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Unwrapped Sky
Book
Product description A hundred years ago, the Minotaurs saved Caeli-Amur from conquest. Now, three...
Recursion
Book
What if someone could rewrite your entire life? "My son has been erased." Those are the last...
Merissa (11958 KP) rated The Guardians (Gargoyles Den #1) in Books
Apr 25, 2023
You just have to love a book about gargoyles! There are few of them about and I do enjoy them. This one is slightly different which makes it all the more enjoyable. Sloane sees colours around people and also understands what those colours mean. She has learnt not to speak to anyone about this as she fears being put away in an institute.
Through happenings and occurrences, she finds a group of people who not only accept her for who she is but also recognise and appreciate the talent she has. However, things are not all sunshine yellow as Guardians are going missing. Different aspects of this book all tie together to give a thrilling ride and satisfying conclusion.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is that it is action/adventure with a hint of romance. Really, the romance is only alluded to and really does play second fiddle to the main story.
I loved the ending, complete with Liam's choice, which I thoroughly understood and approved of! Can't wait to read more in this series. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Nov 15, 2015
Through happenings and occurrences, she finds a group of people who not only accept her for who she is but also recognise and appreciate the talent she has. However, things are not all sunshine yellow as Guardians are going missing. Different aspects of this book all tie together to give a thrilling ride and satisfying conclusion.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about this book is that it is action/adventure with a hint of romance. Really, the romance is only alluded to and really does play second fiddle to the main story.
I loved the ending, complete with Liam's choice, which I thoroughly understood and approved of! Can't wait to read more in this series. Definitely recommended.
* 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!
Nov 15, 2015
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated Idle Gossip in Books
Apr 14, 2022
Can Lillian and Edith Find the Deadly Truth in Some Gossip?
Lillian Frost and Edith Head have been summoned to the office of famed gossip columnist Lorna Whitcomb. Her “leg man,” someone who goes out and gathers the gossip for her column, is the police’s prime suspect in the death of Glenn Hoyle, one of his sources. But Sam Simcoe says he is innocent and only found Glenn’s body. Lorna all but blackmails Lillian and Edith into helping clear Sam’s name of the crime. The pair intend to do as little as possible, focusing on the names on a list found in Glenn’s trashcan. Does one of those names hold the key to unraveling the murder?
As always, this was a great trip back in time to the Hollywood of 1940. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows on these pages. I suspect that a few more of the characters might be real people I just didn’t recognize, but I don’t mind since it helps keep the line between real and fictional blurry. And they are all great characters that kept me engaged. The plot is strong, with several revelations before we reach a surprising yet perfectly logical climax. If you enjoy old Hollywood, this series is a must read, but anyone who appreciates a great mystery will be glad they picked it up.
As always, this was a great trip back in time to the Hollywood of 1940. Real people and fictional characters rub elbows on these pages. I suspect that a few more of the characters might be real people I just didn’t recognize, but I don’t mind since it helps keep the line between real and fictional blurry. And they are all great characters that kept me engaged. The plot is strong, with several revelations before we reach a surprising yet perfectly logical climax. If you enjoy old Hollywood, this series is a must read, but anyone who appreciates a great mystery will be glad they picked it up.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Grave Secret (Harper Connelly, #4) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I'd say that wraps it up for this series. No, I won't tell you why I'm saying that, or it'll ruin the book for you.
The Harper Connelly series hasn't ever been as strong as the Southern Vampire series, in my opinion, but it wasn't too bad in comparison to some of her earlier work, like the Aurora Teagarden and Shakespeare mysteries. She seemed to be experimenting with something darker this time around. I haven't looked at the Amazon rank or any other figures for the series, but it's my gut feeling that they never took off in comparison to the Sookie Stackhouse series, especially since True Blood has gotten so much attention with the television series. I have to wonder what that feels like for Ms. Harris, as this really was a decent concept with some promise, and it doesn't seem to have been given that much of a chance to blossom.
