Walk of the Sprirts by Richie Tankersley Cuisick

This book is about Miranda Barnes, a girl who just moved away from her old life in Florida and isn't so sure she wants to get used to this new one in St. Yvette. There's something weird around her, whispers, shadows, and those pleading voices. Slowly she'll come to understand that she has a gift like her grandfather. She can communicate with spirits and she'll have to find some way to put them in peace.
Okay, not the best summary but believe me, this is one of the best books ever! There was the thrill of the mystery, and the author was great at portraying that amazing friendship we all hope to find. I also love how there was a connection between Miranda's life and the spirits. I read this book a long time ago, and it's still one of my favorites.
The writing's good, the plot's good and it was such an amazing story. Please be sure to read it! I highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who like reading about spirits and such.
I'd rate this book 10/10 (maybe even more than that.)
~Mushu

Shadow Mirror by Richie Tankersley Cuisick

This is the sequel to the book, Walk of the Spirits. Because I really liked Walk of the Spirits, my expectations were really high for this book. Maybe too high?
Miranda Barnes still needs a little time to get used to her abilities, but the spirits aren't willing to wait for her to get comfortable. She begins to recieve unsettling images and visions from looking into the mirror, and especially when she goes to the plantation, Belle Chandelle. Miranda will soon find herself caught up in her own romance and the tradgedy dwelling around her.
I didn't really like the beginning of this book. It didn't get interesting untill Miranda found out what exactly she was supposed to do. Of course I still loved the connections and the snuggly friendships. This book was good, but not quite as good as the first. You'd be fine only reading the first book and never reading this one. I think there may be a third one though, and if there is, I'm reading it.
I'd rate this book 8/10
~Mushu

The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

This is another series by Woodsmall that I just love. I couldn't tell you who's on the cover because the character's descriptions don't perfectly fit the picture but I would guess the goal was for it to be Cara and Deborah?

Anyways the book is about a woman named Cara who has a young daughter named Lori. They're running away from Cara's stalker. Cara follows a resurfacing memory to the Amish community, Dry Lake. Only one Amish man shows Cara kindness, Ephraim Mast. But while Ephraim is doing what he believes to be right he is shunned by his community. Ephraim's sister Deborah is struggling, too, when her fiance starts shutting her and her soon-to-be-mother-in-law Ada out of his life.

I loved this book, it was absolutely fabulous. I guess I could have summarized it better but I think we should just let the book speak for itself. You may have noticed I'm reading all these books about Amish people by Cindy Woodsmall. It's because her writing is amazing and I like reading about Amish people, they're different and I kind of admire them.

I would totally rate this book 10/10 because it was absolutely fabulous! I would recommend the book to people who have liked the other Amish books I've reviewed. I would also recommend it to someone who wants to be really pulled in and anyone who wants to read something a little different. These books are amazing.

-Flounder

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

I just finished this book and I totally loved it! I couldn't put it down at all!

This is a book about a girl, Maia, who's parents have both died so she's sent to Manaus, Brazil to live with her distant family, the Carters, who are horrible people only wanting Maia for the fortune her parents had left her. Amidst all the horribleness of life with the Carters, Maia makes many friends including a child actor wishing of nothing but to return home, a mysterious Indian boy, and her governess.

I would recommend this book to anyone really interested in adventure. I'm such a romantic that even though this book doesn't really have any major or obvious romance, I kind of imagined it so I guess this would be good for romantic's as well. This is definitely a Cinderella type book, like not exactly but there's the character of the evil step mother and the step daughters, just not at all in the same sense. Read it to understand. I think everyone should really read this book, it was amazingly good.

I would rate this book 10/10 because I really can't think of anything wrong with it. I just kept reading and reading not wanting it to ever be over. Definitely read this book.

