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Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon, #1)
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon, #1)
Alison Goodman | 2008 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
7
8.0 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
When I was young and impressionable (well, not really impressionable, I’ve actually always been the stubborn and fiery redhead I am now, just a little more shy) I read a book about a sixteen year old girl, in a man’s world, pretending to be a twelve year old boy. In this same book there were also dragons, no not the ones you hunt to steal their treasure, but the kind that you bond with and can gain amazing powers from.

Of course it has dragons; how could I resist? Ever since reading Eargon I’ve had a thing for books with dragons in them, though it is rather hard to find some where it isn’t all about dragon hunting. Anyone have any suggestions?

Anyway, so this book was one of my favorites as a teenager because of the world building as well as the secrets and powers that the characters have. And I really do like it, though I’m probably going to say more bad things than I will good for a reason I will explain later.

So, the good things:

Main character, Eona. I guess I feel like she is similar to me in a way. She can be stubborn but also knows when to hold herself back when she needs to. She can be rather forceful and hostile while also having a nicer, sweeter side. She struggles with much through the book and it gives the book a more realistic feeling.

The world of the Dragoneyes. It’s ancient Chinese mythology, and mythology is something I like to read and learn about. It is very interesting to read about, and the author did her research on the subject.

And the bad things:

The book moved rather slowly. Yes, there was a lot that happened, but there was also a large amount of the politics of the world that got involved to. Politics isn’t something I like, it’s actually something I am starting to hate in recent years. So this doesn’t appeal to me. When I got closer to the end I skimmed, half because I knew what was happening for the most part, half because I was getting so bored with the back and forth of the characters.

The characters. Most of the characters had a fake feeling to them. They seemed one sided and all kind of reacted in similar ways when faced with these situations. They were almost flat and didn’t seem real.

Eona. Yes I know she is in the good things too, but I really dislike her fatal flaw. It took her most of the book to figure out (even though she wasn’t even the one who figured it out in the end) what the secret was to her power. It was rather annoying and I wish the author would have allowed Eona to figure it out a bit soon and have some more of the awesome power in there.

The good aspects of this book do outweigh the bad ones, but it still caused me to think hard about the rating I would give it.
  
DD
Danny Dirks and the Heir of Pendragon
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Danny Dirk is and ordinary fourteen year old boy with a passion for baseball, however as he approaches his fifteenth birthday peculiar things begin to happen.

Beginning with the arrival of the new foreman for their apple farm, Danny begins experiencing the impossible. Eventually, Grandfather Pendrake, a surname not unlike Pendragon, reveals that Danny comes from a special lineage, one typically assumed to be a myth; and explains that a particular mythical beast is, in fact, very real.

S. A. Mulraney begins his young adult novel with an interesting prologue that leaves the reader with a range of questions. Firstly, the characters are referred to as 'they' resulting in a feeling of suspense as the reader has no idea whether they are good or bad. It turns out that 'they' are Mr Brennan and his standoffish daughter Kara. However the original use of 'they' leaves the question as to what they are, which is heightened by words such as 'scales' and 'wings' as well as the suggestion that they can communicate with dragonflies.

Danny Dirk and the Heir of Pendragon is an exciting novel. Although it felt a little slow to start, the story picks up towards the end and concludes on a cliffhanger leaving the reader eager for the next book.

Although the main character is in his mid teens, the writing style is suitable for boys and girls in their earlier teens and upwards, however there are some scenes that are more appropriate for readers with a maturer outlook.

This novel will attract a range of interest particularly for those who prefer a book that is quick and easy to read. It should also attract the attention of those with a preference for the fantasy genre, especially about dragons, and also those who enjoy myths and legends, in particularly the legendary king of England, King Arthur.

Mulraney's adaptation of the history of King Arthur is original and intriguing, and his version of dragons are very creative.

This review uses a rating on the basis on personal preference but it is sure to be loved by the intended target audience.
  
Game Of Thrones  - Season 7
Game Of Thrones - Season 7
2017 | Sci-Fi
The start of the mad rush to the finish line
Contains spoilers, click to show
Season 7 of Game of Thrones for me, is where the show went from the most finely and carefully crafted show of all time, to dumb hollywood-esque blockbuster.
The slow burning plot of the earlier seasons have all but gone, after it was announced that season 8 would be the last, causing long gestating plotlines to be rushed towards a conclusion, and causing the show to suffer for it. It's a real shame.

Season 7 is by no means bad though, once I had swallowed my bitterness and accepted that this was how it was going to be, there was still plenty to enjoy.
The intricate character arcs may have taken a huge blow, but when Game of Thrones decides to throw out an epic set piece, it's still the undisputed king.