In any case, Harper and her brother are prickly characters and not very easy to relate to, and they don't get any easier in this book. They are back in their home town, and we get to now a lot more about their origins this time around. We finally get the whole story about their missing sister, and we meet the two little sisters who live with an aunt and uncle.
The portrayal of the devout blue-collar people with their working-man's faith is absolutely smack on. I came from those people, and I could taste the sweet tea and see the linoleum and the absolutely clean Formica dinette, feel the cracked chairs the characters sat on and look around at the carefully kept house. Harris did a great job with that town and those people, so much so that I'm sure she either came from a similar place or has spent plenty of time in one.
There isn't as much new magic/plot stuff as there are answers this time. The sexy gypsy boy-almost-man is back, to my delight. Harper's love interest is still a bit of a squick, but I suppose it makes sense for the characters. I have to wonder how many authors would stick with that kind of decision, knowing the backlash they'd get from their readers?
If you've read the other Harper Connelly books, read this one for closure. If you haven't, this isn't the place to start!
The Harper Connelly series hasn't ever been as strong as the Southern Vampire series, in my opinion, but it wasn't too bad in comparison to some of her earlier work, like the Aurora Teagarden and Shakespeare mysteries. She seemed to be experimenting with something darker this time around. I haven't looked at the Amazon rank or any other figures for the series, but it's my gut feeling that they never took off in comparison to the Sookie Stackhouse series, especially since True Blood has gotten so much attention with the television series. I have to wonder what that feels like for Ms. Harris, as this really was a decent concept with some promise, and it doesn't seem to have been given that much of a chance to blossom.
In any case, Harper and her brother are prickly characters and not very easy to relate to, and they don't get any easier in this book. They are back in their home town, and we get to now a lot more about their origins this time around. We finally get the whole story about their missing sister, and we meet the two little sisters who live with an aunt and uncle.
The portrayal of the devout blue-collar people with their working-man's faith is absolutely smack on. I came from those people, and I could taste the sweet tea and see the linoleum and the absolutely clean Formica dinette, feel the cracked chairs the characters sat on and look around at the carefully kept house. Harris did a great job with that town and those people, so much so that I'm sure she either came from a similar place or has spent plenty of time in one.
There isn't as much new magic/plot stuff as there are answers this time. The sexy gypsy boy-almost-man is back, to my delight. Harper's love interest is still a bit of a squick, but I suppose it makes sense for the characters. I have to wonder how many authors would stick with that kind of decision, knowing the backlash they'd get from their readers?
If you've read the other Harper Connelly books, read this one for closure. If you haven't, this isn't the place to start!
ClareR (5681 KP) rated Future Imperfect in Books
Dec 4, 2023
Future Imperfect is a terrifyingly plausible version of the future. Climate Change has caused displacement of people across the globe, and everyone is either trying to get home to their own countries, or trying to get to a relatively safe country. The UK is taking a hard line, and those who immigrated to Britain up to two or even three generations before, are being sent back to their ‘country of origin’ - a country that for many is an unknown.
In this atmosphere, Helen and Isha are attempting to return to the UK when their home in Arles is flooded, but as Isha is deemed to be Ugandan (her grandparents came from Uganda as refugees) only Helen can enter. Which for them is unacceptable. So Helen decides she must stay with Isha, and the two of them decide to make for Switzerland and an old friends mountain chalet.
But this is a world where everyone is constantly monitored, and as the weather and climate worsen, so do the actions of the French and Swiss governments. To be caught is to potentially be killed.
Jana, Helen and Isha’s adopted daughter, decides to follow her parents. Unlike them, she is permitted to be in France, so her journey, whilst difficult with her small daughter, is much easier.
AI is needed for every aspect of life in this world, and it’s the ideal way to track those who really don’t want to be tracked. Everything needs to be paid for using this method as well. Fortunately, Helen and Isha meet a terrorist organisation who agree to help them. They’re not the only ones to help the women. It just goes to prove that there are good people everywhere in times of need, they just need to be brave enough to step forward.
There’s a lot to think about in this story and a lot of what happens is already happening to a lesser degree (so far!): floods, fires, famine. The future this novel paints is not a good one.
