I can't express my love for this book. I really enjoyed it's predecessor, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and this book is so far superior. I enjoyed the characters and really felt their emotions. I connected with them. I had a very hard time with that in The Forest of Hands and Teeth. I couldn't stand the protagonist, Mary, and didn't form any real attachment to any of the other characters. This book is centered around Mary's daughter, Gabrielle, who is a great character. Oddly, Mary becomes so more more like-able in this book, as more answers to the questions around her story are answered. The writing was absolutely beautiful as well. I just couldn't stop reading and the words really drew me in. This book was just fabulous and I can't wait to know more of Gabrielle's story when The Dark and Hollow Places comes out in a coupe of months.