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The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Lords of Scotland in Tabletop Games
Apr 26, 2019
Solid Decisions to be made (1 more)
Card have multiple uses and Values = Followers / Supporters / Actions
Enjoyable Card Game about Battling for the Throne... without a Throne.
I played this at game night a few nights ago and actually enjoyed it much more than I expected to. It's a small box and there's not much to the cards. But there's more to how you think about your actions, you only have 5 per round. Each round has valuable supporters you are trying to collect and you vie for the top selections among them. the art on the cards is good and doesn't interfere with the graphic design and the cards information which is key. I saw the older design which was a bit cleaner, but less pretty. Anyway, back to the game play, you start off with 5 cards and those are what you have to work with. Each turn you can draw a card, or play a card.... simple, but when you run out of cards you run out of options so there is a balancing act to it. But this makes turns relatively quick, which I love in larger player counts. There is some interesting intrigue with card being played up or down, up for the action, down for secrecy. Also the ability to swap out supporters by one clan or double up on pulling them with another makes for some interesting jostling, and a bit more take that..... It would be perfect at a Game of Thrones themed game with just a bit more depth.
Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated The Earth Bleeds Red in Books
Apr 3, 2018
a good book, just not one for me!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Scott and Jessie, and their 17 year old daughter Ashley, live a good life, a happy life. Til one day, it all goes terribly wrong and Ashley is kidnapped, possibly dead. Scott and Jessie need to keep it together long enough for Ashley to be found alive, or not.
Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is a really good thing but, while a well told story, this one just didn't quite hit the spot. And I don't really know why!
Told mostly from Scott's point of view, in the first, it deals with how a family copes when tragedy strikes.
We do get some other people, in the third person, but they felt more of a narration of their voice, rather than THEM speaking, if that makes any sense?? I didn't connect to them in any way, not even when the bad guy has his five minutes, and you know how much I LOVE getting into the mind of the bad guy! I just felt, apart from Scott, totally disconnected from everyone else.
It is well written, and I saw no editing or spelling errors. It does get a little graphic in places, when being told what was done to Ashley when she was kidnapped, but it is not in any way romantic. Not even before Ashley was kidnapped, did I feel the romance between Scott and Jessie.
A good book, just not one for me and I'm sorry for that!
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Scott and Jessie, and their 17 year old daughter Ashley, live a good life, a happy life. Til one day, it all goes terribly wrong and Ashley is kidnapped, possibly dead. Scott and Jessie need to keep it together long enough for Ashley to be found alive, or not.
Sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone is a really good thing but, while a well told story, this one just didn't quite hit the spot. And I don't really know why!
Told mostly from Scott's point of view, in the first, it deals with how a family copes when tragedy strikes.
We do get some other people, in the third person, but they felt more of a narration of their voice, rather than THEM speaking, if that makes any sense?? I didn't connect to them in any way, not even when the bad guy has his five minutes, and you know how much I LOVE getting into the mind of the bad guy! I just felt, apart from Scott, totally disconnected from everyone else.
It is well written, and I saw no editing or spelling errors. It does get a little graphic in places, when being told what was done to Ashley when she was kidnapped, but it is not in any way romantic. Not even before Ashley was kidnapped, did I feel the romance between Scott and Jessie.
A good book, just not one for me and I'm sorry for that!
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Debbiereadsbook (1441 KP) rated Dog Days (Wolf Winter #1) in Books
May 29, 2018
struggled with this one!
Danny isn't a full wolf, but classed as a dog, a half breed. Jack is heir to the pack. When they come together in Durham amid the onset of a bitter winter, they have to face the creatures of nightmares, both human and Wolf.
I struggled with which shelves to file this one. It kinda straddles a couple of categories. It's not any sort of romance, at all. The creatures made by the Prophet really are the stuff of nightmares, so I've filed it as horror, werewolves, and male/male, because Jack and Danny to get it on.
I also struggled reading it. Usually, being drip fed hints and clues as to what is happening both above and below The Wall, keeps me on my toes and keeps my fully engaged. But there were not enough of them! I kept having to double back, seeing if I missed something along the way.