Oddly, I really enjoyed this, as I do with all of these imperfect future novels. There were parts in the story where I didn’t really want to read on, because I didn’t want bad things to happen to these good people, but I’m so glad I did.
Read with The Pigeonhole.
In this atmosphere, Helen and Isha are attempting to return to the UK when their home in Arles is flooded, but as Isha is deemed to be Ugandan (her grandparents came from Uganda as refugees) only Helen can enter. Which for them is unacceptable. So Helen decides she must stay with Isha, and the two of them decide to make for Switzerland and an old friends mountain chalet.
But this is a world where everyone is constantly monitored, and as the weather and climate worsen, so do the actions of the French and Swiss governments. To be caught is to potentially be killed.
Jana, Helen and Isha’s adopted daughter, decides to follow her parents. Unlike them, she is permitted to be in France, so her journey, whilst difficult with her small daughter, is much easier.
AI is needed for every aspect of life in this world, and it’s the ideal way to track those who really don’t want to be tracked. Everything needs to be paid for using this method as well. Fortunately, Helen and Isha meet a terrorist organisation who agree to help them. They’re not the only ones to help the women. It just goes to prove that there are good people everywhere in times of need, they just need to be brave enough to step forward.
There’s a lot to think about in this story and a lot of what happens is already happening to a lesser degree (so far!): floods, fires, famine. The future this novel paints is not a good one.
Oddly, I really enjoyed this, as I do with all of these imperfect future novels. There were parts in the story where I didn’t really want to read on, because I didn’t want bad things to happen to these good people, but I’m so glad I did.
Read with The Pigeonhole.
Akward (448 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games
May 24, 2018 (Updated May 27, 2018)
Theme (1 more)
Mechanics
The Hottest Game of The Year
Terraforming Mars is one of the most refined games that our group has ever played. One of the problems that plagues so many games is that once you find a winning strategy, you basically just play that strategy until you get bored of the game and movie on. In Terraforming Mars, there are a significant number of strategies that can win the game. We have had people win by focusing on playing the board, building up actions, focusing on production, or focusing on money. There does not appear to be one central strategy that trumps the others. A lot of people will complain about the randomness of the cards that you receive, but this helps guide you in to a strategy that you may not otherwise play.
There are enough mechanics to keep the game interesting. But all of the mechanics are simple enough that explaining the game to new people is not challenging. You would also expect a game of this type to take a long time to play, but once everyone is familiar with the rules, games can be as short as an hour.
I will agree with other reviewers that the default mats to manage resources do not do a good job, and aftermarket solutions make life easier (although not required). The expansions are also nice, after you've played a few games. Hallas & Elysium adds two additional boards that change the game slightly, and also provide different awards that keep you on your toes. Venus Next adds a few additional mechanics, and also introduces the World Government rule, making games faster.
Other people have mentioned that they do not like the artwork, and that they have had issues with the resource cubes wearing out. I don't really have a problem with either one of those things, but I may just be lucky. My cubes still look great after 50+ games.
There is a reason that Terraforming Mars has exploded in the last year. I would highly recommend everyone try it. Even my wife, who isn't traditionally a fan of more complicated games, likes it.
There are enough mechanics to keep the game interesting. But all of the mechanics are simple enough that explaining the game to new people is not challenging. You would also expect a game of this type to take a long time to play, but once everyone is familiar with the rules, games can be as short as an hour.
I will agree with other reviewers that the default mats to manage resources do not do a good job, and aftermarket solutions make life easier (although not required). The expansions are also nice, after you've played a few games. Hallas & Elysium adds two additional boards that change the game slightly, and also provide different awards that keep you on your toes. Venus Next adds a few additional mechanics, and also introduces the World Government rule, making games faster.
Other people have mentioned that they do not like the artwork, and that they have had issues with the resource cubes wearing out. I don't really have a problem with either one of those things, but I may just be lucky. My cubes still look great after 50+ games.
There is a reason that Terraforming Mars has exploded in the last year. I would highly recommend everyone try it. Even my wife, who isn't traditionally a fan of more complicated games, likes it.