Baroness Goes on Strike Vol. 1

Baroness Goes On Strike is a manwha (Korean comic) from a publisher that's new to us - Crossed Hearts. Given how I spend as much time in South Korea as I do in Japan these days, I'm happy to peruse the odd Webtoon title, where this story was originally known as Honey, I'm Going on Strike!

The story concerns the beautiful Cassia Ruberno, who finds herself married off to a remote mercenary Baron named Zester Greze. Their marriage was cold and distant and, after 10 years of loveless co-existence, Cassia succumbs to a mysterious illness and dies, leaving her husband and two children behind. Her last act was to request a divorce from her hated husband, though she didn't live to see if he signed it. To say the book opens on a tragic note would be massively under-selling it!

Awakening in what she assumes is heaven, Cassia is distraught to find herself 10 years younger and back in her marital bed, time seemingly reset to the night after consuming her wedding vows. Determined not to repeat her marriage of misery, Cassia resolves to make some changes in this unwelcome second run.

While the time-travel mechanic is a well-trodden trope at this point, I did find a few things immediately struck me as smart and intriguing. The first was the fact that the Baroness loved her children dearly, so leaving Zester simply isn't an option as that would wipe them from existence. We might all often wonder how life could have changed had we made different decisions, but when you have children the thought of any changes to the past that would deprive you of them now is unthinkable, so that really resonated.

However, just because she can't leave Zester doesn't mean that she has to put up with a life of misery again, so this time around Cassia is going on strike - no realm management, no enduring some of the outrageous residents of the Barony and no crushing responsibilities. But as she changes her own attitudes it seems that certain elements of her old life may not have been what they seemed - is Zester really a callous man, or simply so inexperienced that he simply can't express himself? As perspectives change, so too do feelings, leading to the faint hope that perhaps a happy ending can be found after all.

Cassia living her best lazy life, chilling on the bed

Before we get into the execution of the story, allow me to start by complimenting the exceptional print quality of the book. Produced in full colour with a thick, folded laminate cover that feels great in hand, it's a premium feeling volume. Early editions also contain a pop-up of the couple and a collector card depicting a portrait of Cassia which was sent to Zester ahead of their betrothal, which was a lovely little extra. All in, you can't help but be impressed by the presentation.

The story itself wastes no time in getting to the fundamentals - we start with Cassia's sad demise and reawakening, with enough exposition to establish her rotten state of affairs and the drive behind never allowing it to happen again. Cassia's rebellious nature, compounded by the memory of everything that happened before, combine to make her selfish actions and curt manner understandable - a delicate balancing act between being assertive and unlikeable. Thankfully she stays just the right side of that line and it's amusing to see how the staff and her husband behave to this decisive young woman. 

The book makes sure we see both sides of the marriage too - Zester is clearly influenced by the Mr Darcy archetype, a man of action and talent hamstrung by  social awkwardness and self-doubt. Married to a young lady that he's never met and sees as so far above his station that he actually feels shame that she should be lumbered with such an unworthy man.

Zester finding out he's not impressing in the bedroom - ouch.

Little by little the book does an excellent job in wrongfooting both parties as Cassia's new approach to life actually opens up opportunities for the two to get to know each other, starting with the rather scathing review of her husband's performance in bed! Add to this the introduction of magical stones (which are none too subtly foreshadowed as the cause of her reset) and some business dealings that wouldn't be out of place in Spice & Wolf, and you have a tale that intrigues on multiple levels.

So yes, overall I very much enjoyed getting to see Cassia and Zester get another go at their marriage - both are engaging no matter whose point of view we're seeing, the supporting cast provide entertaining commentary, while other antagonists provide plenty of reasons to dislike them. It's smart and well written, certainly aimed at a female audience, but I actually rather like that as it makes for an interesting perspective for me as a male reader - I certainly didn't find it in any way alienating.

The art is solid and expressive, though not particularly distinctive. It is sharp and consistent, the colouring taking on a cel-shaded look that gives it a cartoony warmth. The costumes have a Disney fantasy flavour that I appreciated and generally I had an easy and enjoyable time following the story as it unfolded.

Taken as a whole Baroness Goes on Strike has much going for it - the narrative is perfectly paced, the characters engaging and the romance  (or lack thereof) deftly handled. While I do think that, generally, the book will appeal more to a female audience, I'd have no issue encouraging the men to pick up a copy too. I think Zester would appreciate the support!