Guild Hunter 15: Archangel's Resurrection by Nalini Singh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This story focuses mostly on Alexander and Zanaya, who have a very complex and long history together. In learning their story, we also learn more about several other Ancients, including Raphael's own parents and Titus' family. We even see the Hummingbird again, sane and happy once more. There's very little overall of Raphael or Elena in this story, but when we do see them, it is as competent and always together. Zani goes as far as to admit to not only being fascinated with Elena being unique as a mortal made angel, but also in how she and Raphael seem to fit in all ways and how much she wants that instead of the previous cycle of loving and fighting that was so familiar to her and Alexander. While there are still many questions with Neha now Sleeping, so many of the other Sleepers, this new awareness from Lijuan that Zani now possess, and all of these old alliances and family ties once more coming to the surface, it will be interesting to see how this world continues to evolve.
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December 31, 2022
December 30, 2022
Pokemon: Violet
Pokemon: Violet (Nintendo Switch)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an unexpected Christmas gift (it was on the kid's wish list, but not my own, though I had considered trying it after hearing about a tie in with it to Pokemon Go). Not far into it yet, but have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of different challenges and the game play to collect the different pokemon. A lot of early release news listed a lot of complaints about the game play and lag issues, but other than the occasional odd rendering (most often with an odd angle for a battle to start, especially near a cliff or with the little water floaters popping out for battles in the water), there haven't been many, if any, glitches to speak of in my play so far, and what I have noticed has mostly been amusing and not a blocker in any way to continuing game play. Overall, this story so far has been more enjoyable than Let's Go, Eevee, which is the only other Switch game I've really played at this point. My daughter has commented several times that she likes the style of this game watching me play it and that it looks a lot more fun to her than the battle play she's used to in Shining Pearl.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an unexpected Christmas gift (it was on the kid's wish list, but not my own, though I had considered trying it after hearing about a tie in with it to Pokemon Go). Not far into it yet, but have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of different challenges and the game play to collect the different pokemon. A lot of early release news listed a lot of complaints about the game play and lag issues, but other than the occasional odd rendering (most often with an odd angle for a battle to start, especially near a cliff or with the little water floaters popping out for battles in the water), there haven't been many, if any, glitches to speak of in my play so far, and what I have noticed has mostly been amusing and not a blocker in any way to continuing game play. Overall, this story so far has been more enjoyable than Let's Go, Eevee, which is the only other Switch game I've really played at this point. My daughter has commented several times that she likes the style of this game watching me play it and that it looks a lot more fun to her than the battle play she's used to in Shining Pearl.
Psy-Changeling 21: Storm Echo
Psy-Changeling 21: Storm Echo by Nalini Singh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ivan is a very interesting character and a great addition to the Psy-Changeling universe. He and Lei have more than the usual difficulties to face between the previous Silence protocols, her amnesia, and then the concerns over Ivan's abilities and how his mother's use of Jax and giving him the drug as a child changed his abilities. It would seem though, that the differences in his power may be more hereditary than a result of the drugs, and in his case, could be a clue to how to save the crumbling PsyNet. The ending questions and conclusions are more than a little interesting and very leading. Can't help but wonder between the changes to the PsyNet structure with this new web network and the hints with the Scarab Queen how close or how far we are to getting more answers on either front.
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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ivan is a very interesting character and a great addition to the Psy-Changeling universe. He and Lei have more than the usual difficulties to face between the previous Silence protocols, her amnesia, and then the concerns over Ivan's abilities and how his mother's use of Jax and giving him the drug as a child changed his abilities. It would seem though, that the differences in his power may be more hereditary than a result of the drugs, and in his case, could be a clue to how to save the crumbling PsyNet. The ending questions and conclusions are more than a little interesting and very leading. Can't help but wonder between the changes to the PsyNet structure with this new web network and the hints with the Scarab Queen how close or how far we are to getting more answers on either front.
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
There's something about a good crime drama that I just really enjoy. There are lots of interesting characters and their interactions continue to grow and change as the overall story progresses along with all of the interesting cases they go about solving. Sometimes the cases take more than one episode to solve, others span over several and circle back as part of a later connection even in another season, so the continuity is fantastic even as different characters come and go on the stage.
