January 31, 2017
Strawberry Shortcake 11: Fun Under the Sun
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The first part of this film proves why it's not good to spread gossip. After getting everyone's hopes up, Blueberry has to figure out how to let everyone know they aren't really going on vacation.... or are they? As usual, the Berry Bitty girls have to pull together to get things done, including some pretty crazy stunts. Just goes to show what a little determination and help can accomplish.
January 26, 2017
Horse Adventure: Tales of Etria
Horse Adventure: Tales of Etria (Android)
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Made by the same company as Horse Haven: World Adventures, this is another Android game that is "free" with the option to buy gems for upgrades and decorations. The game play is alright given it uses a almost handheld gaming model on an android platform to navigate the horses. However, you frequently have to train and/or upgraded to progress through the story, and earning those coins through free game play takes a ridiculous amount of time. I've barely unlocked stage 2 and already am wondering if it's really worth playing as I'm having to go back to stage one and do daily challenges to try and earn enough coins for horse upgrades and training. Boring, not fun, and aggravating. The horses and areas look fun (though some still look like Ubisoft may have ripped of Dreamworks' Spirit), but that's about all I can really love at this point.
January 24, 2017
My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Otherworld Stories 7.3: Stalked by Kelley Armstrong
This is Elena and Clay's honeymoon, taking place after the twins are born and Clay has his arm injured. McKay comes back with a friend who's interested in Elena. Perhaps they thought one for each of them leveled the playing field. Apparently not as McKay will be in the river indefinitely and Cain only escaped Elena by almost drowning himself. As Clay summarized himself: situation normal.
The Dresden Files 9.6: Heorot by Jim Butcher
Having seen the TV series back in college, the books have been on my to-read list for awhile now. Harry comes off as rather dry in his wit though just as amusing still. Gard is another interesting character, though truthfully I find the intelligence attributed to his animals (mainly Mouse this time) rather entertaining. Who needs a valkyrie when you have a giant dog riding to the rescue?
Roman Holiday, or SPQ-Arrrrrr by Rachel Caine
Well this duo manages all sorts if trouble in just the day of and after their wedding. A bit reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean, just with more emphasis on the romance than the curses.
Vampire Files 0.5: Her Mother's Daughter by P.N. Elrod
It sounds as if this is part of Elrod's Vampire Files as they feature Jack, our vampire detective charged with finding the groom a mere hour after his wedding. Some emphasis on mob brutality, meaning the goon got away lucky that he even escaped death at all. Jack is very adept at picking up nuances, even without any apparent vampire talents.
Black London 1.5: Newlydeads by Caitlin Kittredge
It has been a long time since I read the Black London series. I remember thinking the set up was interesting, but really struggling with how they talk and the general tones of the descriptions. That was still true here. It feels almost like it tries too hard to have a British feel, and that makes it overwhelmingly uncomfortable.
Dirk & Steele 6.5: Where the Heart Lives by Majorie M Liu
This was a fun piece with a bit of mythical leaning. Lucy doesn't seem to be entirely normal either, which helps her fit right in with this unusual family. A far better place for her than her original home anyways. I have not yet read anything else from this series. If it reads as this short did, I would likely enjoy it. May be something for me to look into.
Dark Ones 5.5: Cat Got Your Tongue? by Katie MacAlister
I wouldn't call any honeymoon with ghosts normal, let alone when the ghost is looking for a vampire and wants to curse another ghost which ends up with the human helper cursed instead. There seems to be some odd triangle with Robert, Joy, and Christopher as well, which I can only assume plays out in the main series from the brief references. Not my favorite, but an enjoyable piece that has the potential to interest me in the series later on.
Half of Being Married by Lilith Saintcrow
I've heard of Saintcrow's books before, but never read any. This short didn't make me feel like I've been missing anything. The sunrunners seem interesting, but the rest sounds like an overly convoluted mess trying to relabel things that have been well known in this type of fiction for a long time. That doesn't even start with this couples very strange and disjointed relationship. It just doesn't feel like it works.
A Wulf in Groom's Clothing by Ronda Thompson
This was an amusing read but also slightly aggravating. There are poems referenced about this curse, but never actually read or recited completely for readers. On top of this, there are a lot of assumptions made. Laura may or may not now be a werewolf instead of Sam. It's still unknown why the curse suddenly changed forms either, let alone if they actually will end up passing it on to any potential children. This is written in an entertaining and engaging tone that would make for a fun full story following these characters beyond just their honeymoon.
