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Sleepaway Girls (Whispering Pines #1)
8.0
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When Sam's best friend gets her first boyfriend, she's not ready to spend the summer listening to...
Blood for Blood (Wolf By Wolf #2)
8.5
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There would be blood. Blood for blood. Blood to pay. An entire world of it. For the resistance in...
Stargazer
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Diana Martin has lived her life in the shadow of her sadistic older brother. She quietly watches the...
Literary fiction Historical fiction Mental Health Coming of Age
Purple Phoenix Games (2266 KP) rated Set a Watch in Tabletop Games
Sep 26, 2019
Purple Phoenix Games Solo Chronicles
I love a good fantasy-themed game. We’ve all, at some point in our lives, probably dreamed of being adventurers – traveling across the land, fighting monsters, and saving all of humanity. Sounds like it could maybe be fun to me. So whenever I see a game that emulates that theme, I am drawn to it. Such was definitely the case when I stumbled across Set a Watch as I was perusing Kickstarter one day, and the rest is history.
The kingdom is under attack. Hoards of creatures are amassing at locations around the realm in an attempt to resurrect ancient Unhallowed monsters. Their ultimate goal? To take control of the world. You and your fellow adventurers have been tasked with stopping this uprising. By traveling to these various locations, you will attempt to clear the area of evil-doers and maintain peace in the kingdom. Keep a vigilant watch, and your team will be successful. But if you wane for even a moment, all could be lost.
DISCLAIMER: This review uses the Deluxe version of Set a Watch that we backed on Kickstarter. Some components may differ from components found other versions. -T
Set A Watch is a cooperative game for 1-4 players in which players must secure nine locations around the realm to prevent the release of the deadly Unhallowed monsters. The party always consists of 4 adventurers, regardless of actual player count. In each round, one adventurer will stay back at camp, resting and taking strategic actions, while the other 3 adventurers take watch and fight off the creatures attempting to infiltrate the camp by using special abilities and powers to aid in battle. The game ends in victory if the adventurers have successfully secured all locations. If, at the end of a round, all adventurers on watch are exhausted, the camp is overrun and the game is lost.
So how does solo play differ from multiplayer games? It doesn’t! A solo game of Set A Watch plays identically to a multiplayer game – the solo player just controls all 4 adventurers at once instead of being split up among the players. Obviously, as a solo player, you have to make all of the decisions, which is sometimes nicer than playing with other people. You get to play whatever strategy YOU want to, without having to compromise with other players. On the flip side, that could be treacherous if your strategy is too bold/too meek or if you get in a tight spot and are at a loss for what to do next. Other than the aspect of solo decision-making, the gameplay remains unchanged. One adventurer still rests at camp while the other 3 stand watch and battle monsters.
Typically, I am not a fan of solo games in which you are forced to play multiple characters. That just feels like kind of a cop-out way to say ‘Yeah, we have a solo mode’ when in reality you’re still playing a multiplayer game, just by yourself. That being said, I actually don’t mind this aspect in Set A Watch. Why? Because there really are no ‘turns’ to track. One adventurer stays at camp and acts first, but the other 3 go to battle and act whenever/however they want. There is no real turn order. I make the characters act when and how I want them to, and that really opens the rounds up to a lot of freedom. I don’t have to sacrifice special powers/abilities because it wasn’t that character’s ‘turn’ – I can come up with some sweet combos, utilizing whichever characters I need to, to really do some damage. The lack of turns makes this a truly cooperative game, even when playing solo.
Overall, I love Set A Watch. It was, admittedly, a little intimidating at first, but once I got the hang of it, it plays great! The components are nice and sturdy, the box transforms into the game board, and the artwork is very nicely done. Set A Watch is a game I would definitely play either multiplayer or solo, and not as a last resort. The gameplay is engaging, the strategic options give you a different game every play, and the theme itself is just exciting to me. I am very happy with this Kickstarter purchase, and I look forward to any expansions/reimplementations that could be in the works!
The kingdom is under attack. Hoards of creatures are amassing at locations around the realm in an attempt to resurrect ancient Unhallowed monsters. Their ultimate goal? To take control of the world. You and your fellow adventurers have been tasked with stopping this uprising. By traveling to these various locations, you will attempt to clear the area of evil-doers and maintain peace in the kingdom. Keep a vigilant watch, and your team will be successful. But if you wane for even a moment, all could be lost.
DISCLAIMER: This review uses the Deluxe version of Set a Watch that we backed on Kickstarter. Some components may differ from components found other versions. -T
Set A Watch is a cooperative game for 1-4 players in which players must secure nine locations around the realm to prevent the release of the deadly Unhallowed monsters. The party always consists of 4 adventurers, regardless of actual player count. In each round, one adventurer will stay back at camp, resting and taking strategic actions, while the other 3 adventurers take watch and fight off the creatures attempting to infiltrate the camp by using special abilities and powers to aid in battle. The game ends in victory if the adventurers have successfully secured all locations. If, at the end of a round, all adventurers on watch are exhausted, the camp is overrun and the game is lost.
