The Reader Bee

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2013-05-10T04:00:00.000-04:00

Requiem
(Delirium #3)
by Lauren Oliver

Publication Date: March 5th 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 391
ISBN: 9780062014535

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge. (Goodreads)

Requiem is the third and final novel in the Delirium series by the amazingly talented Lauren Oliver. While I was a bit late to start this series, it turned out to be one of my all time favorites. I’m sad to see the series end!

I was a little worried when starting the book, after that insane cliffhanger ending at the end of Pandemonium. (And what a major cliffhanger that was!) I didn’t know what to expect, and I was really worried about what was going to happen to my favorite characters. The direction that Mrs. Oliver took in this novel was completely unexpected, and I really enjoyed not knowing what to expect.

I love that the story is told from both Lena and Hana’s point of view. Lena, our fearless heroine, has done a complete 180 since we first met her in Delirium. She started off as such a meek and frightened young lady, but you wouldn’t recognize her that way at all when you meet her in Requiem. With Hana, we watch her go through the motions of dealing with the consequences for the decisions that she has made. It was very interesting to see her point of view.

I have to say, it made me really sad at the way Lena treated Julian in this book. While I didn’t think that Lena and he worked well together, I also didn’t really care to see him hurt. He was a good guy, one that also changed throughout the series. He’s a stronger character, hardened to the world that he has been thrust into. I also feel that things were kind of left hanging with him at the end of the novel.

I am really, really digging dystopian novels at the moment, and Mrs. Oliver definitely delivered with this awesome series. The world building was so insanely realistic. I could totally see something like this happening in real life, although maybe not the surgery, but the government part. It’s frightening!

Overall, this is a great series. It’s one of my go-to series for when I recommend books to people. It’s really great. If you haven’t checked it out, you should totally do so. Right now!

Happy Reading!

Books in this series:

Waiting on Wednesday #104 - The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

2013-05-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

The Iron Traitor
(The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #2)
by Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: October 29th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.

But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all. (Goodreads)

YAAAAAAAY!
I love this series.
I can't wait to read the next book!
Of course, I love anything that Julie Kagawa writes. :)
Hurry October!

What are you Waiting for this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: Goddess by Josephine Angelini

2013-05-06T04:00:00.000-04:00

Goddess
(Starcrossed #3)
by Josephine Angelini

Publication Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780062012036

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched. (Goodreads)

Goddess is the third and final installment in the amazing Starcrossed series by Josephine Angelini. I’ve read Starcrossed and Dreamless in the past years, and have completely loved the series. So, of course, when a chance to review Goddess arrived, I jumped!

Goddess picks up right where Dreamless leaves off. Helen and crew have finally escaped the evilness that is Ares. But the danger doesn’t end there. The gods are angry, and are turning people against each other. A tyrant is lurking among the group who has the ability to completely destroy everything. It’s up to Helen and her fabulous friends to save the world from a war that is imminent.

The characters in this series are so wonderfully written and thought out. Each of them holds a special place in my heart, Helen being one of the main ones. I loved watching her grow as a person; discovering more about herself and her abilities. She is a very strong and determined heroine, and will do whatever it takes to keep those that she loves safe. Lucas is another character that I have loved since the beginning of the series. He cares for Helen so much. The rest of the secondary characters in the novel are wonderful as well; I could totally go on and on about each of them. There are a few that you will love to hate, but again, they are all so well written. I’m definitely going to miss all my favorite characters.

The storyline and world-building for this book was, as always, absolutely fascinating. I just can’t read enough about the Greek gods and goddesses. The storyline for the book is action packed and completely engrossing. I was flying through the pages trying to see exactly what was going to happen next. A lot of the loose ends that we were left with in the previous books were tied up in Goddess. Some things came to a shocking ending at that. But overall, everything was wrapped up nicely.

I must say, I really hate to see this series come to an end. It has been one of my most favorite series to read since I started blogging, and I have really enjoyed the adventure that Ms. Angelini has taken me on. If you haven’t read the Goddess series, I definitely recommend that you check it out as soon as possible. It is definitely worth the read!

Happy Reading!

Book in this series:

Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

2013-05-03T02:00:00.000-04:00

The Girl with the Iron Touch
(Steampunk Chronicles #3)
by: Kady Cross

Publication Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780373210855

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken

When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has.... (Goodreads)

The Girl with the Iron Touch is another fantastic addition to the Steampunk Chronicles series. I have really enjoyed reading The Girl in the Steel Corset and The Girl in the Clockwork Collar over the past two years, so I jumped to read this final installment in the series. It was definitely worth the read!

