So I decided it was time to finally write my review- because apparently Dan 2.0 can't write one until either Jeff or I write one first. Yup...our 2.0 So I decided it was time to finally write my review- because apparently Dan 2.0 can't write one until either Jeff or I write one first. Yup...our 2.0 likes his excuses. I think his cowboy name should be changed to Procrastinatin' Shenanigan Playin' Dastardly Dan.
I can't believe our journey is almost finished (only 2 more books)...and my guess is the fun is over and the heartbreak is about to begin. Time after time I have tried to get our fearless leader to spill the beans on whether my two favorites come out alive- but she is not going to budge- and knowing King like I do- I have a feeling I am going to bawl like a baby before this is over...It is one thing to lose beloved characters after 700-800 pages...but after putting in 7.5 x that...I may be inconsolable. No offence BABE- but I would stab Harry Potter in the throat if it meant Oy and Jake could live forever...and you may want to change your name and pack a bag to Mexico- if ANYTHING happens to them. Just remember...you brought this on yourself ;)
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WOLVES OF CALLA begins in the farming village of Calla Bryn Sturgis. The townsfolk need Roland and his ka-tet's help to battle against the Wolves of Thunderclap. Once a generation they take one child from each pair of twins, and when returned- they are "roont" RUINED. Andy the town's robot alerts the town that the wolves will be arriving in one months time.
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Father Donald Callahan is one of the townsfolk asking for help- and there is a story to tell of how he traveled from Salem's Lot to The Calla...a story that makes Roland realize that maybe the ka-tet needs to bring Donald along- before they can move forward to their own goal of finding THE DARK TOWER.
Along the way...there will be wolves...
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There will be story telling...excitement, and chaos. Friendships are tested....
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...and there will be dancing...OH YES...there will be dancing....more
When I was a little girl my mother and father would tuck me in at night and read me a bedtime story. At Christmas and Easter- I would have the pleasurWhen I was a little girl my mother and father would tuck me in at night and read me a bedtime story. At Christmas and Easter- I would have the pleasure of listening to bedtime stories made-up by my father, just for me- Delee. The Adventures of the Pink Kitty...about a very special kitten making his way to a very special child.....and his adventures along the way trying to find a home with the perfect little girl. ME!!! It wasn't a logical story...it probably wasn't the best story out there- but to me it was magical.
THE EYES OF THE DRAGON is another kind of bedtime story. A bedtime story KING style!! Noooo pink kitties here.
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In a fairy tale past- there is a relatively happy Kingdom of Delain- with the dragon slaying King Roland, his young wife Queen Sasha, and their sweet, perfect, little boy Peter...but there also is evil in Delain-a magician by the name of Flagg. Who is also unfortunately...Roland's adviser.
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Flagg's goal is to make this Kingdom...less happy- and he comes up with a plan. A plan that doesn't involve Queen Sasha...or a sweet, perfect, heir to the throne. So he schemes...
...and he schemes. Sasha dies in childbirth- and Thomas is born. A not so perfect child- who Flagg takes under his wing...
...and when the time is right- all the pieces fall into place.
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...but there are a few snags in his wicked plan- Flagg is not aware of- that may or may not come back to haunt him later.
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This is one of my Favorite King books. It speaks to my inner child..and from time to time SHE still enjoys fairy tales and bedtime stories....more
I was a bit of a wimp before I entered my teen years...so I stayed away from anything vampire. My first vampire experience was Love at First Bite, andI was a bit of a wimp before I entered my teen years...so I stayed away from anything vampire. My first vampire experience was Love at First Bite, and not knowing it was a comedy (yes, it was before you could Google) I put on a brave face for the friend that invited me- and entered the movie theater terrified by what I would see. Luckily the evenly tanned George Hamilton awaited me...along with some mighty impressive disco dancing. The scary blood suckers would have to wait to frighten me.
Next was Fright Night...again not so scary- I would have welcomed Christopher Sarandon nibbling at my neck for all eternity. A year later I was hooked on Interview with a Vampire's beautiful and tragic characters....but nothing to panic about yet...
