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Ross (3284 KP) rated Heirs of the Blade in Books
Sep 13, 2017
For me this was the standout book of the whole series. It could be that there was more action and mysticism involved (more akin to your common sword and sorcery) or just that it was more self-contained. Tynisa journeys to the Commonweal to ease her conscience and tell of Prince Salme's death and becomes embroiled in his family's battles with other families and royalty. Overall, the book doesn't add a great deal to the series' storyline, other than having the space to explore Tisamon's needs from beyond the grave and Che and the Empress' link and abilities developing.
An excellent piece of fantasy fiction and the best of the whole series.
This marks something of an end to the second phase of the series in my view, the journey from here on being focused on the end-game.
An excellent piece of fantasy fiction and the best of the whole series.
This marks something of an end to the second phase of the series in my view, the journey from here on being focused on the end-game.
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The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Jamaica in Tabletop Games
May 7, 2018
Easy to Learn (4 more)
Simultaneous Movement Selection based on cards in hand
It's a racing game where you fight when you land on the same space
The Art.
The theme is rich and evocative.
Amazing Gateway Game, Easy to Learn, Beautiful, Fun Theme, light strategy.
Although this game can have frustrating moments, it's a really fun light game for kids. the light choices of going around the outside for more treasure, or the inside for more speed, and the idea of rolling the dice first and then choosing how to use them based entirely on the cards you have in hand, provides a touch of strategy, but not enough for A.P.
For heavier gamers who like complexity, this is way too light. But the art is gorgeous and fun.
For heavier gamers who like complexity, this is way too light. But the art is gorgeous and fun.
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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Body Stealers (Invasion of the Body Stealers) (1969) in Movies
Mar 16, 2019 (Updated Mar 16, 2019)
British sci-fi emanating from a weird dimension deep below the bottom of the barrel. When parachutists start vanishing into thin air mid-drop, the authorities call in rugged investigator and borderline sex pest Bob Megan (Patrick Allen). It turns out aliens from Outer Space are responsible!
One of those films where you quickly become pleasantly surprised when something isn't cheesy, inept, or horribly inappropriate; the kind of movie which gives science fiction a bad name (fans of the genre will doubtless recognise the alien spaceship from a more prominent appearance in another film). Various fairly capable actors find themselves adrift in a sea of uproarious nonsense; Neil Connery proves once again that, limited though his range may be, big brother Sean got all the acting ability in the family. Kind of fun to watch if you like bad movies.
One of those films where you quickly become pleasantly surprised when something isn't cheesy, inept, or horribly inappropriate; the kind of movie which gives science fiction a bad name (fans of the genre will doubtless recognise the alien spaceship from a more prominent appearance in another film). Various fairly capable actors find themselves adrift in a sea of uproarious nonsense; Neil Connery proves once again that, limited though his range may be, big brother Sean got all the acting ability in the family. Kind of fun to watch if you like bad movies.
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Battlestar Galactica (1978) in Movies
Mar 17, 2019 (Updated Mar 17, 2019)
Theatrical version of the pilot episode of Glen A Larson's Mormons-in-space Star Wars knock-off (Lucas sued). Somewhere 'beyond the heavens' the Twelve Colonies of Man are betrayed to the evil Cylons; leader Adama (Lorne Greene) must get his Charlton Heston freak on and lead the survivors to the Promised Land (i.e., Earth).
Looks great for the first ten minutes, until it becomes apparent that they only have about three minutes of special effects which are going to be endlessly recycled. The actual story weaves between the tone of a cod-biblical epic and a fairly cheesy soap, but not unengagingly. The fact this is made up of about three different episodes stitched together is obvious, though. It's all kind of clumsy, but still oddly charismatic and enjoyable; more fun than the version with Bob Dylan.
Looks great for the first ten minutes, until it becomes apparent that they only have about three minutes of special effects which are going to be endlessly recycled. The actual story weaves between the tone of a cod-biblical epic and a fairly cheesy soap, but not unengagingly. The fact this is made up of about three different episodes stitched together is obvious, though. It's all kind of clumsy, but still oddly charismatic and enjoyable; more fun than the version with Bob Dylan.
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BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated DC'S Legends of Tomorrow - Season 1 in TV
Apr 24, 2019
Leftover Misfits stumbling around in a time machine.
The first season had a lot of problems for me the whole show just felt like leftovers that no one wanted from other shows blended together with Doctor Who references.
It's like they didn't know what to do with anyone and the group chemistry was rocky at best. But I'm a sucker for time travel abd super hero shows so I tuned in every week especially since I knew they were going to have tie in episodes with Arrow and The Flash and at the time I watched both shows regularly.
My main problem with the show is you can tell that they wanted to get to certain events but didn't really know how to get there so they had the group kind of stumbled around a space ship.
