June 16, 2016 Marketing, Reviews 3 Comments

REVIEWS AND THE BOOK-BUYING PROCESS

Most authors ask, even beg, readers to leave reviews for their books in the hope their kind words might inspire others to give their novels a chance. But how much sway do reviews really hold?

The majority of genre readers spend a lot of cash every year on books, and they demand well edited reads that leave them emotionally satisfied. How do they know if what they’re buying is right for them? Let’s assume the buying decision starts with an exciting cover and an engaging short description, also known as a blurb.

Right. The price is fair, the cover’s gorgeous, and the blurb is amazeballs. Check, check and check. What is the next step for our hypothetical reader?

Reliable book reviews, perhaps?

Most online retailers and book sites allow readers to share their opinions on their latest reads. Goodreads is where many rate books, typically without giving reasons for their ratings. Barnes & Noble is struggling a little at the moment and as a result features comparatively few reviews, so maybe this is not an ideal source of information, but what about iTunes or Smashwords or other retailers? And what about that giant of giants, Amazon?

Recent changes by Amazon have upset bloggers and authors alike. Amazon has never allowed friends and family to post book reviews (and uses questionable algorithms to determine who is and isn’t friends with an author), and its policy now seems to extend to readers who review a lot, most notably bloggers. My heart goes out to them. A lot of effort goes into writing an interesting review, let alone the time it takes to read the book, and they have seen years of work deleted from the Amazon website. Authors are just as annoyed, since reviews are currency. Even a single sentence makes a difference. But maybe it is this rigorousness that makes Amazon the most reliable source of reviews.

But does any of this matter? Do readers even check out reviews before purchasing? And if so, how much do other people’s opinions influence their decision?

The Poll

To this end, I posted a poll on Facebook with the following scenario.

Assuming a reader has found a book of around $4 with a great cover and blurb, is he convinced already, or is more research required before buying it?

The options were as follows:

Twenty-three readers responded. Not a huge number, but the results are convincing nevertheless.

8 out of the 23 cited Amazon reviews as their next step in deciding whether to buy the book or not. That’s about 30%. Some readers admit to focusing on negative reviews more than positive ones, which makes sense. If someone doesn’t like humor in their fiction and therefore didn’t enjoy my books, that’s fair. I can live with that. And if the next reader is not put off by this “flaw” and does in fact love humor in their novels, all the better for everyone involved.

Can we assume that the remaining 15 of our respondents avail themselves of a mixture of the other options? Actually, no. Instead, a staggering 14 out of the 23 said they don’t read reviews at all. All they need before making a decision are the blurb and the cover.

Only one respondent said she uses Goodreads to help her make up her mind, and she cited Amazon as her second choice.

I have always suspected that not many use Goodreads before buying a book. GR strikes me more as a social platform that helps readers keep track of the books they’ve read. These results seem to confirm my hunch.

Still, this outcome wasn’t at all what I imagined. I expected a much wider spread.

To complete the picture, I should mention that three respondents gave more than one answer: the second answer was Amazon in two cases and iTunes in the third.

There you have it. Readers seem to either seek information about a book from Amazon reviews, or more likely than not, they will buy the book on the basis of the cover and the description alone.

I will therefore encourage my readers to leave reviews on Amazon. That said, if you have something nice to say, I don’t mind where you post it. 🙂

Disclaimer: This does not answer the question of where or how readers discover books, of course. This will be the subject of a different poll.

So, let’s talk about this. Am I the only one surprised by this outcome? If you’re an author, will this change the way you promote in future? If bloggers are no longer allowed to leave reviews on Amazon, are blog tours still worth their money? And if you’re a reader, would you agree with the outcome of the poll?

April 11, 2015 Books, Divide and Conquer, Reviews Post a Comment

Divide and Conquer – Review

I’m incredibly pleased with this review from Red City Review. That said, since I originally posted this article, I have found out that this is a paid-for review. Kind of. But before you cry foul, let me tell you the story behind this.

A few months ago, a stranger read my book and loved it. Loved it so much, she has done everything she can to help spread the word.

