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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Sep 14, 2022  
Sneak a peek at the high fantasy novel CAVERN OF THE VEIL QUEEN by Author Michael Scott Clifton on my blog, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of the book or eBooks of the whole series!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2022/09/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-cavern-of.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
The Empire of Meredith has waged war against the Veil Queen for over a thousand years.

However, the struggle is unequal. Protected by the Veil, an impenetrable boundary of magic, the Veil Queen preys on the Empire’s citizens. The ceaseless raids have allowed her to build an enormous army of melds, monstrous creatures who are a fusion of humans and beasts.

Then a way is found through the magical partition. An invasion is launched to defeat the Dark Queen. But she’s had centuries to plot treachery. Is the open portal real or a misdirection, another of her evil schemes?

Alexandria’s new husband, Prince Tal, has wielded his formidable magic repeatedly in the struggle. But the key to victory may not lie with his power, but with Alex’s wild and unpredictable magic. If she can discover a way to control it, they have a chance to end the war and destroy the Veil. It requires only two things.

Find the Veil Queen…and kill her.
     
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Otway93 (580 KP) rated the PlayStation 3 version of Vanquish in Video Games

Jun 18, 2022  
Vanquish
Vanquish
Action/Adventure
Map and Scenery Design (2 more)
Character Design
Quality of Remaster
Repetitive (4 more)
Short
Range of Weapons
Clichéd Storyline
Range of enemies
Short, clichéd and repetitive.
This one is especially difficult for me because I'm a bit of a superfan of the game's director, the legendary Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil, Dino Crisis etc.).

But this game was probably one of the shortest game's I've ever played, which is a ble ssing in a way as every mission is exactly the same. Each level basically has two objectives, which are:
1. Destroy all enemies.
2. Reach the destination.
That is literally it, absolutely nothing to make you think, just constantly shooting down an incredibly small variety of enemies, with an equally small variety of weapons.

The storyline itself is also very basic. Futuristic, typical Russian antagonist, typical chain-smoking macho protagonist, predictable twists at the end.

But every game does have it's positives. The quality of the PlayStation 4 remaster is outstanding, and feels like a new PS4 game. The design of everything in the game is also excellent, although the characters themselves are pretty run-of-the-mill, their designs are somewhat unique and look great. The same can be said for the design of the the map and scenery.

Overall, a great looking game, that's let down terribly by the gameplay.

Sorry, Shinji, still love you!
  
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Morgan Sheppard (963 KP) created a post

Jan 22, 2022  
If you'd like to be one of the first to get your hands on my latest release - please fill out the google form!

Hero. Honourable Thief. Lovable Rogue. Scoundrel. Blackguard.

Everyone’s heard of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, with big, bad Sheriff of Nottingham and evil Prince John trying their best to thwart Robin at every turn. But what if things were different to what you’ve been told? What if Robin wasn’t as altruistic as history portrayed?

In the late spring of 1198, the hamlet of Girton is razed to the ground. Newly married eighteen-year-old Will Scathlock and sixteen-year-old Alana move to the larger village of Blidworth to start their lives anew. In his new job as a forester for the Royal Palace of Clipstone, known to the locals as King’s Houses, Will hears tales of a good thief, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. But in her role as Seamstress for the Manor House, Alana hears a different story.

Find out what it was like for the peasant folk Robin was supposed to be helping, before his well-known adventures in Nottingham. Meet Alana Dale and read her story of what it was really like, and how it all began.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59909165-cabbages-kings

#ComingofAge
#HistoricalFiction
#RobinHoodOrigin

https://forms.gle/bw1rXteBFAAF78Up9
     
Show all 3 comments.
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Morgan Sheppard (963 KP) Jan 31, 2022

@Night Reader Reviews - it was my fault! Time has definitely run away with me on this one. Oh, well. If ever you have the time and fancy giving any of mine a chance, please just let me know! Have a great week. 😁

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Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) Jan 31, 2022

I completely understand. Time gets away from me a lot as well.

Blood Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy, #5)
Blood Witch (Witches of Westwood Academy, #5)
Gina Kincade, C.D. Gorri | 2023 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
BLOOD WITCH is the fifth book in the Witches of Westwood Academy and, to get the best, you really need to read these in order.

Mabe thinks she is a blood witch, who are reviled for being evil. She doesn't know any differently though, just going by her symptoms. With Arlo's help, she has been drinking blood bags from the infirmary which is all good until the Council sends an Enforcer to find out what's going on. Enter Fin.

As with all the others in this series, it is fast-paced and insta-love. The thing I loved about this one - more than the relationship with Fin - was how Mabe finally accepted she has a coven and friends, not just roommates. Now, going back to her relationship with Fin. Fan yourselves because it's a HOT one. Mabe claims him and I loved the others' reaction to it, mainly because I felt the same!

One character I really don't like, and haven't so far, is Leanna Stolbright! I really want to see her comeuppance and am hoping she gets it!

A great read, so long as you've read the others.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 8, 2023
  
Alpha Shaman (Bad Oak Boys #2)
Alpha Shaman (Bad Oak Boys #2)
Erin M. Leaf | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Josh thinks that he is human, although he is aware of the werewolf gene in his family. However, when he starts having strange dreams and shedding fur, he admits he might be in trouble. He rings Ryan (his brother) who sends out a Shaman who will help him. When Josh and Gerwulf first meet, the wolves both agree that they have found their mates, although the human halves still need convincing. Evil is on the way though, so they may not have as much time as they would like.

