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The Ice House (The Honours #2)
The Ice House (The Honours #2)
Tim Clare | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
It wasn’t until I was halfway through this book and adding it on to Goodreads, that I realised it was the second in a series. So I would say that it can be read on it’s own - but I’m going to buy the first book and read it now! I love this world building! It would be interesting to read about Delphine’s childhood, the discovery of the Honours and the gateway.
There’s a great cast of characters in this book - the females have great representation and lead the story. They’re strong, brave and don’t wait for someone else to do what they can do for themselves.
The Honours refers to a gift given to certain, chosen people from this otherworldly, accessed by the gateway, and it makes them immortal - which I thought was a great touch.
I feel that only the surface has been scratched, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series (there had better be one - we’re certainly left thinking that there will be one!). Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book - this is all my own, unbiased opinion, and I’m sorry for taking so long to review it!
  
Strictly Ola: Ola Jordan
Strictly Ola: Ola Jordan
Ola Jordan | 2016
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
*****Some SPOILERS*****


I have been a SCD fan from the very first show. There have been some amazing professional dancers who have come and gone but there are some dancers you love from the beginning and continue to love despite their exit. Ola and James Jordan are a firm favourite of mine and when I spotted Ola's book in my local library I was like a child in a chocolate factory-I just had to have it. Learning about Ola's childhood and how poor her family and country were was really sad but Ola never let it interfere in her passion for dance. I too wanted to be a professional dancer but due to ill-health this has never really been an option. I was deeply shocked to learn of SCD team behind the curtain and how O+J Jordan were treated. I was appalled how Craig RH was after a few drinks and the way he talked about the celebrities and professional dancers. This book was a real eye-opener.

SCD is back on our screens with a new head-judge. I certainly miss O+J Jordan...
  
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the_mad_meeple (55 KP) rated Forbidden Island in Tabletop Games

Mar 10, 2020 (Updated Mar 10, 2020)  
Forbidden Island
Forbidden Island
2010 | Adventure, Card Game, Fantasy
Sink or swim?
Considering my Y childhood holidays spent by the water, I've never been more anxious at the sight of rising water levels. A fully cooperative experience, all players, new and experienced, took part in an adventure fit for all. Fighting to get to the chopper we found ourselves facing an ever changing table top with tiles sinking faster than we were able to get to them. As you move around the board collecting treasures, you face difficult challenges of whether to move yourself or to use your special abilities to better position your comrades. A gem of a game, the variety of characters provide a strong amount of replay ability, ideal for a game that provides an air of impending doom telling you that all you can do now is it to start planning for the next attempt.
Whether you play it for the theme of an intrepid explorer searching an unknown island, or you are looking for an excellent family friendly cooperative experience (allowed by the ability to simply and effectively vary difficulty levels) this is a game for boardgamers of all shapes and sizes.
  
The Kingdom of Back
The Kingdom of Back
Marie Lu | 2020 | Music & Dance, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Mozart's sister reimagined
Marie Lu, known for her fantasy and science fiction has created a well-written and imaginative story about the childhood of the Mozart siblings. Wolfgang Mozart had an older sister nicknamed Nannerl, and together they imagined a fantasy land called the Kingdom of Back.
Nannerl, like her brother, is a enormous talent in terms of playing and composing music, but it is 18th century Europe and women are not allowed to openly compose or have musical careers. Her greatest wish is to be remembered forever. Enter Hyacinthe, a faerie prince from the Kingdom of Back, who offers to make Nannerl's wish a reality, if she will complete a series of tasks for him. At first Nannerl is enthusiastic as she follows his wishes, but soon realizes that there is a sinister price that comes with Hyacinthe's demands. She realizes she must rethink her priorities.
A big theme is this novel is the constraints that were placed on women in this time and it made me wonder how many talented women throughout history were unable to pursue their dreams. Four and a half stars.
  
The Berenstain Bears Nature Rescue is a really good book for all. It teaches us about nature and birds. This one is about learning about different kinds of birds. Like the yellow popinjay. This almost put everyone into an almost war.

The story plot is mostly learning about what is important birds are to peoples. The way the author or authors wrote this makes it easy for early readers to learn about habitats and a lot what around them. Woods and birds are important. There may be more than one way to solve a problem.

The wood bears want to build cottages for more bears and families. Who will come out on top? The story and plot are to learn about birds and saving though birds before they are gone forever. Find out what brother and sister and other cubs do.

It is good for early readers as well. The pictures are done well. I enjoy the images that are drawn. This book is made for all age groups. I enjoy this series as well as many others. One of the best series of my childhood and still is.
  
Fantasy Island (2020)
Fantasy Island (2020)
2020 | Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Much like the recent adaptation of the Banana Splits Hour, Blumhouse's Fantasy Island took a show from my childhood and added horror elements to the premise. Five strangers land on an island where their fantasy is granted. The island is overseen by a mysterious Latino named Mr. Roarke, played by master monologuist Michael Pena. As you may have seen in the trailer, two are given everything that they want (money, sex, a mansion), one plays soldier, one is given a fresh start, and one gets revenge on a middle-school bully. However, a fantasy can easily become a nightmare and the island does not distinguish. As the five strangers are slowly brought back together, they learn that the island did not randomly select them. Someone else has their own nightmarish fantasy to live. I will not spoil the secret, but the mysterious person behind it all makes precious little sense unless he or she had a traumatic brain injury before and during the plot of the movie. Some scenes were very good and it could have been a good horror movie if it had just left the storylines separate like the tv show managed to do.
  
    Talking Baby Panda

    Talking Baby Panda

    Education and Games

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    Kiki, our cute talking panda, is back! And he wants to be your best friend! Join his world, play,...