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The Midnight Peacock: The Sinclair's Mysteries
9.0
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A fast-paced historical mystery adventure for readers aged 9+ years, with gorgeous Edwardian period...
young adult crime
tarabu42 (7 KP) rated The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Brutal World of Victorian Medicine in Books
Oct 29, 2017 (Updated Nov 2, 2017)
The Butchering Art (2017)
Another reviewer said of Dr. Fitzharris' work that its one failure was its accessible style. As far as I am concerned, that is only a fault in a work if its author wants to keep it out of the eyes, hands, and minds of the general public. Like some of the best historians and investigative journalists of decades gone by, Dr. Fitzharris approaches her subject with an open candor, accepting him warts and all, and laying out his life as it happened, her only agenda being the service of history.
This book will make every reader grateful for the medicine of the modern age and will make you pause as you remember the lives of those passed before us who made the accomplishments from which we benefit possible.
This book will make every reader grateful for the medicine of the modern age and will make you pause as you remember the lives of those passed before us who made the accomplishments from which we benefit possible.
Jenny Houle (24 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Jan 13, 2018
Probably the most useful app/website I use as an online book reviewer. Allows me to not only track my reading throughout the year, but also to divide it up so I can easily reference it. For example, if I've reviewed a book here, and on other sites as well, I can create a bookshelf for each website it's been reviewed on for quick reference.
The addition of the "Scan the book" feature last year (where it can quick scan the cover of a book and figure out which book it is) made adding books to my "to read" list whenever I'm at a bookstore or library beyond easy, and the ability to "reread books" has allowed me to keep a more accurate account of what I have read each year.
The giveaways are easier to find on the website than through the app itself, but they are awesome. Definitely a great way to get your hands on some free books if you're an avid reader on a tight budget, or if you like to read books before they come out.
The addition of the "Scan the book" feature last year (where it can quick scan the cover of a book and figure out which book it is) made adding books to my "to read" list whenever I'm at a bookstore or library beyond easy, and the ability to "reread books" has allowed me to keep a more accurate account of what I have read each year.
The giveaways are easier to find on the website than through the app itself, but they are awesome. Definitely a great way to get your hands on some free books if you're an avid reader on a tight budget, or if you like to read books before they come out.
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated As I Am in Books
Apr 24, 2018
3 good solid stars
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I thought I was getting over the first person/multi point of view thing, you know, but it appears that I still prefer to LISTEN to first person books than READ them.
That said, I enjoyed this, mostly. It's not a difficult, complicated read. It's quite emotional in places, Chase has to deal with the aftermath of his parents death, bringing up his younger brother in the best way he can. Noah is dealing with the aftermath of that too, but in a very different way. It's sexy in places, and inspiring in other, Chase's brother has a wise head on his 17 year shoulders.
It just didn't blow me away. It was a nice book, that is the best word I can come with, and ya'll know how much I hate using the N word!
It's told from both men's point of view, and the story flows well.
I just didn't love it.
3 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I thought I was getting over the first person/multi point of view thing, you know, but it appears that I still prefer to LISTEN to first person books than READ them.
That said, I enjoyed this, mostly. It's not a difficult, complicated read. It's quite emotional in places, Chase has to deal with the aftermath of his parents death, bringing up his younger brother in the best way he can. Noah is dealing with the aftermath of that too, but in a very different way. It's sexy in places, and inspiring in other, Chase's brother has a wise head on his 17 year shoulders.
It just didn't blow me away. It was a nice book, that is the best word I can come with, and ya'll know how much I hate using the N word!
It's told from both men's point of view, and the story flows well.
I just didn't love it.
3 good stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Spectre (Zoe Martinique #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Hmm. <i>Spectre</i> feels less like a sequel to <i>Wraith</i> than a chapter two, if that makes any sense. Both books are full-sized novels, but they're so closely related that book two wouldn't make any sense without having read book 1 (and the novella in between). Unfortunately, <i>Spectre</i> ends on a cliff-hanger. I hate that.
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
At least I know (from her blog) that Weldon is working on the third book. I can only hope that it comes out soon and wraps up all the loose threads without introducing new ones that aren't left hanging again.
I do have to agree with another GR reviewer who mentioned that the main character carries on more like a 13-year-old kid than a 28-year-old woman. I have to agree. I understand that losing one parent early might, for some people, to a closer relationship with the surviving parent—but give me a break! Zoë apparently needs to move across the country to learn to live without Mommy. Or maybe Mommy should move?
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Star Wars: Imperial Assault in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Star Wars: Imperial Assault: The Kotaku Review
Imperial Assault is a board game that was released in late 2014. I only got around to playing it over the weekend, and I already count those months between as wasted.
Having made a ton of money off their excellent X-Wing game before moving onto capital ship battles, Imperial Assault is Fantasy Flight’s shot at moving Star Wars into more traditional tabletop territory.
If you’ve ever played HeroQuest, Space Crusade or even XCOM, you’ll be familiar with the basics here: players take control of a character and take turns to move about a grid-based battlefield, using terrain as cover as they battle enemies and complete objectives.
