Book Review: RED AND BLACK by Nancy O'Toole
RED AND BLACK by Nancy O'Toole is a "cozy" superhero fantasy. Cozy mysteries are lighthearted crime novels about solving crimes in a small community. So, what is a cozy superhero fantasy? I'd say that is superhero fiction where the focus is not actually on solving crimes or punching supervillains but the day-to-day lives of being a superhero. There's crime fighting in Red and Black, but the stakes are low, the villains not quite as threatening, and the heart of the story is its characters navigating the oddity of being superheroes.
The premise is that Dawn Takahashi AKA Hikari lives in a world that has recently started producing superhumans. Rather than react with hate and fear, the public has mostly embraced these beings as quickly rather than dangerous. Some of them have decided to become activists or crime fighters as well. Dawn keeps a secret identity, though, which is aided by the fact she transforms like Captain Marvel (DC version) from a tiny Eurasian college girl to a glorious redheaded Amazon.
However, Dawn isn't the only POV in the book with Alex Gage AKA Faultline. Alex is a guy from the wrong side of the tracks who also developed superpowers. With his sisters dependent on him, he's rented himself out as a thug for hire. Alex isn't too much of a bad guy even if he's sent several people to the hospital with his super strength. Certainly, he's got nothing on his boss, Calypso, who has the power to addict people to her presence like a drug. It's a pretty classic set up of love, secret identities, and conflicting allegiance but that's not really what the book is about.
No, the real appeal of the book is the exploration of Dawn and Alex's lives in a world where superheroes exist but in a subdued manner. Dawn was inspired by comic books to get out of her rut after a period when she was kidnapped (and doesn't remember). Comics are important to her in a way beyond just entertainment and analyzing that as well as the difficulties of "realistically" keeping a secret identity is interesting.
The setting isn't precisely believable as the public seems pretty blase about abilities that defy logic and allow people to do heroic deeds. I happen to be able to suspend my disbelief as well. Bailey City is a city sharply divided between the ultra-rich and working poor that adds a sense of authenticity to the place. One of the most interesting elements of the book is the fact that the empowered, called “Actuals”, often become the stars of a comic book written by a mysterious man who knows details of their adventures no one else should.
I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end and think that fans of superhero fiction will find this quick and enjoyable read. There are seven books in the series, but this is something you can read and enjoy on its own. I recommend picking up the entirety of the series, though. There's something to be said for superhero fiction that is just relaxing rather than stressful. This qualifies.
