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readingfrankly's review
4.0
This is my first manga from this mangaka and I already love her work. Her art style is just really beautiful and detailed. Everything from the scenery to her expertise on the human form. Shangri-la is a transportative setting and her writing hooks you in by not giving up everything about the characters right away. They have a history and that impacts the way that they behave and sometimes interact, but you have to learn that slowly and are fed small pieces at a time.
The romance (at least in vol 1) is incredibly slow burn, which is good and makes sense for these characters. They have that great dynamic of aloof and broody x charismatic and charming. They don't clash so much as balance each other out and bring out the good in each other, I feel like.
Listen, the story is spicy yes, but the quality of the story itself is also there. Consent is respected more in this than I've seen it be in a lot of BL before, and I think the pacing of everything was really good. I even like the side characters. So overall I this was a really solid volume and I'm excited to read more of this mangaka's work.
The romance (at least in vol 1) is incredibly slow burn, which is good and makes sense for these characters. They have that great dynamic of aloof and broody x charismatic and charming. They don't clash so much as balance each other out and bring out the good in each other, I feel like.
Listen, the story is spicy yes, but the quality of the story itself is also there. Consent is respected more in this than I've seen it be in a lot of BL before, and I think the pacing of everything was really good. I even like the side characters. So overall I this was a really solid volume and I'm excited to read more of this mangaka's work.
augustgreatsword's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kitten_nugget's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ultreaux's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
blauelilie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
captwinghead's review
4.0
The tone of this story really pulled me in! The premise is one that is fairy unique for me, I don’t read a lot of stories about sex workers. Apollo is a straight man that becomes a “foreplay” guy to help “prep” the birds of Shangri-la. For his first assignment, he’s exclusively working with Phi, a mysterious and somewhat bratty bird.
The chemistry between these two really works! Apollo is going through a bad divorce and is somewhat closed off and Phi works hard to get a response out of him.
I’m really curious to see where this goes!
The chemistry between these two really works! Apollo is going through a bad divorce and is somewhat closed off and Phi works hard to get a response out of him.
I’m really curious to see where this goes!
booleana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dirtyicedchai's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
dynamicdylan's review
5.0
Re-read for Thirsty Thursday. Still love it!
CW: Child Abuse in the past, Sex trafficking backstory, Marital problems, Divorce.
This manga was so good! I couldn't stop reading it. We follow two men in a brothel called Shangri-La. Apolo is new to the brother, he's straight, and looking for an escape from his life that's been turned upside down. He meets Phi, one of the escorts, and starts learning how to be someone who preps people for sex.
I love the art, as always. And the emotional aspects of the story is great, too. Apolo is like a sweet puppy dog. I'm loving this series and I highly recommend it.
CW: Child Abuse in the past, Sex trafficking backstory, Marital problems, Divorce.
This manga was so good! I couldn't stop reading it. We follow two men in a brothel called Shangri-La. Apolo is new to the brother, he's straight, and looking for an escape from his life that's been turned upside down. He meets Phi, one of the escorts, and starts learning how to be someone who preps people for sex.
I love the art, as always. And the emotional aspects of the story is great, too. Apolo is like a sweet puppy dog. I'm loving this series and I highly recommend it.