Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Carl Hiaasen is also the author of Hoot, which I haven't read, and Scat, which I have read. Those books aren't really related or anything, but they all involve nature and animals- that sort of thing.
This specific book is about how a casino boat is doing illegal dumping, putting their crap into the water. After his father is sent to jail for sinking that ship, Noah and his sister Abbey try to stop the flusher themselves. They've got a few allies and a crazy plan of their own that just might work.
This book was very supportive of protecting nature and all that, which I am not ace on. But I still really liked it.
I'd suggest it to people who love nature of all ages. It's probably for younger children but reading a kid's book every now and then is always nice.
I'd rate this book a 9/10
~Mushu

I read this book when I was in third or fourth grade. I remember that I liked it. The idea was interesting and their plan was intriguing. I don't really remember too much character development which maybe if I re-read it I would find but off memory I don't remember a whole lot.

I think after I had read it I would have rated this book an 8/10 because it was good but not fantastic.
-Flounder

Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney

Vampire books are either something people are totally obsessing over, or are completely hating on. Especially Twilight vampires. I don't know about those guys, but in Bloodthirsty, vampires aren't real, but boy do some people wish they were.
Finbar isn't exactly the luckiest of guys. His brother is so much cooler, he never gets any girls and he's just... well, lame. But then things start to change. All the girl's at Finbar's school are interested in some book called Bloodthirsty. A book about vampires. After discovering the girls' obsession for vampires,  Finbar decides to become a fake vampire. It's pretty easy and people actually believe him; he starts attracting a whole lot of girls too. But when he meets a girl who might like him for who he is, then things get complicated. Maybe sometimes nice guys can get the girl... even without drinking blood or having sparkly skin.
I actually really liked this book. It was more or less ridiculous but still. The writing was very casual and easy to relate to and the book brought up some really good points. In the big picture, this book was pretty sweet.
I'd recommend this book to people who are sick of vampires, or maybe even those who love them.
I'll rate this book a 7/10
~MUSHU :D

1001 Cranes by Naomi Hirahara

I just want to say, I really liked the cover of this book, I'm not so sure about the story.
This book is about a girl named Angela who is sent to live with her grandparents and aunt while her parents work out their divorce. Life is very different there, and Angela is relunctant to adjust.
The writing and the plot were okay, I guess, but I REALLY didn't agree with the opinion the main character had on things all throughout the book. She actually really annoyed me and it took me a while to finish the book.
I'd suggest this book to people who like a simple plot.
I didn't really like this book, but it was okay so I'll rate it a 5/10
~Mushu

Kill You Last by Todd Strasser

Kill You Last is about a girl, Shelby, whose father becomes a prime suspect concerning the wherabouts of some missing girls after they each had a headshot taken by her father, a photographer. Life is getting really hard for Shelby and now she's not even sure who she can trust. And the main mystery is: what does her father have to do with these girls? And what happened to them, exactly?
I thought this was an amazing plot with great writing and I just loved it. It was a nice mystery that kept me wanting to find out what would happen next and there's even a big twist at the end. I would have never guessed it. The book wasn't actually all that scary though it sounds like it would be and though I usually find mystery a tad annoying, this wasn't.
It is also part of a "thrill-ology" but you don't need to read the other books. I didn't.
I highly suggest this to those who love a good mystery. Even if you just like a thin plot, the book's short so it'll be fine. Now if you don't like those little mystery books, try it anyway. I recommend it.
I'd rate this book a 10/10
~Mushu



I'm just going to flat out say it: this was a pretty good book but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. It had like good writing and plot and all - I was totally hooked in the beginning and the ending was pretty good, too - but the Prologue or whatever was something that happened later in the book, so I was just getting pretty confused. Also, I felt like what happened to Gabriel was just overkill and that shouldn't have happened.

All in all I would rate this book a 8/10 because it was pretty good just that those extra things pushed it over the top and made it too much for one book. Also I would recommend this book to anyone who likes creepy books or horror or murder or stuff like that.

-Flounder

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

An interesting twist on the Greek myth of Persephone kidnapped by Hades, Whitman did a good job I guess. She certainly made the myth a lot sweeter.
Paradise simply feels like a trap to Persephone with her overprotective mother. When a stranger arrives in her "paradise," Persephone feels drawn to the man and the new life he promised -a dangerous and exciting life. But the choice to leave with the stranger or stay with her mother will cause many, many changes, and some would be for the worst.
Call me old-fashioned, but I don't in anyway approve of Hades and Persephone's relationship. Even if they both truly loved each other. I do not approve. And I don't think Whitman (or this Persephone) realized that while Persephone is childishly in love and causing ruckus, Demeter was raped by Poseidon as she wandered the earth, grieving. Talk about sad. Well, ignoring that fact, this book was very good and enjoyable. I still don't approve of the relationship.
I'll suggest this to people who like reading Greek myths, twists to them, and romance.
I'd rate this book a 7/10 It was really good, no doubt, but I just didn't love it.
~Mushu