MANGA REVIEW: The Raven Dark Hero Vol. 1

The Raven Dark Hero: From White Knight to Villain Vol. 1
by Tonkye and Akira Mitsuya
Available November 4

The more anime and manga I tear through, the more I realize that certain stories in certain subgenres go in phases. A while back, we had our "overworked by an abusive company" boom. Right now, we seem to be in a "revenge for being underestimated" boom — especially in, but not limited to, the realm of isekai. The Raven Dark Hero is one of those rare non-isekai series veering into that trend, centering a character whose abilities fall short but who will turn out to be a force to be reckoned with.

Suou Kouki lives in what appears to be a darker spin on the My Hero Academia universe: one in which people develop superpowers by a certain age and use them to either protect the weak or go full villain mode. He's dreamed of developing a power and joining up to do his part: a dream that begins to fray as his (alleged) friend jumps on just that opportunity. But a dangerous encounter soon reveals that Suou may be more powerful than he thought.

Now, with an ability that evolves in an unconventional (and frankly terrifying) way, Suou is on the path to becoming a hero... or perhaps a villain. Because the two aren't that far apart.

This first volume of The Raven Dark Hero sets an intriguing stage in a superpowered world, hinting that even walking down the path of heroism may not be all it's cracked up to be. The introductory phase of a put-upon protagonist at the mercy of a fair-weather friend feels a bit overdone in the current anime and manga climate. That said, Suou's unique ability and how he contends with it will be what carries this story. An angsty, put-upon protagonist isn't a crime, but a strong story that makes his rivalry more than envy and revenge will make all the difference.

All that aside, the art is very nice. Some action-based manga can only do solid character art or solid action, with nothing in between. But Mitsuya has struck a very good balance that makes this story visually appealing.

Whether The Raven Dark Hero makes good on the more appealing aspects of its story remains to be seen. At this early stage, it could go either way. But fans of dark superhero stories will want to get on board early.

TEA PAIRING: Poet's Study
This dark, moody Earl Grey is the perfect fit for Suou's new morally grey superhero life. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other bookish teas!

BOOK REVIEW: Murder in Venice

MURDER IN VENICE
by T.A. Williams
Available November 3

Detective/mystery author Dan Armstrong and his faithful dog Oscar have solved a number of mysteries together. As Murder in Venice begins, it looks like the sleuth may get a bit of a break. He's been invited to take part in a murder mystery dinner hosted by film and TV superstar Alice Graceland. The event will feature a number of Hollywood luminaries, but it's not a friendly gathering. The themed event is the lead-in to a planned confrontation between Alice and her Tinseltown peers, giving them an opportunity to atone for their indiscretions before her tell-all autobiography goes to print.

Unfortunately, murder seems to follow Armstrong wherever he goes, and Alice's masked murder mystery dinner in her secluded Venetian home is no exception. A very real murder takes place that night as the scripted mystery is playing out. And since Alice's guest list is made up almost exclusively of people with grudges, the culprit could be just about anyone. Before the weekend is out, more than a little dirty laundry will be aired.

In my previous Armstrong and Oscar mystery review, I noted that my only complaint was a bit of last-minute monologuing to tie up the mystery. Murder in Venice goes down much more smoothly, with exceptional pacing (especially considering the massive cast of "day players"). We also get looks in from Armstrong's own family as he introduces his fiancée to his parents... including his father, who's a bit of an amateur sleuth himself!

The "cozy" of these mysteries boils down to two things: the presence of the extremely good boy Oscar, and multiple descriptions of tantalizing Italian food and drink. While the mystery itself is strong, with multiple twists that figure into the overarching mystery, the atmosphere is where this series really stands out. If you prefer your cozy mysteries a little more sun-drenched, this is the way to go.

