Goblin Rock Sled - MTG 4E

 

Happy Resurrection Day! 2025 Edition

 

⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he^[a] lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” ⁸ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:5-10

³ He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:3

³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me….

^….13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain….

^….19 If in Christ we have hope^[b] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep….

I Corinthians 15:3-8, 13-14, 19-20

I have Hope this morning because Jesus is God. He demonstrated that by dying and coming back to life again. Death has no power over Him and I have put my trust in Him so death has no power over me beyond what God has decreed. What is even better is that YOU can have that same Hope too, if you will turn your life over to Jesus.

[Art] The Darknesses Cry Goodbye

 

“My breaking heart and I agree, that you and I could never be, so with my best... my very best, I set you free” ― Rachel Yamagata

The pain will fade and I know that, but right now, it hurts. Just like back then. I hate having a heart. And this time, I will not keep it to myself. While I might not be telling everyone I know, in essence I am telling the world. 

The Sum of All Men (Runelords #1) 3Stars

 

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress & Blogspot by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

Title: The Sum of All Men
Series: Runelords #1
Author: David Farland
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 517
Words: 194K
Publish: 1998

Grim. That is the word to describe this book (and I suspect, the series). I suspect that is why I gave it 2stars back in ‘08 and never read any more. Now that some time has passed, I wanted to try the series again.

What I noticed this time around, specifically, was the utter lack of hope. Yes, there were embers of hope within individuals, but they were based solely upon their ability to do something about the situation. Considering who they were facing (Raj Ahten was pretty much at god level with all of his endowments), that hope was really wishful thinking and not true hope. There was no prophecy. There was no entity with greater power than anybody in the story. It was very much a “we are on our own and must make do” kind of story. If that appeals to you, then I highly recommend this book.

These books were written when the Wheel of Time had slowed to a crawl. Farland managed to write the first four books within a four year period. Then he slowed down due to life circumstances and as far as I know, the series never got past book 8 and remains unfinished, because Farland died. “He’s ded Jim”. I suspect I will be reading the first tetralogy and call it a day.

Series and authors like Farland and Jordan and Martin should be a serious warning to readers, especially those who think their favorite author is going to live forever (coughSandersoncough. Have you seen that guy? He’s almost 50 and is going to have a heart attack by then if he doesn’t lose a lot of weight. He’ll kill himself and then where will all the fans of his Stormlight Archives be? Up a creek without a paddle, that’s where). This is the reason I am such a fan of trilogies. Tell your story and then be done. The Runelords was originally going to be a trilogy before it bloated up to an 8book unfinished monstrosity.

Now, that there is a mighty lot o’ complaining, yessiree. I do acknowledge that. It mightn’t even make you question why I gave this 3stars and why I would continue with the series. It is because it is an intriguing story. Farland has actually thought out the logical consequences to his magic system, and while it is extremely depressing, it makes total sense. I am looking forward to someone in the story working out yet more shenanigans.

The covers are all by Darryl Sweet, the same guy who did the covers for the Saga of Recluce and the Wheel of Time. Don’t be put off by them, this story is very different from those. Sweet had one mode of drawing and that was it.

★★★☆☆

From Wikipedia

In the universe of The Runelords, there exists a unique magical system which relies on the existence of distinct bodily attributes, such as brawn, grace, and wit. These attributes can be transferred from one individual (or animal) to another in a process known as "giving an endowment". Lords who have taken many endowments become extremely powerful, almost superhuman, and are known as Runelords.

Seeking the hand of the Princess Iome Sylvarresta, Prince Gaborn Val Orden is sidetracked when the Wolf Lord Raj Ahten invades the Kingdom of Heredon, seeking to rule all of Rofehavan.

• The Sum of All Men (2008 Review)

The Mu of Muichiro (Demon Slayer #14) 3Stars

 

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress & Blogspot by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

Title: The Mu of Muichiro
Series: Demon Slayer #14
Author: Koyoharu Gotouge
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga
Pages: 191
Words: 9K
Publish: 2019

While this was better than the previous volume, this series is fast losing its appeal to me. I’ll read the next volume next month and if my enjoyment level doesn’t go up, I’ll probably abandon the series.

★★★☆☆

From Wikipedia

"Awful Villain"

"Swordsmith"

"The Mu of Muichiro"

"Coming Back"

"Trading Insults"

"Abnormal Situation"

"A Passing Moment of Excitement"

"Mitsuri Kanroji's Life Passes Before Her Eyes"

"Get It Together, Moron!"

