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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated Dark Chocolate Demise (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Fairy Tale Cupcakes are selling cupcakes at the end of the first annual Zombie walk in town, and Mel, Angie, and the rest of their staff are getting into the spirit of things. But the fun takes a dark turn when Mel finds a body stuffed into the coffin outside their cupcake truck – a body that hits very close to home. Who was the target and why?
This book is a little darker than others in the series based on the plot alone, but we are talking a shade darker – cozy fans will still love it. The mystery takes a back seat at times to the characters reactions to the murder, but that was the appropriate response to the plot and I was never board while reading it. The book reaches a logical and page turning climax, and it also features some of the funniest scenes in the series. I think this is best for people already fans of the series, but they will love it.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of the book in hopes that I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-dark-chocolate-demise-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book is a little darker than others in the series based on the plot alone, but we are talking a shade darker – cozy fans will still love it. The mystery takes a back seat at times to the characters reactions to the murder, but that was the appropriate response to the plot and I was never board while reading it. The book reaches a logical and page turning climax, and it also features some of the funniest scenes in the series. I think this is best for people already fans of the series, but they will love it.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of the book in hopes that I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-dark-chocolate-demise-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Theory of Opposites in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Willa Chandler-Golden grew up in the shadow of her famous father, a renowned scientist and self-help author whose advice about just leading your life and giving into your fate has basically taken over Willa's entire life. Case in point: she is actually named William, since she was "supposed" to be a boy and her father assumed it was her fate to be named William. Willa is now married, but her life seems to be falling apart at the seams - she's been let go from her job and her husband, Shawn, wants a "break" from their seemingly happily married life. Willa needs to decide if she's really on board with her Dad's laissez faire theory, or if she's ready to take charge of her own life.
I stumbled across this book on the library's ebook website and it was basically exactly what I wanted/expected - a simple, fun, easy read. Willa is a frustrating character at times - girl has absolutely no ability to stand up for herself or take charge of her life sometimes! However, as you get to know her family, it does make a little sense. The book is silly at times and a little crazy and fantastical, but it's fun, and the outcome isn't entirely predictable. A good, quick read.
I stumbled across this book on the library's ebook website and it was basically exactly what I wanted/expected - a simple, fun, easy read. Willa is a frustrating character at times - girl has absolutely no ability to stand up for herself or take charge of her life sometimes! However, as you get to know her family, it does make a little sense. The book is silly at times and a little crazy and fantastical, but it's fun, and the outcome isn't entirely predictable. A good, quick read.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Breaker 19: The CB Trucker game in Tabletop Games
Apr 12, 2018
Everything else (3 more)
Completely based on luck
The game plays you.....
No Decisions to be made
This IS NOT smokey and the bandit the boardgame.
Do you love dice, and do you hate making decisions? The just maybe this game is for you... This is an activity with rules rather than a game in my eyes. Those kid are not having fun on the box cover, I don't care what you say. In 1976 they really could've done better. But this particular game didn't bother to try. I put this on par with Candyland, but Candyland is much prettier and designed for kids to learn colors and counting. This one has almost nothing to offer. Even if you can get it for 50 cents at a garage sale, throw the board away and keep the dice and money for another game as missing pieces. Or even better, come up with your own rules and redesign the game. that would be a more fun process than playing the game as is for sure. I'm sure it would be more fun to be a trucker for a few hours, even on the boring straightaways of nebraska. So if you can do that instead. Even Monopoly is better than this game.
Loz Hughes (80 KP) rated The Greatest Showman (2017) in Movies
Jul 10, 2018
Loved it!
Initially went to see this just to see Hugh Jackman in a less serious role (my previous experiences were Australia and the Marvels), and was utterly blown away by his performance.
The opening song was great and gave me chills, the whole film is upbeat, classy, modern and catchy. I rarely enjoy musicals but straight after seeing this one I bought the soundtrack it was that good. Hugh Jackman was great as PT Barnum and you really get a sense of his struggle for recognition and success and his drive to prove his worth to the world.
I have read a few reviews that describe this as too modern, and whilst I see what people are saying, I believe this appeals to a whole, new younger generation that need to be brought on board before the conventional musicals die out. Yes it is modern, however not unbearably so and the songs charted for weeks afterwards so public opinion suggests they are popular and I dont believe they are too modern for the storyline. I thought it was directed and choreographed incredibly well and would happily watch it repeatedly.
I may be biased however as I love most film that show achievement of lifetime dreams.
The opening song was great and gave me chills, the whole film is upbeat, classy, modern and catchy. I rarely enjoy musicals but straight after seeing this one I bought the soundtrack it was that good. Hugh Jackman was great as PT Barnum and you really get a sense of his struggle for recognition and success and his drive to prove his worth to the world.
I have read a few reviews that describe this as too modern, and whilst I see what people are saying, I believe this appeals to a whole, new younger generation that need to be brought on board before the conventional musicals die out. Yes it is modern, however not unbearably so and the songs charted for weeks afterwards so public opinion suggests they are popular and I dont believe they are too modern for the storyline. I thought it was directed and choreographed incredibly well and would happily watch it repeatedly.
I may be biased however as I love most film that show achievement of lifetime dreams.
ClareR (6054 KP) rated Ascension (Phobos #1) in Books
Jul 6, 2018
A great concept
Six boys and six girls are chosen to be the first people to colonise Mars in a speed-dating show like no other. We follow Leonor mainly, as she navigates her life and 'dates' on board the Cupido. It's a bit 'cheesy' in places, and you do get a sense of the fact that it has been translated from French: it gives the language a more lyrical feel (in my opinion). The story though, is great!
