Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (318)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Doll Factory in Books

Jun 20, 2019  
The Doll Factory
The Doll Factory
Elizabeth Macneal | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Set as the Great Exhibition is being erected, Iris and her twin sister, Rose, work in a doll shop, painting porcelain dolls. Iris wants more from her life, and longs to paint pictures, works of art - not dolls. She leaves her apprenticeship in the shop to become a model for an artist (Louis), who promises to teach her to paint.

Parallel to this storyline is that of Silas, a taxidermist, and Albie, a street urchin who supplies him with the animals that he stuffs. Albie is the character who eventually connects Iris, Silas and Louis.

What starts as a relatively light hearted story, becomes something much more macabre - although I did feel quite anxious about the precariousness of Iris’ new way of life and job (but I think I’ve read far too many stories set in this period of fallen, abandoned women). She’s an admirable character, though. She’s brave and sticks to her guns, she is kind-hearted in her dealings with Albie, and even though her sister makes it very difficult to be nice to her, she is always thoughtful and generous to her as well.

Silas on the other hand, is very concerning. He made me feel supremely uncomfortably throughout. His obsession with Iris is very worrying, and his attitude towards other people is equally so.

The Victorian atmosphere and the scents, sights and crush of people in London are so well described in this book, as are the characters. I spent most of this book holding my breath (or so it felt - obviously not though!) and expecting the worse - the tension and menace becoming more and more unbearable as the book progressed. And I loved every minute of it - I’ve already bought it as a birthday present for a friend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.
  
40x40

Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Hanamikoji in Tabletop Games

Jun 12, 2019  
Hanamikoji
Hanamikoji
2013 | Card Game, Medieval
8
6.5 (2 Ratings)
Tabletop Game Rating
You own a restaurant located on Hanamikoji Street in one of Japan’s most famous Geisha districts. As a way to drum up business, you have begun to hire Geishas as entertainment for your patrons. Skilled in traditional music, dance, and art, Geishas are highly respected entertainers in Japan. However, a rival restaurateur is trying to hire the same Geishas as you! In an attempt to win the favor (and talents) of these elegant women, you begin collecting items related to their chosen art forms with the hope that these gifts will keep them at your establishment!

Hanamikoji is a 2-player game where players are competing to win the favor of the 7 Geishas. In a game of literal give-and-take played over several rounds, you and your opponent will alternate taking 4 actions to play and trade cards. The first player to win the favor of 4 Geishas, or to earn at least 11 Charm points, is the winner!

For as simple as it seems, Hanamikoji requires a lot of strategy. The cards in your hand are hidden from your opponent, but half of the actions taken each round require you to reveal cards from your hand and allow your opponent to take a certain number to their side – a traditional “I split, you choose” mechanic. You have to strategize which cards you can afford to give up, at the risk of letting your opponent win a Geisha, with the goal of winning a higher-valued Geisha instead. At the same time, your opponent will be revealing cards from their hand for you to take to your side. Your strategy is always changing based on not only the cards in your hand, but the cards that your opponent reveals to you.

One thing I really like about this game is that winning the favor of a Geisha in one round is not final. If I win a Geisha in one round, but in the next round my opponent has the majority for that specific Geisha, I lose her favor and she goes back to neutral. So not only am I trying to win over more Geishas each round, I have to actively be protecting those I have already won. The same can be said for the reverse – even if my opponent wins a Geisha in one round, I can negate that in the next round. The favor of the Geishas does not reset at the end of each round, nor is it unchangeable in future rounds. Anything can happen, and that makes for a surprisingly exciting game.

Although this is a competitive game, I find it to be kind of calming to play. It is simple, yet strategic, and the artwork is beautiful. In my experience, once you understand the gameplay and actions, it plays quickly and quietly. If you’re looking for a quality 2-player game, give Hanamikoji a try! Purple Phoenix Games rates it a graceful 10 / 12 (Bryan and Josh have not yet played it).

https://purplephoenixgames.wordpress.com/2019/02/13/hanamikoji-review/
  
40x40

Christine A. (965 KP) rated Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility in Books

Jun 15, 2019  
Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility
Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen, Stacy King, Po Tse | 2014 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

I have never been a big fan of Jane Austen or Manga books. However, combining the two made for an interesting and fun read. Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility (Stacy King (Story Adaptation), Po Tse (Art by), Jane Austen (Original Story)) is part of the Manga Classics series. According to Goodreads, as of 6/13/2019, most of the 15 novels in the series have been adapted by Stacy King with artwork from Po Tse.

I attempted to read Sense and Sensibility several times but, I stop, put it down, and give up. I understand the time period in which it was written so it is not because of the way women behave or how they are treated that I have not finished.

Reading the Manga Classics version I found Austen's well-known classic easier to read and, for the first time, was able to finish reading the story.

I gave 5 stars to Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility not for Austen's work. It is because of the superb way Stacy King was able to adapt the story into a Manga novel without losing the original story.

I feel this series would be a fun way to introduce Classics to "non-readers".

This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/15/19