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Monster High 11: Haunted
Monster High 11: Haunted (2015)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I knew nothing about this series originally except that it had some odd looking dolls in the toy isle. I'll admit to some curiosity after my daughter apparently picked a Monster High movie out of any children's selection she was offered at the store with Nana. Guess it shouldn't have been such a big surprise then, when we got a free movie rental on Fandango thanks to T-Mobile Tuesdays and she picked this one. Despite the idea that all the characters are different types of monsters and it's supposed to be "spooky" in some sense, it's also very cutesy and done in a cheerful way that makes it just about anything but scary. Makes sense I suppose given these are the same manufacturers of the Barbie lines. I'm not sure what I expected from this series, but I don't think it was what it ended up being. Not so concerned about my toddler wanting to watch this series anymore.
January 23, 2017
A Box Can Be Many Things
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was my son's book gift from his pediatrician at last week's wellness appointment. Age wise it probably suits my daughter better, but he can still grow into it. He still enjoys the pictures and listening to the story. This is a cute tale about children playing with their imaginations. I can recall making many things out of boxes in my youth. Someday, our kids will as well.
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January 17, 2017
Otherworld Stories 7.1: Framed
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Nick does a little inventive enforcing and blackmailing of his own trying to prove he can just as well as the rest of the Pack. He has a few missteps along the way, but somehow manages to keep it all contained until it's over. Now there's just that mutt hunt with Elena and Clay to take care of.
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Otherworld Stories 5.3: Bargain
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Here we see just how Xavier came by the information and job leading to the book Broken. Otherwise it's rather dry and boring as nothing besides talk actually happens.
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Strawberry Shortcake 12: Berry Best Friends
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
My daughter picked this as her free movie rental from Fandango thanks to T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards. We were going a little crazy being snowed in for a solid week, so it was nice to have an unexpected new break for free with this. I have vague memories of Strawberry Shortcake from when I was a child, though mostly just because a friend had given me the doll for a birthday. This film is short, cute, and mostly pointless. I guess you could claim some lesson about friendship and helping each other, though I think My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has covered that one in spades already. Maybe it's not that surprising then that both are now produced by the same company.
January 15, 2017
Dates From Hell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Hollows 2.5: Undead in the Garden of Good & Evil by Kim Harrison
It's been a long time since I read The Hollows. This story is purely Ivy's as she's still with Kisten and working to get away from Art and Piscary on different levels. There is very brief mention of Rachel at the end when Ivy learns who her new partner will be, but we don't even get her name. All that is mentioned is that she is a witch and Ivy now has her file as she moves offices. One thing is certain: never get on Ivy's bad side.
The Claire Switch Project by Lynsay Sands
A science experiment gone wrong finally brings two scientists together with the help of their high school reunion. It's more than a little awkward with a good mix of humor thrown in. Obviously things work out without any drastically horrible side effect given the five year time jump for the epilogue.
Otherworld Stories 5.2: Chaotic by Kelley Armstrong
This short story was really the reason I wanted to read this book now. Here we have Hope and Karl's first adventure as it's happening. It's also the same case that reveals Hope has been working for a freelance Cabal plot and not the Council. Thankfully, Karl has the contacts to fix that, even if getting them out of this first scrape puts them in Benicio's debt. We see that come to play in Hope's book from the main series, Personal Demon.
Dead Man Datin by Lori Handeland
I read a few of Handeland's books several years ago during my college days. I remember enjoying them but not really loving them. This was the same way. Zac and Kit together have some intense and sometimes funny moments. Alone, they leave a lot to be desired. Guess it's a good thing Zac comes back in the end and Kit is really good at research.
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January 14, 2017
Otherworld Stories 5.1: Adventurer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The image of an invisible Tinker Bell flitting about and poking at Kenneth is amusing but doesn't really serve any purpose. I suppose this short does explain how Jeremy always knows where things are even on unfamiliar territory, but he'said also proven his own senses work very well in those situations. Still, this is pretty much the only time we see any shaman step in to help in any capacity as this race is largely relegated to the background of the supernatural world.
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January 13, 2017
Otherworld Stories 2: Tales of the Otherworld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This collection was more interesting than many of the other random shorts. Included are the following:
0.01: Rebirth
This starts with Aaron as a human farm boy and follows him through his first year anniversary as a vampire and meeting Cassandra. Being more of a quiet background character overall, I didn't even recognize his human form. It was when he woke in the coffin that his character clicked into place.