I, too, have tried to earn people’s reviews. I asked people I trusted if they wanted to read my book in return for an honest review. Many said yes. And since delays during publishing meant my book was to have virtually no promotion, I was overwhelmed by and grateful for their response.

Well, only a fraction of those people came through.

Anyway, my loyal reader, in a heartwarming act of friendship, hired a company that, like the famous Kirkus Reviews, offered an “honest literary review.” Now, I have checked the company, Red City Review, out and believe they are absolutely legitimate. Their reviews look honest and show an insight that proves their reviewers read the books they review. And they’re comfortable giving five, four and three star reviews (although I could see none lower than three stars).

Yet I don’t want anyone to assume I purchase positive reviews from places like Fiverr (although I love Fiverr. So much talent. Artists, voiceover artists,…).

That said, I like this review even more now that I know the story behind it, because not only did the review’s author seem to like my book, it is also proof of a very special person’s faith in me. And that means the world to me. Thank you!

Thank you also to everyone who has taken the time to post their own reviews. You rock!

So, here it is:

Divide and Conquer by Carmen Fox

Lea is just a normal girl trying to find her place in the world. Her job as a translator leaves much to be desired, but it’s a start. She’s just found a cute guy who seems to be interested in her. Things are looking up, until she crosses paths with a woman who will turn her life upside down. Nieve has always lived her life for her king and her country. And as the threat they have been worried about comes even closer, she knows the end must justify the means. But when it all goes wrong can she pull herself together for one last stand?

The synopsis of Divide and Conquer alone grabs your attention, and once you start reading you are not disappointed. Nieve and Lea’s fight to save their worlds (and ultimately their minds and memories) will keep you on your toes trying to put pieces together and waiting to see what happens next. Author Carmen Fox takes urban fantasy (and the fantasy genre in general) to a whole new level. The characters of Divide And Conquer are all fully developed, relatable, and-more importantly-believable. Fox lets you get to know them on a much deeper level and peek into their hearts and souls. The two main characters have been put into an impossible situation and they both react very differently- Nieve is a fighter and ready for anything, while Lea is still hoping for a way out. Throughout it all, her characters feel like people instead of just characters. The world Fox has created is rich with detail-making it easy to see everything in your head as you read, but not too much detail that it slows down the story. She writes from both Lea’s and Nieve’s points of view; adding a depth to the story and immersing you deeper into the world. Going back and forth between characters could easily get confusing or interrupt the flow of the book, but Fox does it with skill. Long story short, this is a must-read book whether you like urban fantasy or not, and if you aren’t sure about fantasy in general, it’s likely that Fox will change your mind.

April 1, 2015 Interests and hobbies, Reviews Post a Comment

STONE AGE (iPad app) – REVIEW

Stone age

I’ve now had time to play Stone Age on the iPad a few times and it’s just as excellent as I’d hoped. Playing board games on the iPad is no substitute for the real thing, but it’s great for trying out new strategies and exercising your brain. The graphics are not as sophisticated as high-concept computer or console games, but they’re colorful and do not get in the way of gameplay.

Every round consists of two actions. During the first action, you place your people. You can send them off to procure food, make tools, mine the land, trade with ships or at the market, or to make babies. Behind closed doors, don’t worry. 🙂

For the second action, you collect your people together with their goodies (which may or may not require the roll of a few dice). Make sure you gather the best resources and always have enough food, because running out will cost you.

Scores are added up at the end of the game, where you combine the points you picked up along the way with those that are associated with your resources.

What I like most about Stone Age is that throwing dice, which in most games adds an undesired element of luck, becomes part of your overall strategy. The luckier you feel, the fewer men you have to assign to a particular task, but woe unto you if the dice let you down.

On the con side, excessive play totally drains the fun. That applies to the app, not to the physical tabletop game where human interaction infuses the experience with plenty of giggles. That’s because unlike computer games, the app contains no levels to progress to, and you end up going through the motions. But as a tabletop game turned iPad app, Stone Age is pretty great.