So how does solo play differ from multiplayer games? It doesn’t! A solo game of Set A Watch plays identically to a multiplayer game – the solo player just controls all 4 adventurers at once instead of being split up among the players. Obviously, as a solo player, you have to make all of the decisions, which is sometimes nicer than playing with other people. You get to play whatever strategy YOU want to, without having to compromise with other players. On the flip side, that could be treacherous if your strategy is too bold/too meek or if you get in a tight spot and are at a loss for what to do next. Other than the aspect of solo decision-making, the gameplay remains unchanged. One adventurer still rests at camp while the other 3 stand watch and battle monsters.
Typically, I am not a fan of solo games in which you are forced to play multiple characters. That just feels like kind of a cop-out way to say ‘Yeah, we have a solo mode’ when in reality you’re still playing a multiplayer game, just by yourself. That being said, I actually don’t mind this aspect in Set A Watch. Why? Because there really are no ‘turns’ to track. One adventurer stays at camp and acts first, but the other 3 go to battle and act whenever/however they want. There is no real turn order. I make the characters act when and how I want them to, and that really opens the rounds up to a lot of freedom. I don’t have to sacrifice special powers/abilities because it wasn’t that character’s ‘turn’ – I can come up with some sweet combos, utilizing whichever characters I need to, to really do some damage. The lack of turns makes this a truly cooperative game, even when playing solo.
Overall, I love Set A Watch. It was, admittedly, a little intimidating at first, but once I got the hang of it, it plays great! The components are nice and sturdy, the box transforms into the game board, and the artwork is very nicely done. Set A Watch is a game I would definitely play either multiplayer or solo, and not as a last resort. The gameplay is engaging, the strategic options give you a different game every play, and the theme itself is just exciting to me. I am very happy with this Kickstarter purchase, and I look forward to any expansions/reimplementations that could be in the works!
ClareR (5637 KP) rated You Will Be Safe Here in Books
May 12, 2019
History that affects the present.
At first glance, you would wonder why this book starts off in a South African concentration camp in 1901, and then goes on to follow a boy whose parents pay for him to go to the New Dawn Safari Training Camp. It does become clear: the title tells us what the British army said to the women and children as they entered Bloemfontein, and what Willem and his parents are told before he goes to New Dawn. They are all lied to.
My dad told me about the concentration camps during the Boer war as I went off to study German at university. He’d read about the history part of the course I’d be studying, and WW2 was missing. He thought it important that I should know that the National Socialists had got all of their ‘best’ ideas from the British (“everyone should shoulder their share of guilt”). I admit I didn’t know this much detail though.
The descriptions in this book are heartbreaking. Cruelty disguised as safe-keeping. New Dawn is cruelty disguised as (re)education. As I attempted to empathise with Will’s mother, I couldn’t help but judge her - how could a mother NOT protect her child? How could she be so easily influenced to give him to someone else to ‘make him a man’? She thinks that this IS protecting him though. The world is a harsh place, and those who are different are not always accepted by their peers (I have two sons, one of whom is disabled. I’ve always worried about how he will be accepted by other children - unfounded worries so far, as it turns out.).
The old adage ‘cruel to be kind’ is just that though: old, outdated. The new world order should be about tolerance and understanding, something that is totally lacking in some of the characters of this book (and out in the real world, too). ADHD is NEVER cured with cruelty. Respect is never gained through starvation and deprivation.
This book is written with such care and understanding: I could imagine the sights and sounds of both camps, smell the cigarette smoke of Willem’s grandmother. I felt so much for Sarah van der Watt and her son and Willem. People put into impossible circumstances. The way we find out about what happens to Sarah and her son is devastating: Willem and his class visit Bloemfontein concentration camp, and Fredericks story is part of their history lesson. This was so cleverly done, and although seemingly detached by the years that had passed, its only one hundred pages or so for the reader.
This is such a moving story, and it shows that history really can affect the present day. I can’t recommend reading this book enough.
My dad told me about the concentration camps during the Boer war as I went off to study German at university. He’d read about the history part of the course I’d be studying, and WW2 was missing. He thought it important that I should know that the National Socialists had got all of their ‘best’ ideas from the British (“everyone should shoulder their share of guilt”). I admit I didn’t know this much detail though.
