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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated King of Light and Shadows (The Omaran Saga #3) in Books
Nov 18, 2019
Brannog, who has been declared king of the Earthwrought despite being human, is hunting down the spawn of the evil city of Xennidhum that he helped destroy when he discovers something troubling. There are songs under the earth, beguiling the Earthwrought. Both his enemy turned ally Simon Wargallow and the rod of power held by Orhung have been captured. Who are the Earthwise and what do they want?
This was my introduction into the work of Adrian Cole, and it certainly impressed me. Firstly the tone is very much what would be described now as 'grimdark' with Wargallow being a particularly fine antihero. Secondly this is resolutely non-Tolkien and avoids so many fantasy tropes that were prevalent at the time. No orcs or elves. Instead we have altogether more imaginative creations - Children of the Mound, Deliverers.
This does start slow - it after all is part way through the saga and the characters are already established - but gradually builds to some fantastic set pieces, and a rather well executed and low key ending, setting up the fourth and final part of the series perfectly.
This was my introduction into the work of Adrian Cole, and it certainly impressed me. Firstly the tone is very much what would be described now as 'grimdark' with Wargallow being a particularly fine antihero. Secondly this is resolutely non-Tolkien and avoids so many fantasy tropes that were prevalent at the time. No orcs or elves. Instead we have altogether more imaginative creations - Children of the Mound, Deliverers.
This does start slow - it after all is part way through the saga and the characters are already established - but gradually builds to some fantastic set pieces, and a rather well executed and low key ending, setting up the fourth and final part of the series perfectly.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Demon Road in Books
Nov 26, 2019
Pre entertainment where good and evil fight
Derek Landy's 'Skullduggery Pleasant' series is great. i read them to my son, so when Demon road came out I got it for him and he recommended I read it too. I was pleasantly surprised, Landy has created a trilogy that is brilliant and very cinematic.
This takes place in our world and in our world are demons, some of whom have made deals with high demons for powers and in return has to do terrible things as payment. The lead character is the daughter of such demons but is a normal girl...until she hits puberty. But then she finds out her parents don't quite have her best interests at heart.
I don't read many teen books unless sent for me to review or because i am reading to my kids but this is a gripping brilliant read. it is so cinematic it deserves to become a movie.
Characters are very strong, the adventure is adrenaline fuelled and its done in a completely non cheesy way. Its brilliant and I went straight to book two afterwards.
This takes place in our world and in our world are demons, some of whom have made deals with high demons for powers and in return has to do terrible things as payment. The lead character is the daughter of such demons but is a normal girl...until she hits puberty. But then she finds out her parents don't quite have her best interests at heart.
I don't read many teen books unless sent for me to review or because i am reading to my kids but this is a gripping brilliant read. it is so cinematic it deserves to become a movie.
Characters are very strong, the adventure is adrenaline fuelled and its done in a completely non cheesy way. Its brilliant and I went straight to book two afterwards.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated Lord of Misrule (The Morganville Vampires, #5) in Books
Dec 13, 2019
In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, a master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil undead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.
Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - both natural and unnatural- the unexpected happens; Morganville’s vampires start to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.
As the fifth book in the Morganville series by Rachel Caine, the main characters and their relationships are well and truly established. True to form Lord of Misrule is well written, the storyline flows from point to point and continues to surprise and encourage you to want more. I always find these books to be an easy and enjoyable read, not too taxing or time consuming, but still give the reader what they need. I did find there were perhaps too many things going on in this chapter of the series, but perhaps all will be revealed in book 6.
Violent black clouds promise a storm of devastating proportions. As student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against the elements - both natural and unnatural- the unexpected happens; Morganville’s vampires start to vanish one by one. Discovering why leads Claire to one last choice: swear allegiance to Bishop... or die.
As the fifth book in the Morganville series by Rachel Caine, the main characters and their relationships are well and truly established. True to form Lord of Misrule is well written, the storyline flows from point to point and continues to surprise and encourage you to want more. I always find these books to be an easy and enjoyable read, not too taxing or time consuming, but still give the reader what they need. I did find there were perhaps too many things going on in this chapter of the series, but perhaps all will be revealed in book 6.
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Bad Boys for Life (2020) in Movies
Jan 27, 2020
Another chapter
Contains spoilers, click to show
The bad boys series is a buddy cop movie all cultures can enjoy, unless your a skinhead and then well you can fuck off. Now what bugged me was the brutal murder of a detention officer and three ambulance workers. That shit was not necessary, you can establish you character being evil another way. They also killed off the Captain which I though was as good Will and Marten's character. So the main bad guy is turns out to be Will Smith's son and he survives having killed at least five law enforcement however in the end they set it up where he may "work off some of his time to society" supposedly setting up for the next. So they gonna let a mass murderer of the Captain and others work for the police undercover? Come on man, that's just shitty writing. Yes I am what hippies call a "boot licker" meaning I support law and order, however Id like to point out that I am not a Trump supporter.
Snore Factor 0/10 Action Packed
Snore Factor 0/10 Action Packed
Merissa (12969 KP) rated Heart Bandit (Gargoyle Night Guardians #1) in Books
Jan 27, 2020
HEART BANDIT is the first book in the Gargoyle Night Guardians series, and we start off with Beaumont, who has been a Gargoyle for over 800 years. We find a new world of evil fae, the Critch, dubious souls, and an unwillingness to give in. Sadie does what she has to, to survive and plan for her longterm goal of getting her GED. If this includes pickpocketing, then so be it. However, all things change when she takes Beaumont's spark stone.