All in all I highly recommend it.

4 1/2 stars

November 9, 2014 Books, Reviews Post a Comment

Alien Mine by Marie Dry – REVIEW

Alien Mine – An Unusual Love Story

Marie Dry

I read Alien Mine book a while ago and thought I’d posted the review, but guess what I found in my Draft Folder? Yup. So with some delay, I present a wonderful book I think you’ll enjoy.

Above romance, above humor, and even above characters, I love myself a nice plot. Twisty it should be, and jerky, like driving over the occasional cliff in the hope your car’s wheels have something to land on. Marie Dry’s plot does exactly that.

But let me rewind to the premise, one of the most original ones I’ve seen in a while. A human woman is abducted by an alien who wants to mate with her. But he likes strength, and Natalie, the heroine, might have one flaw that could ruin everything. Asthma. As, well, alien as Zacar, the hero, is, he gets top marks for being an enticing specimen. And their chemistry is wonderful.

But this is so much more than a romance. It touches on some interesting points about humanity, weaknesses and strengths, and yup, procreation. At least it did for me. But I suspect Marie Dry’s prime goal was to entertain, and she does a wonderful job of that.

Best news? There’s going to be a sequel soon.

Read it, guys.

And if you’re interested, check out this interview with the author.

Reviews

October 3, 2014 Books, Reviews, Writing craft 6 Comments

WRITING ACTIVE HOOKS REVIEW – DOES EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN

Mary, Mary, Writers’ Fairy, Grant Me A Wish

The wish of being a better writer and of hooking my readers’ attention.

*swish*

“Read this, child, and your wish shall be granted.”

Sadly, outside of Mary’s Invisible Recruits series, magic requires a lot of hard graft. But it just got a little bit easier.

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, some writing rules you’ve always known. “It was a dark and stormy night” has outlived its usefulness. Nowadays, we want to grab agents, editors and readers by the throat from the start.

So you come up with a clever first sentence that attracts the reader’s interest. Next, you set the scene by describing the swooping of the valleys below. And finally you construct the roads that funnel the reader from one scene to the next. Right?

Well, not according to Mary Buckham. Her book tore up the carefully laid infrastructure of my plot like a jackhammer. Has that woman no shame?

I can’t speak to her shame, but there’s no doubting she knows her stuff. Because she not only helped me fill in the freshly excavated holes with a perfect finish, but gave me the tools to build a better and stronger groundwork in the future. From where to place my hooks for optimum benefit to which types work best for my story, she leaves no stone unturned. Practical examples serve as road signs and guide you reliably to your destination: a true page-turner.

So don your hard hats, roll up your sleeves, and let’s dig deep to make the magic happen.

Writing Active Hooks by Mary Buckham is available now.

September 20, 2014 Books, Reviews Post a Comment

BOOK REVIEWS AS LEVERAGE

Book Reviews Influence Authors

Britney Spears

The best books are the ones that grab the reader, and the best readers are the ones that feel engaged.

When something is precious to us, we want to hang on to it, keep it a secret, defend it with life and limb. Not so with books. Great books need to be shared. They drive us to talk about them, analyze them, and perhaps even reference them.

We readers kick back with a neat mojito and wait for the next installment to be released, trusting the author won’t let us down. After all, sequels are expected, but they’d better live up to the promise of our first foray into that new world.

But what if we had a say in how plots develop, what trials our favorite characters must overcome next, and who should date whom?

In genre fiction, we do have a say. Except, we rarely use our power. With millions of books to choose from, we can be fussy. Writers do their best to be visible, but at best they manage to keep up with the crowd, not stand out from it. Only one factor distinguishes a good author from a successful author.

Readers.

Without us, they’d have a snowball’s chance in the Californian sun of getting their work out there. Sure, reviews are meant to help other readers. But the main beneficiary is the author.

