Stephy Reading Challenge - Book 17

 

Who Was Queen Elizabeth by June Eding

This was the best I could do for a Q. All other Q books I have went into hiding.

This is a book for kids, and honestly, it did its job well. It didn't overly sugar coat things. It did occasionally gloss over or soften the blow of some details that would have probably been a bit much for its target audience. 

My child has a few books from the Who/What Was/Is series and I highly recommend them for kids. Well written and informative with some nice pictures.

 

I'm a history nerd, and as such, this book entertained me. And I wish this series was around when I was a kid because I would have read them all.

Nancy Drew and the Captive Curse

(yes, I did take pictures of my computer on my phone... how else was I going to text them to my friend to show him how awesome I am?)

Aw yeah! Time to solve a mystery! (ignore the sticky note. Homeschooling, man)

About a year ago (I'm guessing at the time, but we're gonna go with it) I started watching Gab Smolders play Nancy Drew games. And I became addicted (Here's a link to her playlist ). The addiction happened for a few reasons. One of which is that Gab is practically perfect in every way. Another being the games seemed interesting and fun. As well as educational. Which... coming from someone that obsesses over the historical accuracy of the Assassin's Creed games, this was a big plus. I adore video games that teach me more than which button lets me pet animals.

On New Year's Eve, I finally broke down and bought myself one of the games. I went with the cheapest one Steam had that I hadn't watched Gab play. I wanted a new experience, not to just follow what I already saw be done. And I was a little worried that I wouldn't like them when I actually sat down to play them. Then, of course, shit happened and I didn't get to play the fucking thing for about a month. But oh, when I did get the chance? Loved it. Spent about nine hours solving a mystery and clapping every time I solved a puzzle. 

This is a point-and-click adventure game where Nancy Drew is asked to come to Castle Finster to figure out what this "monster" is that is plaguing the place. So, off Nancy goes to Germany. 

I fully enjoyed the entire game. 

Graphics were pretty good. It was made in 2011, so keep that in mind. Scenery was *chef's kiss* beautiful. 

Puzzles were great. Some were easy for me. Some I took an hour to work out, but I never got super frustrated. I did pull out a walkthrough a couple times. During the parts in the woods. I have no sense of direction. In real life, and in video games. I once got lost in the woods beside my house. And in video games... My brother would have to get me out of my ship in Knights of the Old Republic because I just kept losing the damn exit ramp. So, yeah, I pulled out a walkthrough to get myself out of the woods during this game. I also used it for two of the last puzzles. One because it was timed and I panic during timed things in video games. Figured I'd just save myself the stress. And when I got to the last puzzle I knew it was going to take me hours to figure out, and it was already 1:30 in the morning so I gave in. I was tired and didn't want to stop just to have that last 15 minutes of gameplay waiting for me.

Characters were all pretty fun. I really liked Karl's game, Raid. I would play it if it was an actual game. Lukas was the stereotypical prankster kid. Kind of cute, though. Renate was spooky and fun. Wanted to hear more of her stories. Anja was smart and fun to talk to.

Great game. Five mysterious clues out of five.

Before you get into the game, you get this screen. Where you can learn how to play (I didn't need that, thank you Gab Smolders) or read about previous cases (games, it's a scrapbook of the previous games). I thought it was super cute.

The monster was none of these things. Which made me sad.

Lukas. Little shit was constantly just standing there when I turned around in the foyer. Made me scream more than once.

 

I got to learn some German! 

6 More of My Most Hated Parts in My Favorite Video Games

Spoilers for Mass Effect 3, Arkham Knight, and Dragon Age 2.

To see this post with some nifty gifs, check out my Tumblr

 Using the Apple of Eden in any of the Assassin’s Creed games.

I came here to stab things, not use some magic object that even after all this time I still can’t fucking figure out.

Okay. It's pretty easy to figure out. Push a button and watch as things happen. But, again, I came here to stab things...

Mordin’s death in Mass Effect 3.

There are a lot of sad deaths in my favorite video games. But for some reason, Mordin’s death still hits me as hard as it did the first time I played the game. And even though his death is heartbreaking to me, I always cure the genophage. It’s what he would want. 

Tank battle in Arkham Knight.

I love you Jason. I do. But I am going to shove that fucking tank up your ass piece by fucking piece. 

I think this whole thing is actually called "Destroy the Cloudburst". But... In my head, it's the tank battle. And I hated every minute of it. Especially that moment when I got respawned and got killed before I could even fucking move.

The Murder Trial on Manaan in Knights of the Old Republic.