Danaerys has (finally!) landed in Westeros, and begins her campaign to take the Iron Throne for herself. Characters that have been embroiled in politics for seven seasons are suddenly faced with seeing dragons for the first time, and that's a pretty satisfying moment for anyone who has been watching for years.
Episode 4 in particular serves as a highlight, as Danaerys unleashes the power of her dragons on the Lannister army. It's truly a spectacle.
The same episode however unfortunately confirms that certain characters are covered in plot-armour. Last minute life saving heroics replace the once sudden brutality of beloved characters being offed (obviously referring to Bring saving Jaime here), and for the first time since this show started, everyone just sort of feels safe. It's weird.

Elsewhere, Jon Snow leads a team north of the wall to acquire proof of the White Walkers in an attempt to sway Cersei onto his side of the upcoming war.
This episode was particularly dumb, but again, a huge spectacle. Seeing Viserion plummet to the ground was a pretty epic moment, and the season of course culminates in a moment all of us had been waiting for, as a huge chunk of The Wall falls, and the Night King leads his undead army into Westeros.

It's all very stylish, but unfortunately a lot of the substance gets left by the wayside.
  
    Fantastiqa

    Fantastiqa

    9.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    Welcome to the wild, weird world of FANTASTIQA! Fantastiqa is a deck-building board game set in a...

    Fuji Koro

    Fuji Koro

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Tabletop Game

    Japan Hōsei 4 (1707). Mount Fuji is on the verge of erupting. Red hot lava will soon consume the...

Giving the Dragon Fire
Giving the Dragon Fire
Victoria Jayne | 2024 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
more of an emotional connection would have been nice!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Gideon meets Ella and their chemistry is smokin! Literally! But Ella can't possibly be his mate, since she is human and dragons only mate with dragons. Right?

I liked this, for the most part. It's 250 odd pages, but it's a quick read, and an easy one.

I liked that both Gideon and Ella have a say. I liked that they are both suffering this attraction thing, and it's messing with both their equilibriums. I liked the smexiness level, it really is smokin hot.

BUT

I didn't like the smexiness level! Contradicting myself I know, but lemme explain.

Every time these two cross paths, there is smex. EVERY time. And while I do like my books on the steamier side, I do like some story with my steam, ok? And for a while, I was gonna dump this simply because all Ella and Gideon did was have smex. *I* found it too much, and that has to be saying something!!

So, what I'm trying to say is, I would have liked some other connecton between Ella and Gideon that wasn't horizontal. More of an emotional connection would have been nice. Once they decide to give this mate thing a go, the book then ends with an epilogue and I wanted more of that interim period.

I also was a bit lost as to Gideon getting his fire. He was convinced that Ella wasn't his mate because she couldn't give the dragon his fire. Then all of a sudden, he had it. Something happened (but spoilers!), but one scene he didn't, then he next, he did. No explaination as to HOW he got it.

So, some gaps in the plot, but once I got over my hissy fit, and finished the book, I can honestly say, I liked it. And it's the first I've read of this author. I'd like to read more of this group of people.

3 good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere
  
Munchkin
Munchkin
2001 | Card Game, Fantasy, Fighting, Humor
Easy to pick up, great expansions (0 more)
Excellent group game
One of the easiest to learn games, yet the most fun, games I've played. The cards are almost entirely self explanatory, and the huge amount of nods to the different variations and flavours of games (particularly Dungeons and Dragons) is brilliant.

Whether you fight the Level 8 Gazebo, the Level 1 Potted Plant, or the Level 20 Plutonium Dragon, the deals you can make with your friends and enemies can be almost anything - we even house rule that it can be outside of the game (for example, "I will make the next drink if you help me in this fight, and only take 1 treasure"). Its also entirely possible to "help" in the fight, but sabotage the fight so they dont gain levels!

With dozens of expansions, too, the game can grow and grow, and if you like a particular genre, they probably have it as an option (Sci Fi? Space Munchkin. Vampires? Munchkin Bites etc) - and they can all be played in one huge pile, if you want!!

Brilliant game
  
Tiger's Voyage
Tiger's Voyage
Colleen Houck | 2011 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The dragons (0 more)
Lots of which one should I choose let's look at things logically, while ignoring everything I learn. (0 more)
This book starts about a month
after the second book ends. It really plays up the love triangle thing but still has the adventure parts too. Unfortunatly, Kelsey is distracted by who to choose and why that she gets distracted easily. Kudos to her though because she doesn't "check out" when Ren doesn't remember her and her heart is broken (unlike the girl who has to choose between the sparkly vampire and the not werewolf because- he is Native American and the European rules of werewolf don't apply and he really could have shapechanged into a bear or cougar....)
I think the dragon's are fun characters and the gold dragon reminds me of Frank Burns but that might be because I was watching a MASH marathon while reading this.
I also enjoy the diving instructor. I know people whose accent will disappear or get thicker to tease, confuse, or disarm someone.