I must say, I absolutely love all of the characters in this series. Finley and Griffin are two of my most favorite couples ever. They are perfect for each other. Sam and Emily are a wonderful couple as well. I am so glad that Ms. Cross decided to write in such wonderful characters. I find Jasper and Jack Dandy to both be completely fascinating. The newest addition to the story, Mila, proved to be most fascinating as well. I would love to see her have a story of her own, maybe in the future. And it’s not just those to characters, but the rest of the characters in the story as well that are amazing. These are characters that I could read about again and again, Griffin and Jack Dandy especially. Wink, wink.

The thing I love most about this series, other than its amazing characters, is the world building that Ms. Cross creates. I adore all of the descriptions of the steampunk world that she created. I can envision them perfectly in my mind, and I find it completely fascinating. It amazes me how completely engrossed I can become in these books. They are definite page turners, and I definitely can’t get enough from reading them.

Overall, I really enjoyed this series, and I hate to see it come to an end! But all good things must, unfortunately. If you haven’t checked out the series yet, I definitely recommend them for a good read. Check them out sometime!

Books in this series:

Waiting on Wednesday #103 - The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Moon and More
by Sarah Dessen

Publication Date: June 4th, 2013
Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer. (Goodreads)

Squeeeeee! I LOVE Sarah Dessen, and it's been too long since I have read one of her books. My daughter and I just happened to have bought a stack of them last week when we visited the book store, so that she could read them as well. I can't wait to add The Moon and More to our collection! I think it will make a great summer read. :)

What are you Waiting for this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

2013-04-30T04:00:00.000-04:00

The Eternity Cure
(Blood of Eden #2)
by Julie Kagawa

Publication Date: April 30th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 446
ISBN: 9780373210695
From Netgalley/Publisher for Review

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike. (Goodreads)

The Eternity Cure is the second book in the Blood of Eden series by Julie Kagawa. Last year, I read and loved The Immortal Rules, so I had extremely high expectations when I started reading The Eternity Cure. Julie Kagawa definitely did not disappoint. This novel was a brilliant addition to an already wonderful series.

I’m attempting to keep this review as spoiler free as possible, but there may be a few things mentioned that happened in the previous book. If you haven’t started this series yet; read at your own risk!

The Eternity Cure picks up right where The Immortal Rules leaves off. Allie is on a mission to find her sire, Kanin, who is being tortured by the crazy psycho vamp that we met in the previous book. With the help of some very unlikely sources along the way, it’s up to Allie to rescue Kanin, and to also find a cure for the virus that is killing both humans and vampires alike.

I must say, I have loved Allie since I first met her in The Immortal Rules. She is such an amazingly strong and determined character. She is definitely one of my all time favorite heroines! I don’t want to go much into the secondary characters, but I will just say that we get to see quite a few of the characters that we met in the previous book. I’m not telling who, though!

The storyline for the book was, as always, completely engrossing. When I had time to read, I could barely tear my eyes off the page. The world building and detailed descriptions gave me such a clear image of the world that Julie created. The one thing that really got me about the book was the ending. MAJOR CLIFFHANGER! Seriously, I actually thought the book was going to end and the series would be over, but obviously I was wrong. Now I am DYING to get my hands on the next book to see if any of the theories that my dear fellow blogger Kathy and I have discussed will be put into play.

Overall, if you have haven’t’ read this series yet, you should definitely check it out. While it’s a lot darker than Julie’s Iron Fey series, it’s still an amazing series to read. Check it out as soon as you can!

Happy Reading!

Weekly Book Haul #25

2013-04-21T00:30:00.000-04:00

Bought:
The Rising - Kelley Armstrong
Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare
Rise - Anna Carey
(I have Rise in hardback copy, but lent it to my friend.)

Gifted:
Walking Disaster - Jamie McGuire
(Courtesy the wonderful Kathy at A Glass of Wine! She totally spoils me.)

e-Galley's:
School Spirits - Rachel Hawkins
The Chaos of Stars - Kiersten White

Review:
The awesome people at KOBO sent me their newest e-reader,
The Kobo Aura HD to review!
I am so excited. I can't wait to check it out. :)

Bought:
Soft Kitty Bookmark

Hey guys!
I think I need to change this to my MONTHLY book haul,
because I never seem to remember to post what I get throughout the week.
Sigh.

