User:BigLenny

I discovered the Choices app through several ads, which I ignored until I decided to give it a try. At first, I was skeptical because of the premium choices and how they're better than the non-premium choices. Over time, however, I've come to enjoy the game even if that means not picking premium choices all the time.

My Personal Ranking (from Favorite to Least Favorite)

 * 1) Endless Summer: This is, in my opinion, the best book in Choices. It also happens to be the first story I read when I first downloaded the app, and I became instantly hooked by the intriguing storyline and colorful cast. My biggest concern is that too many details on the storyline and characters can only be accessed through premium options. Nevertheless, I highly encourage people to give this a try if they haven't despite the overwhelming number of premium options.
 * 2) It Lives In The Woods: I'm usually not into horror, but this story is one of a kind. Even though the effects of the nerve system came too late, I still appreciate how interesting the main cast and plot are. Despite the first book's ending (with all characters except Noah alive in my game), I'm still dying to see the cast in some way or another.
 * 3) Veil of Secrets: The mysteries behind this book got me hooked immediately. Every time I learn something new about the town of Birchport makes me want to learn more, up to and including the ultimate mystery behind the crimes in the town. Even the mastermind behind it all is a well-written villain who has scored notable victories before the reveal, has sympathetic motives that still doesn't excuse such heinous actions, and really scares me to the core. Definitely a recommendation from me.
 * The Crown &amp; The Flame: This story is very enjoyable. I love how it challenges me to understand tactics in the game to gain troops for upcoming battles and special choices that give me a further edge. My main concern is that so many potentially characters are doomed to oblivion if I don't pick certain choices, especially premium ones. Despite this, the story is something I also highly recommend.
 * 1) Perfect Match: I was already intrigued by the plot when the first two chapters were released, mainly because I was curious of the whole deal with Eros. It captured my interest even more with the events of Chapter 10, starting with the revelation that Hayden's a robot in the previous chapter and him/her coming to terms with it. Some things are predictable, such as Eros being up to no good and Hayden being a robot, but other things like Hayden's realization of his/her own identity are not. In fact, I'm already hooked by the group's efforts to take down Eros once and for all.
 * The Royal Romance: I didn't expect myself to enjoy this series, especially because Book 1 is all about trying to impress other people at court in order to rise to the top. To me, Book 2 is when the series starts to shine as a political thriller, where I clear my name amidst formal situations, and that caught my interest. Book 3 is definitely great, albeit less so than Book 2 because I find it too stretched regarding the assassin threat and the wedding plans.
 * 1) Bloodbound: Despite my worries about clichés in vampire fiction, I'm hooked by the backstory behind the vampires and the direction the story is heading towards. This series became even more exciting for me with the showdown against Nicole and Vega, as well as the ability to give my character badass moments.
 * Across the Void: I'm very excited for the action and adventure this story's providing so far. Even more so when I get to control the MC's siblings Eos and Pax and see how their stories unfold in the midst of the galactic civil war.
 * High School Story: This story proved to be much more fun than expected. Instead of being merely romance, it also allows me to experience high school drama in an ideal high school. My only concern is that the idealism overwhelms me at times and Book 3's plot is absurd because it's forcing the protagonist to act like prom is serious business, making them no different from Max and Kara. Nevertheless, it's at least a nice story for escapism.
 * Hero: This story is great, but the plot isn't put into action until the last third of Book 1. Another complaints I have on this series is that the love interests except Kenji aren't given enough face time and the Poppy and Dax drama is exaggerated despite being a trivial issue in the context of the story's narrative. I still have high hopes for Book 2 despite the hiatus, however.
 * 1) America's Most Eligible: I've been having fun with this story already. I was first put off by the fact that the book is focused on reality TV, but the first few chapters already captured my interest on my relationship with the other contestants and my desire to eject Piper from the show. Unfortunately, the fact that choices still matter little despite its seeming importance in this story lowered my interest. I'll still see how it goes, though.
 * Most Wanted: After playing, I find this series okay, not super good but not bad either. It's a shame that work on Book 2 has been put on hold for too long because the first book is far less lucrative than the first books of The Freshman and The Crown and The Flame. I still have high hopes that the second book will be awesome.
 * Rules of Engagement: This series has some good parts, especially when it comes to the cousin and, to a lesser extent, the party girl sister and brother. I feel like Pixelberry exaggerated the main character's marriage issue, particularly on who to marry and what kind of wedding preparations there should be. The Newlyweds epilogue was sweet, however.
 * 1) The Haunting of Braidwood Manor: It's pretty short but fairly enjoyable. It would've been much better if it's longer. Nevertheless, it's okay in my book.
 * Desire & Decorum: As much as I love history, I find this story a rehash of The Royal Romance and contains some historical inaccuracies. So far, I find it so-so, though I love my MC for being deliciously savage in some of her choices, polite or no, and that it's the first book where the MC's race affects the dialogue.
 * Red Carpet Diaries: I was initiallly excited about the book, especially with the struggles of climbing to the top. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed as the book progresses because the protagonist acts like a Mary Sue for landing a major role without much effort shown. In fact, the only characters I like in this series are Victoria Fontaine and Gloria, and even so the writers treat the former like crap in terms of her development. As for the second book, I find it slightly better so far even if it was so-so, but still not enough to fully capture my interest.
 * The Freshman/The Sophomore/The Junior/The Senior: To me, the only good thing about this series is Professor Vasquez, with Becca, Madison, and Sebastian as the only characters I at least remotely like as the story progresses, but even so they still pale in comparison to Vasquez, and not enough to make the series appeal to me further. Moreover, Book 1 of The Sophomore is really aimless. There's no goal for the gang until the end, which introduces Book 2, which is slightly better, but not enough for me to feel super excited for The Junior, which I find a failure in many ways. Pixelberry could've do better with this series.
 * #LoveHacks: I find this story extremely aimless, especially the first book, where all the main character does is date some random guys just to appease her annoying boss. Even the individual characters' stories go nowhere. The series got better in the second book, but that was when the story had to wrap up. Even the ending was underwhelming because I didn't get to see Martin and TJ's expressions when they lost.
 * 1) Home for the Holidays: At first, I thought this story will be short and sweet, but it dragged on for too long. Pixelberry should've released this book on November or late October rather than December.

