The Name of the Wind

Over the weekend, between my long work hours and those spent doing homework I realized I hadn't written on my blog in a while.

I was thinking of a book to review but I was trying to answer the question: how do I possibly tell you what I enjoyed about a book without ruining the reading experience for you? My answer is I'll try my best to speak in generalities as opposed going into the plot. It will be difficult and in the end you might have to put your trust in my brief review without knowing as much of the story as you would like to. If you don't trust me enough to buy the book and start reading, go to a bookstore or amazon and read the first few pages. For this book that will be enough to hook you.

The fabled author himself

I have never read a book quite as magnificent as Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind and its sequel The Wise Man's Fear (I am unpatiently waiting for the final day of the Kingkiller Chronicle to be released). It is a tremendous fantasy novel(s) and I have never read or felt such a connection with any other story in the genre. The story revolves around the maturing of a young man named Kvothe. It begins with his family in a travelling troupe of entertainers and the difficult road that leads him to his acceptance into the university where he is taught magic. (As close to Harry Potter as this might seem it is a very different tale, I can only tell so much without uncovering pivotal events). My review has not nearly exemplified the excellence of this book but I promise you its worth the read.

"I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

My name is Kvothe.You may have heard of me."
 ~ The back cover of The Name of the Wind

                                   
I don't condone advertising for Amazon, I personally prefer a book store and the feel of a physical book in my hand when trying to find new stories to explore but Amazon's look inside feature gives you the prologue and the first few pages of the first chapter which should give you some idea of the feel of the book.

Here's the link, see for yourself 
http://www.amazon.com/The-Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicle/dp/0756404746#reader_B0010SKUYM

GRead (pronounced greed)

I feel as though I should explain the name of my blog.

Its a simple combination of Game + Read = GRead. I suppose it should have had more of the word game than the word read because I will be talking about board and video games more than books but I'll stick with GRead ... or possibly Gread.

GRead ... not G(gee)-Read but pronounced greed which is a perfect Segway into my explaining the second meaning of this blog's name. Greed, the perfect mentality for almost any video game. Scour the corners, collect as much gold as you can, loot houses to the point of dilapidation, search bodies, sell, steal, and pickpocket your way through a game. I disagree with the Robin Hood-ian slogan "steal from the rich and give to the poor", in a video game steal from everyone and give to those who will keep you prospering (pay off guards, buy ammunition, armour, and upgrades).

In Bethesda's Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion I remember searching a bundle by a sleeping peasant and finding jewels inside. In Gearbox and 2K's Borderlands even cardboard boxes and piles of skag droppings have money, ammo, or eridium in them just waiting to be uncovered.

In other games the loot isn't lying around, it's achieved in side quests, bringing you to places all over the map. In addition to the lucrative and experience raising nature of side quests they also increase your exploration of the map, taking you to places you didn't even know existed and heightening your gaming experience. I have found this to be the case in Red Dead Redemption and Skyrim.

I finished my Skyrim play through with over 100,000 gold and my house was filled with weaponry, potions, jewels, armour, artifacts, and jewelry that was so expense that to sell it was nearly impossible, the shopkeepers had the funds to buy one or two items (if that). In Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Diablo III my friend R and I swept the map so much, searching everything that my other buddy M started to get frustrated ... we let him get angry and didn't stop searching every nook and cranny.

Its worth it, it lets you buy the upgrades and find the weaponry you want, and it makes you get more involved in a game. Work to gain money. Follow side quests. Loot. Steal.

and stay greedy,

M.

Age of Empires Review

For my first game review and holding a position of the highest acclaim is the PC game from 1999 Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings and The Conquerers Expansion. Don't worry I'm not going to review games often that are covered in dust and long since passed their peak but this is a game that has kept me entertained since I started playing it as a little kid.

We've always had a computer in my house and I remember watching my dad play this one when I was 6 or 7 and then starting to play it when I turned 9. The entire Age of Empires series (they're at III now) are real time strategy games. The campaign, where you are taught to play and eventually playing in harder and harder scenarios features famous warriors and generals of the Middle Ages. You play as Joan of Arc, William Wallace, Genghis Khan, and Attila the Hun (to name a few) each trying to complete different objectives. In most of the campaign levels and in custom battles you attempt to build and protect a city and conquer your enemies at the same time. You use villagers to collect food, gold, wood, and stone resources to build both human units, buildings, upgrades, and advance from one age to the next. As you build your own civilization your enemies (and allies) are doing the same, skirmishes break out once the enemy scouts have found your town and eventually total war is unleashed in waves of soldiers.

Further into the campaigns (and most certainly in custom games) you begin to gain more control over your people and what they can do, in the first few scenarios you're sometimes unable to advance or upgrade certain things based on the nature of the scenario. In a custom game there are about two dozen nations to choose from, each with different strengths and special units, there are a wide selection of maps and game modes to make match different. You can also change the difficulty and number of allies and enemies in each game.

Despite having the old version I never find my game lagging or causing me any gameplay hindrances although the water is purple rather than blue. A buddy of mine bought the remastered version for his Mac and it looks great. It is a really fantastic game to play and one I find myself still playing from time to time twelve years after my first play through.

Most stores don't carry it but Amazon still has copies that are quite cheap. If you like strategy games it wont disappoint. Its a 10/10 for me without a doubt. Build castles and enjoy. (Britons are my favourite civilization for a custom game)

- GRead [as always]

I have posted a link below, it is from youtube, it is not my video. I don't own the rights or anything, but it is a good view of the type of gameplay that will occur. He/she plays in a more zoomed out screen than I do but you do get to see some game play. (Note how many villagers he has allocated to farming, be greedy and collect as many resources as you can, you'll need them)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPNaWwKbElA

Introduction to Greed

On this Blog I will be reviewing books. My experience lies in the fantasy genre and my list of read books is extensive. I have also begun reading graphic novels so some of my posts will be about them as well.

As for board games, if I turn to my left there are two floor to ceiling cabinets filled with board games, again there are many I have not played but also many I do own or have played that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

For video games, I have a couple of games for PC that I am excited to review for you but other than that my focus will be on Xbox360 games (most of which will apply to PS3 and PC as well except for the control layout).

I think that as of now my reviews will mostly be on books or games that I have liked reading and enjoyed playing. What's the point in writing a bunch of negative reviews for games or written works? Why waste my time? Perhaps I can do a quick post of five items that I disliked and two or three points as to why so that I balance out all the good reviews with something I truly was disappointed in.

That's all for now, check back in the next few days and I should have a round of posts for you to read

M.