This is the first of the Bad Oak Boys that I have read, although I didn't feel that it negatively impacted my enjoyment in any way. Alpha Shaman is full of action, romance, and yes, even grief. I could understand Gerwulf's hang-ups from his past and liked how he worked through them, with Josh's help. Josh and Gerwulf are both excellent characters, well-rounded and with their own quirks.

I have enjoyed this story, and am now looking forward to reading Rock Star Baby, which is book one in this series.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Feb 11, 2016
  
TT
The Teacher (DS Imogen Grey, #1)
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
85 of 235
Book
The Teacher ( DS Imogen Grey 1)
By Katerina Diamond
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You think you know who to trust? You think you know the difference between good and evil? You’re wrong …

The body of the head teacher of an exclusive Devon school is found hanging from the rafters in the assembly hall.

Hours earlier he’d received a package, and only he could understand the silent message it conveyed. It meant the end.

As Exeter suffers a rising count of gruesome deaths, troubled DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles must solve the case and make their city safe again.

But as they’re drawn into a network of corruption, lies and exploitation, every step brings them closer to grim secrets hidden at the heart of their community.

And once they learn what’s motivating this killer, will they truly want to stop him?

I couldn’t put it down! I’ve never rooted for a killer or killers in any book as much as I have with this one! I was totally glued and so glad the ending did it justice. My only issue was the start I was totally confused at first but of course it all started making sense and it’s clear as soon as you hit a certain chapter who this killer is. But still a brilliant read!
  
Heart Bandit (Gargoyle Night Guardians #1)
Heart Bandit (Gargoyle Night Guardians #1)
Rosalie Redd | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
6
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
107 of 220
Kindle
Heart Bandit ( Gargoyle Night Guardians 1)
By Rosalie Redd
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beaumont prides himself on his stellar fae kill record, but his life is upended when a feisty, human female challenges him to seduce her and steals his spirit-embedded stone. He’s on a quest to save his soul, yet this woman makes him harder than a rock, and for a guy who spends his days encased in granite, that’s saying something.

Crafty and swift, Sadie learned to pickpocket from the best mentor ever—need. After she runs across a tall, sexy gargoyle and steals his most valuable possession, she’s up against more than can she handle. As he hunts her down to retrieve his precious stone, he stirs a passion she didn’t know existed…and can’t resist.

Gargoyle Night Guardians protect human souls from the evil clutches of dark fae. Be careful, though, gargoyles aren’t your average hero for within each guardian rests a questionable soul, one ripe for redemption and eager to become worthy of what we all crave—love.

This was interesting kinda Dark hunters but Gargoyle’s and Pagan goddesses. Decent story it does has a few trigger points of to be aware of if you have them. It was patchy in places but a quick read and I kinda liked it.
  
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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Blood and Stars in Books

Sep 24, 2017  
Blood and Stars
Blood and Stars
Jaime Lee Mann | 2017 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
No cliffhanger (0 more)
Children's Fantasy
This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Finally, after leaving everyone on tenterhooks, the fifth book in the Legend of Rhyme series is here. Blood and Stars by Jaime Lee Mann continues on from the tense ending to book four, finally resolving a lot of loose ends. With all the favourite characters from the series, this book transports readers back into the fantasy world of Coraira for more adventure and magic.

Blood and Stars is split into four stories, which eventually all merge together in an explosive climax. Firstly, as expected, the main characters, twins Ariana and Asher, have found themselves separated from each other once again. With Ariana destined to rule Coraira, legend suggests that Asher will be the opposite – a ruler of darkness. But, is there a chance he can be saved from this fate? Meanwhile, the present ruler of Coraira is dying. The only person who could potentially save Calla is her evil twin sister Elora, the infamous witch in the previous books. Can she be trusted enough with such an important task?

Concurrently, in the ethereal world of the mermaids, readers are reintroduced to the mer-queen, Starla and her apprentice, Teagan. Abandoned at birth, Teagan is hoping to discover what happened to her parents; however, her curiosity leads her into the lair of a sea witch. Be that as it may, some dangerous situations result in silver linings.

Eventually, with the majority of the book already concluded, another character is brought back into the story. Grimblerod is still under the curse of an evil king, but he now has hope that it can be broken. As long as his love for Freya does not fail, Grimblerod’s patient determination will lead him back to where he belongs.

With a mix of new and old characters, Jaime Lee Mann smoothly draws her fans back into the storyline with a (mostly) happy ending. There are a couple of things left incomplete, but nothing that will majorly irritate readers. There is no dreaded cliffhanger.

As it may have been some time since children read the last book, or parents and teachers are only just being introduced to the story, the author has provided an in-depth character guide in the end pages to bring everyone up to speed.

Blood and Stars was a more straightforward story than previous books. It resolved more issues than it created. There will be a final book coming (hopefully) soon, but there is no way of guessing what it will feature.

Legend of Rhyme is a series suitable for girls and boys. Mildly scary in parts, the adventure of the twins and their companions will entertain children and their parents. With discussion questions at the end, the books make readers think more about the storyline and help them to understand and interact with the narrative. This is certainly a series for young fantasy lovers.