A thoroughly human novel with superhuman characters
Davey is the devoted husband of SolaRae, NYC’s superhero darling, the first hero to emerge in the city and the face of endorsements for subway safety and whatever other brands can get their hands on her. Davey doesn’t mind a life of being Rae’s sidekick; he’s a therapist husband who is always there to welcome her home after a long day of saving the city. But it isn’t always easy being married to a hero.
“The woman who once lit up half of Midtown without breaking a sweat could now snore softly beside him. It reminded him that he wasn’t just her support system. He was her landing pad. She was his, and he was hers. She, however, was also the city’s.”
The H-gene is a recent evolution in women, providing them with powers that lie dormant until one day they are exposed. SolaRae can harness and manipulate the sun’s heat, and she can fly. She spends her days saving the city with fellow heroes Echona, OwlHeart, and LunAva, her younger sister. But behind each of these women is a partner who unflinchingly supports them and is experiencing something very rare that they can’t talk about to just anyone.
Through his connections, Davey is able to track down the partners of the city’s other heroes and set up a support group for them. The group is a safe place for them to talk about the secret double life that they witness daily, and open up about the emotional impact of being in a relationship with a literal superhuman. Group is a place for Davey, Jose, Eric, and Cass to let off steam and be completely unfiltered.
“The same ritual every Thursday. Burnt coffee, tired jokes, the smell of men trying their best. It wasn’t therapy, but it was close.”
When the City is Safe Again leads with Davey at the forefront but also follows his little community as they navigate life in the shadows of superheroes. From the dangers of heroing to the quiet, precious moments in between, it follows them through heartbreak, injustice, laughter, and the wonderful, messy spectrum of emotions that accompany life.
This novel hits all the beautiful emotional notes of being human— it’s infused with love, community, and joyful banter, and it’s realistically balanced with grief, stress, and navigation of a world that isn’t always kind. It takes the traditional idea of superheroes and spins it in its own way, one that doesn’t focus on action but instead on humanity. All of this is elevated by atmospheric prose that brings coziness into a hectic city and makes superheroes feel natural.
At the heart of this story lies a meaningful message about mental health. When the City is Safe Again is a necessary representation of men being emotionally vulnerable and supportive of their friends and loved ones. Davey’s steadfast and resolute love for his wife and friends is refreshing to read. On top of that, it also features awesome women being superheroes—and not just in the cape way! We need more books like this—normalizing working mothers, stay-at-home dads, affectionate men, and all the different ways people can live outside of stereotypes and patriarchal expectations.
When the City is Safe Again is a novel for readers who love to get to know characters like close friends, who care deeply about mental health, and who appreciate the small delights of life that shine brightly amidst the lows.
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