BOOK REVIEW: MindWorks: An Uncanny Compendium of Short Fiction

MINDWORKS: AN UNCANNY COMPENDIUM OF SHORT FICTION
by Neal Shusterman
Available Now

A really good short story is tough to write. You want to encompass a world and a concept in a brief space, but the word count available to you means something has to go. Will you pare down worldbuilding to focus everything to a single moment? Sacrifice characterization to paint a picture of a setting, or vice-versa? Or will you try to maintain a little bit of everything, potentially crowding the payoff of your story against the back wall? There is no one single answer, and finding the right answer for each story is one of the trickiest parts of the process.

In other words, I admire someone who can write not just one or two solid short stories, but a whole anthology's worth. And while I may not have seen eye to eye with Neal Shusterman on his novel All Better Now, I find myself enchanted by the selection of short fiction in MindWorks.

The stories Shusterman authors and co-authors in this anthology are broadly what one might call "genre fiction," running the gamut from hard sci-fi to magical realism. The majority fall closer to the latter category: normal worlds in which one thing has gone a bit skewiff. The stories cover a broad span, but are grouped by topic: covering themes like fate and destiny, death and undeath, monsters, strange buildings, and transformations. The final two inclusions hail from his Scythe stories, with which I am only familiar by word-of-mouth, but which are self-contained enough to draw in new readers.

It would be difficult to rate every single story in an anthology spanning more than 500 pages; so instead, I will highlight a few favorites.

"Smells Like Kafka": My personal favorite of the anthology, a story of a girl named Bettina Plinth and her beloved teddy bear, Kafka. While her negligent parents are away on yet another trip, her teddy comes to life as a very real, very large bear. The upshot of the story is a surprisingly wholesome one, and one that will hit home for a very specific subset of readers.

The Ralphy Sherman Stories: This trio of stories, about the strange lives of Ralphy and his sister Roxanne, remind me of a somewhat friendlier version of Junji Ito's Hikizuri family. The siblings claim that their father is a spy, their mother has been abducted by aliens, and Nessie lives in their jacuzzi... to name just a few things. These are surreal and playful, and I love the childlike view of the bizarre events that dip in and out of their lives.

The 💩 on Our Shoes: (Yes, that is the actual published title, emoji and all.) While "Smells Like Kafka" is my favorite, I would argue that this one is the best of the anthology. Set on a spacecraft carrying members of the human race to a new home, the story follows students Lowell and Maeve as they uncover devastating secrets about the soon-to-be-completed space mission. This is a fantastic demonstration of vast but balanced worldbuilding in a confined space, all without losing the drama of meaning of the story along the way.

Aside from having great stories in it, the book itself looks absolutely gorgeous. It never hurts to have something nice-looking on your shelf. And for a book like this, which is extremely re-readable, that's a bonus.

TEA PAIRING: Magical Library Butterbrew
The stories in MindWorks are all very different from each other — like a vast library in and of itself — so this creamy butterscotch blend inspired by magical libraries feels like the best fit for this broad spectrum. Use my code KARA15 at checkout for 15% off this and other teas!

MANGA REVIEW: Sanda Vol. 2

SANDA Vol. 2

by Paru Itagaki
Available November 18

Seeing Paru Itagaki follow the success of BEASTARS with the success of SANDA has been delightful. Her father, Baki the Grappler creator Keisuke Itagaki, recently praised her work publicly and added that the character of Legoshi will keep her fed for life. Volume 2 of Santa-centric fighting manga SANDA shows Itagaki has plenty of strong stories left in her. And this second volume drives home that this manga isn't just about a gimmick: there's a lot of story to tell here.

The series takes place in a future where youth isn't celebrated so much as it is jealously guarded. The extremes to which this is taken become more evident in these new chapters. Too, we get a closer look at the character of Shiori, whose quest to find her missing-presumed-dead friend kicked off Sanda's "curse" and this whole adventure. The true nature of Shiori and Ichie's relationship begins to come to light, presenting yet another facet of this hypothetical future's view of youth and coming of age.

Itagaki's art style is really magnificent, and her character designs have an almost gothic vibe to them. They're rough and emotional, and the young cast looks simultaneously childlike and weary. Naturally it's great for action scenes, but this run of chapters also lets the art shine in quieter, more personal moments.