It’s designed for 2-5 players, but shines brighter the closer you get to the latter. A single player—basically the dungeon master—takes control of all Imperial forces, while everyone else selects a single Rebel character, choosing from a stable of RPG class stalwarts (support, sniper, etc).
Reviewer: Luke Plunkett
Read the full review here: https://kotaku.com/star-wars-imperial-assault-the-kotaku-review-1734772222
Having made a ton of money off their excellent X-Wing game before moving onto capital ship battles, Imperial Assault is Fantasy Flight’s shot at moving Star Wars into more traditional tabletop territory.
If you’ve ever played HeroQuest, Space Crusade or even XCOM, you’ll be familiar with the basics here: players take control of a character and take turns to move about a grid-based battlefield, using terrain as cover as they battle enemies and complete objectives.
It’s designed for 2-5 players, but shines brighter the closer you get to the latter. A single player—basically the dungeon master—takes control of all Imperial forces, while everyone else selects a single Rebel character, choosing from a stable of RPG class stalwarts (support, sniper, etc).
Reviewer: Luke Plunkett
Read the full review here: https://kotaku.com/star-wars-imperial-assault-the-kotaku-review-1734772222
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Race for the Galaxy in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Race for the Galaxy Review
In Race for the Galaxy (which, along with San Juan, is the card game adaptation of Puerto Rico), each of the players controls his own intergalactic empire. In order to grow his empire, a player can explore (draw cards), develop new technologies, settle and conquer new worlds, consume goods, and produce new goods. Like in Puerto Rico, which actions are performed each round are based on which roles the players take. After the players choose roles, those roles are performed by all the players (with the person selecting the role getting a bonus). After all of the victory points have been collected, or (more likely) once a player has 12 cards in front of him, the game is over. At this point, each of the players adds up their total victory points from developments, worlds, and victory points earned through the course of the game, and the person with the most victory points wins.
Reviewer: Josh Edwards
Read the full review here: http://www.boardgamereviewsbyjosh.com/2011/02/race-for-galaxy-review.html
Reviewer: Josh Edwards
Read the full review here: http://www.boardgamereviewsbyjosh.com/2011/02/race-for-galaxy-review.html
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Santorini in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Santorini rocks as a 2-player board game!
Many years ago I was lucky enough to have my wife come along with me on a business trip to Greece. It was the first time either of us had been to Greece and we looked forward to seeing many sites over a few extra days after the business event ended.
One of the things we really wanted to do was to visit one of the Greek Isles. At the top of my list was Santorini
Unfortunately, with the limited time we had, we could only make it to one island — Mykonos. Don’t get me wrong, we loved visiting Mykonos. I just wish we could have seen more. And ever since then I’ve longed for a visit to Santorini.
Well, playing the Santorini board game by Roxley Game Laboratory has only whetted my appetite to visit the popular Greek Isle even more!
I’ll tell you straight out that the game is fantastic!
Reviewer: Trent
See the full review here: http://www.theboardgamefamily.com/2017/04/santorini-board-game-review/
One of the things we really wanted to do was to visit one of the Greek Isles. At the top of my list was Santorini
Unfortunately, with the limited time we had, we could only make it to one island — Mykonos. Don’t get me wrong, we loved visiting Mykonos. I just wish we could have seen more. And ever since then I’ve longed for a visit to Santorini.
Well, playing the Santorini board game by Roxley Game Laboratory has only whetted my appetite to visit the popular Greek Isle even more!
I’ll tell you straight out that the game is fantastic!
Reviewer: Trent
See the full review here: http://www.theboardgamefamily.com/2017/04/santorini-board-game-review/
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Xia: Legends of a Drift System in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
So Much Sand in Space
A board game billing itself as a ‘sandbox’ is always going to be a little bit clunky, and Xia Legends of a Drift System is no exception. There are plenty of different systems for new players to learn and you will have to be patient when teaching the game. Xia Legend sof a Drift System isn’t particularly heavy, but there are many moving parts. A smarter person than me might have been able to figure out a way of sanding down Xia’s rough edges to make a more elegant experience, but I can’t honestly recommend better ways to implement its systems.
Ultimately, Xia’s dice rolling and the inherent meanness of blowing up your rivals and disrupting their turns, will be deal breakers for some. But if you invite people into your sandbox that won’t take themselves too seriously, there are plenty of toys to go around. I highly recommend you pick up Xia Legends of a Drift System.
Original Score: 4.4/5
Reviewer: John Severn
Read the full review here: https://www.gamesquest.co.uk/blog/xialegendsofadriftsystem/
Ultimately, Xia’s dice rolling and the inherent meanness of blowing up your rivals and disrupting their turns, will be deal breakers for some. But if you invite people into your sandbox that won’t take themselves too seriously, there are plenty of toys to go around. I highly recommend you pick up Xia Legends of a Drift System.
Original Score: 4.4/5
Reviewer: John Severn
Read the full review here: https://www.gamesquest.co.uk/blog/xialegendsofadriftsystem/
The Silver Spoon: Memoir of a Boyhood in Japan
Book
Perhaps the most admired childhood memoir ever written in Japan, The Silver Spoon is a sharp...