destdest's reviews
2690 reviews

Ditching Saskia by John Moore

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Magical realism at its best. I like the hodgepodge of grief, living a lie for others’ expectations, and needing to put yourself out there. This story also stressed me a bit. There’s a section where second-hand embarrassment is palatable.

The plotline with the mom is only hinted at.

We don't know if she was abusive or prone to depressive episodes where she took her frustrations out on her son.

Another story would've resolved this, but Ditching Saskia takes a different route.

But good reading experience overall

Sonic the Hedgehog: Seasons of Chaos by Griffin McElroy, Gale Galligan, Travis McElroy, Ian Flynn, Justin McElroy

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

 As always, I love what IDW is doing with the Sonic series, and this is no exception. You can tell the writers are having some fun here, and it was so refreshing to see these underrated characters.

One thing I love is that these writers have managed to make Amy Rose more than a lovesick girl. She still has her crush on Sonic, but she's so much more. She wants to prove herself and help everyone. 

The Invisible Man and His Soon-To-Be Wife Vol. 2 by IWATOBINEKO

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom by Nao Iwamoto

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Queen's Spade by Sarah Raughley

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Intriguing. From the get-go, we see Sarah “Sally” Ina) isn’t the type to go along just to get along. She knows her status and precarious positioning and never stops hating the Queen and the English reign. A deep justified hatred burns in her. Things reach a boiling point when the most heinous of the Queen's activities is revealed. 

Like Raughley’s other story, the kingdom of Dahomey once again plays a part here. And a love interest once again engages in underground fighting.

I like that Sally was cunning, and we could see it demonstrated. She wasn’t the usual YA "assassin" (using this loosely), all talk with no kills. She was about her business but smart enough not always to need to dirty her hands. Her methods ranged from blackmail to murder, and defamation. I felt for her the entire time.

The side characters are the weakest here in a relatively great story. Rui is interesting, but we were just told Sally’s soooo attracted to him, and I didn’t really see enough of their banter. But I slowly warmed to their connection.

not surprised at him scurrying away. they were built on lust, anyway. There is no honor among thieves.

I liked the foil Captain Davies is to Sally, and how she could have turned out if she stifled her rage and pretended.  

And yes, actual revenge takes place. 

I'm officially a fan of Raughley's work! Ready to read what she writes next!

The Inscrutable Doctor Baer and the Case of the Two-Faced Statue by Jerzy Drozd

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Absolutely loved this!

I love the author’s mind with this story! Where else can you get a giant tortoise vs horse smackdown? And a laidback, academic bear with various supernatural items in a quaint, little mansion. Think: Pandora’s box but with all the bite taken out of it.  

Also, Pickles is the cutest piggy adventurer. She’s got hug magic, y’all. Back up!

Overall, this was so charming, and it resolved its story nicely. I would love to see another book in the series just to see Taft and Pickles, again. Baer's arc and

Wilhelmina's arc - I was wondering how long that chicken was going to verbally abuse her. :/

was so good. 

Unadulterated pure fun! Unadulterated pure fun! The cast of characters are hilarious and the message is sweet and wholesome. Please read expeditiously!

Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends by Nicole Andelfinger, Francine Pascal

3.0

I never read the original series this is adapting, so no nostalgia to fog up my vision. I liked the artwork a lot. It's snazzy and the girl's wardrobe is cute. Nice to see a message admonishing it's okay for twins to differ and separate their interests. I thought that part was nicely done and had some heart. Jessica was just as vapid and terrible at the Unicorn girls, so it lowers the reading enjoyment. She belonged right within that crew. 

SN: I wished the story said their names more. because even after the wardrobe change, i would forget which twin was who until they referenced something specifically involving the other twin.

The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance by Josh Ulrich

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really good action that gets a little dark. Everything isn't completely explained, but I'd love another book in the series.

The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife Vol. 1 by IWATOBINEKO

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 Another one to add to my simply wholesome manga list! 

An invisible man, only his clothes are visible, and a blind girl with over-powered senses falling in love, while working in a supernatural and paranormal detective agency. The premise is already interesting with a lot of room for adventures and mishaps to explore, but what I like most is the earnest, adorable relationship. 

Tounome, Invisible Man, is a constant professional and an absolute gentleman. The artist excels with drawing men’s fashion, and I enjoy seeing his array of suits. This man is dapper! But he’s also kind-hearted. 

These two see each other in a way no one else can. And the tea date was so thoughtful and cool. I’m sure there are real-life tea shops like this, but I’ve never thought about it. 

Anyway, I already have volume two. I hope my interest doesn’t wane for this series because it’s seriously cute so far. 

SN: the elf couple is so fun, namely the husband with crackhead energy. I’m sure the translation had an interesting time (the father doesn’t want his white elf daughter dating a “dark” elf; genuinely wondering what made them not do light/dark elves) And one of the characters feels straight out of DeviantArt, but in a good way. 

Also, this is a workplace romance/ because he’s technically dating his secretary/admin assistant. In real life it’s a power imbalance, but it’s cute here so … 

Moon Man Volume 1 by Kyle Higgins, Scot "Kid Cudi" Mescudi

adventurous fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 A little trippy. A little man vs. the capitalistic system. A little activism.

The art is blocky but bright and expressive during action moments. However, it looks somewhat unfinished or maybe undefined during the slower moments. Still, I love it when the character's eyes go yellow, it gives it that otherwordly quality.

But I’ll always give a kudos to any story with a Black hero who doesn’t have electric powers.