It's like they didn't know what to do with anyone and the group chemistry was rocky at best. But I'm a sucker for time travel abd super hero shows so I tuned in every week especially since I knew they were going to have tie in episodes with Arrow and The Flash and at the time I watched both shows regularly.
My main problem with the show is you can tell that they wanted to get to certain events but didn't really know how to get there so they had the group kind of stumbled around a space ship.
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Red Otter (340 KP) rated 7 Wonders in Tabletop Games
Jun 7, 2019
7 Wonders is one of my go-to games for larger groups. Capable of handling up to 7 players, it's both strategic and a good casual game. As the game that brought drafting as the primary game mechanic into the forefront of tabletop gaming, it still remains on the top of the list. It does take a game for a new player to understand what they need to prioritize and need to keep an eye out of cards, but once they make it through a round, they'll be enjoying it in no time. Quick gameplay with lots of decision space allows for a fulfilling game that you can look back on and realize oh I should have done this!. There are issues with a lack of player interaction with people not next to you, but expansions do offer solutions to that.
Commander Toad and the crew of the Space Warts have been sent to a planet full of spies to retrieve Agent 007 1/2. Their advantage is that this spy is Commander Toad’s cousin. The disadvantage is that he is also a master of disguise. Sure enough, soon after landing they meet several spies who could all be the agent. Can they figure out which one he is?
This is another fun adventures with Commander Toad and his crew. The book is very well done with a plot even the target early readers should be able to follow as they logically solve the problem at hand. Throw in the best puns in the series to date and you have a real winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-commander-toad-and.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is another fun adventures with Commander Toad and his crew. The book is very well done with a plot even the target early readers should be able to follow as they logically solve the problem at hand. Throw in the best puns in the series to date and you have a real winner.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/11/book-review-commander-toad-and.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
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Hannah Gilpin (10 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of ARK Survival Evolved in Video Games
Aug 24, 2018
Graphics (3 more)
Selection of dinosaurs
Multiplayer
Ability to throw dodos
T-rexs jumping out of nowhere and killing you (1 more)
Any alpha dinosaur!
Both terrifying and good fun!
This game is so fun! Never did I ever think I'd be able to ride a raptor into a forest and come flying back out a minute later being chased by a t-rex! It's both exhilarating to finally escape the dinosaur that was after you and terrifying!
One tip for if you play this game, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE FOR YOUR BASE! I say this as it is very annoying to try and move all the dinosaurs you have tamed somewhere else!
The multiplayer is also very fun! The ability to build a little community with your friends then go out and find dinosaurs together is very fun!
One tip for if you play this game, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH SPACE FOR YOUR BASE! I say this as it is very annoying to try and move all the dinosaurs you have tamed somewhere else!
The multiplayer is also very fun! The ability to build a little community with your friends then go out and find dinosaurs together is very fun!
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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Drawing Lesson: A Graphic Novel That Teaches You How to Draw in Books
Jan 2, 2019
I was very impressed with this new approach to drawing lessons. Fresh and different there is a lot to learn. There are several "Chapters" touching on subjects such as: Shading, Using Negative Space, Checking Proportions, Simplifying Things, and more. Seeing the examples and poor David's frustration at constantly having to redraw lines, helps me feel a little more normal in my artwork. I love the interaction between teacher and student. David's eagerness to learn and study...And his teacher's guiding hand, bringing him back to earth. I recommend this book for those who have a basic concept of drawing, but would like to learn more. Have fun with it, and remember, art is NOT like math!
I received a free copy of The Drawing Lesson through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a free copy of The Drawing Lesson through Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
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David McK (3496 KP) rated Leviathan (The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, #5) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Book #5 in the 'Beyond the Frontier' sub-set of the 'The Lost Fleet' series of books (so book # 11 if read in order, or roughly #14 if you include 'The Lost Stars' spin-off series), in which 'Black Jack' Geary is in pursuit of rogue AI ships, created by how own government, which have since malfunctioned and attacked Alliance ships.
Unlike the previous in the series ([b: Steadfast|17230200|Steadfast (Spellcaster, #2)|Claudia Gray|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372091229s/17230200.jpg|23745045]), the majority of this is given over to (numerous) and relativistic space-time battles, instead of to the politicking of before. Perhaps too much so, however ...
(It's almost as if [a: Jack Campbell|55547|Jack Campbell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1302415236p2/55547.jpg] has over-compensated from what appears to be a common criticism of the previous)
Unlike the previous in the series ([b: Steadfast|17230200|Steadfast (Spellcaster, #2)|Claudia Gray|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372091229s/17230200.jpg|23745045]), the majority of this is given over to (numerous) and relativistic space-time battles, instead of to the politicking of before. Perhaps too much so, however ...
(It's almost as if [a: Jack Campbell|55547|Jack Campbell|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1302415236p2/55547.jpg] has over-compensated from what appears to be a common criticism of the previous)