0.06: Bewitched
Here we see how Eve and Kristof got together, ending when Eve leaves with Savannah. It also shows how much these two taught each other as Eve was creating her reputation and Kristof wanted witch spells for his boys. Thomas Nast also proves again just how heartless he is.
0.07: Birthright
A very short piece where we get to see Logan's first arrival at Stonehaven when he didn't know what he was or what was waiting for him. Bad luck maybe that he ran into Clayton first instead of Jeremy.
0.08: Beginnings
Here we have the main highlight of the book - Elena and Clay's first meeting. This piece alternates from both of their perspectives as they become friends, start dating, get engaged, and Clay's final desperate act of biting Elena to make her a werewolf and keep her at Stonehaven.... right in front of Jeremy. Not his finest moment, but a significant part of their history.
0.11: Expectations
This is the referenced story of when Lucas managed to steal a grimoire from Eve. It's mentioned very briefly in one of the main books and told fully, yet nearly as briefly, here.
1.1: Ghosts
Jeremy encounters a lot of ghosts in the form of memories while walking through Stonehaven. Taking place while Clay and Elena are in hiding while Elena is being hunted, these memories are mostly during Elena's early change. Both Elena and Clay end up in the cage for different reasons. Anthony is still on point though and helps Jeremy pull out of those memories so they can bring their Pack home.
4.1: Wedding Bell Hell
We know Paige and Lucas get married, but we don't see it happen. This short story resolves that previous oversight. We even get to see Lucas'so mother, Maria, in person as well as how she manages Benicio. Rather an amusing turn of events getting Benicio (and his bodyguards) to help make wedding favors instead of just throwing money and orders around.
6.1: The Case of El Chupacabra
The last few books see Cortez Winterborne Investigations moved into a Portland building that was originally built for the Cortez Cabal. Knowledge of this facility dovetails with a murder investigation that brings all the Cabals out to determine the vampire's fates. A little harder to do with Cassandra calming sitting and taking notes in the same room. We also get to Savannah breeze in calling Benicio "Grandad" and correcting Thomas Nast's assumption that she meant him. While I do like Kristof and Sean (Bryce doesn't start showing redeeming qualities until the very end of the series), I think it's safe to say I really don't like Thomas or Jorge Nast. While Benicio can be just as cunning and ruthless, he has an underlying care and consideration that makea him more fun to read, even if you might disagree with whatever he's doing at the time.
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January 11, 2017
Otherworld Stories 1.2: Escape
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Here we have Savannah'so escape and Eve's death from Eve's point of view. It's an event referred to often enough in the series that this extra feels rather unnecessary. Granted it'seems usually Savannah doing the reminiscing, but we see enough of Eve in her afterlife that it doesn't feel like an issue.
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January 9, 2017
Otherworld Stories 0.13: Territorial
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Here we have Karl lamenting over being less likely to be granted territory as a mutt with Elena gone and the start of Daniel's revolt. Karl is supposed to be on the job, eyeing a necklace worn by the girl he's charmed. He has little to no attention focused on her or the job though as he keeps tripping down memory lane. Not really anything new or noteworthy here.
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Otherworld Stories 0.12: Truth & Consequences
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Elena does a little solo enforcing of werewolf secrecy while on the job as a human investigator. Very short and to the point. Not as fun as Elena's narratives when you get to see through the wolf'so eyes too.
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Otherworld Stories 0.10: The Case of the Half-Demon Spy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is a brief glimpse of Adam and Paige's first "adventure" together as children, though it was apparently all staged by Robert. It would seem he knew what direction the Counsel needed to go with their young successors well before they did.
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Otherworld Stories 0.05: Demonology
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
We don't actually get to see Adam really meet Robert Vasic, but we see enough of how they interact as family in the main series that I suppose it doesn't really matter. This book is more about how Talia first meets Robert in her efforts to find help for Adam as he grows into his powers (not that she has any idea that's what is happening at the time). A very short and brief teaser that might not make much sense if you don't have the context to put with it.
