Crown Duel Duology . . .
927276
Buy it, read it, now. That's all I can say for this book. It's what you dream about when you think of living at Court--all the intrigue and dangerous plots, complicated by fan language, an enigmatic Marquis who is by turns ally and foe, and verbal fencing that is downright enjoyable.
I just loaned this book to my cousin, and I'm thinking she'd better read it quick because I want it back :)
2494463
This game is really fun.  Just wish it was 2 players.  I think its harder than Return of the King.
2979093
Its nice to hear these two play together. The sound quality was great, even though the recordings are live from "The Garden" My favorite is Dear Mr. Fantasy. Highly recommend this album.
4479478
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With 2 players this is great. There's some competition for cards and you can easily remember or see the other persons tomb to snatch cards from them, but collecting sets is still very easy and the game flows nicely. Only minus I guess is that there's too much cards for both, so the competition is not that fierce, although I suspect with more players people would specialize even more, since it's more important to get to a high number of the same set than to block someone a bit. In 2 players blocking someone of a card is more beneficial since he/she is your only opponent. All in all, I haven't played 3 or 4, but I would love to try them. I suspect 4 could be pushing it in terms of competition, but maybe 3 would be 'best' here?

Final Thoughts

Ok, I really like deck building in general, but there are so many deck builders out at the moment and not all of them are good. I've also gotten kind of bored to Dominion. My favourites are Legendary Alien, Xenoshyft and Star Realms at the moment, but I have to say Valley of the Kings could really be up there. I love the theme and it will be easier to teach to many people because of the theme, it feels different with the entombing and it's an attractive small package you can play anywhere and easily take with you. One of my favourite things in a deck builder is the ability to thin your deck and here it's built into the rules!(just like Xenoshyft in which I LOVE the ability to turn in Xenosathem and troops for discounts/better cards)The game is also cheap compared to the amount of game in it, so I can't really say anything bad about this so far. Thanks to Tom Cleaver for a unique and very interesting deck builder!
3194675
This story is what happens when Elizabeth losses her judgement with the assistance of champagne!!! We start with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth renewing their acquaintance and becoming engaged. It starts cannon, but then the inhibitions are lost when Mr Bennet brings out the champagne to celebrate (without Mrs Bennet, Kitty and Mary). Elizabeth, deciding she needs to practice being a good hostess, decides to practice the art of pouring champagne.

The story turns into a hilarious romp showing what happens when Lizzy gets dizzy from the bubbly, and how Mr Darcy's famous reserve is tested.

This was a fun little diversion, though not one if don't like the non-canon P&Ps. This novella is for mature audiences only.
1602423
Good action & suspense. The wizard made a formable foe for the dynamic duo. Although I thought the ending was a little anti-climatic when Batman finally confronted the Wizard. They were a couple of inconsistancies in the series though. They drove the same car as their alter egos' and nobody was the wiser.:-) I found this version of Robin is a little more mucho then his predecessor was in the 1943 movie series. In this version Batman & Robin worked with the police. Over all I found the the 2 DVD series quite entertaining.
4114112
I love the two characters. Hope to read more about the duo. Very fun relationship.
2278918
I put off reading this book for a while.  What a shame!  Crown Duel will probably remain on my list of favorite fantasy novels for a long, long time.

I appreciate characters that are flawed.  No one wants to read a book about people that are obnoxious, but thankfully the flaws of Meliara (the protagonist of this book) are ones that are so true-to-life that I ended up loving her more than I would have if she was a picture-perfect young lady.

Mel makes stupid decisions--but always with the most noble intentions driving those decisions.  One of my favorite observations about Mel's character comes from the e-book edition of Crown Duel.  "...She flailed bravely into adventure not because she wished to figure as a hero, but because she was determined to battle for right, even if she struggled from day to day to define just what 'right' might be."

Mel grows throughout the book, as she realizes her limitations due to ignorance and stubbornness.  As she awakens to a larger world and her place in that world, we as readers are swept along in her adventures of intrigue, warfare, politics and romance.  Mel's willingness to face danger without thought for herself is refreshing.  Despite some readers being unsatisfied that she receives help to overcome major obstacles, I think this only enhances this life lesson Mel learns throughout the book: we are not alone in this world and we need to understand each other and be willing to help each other in order to be successful.

The world-building and court culture in this book are impeccable.  The first time I read this book I began in the evening, and I was so entranced I stayed up all night to finish.  It's that good.  I've read and re-read my favorite scenes, and I have recommended this book to numerous friends who have loved it as well.  Give Crown Duel a try.  The combination of adventure, the touch of romance, and poignant insight have made this book one of the most well-read in my personal library.
4438234
I truly hope you continue this partnership! Very interesting plot line. Had me going in circles trying to figure it out. Well done. :)
3627793
You get Nicodemus' side from the Toyan vs. Nicodemus Clash, and of course the Likkle Harry vs. Billy Boyo Clash.  Don't miss out.  Excellent tracks on this one.
1334340
This is a wonderful album with superb playing. Both artists play as one and clearly exhibit joy in their playing. I have returned to it many times. Bravo!
1052566
Good dual land when paired with creatures and other cards that allow you to play it multiple times from your hand. Best to get out early due to coming into play tapped, but still has uses later on.
1888508
It must be a bit tricky to have created an imaginary royal, one that interacts with members of the British royal family that are still alive.  But I think the interactions are pulled off in a respectful way, with Georgiana exhibiting a characteristics that any member of the royal family would be proud of.  Certainly a love of Wales, riding, and hunting is part of Georgiana's heritage. Perhaps there's a review lurking in here under a pseudonym.  One can wonder, can't one?
3616944
4.25 crowns. So, basically, just a really high four crowns.