I have lots of cool things this week.
The books above are what I've bought throughout the past month,
as well as my special gift from the awesome Kathy. :)

I can't wait started on my e-galley's.
I LOVE Rachel Hawkins, and I'm dying to get started on School Spirit. Sqeeeee!
Same goes for Kiersten White

The Kobo is so neat, from the short amount of time that I have had to play with it.
I look forward to filling you all in on how awesome it is. :)

And lastly, I adore the Soft Kitty bookmark. Found at Books-A-Million!

That's all for me this week. :)

What new books did you get???

**This post was inspired by In My Mailbox by TheStorySiren, in order to share books received each week.**

Review: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

2013-04-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

Hysteria
by Megan Miranda

Publication Date: February 5th 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780802723109
From Publisher for Review/Blog Tour

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again. (Goodreads)

Last year I read, and enjoyed, Fracture by Megan Miranda. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of her newest book, Hysteria! It is a wonderfully creepy read that will keep you guessing right up to the end!

The main character in the story is Mallory. Poor Mallory has been through a lot in her young life. Her boyfriend is dead—killed by none other than herself in self defense. Her life will never be the same. So she moves to a private school in hopes of starting over. But that isn’t exactly what happens for Mallory. Instead things get worse for her, to the point where the hallucinations start to intrude more and more on her life. But Mallory is a fighter, thank goodness. (I don’t think I could have handled it if she was a weak willed girl!) She believed in herself, even during the confusion and doubt. I admire that about her, and I found her to be a very likeable character.

My most favorite character in the book would have to be Reid. I found him to be insanely adorable, and the perfect person to handle Mallory. Even though he has a past of his own, you could tell that he really cared for Mallory, and that would support her no matter what. He was definitely swoon-worthy, in my opinion.

There are definitely some characters in the book that you are going to love to hate—Jason and Krista to name a few. But what good is a creepy book if it doesn’t have creepy villains to tie in with it. The storyline for the book was very in-depth, and it kept me guessing as I turned the pages. I had no idea what to expect when I got to the end of the book, but I think it closed up nicely.

Overall, If you like creepy reads, you should definitely check out Hysteria. This book even had me looking over my shoulder to see if something was coming! It was definitely an enjoyable read. I can’t wait to check out more of Ms. Miranda’s books in the future!

Waiting on Wednesday #102 - 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

2013-04-17T00:30:00.000-04:00

3:59
by Gretchen McNeil

Publication Date: September 17th 2013
Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo.

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you. (Goodreads)

I must admit... I have never read anything by Gretchen McNeil.
Gasp!
Hanging head in shame.

However, I am SUPER intrigued by her books.
They sound so amazingly creepy!

And it seems like they just get creepier and creepier.
I can't wait to check out 3:59, as well as McNeils other books!

What are you Waiting for this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Waiting on Wednesday #101 - The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

2013-04-10T00:30:00.000-04:00

The Burning Sky
(The Elemental Trilogy #1)
by Sherry Thomas

Publication Date: September 17th, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life. (Goodreads)

Not only does this book have an amazingly awesome cover, the story itself sounds
Pretty Freaking Sweet!
I've never read a book by Sherry Thomas, but I am super excited to check this out.
Can't Wait!
What are you Waiting for this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

2013-04-08T04:00:00.000-04:00

Walking Disaster
(Beautiful #2)
by Jamie McGuire

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2013
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9781476712987
Via Netgalley for Review

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes. (Goodreads)

I was so thrilled to receive an early e-galley of Walking Disaster. While I had a few issues with the first book, Beautiful Disaster, I still found it to be an engrossing read. I can honestly say I love Walking Disaster just as much, if not more, than the previous book in the series.

Walking Disaster is the story of Beautiful Disaster, only told from Travis’s point of view. Travis Maddox is a mess of a man that I can’t help but love. He has many, many issues. One of the main issues is his disrespect for women. Of course, all that changes when Abby enters his life, and we get to watch Travis become a completely different person. Watching him go through all the emotions and feelings that come along with falling in love with that one special person, it was intense to read.

Having now read both books, and seeing the new perspective from Walking Disaster, I can see why things happened the way they did between Travis and Abby. Yes, I still do believe that at times this was an extremely unhealthy and co-dependent relationship, but I still can’t help from loving Travis. And now that I have a better understanding of him, I love him even more. Reading his story, it will completely break your heart and reduce you to a blubbering mess of tears. (Well, that’s what happened in my case, anyways.)

