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The Quiet Year
The Quiet Year
Gorgeous illustrations (5 more)
No prep needed
Good inspiration for post apocalyptic settings
Great first TTRPG
Cheap! ($6)
Replayable for different communities
Fantastic Post-Apocalyptic Story Gaming
Absolutely gorgeous single-session GMless story centered game. Players must navigate a year in a community after an apocalypse. Each week is represented by a card from a standard 52 card deck, each suit a season.
   When a card is drawn it introduces a new choice to be made by a player about your community, with limited organised discussions about these choices replicating failures in communications in real communities. This choice is then represented on a map of your community that you build as you play.
    This game is absolutely brilliant as a first TTRPG, a first session to build the setting for a post apocalyptic game in another system or just as a standalone one shot. It only takes one 2-3 hour session, some paper, pens, 6 sided dice, a standard deck of playing cards and the PDF. The questions it asks prompt very interesting ideas about your community to build somewhere that feels alive and fully fleshed out. A great buy!
  
FD
Full Disclosure (Nice Guys, #2)
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story is about Mitch and Cody. Mitch is still trying to work on the case that involved his friends, Colt and Jace, from a year or so previously. Unfortunately for him, no-one is particularly interested and wants to pay any attention. He gets sent on assignment to 'collect' someone but upon arrival realises that it is a bust as there is a law convention in town. So he enjoys some time with his friends whilst longing for someone to have a connection with like they do. Along comes Cody.

These two are opposites in pretty much every way but as such actually complement each other... once Cody gets past his issues. I was pretty much yelling at my Kindle as I read the book as I really REALLY wanted them to be together. There is a lot of suspense in this book as the crimes continue but Mitch isn't any closer to finding out 'whodunnit'.

With a cast of amazing supporting characters, an intriguing and suspenseful storyline and sexy scenes that are smokin', this is just a brilliant book full of love, passion and danger. Recommended for all who enjoy M/M romance.
  
Elemental Magick (The Donovan Coven #1)
Elemental Magick (The Donovan Coven #1)
Jacki James | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Elemental Magick is the first book in The Donovan Coven series. We start off with the Grimoire itself as it tries to ensure it becomes Aaron's. There is instant attraction between Malakai and Aaron, quickly followed by proclamations of love and being soul mates. If you don't like insta-love, trust me, you probably won't like this book.

The story itself is fast-paced, quickly moving from one scene to another without a real chance to get to know each character. It flows nicely though, so as long as you're prepared to go with the flow and not dive too deep, you'll be fine. As you might expect, Aaron is a whiz at magic, even though he's a newbie. And at least one of his friends is a latent witch too.

This was a brilliant book, full of action both in and out of the sheets. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Swan's Road (The Atheling Chronicles #1)
The Swan's Road (The Atheling Chronicles #1)
Garth Pettersen | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Swan's Road is the first book in the The Atheling Chronicles, which details the life of Harald and his father, Cnute. If you have read any Viking literature then these names will sound familiar. This story may have a basis in truth or it may be completely made up by the author. Either way, you will have a great historical novel to read.

Harald is the main character and he is travelling with his father. Excitement, adventure, love and sorrow, all wait for him as by his choices, he becomes separated from the main group.

This is full of action and adventure, in a medieval fashion. The characters grow throughout the book and behave true to themselves. I loved how it all worked out together, whilst keeping the reader on tenterhooks at the same time.

A brilliant medieval read in a series I hope to continue with. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

 Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Noble Intentions (Noble #1)
Noble Intentions (Noble #1)
Katie MacAlister | 2020 | Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Noble Britton had suffered greatly at the hands of his first wife, and he refused to fall into the same trap again. This time he intended to marry a quiet, biddable woman who would not draw attention to herself or cause scandal. Gillian Leigh's honest manner and spontaneous laughter attracted him immediately. It mattered little that she was accident-prone; he could provide the structure necessary to guide her.