It was just all-around fucked up and I hated every second of it.  I think I got executed a few times trying to figure out what I was supposed to do. It was hell and I hated it. Can I go back to Dantooine and solve that murder? It was way less annoying.

All That Remains in Dragon Age 2.

I’m not a huge fan of Leandra Hawke, she was cool, but not one of my favorite video game

mothers (yes, I have a list of those). But I haaaated this quest. The first time I thought if I just went fast enough, solved it quick enough, it would be okay. But it wasn’t. It never was. And no matter how many times I play this game, my brain always seems to think if we just go fast enough we can save our video game mom. And every time we fail. And we’re sad.

Anytime I have to drive/pilot/be an eagle/ride a horse.

Oh gods. There is a reason I do not play racing games. It just ends badly for all involved. Mostly me. 

Remember that bit in Assassin's Creed III when you were an eagle and had to just simply fly and not hit too many trees? Guess who hit too many trees? Me.

I got three canoes stuck in Assassin's Creed: Liberation the first time I played that game. Three. Within in an hour of learning I could use a canoe.

I loved the MAKO in Mass Effect just because I could blame my bad driving on the clunky controls. But really, it was me.

I think I used the mounts in Dragon Age: Inquisition twice. Mostly cause I couldn't fucking ride a horse. Or any of those other cool-looking mounts that were offered. I did get all of them. They just... hung out at Skyhold...

Stephy Reading Challenge - Book 16

Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole

Immortals After Dark

When Lucia the Huntress was a teenager she did something stupid and has been forced to pay for her mistake for the rest of her life. Which has been a millennium or so now. One part of this is that she can't have sex, which hasn't been that difficult. Until she meets Garreth MacRieve.

Lucia is Garreth's mate. He's a Lykae. They have those things. When Lucia finds this out, she runs. Lucia runs for a year. And he follows. Then they end up together in the Amazon. 

Lots of fun and action and some big ass caiman later, they're in love. 

Really enjoyable read. Full of interesting characters and giant caimans.

Lucia was badass.

Garreth was heavy-handed at times, but not so much that I disliked him. Just rolled my eyes and whispered, "dude, no."

Sorry, this one is a bit half-assed. I forgot to write up the review until about three books later and had to go back and write something up. My bad. 

Stephy Reading Challenge - Book 15

 

One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

A Night Huntress Novel

This is the second book in the Night Huntress series. Told you I needed more Cat and Bones. Though, it was the first book I ever read in the series.

This takes place four years after the previous book. Cat is working for the government hunting down vampires. And missing Bones. At least until he shows back up at her best friend's wedding. 

Cat meets the man who turned Bones into a vampire, Ian. Ian decides he wants Cat as part of his collection. Which... Creepy, dude.

Someone is trying to kill Cat, as well.

Secrets are revealed. Which some were downright gasp-worthy.

I enjoyed this book. Characters are interesting. Plot is great.

The only part I didn't like was Cat's mother. Gods does that woman bother me. So. Fucking. Much. I'd want her to die, but that would upset Cat and I don't want that. But gods, there is nothing likable about her. Didn't like her in the last book. Didn't like her in this one. Probably not gonna like her in any of the other books.

Stephy Reading Challenge - Book 14

 

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole

Immortals After Dark

Okay, so Kaderin the Cold Hearted is a Valkyrie who, after the deaths of her sisters, got a 'blessing' where she no longer felt any emotion. She spends most of her time killing vampires.

Sebastian Wroth is a vampire who was unwillingly turned by his brother. He hates his existence, so when Kaderin shows up to kill him, he's okay with that.

But, instead of doing that, they make out a bit. 

One thing I forgot to mention before, in these books, each vampire has a fated Bride. Vampires are all male, and somewhere is a female that will make their heart beat again. Give them breath. And make it possible for them to do the horizontal bop again. So, when Sebastian sees Kaderin, his heart starts beating again, them doing a little kissy-kissy, and over the clothes heavy petting isn't that outlandish.

Kaderin runs off after the makeout session, cause she kills vampires. She does not kiss them! Plus she has to get ready for the Talisman's Hie. An epic scavenger hunt that happens every 250 years. She is the reigning champ.

The majority of the book takes place during the Hie. Showing how badass Kaderin is and how doting Sebastian is to his Bride. And showing how Kaderin is dealing with her returning emotions (which, spoiler, not great...)

By the end, they realize they love each other. Because this is a paranormal romance novel, and we get happy endings over here.

I loved this book. Just as I love the entire series. Characters are great. Plot is fantastic. Writing is wonderful. Five stars.