The story itself is good, but because of the lack of drip feeding, I have huge gaps in my knowledge of these people and their world.
It does get a bit graphic, when dealing with the Prophet's creations, and these are mostly why I've filed it as horror.
Jack and Danny has history, but that isn't fully explained, and I wanted to know more about what happened.
I loved Ms Moore's Bone To Pick, a unrelated book to this, but this one, not so much. I have Stone The Crows to read next, which is Jack's brother, Gregor's story. Upon writing this review, I'm nearly done with that one. Finding it a much better read!
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I struggled with which shelves to file this one. It kinda straddles a couple of categories. It's not any sort of romance, at all. The creatures made by the Prophet really are the stuff of nightmares, so I've filed it as horror, werewolves, and male/male, because Jack and Danny to get it on.
I also struggled reading it. Usually, being drip fed hints and clues as to what is happening both above and below The Wall, keeps me on my toes and keeps my fully engaged. But there were not enough of them! I kept having to double back, seeing if I missed something along the way.
The story itself is good, but because of the lack of drip feeding, I have huge gaps in my knowledge of these people and their world.
It does get a bit graphic, when dealing with the Prophet's creations, and these are mostly why I've filed it as horror.
Jack and Danny has history, but that isn't fully explained, and I wanted to know more about what happened.
I loved Ms Moore's Bone To Pick, a unrelated book to this, but this one, not so much. I have Stone The Crows to read next, which is Jack's brother, Gregor's story. Upon writing this review, I'm nearly done with that one. Finding it a much better read!
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Sky in the Deep in Books
Jul 31, 2018
Sky in the Deep came out in April to a LOT of hype. It's mostly deserved. The plot is a little odd; the two clans come together every five years to fight in a blood feud between their gods. But they only fight every five years in a designated place - if you really hated each other, why wouldn't you try to wipe out the other tribe all the time, instead of letting them rebuild their strength for five years? And then this third, mysterious tribe shows up and is enough for you to set aside all your anger at each other? I don't know. It's a little weird.
That oddness aside, I loved this story! I loved Eelyn's fierceness, and also her willingness to see the Riki as people too. Eventually, of course. In Eelyn we have the definition of a strong female character. (She's not the only one, either!) She is admired for her fierceness and strength, but not seen as any less female. Women are warriors in her culture too.
It's a pretty straightforward book, with a few graphic scenes of violence in the fights. Everything happened pretty much as I expected it to, but I still enjoyed seeing Eelyn grow and change throughout the book. It's also very atmospheric; I could almost hear the snow crunching beneath boots, the rushing roar of the mountain river, the quiet creaking of the frozen lake. Young's writing style pulls you right into the book and doesn't let you go.
Set aside your questions about the plot's logic and just enjoy this book. It's wonderful.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
That oddness aside, I loved this story! I loved Eelyn's fierceness, and also her willingness to see the Riki as people too. Eventually, of course. In Eelyn we have the definition of a strong female character. (She's not the only one, either!) She is admired for her fierceness and strength, but not seen as any less female. Women are warriors in her culture too.
It's a pretty straightforward book, with a few graphic scenes of violence in the fights. Everything happened pretty much as I expected it to, but I still enjoyed seeing Eelyn grow and change throughout the book. It's also very atmospheric; I could almost hear the snow crunching beneath boots, the rushing roar of the mountain river, the quiet creaking of the frozen lake. Young's writing style pulls you right into the book and doesn't let you go.
Set aside your questions about the plot's logic and just enjoy this book. It's wonderful.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Ash Doll in Books
Sep 24, 2018
A thrillingly dark read!
This is the second in the Charlie Priest series, but I have to say that it's so well written that it's not necessary to have read the first book in the series, 'The Mayfly' to enjoy this. Suffice to say, I got three chapters in to this book and immediately bought the first book. I can see Charlie Priest becoming my new book obsession!
We're thrown right in to the action on the first page with a small girl, who appears to be on the verge of throwing herself off a cliff in front of a group of hikers. No one knows who she is or where she has come from.