But unconventional to the tips of her half-American toes―toes that one of them was constantly tripping over―his new bride turned the tables on him, wreaking havoc on his orderly life. And worse, demanding he surrender his heart. Perpetually one step behind his beguiling spouse, Noble suffered a banged-up head, a black eye, and a broken nose before he realized Gillian had healed his soul and proved that their union was no heedless tumble, but the swoon of true love.

I love Katie Macalister her books always manage to make me laugh. This was no different I thought Gillian's character was just brilliant she was so normal! The words just flowed I laughed a few times at her antics and conversations with Charlotte. Definitely worth a read.
  
The Passengers
The Passengers
John Marrs | 2019 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
10
9.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Now that was a thriller that had me totally hooked. It's fairly relentless from the beginning and with the audiobook, I listened to read between 6 different narrators (all of a high standard) I couldn't put it down.

You do have to be willing to suspend a good level of belief for this one but, with some brilliant writing and plenty of different moving parts, it's easy to let yourself get swept along. Set in the not too distant future 8 driver-less cars are hijacked and it's broadcast around the world for all to chime in on who lives and who dies.

I tend to find books that try to tackle the issues around social media or that use social media heavily in their storyline painful to read; causing much eye-rolling, but this was so well written I didn't have any issues for a change with its use. Although I felt the end let up too much on the earlier pace I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller.

I'll be checking out some more John Marrs ASAP based on this; it was a great ride (pardon the pun.)
  
Mice and Mystics
Mice and Mystics
2012 | Adventure, Exploration, Fantasy, Fighting, Miniatures
Co-op taking away tension of competitive (3 more)
Fun for all ages after a few rule adjustments
The story its self is a rich, beautiful tale of adventure
Combat is simple
For people new to the genre, reading all the rules including those for new tile spaces could be cumbersome (0 more)
Mice and Mystics is a great story telling boardgame in a series by Jerry Hawthorne. The game follows Prince Collin and his court of advisors who turn themselves to mice to escape certain death at the hands of an evil witch.

The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
  
40x40

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Dracula in TV

Apr 10, 2020  
Dracula
Dracula
2020 | Drama, Horror
7
6.1 (14 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
I missed this over Christmas so was quite chuffed to win a copy in a Smashbomb give away.

After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
  
The Tigers Ambush (Kit Davenport #3)
The Tigers Ambush (Kit Davenport #3)
Tate James | 2020 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
If you're reading this, you've probably already read my first two installments, and know exactly how deep into trouble I've got myself.
But you totally don’t care about what’s happening in this blurb because let’s be honest here… It was going to be a bunch of vague questions and hints that would really give away nothing, but leave you scratching your heads.
So, let's call a spade a spade and pretend this was an awesome blurb. Yeah?

Oh also, I'm Kit Davenport and this is going to leave a mark...

Another brilliant book in this series I think it's the best one yet! Finally we see some real power from these gorgeous men! I absolutely love Austin I think he's been my favourite from the start and I love how he's developed in this book. I read quite a few different series and in some I find the sex scenes a big over played but not in this series it's so well written. I actually really enjoy Kits character too. I'm excited to see where these characters are going! Also I almost cheered outloud at Mr Grey's demise!!
I think I need an Austin Tiger!
  
The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
2008 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
6
7.1 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Not as bad as it sounds
I watched this many years ago and could remember nothing about it, so decided to give it a go again as I noticed it on Amazon. It's not the best film, but is vaguely promising and not as bad as it sounds.

This is a horror film that decides to forego any traditional scares and creeps and just go for full on gore. This mostly works as some of the blood and gore in this is brilliant, however it is spoilt a little by some pretty poor CGI. If they had left out this CGI and some wannabe 3D moments then I might have rated this a tiny bit higher, as the CGI really is that bad. It's a rather basic plot but effective and I've always had a soft spot for Bradley Coooper. Vinnie Jones is alright and vaguely menacing although personally I think they could've found someone slightly more threatening. I'm rather glad that he barely opened his mouth for the entire film, as his accent definitely would've spoilt things!

Overall this is a fairly decent watchable horror, and much better than some of the more recent jump scares based ones.