Amazon is throwing obstacle after obstacle at new authors, apparently in the name of providing a better and more transparent service to their readers. You need an insanely large number of independent reviews (and only Amazon decides what constitutes independent) to be featured in their “Other readers who bought this also bought this” list. Sometimes they won’t even allow reviews unless the reader bought the book from them. It’s a great marketing model, but hell on an author’s bottom line.

Other companies, like Barnes & Noble, have taken huge losses because Amazon continues to monopolize the book market. Let’s not even mention independent book stores that aren’t so much waving readers into their shops as they’re drowning. Yet book reviews can drive sales, which is what these places need to get out of the water.

Goodreads, which is incidentally owned by Amazon, is a fantastic place for readers to exchange ideas and to talk openly about the books that gripped them. Here, you can find new fodder for your mind through friends and those you trust, simply by checking out their bookshelves and reading their reviews.

Okay. Authors and book sellers need reviews. I have ’em. What do I do next?

As should be apparent by now, an author can only survive in this wilderness if kind readers leave reviews and use word-of-mouth to spread their enthusiasm.

As readers, we should write informative reviews where we can, but even short reviews can help an author get their books to a greater audience. We stuff a lot of work into reviews, consider each phrase. Except, we do not use our words to line our coffers. In turn, let’s demand to be heard.

How?

We can join authors’ Facebook pages, contact them on their websites or email them directly. But messages can get drowned out or might not make it through their websites’ filters. So why not use our reviews to offer ideas or suggestions? Authors, especially debut authors, will read just about every review they can get their hands on.

I’m not implying we tell them how to write their books, but what’s to stop us from adding that we’d love to see more of one character or one plot element in the sequel?

I’m not just a reader, but also a writer, and if my readers have ideas, hell yeah, I wanna hear them. Once I open up my fictional world to someone, we share that world. But to truly share something, you got to be willing to relinquish a measure of control over it.

What’s the harm in giving the readers what they want, so long as it doesn’t compromise my integrity? You want me to explore my characters’ pasts? I can totally do that. You want to see more of Kirk, my chain-smoking gargoyle? It’s a done deal.

What if I have nothing to suggest?

Even without specifically offering advice, reviews influence authors. They encourage them to write more and faster, and tell sellers like Amazon we want these authors to do well.

The number of stars you leave also does a fair bit of communicating. If a book warrants two stars or less, you wouldn’t even finish a book, let alone write a review. Some do, but I’m not sure what they’re hoping to achieve. Are they trying to warn other readers or are they simply trolls, looking to destroy an author? Above that, three, four and five stars leave a lot of scope for impressing on an author and other readers how you felt about the plot and the characters.

So please, please, please. Next time a book pulls you into its world, write a review and post it on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk (same login details), Amazon.ca, B&N, Waterstone’s, Goodreads, your blog,… You’ll be helping the author, but also helping yourself.

August 15, 2014 Books, Reviews, The Read Path Post a Comment

THE READ PATH with Olga Godim

The Read Path – Olga Godim

In this series, guest bloggers spill all about their roles as gatekeepers between authors and readers. They review books on blogs, websites, podcasts or booksellers’ webpages, influence buyers and connect with authors. My guest today is Olga Godim, a reader and author who understands and takes advantage of the vast resources offered by Goodreads.

Let me hand over my mic. The next voice you’ll hear will be Olga’s.

1. What type of books first captured your imagination?

This is a more complicated question than you’d think. I always liked reading. Since childhood, I liked to stay home on my sofa with a book much more than play outside with friends. I was a solitary child, a bookworm. There were too many interesting books to name one type.

My family was into modern literary fiction, so I read it too, mostly. After a while I realized that I didn’t like it a great deal. Eventually, I gravitated towards classics and from them towards mythology: ancient Greek myths, King Arthur’s legends, Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, Homer.

When I was a young mother myself, with children of my own, I finally discovered fantasy. My first fantasy writer was Mercedes Lackey. I was smitten from the first moment I opened her book. It felt like coming home, finding my niche in the universe of books. Everything I had unconsciously searched for in myths and legends was there: the imaginary worlds, magic and heroes, dragons and princesses, talking horses and brave adventurers. Through Lackey’s Valdemar novels, I fell in love with the genre.

