.

This series has always been referred to as a trilogy and still is on the back flap of this book, so I'm assuming this is the last book in the series. I say this as it has one of those endings that doesn't quite satisfy, that could leave room for a sequel. But if this is indeed the final book, then I'm still mulling over whether I actually like how the book ends.

Otherwise, this was a terrific book that brings back all former major characters, except one who is spoken of often so we know where they are in the story and introduces one (sort of) new character. The story is a page-turner from beginning to end; was a book I couldn't put down and I loved the characters, though I found my opinion of them had changed from the previous book. A favourite character from before became less liked and was replaced by someone else as the plot progressed and the characters responses brought them either closer or further from my heart. The year wait between books does fade my memory a bit but I remembered everyone and what was going on pretty quickly as the story progressed. This story is very violent, certainly not for the squeamish. Of course, there is lots of zombie violence but humans are maimed and killed as well. Reader beware. I love the direction the story went. It is a bit over the top in believability but hey, so are zombies! The plot is dark and this is a story with not many bright spots. There are glimmers of hope that keep the characters from giving up and ultimately reaching the climax but the book ends on an unknown note, with only visions of what the future will hold. The ending may bother some readers who like there books to tell them how everything is all neatly wrapped up at the end. Myself, I'm still not quite sure about it. I still see another book in what comes next. But this is the third book of a trilogy, so I'll ponder their fates until I see what Carrie Ryan has for us with her next book. Love the series. Makes for great zombie reading!