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Elmo Loves You!
Book and Education
6.0
Rate It
App
This is a storybook and early-learning reading app, which will help teach your child about love and...
Ross (3284 KP) rated Stormblood in Books
Jul 14, 2020
Fairly mediocre sci-fi
I received an advance copy of this book from the publishers and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Stormblood is set in a world where the human race has agreed terms with numerous alien races and Harmony governs the included races (the Common). Vakov Fukasawa (a character whose name is more fun to say than he is to read about) is a retired Reaper - that is, he was injected with alien DNA which gave him the rage and healing powers needed to become a super-soldier in the earlier Reaper Wars. He is hired to investigate reports of attacks on or attacks by his former colleagues, as reports of them "bluing-out" and dealing out devastation are mounting. This may well involve him being pitted against his younger brother who feels Vakov abandoned him to their cruel father.
Throughout the book, the story is told purely by telling the reader. Fukasawa finds himself in an extreme situation, having thrown himself in recklessly, and is almost always captured, told some crucial details, which dictate the next stage of the plot, and escapes or is rescued.
The world-building had so much promise, being a form of city built in an asteroid. However it wasn't very well described and I felt quite lost and really struggled to picture the setting. At times I had completely forgotten where the action was happening, and why.
The narrative is quite frustrating as well. What starts off as nice flowing narration with analogies, similes and metaphors, this quickly becomes at the expense of the pacing of the book. A number of times someone responded to a statement that was several paragraphs previous, with thick descriptions and side-tracked passages coming in between, making the reader go back and see what they were responding to.
As with most modern sci-fi, a number of cringeworthy technical terms have been made up and are not explained well enough to allow all but the most avid sci-fi tech-nerd to picture what they are supposed to refer to. See "slingshiv", "thin-gun", "micronades" etc etc. At times, these terms were used so frequently in long rambling passages listing tech and armoury that it may as well have been in a foreign language.
Speaking of which, the world the book takes place in is very reminiscent of Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon, even down to the part-Eastern European/part Japanese names. Fans of those books (which I suffered with similarly on the made-up technical terms) may enjoy this.
Overall, a great idea but needs some work on the pacing, how the plot is revealed (i.e. using different tricks and scenarios) and the narrative.
Stormblood is set in a world where the human race has agreed terms with numerous alien races and Harmony governs the included races (the Common). Vakov Fukasawa (a character whose name is more fun to say than he is to read about) is a retired Reaper - that is, he was injected with alien DNA which gave him the rage and healing powers needed to become a super-soldier in the earlier Reaper Wars. He is hired to investigate reports of attacks on or attacks by his former colleagues, as reports of them "bluing-out" and dealing out devastation are mounting. This may well involve him being pitted against his younger brother who feels Vakov abandoned him to their cruel father.
Throughout the book, the story is told purely by telling the reader. Fukasawa finds himself in an extreme situation, having thrown himself in recklessly, and is almost always captured, told some crucial details, which dictate the next stage of the plot, and escapes or is rescued.
The world-building had so much promise, being a form of city built in an asteroid. However it wasn't very well described and I felt quite lost and really struggled to picture the setting. At times I had completely forgotten where the action was happening, and why.
The narrative is quite frustrating as well. What starts off as nice flowing narration with analogies, similes and metaphors, this quickly becomes at the expense of the pacing of the book. A number of times someone responded to a statement that was several paragraphs previous, with thick descriptions and side-tracked passages coming in between, making the reader go back and see what they were responding to.
As with most modern sci-fi, a number of cringeworthy technical terms have been made up and are not explained well enough to allow all but the most avid sci-fi tech-nerd to picture what they are supposed to refer to. See "slingshiv", "thin-gun", "micronades" etc etc. At times, these terms were used so frequently in long rambling passages listing tech and armoury that it may as well have been in a foreign language.
Speaking of which, the world the book takes place in is very reminiscent of Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon, even down to the part-Eastern European/part Japanese names. Fans of those books (which I suffered with similarly on the made-up technical terms) may enjoy this.
Overall, a great idea but needs some work on the pacing, how the plot is revealed (i.e. using different tricks and scenarios) and the narrative.
Princess Pet Palace: Royal Pony - Pet Care, Play & Dress Up
Games and Education
App
Hey, you guys are wondering what's new with our princess? Well, she met a cute pony and was invited...
Mobile Mouse Remote
Utilities and Productivity
App
Mobile Mouse instantly transforms your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch into a wireless trackpad,...