One thing that I really loved about Walking Disaster was that we get an epilogue at the end of the book. I LOVED that the author decided to add this onto the book. Had there been one on the first book, I probably would have loved the book more than I originally did. Another thing that I really loved is that although the book is the same story that we read from Beautiful Disaster, the author worded it so that it seemed like a whole new book to me. I enjoyed getting to see things from Travis’s perspective.

Overall; If you loved Beautiful Disaster, you are definitely going to enjoy reading Walking Disaster from Travis’ point of view. It’s such a great read, one that I will definitely re-read over and over again.

Happy Reading!

Books in this series:

Beautiful Disaster Walking Disaster

Weekly Book Haul #24

2013-03-16T23:30:00.000-04:00

Bought:
Requiem - Lauren Oliver (YAY!!)

Review:
Goddess - Josephine Angelini (O.M.G!!)

Galleys:
Walking Disaster - Jamie McGuire
The Girl With The Iron Touch - Kady Cross
The Eternity Cure - Julie Kagawa

The Deepest Night - Shana Abe
Of Triton - Anna Banks
True - Erin McCarthy

Hey guys!

It's been a while since I've done a Book Haul post.
(My apologies for that.)
Here are some books that I have gotten over the past few weeks. :)

Goddess and Requiem! SOOOO Excited to finally read both of these!!
Walking Disaster as well. I can't wait to read Travis's story.

So many great books! I can't wait to read them ALL!

What new books did you get this week???

**This post was inspired by In My Mailbox by TheStorySiren, in order to share books received each week.**

Waiting on Wednesday #100 - Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

2013-03-06T01:00:00.000-05:00

Isla and the Happily Ever After
by Stephanie Perkins

Publication Date: September 17th 2013
Publisher: Dutton

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new. (Goodreads)

Yay! I am so excited to finally see a cover for Isla and the Happily Ever After! While I think it's a very nice cover, I'm still a bit bummed that it won't match the other books in the series that I already own. I really dislike when publishers do this. I will just have to deal with a mismatched set, because
I MUST HAVE THIS BOOK! :P

What are you Waiting for this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: The Murmuring by Carly Anne West

2013-03-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Murmurings
by Carly Anne West

Publication Date: March 5th, 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9781442441798
For Review

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not…. (Goodreads)

I was so excited to get a chance to review The Murmurings by Carly Anne West. I have recently started to really enjoy creepy books, and creepy is definitely what you get with this read.

The main character in the story is Sophie, who is in mourning following the tragic death of her sister, Nell. Everyone thought that Nell had gone crazy, and now they think the same about Sophie. With the help of her school mate Evan, Sophie sets out to find out exactly what happened to her dear sister, and why the same seems to be happening to herself as well.

Sophie was an interesting character. While I liked her for the most part, there were times when I wanted to reach into the book and shake the girl. But I found her determination admirable. She was determined to find out what happened to her sister, and what exactly was going on with herself as well. I found Evan to be a bit confusing at first, I couldn’t figure out his angle. But it does become clearer throughout the book.

The romance in the book between Sophie and Evan seemed a little bit rushed to me. In parts, it even seemed forced. I’m not saying that I didn’t like the characters together; I did. I just wish that the relationship had grown a little bit more than it actually did.

The book started off a little slow, but by the middle, I was definitely turning the pages as quickly as I could to find out what was going to happen next. Some parts of the book were super creepy, and to be honest, not exactly what I expected when I first started reading the book. It’s kind of like the book took a completely different direction that I expected to. Again, not that this was a bad thing; it was just not what I was expecting.

Overall, I found The Murmurings to be a very interesting read. I do believe that fans of creepy books will definitely enjoy this read.

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #99 - Deception by C.J. Redwine

2013-02-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Deception
(Defiance #2)
by C.J. Redwine

Publication Date: August 27th, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.  

But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.

In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight. (Goodreads)

I loooooooooved Defiance when I read it last year. Rachel is such an amazing character, so strong and determined. The ending of the story definitely left me hanging on, so I can't wait to get my hands on this sequel!

What are you Waiting for this week??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Waiting on Wednesday #98 - Teardrop by Lauren Kate

2013-02-20T00:30:00.000-05:00

Teardrop
(Teardrop #1)
by Lauren Kate

Publication Date: October 22nd, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Never, ever cry. . . . Eureka Boudreaux's mother drilled that rule into her daughter years ago. But now her mother is gone, and everywhere Eureka goes he is there: Ander, the tall, pale blond boy who seems to know things he shouldn't, who tells Eureka she is in grave danger, who comes closer to making her cry than anyone has before.

