So I didn’t do anything particularly exciting since my last update, but I did play some new games! I did a free trial of Utomik, a game subscription program. It’s only $6.99 a month, and it has more games I want to try, so I’d like to go back at some point. (Just not right away because my head/eyes and arms really need a break.)
Darkside Detective and the sequel were great. Point-and-click mystery solving, pixel art, humor, and a super cute friendship!
I'm playing The Darkside Detective, and the friendship between McQueen and Dooley is honestly just as great as the humor and mystery solving βΊοΈ pic.twitter.com/AdLcZxx7dW
— Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) (@KitTheNameless) March 15, 2022
I also enjoyed Song of Farca, another sorta point-and-click mystery solving game, but with a totally different, more serious vibe. It was cool.
I played a bit of Burly Men at Sea. The playthroughs are only about 15 minutes each. The game has such a cute and gorgeous art style!
Don't mind us, just taking some time off from adventuring to play with baby chicks π
(Burly Men at Sea by @brain_and_brain) pic.twitter.com/UdTCwN1o6H
— Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) (@KitTheNameless) March 25, 2022
Fox and Flock was another quick one, based on a board game, but with a fun story twist to it.
I also tried out Calico, which can be a bit clunky and doesn’t have my favorite kind of graphics, but it was weird and cute with lots of animals to pet! I wouldn’t mind playing this some more since I haven’t seen everything.
I'm trying out @CalicoGame, and this game is so delightfully weird! I'm just wearing cats on my head, weightlifting polar bears, and having animal cult meetings in my bedroom π pic.twitter.com/ZGHkKFYbg4
— Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) (@KitTheNameless) March 26, 2022
I’ve also started listening to a few more podcasts. “Who Killed Avril Lavigne?” is hilarious and fun, and I’m loving the 2000s nostalgia and pop punk references and music. “My Dad Wrote a Porno,” which I know I’m late to start, is also hilarious, for entirely different reasons. I’ve also found a new YouTube channel and watched some Netflix shows… but I’ve talked enough and should save something in case I have nothing next month π
I don’t want to talk about what a mess the world is (I usually save that for Twitter and try to keep my blog more positive, which is why I last minute removed the paragraph that was sent out in the email if you subscribe that way), but I hope everyone is staying safe and keeping others safe and finding some good distractions from the stresses of life! β€οΈ
Blog/Bookish Updates:
I won a giveaway from The Story Sanctuary! I got to choose a book from the banned book list. I chose Chainbreaker by Tara Sim because I love that series but didn’t own any copies of the books. Now I need to win a couple more giveaways so I can get the other two!
I’ve skipped a few posting days and keep falling behind on comments because I’ve been tired and brain foggy, but I’m still around and not purposely ignoring anyone!
Books I Received for Review:
Odder Still by D.N. Bryn, from the author. Frostfire by Sam Thorne & Lauren Ivey, from StoryOrigin. Hooked by A.C. Wise, from Edelweiss.
Books I Finished:
If you’re considering buying one of the books below from Amazon, I’d really appreciate if you’d use my affiliate link!
Look at all the pretty covers! One of my standouts this month was a middle grade book (The Dragon Squisher), so that was surprising, and the other was Trailer Park Trickster.
Trailer Park Trickster by David R. Slayton – A sequel in a m/m urban fantasy series. Less action, but deeper characters and relationships. I liked it more than the first!
The Dragon Squisher by Scott McCormick – Kind of younger than what I normally read or listen to, but I really liked it! It had some serious, heavier sections, but overall it was silly and cute with high fantasy fun. Looking forward to more.
Ghosts of Manor House by Matt Powers – Another unusual read for me, since I don’t normally do horror. Turned out to not really be for me, but it was an interesting idea.
Hawk in the Rowan // Stag and the Ash // Adder and Willow // Eagle in the Hawthorn // Salmon and the Hazel // Wren and Oak by Sam Burns – I finished the Rowan Harbor Cycle series. They weren’t particularly memorable books for me, but they were nice reads. Never too stressful or difficult, problems were solved fairly easily, so they’re good for anyone looking for fairly light paranormal romance with HEAs in the end.
Frostfire by Sam Thorne & Lauren Ivey – This was definitely dark fantasy, but it was good, with queer rep that wasn’t focused on romance, and I’d like to continue the series.
Odder Still by D.N. Bryn – Not quite for me, and I’m not sure why, but an interesting underwater steampunk city with selkies and lots of great diversity and rep, including queer, POC, and disabled.
Pyre at the Eyreholme Trust by Lin Darrow – I felt like this was a bit too short to reach its full potential, but it was a fun 1920s-esque setting with interesting magic and a bit of action and romance.
Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie – I just couldn’t get super into this, though I still thought it was good, and then the author did a certain thing with the book that always annoys me. But possibly enjoyable for anyone who likes m/m romance, (fictional) politics, and space adventures.
The Alpha’s Son by Penny Jessup – I have a few complaints or things I’m not clear on yet, but I liked this YA UF/PNR and want to continue the series.
Prosper’s Demon by K.J. Parker – Not really for me, but an interesting take on demons.
The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein by Peter Ackroyd – I can summarize this in three words: Frankenstein, but worse. Lovely writing, but it really didn’t add or change or explore enough for me to recommend it, and it lacked the emotional connection of the original.
In Case You Missed It:
– I reviewed Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman, a slow-paced, introspective story about a very human trans vampire.
– I paired some more books and songs.
– I reviewed The Dragon Squisher by Scott McCormick, a fun and funny middle grade / YA high fantasy with sweet friendships.
– I reviewed Frostfire by Same Thorne & Lauren Ivey, a dark fantasy with demons, magic, and potential m/m romance.
– I shared some pretty black, white, and purple book covers.
– I reviewed The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon, a YA book about fae, witches, and a trans MC with a great voice.
I am really liking pixel art these days, especially when coupled with music. some of the cyberpunk and other playlists on Youtube have pixel art and it’s awesome. π Seems like it’d be fun with games too…
Animal cults are a win…
I’ve been listening to more podcasts too. After not finding any for a while I found a whole bunch last week and now I have to find time for them ha ha
Pixel art can be lovely! For some reason, a lot of detective games have pixel art, you should try one!
My problem is the opposite lol. Sometimes I don’t feel like books, so I listen to podcasts instead, and I’m constantly getting caught up on whatever I’m bingeing and then have to find more.
I am not a gamer but wanted to comment about masks. I agree with everything you said. Iβm elderly and have a bunch of health problems. I sure donβt want to catch Covid either. Stay healthy!
At the last minute I decided to keep my blog focused on positives and remove that bit, but my email still went out talking about masks π That’s ok, I really do want people to keep wearing masks. Us high risk people deserve to live too β€οΈ
I read 6 books in 4 days and now haven’t read anything for several days.
Lol that’s how it goes, isn’t it? I also had some periods in March where I just read nothing for days.
I noticed the discrepancy between the email and the post! I understand that you want to keep your blog positive, but I, for one, don’t mind your tackling more serious topics. Our government “should” lift the indoor mask mandate at the end of the month (I don’t know if they will still be required in hospitals and the likes). It feels too soon.
I’m surprised you didn’t like Odder Stills more. It seems to have all the marks of the kind of books you prefer.
I’m always undecided about whether to talk about more serious things in these posts, or to try and keep my blog a happier distraction. I’m not sure exactly how things are going in Italy, but it’s probably not the right time to be lifting mask mandates anywhere. Waves are just going to keep coming.
It surprises me too when a book seems like something I should love, but for some reason it just isn’t!
Congrats on winning the giveaway! It’s always a wonderful feeling to win something. Personally I have been playing lots of Civilization V, I actually have almost 370 hours played in that game! Obsessed.
Thanks! It’s always a nice little morale boost in life to win something. The games I’ve played that many hours of are The Sims. It’s great to find a game you love that much!
Who Killed Avril Lavigne? sounds really fun! I haven’t been listening to many podcasts, but that sounds like one I should check out!
It’s a lot of fun if you want some 2000s pop punk nostalgia!
Enjoy your new books and games! Happy April!
Thanks! Same to you π
I’m still reading The Silmarillion. I have one more chapter, I think. Yay! I am still watching Bailey Sarian on youtube. Last week I watched her talk about the dark history of menstruation. It was really interesting. I listened to a Scientology podcast. It’s the one Leah Remani does. One episode was about the HBO show The Vow.
Next month you’ll finally be able to say you finished π The dark history of menstruation does sound interesting. I’m not familiar with Leah Remani, but I’m glad you’ve found some podcasts to listen to too.
Yay for more games, you’re reminding me I should really be playing games other than Pokemon and The Sims in my free time but they’re so easy to lose myself in. Also, how do you keep reading books I mean to read? I’ve had Bonds of Brass on my shelf for a while. It’s disappointing you didn’t enjoy it more but I’ll still read it eventually as the concept really did grab my attention forever ago when I originally bought it anyway.
As long as you’re having fun! I still have so many games I own, and here I am doing free trials lol. I hope you like Bonds of Brass!
Oh my gosh, Darkside Detective does NOT get the love and attention it deserves! I was so happy to see it in here. π I still need to play the second game, but I laughed so much at the first one. Great wrap-up!!
It’s so cute! You should definitely play the sequel. It’s much the same, but still fun, and the intro is going to hit you right in the feels.