Whether you're watching the anime adaptation as it airs or are completely new to the title, I do very much recommend SANDA. The anime stays very true to the art style, but there's something visceral about Itagaki's work on the printed page.

TEA PAIRING: Gingerbread Bookshop
Christmas and Santa may no longer be a thing for the kids of SANDA, but they're doing their best to bring that magic back. Gingerbread Bookshop is a limited-edition holiday tea from Chapters that fits that festive vibe perfectly. Use my code KARA15 at checkout for 15% off your order!

BOOK REVIEW: Coldwire

COLDWIRE
by Chloe Gong
Available Now

As more and more of our interactions — work, school, and social — move to online spaces, Chloe Gong's Coldwire imagines a future where such a setup becomes not just accepted, but necessary. The opening book of the StrangeLoom trilogy imagines a world divide in two: downcountry, the real world becoming less and less inhabitable; and upcountry, a fully-immersive VR space that mimics reality in every way that matters. And when immersed in this space for months at a time, what's "real" becomes more and more difficult to parse.

Coldwire throws the narrative between two agents of NileCorp, the conglomerate with a monopoly on reality as the world knows it. Both are wards of the state, orphans from the country of Medaluo who will be pressed into service when they come of age. Lia is fresh out of training, having spent her academic career competing with fellow top student Kieren. For their first mission out, the two are sent on a secret mission together to upcountry Medaluo.

Eirale works for NileCorp downcountry, where she runs afoul of young anarchist Nik. When Nik's cohorts frame her for murder, she's press-ganged into helping them with their goals. Nik's aim? Bring down NileCorp. But it seems Eirale's bosses want her to follow Nik's lead, making capture of the rebel easier.

Both heroines have their own struggles with reality. Lia constantly struggles with her sense of reality: a condition known as Wakeman's Syndrome, in which downcountry can feel artificial. Eirale, meanwhile, has major gaps in her memory after coming off her last mission. And as both young women move toward their goal — following the same path in two levels of reality — their pasts and futures become inextricably tied together.

The presentation of Coldwire is excellent, squirreling away little details for big reveals that pay off in the books last hundred pages or so. The worldbuilding is also surprisingly believable, roping in public opinion of various technological advances to make this massive jump in lifestyle relatable. (For example, the decision to maintain the illusion of bodily functions in upcountry, while great from a standpoint of realism, absolutely would result in the sort of memes and dunks the book describes.)

The only true downside of Coldwire is scope. There's so much to unpick and unwind in the final act, and the big reveal deserves a bit more room to breathe and expand. The nature of the reveal (and yes, I am being hugely cagey because I don't want to give anything away) means this warrants a second and perhaps a third read, to truly appreciate how deeply interwoven these two stories are. It's just a bit of a shame that the revelation didn't have more room at the end before we hurried to the cliffhanger. That said, "I wish there had been more" is one of the least bad critiques a book can get.

Coldwire is a promising introduction to what will hopefully be an equally strong trilogy. In an era when sci-fi becomes increasingly difficult to write well because the impossible is constantly becoming more and more possible, Gong's writing roots itself in our understanding of the here and now to create a future we can wrap our head around. It interlocks ancient human tendencies with contemporary ethical quandaries in a way many modern writers simply cannot do.

TEA PAIRING: A Date with Mr. Darcy
Given the nature of Lia and Kieren's relationship, this tea's nod to Pride & Prejudice seems all too appropriate. This particular blend, an Earl Grey upscaled with rose and vanilla, reminds me a bit of the nature of upcountry: accurate to the original, but shinier. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off this and more teas from Chapters!

AFTERNOON TEA REVIEW: Prince Tea House (Virginia Beach)

Location: Prince Tea House, Virginia Beach, VA
Price: $30 for one, $56 for two, $84 for three
Reservations: N/A
View the menu

The confidence with which I'm starting an "afternoon tea review" subheading is either stunning or ridiculous. The fact of the matter is, I love it. I will go out of my way for it wherever I go. And when I can treat someone to something nice, this is my favorite way to do it. Since I plan to treat myself (and others) more, because life is short and tea is lovely, hopefully look forward to more of these.

