What I played in July 2024

So as not to make super long posts, and for anyone who isn't interested in gaming, I'm doing my what I played gaming post separate to my what I read post. Hope you enjoy it! 

 

Constantly enjoying hoop of the week and the daily hoops in Stitch on Nintendo Switch

 

Getting a Disney fix from Disney Magical World on my Nintendo 3DS XL 

Enjoyed familiar favourite songs in Hatsune Miku Project Mirai on my Nintendo 3DS XL

 

Finished the cute find the cat in Hidden Cats in Paris on Nintendo Switch

Finished Fae Farm, whose DLC wasn't my fave aspect on Nintendo Switch

The black and white short game A Winding Path was a fun few hours that I finished in two sessions on Nintendo Switch. 

 

Started the time management cleaning game Hotel Hustle with raccoons as the protagonist on Nintendo Switch 

 Started a point and click adventure, First Time in Paris on Nintendo Switch. Visited Paris as a teen, didn't like it that much. The game is fun though.

 

 Started Mary Skelter 2, a first person dungeon crawler horror with cute graphics but scary premise. Played the other 2 games in the trilogy, this one is new and is being played before the 1st game as oddly that's how it's meant to be. All on Nintendo Switch, by a fave company Idea Factory

 

Finished a cute farming game, Story of Seasons Pioneers of Olive Town which had me zipping about on a bike the later part of the game on Nintendo Switch

 

 Continued the calmer farming DLC to Eastward: Octopia on Nintendo Switch (pic generic stock image not my personal farm)

 

 Since I finished one farming sim I started another, Story of Seasons Doraemon Friends of the Great Kingdom. In the very early stages of this Nintendo Switch game. 

And Then There Were Crows by Alcy Leyva Review + Guest Blog Post (Horror, 8/10E)

 December 2018 and July 2019 , Black Spot Books, 280 pages, Ebook, Review copy 

Content: horror elements, death, grossness, some swearing,

Summary for And Then There Were Crows by Black Spot Publishing 
 New York City has always been a big fat sack of stress for Amanda Grey. From turning herself into knots to evade rubbing ass cheeks with strangers on the train, to round-housing public bathroom door handles to stave off plague contaminations, Grey has always found the simple technique of avoidance best in dealing with NYC. Luckily, the one-bedroom apartment in Queens she shares with her parents has always served as a refuge from a world that’s too loud and too bright for Amanda Grey.

When she inadvertently rents a room to a demon, Grey goes from a woman concentrated on her own personal demons to the woman responsible for recapturing the six Shades from Hell she’s unleashed upon the city. She manages to survive by accepting the help of Barnem, an antisocial seraphim who just happens to reside in an upstairs apartment and the demon she now shares her apartment with—and who is oddly eager to help her vanquish the Shades, though she can't be sure if he’s motivated by roommate loyalty or a secret plot to enslave humankind. Probably the latter.

Together the unlikely trio will have to face off with the devils of New York politics, break the curse of infomercial jingles, and figure out exactly how Grey has become the leader of a cult, all as Grey begins to realize that maybe the end of the world is exactly what her life needed. Now she just needs to figure out how to survive it.

Nayu's thoughts

Oh my word, this book was more horror filled than I thought it would be. After mistakenly thinking it was a thriller (it has a thrilling element to it), I didn't think it would be as horrific in a good way as it was. Not that there's anything good about birds coming forth from creatures, and hideous things happening which I won't mention so as not to spoil the book for you. The grossness was extremely well done, although I did have to skim past some sections that I couldn't handle. 

To be fair there was quite a bit of humour which I enjoyed, especially when opinions were given on a leader of a large country which I fully agreed with. I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened to Mandy, to make sure she stays safe. She doesn't, and is frequently in situations that are the opposite of safe. What the story entailed meant I reached my threshold for horror, and couldn't read the sequel that is out this month, although I did read the final chapter of that book so I knew how things ended. 

