Book review: "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

Warning: major spoilers ahead and discussion of mental health issues.

I get a lot of reading recommendations from friends and family, and while I don't always read every single thing I get recommended by them I do consider all of them. My sister came to visit (a shamefully long while ago now) and lent me a few books, among them was It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. After reading the blurb I was a little unsure of it, but hoped that the title was a little more self-deprecating than literal.

Book review: "The Rosie Project" by Greame Simsion

Warning: likely spoilers below!

I borrowed The Rosie Project from my mother, who had told me it was very funny and really good, and pretty much just started reading it without thinking about it too hard. I had no preconceptions about it and I feel that this approach was actually quite refreshing, as normally I find I have some idea of how I want things to go in books I read.

Book review: "Outsider" by KlairedeLys

Warning: spoilers ahead!

I have been a follower of KlairedeLys on various social media platforms (particularly YouTube) for a long time, and when she said she had written and published Outsider I was interested but didn't get a chance to read the book until recently, when my younger sister lent it to me.

Book review: "Wonderbook" by Jeff VanderMeer

So I actually read this book a little while ago (mid- to late October if I remember correctly) but then November hit and I found I was spending all my time writing my novel for NaNoWrimo or working - I am saddened for Wonderbook to have been delayed so much, as I really really loved it!

Review: "Victoriana 3rd Edition Core Rulebook" Part 5: "Trials and Tribulations"

Today I am continuing (and, in actual fact, finishing) my series on the Victoriana 3rd Edition Core Rulebook, the first four posts of which are here, here, here and here.

This chapter of the book is the gamemaster's section, and has information to help GMs run games, including information on creating an atmosphere, scripting adventures and stats for NPCs and monsters.

Book review: "The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules" by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

Warning: spoilers.

When I said I was looking for things to review on this blog, my mother (who is part of a book group) gave me some suggestions and lent me some books, and The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg was one of them.

Review: "Victoriana 3rd Edition Core Rulebook" Part 4: "Sorcery and Steam"

(Before I start this post I'd like to apologise for the gap in posts lately - I don't like making excuses for not keeping up with this blog but I had a very stressful few months where I had no time or energy to post here. That period seems to be thankfully over now though, and I should be able to post more regularly again!)

To continue with my series on the Victoriana 3rd Edition Core Rulebook by Cubicle 7 (previous posts here, here and here), I am today looking at "Book 4: Steam and Sorcery".

As you might be able to guess from the title of the chapter, this part of the book has the rules for using magic and machinery in the game. It features a lot of similar content to the 2nd Edition splatbook Marvels of Science and Steampunk, but with the addition of the Celestial Engine (discussed in my previous post), some of the rules will obviously change.

Review: "Victoriana 3rd Edition Core Rulebook" Part 3: "Cogs and Wheels - The Prime Mover"

Following on from my previous two posts where I review the Victoriana 3rd Edition Core Rulebook by Cubicle 7 (Part One, Part Two), here is the third: "Book 3: Cogs and Wheels - The Prime Mover".

This chapter in the book concerns the system that is used to determine how and to what effect the actions of the characters, NPCs and plot happen - as such it is a very detailed chapter! Once again I was curious about the things that had changed and not changed from the Victoriana 2nd Edition Core Rulebook, especially considering that combat appears in this chapter, something I often found difficult in the 2nd Edition rules.