I think this pales in comparison to some of the ...
937090
I think this pales in comparison to some of the more compelling books set in this period that I've read lately,  That said, Golden does take a different approach and that  was interesting.  It was well written but it did not draw me in as it did some others.  Thanks to NEtgalley for the ArC.
3270416
I have had many others that seem to work quicker and better but it is hard to say that they don't work at all perfectly fine.
450856
Though it is a good format, this version of the manga is somewhat lacking.  It is difficult to tell exactly where it is lacking, but anyone who has watched the series and/or read the light novels it is based off of will feel that something is missing.  Perhaps it's because the series covered parts of the first two books that something feels off.  But overall, I think that this was a good attempt, but it didn't quite make it.
2341387
We own and enjoy many of the videos in this series, but found this new one of France a bit lacking in a few areas.  First we found it strange to call it Visions of France without any footage of Paris or the northern two thirds of the country.  We found some of the scenes repetitive and the two regions covered are actually redundant in some areas.  Unlike say, Visions of Italy, we found ourselves asking, "Why don't they linger here some more?" and "Why aren't they zooming in for more detail?"  It is still an enjoyable video of some beautiful countryside, but in our opinion it is not up to the same quality as some of the earlier ones in the series.
4761895
I really love Death in Pratchett's books so I was excited to read a book that was focused on him, but I was somewhat disappointed. It still had a lot of funny bits (Death cooks at one point), but I was not super-impressed with this one. It may be one of those expectation things.

Mort strikes me as a somewhat bumbling character, who knows he is not supposed to do something, but then does it anyway. Of course, I guess that is typical of humans in general so he gets a partial pass.

There are these books that write down the stories of humans, and what happens with them is really amusing. I definitely loved each scene with those books. I think the problem is reading too many Pratchetts lately so maybe a couple months break to better appreciate his humor again is in order.
381370
I ended up getting a really good deal on this from Amazon. Even so, the game is a little disappointing. Although there are some changes in the game's mechanics, and a few new characters, the game looks and feels very similar to Street Fighter IV. Previous iterations in this franchise (i.e. 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4) all were substantially different from one another.  This time not so much. The total number of characters and backgrounds are on the low side, and the single-player content is very lacking. I rarely play online so this was a problem for me. Maybe in time as they add more content it will be a worthy game, but right now it is lacking.
4908543
Solid 3 Stars

I can't put my finger on it, but this one was just lacking something in the "blow my socks off" department. Maybe it's because I couldn't fully connect with Tabitha. Maybe it's because although I loved me some Shy in this, I couldn't fully connect with him cos of his connection with Tabitha. Or it could be because the drama/suspense in this book, although it had it's moments of sparkle, for the most part, just moved from slightly interesting/intriguing to just "meh"

Or, and I think this is the reason why, cos maybe all of KA's Heroes and heroines, are starting to run together to me. They all sound the same, speak the same. They have the same thought process/reactions and mannerisms. And while in some of the KA stories I've read, this is more than hot and interesting, this formula just doesn't always work on EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER she writes in almost all of her books. I think I'm jonesing for a little more diversity in character characteristics here.

So while my anticipation for this read was more intense than the read itself, I do think it was still a decent intro to this spin off series. Not sure if I am interested in continuing it though. Mainly cos the 2 characters picked for the next book I don't care to read about. But we shall see.

This book has the typical KA stamp on it. So all the die hard fans will love this one. But I fear some of you will still feel like something is lacking here. Or you may just flat out love it.
1041668
I'm a dark, extra-bold kind of guy.  This one was fine.  However, it was not quite as dark and bold as some of the other brands.  For that reason, I ranked it lower than some of my favorites.
901594
Okay I kind of was disappointed in this. I mean anyone can take numbers and say things, but to take them way out and use combinations that to me are not that repetitive to be noticed like the 1111 or 3333 or 4444...I don't know.
4507851
I loved this duo's previous album, "Dimanche a Bamako", so I was eager to get this one too. Initially, I liked this album too. Sonically, it's well recorded and the songs are vibrant and pulsing with energy. But I've gone back and listened to it again recently, a few years after first hearing it, and now it's not striking me as much.

No, this far from awful, and I actually enjoy it overall, but I don't think the East-Meets-West treatment of their music is really playing to their strengths, either vocally or musically. I guess I'm just a purist in this sense, and don't care much for the high-tech gloss that covers so much of this album. Strip it down and give me the basics. I realize that the "modern" production touches and guest vocalists and rappers and all that stuff have been added in order to boost sales and market the album, hoping it will appeal to a wider audience. But I just don't think it's necessary and ends up diluting the power of Amadou and Mariam's music.

Reading the reviews, it's obvious that some people are very impressed with this album, so please listen and see what you think. But for my tastes, I'm slightly disappointed.
2459281
I don't mean I think the copy I downloaded is glitched and I am missing pages. I mean I feel like some of the story is missing. Everything moves too fast, so a lot of things are glossed over. Also, it doesn't really feel like it fits together. I'm sure there are reasons for (SPOILER ALERT) radical Muslims and drug runners to work together, but the reasons given in the book don't really make sense. (It pretty much comes down to "they are working together because they just ARE!")

I wanted to like this book, and there were a lot of good things. But not enough to really raise the rating.
4957368
Hmm.. I think somethings missing here. This is the reason for my low rating. Its not necessarily the product, but the product fulfillment.
2547472
I don't see a big difference between this and the cheaper ones
3253650
I have had vols. 1 & 2 for a while, and when I saw that there was a vol. 3, I had to get it. Unlike it's predecessors, however, I was somewhat disappointed with vol. 3. NOT in the performances or the artists, but in the selection of songs. For one thing, MOST of the songs are NOT in a R&B or soulful style like the first 2 CD's, but in a more traditional arrangement sung by a R&B/Soul singer. This is OK, but not for something in the "Ultimate R&B Christmas" series. While, there were occasional examples of this on the 1st two CD's, they had more remakes (& originals) in the R&B/Soul tradition (i.e. White Christmas - The Drifters) Also, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Lou Rawls was ALREADY on vol. 2!!! Someone didn't do their homework! The order of the tunes could have been given more consideration as well, maybe mix them up some more? The first few made me think I was in the middle of "American Graffiti." By the time I got to the more modern version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" by The O'Jays, I was feeling a little disjointed. It just didn't seem to fit with this collection. If a vol. 4 ever comes out, I hope they put a little more thought into it. I really liked vol. 1 & 2 & was hoping for a little more out of vol. 3 I prefer the CD "Soul Christmas" (1991) over this one.
936706
I didn't love this one as much as Up To This Pointe and I really thought I would because it's about a girl that lives in a graveyard with her parents and sister. I mean it sounded so good, but I just can't put my finger on why this wasn't a 5 start book like the other one.

Maybe this is one I should re-read a little later to make sure it wasn't just my mood. I just feel like it is a book I would love and maybe I missed something, I really don't know. But, there are a lot of little things I did love about the book and I will let others find those little gems themselves.

I hope someone loves this book more than I did because that is all that matters, falling in love with a book.
1444141
I enjoy most of the Epic Rap Battles of History (I have bought most of them) and while this one is fun it doesn't seem as enjoyable as the previous two Hitler vs Vader, I think they've gone to that well too many times and are running out of creative ways to do it.
2740258
I feel like it is not original, or at least, it is cheap.