I am predominantly not a person who can handle a lot of horror, but Alcy's writing had me hooked and needing to know about Mandy, and also her sister who personally was my favourite character, for her behaviour, her secrets, and just how she ends up being more of a help than a hindrance, which is how Mandy initially feels about it. Just don't ask me to read all of book 2! I had to postpone playing a game with horror elements because of my horror limit overflowing. This is a good thing, it shows how great a writer Alcy is to have freaked me out a lot.

I was intrigued about this book  because I wanted to know what trouble a demon would cause for Mandy. I still loved that aspect of Mandy's life, creepiness aside I thought of the demon as a cute pet, despite it not always looking cute and certainly not always behaving how a pet does, it does care for Mandy in it's own way which is charming, considering most of the book's content. It hid itself to some of the world when it needed to, in a way that made both me and Mandy laugh. Demons aren't all bad! Okay, most are, but I read this because I know that demons can have good in them from books by other authors (see suggested read) and this is true for Mandy's demon, mostly. Her enemies were pure evil, she is put in so many situations where her survivial seems non existant, her hermit ways are tested and she has to deal with people which is a challenge in itself for introvert Mandy. 

Despite the content I do love this story, I won't be rereading it as it is memorable enough in what happens, and I'm fairly sure my brain didn't join some dots together to protect me from the true horror of this tale. Yet I can take horror in books more easily than a horror film, and there are different types of horror, with this book being managable and films like The Exorcist being something I can never ever watch. Ever. 

You can follow Alcy on Twitter.

Suggested read 

One of the books I'm recommending has a gruesome twist A Rose For St Amelia by Jack Nesbitt (Thriller, Romance, 9/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

and the other, A Fistful of Frost by Rebecca Chastain (Urban Fantasy, 10E/10E) is why I wanted to read about this demon because others have been good: 

Guest Blog Post from Lindy Ryan, Owner & Publisher of Black Spot Books

 Nayu: Knowing that Black Spot Books is a small and relatively new publisher had me wanting to know more about them, so Lindy kindly wrote this guest blog post.

As an independent press specializing in speculative fiction, we opened our doors at Black Spot Books in January 2018 with a frontlist of engaging novels from fresh American voices, most of which were debut authors. Since then, our catalog has grown to include a range of titles that span from urban fantasy to dystopian futures, historical fiction, and psychological thrillers. During our first two years, Black Spot Books has thrived by carving a niche in the market and building industry partnerships, all while maintaining a collaborative, author-centric culture that sets our house apart from other small publishers.

At Black Spot Books, we operate under the guiding principles of passion, creativity, and investment in the long-term success of our books and our authors. We wanted to forge a new publishing company that focused on bringing great new books to market from authors who may not have found a home with the large publishing houses, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Our culture as a publisher is based on collaboration, both internally with our authors and team members, and with the industry at large. As we’ve solidified our place in the publishing community, our efforts have been guided by our passions as book lovers first and producers second. We’ve brought fresh new voices to market, published boundary-challenging fiction from new and emerging writers who have stories we believe in—and that’s exactly what we will continue to do.

Building a new small press from scratch is a labor of love, and it truly takes a team of dedicated, creative, and passionate people. As owner and publisher, I couldn’t be happier with how we’ve evolved from the new kid on the block to a sustainable small press, and I am looking forward to continuing to be part of this industry for many years to come as we bring new voices and new projects to our readers around the world. I’m so proud of our authors and our titles—series like Sam Hooker’s Terribly Serious Darkness and Alcy Leyva’s Shades of Hell; strong fiction from bestselling author Seven Jane and hybrid authors like Stacey Rourke; Matthew Binder’s  controversial near-future political dystopian, The Absolved, which has stoked conversations everywhere from Quillette to Quartz; and so many more. As we set our sights on 2020, we can’t wait to introduce more installments in serials, new works from in-house authors, and fresh new voices. We’ve also planned several collaborative multi-author projects from some of our leading in-house authors, including our first anthology, A Midnight Clear, a collection of not-so-merry Yuletide stories available on preorder now for release in November!

