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The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games
May 22, 2018
I love the science behind the cards (4 more)
fun to imagine
Building an engine and working with the cards
finding and exploiting synergies
managing your resources and timing.
can feel lucky based on cards that come up or don't come up. (1 more)
NEEDS to have an aftermarket system of keeping the cubes in place.
One of my favorite games right now.
I adore this game. I have so many good tings to say about it. The fact that all the cards are based on hypothetical science is amazing. Who doesn't love the Idea of throwing asteroids at the planet, or building a city with a dome, or even shooting lasers. The boards require an extra component in my mind and that is a board with raised edges to keep the cubes from accidentally moving around. This is the biggest detriment. You can find them online for about $5 -10 a piece. I love this game, and it's much better with these and I found it absolutely worth it. But I think if I was lukewarm on it, this might piss me off. Definitely try before you buy, but it's an amazing game. And there is an APP being developed now for it, so be on the lookout for that soon.

Rose-Marie3071 (67 KP) rated Bleach in TV
Feb 23, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
A fantastic series with sixteen amazing seasons. Ichigo is an interesting character who is always evolving and never giving up even when beaten to the ground.
Even with the end of the anime series at 366 episodes, the manga continues to provide the rest of the story. I am also excited to hear the news that they may be continuing Bleach from where they left off with the anime.
I would love to see if this is true. The Winter War was a good story, but I think that the Thousand Year Blood War is so much more interesting. The Quincies actually have a reason to fight against the Shinigami and the rest of the Soul Society considering the Massacre of their people. This is different compared to Aizen whom I feel started The Winter War because he was a narcissistic, egotistical, self-centered bastard who wanted to play God.
Of course, the fact that Ichigo's entire heritage finally comes into play with the full revelation that the one he calls Zangetsu is actually Ywach, an off shot of Jauhbaach? the Quincy King, and that his Hollow is actually is original Zangetsu.
Even with the end of the anime series at 366 episodes, the manga continues to provide the rest of the story. I am also excited to hear the news that they may be continuing Bleach from where they left off with the anime.
I would love to see if this is true. The Winter War was a good story, but I think that the Thousand Year Blood War is so much more interesting. The Quincies actually have a reason to fight against the Shinigami and the rest of the Soul Society considering the Massacre of their people. This is different compared to Aizen whom I feel started The Winter War because he was a narcissistic, egotistical, self-centered bastard who wanted to play God.
Of course, the fact that Ichigo's entire heritage finally comes into play with the full revelation that the one he calls Zangetsu is actually Ywach, an off shot of Jauhbaach? the Quincy King, and that his Hollow is actually is original Zangetsu.

Alex Tollefson (3 KP) rated Brown-Eyed Girl in Books
Apr 5, 2019
Not the Trashy Romance I Expected
Contains spoilers, click to show
Very few romance titles these days seem to be anything other than sex scenes and awkward in between dialouge. Which may be fine for some. But I prefer a story with characters that actually feel real in a setting that doesn't seem so cliche. And, preferably, I'd like the non-sex parts to be almost as interesting as the sex parts.
I didn't start this book thinking I'd finish it in one sitting, but here we are. Somehow, the main character, Avery, managed to pull me. I was invested in her. And in Joe, even though I admit a few cliches were spent on him. Their dynamic was fun but not rapey (like he tells her their first time that she only need say the word and he'll stop no matter what- which, sure, shouldn't need to be said, but still), supportive without being overbearing. The only thing I take away Points for is that the plot was not super complicated and parts felt disjointed at time, and I wanted a longer ending. Don't get me wrong, the puppy proposal was cute. But I felt like their should've been a chapter or two more before the epilouge.
I recommend this title to anyone looking for a good, simple read.
I didn't start this book thinking I'd finish it in one sitting, but here we are. Somehow, the main character, Avery, managed to pull me. I was invested in her. And in Joe, even though I admit a few cliches were spent on him. Their dynamic was fun but not rapey (like he tells her their first time that she only need say the word and he'll stop no matter what- which, sure, shouldn't need to be said, but still), supportive without being overbearing. The only thing I take away Points for is that the plot was not super complicated and parts felt disjointed at time, and I wanted a longer ending. Don't get me wrong, the puppy proposal was cute. But I felt like their should've been a chapter or two more before the epilouge.
I recommend this title to anyone looking for a good, simple read.

BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated The Lido in Books
May 11, 2019
Uplifting. Beautiful story
There are not enough words to describe this story, but here’s a few; uplifting, comforting, friendship, community, beautiful, joyful, kind, tender, charming and a feel good novel. That should be enough right?
I had my head in this book and didn’t want to leave it or put it down. I was a part of that community with them the whole time, I was their friend and welcomed. I truelly devoured this story and sad that I finished it. It is a stunning debut. A must read if you haven’t already. One you won’t forget.
I loved the whole community within the book. The friendships, the bonds, the stories they tell and lastly how they always stuck together and fought together till the end. My heart was with them the whole time. A beautiful lot of characters, especially Kate and Rosemary they had such a cute and amazing unexpected relationship. I think they both needed each other to be honest. I loved them all.
Beautifully written. I cannot recommend this story enough. A must buy. A well deserved five stars from me and it’s got to have a place in my top twenty of the year. Beautiful. Amazing. Outstanding. Absolutely loved every minute of it.
I had my head in this book and didn’t want to leave it or put it down. I was a part of that community with them the whole time, I was their friend and welcomed. I truelly devoured this story and sad that I finished it. It is a stunning debut. A must read if you haven’t already. One you won’t forget.
I loved the whole community within the book. The friendships, the bonds, the stories they tell and lastly how they always stuck together and fought together till the end. My heart was with them the whole time. A beautiful lot of characters, especially Kate and Rosemary they had such a cute and amazing unexpected relationship. I think they both needed each other to be honest. I loved them all.
Beautifully written. I cannot recommend this story enough. A must buy. A well deserved five stars from me and it’s got to have a place in my top twenty of the year. Beautiful. Amazing. Outstanding. Absolutely loved every minute of it.

Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Killing Floor: (Jack Reacher 1) in Books
May 26, 2019 (Updated May 26, 2019)
Good solid action and mystery. Has a Hollywood summer action blockbuster feel
My first Jack Reacher read and I started with the first of this expansive series. I went into this book expecting it to be a bit too action heavy for my tastes but was pleasantly surprised that the mystery element was pretty gripping. Really enjoyed the main story.
This book introduces ex-military policeman Jack Reacher who is currently of no fixed abode travelling where his whims take him. When he passes through the small yet pristine town of Margrave, Georgia, he is promptly arrested for murder. As the out of town stranger he must convince the town of his innocence, the investigation leads to uncovering uncomfortable truths about this little town.
It was well paced and action sequences weren't too over the top hard to follow affairs. Ok you need to suspend some belief to get along with the plot. I usually struggle to let maddening coincidences go but this book didn't seem to tick me off too much so they must of been done fairly well. Eye-roll at the romance line but again not overdone.
All in all this was a great holiday read, fast paced page turning fun. I will visit with Mr Reacher again
This book introduces ex-military policeman Jack Reacher who is currently of no fixed abode travelling where his whims take him. When he passes through the small yet pristine town of Margrave, Georgia, he is promptly arrested for murder. As the out of town stranger he must convince the town of his innocence, the investigation leads to uncovering uncomfortable truths about this little town.
It was well paced and action sequences weren't too over the top hard to follow affairs. Ok you need to suspend some belief to get along with the plot. I usually struggle to let maddening coincidences go but this book didn't seem to tick me off too much so they must of been done fairly well. Eye-roll at the romance line but again not overdone.
All in all this was a great holiday read, fast paced page turning fun. I will visit with Mr Reacher again

Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated The Silver Linings Playbook in Books
May 30, 2019
There's a great story in here somewhere (just look at the movie) but unfortunately, for me, it's undercut by the voice of the protagonist. Pat has just been released from an involuntary stay at a mental institution, sure, but mental illness does not equate to mental simplicity. Throughout the entire narration, Pat is portrayed as childlike. His comprehension of the goings-on surrounding his release and recovery is naive, it's cursory, and woefully incomplete. Pat is recovering from a pretty severe psychotic break, and likely suffers from bipolar disorder, neither of which I'd think would cause the stunted mental capacity that he appears to exhibit.
There are flashes of good in there, such as <spoiler>when Pat, (knowing he's been away for years) still refers to his stay in the facility as "just a few months." With firm evidence in hand, his brain simply ignores it.</spoiler>
In many other places though, Pat seems to be written in a way that screams "Look how mentally deranged I am," rather than giving us a more real, grounded recovery from a psychotic episode. I never get the sense of the tortured and confused existence that Pat purports to feel, I just see the caricature he is presented as, and the entire narrative suffers as a result.
There are flashes of good in there, such as <spoiler>when Pat, (knowing he's been away for years) still refers to his stay in the facility as "just a few months." With firm evidence in hand, his brain simply ignores it.</spoiler>
In many other places though, Pat seems to be written in a way that screams "Look how mentally deranged I am," rather than giving us a more real, grounded recovery from a psychotic episode. I never get the sense of the tortured and confused existence that Pat purports to feel, I just see the caricature he is presented as, and the entire narrative suffers as a result.