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Enter into my life- the book SALEM'S LOT!!! Now these were vampires that kept me awake at night- pulling my covers up just under my nose. Not that flimsy cotton sheets would be enough to protect me from impending doooooooooooom...but so far no blood has been spilled. Knock on wooden cross.
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Writer Ben Mears has come back home to Jerusalem's Lot after twenty-five years, to write a book and face his fears...
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The Marsten House, an abandoned house- that has haunted Ben since he was a child has recently been purchased by a Kurt Barlow- and Ben is curious about both house and owner.
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...but as he settles into town- one boy goes missing and another turns up dead...or undead should I say....
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Hands down my favorite Stephen King- and no matter how many newer, shinier, sparkly vampires- come along to try to tempt me- none can compare to SALEM'S LOT....more
Buddy-read with two of my Great Escape gal pals- Stepheny and Ivonne.
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Be on the look out for Stepheny Potthead aka The Book Pusher aka Quick DraBuddy-read with two of my Great Escape gal pals- Stepheny and Ivonne.
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Be on the look out for Stepheny Potthead aka The Book Pusher aka Quick Draw Stepheny aka The Nutty Professor. Last seen running along side the Knight Bus with Harry Potter's invisible cloak. Also Suspected in the kidnapping of fellow Goodreader Jeff and best-selling author Stephen King. Blonde Hair...big green doll eyes, has a frightening maniacal cackle and a tendency to whine when she doesn't get her way. LOUDLY. Considered armed and dangerous- approach with caution...and Nerds- she likes Nerds.
Now back to our regularly scheduled review....
I don't listen to a lot of audio-books (I prefer to read) but I was kind of falling behind in my reading commitments...and I had put Ms. Stepheny off again and again for this buddy-read soooooo many times- I couldn't do it again to her (she pouts..and she gets all mopey and it is JUST heartbreaking). I am so happy I listened to this one- Stephen Fry was just perfect. Perfect!..and HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN was just the thing to put me in the Christmas Spirit.
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It's Harry's least favorite time of year- school break spent with the Dursleys...and this visit isn't going well. First: News that Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban- Second: An unfortunate accident involving mean Aunt Marge...
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Harry decides not to stick around- and catches the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley- where instead of getting in trouble for using magic away from Hogwarts, he gets invited to stay until school begins, by Cornelius Fudge-the Minister for Magic.
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The night before he is expected to leave- Harry is warned that Sirius may have escaped with murder in mind- and HE may be the target....
This is my favorite of the series so far!! I loved that it was still light and fun...but that the darkness is slooooooooowly creeping in.
I loved that a lot of it took place during the Christmas Holidays...
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I really liked the addition of the Dementors...spoooooky...
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...and I adored Buckbeak!!
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As for the whereabouts of Stepheny? I can almost guarantee...she is up to no good.
No one said that the path to the beam, on the way to the Dark Tower was going to be this hard... I was promised rainbows and unicorns, from Prologue:
No one said that the path to the beam, on the way to the Dark Tower was going to be this hard... I was promised rainbows and unicorns, from my fearless leader- Stepheny.... She CAN be kind of a liaaaaaaaaaar- and she is sort of insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane- so I should have known this wasn't going to be easy.
...but sweet 8 pound 6 ounce baby Jesus- I had nooooooo forewarning that one of my beloved Ka-tet was going to fight tooth and nail..not to read 4.5. Getting everyone on board for this one especially- Dan 2.0 ...was somewhat...difficult- and it kind of went like this.
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I won't mention any names- but there was a big obstacle to overcome...okay maaaaaybe I will mention a name...Kemper. Kemper you are a worthy opponent- We won the battle...this time- I have yet to see who will win the waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar. Let me just say- I am glad you liked the rest of the series, because I don't think I would be strong enough to take you on- for books 5, 6, and 7....
On with the review:
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Roland and his Ka-tet arrive at a river- and an elderly man- Bix- that operates the ferry assists them across the river.
A starkblast is coming and they will need to find shelter to wait out the storm. Roland tells them of an adventure in his youth to keep them occupied: The story of The Skin Man...and a story within the story- a tale that was told to Roland by his mother long ago.