The descriptions in this book are heartbreaking. Cruelty disguised as safe-keeping. New Dawn is cruelty disguised as (re)education. As I attempted to empathise with Will’s mother, I couldn’t help but judge her - how could a mother NOT protect her child? How could she be so easily influenced to give him to someone else to ‘make him a man’? She thinks that this IS protecting him though. The world is a harsh place, and those who are different are not always accepted by their peers (I have two sons, one of whom is disabled. I’ve always worried about how he will be accepted by other children - unfounded worries so far, as it turns out.).
The old adage ‘cruel to be kind’ is just that though: old, outdated. The new world order should be about tolerance and understanding, something that is totally lacking in some of the characters of this book (and out in the real world, too). ADHD is NEVER cured with cruelty. Respect is never gained through starvation and deprivation.
This book is written with such care and understanding: I could imagine the sights and sounds of both camps, smell the cigarette smoke of Willem’s grandmother. I felt so much for Sarah van der Watt and her son and Willem. People put into impossible circumstances. The way we find out about what happens to Sarah and her son is devastating: Willem and his class visit Bloemfontein concentration camp, and Fredericks story is part of their history lesson. This was so cleverly done, and although seemingly detached by the years that had passed, its only one hundred pages or so for the reader.
This is such a moving story, and it shows that history really can affect the present day. I can’t recommend reading this book enough.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Oh my gosh...I LOVED this book!
I wasn't crazy about The Lost Hero. It was good, but just not what I was expecting. The sequel on the other hand was amazing! I could have easily stayed up all night reading it, if I didn't have to go to school & teach 20 4th graders the next day.
There was so much going on. Percy is back! I was thrilled about that. He is tossed into a very interesting situation by stumbling upon a Roman version of Camp Half-Blood. To make it worse, he can't remember much about his life before then, except for Annabeth of course!
I can not wait for the next installment. I'm keeping my figres crossed that it is just as good as this one! You've got a lot of work ahead of you Mr. Riordan, if you are going to accomplish that task!
I wasn't crazy about The Lost Hero. It was good, but just not what I was expecting. The sequel on the other hand was amazing! I could have easily stayed up all night reading it, if I didn't have to go to school & teach 20 4th graders the next day.
There was so much going on. Percy is back! I was thrilled about that. He is tossed into a very interesting situation by stumbling upon a Roman version of Camp Half-Blood. To make it worse, he can't remember much about his life before then, except for Annabeth of course!
I can not wait for the next installment. I'm keeping my figres crossed that it is just as good as this one! You've got a lot of work ahead of you Mr. Riordan, if you are going to accomplish that task!
Mandi Brownfield (1 KP) rated The Darkest Minds in Books
Feb 3, 2019
Interesting!
Contains spoilers, click to show
The story starts out intriguing with the population of children in the world drastically decreasing due to some unknown illness killing most of them. The children who somehow survive develop powers, which is worrisome for the government. These kids are put in camps to keep track of them. The kids are separated by the type of power they have and they are color coded. The main character is an orange, which is one of the more dangerous powers, mind control. She touched her parents while they slept and accidentally erased their memory of her. She has to fake being a lower risk color as reds and oranges are killed. She eventually breaks out of the camp and finds other kids to bond with and together they try to find a safe place.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2125 KP) rated Going, Going, Ganache (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #5) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a photo shoot for Southwest Style turns into a disaster, Mel and Angie find themselves hosting a cupcake boot camp as a team building exercise for the fractured magazine staff. The second morning, Mel finds out of the staff members murdered behind her shop. With the prime suspects in her bakery, can Mel figure out who the killer is?
This is a wonderful addition to the series, and it is easy to see why the series has so many fans. The characters, main and new, are all strong. The mystery provides plenty of tension, suspects, and red herrings, and a couple of sub-plots involving the main characters will keep series fans engrossed as well. Add to that delicious cupcake recipes in the back, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-going-going-ganache-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a wonderful addition to the series, and it is easy to see why the series has so many fans. The characters, main and new, are all strong. The mystery provides plenty of tension, suspects, and red herrings, and a couple of sub-plots involving the main characters will keep series fans engrossed as well. Add to that delicious cupcake recipes in the back, and you’ve got a winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-going-going-ganache-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Kate (355 KP) rated Diggy's adventure in Apps
Jan 15, 2019
I have put good because my opinion of it has changed over the years. I first discovered it as a Facebook game and played it on the computer and then a year or so back I discovered the app and downloaded it onto my ipad. The concept is quite easy you click on square to clear them to find paths through or to find items and complete quests or tasks. You travel through various countries and they do download special events for Christmas, Easter etc. I have deleted it several times and then reloaded it to play the special items but as the story progresses it uses more and more energy but you can create extra energy by digging out your camp, but those items get more and more expensive too. I would like to completely restart the game but you are not able to do this.
The Tin Ring: Love and Survival in the Holocaust
Book
Zdenka Fantlova's peaceful life was changed forever when she was sent to Terezin concentration camp....