Georgina DeBurca (2 KP) rated Sin For Love (Fortune For Love #1) in Books
Jan 29, 2018
Received this book as a gift from a party.
Sticking to my usual rules - I'm not gonna give anything away.
So - let's start with writing style - good. It flicks between the heroine and heroes pov. Every time the pov changed - it was headed by a name. Made me feel a little thick that I needed to be told but I know some people do struggle reading pov swap books. So I'll overlook that. Written well. Not many errors.
Storyline - well laid out and the writer knew what journey she wanted to take us on. it was emotional and sensual. Almost like a dirty sexual modern day fairy tale where the guy gets the girl after trial by fire.
Sex scenes were well written, creative and steamy as hell. Will warn - public masturbation, and some girl on girl.
Did I like this story - well... Yes and no. Well written and well thought out, steamy. the only bit that put me off were the sins, but they were integral to the story line to be fair, so I can't grumble too much. Liked the back stories and how their lives were linked after an incident in both their pasts.
Definitely worth a read. <3
Sticking to my usual rules - I'm not gonna give anything away.
So - let's start with writing style - good. It flicks between the heroine and heroes pov. Every time the pov changed - it was headed by a name. Made me feel a little thick that I needed to be told but I know some people do struggle reading pov swap books. So I'll overlook that. Written well. Not many errors.
Storyline - well laid out and the writer knew what journey she wanted to take us on. it was emotional and sensual. Almost like a dirty sexual modern day fairy tale where the guy gets the girl after trial by fire.
Sex scenes were well written, creative and steamy as hell. Will warn - public masturbation, and some girl on girl.
Did I like this story - well... Yes and no. Well written and well thought out, steamy. the only bit that put me off were the sins, but they were integral to the story line to be fair, so I can't grumble too much. Liked the back stories and how their lives were linked after an incident in both their pasts.
Definitely worth a read. <3

Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Astonishing Color of After in Books
Mar 29, 2018
Evocative descriptions (1 more)
Good characters
Just WOW. The Astonishing Color of After is about a teenage girl, an artist, dealing with her mother's depression and ensuing suicide. Part of what makes the book so fascinating is Leigh's constant description of colors. She uses color as shorthand for emotions - her grandmother might have a vermilion expression on her face, or she might be feeling very orange while staring at her mother's coffin at the funeral. Between colors-as-feelings and her insomnia-induced hallucinations (or magic - the book is deliberately, I think, noncommittal on whether some things only happen in her head or not) the entire book feels a little surrealistic. But grief and mourning DO feel surrealistic. The book is amazingly evocative and emotional and I absolutely adore it. This, along with City of Brass and Children of Blood and Bone, are definitely on my Best of 2018 list.
As an added bonus, the author is the American child of Taiwanese immigrants herself. So all the ghost traditions and folklore from Leigh's journey to Taiwan are from her ancestry as well.
This book was gorgeous. It may need a trigger warning for depression and suicide. If you can handle those themes, read it.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
As an added bonus, the author is the American child of Taiwanese immigrants herself. So all the ghost traditions and folklore from Leigh's journey to Taiwan are from her ancestry as well.
This book was gorgeous. It may need a trigger warning for depression and suicide. If you can handle those themes, read it.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2400 KP) rated The Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Murphy #17) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
December of 1906 finds Molly Murphy Sullivan hoping that the new year will bring some changes and good news. When she, her husband Daniel, and their son Liam get invited to a house party for Christmas on the Hudson, Molly thinks this might help take her mind off everything going on in her life. However, she finds the household has a weird tension to it, with relationships she can’t quite read. Then she learns that a child disappeared from this house 10 years before right before Christmas. Molly is determined to figure out what happened, but has it been too long?
As is often the case, we start out with some updates on the series regulars before Molly fully plunges into the mystery, but once she does, I was hooked. In fact, as soon as I got off work, I sat down to finish. While I don’t feel like Daniel has grown, I love the rest of the cast, and the new characters are very strong. There is a more serious tone than you might expect from a Christmas mystery, but the contrast works well in this case.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-ghost-of-christmas-past-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As is often the case, we start out with some updates on the series regulars before Molly fully plunges into the mystery, but once she does, I was hooked. In fact, as soon as I got off work, I sat down to finish. While I don’t feel like Daniel has grown, I love the rest of the cast, and the new characters are very strong. There is a more serious tone than you might expect from a Christmas mystery, but the contrast works well in this case.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-ghost-of-christmas-past-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The Yuletide Inn is a cornerstone of Rudolph, New York, offering a nice place to stay and nice restaurant for the many people who come to take part in the Christmas festivities that the town hosts all year long. When the owner has a heart attack just a couple weeks before Christmas, his son Gord comes to town to help run things, but he immediately starts making plans for big changes – changes that could hurt the town. Merry is concerned about what this will do to her own shop, her friends, and family. But when Gord is killed, she has a new concern – find the killer before someone she loves his arrested for the crime.
I was in the mood for a Christmas cozy, and this one delivered in spades. Being set in December certainly helped. The author does a good job of setting up suspects and motives before the murder happens, but I did feel the book stalled out a bit in the middle as events pushed actual investigating to the background. The characters are wonderful and charming once again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-we-wish-you-murderous.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was in the mood for a Christmas cozy, and this one delivered in spades. Being set in December certainly helped. The author does a good job of setting up suspects and motives before the murder happens, but I did feel the book stalled out a bit in the middle as events pushed actual investigating to the background. The characters are wonderful and charming once again.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-we-wish-you-murderous.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.