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Star Trek: Discovery - Season 1 in TV
Feb 24, 2018
Tilly (2 more)
Lorca
Other world episodes
You have to take it as it own seprate series else your not giving it a chance
I actually really enjoy this series but can see why some might not. To be fair any time you say Jason Isaccs I'm sold so this was a no brainer for me. The first episode i had several problems with mainly because i couldn't separate the old star trek series to this and there are a lot of inconsistencies. However once i got over myself and said okay don't focus on the fact that klingons should not have cloaking technology i actually started to love. the show, Tilly is by far my favorite characters and i keep telling my friend if she doesn't cos play other world Tilly at comic con I'm so dis owning her. ( Im only half joking when i say it)
I love the other world episode where human are out to destroy every other species lets face it the state of the planet today were more likely to be like this that accepting of every race i mean there are a lot of people who aren't accepting of people on our planet why should the universe be any different. It also just a great plot devise.
I love the other world episode where human are out to destroy every other species lets face it the state of the planet today were more likely to be like this that accepting of every race i mean there are a lot of people who aren't accepting of people on our planet why should the universe be any different. It also just a great plot devise.
Manda (5 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
Jul 11, 2018
Goodreads. Because how else will I know what I’ve read?!?
Secret romance novel readers beware.. no just kidding, or am I? Goodreads is where you go to access scores of novels and reviews for them. You are able to socialize with fellow book readers and follow what your friends are currently reading or have read. ( hence the secrete romance readers beware) I even had an author dm me for giving a review of a novel they had written and let me tell you I was ecstatic for many days.
*Focus
You can challenge yourself each year to read more books than the last while they keep track for you as long as it is read in a device linked with the account.
The only thing I find frustrating is sometimes you have to go through a million steps (exaggeration) just to add a book read in it natural papery scented goodness.
Overall the app is good, a great place to start if you’re seeking an idea of how great or sucky a book is, depending on the personal taste of course.
*Focus
You can challenge yourself each year to read more books than the last while they keep track for you as long as it is read in a device linked with the account.
The only thing I find frustrating is sometimes you have to go through a million steps (exaggeration) just to add a book read in it natural papery scented goodness.
Overall the app is good, a great place to start if you’re seeking an idea of how great or sucky a book is, depending on the personal taste of course.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Smashbomb in Apps
Nov 27, 2018
Smashbomb allows users to review many types of media.
I recently discovered Smashbomb. It's similar to Goodreads but you can review more than books. Movies, apps, TV shows, music, video games, tabletop games, podcasts, and tech are reviewed also.
You can access Smashbomb by downloading the app or by going to Smashbomb.com.
You can easily import your ratings and/or reviews from Goodreads. I had difficulty importing my ratings from IMDb. When I figure out what I'm doing wrong I'll write a blog post to explain.
You earn badges and can be awarded KP, kudos points.
Users can award you KP because of your review or "for submitting high quality content". The amount of daily KP you are rewarded is based on your KP score. The more KP you earn, the more influential you become.
"Some badges are earned based on kudos points (KP) awarded by other users, and others are awarded by Smashbomb directly." As of 11/27/18, approximately 90 badges are offered. "Higher level badges are a sign of authority and trust, which will result in increased exposure and more followers."
I like the KP system, the badge system, and the concept of being able to go to one place for all of the reviews offered.
You can access Smashbomb by downloading the app or by going to Smashbomb.com.
You can easily import your ratings and/or reviews from Goodreads. I had difficulty importing my ratings from IMDb. When I figure out what I'm doing wrong I'll write a blog post to explain.
You earn badges and can be awarded KP, kudos points.
Users can award you KP because of your review or "for submitting high quality content". The amount of daily KP you are rewarded is based on your KP score. The more KP you earn, the more influential you become.
"Some badges are earned based on kudos points (KP) awarded by other users, and others are awarded by Smashbomb directly." As of 11/27/18, approximately 90 badges are offered. "Higher level badges are a sign of authority and trust, which will result in increased exposure and more followers."
I like the KP system, the badge system, and the concept of being able to go to one place for all of the reviews offered.
Vipsters by Showroomprive
Shopping and Lifestyle
App
Never miss another sale! Find great brands at up to 70% off! The whole of showroomprive.co.uk in 1...
It's Tyrannosaurus Rex - Smithsonian Institution
Book, Entertainment and Stickers
App
----- 33% OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ----- Join Tyrannosaurus Rex, the fiercest predator in all the...