A few Sundays ago, my friend Phoenix and I were celebrating our friend Katy's birthday, which was in two parts: an escape room (Phoenix's contribution) and afternoon tea (mine). I'd been to the Prince Tea House in Virginia Beach twice before and loved it both times, but I'd never actually done the full afternoon tea spread. We'd all had a look around online and got a general sense of what it was like, but ultimately it would be something of a surprise for all of us. A good surprise, thankfully.

The Tea

Prince Tea House has their own line of tea blends, and I've loved everything I had there. Each person gets their own small pot of tea and chooses their own blend. I went with the Du Hammam Leaf Black Tea (rose, berries, and rhubarb), which was extremely nice. The flavor was more berry-centric than floral. I am an enjoyer of rose-flavored things, but if you don't like things that taste floral, be reassured that the rose in this is subtle. (If you're like me, the Rose Lover Milk Tea will be your best bet.)

The Sandwiches (etc.)

The spread came with four types of sandwiches, as well as wasabi deviled eggs. As noted by other, more experienced afternoon tea connoisseurs, open-faced sandwiches aren't how it's "done." And if that is a deal-breaker for you, that's fair to note. But I certainly didn't mind, nor did either of my friends. And the open-faced style made for a very pretty presentation.

• Pastrami with Swiss Cheese: I'm never been big on pastrami because I'd never had non-gristly pastrami before (and I don't do well with gristly meat). But this was extremely lean, and the melted Swiss on top was perfect.
• Smoked Salmon with Avocado: I'm also not a fan of avocado, but I was determined to try every sandwich as presented and not upset the balance of the menu. I still don't like avocado, but the smoked salmon took center stage in this sandwich and was fantastic.
• Cucumber with Tzatziki: I love a good cucumber sandwich. This was fine, but it didn't really stand out for me. Compared to the other sandwiches it was served with, it was a little bland. Not bad, but nothing special.
• Crabmeat with Garlic Aioli: For me, this was the winner among the sandwiches. The crabmeat was surprisingly light, and the very thin slice of lemon on top was a perfect complement.
• Wasabi Deviled Egg: While the crabmeat was the best sandwich, this was the best savory. I love strong wasabi, so I wouldn't have minded if it was overpowering, but the balance was excellent — enough to enhance the flavor, not enough to cause a visceral reaction.

The Scones

What surprised me about the scones was that they were very crunchy on the outside. Not burned or overcooked, just crunchy and sugary like a cookie. The insides were very soft, perfect for spreading the jam and clotted cream. It's not the way I'm used to scones being made, but it was surprisingly nice.

The Desserts

Prince Tea House has a massive menu of amazing desserts, so I was looking forward to seeing which they put forward. Sadly, despite having seen little samples of their crepe cakes featured in photos of the afternoon tea, there wasn't any to be had here. That was fine, though, because what was on offer was great.

• Macarons: We each got one out of chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio. They were good macarons, but if you're an even half decent bakery or tea room, it's hard to flub a macaron.
• Panna Cotta: I love panna cotta, so this was an easy sell for me. Each little serving came with fruit on top, which I liked but which my friends were a little more picky about. I imagine the fruit selections are seasonal, so your mileage may vary.
• Chocolate Lava Cake: I was actually relieved these servings were small, because they were rich. It was very, very good. But much more than we got might have been too much.

The serving sizes were just right per person. Some afternoon tea orders can be a bit too generous; this may sound like a nice problem to have, but not so much when afternoon tea tends not to be a cheap outing and you don't want to waste food. We didn't leave hungry, but we also didn't leave anything behind (except out of preference). I do wonder if going with open-faced sandwiches, and having just a bit less bread, helped with that.

If you're looking for a 100% traditional English-style afternoon tea, this is not it. But also, if you're that stringent about sandwich presentation and dessert selection, there aren't many places in the US you'll be happy. I'm personally not a huge stickler for traditionalism, and I actually enjoy when each venue puts their own spin on their afternoon tea menu and showcases what they do best.

If you're a very picky eater, bring a friend and swap sandwiches with each other. But speaking as a picky eater myself, I'd recommend that you let yourself be pleasantly surprised by the selection.

Visit the Prince Tea House website.

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!