We then flash forward to the present day, and the court case that Charlie Priest and his colleagues are involved with - a libel case between a charity and a magazine. Believe me, I couldn't see how there could possibly be any kind of connection between the two.
The start of the book isn't particularly pleasant (trigger warnings here for anyone that doesn't like reading about child abuse!), but it really drew me in: who is the child? What has happened to her? Ho what she come to be imprisoned and abused? Yes, there's some pretty graphic content, both with regards to her treatment and the murders.
Charlie and his sidekick, Georgie Someday, are so likeable, and Charlie's medical condition adds an interesting layer to the story.
I would highly recommend this, especially if you like dark, well written thrillers.
Many thanks to Readers First, NetGalley and the publisher Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy to read.
We're thrown right in to the action on the first page with a small girl, who appears to be on the verge of throwing herself off a cliff in front of a group of hikers. No one knows who she is or where she has come from.
We then flash forward to the present day, and the court case that Charlie Priest and his colleagues are involved with - a libel case between a charity and a magazine. Believe me, I couldn't see how there could possibly be any kind of connection between the two.
The start of the book isn't particularly pleasant (trigger warnings here for anyone that doesn't like reading about child abuse!), but it really drew me in: who is the child? What has happened to her? Ho what she come to be imprisoned and abused? Yes, there's some pretty graphic content, both with regards to her treatment and the murders.
Charlie and his sidekick, Georgie Someday, are so likeable, and Charlie's medical condition adds an interesting layer to the story.
I would highly recommend this, especially if you like dark, well written thrillers.
Many thanks to Readers First, NetGalley and the publisher Bonnier Zaffre for sending me a copy to read.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Bonds of Fire in Books
Nov 14, 2018
I must say that I very much enjoyed this short story...as that's what it is...a short story, a VERY short story. There was so much packed into this novella that it definitely had the potential to be a full length novel. Even though things were a little crammed in I didn't feel that the romance elements were rushed in any way just that they weren't explored in very much depth. This is a M/M romance novella, however, it is very tame compared to a lot of other stories out there, especially when compared to some of the ones I have read before *blush*. There is no sex, nothing graphic or explicit, just a bit of flirting...perhaps a little kissing, but that's about it. The attraction between the male characters is very obvious and so if a man lusting after another man makes you feel a little queasy then definitely stay away from this one.
I enjoyed this story so much that I would not hesitate reading a sequel if it were to become available, perhaps even three installments that could be put together to make into a full length novel...just some suggestions there *hint* *hint*.
The story itself takes you, the reader, on a wonderful fantasy filled adventure...where there be DRAGONS! I love Dragons...any mystical creature fascinates me and this story has the 'cute' factor, little baby dragons, families made where humans and dragons are combined, love, friendship, compassion and an invitation to brand new, exciting worlds.
Highly recommended from me...I just wish it was longer.
I enjoyed this story so much that I would not hesitate reading a sequel if it were to become available, perhaps even three installments that could be put together to make into a full length novel...just some suggestions there *hint* *hint*.
The story itself takes you, the reader, on a wonderful fantasy filled adventure...where there be DRAGONS! I love Dragons...any mystical creature fascinates me and this story has the 'cute' factor, little baby dragons, families made where humans and dragons are combined, love, friendship, compassion and an invitation to brand new, exciting worlds.
Highly recommended from me...I just wish it was longer.
iain Hart (5 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Jan 9, 2019
Nice refreshing direction
I never read the blurb before going to see this because I wanted to be surprised and this film did not disappoint.
Take what you know about Spider-Man and put it to one side because this comes at it in a totally original way.
From the very outset this is one trippy, fast paced well thought up movie, it came from the minds who brought you the brilliant 21 jump street and the excellent Lego movie I speak of Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
I loved everything about this movie from the animation, which was part movie , part graphic novel, good balance of action and story
the soundtrack fits it with the bouncy non stop visuals. I have had the soundtrack playing non stop ever since there is just something so catchy about it, I know some only work in the context of the film but this works outside it which is great. Some familiar names you may know are Nicki Minaj, Jayden Smith and Post Malone.
