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