After coming to terms with his own past, Muichirō defeats Gyokko, while Tanjiro and the others struggle against Hantengu. While the battle rages on, Haganezuka races to reforge Tanjiro's new sword and deliver it to him.

C is for Corpse (Kinsey Millhone #3) 3Stars

 

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress & Blogspot by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

Title: C is for Corpse
Series: Kinsey Millhone #3
Author: Sue Grafton
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 223
Words: 77K
Publish: 1986

Overall, I enjoyed this a good bit more than the previous two books. Kinsey didn’t do so many stupid things. It also helped that she kept her panties on instead of jumping into bed with a murderer or nutcase or thief or spy.

But.

Once again, the author’s bias against guns shows itself and this is used to create a life and death situation for Kinsey (again!!!) that she barely escapes. I was so pissed off. If Kinsey had brought her pistol with her, she wouldn’t have had to run away from the psycho killer with a syringe of something nasty. The pistol wasn’t even mentioned this time. It’s a non-starter. Guns exist for just such a situation like this. I just shook my head and rolled my eyes.

Other than that, I definitely had a better time. A good murder mystery coupled with some of the worst of humanity. But it wasn’t presented as good or right. Gives me hope for the future of this series.

Of course, I’m alternating this series with the Mrs Pollifax series on my Era. So I won’t be back to put up with Kinsey Millhone for at least three months or more. I’m ok with that. She goes a long way, sigh...

★★★☆☆

From Wikipedia

The novel begins with Kinsey at the gym, rehabilitating herself from injuries sustained at the end of B is for Burglar. While there, she meets Bobby Callahan, a twenty-three-year-old who was nearly killed when his car went off the road nine months ago. Bobby is convinced that the car crash, which killed his friend Rick, was an attempt on his life. He suspects that he may still be in danger, so he hires Kinsey to investigate. Having lost some of his memories and cognitive faculties as a result of the crash, he can only vaguely articulate why he thinks someone wants to kill him, referring to some information in a red address book that he can no longer locate.

Kinsey takes the case despite little information, having taken a liking to Bobby. She meets his rich but dysfunctional family: Glen, his mother is an heiress who is married to her third husband, Derek Wenner, whose daughter Kitty is a 17-year-old drug user and is seriously ill with anorexia. Glen has spared no expense in seeking treatment and counseling for Bobby. He is depressed further due to Rick's death, his own injuries, and the loss of his prospects at medical school. A few days later, Bobby dies in another car crash, which is attributed to a seizure while driving. Kinsey thinks this is the delayed result of the first crash and thus a successful murder. Kinsey investigates several people: Kitty stands to inherit 2 million dollars from Bobby's will; Derek insured Bobby's life for a large sum without Glen's knowledge; and Rick's parents blame Bobby for their son's death.

However, Kinsey looks elsewhere for the solution: a friend of Bobby's gives her Bobby's address book, which shows Bobby was searching for someone called Blackman. Bobby's former girlfriend thought Bobby ended their relationship because he was having an affair with someone else, and she thinks Bobby was helping a woman who was being blackmailed. Kinsey eventually finds out that the woman with whom Bobby was involved was his mother's friend, Nola Fraker. She confesses to having accidentally shot her husband, a well-known architect named Dwight Costigan, during a supposed struggle with an intruder at their home years prior. She has a blackmailer, who is in possession of the gun with Nola's fingerprints on it.

Trying to investigate further, Kinsey realizes that 'Blackman' is code for an unidentified corpse in the morgue. She finds the gun concealed in the corpse. However, while she is at the hospital, she finds the recently murdered body of the morgue assistant and realizes the killer is at the hospital. It is Nola's current husband, Dr. Fraker, a pathologist from the hospital, who is also the blackmailer. Bobby found out what Fraker was up to; but Fraker rigged the first car accident before he could do anything about it, leading Bobby to eventually put Kinsey on the trail. Soon after, Fraker cut Bobby's brake lines, leading to his fatal crash, and falsified the autopsy results to point to a seizure. Fraker traps Kinsey and gives her a disabling injection, but she manages to cosh him and escapes to a phone to call the police. In the epilogue, she describes finally discharging the debt she feels she owes to Bobby and concludes with a wish that he is at peace.

