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