Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Book Review

An awesome book defining the terrors of the 1793 American Yellow Fever epidemic, I must say. Anderson does a wonderful job of weaving together the hope of survival and loss beyond measure. Mattie Cook lives with her mother and grandfather in a coffeehouse, but when the fever strikes her mother, Mattie and her grandpa must try to flee the city and survive in any way possible, so that they might live one more day.

Muffin Rating: 10.0

Why? The content was very accurate, and I fell in love with (nearly) all the characters. Once again, thank you Anderson.

Warning: Mild Violence (not very descriptive)

Age Rating: 12+

Final Words: If you're a historical fiction fanatic, read this book ASAP.

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn Book Review

This was a different book that captured me interest, mostly because it's so realistic. Meet Nick Andreas, a rich sixteen-year old kid who ruined his life by 'slapping' his ex-girlfriend Caitlin. Now he has no friends, and in the first place he had no family connection with his father (who beats him) plus by court order, he has to attend a 'anger management' group with a whatcha-gunna-do-bout-it attitude teacher. 

Life sucks, heh? 

The truth is, this book will give you a whole new perspective on life and the truth of things, of how stupid we can be and also how violent. 

Muffin Rating: 9.2

Why? The book switches between the current events that are going on and the journal in which Nick is writing the past events. The current events seemed to run along, a bit dry, but that's the 'realistic' part Flinn was getting at. Overall, it was one of the best novels I read back last year.

Warning: Underage Achohal Consumption (UAC), mentions underage sex, fits of violence (punches, nothing more) mild swearing

Age Rating: 15+  unless you can handle the small mentions of the warning above

Final Words: I'd say this is a book you have to read at least once in your life. Your choice. 

More reviews soon! 

Numbers (Num8ers) by Rachel Ward Book Review

What if you could tell the day when everyone you knew died? What if you knew that your mother would die in less than a week, or a lover in less than a year? 

Jem knows those dates, among millions of others, whenever she simply looks into another person's eyes. On a 'date' to London one day with her best friend, Spider, she witnesses a terrorist attack on the London   Eye, barely saving herself and Spider. Now the police think that they are terrorists. Jem knows she had to do something, but what? 

To be honest, even though the ideas in this book freaked me out a little bit, I thought it was well done. During the middle it got lagged somewhat, but the author turned it around. 

Muffin Rating: 7.5

Why? It was a good idea, but I didn't like the writing style.

Warning: Drug Use, Violence, Mild Sex

Age Rating: 14+

Final Words: Might be something to read if you're bored. 

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater : Book Review

I have to admit I'm not usually interested in novels with vampire/werewolf romances. But despite the curses I have to admit I felt something with Grace and Sam, because the two seem like they are truly soulmates. For Twilight fans, I never felt like that with either Jacob or Edward when they were with Bella. Sorry, I don't like Twilight. That's me.

Shiver seemed to drag on forever while I read it, which was good, because for once I got engrossed in a fictional romance which seemed both harsh and sweet at the same time. Maggie Stiefvater is also a mastery of character webbing, which is one of the most important skills a good writer must have. The passages that detailed the town and house, woods, etc. , however, were too descriptive. 

Muffin Rating: 8

Why? : The storyline was like a remake of Romeo and Juliet in a way, though no one dies (maybe.) Maggie Stievater made a mistake in descriptions though, however, it made up for the pulse-pounding action ahead. 

Warnings: Sex, mild Language and Violence

Age Rating: I would say 13+, but if you think you can handle the sex part (which is non-descriptive and lime) possibly 12+

Final Words: A good book to curl up on a cold day to read. 

Ophelia by Lisa Klein : Book Review

Everyone who's not insane or too small to understand HAS to know who Shakespeare is. Acclaimed Author of some of history's greatest works, he made writing and literature what it is today. Ophelia takes upon his play Hamlet, in which he paints a story of murder and treachery in the castle of Elisnore. This time, however, it is on Ophelia's point of view, not Hamlet's. Lisa Klein takes us through Ophelia's early childhood, when she first fell in love with Hamlet, to her older years and above. While descriptions of the castle and village could've been more imaginative, I was enchanted by the forbidden love story Lisa Klein took me through. I could swear that I was walking next to Ophelia in the rose garden, searching for her companion. 

If you have not read Hamlet by Shakespeare, but you want to read this book, I suggest reading the play first, as it will make more sense. And what's more, there's a shocking event at the end. 

Muffin Rating (1-10) - 9.5

Why? - The world Lisa Klein created was wonderful and exciting. I would've given this book a 10 but as a fellow author some descriptions were brushed off too fast and the plot jumbled together in one or two places. 

Warnings: Murder, Implied Sex, Language, Mild Violence

Age Rating: 12+

Final Words: I highly recommend you go and read this book! 

Swing: A Psychopathy by German Alcala Book Review

When I first found this book on the 'free' list of the ebook store, I didn't think that there was a possibility of anything too horrid indented on the pages. The book was written by a fourteen-year-old boy for crying out loud! I thought that this book, just from looking at the cover, was about a kidnapping and search for a kid. 

Oh, how wrong I was. 

Swing: A Psychopathy is a disturbing, dark, tear-jerking novel with the characters breaking out into random musical numbers and monologues throughout the entire book. The themes of Swing are too dark, with among others the main themes are murder, child molestation & rape, incest, suicide, and increasing violence. All scenes are extremely graphic as well. Yet, despite the fact that material like this could be considered child porn (the author even says in the forward that he doesn't intend the story to be porn and that anyone who masturbates to this is extremely sick and should go to some mental institution) I applaud as a fellow author the bravery it must've took to write this and get it published. While the story is very sad and horrifying to read, I couldn't stop turning the pages, seeing what happens to the characters, if everything turns out okay. This book is not for children under 18 probably, but if you think you can stomach the contents and sit down to read Swing: A Psychopathy, then you probably should.

Muffin Rating (1-10) - 8.5

Why? - The way the book was written was odd, as most of it is in lyrical sense, not to mention the events that take place. But it reminds you of what is possibly happening in your own neighborhood. 

Warnings: Rape, Child Rape and Molestation, Suicide, Child Murder, Language, Suggested Sexual Events, Homosexual Sex, Violence including words carved into a boy's neck with a key, Murder

Age Rating: Depends on how mature you are about situations pending the warnings above. I would recommend 18+ if you are not sure you want to read this is you are underage

Final Words: An interesting book, makes you sick at some parts, but I would say you should go ahead and read the book.