Scan barcode
destdest's reviews
2690 reviews
Nell of Gumbling: My Extremely Tiny Forest Adventure by Emma Steinkellner
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Loving the character arcs Gil and Nell go through here. This story acknowledges the flaw of “toxic positivity” smoothly and learning to be content with change/loss of control (with other people).
The art is still so adorable, and everyone has a cute, wide nose.
No Rules Tonight: A Graphic Novel by Ryan Estrada, Kim Hyun Sook
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"The world tells me I'm not useful unless I'm producing. But the world doesn't change unless I'm fighting. And if I can't fight, I don't know what to do. But I can't stop doing something.
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I knew from page one this was the book for me. It’s delicious, and it delivers on the dark and intrigue. The plot turns kept me turning as well as the worldbuilding. Nothing was introduced that didn't have meaning. Also, I like that the academy was set in a college/university.
Kidan was complex, twisted, and lovable. She was willing to get gutter for her goals. But really love was her driving force if you think about it. Kidan goes through several arcs here, and they feel earned. She was constantly self-destructive and cared too much.
Susenyos was irresistible, arrogant, frustrating, and scary all at the same time. A bronzed Adonis! Undeniably debonair once he becomes fonder of Kidan. When he starts being soft with her ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! when he undid her braids in the steamy bathhouse. my heart! when he wrecked the house in anger he couldn't save her and faced retribution. when he started desiring her. when she started calling him Yos .
Something that favorably stood out for me was the vampiric characters felt otherworldly and dangerous. They didn’t give ‘human being with fangs.’ They <b>truly</b> felt like ancient beings who could bend the world to their will. You feel Kidan’s trepidation when she’s erred too far with one of these beings. This is why Kidan’s headstrongness/attitude despite it, thrilled me.
This girl has done dark things, but even she gets to feel soft, at times. Kidan's relationship with death is played with masterfully.
I enjoyed the whole cast of the characters. The humans and vampires (draniacs).
Things get steamy (yes, pun intended) here, which is to be expected with the sensuality of vampires and bloodsucking in general, but it’s well done. It's giving Isley Brother's music, okay. With this in mind, this is definitely for the oldest of YA readers.
One nitpick: I was very tired of seeing “their mouth turned into a stretch.” It’s repetitive but probably a distinct trait of this author, I suppose.
Overall, I’m so here for this series, and I’d love to see a Netflix adaptation with East African actors. Tempted to draw fan art. This is for the girlies who like anti-heroes and when the girl falls in love with the villain. GIVE ME BOOK TWO!
Kidan was complex, twisted, and lovable. She was willing to get gutter for her goals. But really love was her driving force if you think about it. Kidan goes through several arcs here, and they feel earned. She was constantly self-destructive and cared too much.
Susenyos was irresistible, arrogant, frustrating, and scary all at the same time. A bronzed Adonis! Undeniably debonair
Something that favorably stood out for me was the vampiric characters felt otherworldly and dangerous. They didn’t give ‘human being with fangs.’ They <b>truly</b> felt like ancient beings who could bend the world to their will. You feel Kidan’s trepidation when she’s erred too far with one of these beings. This is why Kidan’s headstrongness/attitude despite it, thrilled me.
This girl has done dark things, but even she gets to feel soft, at times. Kidan's relationship with death is played with masterfully.
I enjoyed the whole cast of the characters. The humans and vampires (draniacs).
Things get steamy (yes, pun intended) here, which is to be expected with the sensuality of vampires and bloodsucking in general, but it’s well done. It's giving Isley Brother's music, okay. With this in mind, this is definitely for the oldest of YA readers.
One nitpick: I was very tired of seeing “their mouth turned into a stretch.” It’s repetitive but probably a distinct trait of this author, I suppose.
Overall, I’m so here for this series, and I’d love to see a Netflix adaptation with East African actors. Tempted to draw fan art. This is for the girlies who like anti-heroes and when the girl falls in love with the villain. GIVE ME BOOK TWO!
Belinda the Unbeatable by Lee Nordling
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Cute! I really liked the fantastical aspect of how musical chairs look here. Everything looks 10x bigger and the stakes are high. It plays into the stressful uncertainty that the game prides itself on lol.
The artwork was cartoony and conveyed action and expression well without written dialogue.
The artwork was cartoony and conveyed action and expression well without written dialogue.
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Off the jump, I enjoyed Jessie’s narrative voice. I would buy a 6-pack of this. She’s funny! Jessie’s dealing with new changes, teenage woes, and coming to terms with her autism diagnosis.
Her overthinking about friends or daydreaming about boys (I’m talking we brushed hands and now I wonder what my wedding dress will look like) will be so nostalgic and relatable to some.
High school is a strange time in general and wish-washy friends and wishy-washy boys don’t make it any easier. But the characters aren’t just flat. For instance, Levi isn’t evil, but he’s spineless and playboy-ish. A total waste of time for someone looking for a committed boyfriend, but you see he’s also a goofy 10th-grader. Don’t pin your hopes and dreams on him, but he wasn't the worst. Maybe Griffin seemed a little too good to be true, but he was such a sweetie pie.
