 March 24, 2012 - 6:03am | Forget the Hype that you may have seen in the media on this. I picked up the book and read it in a day. First I'll acknowledge that its a novel written for teen and that is does follow some of the usual conventions for novels written for young adults- no big surprise there in fact I was on page 3 and correctly predicted things about the book based on my experiences from taking a "Teaching Reading Class" in college so that I'd be the only male in an all female class. Despite the fact that the book was targeted at a audience younger than me and that I totally recognized the conventions usually associated with novels for that age group is was a seriously enjoyable read, witnessed by the fact I could not put it down and burned throught the book in a day. I recommend it based on my enjoyment of it and for the fact that its a sci-fi dystopian setting. However if you're into survival you'll find this book interesting as well. Already have book two and digging into that and it promises to be quite different from the first book but every bit as interesting. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 March 24, 2012 - 9:54am | I enjoyed the first two books but not the third. I have 3 young kids and I try to read everything that they do just before they get to. I know, I am one of those creepy over protective parents. Sue me. I don't really want my kids being just like all the other ones in society. I have an appointment later in the week to get them fitted for their own personal bubbles. Anyway, the story is fairly predictable but almost all of them are today. I found it to be better than the Harry Potter stories in that regard. I am debating about taking my kids to see it or waiting for the vid. Its spring break in a couple of weeks so we might try to catch the matinee. |
March 24, 2012 - 11:52am | Absolutely 5 times better of a read then the Harry Potter books which were probably better suited to a younger teen 13-16. These books seem to have been written in a way that could appeal to an adult tastes while still being on target for a latter teen audience. Although I was reading stuff like Congo and all sorts of adult books by age 14 and 15 so perhaps the 14 year old me would tell the 45 year old me to, "just shut up." As for Inigo being a helicopter parent; good for you. You sound like my kind of parent. I might not be a dralasite, vrusk or yazirian but I do play one in Star Frontiers! |
 March 24, 2012 - 12:30pm | Helicopters, bubbles, I call it playing WITH my kids. Kids make the best friends. I have yet to read my family's copy of the Hunger Games series. My wife bought a set and has read them. I am still working on getting into the Aragon series. I could not let myself start the Aragon until the last book came out because I will be too tempted to read the entire series in one sitting. I can now start it if I want but I could also start Hunger Games. Too many temptations! -iggy |
 March 24, 2012 - 12:50pm | Glad to see patents like this.100% w00t approved. :-) |
 March 24, 2012 - 1:42pm | I read the first one and passed it to my oldest daughter who read it and bought the second one. I am know reading that one. We both liked them and they are different in story. They do appeal to adults which is what got the movie nod. Of course my oldest daughter is 29. Sounds like a great job but where did you say we had to go? |
 March 24, 2012 - 3:54pm | Gosh, makes me feel good teaching mine archery, to use a sword, throw a knife, Karate, and sneaking... Real skills for the Real World! "If we knew what we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" -A Einstein |
 March 28, 2012 - 8:12pm | I can see a star frontiers hunger games adventure. On an outer rim planet, a group called the Capitol has taken over the planet. They forced the other people living on the planet(the districts) to make supplies for them. Somehow the people living in the districts cannot leave the planet. The districts rebelled, the hunger games were created, you know what happens next. The PC's could hear rumors about this strange planet. Their mission could be to try and free the districts from the Capitol. Then maybe THEY end up in the hunger games. Tell me, have you ever heard of a time lord? A species that was said to exist a long time ago. Legend says they are older than even the mythical Tetrachs. Maybe, on some glorious day, a survivor of their apocolypse will visit the frontier. There is nothing we can do now. Nothing but sit and wait. Professor Clanuuk'Tu |
 March 29, 2012 - 12:49pm | Well, from a technical point of view I felt that the author didn't have anything near a clear picture of her world, or even a lively fantasy; the names are as artificial as the story with its deus ex machina elements and ... thin ... characters. Then I realized that I have read this before: In old-school roleplaying modules. Go, kill/avoid, solve, and the good may be the evil in the end. So, a quick read but nothing more ... sorry for the harsh words. As for SF, it may probably make an interesting setting, fair enough. Last game played: Somewhere in the 80th (Vrusk by heart) -- fond of Jugger, a "post-apocalyptic" sport |
 April 2, 2012 - 12:23am | Just saw the movie. I was expecting it would be very twilight-ish from all the Hype surrounding the film. I was pleasantly supprised, its quite an interesting movie and very entertaining. The author and film producer did an excellent job or getting the audience to relate to the characters which is essential in any story. As for depth, Well to be honest I don't normally go to movies expecting that much depth. As a martial arts instructor with over thirty years of experience, people often ask my opinion on martial arts movies and if I can actually enjoy them without critiquing the performance. I find that if I go into a movie with a critical mindset, or for the purpose of critique, I end up being disappointed. However, if I go in with the intention of being entertained I end up enjoying the film (Unless it is just awful which there have been a small few I have actually walked out on either due to being offended by the content or bored by the story). Anyway, when it comes to sci-fi, I try to keep an open mind, if it doesn't look that great I'll wait to see it on video instead of spending the $7 to $12. However, if its worth a look, I watch the reviews and trailers, and I spend the money, its my own damn fault if I don't like it after all is said and done. When it comes to movies it's important to remember its not burger king, we can't have it our way, we are paying to see someone elses' way. Otherwise we would be the film maker or producer and not the ones watching the film. That is the beauty of old school RPG's, we create the universe we wish to be entertained in, which is why they are so awesome. So while we all are entitled to our own opinions, and should express them, it's important to remember not to be too harsh with the movie makers. Now if we were movie makers ourselves, that may be an entirely different story. |