A Foot in the Grave by Joan Aiken and Jan Pienkowski (Children's, 10 years +, 10/10E)

3rd October 2013, Jonathan Cape

144 Pages, Hardback

Review copy

Content: Ghost stories - although chilling, not terrifying

Summary from Jonathan Cape

When Jan Pienkowski began a haunting series of paintings and asked Joan Aiken to compose accompanying ghostly stories, the result was bound to be an exceptional book.

Here are tales of ghostly revenge, tales to scare and amuse, peopled with malevolent spirits and mysterious heroes. Haunting happenings and peculiar twists shape these stories; the unexplained and unearthly goings-on add up to an extraordinary and eerie experience.

The Mole's review

I had expected stories of terror but was extremely pleasantly surprised to find that they were in fact mainly twists and chilling - I have to admit to enjoying it far more than I had expected because of this. In fact in some of them the twist makes them almost amusing - but that could be me?

 Although it sounds like a children's book, with the publisher saying '10+', I found this book to be totally readable and acceptable as an adult.

The chosen font is quite large and the illustrations are hauntingly relevant and in all an extremely nice book to hold, own and to read. An ideal present for someone who likes supernatural tales.

Only 1 week left to win the chance to meet Michael Grant, author of 'Gone' series!

Today's post is an update from the original post explaining how you can win an opportunity to meet Michael. Here's all the info you need from the press release.

Gone Online 

One week of play left in the game based on Michael Grant’s best-selling series of books, GONE

www.gone-online.com

There is just one week to go until the prize-winning period of Gone Online comes to an end. The game is based on the bestselling GONE series by Michael Grant and celebrates LIGHT, the sixth and final book in the series, which was published on 28 March.  It has already topped the bestseller lists in both the UK and Ireland. 

So far the game has been a hit with over 2,000 people playing more than 35,000 games between them, since the launch on 11 March.  People are playing Gone Online all over the world, from the UK and Ireland to the Ukraine and Uganda. To date, players are based in just under 70 countries. 

Over 200 players have already won prizes, including limited-edition wrist bands, book tokens and full sets of the books.  However, the final prize, an Apple iPad and the chance to meet Michael Grant in a private capsule on the EDF Energy London Eye on 4 May, is still up for grabs.  The winner will be the highest scorer when the game finishes, on 22 April.

Gone Online comprises a series of mini-games released on a weekly basis and inspired by content from the books.  Some of the games test knowledge of the books while others can be played by anyone – and they can be highly addictive!  To date, players have clocked up over 500 hours of game play.  Gone Online is available on all devices and incorporates the latest in location-based marketing and social sharing, with players picking up extra points by checking in with their smart phones at specific locations – libraries and bookshops - and sharing the game with their friends.

After the 22 April, fans of Gone Online can continue to play, though no prizes will be available.

Awesome opportunity to meet Michael Grant, author of 'Gone' series

Remember Gone, Hunger, and Lies by Michael Grant? Well, there are more books in the series now. I'm a bit too scared to read further! But for those of you with stronger stomachs than mine, here's an awesome opportunity for you! Here are all the details from the press release sheet, which involves a fun online and a competition to meet Michael!!!!! How cool is that? Check it out - info courtesy of Egmont UK 

Gone Online

A new online game based on Michael Grant’s GONE series for teens marks the sixth and final book

www.gone-online.com

To celebrate the publication of LIGHT, the sixth and final book in Michael Grant’s bestselling GONE series, Egmont Press has created an online game, Gone Online, based on the books.  It launches today, Monday 11 March.

GONE was the first instalment in the epic teen series which has become hugely popular with teenagers internationally and has been lauded by Stephen King as ‘exciting, high-tension … told in a driving, torrential narrative that never lets up.’  Over 400,000 copies of the books have now been sold in the UK alone.

