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destdest's reviews
2696 reviews
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!
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
Mia and Friends: Mia Hamm and the Soccer Sisterhood that Changed History by Karlin Gray
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
Serviceable. But it doesn't dig deep enough for it to focus on Mia. very little of her personal life is shown or any meaningful times. Maye have been better refocused on the women's US team as a whole as that's what it read like
Still, will inspire and interest young soccer players
Still, will inspire and interest young soccer players
Through the Elder Woods by Katie Cook
3.0
Cute. Magical realism + journey to find the missing parent
Callie and Declan's relationship was adorable (the equivalent of sugary gum), but Declan was boring as dirt. Most of his character surrounds him as having feelings for her. There's no true love triangle but a rival is introduced halfway through. Most of this schtick is sexual harassment/"not getting the picture," but he was more entertaining when that dialed down. After a while, you see he's just delulu and funny.
The ending fight happened rather cleanly. Callie made a permanent decision fairly easily. This is a series, so I'd like to explore this more if I have any regrets. It's a little unclear how the dad ended up in his situation. At first, it's a clear kidnapping situation, but then maybe not.
The radish friend was a bit too much, but fun in small doses.
On the positive, I really enjoyed a certain reveal. Why? because it was entertaining.
Overall, it was a mostly lighthearted read with a few subverted f-bombs and a character killing another character).
Callie and Declan's relationship was adorable (the equivalent of sugary gum), but Declan was boring as dirt. Most of his character surrounds him as having feelings for her. There's no true love triangle but a rival is introduced halfway through. Most of this schtick is sexual harassment/"not getting the picture," but he was more entertaining when that dialed down. After a while, you see he's just delulu and funny.
The ending fight happened rather cleanly. Callie made a permanent decision fairly easily. This is a series, so I'd like to explore this more if I have any regrets. It's a little unclear how the dad ended up in his situation. At first, it's a clear kidnapping situation, but then maybe not.
The radish friend was a bit too much, but fun in small doses.
On the positive, I really enjoyed a certain reveal. Why? because it was entertaining.
Overall, it was a mostly lighthearted read with
The Haunting of Loch Ness Castle by Chelsea M. Campbell
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm still charmed by this series.
Bigfoot and Nessie go to Scotland in a direct continuation of the last book (this series is episodic but remembers what happened before). Nessie takes the spotlight with an overbearing but well-meaning manager mother.
It was funny and rewarding to watch Nessie finally find her voice.
Bigfoot and Nessie go to Scotland in a direct continuation of the last book (this series is episodic but remembers what happened before). Nessie takes the spotlight with an overbearing but well-meaning manager mother.
It was funny and rewarding to watch Nessie finally find her voice.