But Ander doesn't know Eureka's darkest secret: ever since her mother drowned in a freak accident, Eureka wishes she were dead, too. She has little left that she cares about, just her oldest friend, Brooks, and a strange inheritance—a locket, a letter, a mysterious stone, and an ancient book no one understands. The book contains a haunting tale about a girl who got her heart broken and cried an entire continent into the sea. Eureka is about to discover that the ancient tale is more than a story, that Ander might be telling the truth . . . and that her life has far darker undercurrents than she ever imagined. From Lauren Kate comes an epic saga of heart-stopping romance, devastating secrets, and dark magic . . . a world where everything you love can be washed away. (Goodreads)

It is a well known fact in TheReaderBee household that I LOVE Lauren Kate. She is such a wonderful writer, and I am always drawn to her stories. Her newest book, Teardrop, sounds insanely amazing! I've already pre-ordered my copy. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

What are you Waiting for this week???

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

2013-02-18T04:00:00.000-05:00

Dare You To
(Pushing the Limits #2)
by Katie McGarry

Publication Date: May 28th, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 304
ISBN: 9780373210633

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

For Review via Netgalley & Harlequin (UK) Limited

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all.... (Goodreads)

I read Pushing the Limits in 2012, and enjoyed it so very much. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Dare You To, and I was very thankful to have managed to get a review copy from Netgalley. I enjoyed Dare You To just as much, if not a little more, than Pushing the Limits.

Dare You To picks up not long after Pushing the Limits leaves off. The main character for this story is Beth, who we met in PTL. Beth has quite an interesting story of her own, especially the story of her past. I did find her to be a bit frustrating at times, at one point I wanted to reach into the book and shake her! But I thought she was a very complex, detailed character. The girl has definitely been through a lot, and Beth has major issues as a result. It was these issues, and how Beth overcomes them, that kept me so engrossed in the story.

The love interests in the story are totally yummy. The first interest is Isaiah, who we met in the previous book, and is a total bad boy. The second love interest is Ryan, the baseball jock at Beth’s new school. It really wasn’t much of a love triangle, so to speak. It’s pretty obvious that both boys care about Beth, but I found it easy to choose a team pretty early on, and stuck with it.

The thing I liked most about Dare You To is that the author kept me guessing. I totally expected the book to go in a completely different direction than the direction it took. I was pleasantly surprised by this. The characters were very likeable and were easy to relate to, especially Beth. I am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series, which will be Isaiah’s story.

Happy Reading!

Weekly Book Haul #23

2013-02-16T20:00:00.000-05:00

Bought:
Unravel Me - Tahereh Mafi
Scarlet - Marissa Meyer
Breaking Point - Kristen Simmons
The Indigo Spell - Richelle Mead

Hey guys!

It's been a while since I've done a book haul post.
I haven't actually been keeping up with what I've gotten lately. (shame!)
These are the books I've gotten in the last two weeks.

Unravel Me is AMAZING!
If you haven't started the series yet, you definitely need to.

I can't wait to get started on the rest of the books I bought.

What new books did you get this week???

**This post was inspired by In My Mailbox by TheStorySiren, in order to share books received each week.**

Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

2013-02-11T01:00:00.000-05:00

Unravel Me
(Shatter Me #1)
by Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: February 5th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 480
ISBN: 9780062085535

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

tick

tick

tick

tick

tick

it's almost

time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life. (Goodreads)

Tahereh Mafi has once again managed to blow me away with her insane writing skills. After pining away for Unravel Me for over a year, I have finally read the book, and I am torn on if I love this just as much, or more than Shatter Me.

Unravel Me picks up a few weeks after Shatter Me left off. Juliette is trying to cope with her new surroundings after being locked away for so long. She is free; free of the asylum and free of being Warner’s captive. But things aren’t as she hoped in her new surroundings. People still avoid her, she feels like an outcast, and Adam is being distant, dealing with his own issues. But with the help of some unlikely sources, things soon start to look up for dear Juliette.