My Favorite Characters

 * Enrique Vasquez: At first, I thought he was just a stubborn old man who should've known better than to nitpick on students. Over time, however, his soft side shows and with it his desire to make amends. After thinking about it, I realized that all he wants is to provide the best things to the main character, James, and Gabriela.
 * Cousin A.K.A. Violet: She was definitely unpleasant at first because of her actions towards the main character and her siblings. Her character development in Book 3, where she gets into good terms with her cousins as she yearns for closure, finally seals her as my favorite character in Rules of Engagement.
 * Jake McKenzie: His sarcasm and sense of humor immediately won me over. Even more so when he uses his skills to help the group overcome their misadventures in La Huerta.
 * Estela Montoya: She may be aloof and abrasive, but I also respect her for not getting herself tangled with inner conflict. My respect for her grew even more when she showed that she cares about others deep down.
 * Michelle Nguyen: I didn't like her at first because of her clingy attitude towards Sean and dismissive attitude towards other people. I ended up appreciating her gradually when I notice that she never intends to act mean towards others and learns that she works her way up from the bottom. It helps that she gradually warms up to other people, which shows that she really cares for them.
 * Maxwell Beaumont: Adorkable, loyal, bubbly. These are the traits I describe my favorite character from The Royal Romance. A friend in need is a friend indeed, and Maxwell abides by this saying.
 * Olivia Nevrakis: She started out as snobby and condescending, but I found her rather funny as well. As the story progresses, however, I gradually appreciate her for her character development as she warms up to the MC and co., even supporting them in dire times. It helps that she still has her witty and humorous snark.
 * Aiden Zhou: Let's be honest. I have a soft spot for socially awkward geniuses struggling to open up to other people, and I can relate to that.
 * Michael Harrison: I admit that I see a lot of myself in Michael, especially with having to put up with bullying in the past and staying away from most people as a result. I also like his easygoing attitude when encountering many situations.
 * Maria Flores: I really enjoy a lot of moments when Maria appears, mainly because of her resolute personality and dedication to her goals. She either inspires, amuses, or interests me in her scenes. Definitely a character who has my respect.
 * Naomi Silverhawk: I'm really impressed at her loyalty to her principles and the spirit of her job even when Chief Tommy Walsh chose to save his skin by staying in the Sterlings' good graces. She may be a bit of a stickler to the rules that allows less flexibility, I still find her a much better option than Walsh or Duffy.

My Main Characters and Their Love Interests
¹ While I'm also spending time with other LIs, the LI shown here gets top priority when the situation gives me the option to choose any of them.
 * The Freshman/The Sophomore/The Junior/The Senior: Grace Shen – Chris Powell
 * Rules of Engagement: Diane – Stanley Sloan (Business Guy)
 * Endless Summer: Kevin – Jake McKenzie
 * #LoveHacks: Rani – Ben Park
 * The Haunting of Braidwood Manor: Serena – Victor
 * The Royal Romance: Cassandra Trent – King Leonard (Liam)
 * Hero: Zack – Eva¹
 * High School Story: Joseph Grierson – Aiden Zhou
 * It Lives In The Woods: Wesley – Stacy Green
 * Home for the Holidays: Patricia Joy – Wyatt Hart
 * Red Carpet Diaries: Jessica – Victoria Fontaine
 * Perfect Match: Ian Park – open relationship with Hayden Young (Asian female), Damien Nazario, and Sloane Washington, though I have a slight bias towards Sloane
 * Bloodbound: Esther – Kamilah Sayeed
 * Veil of Secrets: Paul – Naomi Silverhawk¹
 * America's Most Eligible: Anthony – Guilherme (Handsome Stranger)
 * Desire & Decorum: Charlotte Parkinson –
 * Across the Void: Aibek Elara –