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Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Muramasa: The Demon Blade
2009 | Action, Role-Playing
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Visuals (3 more)
Pacing
Subbed not Dubbed
Choices for creating/obtaining new equipment
Repetitive Gameplay (1 more)
The maps may confuse some
Muramasa: The Demon Blade was my favorite game released for the Wii, and remains one of my favorite video games of all time. The hand-painted background illustrations and characters fly by as you explore the world, either as Momohime or Kisuke, and fight your way through each screen and each boss.

Part of the reason I love this game as much as I do is that it's an odd duck. There's too much role-play to be a full on action game, but too many elements of an action game to be a full on role-player; but still somehow manages to to feel quite like an action role-player. Muramasa occupies a weird middle ground that I haven't encountered in any other action/role-play title, and it's a middle ground that I keep going back to.

Lately my Wii has been just a Homebrew-channel-running emulator machine, but rediscovering Muramasa has turned it back into an actual Wii. I almost even want to buy a PS Vita, just to pick up a copy of Muramasa Rebirth!
  
Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name
André Aciman | 2007 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
4
6.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
So I heard lots of good things about this book. It was being (has been) made into a film. So I thought I'll give this a go. And after the effort it was to read this book, all I can say is, meh.

The were elements I really enjoyed, where I started to go "Ooo its starting to get good" and then I would be dragged back into really abstract ways to describe the scene. I honestly don't mind a bit of well done descriptions of visuals of feeling etc. But this just felt pointless. I think its a very, arty, type of writing and honestly its just not my cup of tea.

The story as a whole, is interesting and would normally be my cup of tea. Over a beautiful hot summer in Italy a young professor finishing off his philosophy book and the son of the people housing him in Italy begin a romantic affair in secret. The concept of the story brilliant and refreshingly new. The execution... honestly, not my style and the writing style really stopped me following the story easily. I just like a bit more instant gratification from my books.
  
The Night Circus
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.1 (106 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Night Circus is a book I have been intending to read for quite some time. I will start by saying the book is not quite what I expected. Actually I know don’t really know what I expected from this book. I will start by saying I found the first 30-40% of the book quite confusing, dull and at times I contemplated giving up on it completely. The time changes for each chapter whilst confusing at first did become easier to decipher as I learnt the time sequences I was switching between.

This book is worth persevering with as once the dull start is past what you’re left with is actually a beautifully enchanting story. Love and magic in its most subtle forms developing gradually. I fell in love with the elements of the circus and the way they were described, it is almost sad that the place does not exist, that there is no possibility of attending.

This is a book, I think you will come to love if you get past the rocky beginning. Would recommend to people who like me don’t give up on books and read them until they are finished.
  
When I Wake - Single by Better Off Barefoot
When I Wake - Single by Better Off Barefoot
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Better Off Barefoot is a duo based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, they released a charming indie-pop tune, entitled, “When I Wake”.

“Hope you go to sleep now. I let myself fall away. I hear what you’re saying. How did I let you stay? I’m not holding back now. Let go of my old ways. Let go of my troubles knowing we’ll be okay.” – lyrics

‘When I Wake’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is optimistic about the future.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, soft vocals, and mellow instrumentation flavored with alternative and indie elements.

“‘When I Wake’ is about the process of finding your peace in all the chaos. Learning to let go, bouncing back, and in a new light moving into who you want to be.” – Better Off Barefoot

Better Off Barefoot met in Chicago three years ago. Since then, they’ve been making music together and perfecting their sound.

Bradley produces the music and Elle sings and writes the songs. They describe their music as a mixture of pop, indie, and electronic music.
  
Good Girl - Single by Ekene
Good Girl - Single by Ekene
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Ekene is a singer-songwriter and producer from Nigeria. Not too long ago, he released a charming Afrobeat tune, entitled, “Good Girl”.

“She get everything I want. I love my lady. I no go lie. She be the real fine lady. Wey dey blow ma mind. She nor dey stress me o. She no dey form. My Nigerian woman, nwanyi ọma.” – lyrics

‘Good Girl’ tells an adorable tale of a young guy who cherishes the special Nigerian woman in his life. Apparently, she’s a beautiful good girl who has everything he wants and much more.

Therefore, he loves her wholeheartedly because she gives him peace of mind and doesn’t stress him out.

‘Good Girl’ contains a relatable storyline and pleasing vocals. Also, the song possesses rhythmic instrumentation flavored with Afrobeat, world, and tropical-dance elements.

“Good girls make the world go ‘round. The song is basically bragging about how life is easy for a man who has a good girl in his life.” – Ekene

Ekene was born in Lagos State and raised in his hometown Ibusa, Delta State. Also, as a music producer, he is known as Keasungs.
  
