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Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Legendary: Caraval Book 2 in Books
Apr 21, 2019
Nice follow up
This is the second book in the Caraval series, and its told from Tella's point of view. Tella is a lot different from Scarlett. She is reckless, bold, and more willing to take risks. This made her a more interesting character than Scarlett, however sometimes her actions were flat out stupid. I think at times her reckless personality is just an excuse to justify bad decisions.
I also didn't like how little Scarlett is actually in this book. A lot of things were going on that she could have helped with, but instead she was reduced to an unimportant side character.
Despite this I did really enjoy the book, and I am looking forward to the next one. I hope both of the sisters play a large role in the story going forward.
I also didn't like how little Scarlett is actually in this book. A lot of things were going on that she could have helped with, but instead she was reduced to an unimportant side character.
Despite this I did really enjoy the book, and I am looking forward to the next one. I hope both of the sisters play a large role in the story going forward.
Stampy ;) (90 KP) rated Labyrinth: The Card Game in Tabletop Games
Apr 28, 2019
Can easily fit in your bag to play wherever you go (2 more)
True to the original board game
Simple rules but every game is different
Labyrinth- without the board in a nice little travel box
A fun and simple game with familiar square maze tiles. This edition is slightly different to the board edition with you placing tiles, creating your own maze and trying to create a path to another or many objects that match the tile you have just placed. Work your way through the deck and try to earn yourself as many tiles as you can to win the game. The game doesn't quite meet brilliance of the board edition but is still a great addition to the Labyrinth family. Perfect for people always on the move or travelling.
Peter Shephard (2821 KP) rated Google Home Mini Smart Speaker in Tech
May 28, 2019
Fun and useful
We've had the Mini speaker for about 18 months, with a Google music pass. It's been a great addition, and has been really useful for small-to-medium parties (say up to 10 people) as a good background music player, or for smaller parties as the main music.
Being able to link your phone to Broadcast is nice, and sometimes a great way to get the kids to actually listen when it's time for bed! Also, being able to control the song and volume from the phone app is very useful.
We have tried it a couple of times, but there are also games and really cringeworthy dad-jokes abound.
It would be great if the games were a little more interactive, but that would obviously be something for the future development.
Being able to link your phone to Broadcast is nice, and sometimes a great way to get the kids to actually listen when it's time for bed! Also, being able to control the song and volume from the phone app is very useful.
We have tried it a couple of times, but there are also games and really cringeworthy dad-jokes abound.
It would be great if the games were a little more interactive, but that would obviously be something for the future development.
When Briar Rose kidnaps Prince Liam to force their marriage, the League of Princes ride to his rescue. However, things go horribly wrong, and they find themselves on a new mission – this time for the very spoiled Briar Rose herself. But what is this princess really after?
I shouldn’t have waited so long before reading this sequel. It’s as delightful as the first one. I laughed the entire way through while enjoying how the characters continue to grow and evolve. The plot takes some nice twists along the way to a satisfying conclusion. This book also sets up some interesting possibilities for the climax of the series, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-heros-guide-to-storming.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
I shouldn’t have waited so long before reading this sequel. It’s as delightful as the first one. I laughed the entire way through while enjoying how the characters continue to grow and evolve. The plot takes some nice twists along the way to a satisfying conclusion. This book also sets up some interesting possibilities for the climax of the series, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-heros-guide-to-storming.html">Carstairs Considers</a>
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Nun Too Soon (Giulia Driscoll #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Driscoll Investigations already has a full plate when Giulia is offered the case of the Silk Tie Killer. Roger Fitch, the accused, maintains that he is innocent of killing his girlfriend, and Giulia has a hard time walking away from an underdog. Is he truly innocent? There are certainly enough suspects, but can she figure it out?
I absolutely loved this book! Giulia and the other series regulars are a complete delight, and their teasing and bantered kept me grinning and smiling. The case has some nice twists, and the suspects were memorable no matter how much page time they had. This book tends toward the darker end of the cozy spectrum, but it was completely enjoyable.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-nun-too-soon-by-alice.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I absolutely loved this book! Giulia and the other series regulars are a complete delight, and their teasing and bantered kept me grinning and smiling. The case has some nice twists, and the suspects were memorable no matter how much page time they had. This book tends toward the darker end of the cozy spectrum, but it was completely enjoyable.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-review-nun-too-soon-by-alice.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nick and Tesla have decided it is time to learn the truth about where their parents are and what they are working on. When two government agents admit the twin’s parents are missing, they start to look for clues the agents have missed. Will they find the clues to save the day?