I'm not a fan at all of reality TV. I'll turn the channel over every time. This novel shows the whole ridiculousness of the concept: a few 6 minute dates before you choose your life partner?! Madness!
This novel also shows how corrupt big business and government can be in the race to make more and more money. Lots to think about whilst you're reading - the ideas have to come from somewhere!
I liked where the story cut away from the space ship to the organisers of the TV show and two other characters, Andrew and Harmony. I think they may be quite important in the following books in this trilogy. And yes, I have preordered book 2, which incidentally, releases in October!
Thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
I'm not a fan at all of reality TV. I'll turn the channel over every time. This novel shows the whole ridiculousness of the concept: a few 6 minute dates before you choose your life partner?! Madness!
This novel also shows how corrupt big business and government can be in the race to make more and more money. Lots to think about whilst you're reading - the ideas have to come from somewhere!
I liked where the story cut away from the space ship to the organisers of the TV show and two other characters, Andrew and Harmony. I think they may be quite important in the following books in this trilogy. And yes, I have preordered book 2, which incidentally, releases in October!
Thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
Connor Sheffield (293 KP) rated Zombie Dice in Tabletop Games
Aug 15, 2018
Quick to Play (2 more)
Easy instructions to learn
Expansions available
Quick, Easy and Fun!
Zombie Dice! A quick game so heres a quick review!
Easy to play with simple rules and always a party favourite from my experience. The rules are as follow (base game only):
- shake up the cup of dice and blindly pick three dice
- roll the three dice chosen and try to collect brains
- If your not feeling lucky, bank any brains you have and end your go
- 3 shots and your go is over, losing any brains you havent banked
- Any runners must be used for the next roll if you decide not to end your go, so if you have one runner, you use that one runner and blindly pick two more dice from the bucket to roll your next go.
- the first to 13 brains collected wins the game (or round if you play it multiple times in a row)
Its so simple to learn, so much fun to play and can easily be adapted into a drinking game (just saying). I highly recommend Zombie Dice for a quick and easy game and a cheaper option compared big board games that take hours to play.
Easy to play with simple rules and always a party favourite from my experience. The rules are as follow (base game only):
- shake up the cup of dice and blindly pick three dice
- roll the three dice chosen and try to collect brains
- If your not feeling lucky, bank any brains you have and end your go
- 3 shots and your go is over, losing any brains you havent banked
- Any runners must be used for the next roll if you decide not to end your go, so if you have one runner, you use that one runner and blindly pick two more dice from the bucket to roll your next go.
- the first to 13 brains collected wins the game (or round if you play it multiple times in a row)
Its so simple to learn, so much fun to play and can easily be adapted into a drinking game (just saying). I highly recommend Zombie Dice for a quick and easy game and a cheaper option compared big board games that take hours to play.
David McK (3663 KP) rated Lieutenant Hornblower in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Chronologically the second of [a:C.S. Forester|932179|C.S. Forester|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1218219226p2/932179.jpg]'s Hornblower series, this is actually the seventh by Publication date, and is a marked contrast to most of the other Hornblower novels in that, while Horatio Hornblower is indeed the main character this is not told from his point of view, but rather from that of Lieutenant William Bush, who's date of commission makes him senior to Hornblower (who is, in fact, the junior lieutenant on board the HMS Renown).
Over the course of the novel, Bush sees how Hornblower becomes integral to dealing with an insane captain, as well as to the Renowns mission to the Spanish held possession of Santa Domingo (and the capture of one of the forts there) and finally back to England to see how the fact that peace has 'broken out' has dealt with Hornblower: the latter part showing him down on his luck, with his commission to post rank refused due to this peace, and with the Admiralty requiring him to pay back the excess pay he had withdrawn over the period between his (now refused) commission and his return home.
Like all of the Hornblower books, well worth a read!
Over the course of the novel, Bush sees how Hornblower becomes integral to dealing with an insane captain, as well as to the Renowns mission to the Spanish held possession of Santa Domingo (and the capture of one of the forts there) and finally back to England to see how the fact that peace has 'broken out' has dealt with Hornblower: the latter part showing him down on his luck, with his commission to post rank refused due to this peace, and with the Admiralty requiring him to pay back the excess pay he had withdrawn over the period between his (now refused) commission and his return home.
Like all of the Hornblower books, well worth a read!
Mothergamer (1607 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Dragon Quest Builders 2 in Video Games
Jul 29, 2019
Fun Builds, Great Story
I love the game because it is done in a way that makes building fun and tells a great story. It also improved on issues that the first game had such as having to build your base when monsters would destroy it. They made the villagers more interactive with your builder so that they actually help you rebuild the base if it gets destroyed and will help build things on their own as well. The combat system is improved and you actually have a companion with you helping you fight. You can be as creative as you want with your own island and you can play co-op with friends which is a lot of fun. You can also share your builds with other people in the game via a notice board and can see their builds as well with the snapshot feature. You can take a picture of your builds and share it. It's interesting to see how creative everyone gets with their builds. The game is so much fun to play and time passes very quickly as you build, fight monsters, and follow the story. Overall, it is a great game that is fantastic for everyone.
First Words 1 - English : Preschool Academy educational matching game for Pre-k and kindergarten children
Education and Games
App
A game that is designed for young children skills. Match cards & Learn new words in English. ***...