Of course, I read other genres as well – romance, mystery, mainstream – but since 2012, when I started regularly posting my reviews on GoodReads and later on BookLikes, my statistics show interesting figures. Here are my shelves on GoodReads as they stand today.

• Fantasy – 277
• Mystery – 75
• Romance – 61
• Mainstream – 45

Obviously, fantasy dominates my reading list and it also dominates my writing. I’m a fantasy writer, too.

2. With so much choice, how do you find new reading material?

That’s easy. Once again, I’ll direct you to my current GoodReads statistics. My To-Read shelf contains 171 titles, and it’s not nearly complete. Sometimes, I don’t put books into it, but write them (the authors and the titles) into a special notebook. Most of my To-Read lists (both digital and paper) come from my online friends’ reviews and recommendations. Some come from book blurbs. I read them. I also love spoilers. They let me decide if I want to read the book.

Several of my favorite authors automatically go into my lists, whenever their new books come out. Those include in fantasy and sci-fi: Sharon Shinn, Patricia Briggs, Wen Spencer, Frank Tuttle, Sarah Wynde, Cassandra Rose Clarke (my latest love affair in fantasy), and Lois McMaster Bujold. I love Terry Pratchett, too, but I’m selective about his books. I prefer his City Watch sub-series to the others. In romance, Jennifer Crusie is my absolute favorite. Georgette Heyer is a wonderful romance writer, the founder of Regency romance, but unfortunately I already read everything she’s written, and she’s been dead for decades. Sometimes I re-read her just to re-live the pleasure. In cozy mystery, Carola Dunn holds my heart.

Before I joined GR, I was often stumped: what to read next? I couldn’t imagine myself without a book waiting, but it was hard to choose. Now, my list is getting unwieldy. I don’t know when I’ll be able to finish it. Probably never, which is encouraging.

And I still read classics, although not nearly as often as I did in my youth. My latest classical discovery was Christopher Morley’s Parnassus on Wheels – a delightful little book published in 1917.

3. How do you go about writing your reviews?

It depends on a book. In most cases, I start with a short blurb and then segue into what touched me most. I often disclose my take on the characters, the plot, the pacing, the dialogue. Sometimes, I include quotes in my reviews. Some books have deeper ideas, and I mention my thoughts on the subject, whether I agree or disagree. Some books are funny, and I point that out. If I’m irritated by a certain aspect, I write about that too. Not necessarily everything goes into every review. There are no rules.

I rarely write bad reviews, generally because I almost never finish books I dislike. Writing reviews for such books seems dishonest. And I really don’t want the writers, especially the new writers, to feel bad. I may not like their books, but someone else might. I don’t wish to spoil their chances. On the other hand, I’m not as reticent about classics or famous writers. If I dislike their books, I say so. They can’t be harmed by my negative reviews, so I don’t have to guard my tongue.

I want to stress one important point about my reviews: I never write them on demand, never accept books for reviews from anyone. I either buy my books or get them from the library. The only exception is NetGalley. Sometimes, when I want to read a new novel by a certain author, and it’s not yet available at the library, I look through NetGalley.

4. The publishing world is undergoing a radical change brought about, in no small measure, through readers. How has the new landscape affected you?

As a reader, it didn’t affect me at all, except I had to buy a Kindle to read books that are only available in electronic formats. As a writer though, the effects are still rippling. For one thing, there are so many books being published daily it’s hard to get my books noticed by readers. Hard to get reviews. Hard to sell books.

One fact is glaring though. With the ease of self-publishing, many authors opt to go that road, and the results aren’t always or even often good. In fact, most self-published books I read are bad. They’re raw, need serious revisions and deep editing. A few exceptions only emphasize that rule, but I’m glad those exceptions exist. One of them is Sarah Wynde. She is a great fantasy writer and she is self-published. Another is Frank Tuttle. I love his fantasy. There are a few more like them, and I mightn’t have discovered these terrific writers without the self-publishing option.

