Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?
Deaths and the ongoing threat of death are important to the plot, with substantial grief, loss, and emotional consequences.
book
The Dark and Hollow Places
Is The Dark and Hollow Places appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.
Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan. This book is content notes include Frightening scenes, Death of a character, Violence; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Positive messages.
Book 3 · Forest of Hands and TeethSource checked
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10-second decision
Is this likely to fit your family?
Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 5/5 · Death of a character 4/5 · Violence 4/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 5/5 · Positive messages 4/5
Series positionBook 3 · Forest of Hands and Teeth
Recommendation3.8/5
Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.
This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.
Quick context
What parents should know
Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.
Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Frightening scenes 5/5
Recommendation 3.8/5Show Wikipedia summary
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Quick view
At a glance
Recommended ageNot listed
Strongest cautions
- Frightening scenes5/5
- Death of a character4/5
- Violence4/5
Strongest positives
- Courage & resilience5/5
- Positive messages4/5
- Creativity & curiosity3/5
Reading order
Series progression
All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.
- Starting point
- Book 2 · The dead-tossed wavesAges 16+About the same
- Gets gentler
What’s in it?
What’s good in it?
Family discussion
Talk about it
Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.
- What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
- Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
- Which choice in The Dark and Hollow Places would you have made differently, and why?
- Who changed the most in The Dark and Hollow Places, and what caused that change?
Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings
What families noticed
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