Waiting on Wednesday #28

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman

Publication Date: April 22nd, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Obey. Smile when Hitler comes closer. And never, never question him.

These are the three rules in seventeen-year-old Nazi Gretchen Müller's life. They've kept her safe since Papa died, protecting old family friend Adolf Hitler during a street fight years ago. Until the night in 1931 when Gretchen meets a young, fearless Jewish reporter she's supposed to despise. But she can't stop herself from listening to his story -- that her father, the adored martyr, was actually murdered. Together, Gretchen and the reporter vow to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. Even if it means breaking all of Hitler's rules. Especially the most important one of all: don't fall in love with the enemy...

I have been interested in World War 2 and the reign of Hitler since I read The Book Thief. I hope The Prisoner of Night and Fog delivers!

What are you waiting on this week?

Review + Giveaway: Dreamer

Dreamer by Nicole Thomas

Publication Date: October 28th, 2013
Genre: YA Fiction
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Someone is using Anna’s dreams as a weapon, and so far, they’ve gotten away with murder. Anna isn’t quite sure why those closest to her die when she dreams, but it’s enough to turn this teenager off REM sleep and relationships for good. She has more than enough blood on her hands without boys crushing on her and getting buried six feet underground as a result.

As of right now, Anna’s plan to avoid relationships with anyone outside her family has gone off without a hitch. And if it weren’t for her classmate, Liam, she would’ve continued to do so. Liam’s successfully flown under her social radar, and if he wants to avoid having his obituary in the local newspaper, he'd keep it that way. But when he confides in Anna and tells her he has dreams as well, he becomes an exception to the rule.

Okay, so his dreams might not be as dangerous, but it turns out his mother's were. Liam's mom is missing. His mom just turned eighteen when she fell completely off the grid, and Anna could be next.

Review:
Dreamer was a delightful read! Not only was I easily immersed into Anna and Liam's story, I also was rooting for both characters the entire time. This book is perfect for readers looking for a quick and creative novel with a easy-to-read writing style and a real cool ending!

The book starts off with introducing us to to the dark world of Anna who lives in fear that she will hurt those closest to her. Liam has never known such a fear, but he does know that his mother vanished because of the dreams. How can the start not intrigue you?

Anna and Liam, as stated above, were both amazing characters. In my interview with Nicole, she stated that Anna was originally written in third person. I am very glad that Nicole changed the viewpoint to first person as I loved, loved, loved reading through Anna's perspective. I felt like she a relatable yet dark character. Who can blame her with her past? I am ever so glad that I am not a dreamer!

Then, we had Liam. Personally, I felt like Liam was a pretty awesome character. His chapters were distinctly different than Anna's, which I felt compelled to point out after all the controversy about a certain book's (Allegiant's) changing POVs that were confusing and blended together. The voice of Liam was considerably brighter than Anna's and I always knew who was narrating. I feel like the quote below sums up Liam perfectly and I also must add that he has some pretty humorous lines. Here is Liam in Nicole's words:

"Liam is a very unique individual... He compliments Anna's darker scenes with ones that give readers a chance to digest what's just happened. I also adore his personality."

Now, I must compliment the utter brilliance of the ideas presented in Dreamer. The author's creativity is astounding and the idea of Dreamers intrigued me from the very beginning. Also, the action and revelations just keep on coming, so the reader is never bored. I especially liked the ending. I am anxiously awaiting the next book! If Dreamer sounds up your alley, you should most definitely pick it up today. October 28th is indeed the release date!


4/5 Stars

Giveaway!

Enter to win two e-copies of Dreamer :D

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Thanks for reading! 
Check out my amazing interview with Nicole here!

Blog Tour: Unchosen

Check out the the tour schedule!

Unchosen by Michelle Vail (Reaper Diaries #2)

(The Reaper Diaries #2) 
Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Fantasy
Amazon/Book Depository

I thought the worst of my reaper training was behind me… turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong. 