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First story:
Following the death of his mother- his father sends Roland and his friend Jamie De Curry to the town of Debaria on a mission to capture the Skin-Man.
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Second story:
Tim Ross lives with his mother Nell in a village who's property taxes are collected by a mysterious man called- The Covenant Man. Tim recently lost his father- who supposedly was killed by a dragon....but dragons may have been given a bad rap....read the book and you can decide for yourself....
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I looooved THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE!!!! Sorry Kemper...I really did. For those of you that didn't like book 4....you may not like this one- but for those of you that did...this will be a pleasant journey.
The rest of the not so resistant buddies/Ka-tet- Bev, Jeff, Jason and Evgeny- Onward and upward....let the buddy-read continue....more
I knew even before I cracked open HUSK- it was going to be a challenge for me to review it without soundJust because we can...does it mean we should??
I knew even before I cracked open HUSK- it was going to be a challenge for me to review it without sounding preachy. I am a person who is usually the last one on board for anything new...or modern. I was one of the last people I knew to hop on board the internet train...buy a DVD player...get an e-reader. I didn't cave to Blu-ray until I got one last year for my birthday... I refuse to buy anything "i."..ipod....iphone... I use homeopathic remedies for almost everything. I live a simplified life, and for the most part (other than my obsession with buying waaaaay too many books) I ask myself...do I need this to be happy? Just because I can...is this something I should do? And more often than not- the answer is no...
Do I like cats? Yes...Do I live in a world where it is possible to look like a cat???...Yes. Should I? No.
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See how easy that was?
HUSK- asks some tougher questions...
When will we know that we've taken technology too far? What will the future look like- when so many live lives of excess? What boundaries should never be crossed?
...What if those who could afford it...could choose to live forever?
London:
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A beautiful woman is having a drink in a pub- when a young boy approaches her. He is beyond upset. He loves her...he can't understand why she did this to him..."Why?" he asks- before he falls to the pavement.
Paris:
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At an outdoor cafe- an older woman throws scalding coffee at a man- disfiguring his handsome face...in return- he beats her to a bloody pulp.
..and in
Manhattan:
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At an upscale strip joint, a man lashes out at the staff- killing one- and then smashes his own face repeatedly against the table...
Three different cities. Unexplained violence and death- with no obvious connections...or is there?
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Rhodes- sees the connection- but can he fix what is broken before it is too late for him....or the woman he loves?
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I would like to thank J. Kent Messum for thinking of me, when he was handing out copies of HUSK for review!! This book was amazing!! And *hint hint* Jamie ... please think of me again when you write your next one...and the next one...and the one after that.... :D...more
I have been so far behind in my reading and reviews...dealing with...life. I spent the whole month (so far) of August trying to play catch up. And now I have been so far behind in my reading and reviews...dealing with...life. I spent the whole month (so far) of August trying to play catch up. And now that I have sort of done that- I left this one review till the end...because even though the last thing that my lovely Stepheny aka Ms. Thaaaaaaaaaaang would want for me is to feel pressure- I do...OH, I really do. I feel the pressure to put out the best review that I can possibly think of right now...just for her- for her favorite series. The series that got her through the hard times in her life. Books she thinks of as family.
I'm not worthy. But I am going to try...
Gryffindor
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Ravenclaw
[image][image]- Defined by curiosity and the love of learning- first and foremost. A Ravenclaw will always seek knowledge. They want to know the why of everything. They love learning, and will want to seek as much knowledge as possible.
Hufflepuff
[image][image]- Ultimately, Hufflepuffs are interested in helping both people and animals- much less confrontational or daring than the other houses. They are also the least likely to care about individual achievement or House points- more apt to to focus on their relationships to others rather than things they personally have done.
Slytherin
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Harry has spent another horrible summer dealing with the Dursleys...but hope comes with a rescue from one of his best friends- Ron Weeeeeeeeeasley *said with a squeaky British accent*- and his father's flying car.
