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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Monopoly: The Walking Dead in Tabletop Games
Apr 4, 2018
I'll be honest, I'm a sucker for a themed version of Monopoly so a Walking Dead version really appealed. Although it's a good version, personally its not my favourite.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.
For starters, this is based on the original comics/graphic novels so there is quite a bit in this that won't be familiar to fans of the show (like me). It's not as easy to get into a themed game like this when you don't know everything about the subject. I also think that the themed items (money, properties and chance/community chest cards) are a little weak compared to other themed versions out there. Although this could just be because I'm not as big a fan of The Walking Dead as I thought! What I did love was the tokens, it's a little dark and disturbing to get to play as Lucille or a bucket of body parts.
The rest of the gameplay is standard Monopoly fare as expected, but maybe this is one made for die hard Walking Dead fans.

Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Forsaken (Shadow Cove Saga #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!

Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The 6th Extinction (Sigma Force, #10) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
I enjoyed the story and the exotic locations the story takes place across the globe from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, to the remote tepuis of Brazil, and all the way to Antarctica. It was a very fast-paced thriller, with less investigation and more diving-right-in-and-doing than some of the other books in this series. The returning characters from previous novels were a nice surprise, but I wont names in case you are a fan of the series and havent read this one yet. Jenna, Nikko, and Drake were nice additions to the team, and I wouldnt mind seeing them pop up again in future volumes. I do wish that Seichan had a bigger part in this one though.
As always with James Rollinss books, be sure to read / listen to the Notes to the Reader at the end of the novel. He always explains what out of the book is science, and what is fiction. In this novel particularly, that is the scariest part of all.
As always with James Rollinss books, be sure to read / listen to the Notes to the Reader at the end of the novel. He always explains what out of the book is science, and what is fiction. In this novel particularly, that is the scariest part of all.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Terror On Kamikaze Run (Accidental Detectives, #10) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When Ricky and his friends are offered a week at a ski resort in Colorado, it seems too good to pass up. They are supposed to be watching out for something odd that might be happening in the lodge, but they don’t know what might be wrong. Their first night there, a fire breaks out in the room where they are staying. Then they see the ghost of a woman who died in the area years ago. What is going on?
As readers, we get to strap in for another fun mystery. The plot is strong again, giving us twists and good clues before we reach the logical ending. The characters are so much fun and better than many we see in middle grade novels. Plus the humor sprinkled throughout adds a nice touch. There are some Christian themes woven into the novel as well, but all without preaching at us once.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-terror-on-kamikaze-run-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As readers, we get to strap in for another fun mystery. The plot is strong again, giving us twists and good clues before we reach the logical ending. The characters are so much fun and better than many we see in middle grade novels. Plus the humor sprinkled throughout adds a nice touch. There are some Christian themes woven into the novel as well, but all without preaching at us once.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-terror-on-kamikaze-run-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Gail (4 KP) rated Every Last Drop: A Vampire Anthology in Books
Jun 4, 2018
A collection of short stories involving vampires. Who doesn’t love vampires. These are the legitimate kind though so no sparkles. I enjoyed the twist in history. To give a reason for blood lust.
Natural Born Predators was awesome. The Beauty and The Beast with a vampire twist. Belle is no damsel in distress. She is a hard core vampire hunter. She is lethal and hot. Frey is a god with the power to control the weather around his castle. He imprisoned Bell's father for trespassing. What he wasn’t expecting was this beauty to come and calm his world. He knows he can’t change who Bell is but can he accept the thought of her always putting her life at risk.
All the stories were really good. It would be awesome to read full length novels of Fate and Fortune and Natural Born Predators. To get more details on the love stories and how the lives of the people effected turned out. To see that not all stories have a HEA.
Natural Born Predators was awesome. The Beauty and The Beast with a vampire twist. Belle is no damsel in distress. She is a hard core vampire hunter. She is lethal and hot. Frey is a god with the power to control the weather around his castle. He imprisoned Bell's father for trespassing. What he wasn’t expecting was this beauty to come and calm his world. He knows he can’t change who Bell is but can he accept the thought of her always putting her life at risk.
All the stories were really good. It would be awesome to read full length novels of Fate and Fortune and Natural Born Predators. To get more details on the love stories and how the lives of the people effected turned out. To see that not all stories have a HEA.