Juliette is such a great character. I have always really enjoyed how strong a character she is. Adam, I think, is one of the most perfect male leads ever. I have always loved the relationship between Juliette and Adam. They care about each other deeply, and at times their love can be fierce. There were some moments in the book between Juliette and Adam that had me tearing up, they were so intense. Ok, tearing up is putting it mildly… I literally had to sit the book down and go in search of a hanky!

Ms. Mafi made such a very interesting character in Warner. I didn’t really care for him too much in Shatter Me; I found him to be such a heartless character. Then I read some from his point of view in Destroy Me. From there, I started to care for him just a little bit. We get to see yet another side of him in Unravel Me, and I must say, it was a completely unexpected side of him. While I am definitely not Team Warner, I do care for him, just not as much as Adam.

Kenji was an unexpected joy in this novel. To be honest, I didn’t really pay much attention to him when we first met in Shatter Me. But in Unravel Me, he proves to be such a great character, and definitely one of my favorites. He is hilarious, but he also does what he has to do for the greater good. I love Kenji.

I found the storyline for the book to be very realistic and engrossing. I could definitely feel all the emotions that Juliette was going through, and I am glad to see that things weren’t perfect for her right away. While the self loathing did get a little old at times, I am glad that she went through it, because it made it feel more real to me. Ms. Mafi did an excellent job with the descriptions as well; I could picture the setting perfectly in my mind. The story definitely had me on the edge of my seat at times, especially at the end!

Overall, I think I enjoyed Unravel Me even more than I did Shatter Me. (Which happened to be one of my most favorite books of 2011.) This is definitely a series that I will reread over and over again. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday #97 - Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown

2013-01-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Deep Betrayal
(Lies Beneath #2)
by Anne Greenwood Brown

Publication Date: March 12th, 2013
Publisher: Random House/ Delacorte

It's been thirty days, two hours, and seventeen minutes since Calder left Lily standing on the shores of Lake Superior. Not that she's counting. And when Calder does return, it's not quite the reunion Lily hoped for. Especially after she lets her father in on a huge secret: he, like Calder, is a merman. Obsessed with his new identity, Lily's dad monopolizes Calder's time as the two of them spend every day in the water, leaving Lily behind.

Then dead bodies start washing ashore. Calder blames his mermaid sisters, but Lily fears her father has embraced the merman's natural need to kill. As the body count grows, everyone is pointing fingers. Lily doesn't know what to believe—only that whoever's responsible is sure to strike again. . . . (Goodreads)

I read Lies Beneath over the summer last year, and found it to be a very interesting read. I hadn't read many books at the time about mermaids, and thought it was very fascinating. Especially since it was from Calder's point of view. I'm really looking forward to getting back into the story again!

What are you Waiting for this week??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2013-01-14T01:00:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Creatures
(Caster Chronicles #1)
by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Publication Date: December 1st, 2009
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 563
ISBN: 9780316042673

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything. (Goodreads)

I do believe I was one of the last people in the world that had not read Beautiful Creatures. It had always been on my to-read list, and I kept putting off reading it, for some unknown reason. After seeing the trailer for the upcoming movie for the book, I decided to go ahead and give it a read. Here is what I thought…

Ethan has lived his whole life in the tiny town of Gatlin, a town full of secrets and lies. He wants nothing more than to turn 18 and move away to college. That is until the niece of the town’s recluse, Lena, shows up and changes the small town forever.

We read the story through our main character, Ethan’s, point of view. I always find that interesting, because I haven’t read many books from a male’s POV. I found Ethan to be a very likeable character. He was very calm and level headed. He knew what he wanted with his life, and he didn’t believe in being a part of the town clique. I love that he stood up for Lena, even when he didn’t know her at all. He didn’t allow her to be bullied. Why can’t all guys be that way?

Lena is the character that I had more of a problem with. I found her to be very dramatic. I can understand her questioning everything in her life, but after a while of her just complaining about everything, it got really old. I actually ended up liking more of the secondary characters more than I liked Lena, her uncle Macon, especially. I found him, and Amma to be the most interesting characters in the novel.

The thing I love most about the book was the descriptions. I can imagine the world that the authors created for these characters. The flashbacks to the time during the war were very descriptive. I had a clear vision in my head of the setting. I enjoyed that. The storyline was interesting as well. I always enjoy books about witches, they are fascinating.

Overall; I found this to be an enjoyable read. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and seeing the movie as well.

Happy Reading!

Weekly Book Haul #22

2013-01-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Bought:
Through The Ever Night - Veronicc Rossi
Just One Day - Gayle Forman

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks

So excited that some of the books I've had pre-ordered for FOREVER are starting to come in!
I can't wait to read Through the Ever Night and Just One Day.

