Sunday, November 3, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
The Dragon Reborn
This is probably my second favourite in the series. The scenes with Mat always make me smile. Rands's not in it much, but when he is, he's crazy.
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Great Hunt
Moving right along. Apparently this book isn't as long as I thought it was. I'd forgotten that last time I saw Rand as Jared Padalenki. It still stands.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The Eye of the World
Continuing on in my re-reading of my favourite series. I have read this book before.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Iron Kingdoms: Full Metal Fantasy Roleplaying Game
Iron Kingdoms is the setting for the Hordes and Warmachine games so it made sense that we would start playing in it.
As a role playing game it's nifty. The two career systems gives direction but lets you create pretty much any character you could think of. There's lots of variety and no one class seems to outshine the others.
The game itself seems more focused on combat than anything else (and miniatures of course). It takes a good game master to remember that his or her players have skills outside of combat.
As a book it's very well laid out. Things are easy to find, good descriptions and the art is appropriate and good to look at. Everyone who saw me reading it had to ask about it. It doesn't fall into the trap that so many first edition rulebooks do in assuming that the reader has never played a role playing game. Unlike Call of Cthlulu I never felt that the authors looked down on other role playing experiences.
The economics could use a bit of an overhaul. Pretty much everything is too expensive because, although copper and silver exist, only gold crowns are used.
It could have used a sample adventure here too. A thread through the whole book, from character creation to adventure, would have added a unifying theme.
As a role playing game it's nifty. The two career systems gives direction but lets you create pretty much any character you could think of. There's lots of variety and no one class seems to outshine the others.
The game itself seems more focused on combat than anything else (and miniatures of course). It takes a good game master to remember that his or her players have skills outside of combat.
As a book it's very well laid out. Things are easy to find, good descriptions and the art is appropriate and good to look at. Everyone who saw me reading it had to ask about it. It doesn't fall into the trap that so many first edition rulebooks do in assuming that the reader has never played a role playing game. Unlike Call of Cthlulu I never felt that the authors looked down on other role playing experiences.
The economics could use a bit of an overhaul. Pretty much everything is too expensive because, although copper and silver exist, only gold crowns are used.
It could have used a sample adventure here too. A thread through the whole book, from character creation to adventure, would have added a unifying theme.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Call of Cthulhu
The role playing game, not the short story by Lovecraft. Of course, this is inspired by the works of Lovecraft (and others) who created the Cthulhu Mythos. It has the original short story as its intro which is great at setting the mood. The rest is a bit of a slog.
I've read a lot of role playing game manuals, this one seems to have a tone that it's so much better than those other games because it's based on the Mythos. It's written for people that are fans of Cthulhu more than people who are fans of horror roleplaying.
It's an interesting system. Playing it we've discovered that it's always better to run away and let someone else look at the terribleness. It's tough with skills only getting better if you succeed with something. It makes character creation really, really important.
I find it odd that the text suggests that you want to steer clear of Cthulhu things as quickly as possible, but that all the in game examples have Harry confronting something he totally shouldn't see.
I've read a lot of role playing game manuals, this one seems to have a tone that it's so much better than those other games because it's based on the Mythos. It's written for people that are fans of Cthulhu more than people who are fans of horror roleplaying.
It's an interesting system. Playing it we've discovered that it's always better to run away and let someone else look at the terribleness. It's tough with skills only getting better if you succeed with something. It makes character creation really, really important.
I find it odd that the text suggests that you want to steer clear of Cthulhu things as quickly as possible, but that all the in game examples have Harry confronting something he totally shouldn't see.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Black Butler Volume X
This was a Sherlock Holmes mystery. I think I read nearly the same one in the last collection I read. So I had a pretty fair idea of where this was going. As a result, this story was very different from the others in this series. It was less about the human condition and more about the story. In a weird way, it felt like filler until it was time to go back to the demonic Ciel.
Rosario + Vampire Season II: Volume 9
I've had enough of the Fairy Tale story. I've tired of Moka's past. I'm ready for them to move on.
Forces of Warmachine: Protectorate of Menoth
The Protectorate doesn't grab me the same way Khador and Cygnar do. The Harbinger is a beautiful model but I have a hard time coming up with something to support her. They're just not my style.
Batman Earth One
I've read a lot of Batman origin stories over the years. Some much better than others. This is one of the best.
I like that they're not afraid to make him fail. It's what really worked for Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and this carries that on. He's not really equipped to fight crime. All he wants is vengeance he really needs that first failure to point him in the direction that his life will take.
