BOOK REVIEW: Drop Dead Famous

 

DROP DEAD FAMOUS
by Jennifer Pearson
Available now

Ever since Blair Baker became a music sensation, her family (especially younger sister Stevie) hasn't heard much from her. Now, Blair is kicking off her next tour in her hometown of Honeyville, and the majority of the family has gathered to see her live. But when Blair appears onstage in front of her adoring fans, she's already dead: a third hometown tragedy following on from a young local man and Blair and Stevie's missing-presumed-dead niece Mia.

As the world mourns, Stevie takes matters into her own hands. With the help of Blair superfan Colby Green, she explores all possible routes: journalists, agents, Blair's presumed football player boyfriend, and even her own family. But the closer Stevie and Colby get to the truth, the more dangerous things get. There might be multiple stalkers on the loose, making very real threats to both girls and their families. And worst of all, the killer might be closer to home than Stevie assumed — and the three local tragedies might even be connected.

Drop Dead Famous is extremely Taylor Swift-coded; between the fans' beaded friendship bracelets, the presumed football player beau, and certain call-out songs, there's no attempt made to hide it. This does absolutely feel a little weird initially... doubly so when the murdered pop star's supposed boyfriend (and #1 murder suspect for a time) is literally named "Gunner." But once you get past the introduction, the real-world inspiration takes a back seat to the mystery. Stevie and the Baker family as a whole depict a realistic spectrum of reactions to grief, especially in cases where the world is watching. Readers' mileage may vary on Colby, who runs the gamut from awkward fangirl with a heart of gold to too stereotypically cartoonish.

The humor and requisite romance are middling, but the mystery and drama are strong. The end result is convoluted, but not in a bad way. Everything connects, just not the way you're expecting. And even the flimsier character work is forgivable in the face of multitudes of good character moments, from the Baker parents' very different reactions to losing a distant daughter to Stevie's ire at watching strangers grieve someone they never knew. It may not be a perfect read, but it's a promising one.

TEA PAIRING: Chai Café Vanilla
I'm not a Swiftie myself, but I seem to recall something about her having a really banger chai cookie recipe. For a murder mystery that roots itself in that whole scene, this feels like a no-brainer pairing. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other book-inspired teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!

MANGA REVIEW: YAN Vol. 3

 

YAN Vol. 3
by Chang Sheng
Available May 12

YAN has consistently been on top of my must-read list, ever since discovering it via its first volume. Volume 3 also marks the finale of Chang Sheng's action-packed series, and somehow it manages to tie up all the bizarre, multifaceted threads the story has spun so far.

What started as an unconventional superhero story bends into a time-warping narrative, and soon the many strange powers wielded by our heroes start to make a terrifying sort of sense. The story of Tien-Hua also finally comes to fruition, with her seemingly impossible past brought to light. Ancestral spirits, precognition, and an artificial intelligence that threatens to destroy the world as we know it are all in play. But even amidst the high-octane action, YAN never loses its heart or its beauty.

While the story is truly inventive, the soul of YAN has been its rooting in the world of Peking Opera. This isn't just a stylistic choice, either — although the artwork is all the more eyecatching for it. There's a deep love of art and tradition threaded through these pages.

Trying to explain YAN at all, much less in its final chapters, is a daunting task. Every panel is beautiful, and it feels more like watching an action blockbuster than reading something on the page. Do yourself a favor: start at the first volume and enjoy the ride.

TEA PAIRING: The Dragon's Flame
This sweet and spicy cinnamon tea matches the intensity of YAN, especially in its epic third act. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!

TEA REVIEW: Four New Blends from Chapters!

 

Chapters Tea & Co. has been my go-to tea vendor for quite a while now — partly because I love supporting small businesses, partly for the book-inspired blends, but mostly because it's just so dang good. Chapters has rolled out five new teas this spring. Well, four and an Anne of Green Gables rebrand of their English breakfast blend, which remains excellent.

Naturally, I'm on deck to try their latest blends. Three have already been tied to classic literary works, while the fourth is a blend being floated in hopes of being fully branded later on.

Remember, you can grab all of these (and lots more!) from the Chapters website. There's a spring sale on now, but you can use my code KARA15 for 15% off the catalogue any time of year!

