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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated IA: Union (IA #3) in Books

Nov 15, 2019

IA: Union (IA #3)

John Darryl Winston | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

With great power comes great responsibility. That's particularly true of Naz, a boy who has been given amazing mental and physical abilities thanks the the unorthodox, controversial and groundbreaking training given by his genius father.

Initially keen to use his powers to find and punish those responsible for his sister's death, he soon doubts both his motives and abilities. Together with his best friend Harvis they plot to be removed from the prestigious International Academy and return to their former friends - and enemies - at Union High School in the Exclave.

Things start to settle down for both of them and Naz is able to rekindle his relationship with the equally mysterious D, but just as daily life starts to get comfortable, his world is turned upside down, his abilities making him, and those around him, the subject of unwanted attention. Despite his reluctance he must face danger and use his powers to save them.

There are so many good things about not only this third instalment of the IA series but the series as a whole. The first is Naz, a very well developed character who is believable despite his incredible powers. His very human self-doubt and reluctance to be anything other than just one of the crowd make him a very interesting hero. In this book in particular it is up to others like Harvis or D to actually persuade him that he needs to do the right thing and help him along.

The school setting is also a very big plus, with all of the good and bad parts of school life present. The first half of the book spends time building up the description of Union as well as showing at, at the end of the day, Naz is just a teenage boy with all of the troubles and insecurities that can bring.

What is impressive is that even here in the third book both the reader and Naz are still discovering exactly what his abilities and past mean. Like a carefully constructed onion each book has removed layer after layer, revealing conspiracies and conflicting motives of those around Naz.

Each book goes from strength to strength (as does Naz). There really aren't many 'young adult' books that engage and involve as well as the IA series. It is something very special indeed.

Kudos

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Games and Entertainment

9.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

App

Build an epic roster of DC super heroes and villains and get ready for battle! INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG...

tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Invincible, Vol 1: Family Matters in Books

Aug 2, 2017

Invincible, Vol 1: Family Matters

Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker (Art) | 2006 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Science Fiction/Fantasy

7.7

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

This was a reread for me, but it had been awhile since I'd read this and the mood struck me. I enjoyed this just as much this time as I had the first time around. I've tried Kirkman's other works, The Walking Dead, Outcast, and Haunt and they all fell flat for me, and to be honest, I'd forgotten that Kirkman had written this too, so I guess it's just his horror titles that I don't like. I thoroughly enjoy the family dynamic in Invincible, with Markus Grayson and his mom, Deborah, fully embracing knowing his dad, Nolan, is the superhero Omni-Man. When Markus' powers manifest, he decides to join his dad in crime fighting as Invincible. I think I like Deborah most of all, as her matter of fact acceptance of the danger her husband and son face on a daily basis hides the concern she actual feels for her family.

This is a quick introduction to the core and supporting cast, and the actual superhero aspect of the story is really just the backdrop to Markus' family and him discovering his powers and how he is learning to balance them with high school. I really liked the minimal line art and color palette used; it's marks a stark contrast from other superhero books and their hyper detail and layered color effects, which I think is the point. This book is a superhero book, but it's different from the rest. I'll definitely be continuing with this series.

Kudos

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Toki Tori in Video Games

Jun 19, 2019

Toki Tori

Platform

7.3

(3 Ratings)

Video Game Rating

The egg collecting puzzle game Toki Tori has arrived for the Nintendo Switch at a very attractive price of $4.99. The side scrolling classics tasks players with navigating a series of tropical themed levels. With over 80 levels and 5 settings players will have plenty to keep them busy.

The title character does possess some challenges as he cannot even jump but must use skills to get about such as Telewarp, Freeze –o-Matic, and InstantRock.

An example of this is using your powers to get a crab to move a box so that you can access an area that you would otherwise jump to if you were able to jump. Or there is using powers to draw in prey for a Frog so you can then enter his burb bubble and use it to float to a higher level.

Players can also freeze time and skip a level if the challenge becomes too great.

The game has bright and engaging graphics and runs at 60FPS and also offers HD Rumble and Video Capture support.

The game does offer some real challenges as aside from puzzle solving, players must think outside the box as a generation raised on jumping from one objective to another will find a bit of a learning curve to navigate. That being said, the game is fun and you cannot beat the price so if you want a nice mix of casual nostalgia and fun gaming for the entire family, then check this game out.

http://sknr.net/2018/03/30/92614/