And I'm SUPER happy that I finally found an edition of Pride and Prejudice that I like.
Although I saw a few more I liked as well. Maybe I should have more than one??

I picked up Safe Haven as well this week. The movie looks pretty good!
That's all for me this week. What new books did you get?

**This post was inspired by In My Mailbox by TheStorySiren, in order to share books received each week.**

Happy 2nd Blogoversary, TheReaderBee! * Giveaway *

2013-01-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Image from Weheartit.com

TheReaderBee.com is now 2 years old!
I can't hardly believe it.

It's been an amazing 2 years!
I haven't been able to be as active as I was this time last year,
but I appreciate all of my wonderful followers and friends having patience with me.

Over the past 2 years, TheReaderBee has...

Published 522 posts
Read 10,211 comments
from my wonderful friends and followers
Read 188 Books
Gained 1600 Awesome Blog Followers
Rambled 5,936 times on Twitter to 1,614 followers

Check out Last Years Blogoversary Post to compare!

Whooo hooooo!

It still amazes me that so many people read my blog.
Thank you guys, SO MUCH!

As a way to say THANK YOU, I'm sharing the lovin' with you guys!

THREE LUCKY WINNERS
will get to pick ONE my most anticipated winter/spring books listed above.

So what are you waiting for? Go enter now!
Good luck, and thank you again!

The Rules:

THREE winners will be chosen to win ONE of the books listed above.
Open to US and International Followers
Must be 13 or older to enter
If the book you choose has not been published yet, it will be pre-ordered for you.
Giveaway ends January 31st, 2013
Winners will be contacted via email. If you do not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen.
By entering this Giveaway, you are agreeing to the terms listed above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #96 - Dance of the Red Death

2013-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Dance of the Red Death
(Masque of the Red Death #2)
by Bethany Griffin

Publication Date: April 23rd, 2013
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Bethany Griffin continues the journey of Araby Worth in Dance of the Red Death—the sequel to her teen novel Masque of the Red Death.

In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.

Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.

With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget. (Goodreads)

This is another series that my dear friend Kathy (A Glass of Wine) introduced me to. I am SO glad she did! Masque of the Red Death was such an intriguing read. Everything about the book was awesome, especially the flawed characters. I cant wait to read Dance of the Red Death!

What are you Waiting for this week??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

Review: The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

2013-01-07T02:00:00.000-05:00

The Madman's Daughter
(The Madman's Daughter #1)
By Megan Shepherd

Publication Date: January 29th, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 432
ISBN: 9780062128027
From Publisher for Review

Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Goodreads

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect. (Goodreads)

The Madman’s Daughter is a novel by Megan Shepard that was inspired by H. G. Wells's novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. Having never read The Island of Dr. Moreau, I really didn’t know what to expect from this book. I wasn’t expecting to be taken on quite the journey that the author took me on.

The story is about 16 year old Juliet Moreau. Left to fend for herself after the scandal and disappearance by her father, and the death of her mother, Juliet is just trying to survive. Everything soon changes for her once she discovers that her father may still be alive, and that his former assistant, Montgomery, may know exactly where her father is.

I found Juliet to be quite an interesting character, even when I felt that something was ‘off’ about her early on in the book. I did find her to be a strong and smart character. She did what she had to do after the abandonment by her father, and the death of her mother. All she wanted was to survive. I found her to be a very determined and stubborn character as well. She was definitely interesting.

There are two love interests in the novel for Juliet. The first being Montgomery, who Juliet has known almost all her life, and the second being Edward, who Montgomery and Juliet pick up along the way. Both boys were interesting for their own reasons, and I had a hard time choosing who I liked more. I’m super curious to see who Juliet ends up with.

I have to say, Juliet’s father was really quite mad. Seriously, in all the books I have read up to this point, he has to be the craziest father ever! He was brilliant, but he was pure crazy. What’s even crazier is that we see a small part of him in Juliet. I still can’t get over how he treated Juliet.

The book ends with a major cliffhanger, which frustrated me a bit, because I really wanted to know what was going to happen! Ah, the brilliantness of the cliffhanger endings. I will definitely be waiting to get my hands on the next book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read more than I expected to. It was definitely a unique read. It also makes me want to read The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, just so I can read the book that inspired this novel. I am really looking forward to reading more in this series.

Happy Reading!