Alfred as a former marine and family friend rather than the long time butler was the hardest change to swallow. Though I did like that he admitted he knew nothing about raising a child. He has done a rather poor job with Bruce.
The art is amazing. There were pages that I just stopped and stared at to pull in all the details. Seeing his eyes does make a difference.
The Penguin was actually an effective villain. Something that a lot of writers struggle to do. I've seen it in the new 52 now as well. They've finally figured out what to do with this character.
I like that they're not afraid to make him fail. It's what really worked for Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and this carries that on. He's not really equipped to fight crime. All he wants is vengeance he really needs that first failure to point him in the direction that his life will take.
Alfred as a former marine and family friend rather than the long time butler was the hardest change to swallow. Though I did like that he admitted he knew nothing about raising a child. He has done a rather poor job with Bruce.
The art is amazing. There were pages that I just stopped and stared at to pull in all the details. Seeing his eyes does make a difference.
The Penguin was actually an effective villain. Something that a lot of writers struggle to do. I've seen it in the new 52 now as well. They've finally figured out what to do with this character.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saltwater Aquariums
I've wanted a saltwater aquarium for about 10 years now. I finally decided to take the plunge. While I was waiting until the right moment I continued to do research. Although I'm not a complete idiot this book was helpful in figuring out some of the jargon and steps to get into this hobby.
My biggest complaint about the book is that they refer to the appendix with examples of aquariums. This appendix does not exist. I looked for it everywhere and couldn't find it. The CD that comes with it wasn't that useful either. I could find all the information online with a much handier graph to let me know compatibilities. At least they didn't try to put all the information into the book. It would have been a much more intimidating read.
My biggest complaint about the book is that they refer to the appendix with examples of aquariums. This appendix does not exist. I looked for it everywhere and couldn't find it. The CD that comes with it wasn't that useful either. I could find all the information online with a much handier graph to let me know compatibilities. At least they didn't try to put all the information into the book. It would have been a much more intimidating read.
Vampire Knight Volume 14
Kaname doesn't deserve Yuki. She's so much more devoted to him than he is to her. Of course, Yuki doesn't deserve Yuki either. For a love triangle it's messed up. Interesting to see more of the history of this vampire world. My sympathies are still with Aido. He's just trying to protect Kaname and those he loves.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
The Return of Sherlock Holmes
The resounding feeling I got from this collection was that Sherlock Holmes is a dick. He frightened poor Watson and thought nothing of it. The only friend he has was not important enough to find and tell that he wasn't dead.
The other interesting part of this collection is that Holmes is pulling away from being the main character. He gives many tasks to Watson and just sweeps in at the end to confirm all suspicions. Conan Doyle really was getting tired of the character at this point but must have been getting too much money to consider not writing him anymore.
The other interesting part of this collection is that Holmes is pulling away from being the main character. He gives many tasks to Watson and just sweeps in at the end to confirm all suspicions. Conan Doyle really was getting tired of the character at this point but must have been getting too much money to consider not writing him anymore.
Bleach Volume 43: Kingdom of Hollows
More posturing; still no Ichigo. The biggest gun is out for Ichigo to come save everyone though. At least he seems to be falling out of the sky to do just that.
Bleach Volume 42: Shock of the Queen
I keep reading Bleach hoping for resolution. I keep getting fight scenes. The big guns are coming in, this might be coming to a close soon.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Naruto Volume 49: The Gokage Summit Commences
This feels like the beginning of the end. I can't imagine Naruto not being Hokage by the end of this arc, and once he's fulfilled his dream, is there much point in continuing the story?
Naruto Volume 48: The Cheering Village
Unlike Bleach, Naruto has really grown in both attitude and in story telling. Naruto is no longer the brash "act before thought" youth that he was in the beginning of the series. Now, he's not only more powerful, he's more mature.
Bleach Volume 41: Heart
I know I just complained that Bleach was one long fight scene. But holy cow was this a cool fight scene!
And then back to the battle over Karakura Town. sigh
And then back to the battle over Karakura Town. sigh
Bleach Volume 40: The Lust
I keep waiting and waiting for something other than a major battle to happen in this series. Maybe I'm reading the wrong series. Things happen in Naruto though. Not so much in Bleach. I was rewarded with the return of Ichigo this issue though. Orihime seems to be going through something. I do want to see where she ends up.
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