-Flounder

Cover Pictures

Hey, just a heads up.You may have noticed but Flounder and I decided to add pictures of the covers of the books we review from now on. We probably won't change the old posts though. Just thought you should know. :)
~Mushu

The Knife and the Butterfly by Ashley Hope Perez

Azael Arevalo wakes up in a place he'd rather not be in. Jail. Except this is different from all the other times he was in juvie. No phonecall, no lawyer, and everybody acts all funny. He wishes he could remember what happened the night his gang got in a brawl, but he just can't. Azael is sent to an observation room where he's supposed to watch Lexi Allen. But he doesn't even know who the chick is, or what she's got to do with him. If only Azael could just remember.
This book was really, seriously good. The author portrays everything very well. There was also a bit of symbolism and the message of it all really hit home. At the end of the book, there was a surprising twist which totally shocked me. I honestly can't stop thinking about it and I highly recommend reading the book. There's a little bit of violence and it's a little mature, but still.
I'd rate the book 9.5/10
~Mushu

Spirit's Princess by Esther Frieshner

So I know people are always saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but seriously. The cover looked absolutely ridiculous. The only thing that kept me from putting this book back was that Frieshner is the same person who wrote the books Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize which I liked.
Spirit's Princess is about a young girl named Himiko. She's the daughter of the chief of her clan which means she could very easily live a simple and pleasant life. But Himiko doesn't want a boring life simply sitting around with the other girls, gossiping and playing around. Himiko feels connected to the spirits, and she knows she's destined to do something great. She then starts her training as the apprentice of the shaman, something like a priestess, determined to become one no matter what.
Okay, there's another thing beside the cover I had a problem with. How old is this girl? At one point she's 7, then she's 9, then it feels like she's 14 but she's still only 9. Then suddenly she's 12 and soon after years passed. The book had a large time span. Also, this book is really thick but it only felt like the beginning of another story, and that this ending was only the beginning to the real plot. I don't know if there's a second book, but there SHOULD be one.
It's still a good book though... I wouldn't suggest it unless there's a second book and the sequel is sitting right next to you after you finish this one.
I'd rate the book a 7/10
~Mushu

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

This book was... okay? Because Pegasus is a fantasy, the author found a way to explain the fantastical world- through a history lesson. History bores me no matter what so... I found the first few chapters more than a little confusing. The writing is also very formal. But once you get through that a bit, the book becomes more interesting.
Pegasus is a book about a girl, Sylvie, and her pegasus, Ebon. She has a pegasus because she is a princess and royalty usually get their own pegasus. Now this is because of some treaty between the humans and the pegasi. Usually, there is a translator needed for a human and her/ his pegasus to communicate but Sylvie finds she can naturally speak to Ebon on her own. Sylvie and Ebon form a strong friendship, but it seems that this might be a bad thing...
Well, once adjusted to the book, it is pretty good. I actually think the idea itself was great but... not exactly the story. Anyway, so I'd suggest this to people who can get through a slow beginning, like history, or enjoy fantasy a lot.
Also, there is a sequel which has not yet come out. From the sources I checked, the sequel will come out in 2014. It might be a good idea to check that out
In my opinion, this book is a 5.5/10
~Mushu

Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond

This book is about the foundations of human history, specifically trying to answer this question: Why have the white people developed so much cargo, while the black people have so little of their own?
I believe the main theme, what the author believes as the answer, is that advantages are because of the geography, not due to race or intelligence.
Honestly, this book isn't exactly one you'd read for fun. It is very factual and at times really interesting, but  still boring- like reading a textbook.
This is typically a book which would be read for school or for academic purposes.
The overall book was factual and well written, but I didn't LIKE it, so I rate it a 5/10
~Mushu

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Impossible is an amazing book about a girl named Lucy who finds that the women in her family are cursed. They must try to complete three seemingly impossible tasks or they go mad when their child is born. Except this time, Lucy won't be alone trying to complete these tasks. While the others were alone, Lucy recieves help from Zach, this totally awesome guy and her fantastic foster parents.
This book was well-written with such an awesome plot. The overall ending was predictable, but how they solved the problems and how the little loose ends were tied up, that was unexpected. The ending was actually very clever.
There's one scene that's a little too mature for like, kids, but otherwise it's good. I'm not sure, since I read this a while ago. By a while ago, I mean a long time ago. Yet I still remember everything! Which means it really is awesome.
I LOVE THIS BOOK! It was seriously one of the best and you will never regret reading it!! I was hooked the whole way through. So seriously. Read it. Please.
The book is kind of a fantasy, but not overly fantastical. Like, there's an other world and curses and all that, but there's still the world as we know it.
So I highly suggest this book to everyone. And I'll rate the book 10/10
~Mushu