The Dark and Hollow Places

Gr 9 Up—What would you do if you knew you only had a few days left to live? This question haunts Annah nearly as much as the ever-present Unconsecrated (zombies) that thirst for human blood in this, the final chapter in Ryan's thriller/romance trilogy. Every day in the Dark City is a struggle for survival, but when a series of mishaps unites Annah with the mysterious Catcher, she wonders if she has finally found a reason to live in a world overwhelmed by death. The well-paced story churns along, fueled by an overpowering sense of dread and Annah's immediate narrative voice. Though unafraid to go into gory detail, Ryan skillfully balances the gross-out bits with romance and beautifully written passages highlighting hope amid chaos and despair. The easily identifiable characters are developed well; even some of the zombies are shown in three dimensions. Some readers may grow tired of Annah's rather repetitive (and often annoying) self-reflection, but the romantic entanglements and plentiful flesh-eating action should keep the teeming hordes of zombie fans sated.—Sam Bloom, Groesbeck Branch Library, Cincinnati, OH