destdest's reviews
2702 reviews

Really enjoyed Peril’s social awkwardness (lack of social cues and utter bluntness) and trying to redeem herself against the odds. Although the continual rejection she faces from others, may get old for some.

Those dragons weren’t letting up, but understandably someone that can burn you alive with one touch is dangerous business.

Oh snap, that ending!

-1 star for the baby dragon speak (I don’t know why it annoyed me) and the confusing

Tourmaline

reveal

I was engaged with the story. This is my first time reading from Sanderson, and I was able to keep up with the world-building. There are 3 main stories here: Kenton’s, Aisha’s, and Khrissala. I think I liked all three, but Kenton and Khrissala ranked higher.

Kenton has been the underdog for so long that it takes tragedy for things to change. I liked him realizing the inner turmoils of the diem (sand master guild). He has the “chicken, wolf, riddle” with trying to navigate politics.

I liked Khrissala’s style and the fact that she was a scientist. No comparison, but I love Shuri (Black Panther), so I warmed to her quickly. Still, she was very bratty and unreasonable in the beginning. But I enjoyed her tactical nature and cleverness throughout. 

I would have rated this higher, but I didn't like the artwork overall.

There are multiple artists here. Some of the characters are a little strong in the face to put it nicely. Brooding Batman shadows and scruffy lines. Each artist seemed to excel with a particular character or certain thing more than others. Due to multiple artists, some of the characters looked drastically different (ex: Aisha’s skin tone, Khrissala’s hair, Baon’s face, etc).

Kenton looked torn up in every iteration, sorry. His design is meant to display the mixture of his Darksider and Daysider heritage. But, he looks like he overstayed his welcome in the tanning bed. He’s giving a gingerbread man with a bad blond dye job. I don’t think his color scheme was in harmony.

Anyway, I enjoyed the reading experience. It wrapped up every loose end. Nothing was introduced that was not resolved, and it subverted my expectations with Kenton's power.

his whole thing was mastering one rope of sand before he eventually gained the ability of more. But the final battle has him go back to his roots. Full circle and clever! Also liked that Drile and he worked together

I also enjoyed a religious character that wasn't extreme/one-dimensional.

A complaint? I wanted more romance, but the little embers here are well-paced. And I couldn't bring myself to read the journal notes in cursive. Just no.

3.5

 This volume introduces an antagonist Maya, who is a next-level creep. But it also quickly pairs Jo and Yuki together (platonically); the pacing is fast and abrupt, but I like these two together. The ending of this volume opens up room for fun tension. 

I liked the friendship between Jo and Ryuu, and Jo herself. She's sure of herself and the more logical of the two. I liked the artwork, but many of the closeups for the female characters were unnecessary.

Mind games and delusions - the perfect pair!

Imagine an astute Hilary Banks vs Aunt Viv + trying to usurp/single white female her best friend’s life. 

There's a general unsettling tone throughout Farrah's narrative. You know she's a ticking time bomb of repressed emotions, but you're just wondering when it detonates. She's so clever but still underestimates people.

It's both confusing and exhilarating the mental chess games she has with everyone; is she that smart to pick up on these unspoken words or overly self-important, thinking things that aren't there?

Be aware the story gets gory and gross. Vivid description of vomit and blood.

Short of 5 stars because I didn't like the ending, but I liked the reading experience. The Tariq and Kelly stuff confused me a bit. 

while I'm aware of the concept of Whipping Boy, I hadn't read the book. I feel the Whitmans should've shown "off" behavior or ticks in their armor. It feels 0 to 100, and it's not shown as overlooking on Farrah's part.

also, Black people don't need to struggle and oppression to be successful. Farrah didn't have any pushback after the Whitman's (Brianne's) moment of truth. But I'm glad she died.

But I still enjoyed reading this.

The conclusion to Yakumo (and Sanada's story). Everyone deals with grief differently

 This was really charming. A world of cryptids but Bigfoot can’t get any attention while others seem to gain it all effortlessly. 

I enjoyed the low stakes and the friendship with Bigfoot and Nessie. A part of me wishes it was longer, but it wrapped everything up effectively. I’d read more with these two. 

This has my initial interest. The premise is the typical revenge tale after the bad guys kill the main character’s loved one + 6 enchanted swords that must be found. Add in some Japanese mafia and magic for flavor. 

Chihiro is stoic and laidback but a brimming hatred is in his guts for his dad’s death and failing to protect the swords. Before the tragedy, he followed in his father’s footsteps as an apprentice swordmaker. 

I like swords and that there isn’t any contrived, dumb fanservice as of yet. Chihiro is very cool-headed, but you can tell he cares in his own way, especially with the kid. Mr. Shiba, the dad’s friend, looks way too young. I know there’s only been a 3-year gap, but he must be younger than I expected. 

Again, this has my initial interest. If the story manages to be more than a blood and gore fest with average stakes, I’ll continue reading. 

SN: was not expecting to see a random hightop fade