Molly Bartolucci has done a lot of growing up but after being accused of using illegal magic at her school for necromancers, reaper-in-training Molly is treading lightly. As the destined leader of Anubis’s Chosen, she needs to study hard, train harder, and stay out of trouble. 

Uh, right. 

It doesn’t help that she’s feeling more than academic about her melt-your-bones hot reaping instructor, Rath. And if her relationship drama isn’t enough to drive her over the edge, she has to deal with mother issues, nosy little sisters, suspicious friends, and an unnamed force stalking her at school. 

Then her family is attacked, and her bio-dad ends up comatose in the hospital. Now, Molly has to uncover who’s trying to hurt her loved ones—and all without the help of Anubis.

a 


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Win (1) $20 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

The giveaway is international.

Thanks for Reading!

Pick a Book of your Choice: New Blog Design Giveaway!

Look, the new design by Lea Christine Designs is up! Isn't Reader Rising's fresh look amazing? To celebrate this epic design, I am hosting a giveaway! (Also, this giveaway is also in celebration of reaching 500 bloglovin followers!)

The theme of Reader Rising is now Bows and Arrows. Lea even created me an awesome rating system of stars with arrows through them! Also, note the amazing header, favicon, grab button, and just, well, everything!






In preparation for the New Design Giveaway, I scoured my shelves and found these extra books that I hope you will love!

The winner gets to pick one of the books below, and please note that Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is featured because the book is signed by the author! How awesome is that?

What book would you choose?

Rules 

You must be 13 or older 

This should be kinda obvious, please don't cheat! 

US Only :(

I'm sorry, but I don't have the money to ship across the world!

Also, note that I do not know how many winners there will be, there is only one for now but if I reach 800 bloglovin' followers (my goal!) by the end of the giveaway I will add in a few other lucky winners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Go check out Lea Christine Designs! Lea's designs are amazing and you should most definitely check the site out!
Good Luck! Thanks for Reading!

Review: In Time

In Time by Alexandra Bracken

Publication Date:
The Darkest Minds #1.5
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

Gabe’s life has been devastated in the wake of the economic crash. The only option left for someone like him to escape his tragic past is to leave his small town behind and to attempt to become a skip tracer. This already almost impossible task is made all the more difficult by his first score, a young girl who won’t speak, but who changes his life in ways he could never imagine.

I always love picking up novellas, but I am rarely left feeling as I do. How do I feel? Well, I could give you a long list. A very, very long list. I feel shocked and emotionally drained. I feel that hollowness you feel after reading an amazing, soul sucking read. My mind keeps on coming back to this novella and its contents. There are many ideas presented here and many characters, old and new.

There will be no spoilers in this review, not even for the first book, The Darkest Minds. I promise. Spoilers would ruin the novella. In Time starts off with introducing us to Gabe. Gabe shows us that everyone was effected by the epidemic of dying and supernatural kids. He is now living in a total dump of America and feels as if he has no other option than to become a skip tracer, a hunter who brings in supernatural kids for a reward. There is a lack of gas, food, and people are becoming more savage everyday.

In Time, while intense, was also very heartwarming. You get to know the poor kids impacted by the "disease" and I felt so much sympathy for them. What is even more amazing is the fact that some still remain strong and kind despite all the terrible events and trials they have undergone. Also, the reader gets to see Gabe's changes as he meets the kids. My heart just kept on melting throughout the entire novella. And then the ending happened...

 Overall, I must say I found In Time's whole new view of the world intriguing and terrifying. Everyone is suffering from the turn of events that had children doing strange things. This heart wrencing novella is a must read for anyone reading The Darkest Minds trilogy. You get important info on the new world and information on what's up with old characters, or as I say, old friends.

4.5/5 Stars

And don't miss the first and second in the trilogy,

The Darkest Minds and Never Fade

Thanks for reading the review!

Waiting on Wednesday #27

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

The Treatment by Suzanne Young

Publication Date:
Genre: YA Dystopian
The Program #2
Amzon/Barnes and Noble

Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”
How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?