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Glitch (Glitch, #1) in Books
Jun 6, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!! I was a bit scared thinking I wouldn't like it based on the majority of reviews, but I loved it!
It does start off a bit slow. I was about halfway through it before it started picking up. After that, it was hard to put down!
I love dystopian novels. (Brave New World being my favourite). This one didn't disappoint me either.
I could actually imagine something like this happening in the future. It's quite scary to think about.
I loved the characters of Zoe and Adrien. They are so cute together!!
However, I couldn't stand Max! I was secretly hoping throughout the book that he'd be killed off.
The one thing that really annoyed me about this book was the made up swear words. I understand that it's in the future, but still...surely they could've just been left out. Eventually, about 75% through the book, I just got used to it.
I would definitely recommend this book. I thought it was fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
It does start off a bit slow. I was about halfway through it before it started picking up. After that, it was hard to put down!
I love dystopian novels. (Brave New World being my favourite). This one didn't disappoint me either.
I could actually imagine something like this happening in the future. It's quite scary to think about.
I loved the characters of Zoe and Adrien. They are so cute together!!
However, I couldn't stand Max! I was secretly hoping throughout the book that he'd be killed off.
The one thing that really annoyed me about this book was the made up swear words. I understand that it's in the future, but still...surely they could've just been left out. Eventually, about 75% through the book, I just got used to it.
I would definitely recommend this book. I thought it was fantastic! I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
Funny and pretty realistic
I'm not really one for romantic novels, even funny, modern ones like this - mainly because they're ridiculously predictable. Mad Love does fall into this category, but it gets away with it because it's so realistic and funny to go along with it.
The two main characters Adam and Jess are endearing and flawed, they're not perfect. Reading about their impromptu marriage from both side is both humorous and very true. Anyone who's had an argument or gotten in a huff with a loved one will surely recognise a lot of this book. It's full of pop culture too and very modern, with its take on dating websites and reality stars. Of course this has already been done on a tv show, but its still an interesting read.
The one thing it's lacking is a little bit of sentimentality and heart warming emotions. It gets there towards the end, but its a long time coming and I could feel myself getting very frustrated at how situations turned out.
But still, it's a very fun, quick and entertaining read.
The two main characters Adam and Jess are endearing and flawed, they're not perfect. Reading about their impromptu marriage from both side is both humorous and very true. Anyone who's had an argument or gotten in a huff with a loved one will surely recognise a lot of this book. It's full of pop culture too and very modern, with its take on dating websites and reality stars. Of course this has already been done on a tv show, but its still an interesting read.
The one thing it's lacking is a little bit of sentimentality and heart warming emotions. It gets there towards the end, but its a long time coming and I could feel myself getting very frustrated at how situations turned out.
But still, it's a very fun, quick and entertaining read.

Charlotte (0 KP) rated The Mortal Instruments 1: City of Bones in Books
Nov 2, 2018
Sets up the rest of the series (2 more)
The brother-sister plot line (spoilers as for why in review)
The fantasy world Clare creates
Contains spoilers, click to show
I love this book (currently reading book 5 of the series) because of the world that Clare relates. Whilst it contains the fantasy ideas expressed in different novels; it brings them all together in a unique and interesting way. Controversially, I enjoy the brother-sister plot line the novel introduces to the budding romance of Clary and Jace; it means that we are not reading the same cliche teen romance. People think it is weird but SPOILER ALERT they are not actually brother and sister but allows character progression and other storylines to happen. This allows the romance to occur naturally and when we can see that the feelings are genuine and true. Overall, Clare has produced a great novel to begin her series and leaves reader wanting to know more and delve deeper into the Shadowhunter world.

FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated Virgil Wander in Books
Nov 21, 2018
Like a warm quilt on a cold day, in "Virgil Wander," Leif Enger wraps up his reader in evocative language that makes them want to pull the book closer and hold tight for this imaginative tale.
Narrated by the well-liked eponymous film projectionist who finds himself still getting his bearings and memory back after his car soars into Lake Superior during a snowfall, as Virgil navigates his small town with new perspective, we get acquainted with the equally affable, unique characters who inhabit the “cursed” town of Greenstone, Minnesota.
A seemingly straightforward journey made all the more enchanting by the author's magnetic prose, “Virgil Wander” is stunning not only in its simplicity but by how masterfully Enger builds a strong foundation of characters you can relate to before seasoning his story with elements of Norwegian myth and fisherman's tall tales, which in his hands become Minnesota magic.
A highly recommended chronicle of small town life with much more on its mind, this gorgeously penned sleeper is one of my favorite novels of 2018.
Narrated by the well-liked eponymous film projectionist who finds himself still getting his bearings and memory back after his car soars into Lake Superior during a snowfall, as Virgil navigates his small town with new perspective, we get acquainted with the equally affable, unique characters who inhabit the “cursed” town of Greenstone, Minnesota.
A seemingly straightforward journey made all the more enchanting by the author's magnetic prose, “Virgil Wander” is stunning not only in its simplicity but by how masterfully Enger builds a strong foundation of characters you can relate to before seasoning his story with elements of Norwegian myth and fisherman's tall tales, which in his hands become Minnesota magic.
A highly recommended chronicle of small town life with much more on its mind, this gorgeously penned sleeper is one of my favorite novels of 2018.

Caitlin Ann Cherniak (85 KP) rated Like Vanessa in Books
Nov 28, 2018
From Goodreads: 13-year-old girl from the '80s sees the first black woman win Miss America, which inspires her middle school to throw a pageant to boost moral. What could possibly go wrong?
Normally, I would say everything.
This book, nothing went wrong. In fact, Tami Charles did everything right.
You get an interesting main character. You have her going through real problems. You have this story take a look at a real problem with young black girls when it comes to what level of black skin is beautiful. You have major plot twists at every turn (And I don't take that sentence lightly.) And I actually don't hate the parental character this time (Because seriously, a lot of them try to make these characters awful for no reason at all). And you have the main character drop their walls to tell their vulnerable story to the audience.
In short, I love this book. One of the best middle grade and young adult novels I have ever read.
Normally, I would say everything.
This book, nothing went wrong. In fact, Tami Charles did everything right.
You get an interesting main character. You have her going through real problems. You have this story take a look at a real problem with young black girls when it comes to what level of black skin is beautiful. You have major plot twists at every turn (And I don't take that sentence lightly.) And I actually don't hate the parental character this time (Because seriously, a lot of them try to make these characters awful for no reason at all). And you have the main character drop their walls to tell their vulnerable story to the audience.
In short, I love this book. One of the best middle grade and young adult novels I have ever read.