In a side plot, Kinsey's landlord and friend Henry begins a personal and business relationship with Lila Sams, newly arrived in Santa Teresa. Kinsey, rubbed the wrong way by Lila, discovers her to be a fraudster with multiple identities and turns her over to the police just as Lila is preparing to decamp with Henry's money.

Goblin King - MTG 4E

 

He's no David Bowie, that's for sure!

The Infinity Gate (Pandominion #1) 1Star

 

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress & Blogspot by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

Title: The Infinity Gate
Series: Pandominion #1
Author: Mike Carey
Rating: 1 of 5 Stars
Genre: SF
Pages: 523
Words: 163K
Publish: 2023

I was intrigued by the writing and the storytelling. I stayed up late one night, when I couldn’t really afford it.

Technically, this is a duology. The reality is that it was one long book that he just randomly cut in two and called it a duology. This just ended, abruptly. No resolution, no closure, nothing. I was so pissed off that I was on the edge of just abandoning the next book and sending Carey to hell. Yes, you heard that right. I have that power. I have chosen to be merciful and let him live though.

I will also be reading the next book, hopefully enjoy it, mark it 1star and also label Carey as an author to avoid. Authors who don’t know how to actually write individual books within a series, even a duology, are trash in my eyes.

★☆☆☆☆

From the Publisher

Infinity is only the beginning.
The Pandominion: a political and trading alliance of a million worlds - except that they're really just the one world, Earth, in many different realities. And when an AI threat arises that could destroy everything the Pandominion has built, they'll eradicate it by whatever means necessary, no matter the cost to human life.
Scientist Hadiz Tambuwal is looking for a solution to her own Earth's environmental collapse when she stumbles across the secret of inter-dimensional travel. It could save everyone on her dying planet, but now she's walked into the middle of a war on a scale she never dreamed of.
And she needs to choose a side before it kills her.

My Week XXII

 Ohhhhhh, what an up and down week!

This was the third week I was with New Guy and I really felt like we were starting to gel. He's learning our procedures and we were starting to create that rapport that a field crew needs to function long term. I was pretty happy about it. Then on Wednesday the head of the Environmental Department came over and told him he would be starting work over in the Enviro Dep on Monday. That blindsided me and on Thursday I let my mouth run free on the job about it. Well, he took what I said seriously and was suddenly all worried about going over there, so he went to the head of the Survey Department and expressed his concerns. And in the process made the Survey Head think I was trash talking the Enviro Department. So I got a private talking to on Thursday. While it was couched nicely, it was obvious my boss wasn't happy with me about the situation. He's talking about us all being one company and being a team player. I just said yes sir, yes sir, but inside I was screaming "I DO this forsaken job BECAUSE I'm not a team player, you office dubber". The upshot is that I can't say anything to the new guy because I know he'll talk about it to whoever he comes into contact with. Man, I hate working with people people. Work itself was up and down too. Monday and Tuesday we had rain and snow. It was cold, in April. So wrong! Thankfully, the rest of the week was sunny, even if a bit chilly.

Man, getting chewed out, even nicely, just overshadows everything right now.

A Parental Pod flew up and she and Mrs B are heading over to a weekend ladies retreat starting tonight. While I joke about having a stag weekend, the reality is that I'm going to play some Magic on Saturday and then some more Magic on Sunday. That and eat pizza. Yep, Bookstooge really knows how to have a wild time ;-)

I hope your week went well. Feel free to tell me about it. No really, do. Good, bad or even blase. I'd appreciate some distraction for sure!

The House on the Borderlands (Standalone) 3Stars

 

This review is written with a GPL 4.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at WordPress & Blogspot by Bookstooge’s Exalted Permission

Title: The House on the Borderlands
Series: -----
Author: William Hope Hodgson
Rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
Pages: 157
Words: 52K
Publish: 1908

(This book was recommended by Snapdragon Alcove and the link goes to her review from 2023)

I am putting the “horror” tag on this even though it could just as easily go into the fantasy camp. Mainly because the story does start out very horrifyingly. An old man is living with his aged sister at a big old empty house and he starts seeing these horrible pigmen around the place. They are trying to get into the house, he has to board the place up, lock his sister into her room so she doesn’t accidentally open a door and keep the pigmen at bay with his small arsenal of guns. That part was genuinely scary. Then throw in the fact that the author gives hints that maybe this is all happening in the head of the main character and the “creep” factor rockets off the charts for me.