5. Out of the many books you’ve read, which two had the greatest impact on you?

It’s easier to name writers than books. The first one was Mercedes Lackey. I told you about her in the question #1. She started me on my current road of reading fantasy and writing fantasy. She opened the genre for me. I don’t read her much anymore, I found a better fit for my penchant for fantasy, but Lackey would always have a special place in my heart.

The other one is Sharon Shinn – my favorite fantasy writer. I enjoy her lyrical and magical tales, a blend of fantasy and romance. Her stories are full of light, without the darkness that’s dominated fantasy novels in the past decade. I especially like her older Samaria series. In it, she writes about angels, and her concept of angels is unique. It has nothing to do with biblical angels and everything to do with the writer’s imagination. She created a charming race of angels in her stories, angels I believe in, despite my atheism. When I read Shinn’s books, my spirit soars. I want to write like she does. This is my aspiration.

She is one of very few writers I use as a self-teaching aid. Whenever I’m blocked in my own writing, I ask myself: how would Shinn handle such a conundrum? I open one of her books at random and page through a dialog or a narrative to see what she does. It often helps.

In general, my reviews are helping me to become a better writer. When I analyze a book, I see mistakes the author made, see what is working and what isn’t, and apply what I’m learning to my own writing. But there is a side effect to this postulate. Because I see mistakes, I stopped enjoying books that are not written perfectly. I’ve become too picky in my reading, much more so than before I started writing reviews two years ago. It might be a good thing though.

Media links:

Website: http://olgagodim.wordpress.com
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6471587.Olga_Godim
BookLikes: http://olgagodim.booklikes.com/
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/olga_godim

August 9, 2014 Interests and hobbies, Reviews Post a Comment

HAVOK AND HIJINKS – Review

New Card Game. Cute, Quick and Quirky.

I’m a Kickstarter addict. And why not? They have fantastic stuff for great prices. Plus, you get to be involved in the development of some awesome products.

The interval between first pledge and final delivery is usually much longer than first indicated. Hey, that’s part of the roller-coaster ride. But when you receive the comic or scarf or game or whatever you pledged for, it’s like Christmas.

Today the mailman brought a neat little card game called Havok and Hijinks. It features these cute dragons that were kicked out of their homes by their parents when they starting eyeing their gold. Now the youngsters head out into the world to gather their own treasure. Even if it means stealing it from their friends.

Havok and hijinks

As soon as I received the game, I talked a friend into playing it. Fifteen minutes later, I’d lost the game, but you wouldn’t know it from my grin. It’s one of those games that makes you go all fuzzy inside, like you just want to hug everyone. Why? No clue. It just does. Perhaps it’s the adorable faces with those huge eyes staring up at you (I’m talking dragons, you understand. NOT opponents.). Or maybe it’s the game play that’s part luck, part strategy, and all fun.

Havok and hijinks

In fact, the game mechanics are quick to learn. You flip over a Havok card. The card will either present you with a certain amount of gold (yay!), or give you an action to perform, also called an “event.” This could involve swapping cards with an opponent, or possibly letting you reorder the next three Havok cards to ensure your opponents get the worst ones. In the next step, you play one of the three Hijinks cards in your hands. This card might allow you to steal a treasure, break your opponents’ treasures,… Many Hijinks cards also give you a defensive function to shield yourself against attack.

Havok and hijinks
Oh, and your dragon has some neat tricks up its sleeves, too. You know, if dragons actually wore sleeves. All of this adds up to a whole lotta fun.

Seriously, this game is an excellent way of spending your lunch break. If you’re into tabletop games and card games at all, get this game at havokandhijinks.com, where it will be available to buy by the end of August 2014.

Havok and Hijinks plays with 2-4 players, takes between 15-30 minutes, and is recommended for children and grown-ups from 13 years.

