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The Queen of Swords
The Queen of Swords
R.S. Belcher | 2017 | Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Maude and the Daughters of Lilith (1 more)
Characters
graphic violence (0 more)
This book is full of strong women and great supporting characters. I hope this isn't the last book of the series but if it is I'm ok with it.
This follows most of the format of the previous two book in that it is multiple points of view. There is information about the Daughters of Lilith and a bit of time travel back and forth between Maude and Anne Bonny the Pirate Queen. It also goes out side of Golgotha and into the wide world, Maude's daughter, Constance, is taken from Golgotha by her grandfather and then kidnapped.
Maude is a mom who won't let anything or anyone get in the way of her finding her daughter and woe to any who get in her way
  
Finding 'Ohana (2021)
Finding 'Ohana (2021)
2021 | Adventure, Family
9
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters (3 more)
Story
Plot
A familiar feeling
Some of the acting (0 more)
The......Goonies???
Contains spoilers, click to show
In a very Goonies style plot., light bulbs are lit in this heartfelt story about family and friendship.
Having basically recreated the main characters from the classic Goonies movie and reduced the number to 4 and exact key points used, it doesn't devalue it's predecessor but in fact shows homage to it in cheerful nods, colourful acting, and an understanding of what family means.

Finding ohana is a warm hearted family adventure I welcome with open arms.


Plot-
Finding Ohana is atory about family, set in Oahu, two city-raised siblings embark on an adventure after obtaining a journal pointing to long-lost treasure with new friends and pirate treasure leads them to reconnect with their Hawaiian heritage and save their families Home.
  
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Also known as "Salazar's Revenge" (instead of "Dead Men Tell No Tales") in certain circles - I think maybe Dead Men is the American subtitle? - this is the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film, with Johnny Depp again reprising what is (for me) his most iconic role of the Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow.

This ties itself closer to the original trilogy than the last entry ("On Stranger Tides"), with the return of certain key characters from that trilogy 'bookending' the plot, and with a close familial tie to one of the key characters of this.

Indeed, we're also back to basics with the plot of a supernatural threat to Sparrow, and of his wish to reclaim the captaincy of the Black Pearl (his ship), ALONGSIDE the return of Captain Barbossa (yet again)...
  
Jamaica
Jamaica
2007 | Nautical, Pirates, Racing, Transportation
I have said before on several reviews that I just love the pirate theme in board games. I don’t really know why, exactly, but most piratey games just click with me. Is it the doubloons? Is it the booty? Yes, it’s probably everything. This time, however, the game is a race around the island, and it will do you well to get past the starting line.


Jamaica a dice-chucking, simultaneous action, hand management racing game set in the year 1708. Player assume the roles of pirate captains and crew traveling around the island of Jamaica deciding the best courses to take and the greatest booty to plunder and bring back across the finish line.
To setup, place the main board in the center of the table. Each player chooses a pirate captain and receives all components of that color. In addition each pirate will receive 3 doubloons, 3 food tokens, and 3 cards drawn to begin their journey. Consult the rulebook to setup the rest of the components, give the starting player the token and dice and the game may begin!

On a turn the starting player will roll the two action dice and places one on the morning action space and one on the evening action space. Each player then chooses a card from their hand of three to play. Once the starting player plays and resolves their card, each other player will do the same. Whatever number is on the morning action die corresponds to the resource or movement amount to be placed in hold or moved on the board. For example, if the dice values are 4 and 3 for morning and evening, respectively, then the players will gain 4 of whatever resource or movement is shown on the left side of their card and 3 of whatever is shown on the right side of their card. There are special rules for placing resources in holds and for landing on certain spots on the game board, which I will have you discover when you play your first game.

On occasion pirates will end their movement on a space already containing another pirate’s shipeeple and, as is customary, a battle ensues. This involves both players choosing the amount of gunpowder (resource) they wish to add to the roll of a combat die. For example, if Laura attacks Josh at the starting line (because one had moved backward and then forward again) and dedicates three gunpowder to the combat and rolls a 4 on the combat die her total is seven. Josh then dedicates his five gunpowder to the combat and rolls a 5 as well for a total of 10. Josh wins and can steal items in one hold space on her ship, steal a treasure card earned at pirate lairs, or give a cursed treasure card to Laura.


Play continues in this fashion until one player crosses the finish line at Port Royal. The round finishes and then players tally points. Points are earned for board space number where their shipeeple finished, doubloons in holds, and positive VP treasure cards. If any cursed treasures are held they are negative VP cards and will be deducted from the player’s total score. The player with the most VP at the end of the game is the winner of the race and thus has bragging rights until the next annual race is held.
Components. The components in Jamaica are stellar, and the art is incredible. Every single component in the box is just wonderful to behold and to handle during play. I especially enjoy the art style employed, even down to the graphic design of the rulebook. Every piece seems to have love and affection poured into them and that is partly why Jamaica is so highly regarded among many (currently ranked 494 on BGG in February 2021).

Another reason pirates dig this (haha see what I did there with the digging as if referencing the hiding of booty… nevermind) is because the gameplay is so smooth and enjoyable. Yes, I have been witness to a game where two players made it not three spaces from the start when the game ended. It was ridiculous and unforgettable. Yes, there are points in the game where you MUST travel backward in order to continue forward in the game. Yes, much of what happens in the game is a result of dice rolls, but choosing the best cards to use in order to maximize the dice results is the crux of the game. No pirates have special abilities, so it is an even playing field, and I love that.

The game is absolutely stunning on the table, easy to pick up and play, and offers so many wonderful memories to be made each time you play. Purple Phoenix Games emphatically gives this one a booty-ful 19 / 24. If you are looking for that niche pirate-themed racing game with treasure stealing and dice rolling, this is it. I have found the perfect game for that slot in your collection. If you are looking for a fun racing game that also includes battles and possibilities of incremental progression, this is it. I can’t speak highly enough about Jamaica, and the only reason it scores a 5 for me instead of a 6 is because I simply cannot play it enough to increase its score. It hits all the buttons for me, but I fear it does not have the wider interest in my group to reach my Top 10.