Party is the sixth in the Arca series by Karen Diem in which a number of coma patients emerged from their condition with superhero powers way back in book one. Arca refers to Zita Garcia, a shapeshifting, teleporting, capoeira-fighting superhero. She’s joined by Muse (real name: Wyn) and Wingspan (Andy) as a trio of vigilante heroes who manage to find—and resolve—trouble in each novel in the series. In addition to their heroic antics, subplots of their personal lives and associated characters continue on in each novel.
The party of Party refers to a rising, independent political party in the United States. This party’s agenda is to imprison or eliminate metahumans, the name given to superheroes in this series. Naturally, this puts them at odds with Arca from the first scene.
Through a series of novels and short stories, the Arca World has introduced interesting new characters and fascinating and memorable plots. Diem always starts with an action scene and this one doesn’t disappoint. She ties in one of her short stories into this novel—a welcome surprise—to set up the events that unfold. Reading all novels and short stories in chronological order has rewarded this reader with a richer experience.
Prior novels have taken its main characters to some fantastic locations. Party turns this on its head and is more grounded than most offerings in this series. On the scale of fantasy to reality, the prior three novels were more speculative than most. This one leans more toward a contemporary tale with superheroes. The last novel, in particular, dismissed most of the subplots and secondary characters for a world-expanding journey elsewhere. Party brings us back into the fold, reintroducing many of the supporting cast and re-establishing many narrative threads.
If you like your superhero novels to be chock-full of action, you won’t be disappointed. Sometimes extending across chapters, scenes of pulse-pounding excitement make up most of the novel. Much like the other books, this one creates scenes in the reader’s head much like a graphic novel.
Along with the action, we get witty banter between Zita, Wyn, and Andy. But all is not peaceful among the three, especially in relation to their romantic interests. Wyn has to endure running into her old girlfriend, and Zita is secretly dating a mysterious vigilante. Andy is seeing someone who Zita strongly dislikes. Why Zita has zero tolerance for Andy’s girlfriend is revealed midway through the narrative—a highlight of the book.
Many people judge superhero novels by their villains. Usually, the Arca series focuses on the heroes and their struggles. The nemesis in this novel isn’t much different. In fact, the “mastermind” is upstaged by one of his so-called lackeys who is the real threat here. I appreciated the sub-villain’s motivation as well. Is there a bit of truth to her ravings?
One of the strengths of Diem’s writing is her humor and it’s present here in full force. Many passages had me laughing. A couple of references to past stories (in particular, squirrels and a certain ice brush) were nice callbacks. Zita’s desire for food when she thinks of pudding or her brandishing a spoodle (and associated comment) were other highlights. If you like the Marvel snark, you’ll get it here in spades.
And props for unusual superhuman powers. Yes, certain characters have strength and flight and the old standbys of teleportation and healing also exist. But an ability connected to pies and the surprising (and very funny) power that emerges in Danz Mizer are all a great departure from the usual. The creativity with which Diem has crafted her characters is evidenced in every chapter.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Fun, fast-moving, relevant, and with an ending that moves forward the narrative in a large way, Party is truly one party you don’t want to miss.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098DR4V76
Summary of Arca World Short Stories: The Arca Short Stories
Other reviews in this series:
Book 1: Review of Super
Book 2: Review of Human
Book 3: Review of Power
Book 4: Review of Monster
Book 5: Review of Toga