December 29, 2022
Marvel Cinematic Universe 30: Black Panther 2 [Wakanda Forever]
MCU 30: Black Panther 2 [Wakanda Forever] (2022)
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Not entirely loving how they set up the sister to take over as the mantle of the Black Panther or the sudden exile faced with loyal guards. Was somewhat hesitant coming into this knowing that T'Challa is no longer part of the MCU. It did set up well for adding in Namor and the underwater civilization, but much of the story feels forced, making it difficult to really enjoy it as much as some of the earlier MCU films.
The Magical Christmas Cat
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Psy-changeling 3.2: Stroke of Enticement by Nalini Singh
Zach and Annie obviously have a thing for each other right off the bat, though Annie has very obvious trust issues and Zach may be a little too careful of her emotions. In the end it takes a little mental hammering from Mercy for Zach to get the hint, though he obviously hits all the right notes with Annie's stubborn mother. That was a nice bit of surprise given her obvious prejudice towards Changelings early on in the story. This is another story in which one or both sides of the pair may need some obvious healing that their mate helps with rather significantly. Annie also makes our second human mate of the series so far.
Christmas Bree by Erin McCarthy
After all of the fuss about the house being a family heirloom, it's a tad disappointing that Bree seems to suddenly give up so easily. The story is left with a bit of an ambiguous ending however as Abby makes yet another prediction. Not sure if this is part of a series somewhere that finishes the sister's story or if this is just a one time short story.
Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones
Well that took an unexpected turn. Admittedly, Todd seemed the better candidate originally with all of his "luck" and frequent insistence. At the very least, the guy really can't take a hint. There should have been a lot more actual conversation here, but somehow, it still works with all the secrecy and the demon summoning.
Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh
The breed are an interesting twist - not entirely fitting the usual shapeshifter lore, but not entirely human either. The "mating heat" is a bit much though, especially as it hints that at some point there is no choice and it just continues to get stronger until both sides give in, and then continues even after that to grow stronger and bind them tighter together. Can't say it was my favorite of the shifter stories I've read, but it was interesting for a short story.
Sweet Dreams by Linda Winstead Jones
Well that took an unexpected turn. Admittedly, Todd seemed the better candidate originally with all of his "luck" and frequent insistence. At the very least, the guy really can't take a hint. There should have been a lot more actual conversation here, but somehow, it still works with all the secrecy and the demon summoning.
Christmas Heat by Lora Leigh
The breed are an interesting twist - not entirely fitting the usual shapeshifter lore, but not entirely human either. The "mating heat" is a bit much though, especially as it hints that at some point there is no choice and it just continues to get stronger until both sides give in, and then continues even after that to grow stronger and bind them tighter together. Can't say it was my favorite of the shifter stories I've read, but it was interesting for a short story.
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Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter 28: Rafael
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter 28: Rafael by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Rafael is not like Anita's other beaus. For one, they started out as good friends and stayed that way for a long time before any of the "benefits" came into play. Rafael is also a lot more intentional about his choices and what he wants. It was a surprising change to see Narcissus also being rational when it came to the newest threat. Not so great to see Padma back, but suppose he had to show up at some point. Somewhat still curious to see if everyone was right and Rafael was just being gaslit going into the challenge regarding his relationship with Hector or if there had been some truth to the claims. Suppose it wouldn't have really mattered though as Hector did not turn out to be a character you wanted to survive the conflict. Anita may have found another similar power though with the bruja, and now we have more doors opened to explore for both the wolves (if Richard allows) and the leopards.... maybe the lions as well, though they seem to have a much different structure than the other predators Anita's works with and is tied to so far.
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My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Rafael is not like Anita's other beaus. For one, they started out as good friends and stayed that way for a long time before any of the "benefits" came into play. Rafael is also a lot more intentional about his choices and what he wants. It was a surprising change to see Narcissus also being rational when it came to the newest threat. Not so great to see Padma back, but suppose he had to show up at some point. Somewhat still curious to see if everyone was right and Rafael was just being gaslit going into the challenge regarding his relationship with Hector or if there had been some truth to the claims. Suppose it wouldn't have really mattered though as Hector did not turn out to be a character you wanted to survive the conflict. Anita may have found another similar power though with the bruja, and now we have more doors opened to explore for both the wolves (if Richard allows) and the leopards.... maybe the lions as well, though they seem to have a much different structure than the other predators Anita's works with and is tied to so far.
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