40x40

Jake (52 KP) rated Morning Star in Books

Jul 25, 2019  
Morning Star
Morning Star
Pierce Brown | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.1 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Woah. Sheer intensity in written form.

Let me preface why I gave this only 4 stars instead of 5.
The series overall was riddled with crude humor and repulsive language, the depth and level of which blew past my personal tolerance levels. Also, human life was never so cheap: from the immensely violent bloody beheadings to the mass deaths and gory fight scenes, grisly death could be found in probably every other chapter. In short, I could not recommend this book to my mother.

That being said, the story and saga of Darrow pulled at my heart like no book I've ever read. The themes of death, destruction, and despair that surrounded Darrow crushed me. It was only the pure dream of the "good guys" fighting for a better world that made it possible to read through the extreme agony. The themes of love, betrayal, friendship, and trust left me emotionally drained sometimes. These elements made it so that I literally couldn't put the book down.

It is an epic journey, it is a moving (although harsh) masterpiece, and I will never forget this book or series.
  
Always Forever
Always Forever
Mark Chadbourn | 2002 | Dystopia, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
All technology is all but dead and the ancient powers stalk the land. With civlization in ruins only the Brothers and Sisters of Dragons can stop the world sliding into chaos. But they are broken, a spent force after the many trials they have endured. All may be lost after all.

Carrying on the tone of the first two books of the trilogy this is a dark and edgy read, often difficult as the protagonists are pushed to breaking point and beyond. Chadbourn's writing is very evocative and descriptive of the locations and the characters - perhaps because they have every flaw exposed - seem very human.

The ending makes the trilogy worthwhile, but to an extent maybe this is half a book too far; some plot elements become a little repetitive as do the threat from the creatures of legend that are hunting for the heroes. Ultimately the story just about justifies this and it definitely doesn't let down the series but maybe there's just a bit of faerie fatigue.

If you like your fantasy dark and your heroes really put through the wringer this series will appeal but it is not for the faint hearted.
  
Village of the Damned (1995)
Village of the Damned (1995)
1995 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
5
6.2 (15 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Thumpingly unsubtle SF remake turns up the horror dial but doesn't seem aware that sometimes less is more. After a strange town-wide blackout, the citizens of Midwich (do they really have 'villages' in Northern California, anyway?) discover ten women have simultaneously become pregnant. They give birth to eerily similar children who seem to have psychic powers.

Released in 1995, this is very much The Midwich Cuckoos for the X Files generation, but ends up just another signpost marking the decline of John Carpenter as a film-maker worth paying attention to. The sad thing is that he really does seem familiar with both the original British film and the source novel (elements of the book missing from the 1960 film reappear here) and is obviously trying to do his best to honour them, but where John Wyndham is chillingly subtle and understated, John Carpenter is just walloping the audience with a succession of predictable set-piece 'shocks'. Reasonable CGI but overall it looks cheap and unconvincing; some reasonable performances from an interesting cast, but there's a limit to what they can do with such a duff script.
  
Lord of Misrule (The Morganville Vampires, #5)
Lord of Misrule (The Morganville Vampires, #5)
Rachel Caine | 2009 | Horror
7
8.1 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, a master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil undead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.
Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - both natural and unnatural- the unexpected happens; Morganville’s vampires start to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.

As the fifth book in the Morganville series by Rachel Caine, the main characters and their relationships are well and truly established. True to form Lord of Misrule is well written, the storyline flows from point to point and continues to surprise and encourage you to want more. I always find these books to be an easy and enjoyable read, not too taxing or time consuming, but still give the reader what they need. I did find there were perhaps too many things going on in this chapter of the series, but perhaps all will be revealed in book 6.
  
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
Kiersten White | 2018 | Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White is a retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written to commemorate the novel’s 200th anniversary. The novel follows Elizabeth Lavenza as she is first introduced to Victor Frankenstein and taken in by his family to manage his temper.

Elizabeth is a crafty protagonist who, over the years under the care of the Frankensteins, is constantly plotting and scheming. Regardless of how messed up Victor’s actions may be, White gives glimpses of moments in Elizabeth’s relationship with him where she entertains him and covers up his actions. Her survival depends on Victor, and her plots are twisted and manipulative to make sure she survives.

Kiersten White’s novel is a solid retelling that incorporates elements from Mary Shelley’s story. Although it is not necessary to read the original novel to enjoy White’s take, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein is dark and disturbing and perfect for those who enjoy a horror story with a cunning female lead.

<a href="https://60secondsmag.com/review-the-dark-descent-of-elizabeth-frankenstein/">This review is originally posted on 60 Seconds Online Magazine</a>