Rosalie Redd has created a world of interest, with strong alpha males and feisty females to keep them on their toes. There is no "insta-bond" between our two main characters, just good, old-fashioned lust and interest. There are plenty more characters I can't wait to hear about, not limited to Drake, the leader of the Chicago Gargoyles who you don't actually see much of.
The world-building is wonderful, the characters come alive, and the pacing is smooth. All in all, this has been a great read and I can't wait to continue with the series. After all, I'm really hoping for Drake!
Rosalie Redd has created a world of interest, with strong alpha males and feisty females to keep them on their toes. There is no "insta-bond" between our two main characters, just good, old-fashioned lust and interest. There are plenty more characters I can't wait to hear about, not limited to Drake, the leader of the Chicago Gargoyles who you don't actually see much of.
The world-building is wonderful, the characters come alive, and the pacing is smooth. All in all, this has been a great read and I can't wait to continue with the series. After all, I'm really hoping for Drake!
Grant Imperfection Mitchell (0 KP) rated Mice and Mystics in Tabletop Games
Mar 15, 2020
Co-op taking away tension of competitive (3 more)
Fun for all ages after a few rule adjustments
The story its self is a rich, beautiful tale of adventure
Combat is simple
Mice and Mystics is a great story telling boardgame in a series by Jerry Hawthorne. The game follows Prince Collin and his court of advisors who turn themselves to mice to escape certain death at the hands of an evil witch.
The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Shazam! (2019) in Movies
Mar 22, 2020
Could've been better
Shazam has been on my box to watch for quite some time, and after finally being persuaded to watch it I have to say I'l was a little unimpressed.
This is a very child orientated and almost childish film, which for me was a surprise considering it's set in the DC universe. Understandable to a point as the main character is a 14 year old child, but some of the silly childish jokes and the very super cheesy family friendly final act made me cringe. There were some decent laughs and these mainly came from Zachary Levi acting like a teenager. Levi shines in this film and if it wasn't for him this film would've been pretty dire. Even the usually reliable Mark Strong was wasted in this, and his villain wasn't particularly evil - although the effects used for the seven deadly sins were quite impressive.
Overall this was a rather underwhelming film that dragged on for a little too long. Whilst I didnt hate it as it did at least raise a few laughs, it's not a film I'd rush to watch again.
This is a very child orientated and almost childish film, which for me was a surprise considering it's set in the DC universe. Understandable to a point as the main character is a 14 year old child, but some of the silly childish jokes and the very super cheesy family friendly final act made me cringe. There were some decent laughs and these mainly came from Zachary Levi acting like a teenager. Levi shines in this film and if it wasn't for him this film would've been pretty dire. Even the usually reliable Mark Strong was wasted in this, and his villain wasn't particularly evil - although the effects used for the seven deadly sins were quite impressive.
Overall this was a rather underwhelming film that dragged on for a little too long. Whilst I didnt hate it as it did at least raise a few laughs, it's not a film I'd rush to watch again.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Darkness at Sethanon in Books
Mar 29, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
A Darkness at Sethanon is the stunning climax to Raymond E. Feist's brilliant epic fantasy trilogy, the Riftwar Saga.
Here be dragons and sorcery, swordplay, quests, pursuits, intrigues, stratagems, journeys to the darkest realms of the dead and titanic battles between the forces of good and darkest evil.
Here is the final dramatic confrontation between Arutha and Murmandamus - and the perilous quest of Pug the magician and Tomas the warrior for Macros the Black. A Darkness at Sethanon is heroic fantasy of the highest excitement and on the grandest scale, a magnificent conclusion to one of the great fantasy sagas of our time.
Omg!!! I was at one point about to throw the book in the bin sneaky sneaky killing of Arutha I was distraught!! Poor Jimmy. But all was well that sneaky prince ran off to save the world! This is one series I've absolutely loved! Raymond E Feist is a fantastic writer I'd love to see this series developed into films it would rival lord of the rings! I was in awe at the last 5 chapters. Brilliant brilliant set of books!!!
Here be dragons and sorcery, swordplay, quests, pursuits, intrigues, stratagems, journeys to the darkest realms of the dead and titanic battles between the forces of good and darkest evil.
Here is the final dramatic confrontation between Arutha and Murmandamus - and the perilous quest of Pug the magician and Tomas the warrior for Macros the Black. A Darkness at Sethanon is heroic fantasy of the highest excitement and on the grandest scale, a magnificent conclusion to one of the great fantasy sagas of our time.
Omg!!! I was at one point about to throw the book in the bin sneaky sneaky killing of Arutha I was distraught!! Poor Jimmy. But all was well that sneaky prince ran off to save the world! This is one series I've absolutely loved! Raymond E Feist is a fantastic writer I'd love to see this series developed into films it would rival lord of the rings! I was in awe at the last 5 chapters. Brilliant brilliant set of books!!!
Ronnie (304 KP) rated Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian: Bk. 5 in Books
Apr 23, 2020
The great prophecy tells that the fate of the world will rest in Percy Jackson’s hands when he turns sixteen. In the summer leading up to his sixteenth birthday Kronos’s evil army of monsters rampages through New York, with only Percy and his demigod friends to try and defeat them. What will become of the great prophecy, in the final instalment of the Percy Jackson series.
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
Rooms of Doom
Games and Stickers
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The most exciting collection of mini games known to Man! Crafted by the evil scientist Dr. Doom:...