The voice acting is brilliant as something birthed by Marvel I wouldn’t expect anything less, see below for the link to actors featured, the directors were Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti , they took the vision Phil and Chris had and brought it to life in a new and refreshing way.
I would definitely recommend this if you are a Spider-Man fan or even if your new to him, with laugh out loud moments and genuinely touching times this is a brilliant twist on what I know as Spider-Man.
Take what you know about Spider-Man and put it to one side because this comes at it in a totally original way.
From the very outset this is one trippy, fast paced well thought up movie, it came from the minds who brought you the brilliant 21 jump street and the excellent Lego movie I speak of Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
I loved everything about this movie from the animation, which was part movie , part graphic novel, good balance of action and story
the soundtrack fits it with the bouncy non stop visuals. I have had the soundtrack playing non stop ever since there is just something so catchy about it, I know some only work in the context of the film but this works outside it which is great. Some familiar names you may know are Nicki Minaj, Jayden Smith and Post Malone.
The voice acting is brilliant as something birthed by Marvel I wouldn’t expect anything less, see below for the link to actors featured, the directors were Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey and Bob Persichetti , they took the vision Phil and Chris had and brought it to life in a new and refreshing way.
I would definitely recommend this if you are a Spider-Man fan or even if your new to him, with laugh out loud moments and genuinely touching times this is a brilliant twist on what I know as Spider-Man.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Batman: The Long Halloween in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Of all the Superhero's around, I personally think that Batman has the best Rogue's gallery of villains: Superman, for instance, has Lex Luthor And (to a lesser extent) General Zod, while Spiderman has, what, Green Goblin? Dr Octopus? Venom?
Batman, on the other hand (and purely off the top of my head): The Joker. The Penguin. Poison Ivy. The Riddler. Catwoman (on/off as a villain). Scarecrow. Bane. And Two-Face.
Admittedly, some of those characters are now more famous than they used to be before due to the various Batman films, with the last four (And the first) mentioned in my list all appearing in the more-recent Christopher Nolan 'Dark Knight' series of Batman films. Of that trilogy, the second movie concerned itself principally with two main villains: The Joker, and Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face) and, in particular, the circumstances that led District Attorney Dent to become Two-Face.
Those circumstances are also the subject of this graphic novel, which also has a foreword/introduction by the director and writer of 'The Dark Knight', Christopher Nolan and David Goyer, in which they acknowledge the huge debt their movie owes to this novel.
This is also commonly cited as one of the better Batman stories, and is set during the early days of Batman's crusade against criminality in Gotham - there's no Robin here, nor Oracle (well, there is, but only as a baby), for instance.
As such, it makes a good intro (IMO) into the Batman mythos, not far behind the futuristic The Dark Knight Returns or the early-set Year One.
Batman, on the other hand (and purely off the top of my head): The Joker. The Penguin. Poison Ivy. The Riddler. Catwoman (on/off as a villain). Scarecrow. Bane. And Two-Face.
Admittedly, some of those characters are now more famous than they used to be before due to the various Batman films, with the last four (And the first) mentioned in my list all appearing in the more-recent Christopher Nolan 'Dark Knight' series of Batman films. Of that trilogy, the second movie concerned itself principally with two main villains: The Joker, and Harvey Dent (aka Two-Face) and, in particular, the circumstances that led District Attorney Dent to become Two-Face.
Those circumstances are also the subject of this graphic novel, which also has a foreword/introduction by the director and writer of 'The Dark Knight', Christopher Nolan and David Goyer, in which they acknowledge the huge debt their movie owes to this novel.
This is also commonly cited as one of the better Batman stories, and is set during the early days of Batman's crusade against criminality in Gotham - there's no Robin here, nor Oracle (well, there is, but only as a baby), for instance.
As such, it makes a good intro (IMO) into the Batman mythos, not far behind the futuristic The Dark Knight Returns or the early-set Year One.
Libby, by OverDrive
Book and Entertainment
8.2
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Meet Libby. Did you know your local library has thousands of ebooks and audiobooks? You can borrow...
Pitch Black: The Story of Black British Footballers
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When Paul Canoville took to the pitch for Chelsea in 1982, he was prepared for abuse. When the...