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So in the dead of night- they arrive at Hogwarts- ready for what the year ahead awaits them...
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As usual I will not give too much away...but excitement lurks behind these pages- for young and old....and I for one (somewhere in the middle)- am looking forward to what comes next.
* Even though I like for people to think I fall under the mysterious Slytherin- No matter how much I try- I am still a Hufflepuff at heart...apparently.
This buddy-read has been long- Some of our ka-tet have fallen...some have been left behind in the dust. We have picked up a few new members along the This buddy-read has been long- Some of our ka-tet have fallen...some have been left behind in the dust. We have picked up a few new members along the way- but only the strongest and most cunning will survive the whole journey to The Daaaaark Tooooooower.
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Buddy-read with our fearless leader- Quick Draw Stepheny, Jumpin' Jeff, Calamity Bev, Welcome- Kid Colt Karly, and Dastardly Dan...and let us have a moment of silence for our fallen members- Bronco Bustin' Black Jackin' Jason- Jason's perverted name will be missed- as will Jason...and who knows maybe a year from now he will get past page 43. One can only hope. May luck be with you, my friend. Also missing in action- is the cute as a button Bloody Black Kit Kat- We lost Kat to.....THE MANGAAAA....Da da Daaaaaaaaaaa *key scary music*...and last but not least Shotgun Slingin' Steven- Steven was last seen fighting with a succubus in The Wastelands- This was a battle he unfortunately lost. Sorry Steven- We tried to save you...really we did.
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WIZARD AND GLASS- book # four in the series- begins exactly where The Waste Lands leaves off...Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake "Ake", and Oy: are riddling with Blaine the Mono. After dealing with Blaine the Pain- the ka-tet ends up in Topeka, Kansas...where they are rewarded with Roland's story. The story of his past...The story of what made Roland...Roland.
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His original ka-tet- Cuthbert Allgood and Alain Johns...
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...his battles with baddies- Rhea of the Coos and The Big Coffin Hunters...
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...and the love of his life- Susan Delgado.
This one is for the laaaaaaaaaaaaadies. Or men with curiosity and romance in their hearts- because over 1/2 of WIZARD AND GLASS is the love story between Roland and Susan and how Roland came to be the heart-broken, distant, cold- man we see before us. Some people don't want to know what made their hero that way...some like these things to remain a mystery. I am not one of those people- I like things explained, and I don't mind my heroes vulnerable and human.
WIZARD AND GLASS is my favorite of the series so far! I am sooooooo looking forward to the next buddy-read. Let the journey continue!!...more
Five weeks after The Drawing of the Three- Roland, Susannah, and Eddie are deep into the woods of The Out-World- where they encounter Shardik- a ginormous cyborg bear on his last legs.
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After putting him out of his misery- they realize- they have to follow the path of the beam to The Mid-world...
....but first they need to bring back a fallen member of their ka-tet...
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...meet a billy bumbler- Oyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!...take on a demon...and catch the train ride from Heeeeeeeellllllllllll. Blaine the Paiiiiiiiiiiin.
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Sooooooo much to do sooooooo little time...and there are more than a few bumps in the road along the way.
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I cannot express how thrilled I am that I started this series (*take note Anne). And I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be experiencing this reading adventure with. On to book IV- Wizard and Glass. I can't wait!!!...more
Sooooooooo, I mentioned that I had sworn off Mr. Clive Barker yeeeeeeeears ago- due to squeamishness- Ms. Stepheny called me on it- and said, "PLEASE. Sooooooooo, I mentioned that I had sworn off Mr. Clive Barker yeeeeeeeears ago- due to squeamishness- Ms. Stepheny called me on it- and said, "PLEASE... PLEASE...PLEASE- read THE THIEF OF ALWAYS before making your final judgement on allllllllll of his work".
Okay, Stepheny, I stand corrected- not all of his work is GROSS. In fact I quite enjoyed this blood-less tale.
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10-year-old Harvey Swick is bored...bored, bored with school. Bored with the dreary weather, and bored with his day-to-day life. BORED bore...boooooooriiiiiing...great grey beast of February. Just as Harvey is wallowing in his dull, cruel, childhood- a man named Rictus flies up to his window and offers him an exciting alternative.
