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destdest's reviews
2719 reviews
The Ghost and the Stolen Dragon by Svetlana Chmakova
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Dreamover by Dani Diaz
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Weird. This takes a major genre shift from the contemporary to pure surrealism.
Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel by Paula Danziger
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fresh Start: A Graphic Novel by GALE. GALLIGAN
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
3.0
The Strange Tales of Oscar Zahn: Volume 1 by Tri Vuong
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The premise is very interesting of a dead-undead floating skeleton head possessed by a ghostly starving octopus, and his misadventure helping others close to death or grieving.
But this is too wordy in the worst way. I don’t think this comic relies enough on its artwork to tell the story.
But this is too wordy in the worst way. I don’t think this comic relies enough on its artwork to tell the story.
The Sweetness Between Us by Sarah Winifred Searle
hopeful
medium-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
3.5
Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield
Be aware that the beginning is full of cringe and secondhand embarrassment. I’m so glad I waded through that to get to one of my favorite books so far in 2025.
But as Whitney, the main character, dials down the too-muchness, I really connected with her admiration of Josephine Baker. She's so creative and confident but still has doubts of her place in the world.
Thierry was also a fun male lead. I'm glad he wasn't a butthole. Yeah, he was blunt and serious, but he wasn't unreasonable. It's rewarding when a stoic character begins to melt or be vulnerable. As we see Thierry defrost, it felt earned. I also like that the book didn't exotify him if that makes sense. He's more than the "French lover."
There are so many scenes that I couldn't stop smiling at. And Black American history, Parisian facts, and a little conversation about being Black in France 🇫🇷 expertly weaved in.
If you love sunshine x grumpy pairings, you will love this. One of the most absolutely adorable moments is when Whitney goes to the chocolate shop. Worth the price of admission *wink* This little book will make you swoon.
Please someone adapt this into a YA movie. I’d love for Black girls to have a sweet, lighthearted movie. Completely feel-good!
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
5.0
This is such a cutie-patootie book!
“The only way to do Paris is not by list, but by love."
Be aware that the beginning is full of cringe and secondhand embarrassment. I’m so glad I waded through that to get to one of my favorite books so far in 2025.
But as Whitney, the main character, dials down the too-muchness, I really connected with her admiration of Josephine Baker. She's so creative and confident but still has doubts of her place in the world.
Thierry was also a fun male lead. I'm glad he wasn't a butthole. Yeah, he was blunt and serious, but he wasn't unreasonable. It's rewarding when a stoic character begins to melt or be vulnerable. As we see Thierry defrost, it felt earned. I also like that the book didn't exotify him if that makes sense. He's more than the "French lover."
There are so many scenes that I couldn't stop smiling at. And Black American history, Parisian facts, and a little conversation about being Black in France 🇫🇷 expertly weaved in.
If you love sunshine x grumpy pairings, you will love this. One of the most absolutely adorable moments is when Whitney goes to the chocolate shop. Worth the price of admission *wink* This little book will make you swoon.
Please someone adapt this into a YA movie. I’d love for Black girls to have a sweet, lighthearted movie. Completely feel-good!
Dances by Nicole Cuffy
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This story gets the isolating nature and constant struggles of being a Black ballerina well. Ballet in itself has always been restrictive and rigid.
The threat of being constantly replaced, a token, and having to prove your worth to others and yourself constantly are themes. Ballet can be such a rampant breeding ground for body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and internalized self-hatred.
Even more, Celine "Cece’s" lack of family and community weighs on her more heavily. She has few people who have her best interests in mind. There is a deep, subtle pain when your parents don’t believe in you or accept you fully.
Every moment Cece is waiting to fail. Constant stress. The reading experience was very stressful for me because every moment I was waiting for her to ruin her ballet career irreparably. Then, I was getting squeamish with her medical issues.
With added pressure, Cece becomes a prominent Black ballerina and is thrust overnight into a status symbol for young Black children and people. She wrestles with hating and understanding the value of an unasked symbolism.
Then, of course, the potential career-ending situation pops up. Bruh. she gets pregnant. How do you trust in the pull-out method??? But she was young with no guidance, so I guess. Ain’t bout ish men gon do it every time.
I don’t know how to phrase this correctly. But this felt like watching a fictional movie about enslavement. You’re always left feeling drained, but you understand the execution and the hard truths. It’s just the reality. I don’t believe every story has to make you feel good or uplifting. Sometimes, a story has to lay bare the dirt and grit of a thing, an industry.
Overall, I believe the author effectively showed the tense environments many of these dance studios operate under, but it’s a dampening read. I understood Cece but never really liked her as a character. But I liked the connection and sorrow Cece had for her brother Paul as a positive. The fifth section was my favorite when it went unexpectedly Southern.
Not enjoyable but not bad!
2.5 stars
The threat of being constantly replaced, a token, and having to prove your worth to others and yourself constantly are themes. Ballet can be such a rampant breeding ground for body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and internalized self-hatred.
Even more, Celine "Cece’s" lack of family and community weighs on her more heavily. She has few people who have her best interests in mind. There is a deep, subtle pain when your parents don’t believe in you or accept you fully.
Every moment Cece is waiting to fail. Constant stress. The reading experience was very stressful for me because every moment I was waiting for her to ruin her ballet career irreparably. Then, I was getting squeamish with her medical issues.
With added pressure, Cece becomes a prominent Black ballerina and is thrust overnight into a status symbol for young Black children and people. She wrestles with hating and understanding the value of an unasked symbolism.
Then, of course, the potential career-ending situation pops up. Bruh.
I don’t know how to phrase this correctly. But this felt like watching a fictional movie about enslavement. You’re always left feeling drained, but you understand the execution and the hard truths. It’s just the reality. I don’t believe every story has to make you feel good or uplifting. Sometimes, a story has to lay bare the dirt and grit of a thing, an industry.
Overall, I believe the author effectively showed the tense environments many of these dance studios operate under, but it’s a dampening read. I understood Cece but never really liked her as a character. But I liked the connection and sorrow Cece had for her brother Paul as a positive. The fifth section was my favorite when it went unexpectedly Southern.
Not enjoyable but not bad!
2.5 stars
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.