Sadly, then we get a section of out of body experience that was extremely similar to the Time Traveller in Wells’ The Time Machine, where he just watches the earth age and looks at things on a cosmic scale. It was genuinely boring.

Then Hodgson tries to throw in some sort of romance thing. It was the worst part of the book because it was so hamhandedly handled. She doesn’t even get a name, just “My former love”. Oh my goodness, it was like reading something a twenty year old would have written. It made me cringe. Then he went back to the cosmic journey thing and I was bored again.

Thankfully, the old guy comes back to earth with no time having passed (hence another hint that it all might be in his head) and the pigmen assault the place again. Creepy.

So this read was a complete mixed bag. I enjoyed it enough to give it 3stars and decide to seek out a Complete Works of Hodgson’s stuff. Public Domain is a wonderful thing. But I am tempering my expectations because of his cosmic passage parts of the story. I fully expect to be bored out of my skull by some of his dumbassery in future books.

I must also admit that this got a bit of a ratings bump just because of the cover. I mean, how awesomely scary looking is that? Wicked, man…

★★★☆☆

From Wikipedia

Two men on a two-week fishing holiday in remote western Ireland are surprised to discover a strange abyss. On a rock spur above this pit they find ruins and buried in them a journal, which they read.

The author of the journal introduces himself as an old man who has lived for years in an ancient house accompanied only by his sister, who serves as housekeeper, and his dog, Pepper. He has no contact with the local inhabitants, who say he is mad. The house is circular in form and its weird appearance includes peculiar decorations that suggest leaping flames. It has had an evil reputation for centuries and had been empty for many years when he purchased it. The diary will record his strange experiences and thoughts.

Late one night, as he was reading in his study, the light suddenly turned green and then red. Pepper hid under his chair and he sat still, frightened. The red light went low, and he was no longer afraid. The far side of the room became a vision of a vast empty plain. He floated like a bubble into space, leaving the earth and sun behind as he travelled into utter darkness and despair. He reached the world of the vast plain, whose sun is a wreath of red flame. He was brought to an arena: an immense green jade copy of his own house, at the centre of a circle miles across, circled by mountains containing hundreds of huge idols of Beast-gods and Horrors. As he nears the huge building, a humanoid creature with the repellent head and face of a huge swine is trying to get into the House. The Swine-creature suddenly and horribly moves toward him, but he is borne upward, then reverses his travel through space to return to his study.

Several months later, horrible man-sized creatures with dead-white skin emerge from a nearby Pit and assault the House. The Swine-Things are strong and intelligent but are unable to break in; after a night and day in which the Recluse kills some of them they disappear. He is terrified by the violent creatures and he waits several days before leaving the House with Pepper to search the former gardens outside.

A week later, he and Pepper explore the Pit that appears to be the source of the Swine-Things. A tunnel leads to an immensely deep abyss. Water flows down the tunnel and the struggle of wading against it to get back out is exhausting. Two weeks afterwards the Pit has become a lake. He revisits a trap door in the Cellar, realizing that it opens to the bottomless abyss.

Asleep in his study, the Recluse awakens into a place like a mist of light and meets his lost love. She calls the place the Sea of Sleep, and implores him to leave the evil House, but admits that they would never have met again had he been anywhere else.

The journal starts again, with the passage of time increasing in speed. Days and nights pass more and more quickly, the sun and moon become flickers and years blur. Pepper's body, then his own, crumble into dust. The House falls, the world fades, time slowly grinds to a halt and the solar system ends with his perception of an immense green star, celestial globes, and another timeless meeting in the Sea of Sleep with the lost love. He is brought again to the Arena and into the great House. He is again in his own study, with time running normally.

The malicious Swine-creature from the Arena inflicts a luminous fungal growth on a dog and the Recluse is barely able to stop himself from letting it into the House. He has also contracted the disease, and the manuscript ends with the man in his study as the creature comes through the trap door in the Cellar.

The two men recover from reading the journal and return to fishing, making no attempt to revisit the horrible pit. Their driver interviews an old man in the local village who remembers the evil house that everyone avoided had once been occupied by an unsociable old man and his elderly sister. Once a month, a man who told the villagers nothing took supplies to the house; years went by until suddenly that man excitedly reported that the house had disappeared and there was now a chasm where it had been.