Jessie felt and sounded like a real teenager, and the cast of characters were so good. The bits of Canadian and Palestinian culture were weaved in seamlessly. Jessie’s whole family plays a part here, so it’s not like she’s just wandering out in the world alone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. 5 stars!
Her overthinking about friends or daydreaming about boys (I’m talking we brushed hands and now I wonder what my wedding dress will look like) will be so nostalgic and relatable to some.
High school is a strange time in general and wish-washy friends and wishy-washy boys don’t make it any easier. But the characters aren’t just flat. For instance, Levi
Jessie felt and sounded like a real teenager, and the cast of characters were so good. The bits of Canadian and Palestinian culture were weaved in seamlessly. Jessie’s whole family plays a part here, so it’s not like she’s just wandering out in the world alone.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. 5 stars!
ODB: Oddities, Discord & B-Sides—Lyrical Ruckus in the City by Jason Pierre, Regine Sawyer, Chris Robinson, Ike Reed, Troy-Jeffrey Allen, David Gorden
Laguardia’s Steppers – 2 stars Kind of basic but I love the message that these computers and AI could never replace real creativity. And the less subtle how quickly corporations try to steal from Black cultures.
Demon flow – 3 stars Creepy! A rapper’s spin on “selling your soul” for fame or in this case rap ability + mini revenge tale. My favorite story of the bunch.
Love in the Mix – 2 stars For the length it had, it was cute and I liked the art style.
Sword of the Cypher – 1 star. All over the place. Not a fan.
Marcus and the Drunken Fist – 2 stars Fast-paced. Typical underdog story with a training montage.
Not my favorite anthology, but I like the messages.
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
“Hip-hop is past, present, and future, and now.”
Laguardia’s Steppers – 2 stars Kind of basic but I love the message that these computers and AI could never replace real creativity. And the less subtle how quickly corporations try to steal from Black cultures.
Demon flow – 3 stars Creepy! A rapper’s spin on “selling your soul” for fame or in this case rap ability + mini revenge tale. My favorite story of the bunch.
Love in the Mix – 2 stars For the length it had, it was cute and I liked the art style.
Sword of the Cypher – 1 star. All over the place. Not a fan.
Marcus and the Drunken Fist – 2 stars Fast-paced. Typical underdog story with a training montage.
Not my favorite anthology, but I like the messages.
Please Be My Star A Graphic Novel by Victoria Grace Elliott
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Total wish fulfillment! But it’s got such a gooey-good core like a warm chocolate cookie. I enjoyed the cast of characters; they acted like actual high schoolers. The artwork was beautiful, the lines looked romantic and dreamy.
It feels so impossible, sometimes, but eventually, you could meet someone that matches your freak. Maybe this story will give someone hope.
The grand declarations of love in high school are ridiculous, but they are to be expected lol.
4.5
It feels so impossible, sometimes, but eventually, you could meet someone that matches your freak. Maybe this story will give someone hope.
The grand declarations of love in high school are ridiculous, but they are to be expected lol.
4.5
Mendel the Mess-Up by Terry LaBan
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Weirdo by Tony Weaver Jr.
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
One of my favorite memoirs! Everything complimented this well, the art style, the writing, the humor, and the pop culture references.
I was somewhat aware of Weaver because of his webtoon and seeing a post or two of his on Instagram (back when I was more active). This story/his story digs deep with the emotions. Bullying and feeling like an outsider is shown here masterfully.
There’s a gardening theme about “guarding your garden,” the things you enjoy, your hobbies, what makes you, you.” Water it! Invest in yourself and your interests! I enjoyed this analogy very much!
The mental health discussions don't shy away either. Very relatable to many people. No one wants to be thought of as “crazy.” And everyone wants to be wanted by someone, platonically or romantically.
And how it did my heart so good when he changed to the Black academy and found his people. I'm glad his parents were proactive. So many people have a small sample size; a lot of people suck, but there’s someone out there for you!
Digs deep with emotional impact and uplifts at the end. Toward the end, things feel more "fictionalized" but it was still grounded in reality. I loved the cast of characters. If things go more fictional, I'd love this to become a series.
I was somewhat aware of Weaver because of his webtoon and seeing a post or two of his on Instagram (back when I was more active). This story/his story digs deep with the emotions. Bullying and feeling like an outsider is shown here masterfully.
There’s a gardening theme about “guarding your garden,” the things you enjoy, your hobbies, what makes you, you.” Water it! Invest in yourself and your interests! I enjoyed this analogy very much!
The mental health discussions don't shy away either. Very relatable to many people. No one wants to be thought of as “crazy.” And everyone wants to be wanted by someone, platonically or romantically.
And how it did my heart so good when
Digs deep with emotional impact and uplifts at the end. Toward the end, things feel more "fictionalized" but it was still grounded in reality. I loved the cast of characters. If things go more fictional, I'd love this to become a series.
Gogogogo-Go-Ghost!, Vol. 1 by Miyako Hiruzuka
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
just not keeping my interest