The Dark and Hollow Places by Ryan

The sequel to The Dead-Tossed Waves, this book picks up where the story of Gabry, Catcher, and Elias left off, but with a twist. The story's narrator is Annah, Gabry's long-lost twin sister who lives in the city. After caring for herself for 3 years without Elias, Annah is about to leave the city when she spots Gabry and recognizes her. Gabry, unfortunately, is captured and Annah, Catcher, and Elias must find her before the zombie horde destroys the city.

There are some complex emotional issues in the book. Self-esteem issues and jealousy force some of the characters to examine who they are and what they want. Just for that (and the zombie-sponsored gore) the book is a worthy read.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Ryan

This book is a companion novel to Forest of Hands and Teeth. The zombie world is pretty much the same, but with a heartless central government and a crazy cult thrown in for fun. There's still a love triangle and, unfortunately, this one isn't as well crafted as the last. And there's definitely a sequel.

It's good, but not the magnum opus the first one was.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Austen and Grahame-Smith

Elizabeth is the spunky daughter of a 19th century landowner who lives beyond his means. Mr. Darcy is a reserved gazillionaire who is entranced by Elizabeth's humor and liveliness. Will Elizabeth let go of her prejudice against Darcy? Will Darcy overcome his pride and tell Elizabeth his true feelings? Or will zombies kill them both?

You wouldn't think this combination would work - zombies set loose in Jane Austen's orderly world of courtship and marriage. But it does. Graham-Smith's revision of this timeless classic is an undead romp through the English countryside. My personal favorite scene is when Darcy proposes. Elizabeth tells him to drop dead - and then tries to slice him to bits with a katana sword.

The black humor is awesome. So are the action sequences. Love it, love it, love it.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Ryan

Mary lives with her mother and brother in a village isolated from the outside world by a fence. Beyond the fence are trees and zombies. When Mary's mother becomes infected with the disease and her brother disowns her, Mary is taken in by the mysterious Sisterhood, the governing force of this strange place. Plagued by questions and a longing for things she can't have, Mary learns to recognize what she loves most when the village is overrun by the undead.

I don't cry easily, so when I say that this book brought tears to my eyes, it's a big thing. The story is filled with drama, horror, and suspense. To anyone who has ever loved, The Forest of Hands and Teeth is hauntingly tragic.