Annah has been left to fend for herself in the Dark City for over three years. She waits and waits for Elias to return to her, and struggles with her overwhelming guilt at having left her sister behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Annah decides to leave the city and head for the forest. When she meets Catcher and is then reunited with Elias and her sister, she hopes things will be better, but nothing is the way she hoped it would be. Surrounded by death and the dead, Annah hopes for a better life, but doesn't know if she will survive to find one.

The story that started with The Forest of Hands and Teeth concludes in this last installment of the trilogy, a dark story full of despair and loss. Annah provides a good role model as a strong and resourceful girl who refuses to give up. Romantic relationships spring up between Annah and Catcher as well as between Elias and Gabry. Characters sleep together, but in a non-sexual way, and only kissing takes place. Imagery is disturbing and gory, though fans of the first two books will be used to that, as it has been a common theme throughout the trilogy. Dead bodies are everywhere, death is prevalent, and "The Unconsecrated" (infected moaning zombies) are a constant threat. Violent, bloody fighting and killing is commonplace, and main characters are constantly fighting for their lives. Powerful messages are conveyed about the will to live, the struggle for survival and how you would live if you knew you had very little time left. Language is mild (bitch).

{be the first to share your thoughts about this book}

{Click on a keyword to find other books containing the same subject matter}