I think this edition was far more engrossing and entertaining than the first one - even though the beloved Cresswell was missing from the majority of the novel. I found myself so captivated by this, and the storyline was just so interesting. The only issue that I continue to have with it is the art. I don't think it's horrible, but I just think it didn't quite fit these characters as well as it could have. It just wasn't as pleasing. Other than that, it was just TLC goodness that involved so much fun and intrigue to the TLC canon.

I absolutely was in love with the storyline! Okay, there were a few boring parts, but I mostly enthralled. I feel like it was the perfect bridge for how Winter ended and to bridge the gap to the story in Stars Above. I felt like it was the perfect ending to this particular storyline, and I loved how it brought all of the characters together in a perfect finale. So sad that it is ending, but I loved the little adventure this brought.

I thought the characters were much more true to themselves in this story instead of the other edition. Thorne felt like himself, and LET US PAUSE FOR A MINUTE BECAUSE I ACTUALLY WAS REALLY INTO JACIN AND KINNEY???? I had always had lowkey dislike for them, but I found myself really enjoying and relating to them. Jacin killed me with some of his side comments, and by the end of the novel, I was rooting for Kinney. Iko was brilliant as always along with everyone else, and I loved how Winter brought back her quirkiness which I thought was missing more in the first novel. I loved how we got to focus more on Wolflet, and all of the scenes with the entire gang was just so much perfection because their dynamic is jsut so brilliant. CAN I JUST STOP SAYING BRILLIANT? BUT IT SO TRUE.

As I said, my only real gripe was that I didn't think the art was just everything I wanted it to be. I will admit that I legit thought Cress was Jacin in one scene - which is not a good thing. As I said, it's not terrible, but I just wanted more. There were still some great scenes, though, and I didn't get as upset with this one as I did with the first one.

Overall, this was a perfect edition and finale for this small series. I thought it was such an intriguing addition to the entire series, and our characters were at their best in this. There was so much fun to be had, and I found myself enjoying this one far more than the prior edition. As I said, the only issue I had with the novel was the art, but it's honestly to each their own when it comes to artwork in graphic novels. If you're a TLC fan in anyway, you definitely need to pick this up. 4 crowns and an Ariel rating!
1718553
We've read it before...client falls for bodyguard...this was slightly reversed where the bodyguard was female & the client, male. Several attempted assassinations bring the duo closer together.  Never would have guessed the traitor.  Good, quick read.
1922868
In my Monarch Green deck, the two joker's were identical, which was the only disappointment I had in these cards. But I don't play many games that use jokers or differentiate between the two, so this is not a big deal for me. But it might be for some.

Otherwise no complaints. Phenominal cards. The box is so solid feeling and the cards just feel good in your hands.
1864273
Roll Call...Trae, Tasha, Kaylin, Angel, Jaz, Faheem...and a few resurrections as the games begin again despite all the foolery we witnessed as they justified their thugs.  Trae and Tasha are trying to re-build their mockery of a marriage, but past associates are still fiending and wanting to destroy  this union.  Will they be able to withstand their obstacles or will they fold...have they done too much to move forward?  Kay and Angel are good but will Trae's act of vengeance destroy the brotherhood...which brother will he choose or will have to?  Faheem just suffered a horrible heartbreak when he witnessed the murder of his newly found son, how will he execute payback under police scrutiny...and what about Jaz's request to honor thy thug?  Familiar faces once counted out resurface with their own drama among family and friends.  Trae and Tasha's theatrics have endangered lives as well as liasions with the mafia, what price and who will pay for all of these trespasses?  In this latest game of Russian Roulette, is there such a thing as Honor Thy Thug or is it just a mirage?

Honor Thy Thug is an enjoyable read.  Wahida has continued the thug saga and I am left with mixed emotions.  The storyline isn't as strong as it's predecessors, it felt stretched, and I think these characters have run their course.  Wahida is obviously a very talented writer because her creations irritate some with the sequels and never-ending storylines while charming us with their hellacious scenes.  I noted a few editing errors.  There were too many subplots left wide open, which guarantees yet another installment, thus my rating of 4****.  I challenge Ms. Clark to create new characters and to step outside the box with an entirely different storyline  for your diehard fans.  We know she owns the crown but I want to see how she truly wears that crown.  I have nothing but love for Wahida!  You mos def have the talent, let's see you turn it up!!!