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ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Mystery Knight: A Graphic Novel in Books
Nov 15, 2017
More Westeros back story
One of the tales of Dunk and Egg (Ser Duncan, a Hedge Knight and Prince Aegon, his squire. Aegon went on to be the Maester of the Black Watch at the wall - I'm not sure if that's a spoiler or not?!). As with most of the Song of Ice and Fire stories, there's a fair bit of intrigue and double crossing going on in this story. Lots of fighting, bloodshed. The artwork is lovely - the opening scene shows a picture of a head on a spike, decaying and having been eaten by birds/ animals. So lovely, yes!
I found this at the library, and I'd be keen to read more as they get them. I'm aware that this isn't the first in the series, but I don't think it really matters. I don't feel as though I missed out on any former knowledge.
I found this at the library, and I'd be keen to read more as they get them. I'm aware that this isn't the first in the series, but I don't think it really matters. I don't feel as though I missed out on any former knowledge.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated Practical Magic in Books
Dec 31, 2017
I'm pretty sure the film was nothing like the book....
Firstly, this isn't at all like the film. I'm really glad that I had a sizeable gap between watching the film and reading the book, because I'm sure I would be picking holes in either one or the other. I really enjoyed this though. The relationships between the three sets of sisters resonated with me in some ways (closeness vs wanting to get away!). I thought it interesting that they clearly had witchcraft knowledge/ ability, but didn't seem to want to use it! Why?! I'd be out there being my best Witch! I have to say that I actually preferred The Rules of Magic: the writing just seemed better. I suppose the author has written a lot of books between this book and its follow up=prequel. The story though is a great one.
101 Ways is a cute fast book with tips on how to live your days enjoying your fashion, your every spare moment, and your life. These tips are simple and easy: “Wear what you love—don’t always go for designer names. Look for splendid pieces in undiscovered boutiques.” and “Take a bath—luxuriate in a warm bubble bath, step out feeling like a million bucks.” My favorite was # 16—“Pick up a book. Knowledge is power. and power is chic.” They’re the kind of thing that you read and follow just to give yourself a quick break, and a refreshing change, with tons of easy, fool-proof fashion tips.
The illustrations are beautiful! Here’s a photo of one of the pictures: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-sER6e5xCaQ/S2ouqKKFpjI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/xxzMonyChU8/s1600-h/tip%2016%5B5%5D.jpg
Recommendation: Ages 12+ for lovers of fashion, bubble baths, and being themselves in a chic stylish way!
The illustrations are beautiful! Here’s a photo of one of the pictures: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-sER6e5xCaQ/S2ouqKKFpjI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/xxzMonyChU8/s1600-h/tip%2016%5B5%5D.jpg
Recommendation: Ages 12+ for lovers of fashion, bubble baths, and being themselves in a chic stylish way!
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Stockpile in Tabletop Games
Apr 9, 2018
Partial Knowledge in the situation (2 more)
Guessing other people's motives
Different traders have different powers.
Super Fun and Easy to be a day trader....
This is a really fun lightweight game, that has more depth and replayability than I first thought. I really enjoyed it every time I've played it so far (4 times) and look forward to owning it soon. I really like how distilled down the trading experience is. It's not over simplified, but really simplified to the right amount. Anyone can pick up and play this game. It takes the intimidation right out of it. plus the variable players that you can start the game with give you different powers and therefore change the strategy on how you play each game slightly. There is an expansion to the game I haven't tried yet but I expect it to be great as well.
Frecklesxoxo (6 KP) rated The Night Child in Books
Feb 27, 2019
I received an arc copy of this book for an open and honest review
I would have loved to give this book a 5 star rating as the whole story was so raw, so heartbreaking, so terribly sad that I truly wanted a happy ending, and I suppose hope and the knowledge that she has started to resolve her issues are a happy ending but I just wanted more from the ending. I couldn't put this book down, it gripped me, it was compelling. The writing was sound and the build up of the characters were great, apart from Paul - I just could not connect with him, but perhaps that was the point? For me the let down was the ending, what happened to Nora? Fiona? between Nora and John? It just seemed to leave a lot of loose ends! Other than that it was great!!!
I would have loved to give this book a 5 star rating as the whole story was so raw, so heartbreaking, so terribly sad that I truly wanted a happy ending, and I suppose hope and the knowledge that she has started to resolve her issues are a happy ending but I just wanted more from the ending. I couldn't put this book down, it gripped me, it was compelling. The writing was sound and the build up of the characters were great, apart from Paul - I just could not connect with him, but perhaps that was the point? For me the let down was the ending, what happened to Nora? Fiona? between Nora and John? It just seemed to leave a lot of loose ends! Other than that it was great!!!
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Big Game (2015) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
It’s been a long time since a simple action movie was just good fun, rather than being exasperatingly long, complex and full of mind-boggling CGI.
