Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

With so many parodies and alternate versions and spin offs, finding the original Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was more difficult than I expected it to be. Quite honestly, I love the concept more than I ended up loving this original book.
As many of you may be familiar with it, I'll keep the summary brief. This book is about a young girl named Alice, bored of her lessons and bored of looking at books with no pictures. When she happens across a white rabbit in a waistcoat, Alice follows the creature into a rabbit hole where she falls into Wonderland. Wonderland is a world with seemingly no logic and strange animals and creatures which speak like civilized people. Alice journeys through the land until she can find a way back home.
What was the main plot of this book? Did I just completely miss the conflict of the story? Is the point of the book to get out a message that went completely over my head? I have so many questions because, after finally reading the novel, I found no plot to it whatsoever. I struggle to even find deep meanings behind the bizarre creatures (the only things I come up with seem like desperate attempts to answer why cats bark to smell a tree's sense of humor). As of this moment, the conclusion I have is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a whimsical classic simply to entertain the youth from years past. I didn't fancy Carroll's writing much either.
I love the Alice in Wonderland concept so, so, much and all the renditions of it, but I didn't favor the actual book as much. I didn't hate it, I just had very high expectations which this novel failed to meet. I found it to be drab and uneventful. Yet I appreciate being able to finally have read the book for myself.
I would still recommend that people read this, because it is indeed a classic, and it's always fun to catch when another piece references or alludes to Alice in Wonderland.
I rate this book 5.5/10
~Mushu


*Note: It also occurs to me that- what if this book I read is not in fact the original? How upsetting.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Being an avid coffee drinker, I was immediately drawn to this particular novel. Coffeehouse Angel is about Katrina, the granddaughter of an elderly woman full of energy and owner of a coffeehouse. Although it takes up most of her time, Katrina never really minded working at the old fashioned cafe until another place opens right next door, the trendy Java Heaven. If stealing all their customers, beside a few dedicated old men, wasn't enough, the daughter of Java Heaven's owner steals Katrina's best friend too. In serious lack of confidence in herself and the cafe, Katrina's problems continue to pile up. Little did she know leaving pastries and a cup of coffee for a stranger in her alleyway would blossom a new relationship and grant her true heart's desire.
I thought Coffeehouse Angel was an adorable, sweet book and I definitely enjoyed reading it. It's not a difficult read that would require analysis or make you think- it's really just something you pick up for fun. The build up of romance between the characters was a little fast, but it still keeps a genuine feeling, so this doesn't interfere with the story. My biggest complaint would just be in some of the smaller details, however these small details that bug me aren't big enough to necessarily bother someone else and they don't get in the way of the story.
I'd recommend this book to people who like simple romances, and are going through a tough time in their high school life.
I'd rate this book an 8/10
~Mushu

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

Haroun and the Sea of Stories tells the tale of Haroun, a young boy who's world is turned upside down when his mother runs off with his mean neighbor. Haroun's father, Rashid Khaliffa, was the greatest story teller in their entire city, and he would spread joy throughout the people. When this disaster occurs however, Rashid suddenly finds himself unable to tell stories- and right before an important performance. In order to save his father, Haroun goes off to Earth's second moon, Kahani, to regain his father's talents. But when he learns of the evil Khattam-Shud, who plans to ruin stories for everyone, Haroun must save more than just his father's story telling.
Rushdie creates this fun story for children, but it certainly suits adults as well. The book is littered with hidden (and some not so much) allusions and figurative language. There are also multiple important themes expressed, like freedom of speech, gender equality, and speech versus silence. It's a little all over the place, with made up creatures and "processes too complicated to explain," but that's part of the book's charm.
Personally, I like bizarre sort of books so although this isn't a novel I'd hold close to my heart and love forever, I certainly enjoyed it. It's not really the sort of book that you'd connect to, and character development is sketchy, but the deeper meanings make it worth reading. I didn't like the end because everything fell together too suddenly and perfectly, it was rather anticlimactic. I don't want to spoil it but it was pretty random- and not in a good way. However, perhaps it's still good to read for the values and topics addressed within the story.
I'd recommend this to people who have enjoyed books such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, or The Wizard of Oz.
I rate this book 7.5/10
~Mushu

Ensnared by A.G. Howard

Ensnared is the final book in the Splintered trilogy and it is most definitely an amazing end. I often find that the first book in a series isn't very connected with the last, as if the author wasn't sure that they'd get a sequel, or they forgot their original intentions when they first started. However, Howard successfully ties all three books together. Events in the first novel actually foreshadow what happens in the third. Once again the story was full of complexities and clever twists to engage the reader.
I think there's no need to provide a summary because if you read book two, Unhinged, you've probably been eagerly awaiting this third installment anyway. In my review for Splintered, I mentioned that it isn't necessary to read the following books because it had a splendid end. I take that back. Read all three books!! You will not regret it.
My only complaint would be the epilogue of this book wrapped everything somewhat quickly, but I think it's fine considering it's an epilogue and really more of a "in case you're wondering, here's how life went after the story ended." Also, some people may not like how Howard chose to deal with the romance and who Alyssa (the main character) ends up with. I think Howard's decision makes sense though, and actually holds a deeper meaning behind it.
So I certainly recommend this book to all who have read those that came before it, and if you have not started the series at all- I highly recommend you do so!
I rate this book 9/10
~Mushu

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Hollow City is the sequel to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I highly recommend reading that first book, and then this one. The summary includes spoilers! You have been warned.
The children travel to the mainland, in search of help to turn Miss Peregrine human again. With their loop destroyed, the wights and hollowgast are intent on stopping them, and stealing Miss Peregrine back. The peculiars will find new loops and allies, and learn more than they'd ever want about what the wights are planning.
Although I have failed to give a summary worthy of this book's greatness, you should most definitely read this series. Riggs continues to create literary perfection and provides a plethora of creepy photographs. I thought this book was even more thrilling than the first one as the adventure continues and new secrets are unfolded. The ending leaves you eager for more, and I promise there's going to be a review on book three posted- as soon as it comes out.
I'd rate this book 10/10
~Mushu