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The Holiday House!!! Where all dreams are possible...four seasons in a day- Halloween every evening, Thanksgiving...Christmas...any gift you can imagine- anything you could ask for. Never a dull moment. Harvey accepts- and is shown a whole new world...
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...but the longer Harvey stays...the more he misses what he has left behind...because sometimes perfection comes at a cost...
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THE THIEF OF ALWAYS- An enjoyable story for both young and old. I have no problem admitting when I am w...w...rrrr...oooon...g...from time to time...but don't expect it very often. ;)
Soooooooooooooooooo this was a group read I forced upon my nearest and dearest- I looooove my GR gals- even if you hated or loved every minute of it lSoooooooooooooooooo this was a group read I forced upon my nearest and dearest- I looooove my GR gals- even if you hated or loved every minute of it ladieeeeeees!!
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I am a watchdog. My name is Snuff. I live with my master Jack outside of London now. I like Soho very much at night with its smelly fogs and dark streets. It is silent then and we go for long walks....
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The story of A NIGHT IN LONESOME OCTOBER is told in a prologue and thirty-one chapters- one for each day in October. I read it in three...sometimes you just can't wait...
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Every once in a while- when the moon is full on a Halloween night- a group gathers and a game begins...The game of saving the world from evil and destruction- who is on the right side and who is on the wrong one??? I guess you will have to read it to find out...
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"Hi. I'm a watchdog." "Me, too." "I've been watching you." "And I've been watching you." "Why is your person digging a big hole?" "There are some things down there that he needs." "Oh, I don't think he's supposed to be doing that." "May I see your teeth?" "Yes. Here. May I see yours?" "Of course."
October-1887- a small English village finds itself host to a strange group of visitors. They are players in "The Game", and on the final night- they will declare their allegiances in a contest that will determine the future of the world. Until then- there are mystic artifacts to track down, rituals to complete and allies to make...but appearances can be deceiving- and who they might think of as friends...could be their enemies.
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If I can recommend only one book to read in October- this would be it! It may not be for everyone...but it certainly was for me. So much fuuuuuuuuuun!!!
People who know me even just a little- know how much I love Watership Down...so when I saw THE BEES on one of my friends GRs profile and read some revPeople who know me even just a little- know how much I love Watership Down...so when I saw THE BEES on one of my friends GRs profile and read some reviews, one review in particular caught my attention- "Watership Down with Beeeeees" it said. I didn't have to read any further than that...
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For Flora 717- it is almost over for her as soon as her little life begins. She is not like the others in her hive- she is bigger and darker than the other bees- and being different is never allowed- Deformity is evil. Deformity is not permitted.
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...but priestess- Sister Sage- sees something unusual in Flora- yes she is darker and excessively large- but unlike the other Floras- the lowly sanitation workers of the hive- Flora 717 speaks. Sister Sage decides an experiment is in order to see if she can find a greater use for her- and places her in the nursery- to see what other tricks Flora has up her bee sleeve.
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Flora will do what ever is asked of her- Accept, Obey, Serve....but after being a nurse for a very short while- she meets The Queen Bee and is rubbing elbows with more favored bees. Flora wants more, and before long she moves up the ladder again- when the Queen grows fond of her. But the bees closest to the Queen have other ideas...and soon Flora will have to use her wit and skill to make her own way in the hive...and hide her secrets from those who would try to harm her.
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It probably comes as no surprise that I loved this book!! I originally had it rated at 4.5..because I didn't love it as much as Watership Down...but the more I thought about it- I decided that was kind of unfair- for me it is a 5-star book...and it forever changed the way I will look at beeeeeeeeeees. R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
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THE BEES did remind me of a cross between Watership Down with bees and The Handmaids Tale...and although it may sound strange- as I was reading it- Flora sort of reminded me of one of my most beloved protagonists- Amber St. Clair- from another one of my favorite books- Forever Amber. If that sounds at alllllll interesting to you- you might want to pick this one up and give it try....more
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