July 31, 2014 Interests and hobbies, Reviews Post a Comment

ESSEN SPIEL GAME FAIR

International Games Days in Essen/Internationale Spieltage in Essen

Every year, the tabletop gaming world is in a tizzy about the Internationale Spieltage (International Games Days), commonly just referred to as Essen, after the place where the exhibition is held, or also ‘Spiel.’ For four days in October, madness descends onto the smallish city in Germany, with game designers, manufacturers and players crowding the halls of the exhibition center. But it’s just as likely you’ll run into comic book sellers, and even owners of RPGs and live action material, plus you’ll find enough activity to keep the little ones amused.

With Kickstarter’s success in recent years, Essen has become ever more important. I’m ashamed to say that, despite my own ties to Germany, I’ve never attended. As a writer I would love to attend a handful of writing conferences, which are almost all held in the USA, but that’s too far a trek from the UK. Essen, on the other hand, is but a hop and a skip away. So what’s my excuse?

Before Kickstarter, my involvement with games was merely as a player, and peripheral at best. You go to the shop, pick the boardgame that seems popular or has won an award, and off you go to entertain the whole family. Like most of you, I imagine. But times are a-changing. If you’ve only ever played Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, you’re in for quite a surprise. While you weren’t paying attention, the term boardgame has been displaced by tabletop game, to include card games or tile games and all the other games that don’t use a physical board. So what tabletop game should you buy? That depends on what tickles you most. Enter your local games store, and you can pick up party games, social deduction games, role-playing games, card collecting games, adventure games, strategy games, and a myriad of others. Some allow solo play and are suitable for up to four players, while others require a minimum of three players and accommodate as many as 20 players. The choice is mind-blowing.

Since Kickstarter, I’ve been overwhelmed by the variety and ingenuity small games designers and individuals have shown in bringing us totally innovative games. With strong parallels to the book publishing world, even Joe Average can now have his game printed professionally. All you need is an idea. Even I’ve caught the bug and have invented a fair number.

And if you have two or three months of spare time, you may even launch your own game on Kickstarter, hoping to attract a number of pledgers so you may offer better prices through economy of scales. That’s a great thing, because with greater accessibility comes greater choice for the consumer.

Still, what most game designers dream of is their own booth at Essen. You succeed here, you’ve made it. You play with the big boys. But why in the world should a potential player schlepp to Germany? Well, you could take part in one of the many contests, or play tournaments to experience a new game in action. If you’re lucky, you might even pick up a bargain game. The biggest attraction, however, is the international and friendly atmosphere. Tired of traipsing through churches and visiting museums while on vacation? Try Essen. For only €13 ($16), you get a visitor’s daypass.

What are your favorite games? Do many of you actually still play tabletop games? If so, am I invited?

July 30, 2014 Books, Reviews, Urban Fantasy Post a Comment

AGAINST THE DAWN by AMANDA BONILLA – Review

The Shaede Assassin series continues

Amanda Bonilla

Book 4 of the Shaede Assassin series shows no sign of fatigue. After the emotional turmoil in book 3, the first few pages of Against the Dawn act as sort of an intensive care ward for Darian’s wounded soul. She takes stock and reconnects with Xander and Ty. While she’s hesitant to give any sure-fire indication as to which way her heart beats, the Shaede king and the jinn grab the opportunity to prove themselves.

Along the way the author serves up a number of road blocks and surprises. The resulting zigzag is also reflected in the characters’ journeys. Not only do we dig deeper into the people in Darian’s life, Darian herself reveals her true mettle.

And like any good book, this isn’t all about who’s making out with whom. Plenty of action and plot-twisting awaits us, including the appearance of an unwelcome face from Darian’s past. After the introspective start, the pace doesn’t as much gallop as hurtle head-over-feet-over-head to the ending, providing just enough respite to let us catch our breaths.

A word about the ending. I prefer it if the author wraps everything up into a lovely, tidy parcel. Cliffhangers and loose threads get you all hot for the next instalment, then leave you hanging for many months as you wait for the conclusion.

That said, biting into a pillow while grunting your impatience is a lot of fun, too. And this truly is the mother of all cliffhangers. Either way, I will sit by my Kindle app, on the look-out for book 5.

tl;dr
Should you read it? Hell yeah.