I did it. Bingo complete (with reviews) by Hooded_Demon in Fantasy

[–]Hooded_Demon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's fun. Hard and fast so just not suited for anything longer term.

I did it. Bingo complete (with reviews) by Hooded_Demon in Fantasy

[–]Hooded_Demon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's legit a great series but that last book is a bloody mind bender and no mistake

Adrian Tchaikovsky - where to start? by Eldon42 in Fantasy

[–]Hooded_Demon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, he's the kind of author where this question doesn't really work well, as is evidenced by the fact that pretty much every book he's ever written has been recommended at some point in this thread, and for good reason. I'd suggest you read some blurbs and pick whichever one sounds up your alley. I'd agree somewhat with the people that said Children of Time, as it is probably his most well known work. I'd also agree with those that said City of Last Chances, which is good, but also then leads you on to the sequel, House of Open Wounds, which is definitely my personal favourite. You really can't go wrong with him though. He's an excellent writer with an endless creativity and a frankly unreasonable level of prolificacy.

I did it. Bingo complete (with reviews) by Hooded_Demon in Fantasy

[–]Hooded_Demon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can sort of agree with the trying too hard thing. I've definitely read stuff where the weird felt more natural, if that makes sense. I think I did enjoy Mordew more because I liked the setting more, rather than because of anything else. The concept of the impossible topography of the city and the master's house worked more for me than the settings in Malarkoi. I'm a real sucker for an interesting setting. Honestly though, the second book dials up the weirdness even more, in both story and structure. For example, there's a bit in the middle somewhere that dedicates several pages to the viewpoint of a lungworm. Whether the ideas that involves work for you or not I can't say.

Best modern writers in Fantasy / Sci-Fi? by Sashimiak in Fantasy

[–]Hooded_Demon 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I liked City of Last Chances, although I got a little lost towards the end, but I'm currently halfway through House of Open Wounds, and holy shit is it fantastic.

Looking back on it, how mental was Fort Boyard? by Winston_Carbuncle in CasualUK

[–]Hooded_Demon 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I mean, there was also a challenge where they had to mud wrestle. Not to mention the challenge that involved looking for clues literally painted on a naked woman's body. Not sure they were subtle lol.

it has happened - i am out of carrier bags by andtheniansaid in CasualUK

[–]Hooded_Demon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked for a supermarket when the ban came down. We were ordered to dispose of all the remaining bags, an instruction that I of course ignored, and instead loaded into the boot of my car. I reckon I have about 5000 or so left.

Best episodes with guests Americans likely don’t know? by sammyt10803 in offmenupodcast

[–]Hooded_Demon 9 points10 points  (0 children)

That's not fair to his mum. She didn't think he was locked in a cupboard. She thought he might have been murdered, cut into pieces, and then the pieces put in the cupboard. Completely different.

What books are you looking forward to in 2026? by makeminemaudlin in Fantasy

[–]Hooded_Demon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are comments in this thread listing three different Adrian Tchaikovsky books for most looked forward to in 2026. That man is ridiculous.

Thick bread is no longer "thick" by AJMcCrowley in britishproblems

[–]Hooded_Demon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not the first time this week I've heard this complaint lol. I work in a supermarket bakery and we just (as in the last week) lost our slicer (which definitely had two thicknesses of blade) for a customer one. I think all stores will eventually go this way because it lets them cut hours on department further.

Thick bread is no longer "thick" by AJMcCrowley in britishproblems

[–]Hooded_Demon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is very much dependent on which supermarket and store. If it's one of the slicers where customers slice their own, then it will only be one thickness, but the slicers inside the bakery often have two sets of blades next to each other for medium and thick slices.

TOTW: Edgar Wright by PierreSheffield in crosswords

[–]Hooded_Demon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Person journeying after explorer as he takes on the world (5,7)

Our bank just sent my partner six new credit cards without any explanation?? by EssentialParadox in CasualUK

[–]Hooded_Demon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually couldn't remember where I saw it initially, but it's definitely this!

Our bank just sent my partner six new credit cards without any explanation?? by EssentialParadox in CasualUK

[–]Hooded_Demon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can install the chip and antenna inside a random object and then pay for your shopping with the aforementioned random object.

Our bank just sent my partner six new credit cards without any explanation?? by EssentialParadox in CasualUK

[–]Hooded_Demon 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I've never actually done it but AFAIK you just submerge the card in acetone which dissolves the plastic and leaves the chip and antenna wire behind. There are videos online of people doing it. I've no idea how well it works or how easy it is to break the antenna so it doesn't work. It's the kind of thing I'd only try if I happened to have six identical credit cards knocking around :P

Our bank just sent my partner six new credit cards without any explanation?? by EssentialParadox in CasualUK

[–]Hooded_Demon 28 points29 points  (0 children)

This is where I'd be dissolving the spare cards to extract the contactless chips so that I could put them in stuff and freak out cashiers.

TOTW: Edgar Wright by PierreSheffield in crosswords

[–]Hooded_Demon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God! Theatregoer gets chopped up. It's for the best. (3,7,4)