Big Game is the complete opposite of those things and much fresher because of it. With Samuel L Jackson’s trademark wit and brilliant comic timing, he plays President Bill Moore with fantastic energy, very much like he did in Matthew Vaughan’s Kingsman: The Secret Service earlier this year.
With a plot that doesn’t require any knowledge of prequels or sequels, this is pure popcorn entertainment and a brilliant way to spend an evening. Yes it’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination with a poor first third, but when the finale is this much fun, you’ll have too much of a good time to remember what came before it.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/05/10/incredibly-well-made-big-game-review/
Big Game is the complete opposite of those things and much fresher because of it. With Samuel L Jackson’s trademark wit and brilliant comic timing, he plays President Bill Moore with fantastic energy, very much like he did in Matthew Vaughan’s Kingsman: The Secret Service earlier this year.
With a plot that doesn’t require any knowledge of prequels or sequels, this is pure popcorn entertainment and a brilliant way to spend an evening. Yes it’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination with a poor first third, but when the finale is this much fun, you’ll have too much of a good time to remember what came before it.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/05/10/incredibly-well-made-big-game-review/
Ross (3284 KP) rated Of Gods and Men in Books
Jan 31, 2018
Enough hints to anticipate twists and reveals (1 more)
Short and concise
Fantastic taster of Aryan's writing and world
*** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
This novella serves as an excellent taster of Stephen Aryan's writing style and the world in which his other books take place. I haven't read any of his other work yet, but as this is a prequel I didn't feel I was missing out on any inside knowledge. If anything, this book serves as an expanded backstory to one of the main characters of the first series, Vargus.
I really enjoyed the entry into the world, Aryan's easy-flowing narrative and the short, concise self-contained story which contains some good, well described action scenes, good dialogue and hints at a larger world to be explored and does lead you to want to read more.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Quest for Earth in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I have really been on a sci-fi romance kick lately so I was looking forward to this story. It had its good points and bad points, While it was enjoyable, it wasnt perfect.
The bad is that it was a cliché stereotype of sci-fi romance that did not bring anything new to the table. I felt that the reader was thrown into the story with no prior knowledge of the world building, leaving the reader lost and frustrated. I felt the descriptions we were given werent relevant. I also loathe the idea of alpha males and their fated mates. I feel most authors use it as an excuse to force two characters together so that the eventually can stand each other.
The good is that there are strong female leads and, despite not having much background given, the worlds were pretty interesting.
The bad is that it was a cliché stereotype of sci-fi romance that did not bring anything new to the table. I felt that the reader was thrown into the story with no prior knowledge of the world building, leaving the reader lost and frustrated. I felt the descriptions we were given werent relevant. I also loathe the idea of alpha males and their fated mates. I feel most authors use it as an excuse to force two characters together so that the eventually can stand each other.
The good is that there are strong female leads and, despite not having much background given, the worlds were pretty interesting.
Autumn (3 KP) rated Breaking Beautiful in Books
Jan 19, 2018
this book wasn't what I was expecting. most YA novels aren't when I think about it. anyway, this was wonderful. I think of it as a story of a girl discovering who she is and what she needs.
thankfully I have about zero experience and only academic knowledge about abusive relationships. therefore my only complaint was that there was no explanation in how Allie got into this destructive relationship. from a moralistic standpoint this is probably one of the worst books to give a teenager in an abusive relationship. it demonstrates no means of prevention or plausible solutions of extracting oneself from such a situation. apparently your only means of escape are 1. getting the shit beat out of you until your partner thinks you're dead or 2. your partner dies. not terribly plausible.
points for self-actualization and having a character with CP; big WTF for not helping anyone.
thankfully I have about zero experience and only academic knowledge about abusive relationships. therefore my only complaint was that there was no explanation in how Allie got into this destructive relationship. from a moralistic standpoint this is probably one of the worst books to give a teenager in an abusive relationship. it demonstrates no means of prevention or plausible solutions of extracting oneself from such a situation. apparently your only means of escape are 1. getting the shit beat out of you until your partner thinks you're dead or 2. your partner dies. not terribly plausible.
points for self-actualization and having a character with CP; big WTF for not helping anyone.
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated 7 Wonders in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
High Player Count (3 more)
Card Drafting Stratagy
Building your engine
Artwork
Card Drafting and Civilization building at it's finest, with a large player count which is so hard to find.
love this game, plus it's 2 player version 7 Wonders Duel. it's a really great light to medium weight game about how you choose to build your civilization. You start with a wonder, which gives you a starting power/resource, then you build from there by adding card to your tableau which in turn gives you the ability to buy more things. you can build your military and bully your neighbors, or focus on knowledge, or make sure your civilization is rich with resources and money, and trade with your neighbors... Each thing you do builds up to doing more. Great Game especially showcases what modern games can do and still good for relative beginners to the Board game world.