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K.L. Shandwick (3 KP) created a post
Nov 20, 2017
Dracoria Malfoy (690 KP) created a post
Jan 5, 2018 (Updated Jan 5, 2018)
Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms in Books
Sep 9, 2017
Worldbuilding (1 more)
Thoughtful and Engaging Characters
Tight, compelling story set in an amazing fantasy world
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms has the kind of engaging plot and clear prose that makes it easy to get lost in. Jemisin's debut novel crafts a complex world that fans of traditional fantasy will love, while still being incredibly fresh and thoughtful. The worldbuilding engages in the complexities of colonialism and cultural difference in a way that makes the world feel alive and thrumming with conflict.
Yeine is a compelling protagonist and Nahadoth, her romantic interest, is sexy, dark, and tortured (like all good love interests should be.) It's 410 pages of pure fantasy fun.
The only nitpick I have is that I wish there was more of it. Seriously. The advice to writers is to start as late in the story as possible, but I wish more time had been spent building up Yeine's world and her relationship with her mother (who's death is pivotal to the plot), and with her own Kingdom of Darre. Instead the reader enters the story with Yeine already making her way to the city of Sky. This, for me, lessened the emotional impact of later reveals.
Yeine is a compelling protagonist and Nahadoth, her romantic interest, is sexy, dark, and tortured (like all good love interests should be.) It's 410 pages of pure fantasy fun.
The only nitpick I have is that I wish there was more of it. Seriously. The advice to writers is to start as late in the story as possible, but I wish more time had been spent building up Yeine's world and her relationship with her mother (who's death is pivotal to the plot), and with her own Kingdom of Darre. Instead the reader enters the story with Yeine already making her way to the city of Sky. This, for me, lessened the emotional impact of later reveals.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Sense of an Ending in Books
Apr 12, 2019
A little confused and long winded
This book has a writing style that I'm not 100% keen on. Most of it is fine and easy to write, but then it has this awful habit of the main character going off into rambling musings and monologues that are far too long and pointless. This is a short book as it is, but it's be a short story if all of these ramblings had been removed!
That said, this isn't that bad a read. The plot is simple and straight forward about Tony reminiscing on his past and the death of a friend, and his musings on this in the present day. Tony himself is a strange character. He's actions and interactions with others are highly frustrating, but yet he's still a fairly endearing and intriguing character. I just think the ending was a let down. Mainly because it hasn't quite spelt it out properly, and I had to reread the final paragraphs to get what it was hinting at, and I'm still not absolutely convinced that I've got it right. Theres a big difference between an ambiguous ending and a downright confusing frustrating one, and this is definitely the latter.
That said, this isn't that bad a read. The plot is simple and straight forward about Tony reminiscing on his past and the death of a friend, and his musings on this in the present day. Tony himself is a strange character. He's actions and interactions with others are highly frustrating, but yet he's still a fairly endearing and intriguing character. I just think the ending was a let down. Mainly because it hasn't quite spelt it out properly, and I had to reread the final paragraphs to get what it was hinting at, and I'm still not absolutely convinced that I've got it right. Theres a big difference between an ambiguous ending and a downright confusing frustrating one, and this is definitely the latter.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Nations in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
As you can see from my reviews, the older I get, the more I appreciate quick, loud, light games. Nations isn’t any of those – this is a tried-and-true brain-burner on the longish side of things. I’ve tried many of those games and hated them (Agricola, Village, Trajan, ….) The difference here, as well as in hits like Eclipse and Castles of Burgundy, is that the rules are so simple and streamlined that you feel like you are not doing homework. In those other games, wrapping my head around playing the game was too much of a struggle to feel like it was enjoyable. Here, the game really just comes down to buying a bunch of cards from a row and then placing guys on them. The iconography and gameplay is so intuitive (and fitting with the theme) that I could easily begin to think about how to outmaneuver my opponents, even in the first game. Several days after my last play, I’m still eagerly thinking about the game, and that’s high praise.
Orignal Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Derek Thompson
Read the Full review here: http://meepletown.com/2014/02/review-nations/
Orignal Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Derek Thompson
Read the Full review here: http://meepletown.com/2014/02/review-nations/
Flynn (6 KP) rated An Abundance of Katherines in Books
Sep 10, 2018
Honestly, I don't think I can not like any of John Green's works, and An Abundance of Katherines was no exception. I tend to always feel some connection when I read his stuff, to the nerdy characters who are trying to discover themselves. I'm also drawn in by thought processes, their logic, and Colin's logic is wonderful to read. Of course, I'm a bit of a math geek, at least when it comes to seeing such a beautiful equation as Collin creates, so I loved the process of trying to predict relationships.
Through the book, Colin repeatedly says he wants to matter, and I understand his longing. I too want to make a difference, want to be remembered, though perhaps not ad direly as he did in the beginning, but I am nowhere near how Lindsey was in the beginning either, because I don't want to lay low. Not only was it lovely to see them change their minds, to learn more about themselves thanks to each other, but I stsrted thinking and learning about myself as I read. Green's works tend to get me thinking, but I was especially thoughtful while reading this book.
Through the book, Colin repeatedly says he wants to matter, and I understand his longing. I too want to make a difference, want to be remembered, though perhaps not ad direly as he did in the beginning, but I am nowhere near how Lindsey was in the beginning either, because I don't want to lay low. Not only was it lovely to see them change their minds, to learn more about themselves thanks to each other, but I stsrted thinking and learning about myself as I read. Green's works tend to get me thinking, but I was especially thoughtful while reading this book.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Illusionary (Minefield Enforcers #1) in Books
Mar 28, 2020
As one of the few Enhanced humans whose gifts encompass the mental and physical spectrums, Nathalee lives a life separate from others. Even amongst those who the world segregates as potential weapons, Nat is shunned for her telepathic abilities; until she finds her opportunity to make a difference in their tiny world as an enforcer.
Part of a new experimental team, Nathalee must wade through muddied mental waters if they hope to put a stop to the illusions which are coming to violent, life-ruining ends. The suspect pool is large and powerful, but the repercussions of failure put everyone she knows and loves at risk.
With so many possibilities of both suspects and victims, Nat will test the limits of her ability -and her sanity- in order to track the illusionist and stop their tyranny.
Good storyline, decent characters but something was missing for me. I got a little bored towards the end I expected a much bigger baddie and ending. Not sure half the stuff between Nat and Holden were Really needed. I will continue to book 2 as I did like the idea of it.
Part of a new experimental team, Nathalee must wade through muddied mental waters if they hope to put a stop to the illusions which are coming to violent, life-ruining ends. The suspect pool is large and powerful, but the repercussions of failure put everyone she knows and loves at risk.
With so many possibilities of both suspects and victims, Nat will test the limits of her ability -and her sanity- in order to track the illusionist and stop their tyranny.
Good storyline, decent characters but something was missing for me. I got a little bored towards the end I expected a much bigger baddie and ending. Not sure half the stuff between Nat and Holden were Really needed. I will continue to book 2 as I did like the idea of it.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Apr 23, 2020
Poetry Notebook: 2006-2014
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Sorted!: The Good Psychopath's Guide to Bossing Your Life: Book 2: The Good Psychopath
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Over thirty different examples of situations and ideas to show you how you can change your approach...