Secrets in the Garden: Green tea with watermelon and Lime

I trust Chapters to deliver great blends, but I'll admit I was a little wary of this one. This fruity blend is inspired by The Secret Garden, and is a green tea with watermelon and lime flavors. I've had amazing watermelon green teas in the past, but lime is very much hit-or-miss for me.

The good news is, this is a nice one, even if you're not big on lime. The flavors come together in a really nice and balanced way, and it's especially nice iced.

Get this if: You're looking for a unique iced tea for the summer

March Home in Bloom: White tea with vanilla, fruit, and flowers

This is Chapters' second Little Women inspired blend (At the Waterfront being their first). White teas are tough, in my experience, since steeping too long can throw off the taste. However, this is a resilient one, so you can enjoy it even if you steep it a little too long.

The vanilla and floral flavor profile reminds me a bit of a lighter version of A Date with Mr. Darcy, my perennial favorite from Chapters. I know not everyone is a bergamot enjoyer, and this one definitely hits the high notes of the other without the strong citrus. 

Get this if: You're a fan of tea but like lighter flavors

The Dragon's Flame: Black tea with sweet and spicy cinnamon

This one is rather fun, because I recall the art being run by the ambassadors as a blend was being dreamed up! The theme is fairy tales and Arthurian legends, and the result is a sweet and spicy cinnamon tea.

Of the four, I think this will be the most "your mileage may vary" tea. It reminds me of cinnamon candy, which I personally enjoy, but I'm aware not everyone does. If you enjoy that cinnamon candy taste, you will love this. If that's not your jam, this might not be your jam. (In which case Gingerbread Bookshop might be!)

Get this if: You're missing those cozy fall blends

Letters of Lavender: Earl Grey with lavender

Art and branding are in progress for this new blend, but Chapters are going ahead and floating it in the meantime. And maybe I'm biased as an Earl Grey enjoyer, but this is the stand-out of the new spring batch.

This tea blends the strong bergamot you know and love from Chapters with lavender and cornflower, and it smells sensational. It's perfect for making a London Fog. And while I haven't tried it iced, I imagine it would be great for a cool spring drink. This is one I really hope stays in the catalogue.

Get this if: You are a fiend for Earl Grey

Remember to check out the full catalogue for more book-inspired blends, including gift bundles and limited-edition seasonal blends.

BOOK REVIEW: Oh My Affogato!

 

VACATIONSHIP: OH MY AFFOGATO!
by Daphne Ang and Donna Ghorbanpoor
Available now

Soraya has planned the perfect vacation with her besties, Anya and Mari, before they all go their separate ways for college. Their months-long trip through Europe will kick off on the scenic Amalfi coast. But what Anya and Mari don't know is that Sora's reasons for the first port of call extend beyond food and sightseeing. Her on-again-off-again boyfriend Wes, whom her friends disapprove of, will also be there. And Sora is convinced she can make memories and take her relationship to the next level without anyone else being the wiser.

But things take an unexpected turn early on. After delayed flights, lost luggage, and missed connections, Sora discovers she hasn't booked them at a five-star luxury hotel, but at a tiny B&B on the verge of foreclosure. The good news is, the owner and her handsome son Nico are still more than willing to make the vacation the best it can be. And between days spent exploring Amalfi's hidden treasures and nights drinking and dancing with Wes, Sora is pretty sure she's pulled off the perfect holiday. Until things start falling apart. Soon, she's got no one in her corner, and she'll have to learn how to open up about her real reasons for this whirlwind trip. And those reasons have nothing to do with Wes.

The first thing to note is that middle-grade rom-coms like this tend to have a format, and Oh My Affogato! doesn't really stray from it. Girl has plans, girl meets boy, girl hates boy but reluctantly starts to like him, plans come undone, girl loses everyone, girl learns to apologize, girl makes big gesture to back up apology, girl gets friends and boy. For better or for worse, the pattern is predictable. If you like that, you'll like this. If you want something fresh, this doesn't really break the formula.

That said, this book shines when it comes to describing the ups and downs of international travel. As a regular traveler myself, I'm all too aware of the stress and upheaval that come with big plans like this. And if there's one thing Oh My Affogato! does well, it's describing the bittersweet joy (and stress) of these trips to a tee. If there are two things it does well, it's that and demonstrating the beauty and joy of sightseeing (and eating) off the beaten path. It may not reinvent the genre on the surface, but as a fictional travelogue, it's a great idea of what to expect, and what to look for, when going abroad.