I am waiting on The Treatment! The first book, The Program, was so awesome. Also, did you see the cover of The Treatment? Look closely and you will see shadows, reflections, and eyes. I am so excited for this to release! The revealing of the cover made my day.

The Updates!

I love lists! So, what better form to bring you guys updates than in a list?

The List: The Happenings of Reader Rising

1. The blog got a new design. Did you notice?  There will be a more official post about the design soon! The amazing Lea Christine created Reader Rising's new look and I love it so much!

2. I hit the 500 follower mark on Bloglovin. Yay! I am very, very thankful to everyone who reads the blog!

3. You may notice I have Facebook and Twitter social icons on the blog now... yet they don't seem to bring you to my accounts. Well, that is because I don't have accounts yet. I will soon though, never fear!

4. Yes, there will be a giveaway soon with the new design, and the 500 followers!

Recent Posts/Giveaways

Review: The Faerie War
Interview: Nicole Thomas
Bookish Survey: Cast a Harry Potter Spell!

October New Release Giveaway
Happy Birthday Sadie + giveaway

And now I will leave you with the lovely and brand new signature. Thanks for reading!!!

Review: The Faerie War

The Faerie War by Rachel Morgan

Publication Date: October 21, 2013
Genre: YA Fantasy
Creepy Hollow #3
Amazon/Barnes and Noble

The fate of the fae world is in her hands ...

Violet Fairdale is in big trouble. Her home is gone, her beloved forest lies in ruins, the guy she gave her heart to has deserted her—and she doesn’t remember any of it. The powerful Lord Draven is taking over, brainwashing guardians into fighting for him. No one is safe from the evil spreading throughout the fae world.

As alliances are forged between the remaining free fae, Vi struggles to reclaim her identity and figure out where she belongs in this new world. When someone from her past shows up, life gets even more complicated. He brings with him a long-forgotten weapon and an ancient prophecy that places Vi at the center of the fight against Draven. With the future of the fae world at stake, can Vi carry out the prophecy’s instructions before it’s too late?

The Faerie War was absolutely amazing! I devoured it and loved every second. I am so sad it is over though. The Creepy Hollow series is one you all should be thinking of adding to your library!

The Faerie War starts off with Violet... only she is a little different. Yep, she lost her memory. Everyone is preparing to go into hiding from the mysterious being destroying Creepy Hollow. The beginning was very exciting as you are plunged straight into the world with no time to be bored! Also, lucky for us, we get the second section from Ryn's point of view. I loved reading from his perspective, especially since he is such a unique and awesome character. We all fell for him in The Faerie Prince, but I promise he will impress you even more in this conclusion!

I can not not mention the wonderful humor. I laughed and smiled countless times.  The banter between Ryn and Violet is so entertaining! Also, the readers were introduced to some awesome characters such as Em of the London Guild. She was so cool! Her job is to provide comic relief for the team, as she put it! Em perfectly balances out Fin, who is very serious and subdued. Also, we meet Jamon, a Repticilla, in the beginning. At first, he is kind of unlikable, as he has an understandable-ish grudge against Violet. Eventually I grew to really enjoy his character.

We also meet Tilly, who has an important part in the book, but I won't tell you why in fear of spoiling the book! Tilly is also a pretty awesome character who, like Em, had some pretty awesome lines. Here is one I could relate to, this is said while she is welcoming Ryn and Violet into the house: "My mom would probably say 'Please excuse the mess' but, honestly, I think it looks fine." That line made me laugh inside. (Also, that line is from my memory so it may not be the exact quote.) In the beginning, we are led to believe that Tilly might not exactly be all there upstairs. Yeah, that scene was very entertaining!

The ending was epic. My mind was blown by the excellence of the final scenes. My emotions were running high as the darkness and climax approached and the very, very last chapters were so sweet and powerful. Overall, The Faerie War is an action packed read with an amazing romance and unique characters that have a special place in my heart. I know I will reread the series again and again!

*I received this book for free in exchange for a honest review. My thoughts above are 100% honest*

4.5/5 Stars

Other Books in the Series: 

Thanks for reading!

-Emily