I was so glad to see that this on-going mystery was the focus of this book, and it’s nice to get some answers about what has been happening. The characters are good for a middle grade series, although one does seem very over the top. Still, this is a climax that series fans will appreciate.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-nick-and-teslas-solar.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was so glad to see that this on-going mystery was the focus of this book, and it’s nice to get some answers about what has been happening. The characters are good for a middle grade series, although one does seem very over the top. Still, this is a climax that series fans will appreciate.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-nick-and-teslas-solar.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Delivering the Truth (Quaker Midwife Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Rose Carroll is a Quaker Midwife in Amesbury, Massachusetts, in 1888. The small town is usually quiet until a fire destroys some of the factories in town, killing employees. Rumors circulate that it was caused by arson. Will her connections in town help Rose figure out what is happening?
This is a good series debut. I had a little trouble keeping track of the characters at the beginning, but I quickly got them all straight, and I grew to care for them by the end. The plot is good with some nice complications and a creative climax. I’m looking forward to visiting Rose again in more books.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-delivering-truth-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a good series debut. I had a little trouble keeping track of the characters at the beginning, but I quickly got them all straight, and I grew to care for them by the end. The plot is good with some nice complications and a creative climax. I’m looking forward to visiting Rose again in more books.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-delivering-truth-by-edith.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Scene of the Climb (Pacific Northwest Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg Reed has finally landed her first post college job. Unfortunately, it’s at an outdoor magazine, and Meg is not an outdoor kind of person. Still, she bravely faces her fear of heights to cover the final leg in a cross country reality TV show competition. But when she witnesses one of the contestants plunge to his death, Meg realizes she might be in over her head.
Meg is a great main character, and I loved spending time with her. The rest of the cast is equally as strong. The pacing was off in the plot a bit, but everything does come together for a nice climax. I will definitely be back for more.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-scene-of-climb-by-kate-dyer.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Meg is a great main character, and I loved spending time with her. The rest of the cast is equally as strong. The pacing was off in the plot a bit, but everything does come together for a nice climax. I will definitely be back for more.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-scene-of-climb-by-kate-dyer.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Waiting is Not Easy! (Elephant & Piggie, #22) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he’s going to have to wait to see what it is. The problem is, he really has to wait, and he’s not very patient. Will the surprise be worth the wait? Can Gerald hold out long enough to find out?
As always, the lesson (that good things come to those who wait) is illustrated with great humor and fun. The dialogue and illustrations are clever and fun, and kids and their parents will be entertained. It would have been nice if Gerald and Piggie distracted themselves to try to make the time go faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. Really, that’s my only complaint in this fun picture book.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-waiting-is-not-easy-by-mo.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, the lesson (that good things come to those who wait) is illustrated with great humor and fun. The dialogue and illustrations are clever and fun, and kids and their parents will be entertained. It would have been nice if Gerald and Piggie distracted themselves to try to make the time go faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. Really, that’s my only complaint in this fun picture book.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-waiting-is-not-easy-by-mo.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Ross (3282 KP) rated Quantum Leap in TV
Feb 14, 2018
Possibly the best TV show ever
Technically sci-fi (Sam is sent back through time into the body of people whose lives went wrong to try and stop certain events from happening) but each episode was a mini-drama in itself with a sci-fi overlay. Whether Sam became a pregnant woman, a struggling aging baseball player or a young man with down's syndrome, Scott Bakula's character had to work out who they were (starting with the standard "Oh boy" in the mirror), and with the help of his hologram assistant Al (Dean Stockwell) what events they would be trying to avoid. Once the task was complete, Sam would "leap" out, each time hoping the next leap would be the leap home.
Truly brilliant and I have nice warm fuzzy memories of watching with my family throughout the early 90s.
Truly brilliant and I have nice warm fuzzy memories of watching with my family throughout the early 90s.