DRINK PAIRING: Elixir of Hydration
While affogato may be in the title, lemons are the theme of this novel: on Sora's toenails, in the packet of lemon seeds that serves as a late-story gift, and in lots of the food and drinks Sora and her friends sample. This sparkly pink lemonade potion is a perfect pairing for this read. Plus, it's got electrolytes to keep you hydrated, and makes a great cocktail or mocktail base! Use my link to get a discount on this and other bookish drinks from Velvet Hammer.

MANGA REVIEW: Voices in the Sea Foam

VOICES IN THE SEA FOAM
by Kotaro
Available May 5

I've seen and read a good number of anime and manga inspired by "The Little Mermaid," and a new anime of that same DNA (Kinema Citrus's Goodbye Lara) is just around the corner. It's an understandable choice: the original story is ultimately a tragic one, lending itself to a variety of interpretations. Though this particular take is a completely new one to me.

Voices in the Sea Foam is a stand-alone six chapter story, plus a bonus chapter outside the scope of the main story, imagining a scenario in which Hans Christian Andersen's tragic heroine didn't actually die forever. Rather than joining the "daughters of the air" to commence 300 years of good deeds and earn herself an immortal soul, the little mermaid is reincarnated as a modern-day Japanese schoolboy named Aito. When he falls in love at first sight with a boy at his grade school, his past-life memories come flooding back: losing her voice, being unable to walk without stabbing pain, and eventually dying. Thus, he chooses to simply never fall in love, evading a new iteration of his curse. It all goes well until he meets college classmate Toru, and suddenly he finds himself unable to walk or speak in his new crush's presence. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), Toru is very interested in Aito after seeing a video of him singing, and the two get closer while working on a student film soundtrack. Now Aito has to decide whether to push Toru away as well, or find a way to break his life-spanning curse.

The magic of this tragic love story is in its final chapter, when the true nature of Aito's "curse" is revealed. Voices in the Sea Foam had the potential to be middle-of-the-road, but the interpretation of Aito's feelings, and the truth behind the spectral sea witch that haunts him in his new life, make for a beautiful ending. Considering the allegorical nature of Andersen's original fairy tale, this is a surprisingly apropos reimagining — whether you view it as a true reincarnation romance or as a metaphor.

TEA PAIRING: Secrets in the Garden
Especially with the manga's recurring beach setting and motif, this summery watermelon lime green tea is a perfect match. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more teas from Chapters Tea & Co.!

BOOK REVIEW: The Danger of Small Things

 

THE DANGER OF SMALL THINGS
by Caryl Lewis
Available now

One day, the last honeybee died, and the world changed. Now everyone is fixated on survival: working for the greater good at the expense of one's own life, bearing genetically optimized children, and eschewing things like love and art that can't be quantified by science. Teenage girl Jess is one of the many young girls working day in and day out to pollinate crops by hand. When she comes of age, she will be sent off to be a wife. But that's not enough for her.

With the help of a young guard and some like-minded girls in the camp, Jess puts the pollination brushes to a different use: art. Her beautiful protests stir up new feelings in her fellow workers, but could lead to trouble if the people in charge find out who's behind the new murals. And when Jess discovers how her superiors really live, while they eat meager rations and work to exhaustion, even her own life being at risk isn't enough to silence her.

The Danger of Small Things is very much a story taking place in extremis, and I find that any such speculative fiction is telling its story on a knife edge. Fail to push hard enough, and there's no longer a message; push too hard, and you wander into satire. Both silence the story trying to be told. While The Danger of Small Things occasionally ventures into the latter, it never goes so far that it becomes a parody of itself. By grounding itself in art and music, and by resting less on the inciting incident and more on how the inciting incident is exploited for the gain of others, it maintains its center even when it starts to slide. And all else aside, Jess's present-tense narrative style feels believable at every turn, worded with the natural poetry of a human rather than overwrought prose.

TEA PAIRING: Cozy Apple Spice
Apples are one of the many things lost to the collapse of society, and are often mentioned as one of the best and sweetest things one can have. With that in mind, we ought to enjoy what we have: this spiced apple black tea, originally created for the autumn season, is currently on final sale. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other tea blends from Chapters Tea & Co.!