Crazy Animal

 Two Ears, approx. 60 pieces. This cluster puzzle is reasonably challenging because of its size and because each piece is colored on both sides so identifying which way is up is part of the assembly process--it may even be hand-cut! 3/5

The Mikado

 Anne Belle Thompson, 387 pieces. This is the first Thompson puzzle I've seen with a dropout, which makes for a very nice change of pace. 3/5

some Japanese-themed whimsies

closeup on the dropout

Playful Parrots

 Unidragon, 620 pieces. An interesting feature of this puzzle is that the birds can theoretically be configured any way since the branch connectors are supposed to be interchangeable, though I found that some configurations fit better than others. Anyway, a nice steady build with some stealthy color changes where some red was found elsewhere than the red parrot, etc. 3/5

Two Kimonos

 Anne Belle Thompson, 242 pieces. Large pieces cut from heavy particleboard (I think), making this a relatively heavy and large puzzle, but still fun--a good change of pace from many smaller-piece puzzles. 3/5

Claude Monet, The Bridge at Argenteuil

 121 pieces, II Ravens. A nicely done small hand-cut puzzle from this European maker. 3/5

Sea Glass, Patrick Zephyr

 Zen, 125 pieces. Fine for its size! 3/5

Two Cats, JoAnne Yelen

 Waterford, 436 pieces. I really like this art style (not to mention the cats!) which has lots of variety and opportunities for near-color-line cutting. 7/10

so many cat whimsies

only one whimsy casualty from flipping one-handed

cute edge detail