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January 8, 2017
Women of the Otherworld 13: Thirteen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Okay, not sure what to think here. Adam and Savannah finally figure out at least what they want to attempt. Of course Hope and Karl have to meet their baby girl before the book can end, complete with Lucifer showing up. Why not? We already have all the other demon relatives popping out of the wood works with more to spare. Savannah might have been on verge of finally getting through to her grandfather when Balaam steps in and ruins that factor. There's now hope with Josef, though apparently things with Bryce are now looking up. That's probably a major plus for Sean with that bit of controversy. Of course other than a rather ambivalent "it seems like we won this war and some of us survived, on to the next adventure" attitude, nothing really is resolved or changed. Jeremy says he's stepping down for Elena to be the next alpha, though he still knows nothing about Malcom (another loose end we don't see resolved). All the main character pairings appear to have been sorted out. Savannah is told by Jaime that she might get another meeting with her parents thanks to the Fates, but we never actually see or hear of this happening. Of course Benicio is still pushing for Lucas to take over the Cortez Cabal too, which he's still refusing. So, other than another disaster averted (albeit a larger disaster than normally faced), what has really changed overall? Not much. It's fun to see the characters in action, and Jaz certain surprises a few people. Otherwise I can't say there was much in the way of "progress" that made this feel like it was a worthy ending to the series (or even really an ending at all). There are mentions of things that wouldn't be as well known if the short stories from Otherworld Stories have been skipped though (like Jeremy's kitsune blood). Guess I'll be hunting up the rest of those I've missed so far hoping to fill in more of these blanks and get some kind of resolution.
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January 7, 2017
Women of the Otherworld 12: Spell Bound
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Unlike the rest of the series which often has years between each book, this book picks up right in the last events of book 11. Savannah's powers are on the fritz, though not exactly gone the way she first thought. That says nothing for the rest of the problems with these "witch hunters" who actually end up being part of the group Savannah calls SLAM. Things with Adam still have their highs and lows, but it's starting to look like there might be potential to get that answered finally with the last book directly picking up where this one ends as well. It also isn't common for this series to really zero in on one character/narrator for so many consecutive books. Not to say it isn't all hands on deck. We have Elena, Clay, Jeremy, Jaime, Ray, Lucas, Paige, Adam, Sean, Eve, Kristoph, Cassandra, Hope, Karl, and a slew of other characters popping up all over the place. This "war" prophecy doesn't seem to be helping matters.
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January 6, 2017
Women of the Otherworld 11: Waking the Witch
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Savannah once again lands in the thick of things. Things with Adam look like they could work out, but of course heaven forbid there's an answer on that front without several books leading up to it, which we know isn't possible since the series is over and there's only two I haven't read aside from all the extra Otherworld Stories. The ending is a major cliffhanger. My first thought is "no, her power isn't gone," but then in this world I suppose anything really is possible. Hopefully things will be answered further in the next book, otherwise this ending is just mean.
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January 4, 2017
A Snowman for Little Bear
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was a Christmas gift for all of my daughter's preschool class from her teacher. It's a cute story about a little bear playing in the snow and how each of her friends brings something special to build the perfect snowman just as they are needed. After all, "news travels fast deep in the woods."
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January 3, 2017
Sing
Sing (2016)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun and cute movie telling a rather dramatic tale that all revolves around a love of theater and singing. They came up with an epic soundtrack for this one, and it seriously works. This is one movie we'll be picking up when it's out on DVD. For now, I want that soundtrack. Each character's story is a little different, with their own hurdles and vary challenges keeping them from the stage. In the end, of course, it all has to come together.
January 2, 2017
Otherworld Stories 1: Men of the Otherworld
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Most of these stories focus on Clay, how he became a werewolf, and how he grew up in the Pack. A lot of the general points have been heard in the main series, but this collection is written both to the point and humorous, making it an entertaining read. The very last story shifts focus back to Jeremy. Most specifically to his mother's side of the family equation, which is interesting since his birth story is told through his father, Malcolm, and otherwise nothing concrete was known. Is does end rather abruptly with some loose ends, which makes me hope maybe it gets resolved in a future story.... complete with Jeremy now sporting a matching tattoo to the rune he drew for Jaime that she wears.
The stories included in this are as follows:
0.02: Infusion
0.03: Savage
0.04: Ascension
9.1: Kitsunegari
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January 1, 2017
Women of the Otherworld 10: Frostbitten
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Once again, Elena takes the spotlight in this book. This time she knows Jeremy is training her to take over as Alpha and the twins are now looking at preschool. We also get to meet an old Pack member who had left, find a new Pack member, and possibly may have two more in the near future. We also meet a rather strange group of Native shifters who manage to both help and hinder in different ways. Jaime and Hope are both seen briefly, and a reference is made about Elena's friendship with the other women, including Paige. Otherwise we very rarely see anyone besides Elena and Clay with her being the major focal point. This series can't seem to make up its mind if it's a new female lead each book or repeating past leads to move the story along. Decent read, but not the most engaging this series has offered so far.
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