Gone Online can be played at www.gone-online.com over a six week period.  It draws on content from all five of the books so far and leads up to the much-anticipated publication of LIGHT, on 28 March.  Starting with four games at launch - Zeke Zap, Word Search, Hacker and a GONE quiz - there will be further games and challenges released on a weekly basis until the winner is announced.

The object of the game is to score as many points as possible.  Highly addictive, the games are designed to challenge, infuriate and test your skills, and to get you completely hooked.  Some of the games will reward time and speed, others ability and knowledge of the books.  Using the latest in location-based marketing, players can pick up extra points by checking in with their smart phones at specific locations – bookshops or libraries.

The winner of the game - the highest scorer at the end of the six weeks - will win an Apple iPad and the chance to meet Michael Grant in a private capsule on the EDF Energy London Eye on 4 May.  Participation will also be rewarded with prizes along the way, including signed editions and book tokens as well as never-before-seen content such as extra chapters and video messages from the author.

Michael Grant comments, “If you’ve been reading the GONE series all along, you probably know that we have reached the end. I have to admit that I felt a bit sad typing the last sentence of LIGHT.  It seemed strange that I would no longer be spending quite as much time with the gang.  I was concerned that some of you, the true fans, might have a bit of withdrawal.  So now you can play the game, which is all about the GONE universe. You do have to read the books to play some of the games so I consider this gaming of the best kind.”  

Gone Online was created with the help of special think tanks –children from Horniman School in South London and Stoke Newington School in Hackney, East London.   Thirteen year-old Maliaka from Stoke Newington comments, “I love the different dilemmas and problems that the children have to go through to survive the FAYZ.  I am very excited about the idea of a game based on the series. It has been one of my favourite books to read so I can’t wait for the game.  I loved being involved with coming up with ideas for the game. It was really fun to get our heads together to make it as great as possible.  I spend any free time I have reading and I play games either with my family or friends. I love books and all the different characters and stories. It is like travelling through different worlds."

Mike Richards, Marketing Director at Egmont Press, comments, “We wanted to have some fun with the publication of LIGHT and give the fans of the series something challenging with a great prize – and it doesn’t come much better than being locked in a revolving glass pod with Michael Grant. Publishers are becoming more creative in the way that they connect authors with readers and I think this is a good example of that. I particularly like the element of the game that connects readers with bookshops via a physical check-in, which reinforces the idea that this is all about a game experience around Michael’s amazing novels, not for its own sake.”

Gone Online is hosted on a dedicated website and can also be played on smart phones.  Players of any age can take part and you don’t have to be a fan of the books, but it will certainly help.

After the initial six week competition, fans of Gone Online can continue to play, though no prizes will be available.

About the series

The six books in the series, published by Egmont Press, are GONE (2008), HUNGER (2009), LIES (2010), PLAGUE (2011), FEAR (2012) and LIGHT (28 March 2013).

The story starts when everyone over the age of 15 disappears in the blink of an eye, leaving hundreds of children trapped in a Californian town encased by a mysterious, impenetrable dome.  Inside, it is a matter of survival.  With no adults there are no rules and somehow the physics of the universe as we know it have changed, causing some of the children to develop strange powers.

Michael Grant

Michael Grant has always been fast-paced.  He’s lived in almost 50 different homes in 14 US states, and moved in with his wife, Katherine Applegate, after knowing her for less than 24 hours. His long list of previous occupations includes: law librarian, cartoonist, bowling alley mechanic, restaurant reviewer, waiter, documentary film producer and political media consultant. 

Michael and Katherine have co-authored more than 150 books, including the massive hit series Animorphs, which has sold more than 35 million copies. Working solo, Michael is the author of the internationally bestselling series GONE and the ground-breaking transmedia trilogy BZRK. Michael, Katherine and their two children live in the San Francisco Bay Area, not far from Silicon Valley.