TEA PAIRING: Poetic Peach
While it would feel more proper to pair wine with this book, given the many Italian menus described in this book, this breezy peach tea (one of Chapters' summer selections) feels like a perfect fit. Use my code KARA15 to get 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 3

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 3
by Philip Purser-Hallard, Joe Curreri, and Stewart Sheargold
Ebook collection available now
Paperback/ebook available now

After reviewing the first two installments of this series, I was informed by Cody Schell that Volume 3 is where it really hits its stride—where we get a clear view of everything these "periodic adventures" could have been if allowed to continue beyond these nine installments. Having read this third volume, I'm inclined to agree. Where the first was a solid introduction to the characters and the second dipped its toes into more fantastical themes, this third installment solidifies the tone and worldview: an adventure serial that honors its many inspirations while also growing beyond them to create something entirely new.

Philip Purser-Hallard is always a joy to read, and "Horizon" is no exception. In this novella, 105 and Sheila reunite with Lori Flaherty in a transdimensional adventure that imagines a blended alternate history. The alternate world in which our heroes find themselves is the real treat of this story: a unique blending of ancient cultures that makes more sense than it ought to. It's a vivid adventure packed with exciting battles and threads of a bigger, stranger world.

"The Señor 105 Adventure Book" by Joe Curreri is two stories in one. The first introduces master thief Fantastique, going toe-to-toe with 105, Sheila, and Lori as they all vie for a cursed gemstone. This was my personal favorite of the book, and not just because it has a gentleman thief and a giant robot (two of my favorite things). It also gives Lori even more of a chance to shine, which is well deserved. The second story is told from the point of view of the Iguana, a foe of 105 who seems to cheat death over and over in his pursuit of revenge. The upshot is a brilliant twist on the concept of a Saturday morning cartoon villain. Together, these two stories showcase the series's ability to play with, subvert, and spotlight classic themes in adventure serials.

Last but not least is Stewart Sheargold's "Spectrum." The stakes are raised significantly as 105 and Sheila initially believe they are witnessing the discovery of a 106th element. But the truth is far more dire: an alien entity known as the Faceless Man wants to take over the world, and he plans to use Sheila to do so. This adventure sees the return of Mr. Tea and the arrival of Hilda, a brilliant lady with ties to the Faceless Man. In addition to being a rollicking adventure with end-of-season energy, "Spectrum" also has a magnificent guest cast and plenty of room for them to shine alongside the regulars.

This third volume really is a glorious representation of everything Señor 105 can be. While these periodic adventures may not have gone on as long as intended, perhaps the arrival of these new volumes in print will interest more people in continued stories. Either way, this collection as a whole is a grand one.

TEA PAIRING: A Date with Mr. Darcy
Given the multiple burgeoning romances in this edition, as well as Hilda's own tealeaf-based powers, this blend feels like a perfect fit. It's also my favorite in the Chapters catalogue. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other blends from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Arcane Gamble of Harvey Walters

The Arcane Gamble of Harvey Walters
by Rosemary Jones
Available October 28

Whether or not you're an Arkham Horror player, Aconyte's tie-in novels are a great way to revisit the setting and lore of the Cthulhu Mythos. The recent Drowned City series, a prequel to the game expansion of the same name, sets the stage for an exploration of R'lyeh through the new adventures of poets, journalists, and academics.

The Arcane Gamble of Harvey Walters picks up where The Nightmare Quest of April May left off: Arkham is battered by storms, monsters lurk in the deep, and a trio of sibyl sisters are in the midst of the eldritch happenings. Garbageman Lefty and reporter Minnie, both returning from the previous installment, are all helping in their own ways, in between sniffing out stolen dynamite and ensuring that rescued dogs get back to their owners. But as Harvey prepares to face the women at the center of Arkham's impending demise, dark knowledge weighs on him: this could very well be his last stand.

The Drowned City trilogy has bridged a variety of settings and motivations, all stemming back to a desire for normality amidst turbulent dreams and visions. This final installment pits brilliant individuals against unknowable power, coloring even the darkest moments of horror with warmth and humanity. This is a fitting end to the trilogy, whether you're a fan of the games or simply enjoying these as their own stand-alone narrative.

TEA PAIRING: Caramel Cabin
Get in the autumn New England mood with this limited edition fall tea, perfect whether the weather is cool and clear or pelting down as an ancient god ascends from the depths (I assume). Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105, Vol. 2

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 2
by Stuart Douglas, Selina Lock, and Jay Eales
Ebook collection available now
Paperback/ebook available October 31

The Periodic Adventures of Señor 105 - Volume 1 (reviewed here) served as a jumping-off point for readers new to the Doctor Who-adjacent Lucha Libre series. Those first three novellas introduced 105, his allies Sheila and Rodrigo (with a hat tip to Iris Wildthyme), and the various themes one was likely to see in his adventures. With those stories firmly under our belts, it's time to get wacky. Or, perhaps, wackier.

This second volume collects three more installments: "Señor 105 and the Secret Santa" by Stuart Douglas, "Green Eyed and Grim" by Selina Lock, and "The Five Faces of Fear" by Jay Eales." These are three names that should be very familiar to regular Obverse readers (and not just because one of them runs the publisher): all three have contributed iconic stories to different corners of Obverse's various franchises, and these are no exception. Across the board, all three stories are more fantastical and more action-packed, with lots more fighting (both in and out of the ring) for 105.

"Señor 105 and the Secret Santa" brings to mind René Cardona's 1959 Santa Claus (appropriate, as Cardona directed one of the El Santo films), with 105 crossing paths with both St. Nick and the Devil. However, this story presents a much more enticing backstory for these epitomes of good and evil, interlaced with more larger-than-life figures. It's a bold story to take on, and yet it ends up extremely satisfying by the end.

"Green Eyed and Grim" throws 105 in the ring for a charity match, but the hero soon finds himself toe-to-toe with literal Grim Reapers. As with the preceding novella, this one does excellent work grounding a familiar figure in (what for many readers will be) unfamiliar lore. The guest cast in particular shines here, as brother and sister reapers Callum and Arella face down the more existential aspect of their job.

Last and most certainly not least is "The Five Faces of Fear," which introduces amnesiac fighter El Futuro. There's plenty of fun to be had meeting old friends of 105 (including a cheeky nod to that one Five Doctors photoshoot). The real joy, though, is in the propulsion forward of a certain secondary character's subplot. The narrative skips around in time, hinting at multiple futures for 105 and his friends... or, potentially, foes.

Where Volume 1 was a friendly on-boarding, Volume 2 is outright cinematic. I'm a big fan of well-written action scenes, and there's plenty of those in this second collection. If the first collection got you on board, the second will keep you around for the long haul.

TEA PAIRING: Candy Cane Forest
Not solely because of the Santa story (okay, kinda because of the Santa story), this limited-edition tea will be a good fit for a read-along. It's a sweet, strong peppermint candy black tea. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and other teas from Chapters!

BOOK REVIEW: Murder at the Wedding

MURDER AT THE WEDDING

by Anita Davison
Available October 26

It's Hannah Merrill's wedding day, and her family are determined to make it perfect. But they couldn't have planned for the vicar to go missing right before the ceremony, only to be found dead in the church crypt. What is initially believed to be a tragic accident turns out to be a poisoning. And as the authorities begin their investigation, so do Hannah and her aunt Violet.

The vicar's tragic death isn't the only surprise at the heart of this marriage. Secret weddings, an earlier death in the family, and a web of family and acquaintances — all with their own strong opinions about the recently deceased — color the investigation. As Hannah digs deeper, she also comes to terms with married life when the world is at war. Even with multiple suspects on the table, each with their own potential motives, the police believe they have their killer. But Hannah and Violet's investigation turns up something that will surprise even the vicar's closest family and friends.

Murder at the Wedding is the latest in a growing line of "Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet" mysteries, and several of their past escapades are referenced throughout the book. While this one feels like it might not be the best book to start on, as it's clear that Hannah's first "case" is one that still hangs over her, Davison wastes no time getting new readers on board with the regulars. Even if this is your gateway into the series, you will warm to these amateur sleuths right away. While it does suffer a bit from some last-minute monologuing, the mystery itself is satisfying when brought to its close.

TEA PAIRING: Picnic at Pemberley

This high-class green tea laced with notes of jasmine and rose is a perfect afternoon brew, and pairs nicely with the cozy, high-class vibes of this mystery. Use my code KARA15 to get 15% off this and more from Chapters Tea & Co.!