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2520 reviews
My Beautiful Man, Volume 3 (Manga) by Yuu Nagira
3.0
Hira and Kiyoi graduate in the first part of the story, which ends with Kiyoi kissing Hira unexpectedly then walking away. I found this a bit sudden and weird, with Kiyoi asking Hira if there was anything he wanted to say, then kissing him out of the blue, and just walking away. It felt awkward and forced on Kiyoi's part.
Hira goes to college, only to discover that Kiyoi became a model then an actor. He's got a new friend, Koyama who is gay, and fancies Hira. They actually almost start dating until Kiyoi appears out of nowhere to ruin everything. It's a shame, because Hira was actually learning how to be a normal person and Koyama was a really nice person.
I REALLY don't understand why Hira is still infatuated with Kiyoi. IMO, Hira is an idiot. I felt so sorry for Koyama, who was so much better for him and a much nicer person. Kiyoi is unrelentingly distant, selfish, jealous and a possessive ass.
Hira goes to college, only to discover that Kiyoi became a model then an actor. He's got a new friend, Koyama who is gay, and fancies Hira. They actually almost start dating until Kiyoi appears out of nowhere to ruin everything. It's a shame, because Hira was actually learning how to be a normal person and Koyama was a really nice person.
I REALLY don't understand why Hira is still infatuated with Kiyoi. IMO, Hira is an idiot. I felt so sorry for Koyama, who was so much better for him and a much nicer person. Kiyoi is unrelentingly distant, selfish, jealous and a possessive ass.
Midnight Rain by CTK, Chongtak
5.0
Ugh, I LOVED this! I've had this on my TBR for SO long and I regret not reading it sooner. It is fantastic!
Mike is always getting into fights and trouble. Ethan is desperately living hand to mouth, living in a shit-hole to pay off a debt. He's already paid off 10 years! and has another 3 to go, but things are getting desperate.
One day, Ethan is in the laundromat when he sees Mike has miraculously gotten blood out of a shirt. Mike is instantly suspicious about how he knows that and Ethan admits that he saw him fighting in the alley outside his apartment last night. He tries to strike up a conversation but Mike isn't interested.
Then, someone rings Ethan's buzzer in the middle of the night. He opens the door to find Mike has been stabbed and he's bleeding badly. What starts as Ethan giving him first aid ends in Mike spending his entire recovery time in Ethan's apartment...something Ethan enjoys more than Mike does.
I loved everything about this. Two older MC's than what you traditionally see in Yaoi/manga, a bear of a man with a younger fit guy. What's not to love??
TRIGGERS: mentions of suicidal thoughts, gambling debts, death, violence, depression.
Mike is always getting into fights and trouble. Ethan is desperately living hand to mouth, living in a shit-hole to pay off a debt. He's already paid off 10 years! and has another 3 to go, but things are getting desperate.
One day, Ethan is in the laundromat when he sees Mike has miraculously gotten blood out of a shirt. Mike is instantly suspicious about how he knows that and Ethan admits that he saw him fighting in the alley outside his apartment last night. He tries to strike up a conversation but Mike isn't interested.
Then, someone rings Ethan's buzzer in the middle of the night. He opens the door to find Mike has been stabbed and he's bleeding badly. What starts as Ethan giving him first aid ends in Mike spending his entire recovery time in Ethan's apartment...something Ethan enjoys more than Mike does.
I loved everything about this. Two older MC's than what you traditionally see in Yaoi/manga, a bear of a man with a younger fit guy. What's not to love??
TRIGGERS: mentions of suicidal thoughts, gambling debts, death, violence, depression.
On Bended Knee by Ruri Fujikawa
3.0
I'll admit, I'm disappointed. This is one of those early-2000's compilation books where you get a "main" story that's less than half the book, then filler shorts for the rest. The story is very of its time, as is the formatting, the angular art school and "textured" page appearance.
It's old school yaoi, which is fine. I still enjoy some of them, but this one missed the mark.
For me, the main story was flat, rushed and needed more time to develop. The other shorts - a total of FOUR - took up space that wasn't really used to its best. I actually barely remember them, and I only read this last night.
Decent but forgettable collection.
It's old school yaoi, which is fine. I still enjoy some of them, but this one missed the mark.
For me, the main story was flat, rushed and needed more time to develop. The other shorts - a total of FOUR - took up space that wasn't really used to its best. I actually barely remember them, and I only read this last night.
Decent but forgettable collection.
That Time I Got Stuck to the Guy I Hate by Tarona
5.0
Kuga Senri reinvented himself for college, only to get landed with a stickler, Kyouhei Igarashi, as a roommate.
They touch hands when Kuga is about to fall and Igarashi grabs him to stop his fall. They get stuck together, unable to pull apart. For some reason *cough* 👉👈 Igarashi decides that if they get freaky, it might release them. But the key is to come together. 😜 Miraculously, it works! They become UNstuck.
However...they soon end up stuck together again...and again...and again... A pattern emerges and they end up stuck together EVERY DAY! Which, you know, requires *special circumstances*.
This was all very convenient for Igarashi - the quick learner - and irritating for the super sensitive Kuga.
The plot is very quick to get to the point, which was actually a good thing because there was a lot of plot AFTER the main concept of them getting stuck to each other.
We get Kuga's POV up until the 50% mark, then it switches to show a dual POV, which is important for...reasons.
I LOVE how Kuga's feelings slowly begin to develop, changing gradually in a very natural way. I really love that he puts some time and effort into researching their 'urban legend' curse of being stuck to each other. It was a really original idea, rather than the other stuck together concepts I've read.
I really loved the grumpy but very deep Igarashi.
This was such a fun story with two great MC's.
They touch hands when Kuga is about to fall and Igarashi grabs him to stop his fall. They get stuck together, unable to pull apart. For some reason *cough* 👉👈 Igarashi decides that if they get freaky, it might release them. But the key is to come together. 😜 Miraculously, it works! They become UNstuck.
However...they soon end up stuck together again...and again...and again... A pattern emerges and they end up stuck together EVERY DAY! Which, you know, requires *special circumstances*.
This was all very convenient for Igarashi - the quick learner - and irritating for the super sensitive Kuga.
The plot is very quick to get to the point, which was actually a good thing because there was a lot of plot AFTER the main concept of them getting stuck to each other.
We get Kuga's POV up until the 50% mark, then it switches to show a dual POV, which is important for...reasons.
I LOVE how Kuga's feelings slowly begin to develop, changing gradually in a very natural way. I really love that he puts some time and effort into researching their 'urban legend' curse of being stuck to each other. It was a really original idea, rather than the other stuck together concepts I've read.
I really loved the grumpy but very deep Igarashi.
This was such a fun story with two great MC's.
My Beautiful Man, Volume 2 (Manga) by Yuu Nagira
3.0
This series/story is definitely an acquired taste. It's sort of a bully romance, in a way. Kazu is fascinated with Kiyoi, to the point where he'll allow anything within Kiyoi's wishes. He has none of the backbone that I loved in Caste Heaven - which is such a similar style of bully romance - and I really wish it did. I wish Kazu could at least have a spine.
For me, I can't see ANY reason why Kazu is so fascinated with Kiyoi, except that Kiyoi is beautiful. We don't even know why he became King of the bullies/school in the first place. There's no reasonable explanation for how/why he became so popular, because we don't see anything except Kiyoi being distant, broody and demanding.
For me, it lacks the connection to either of the two MC's that I need to look past the bullying and slavery, and especially Kazu's pathetic nature.
For me, I can't see ANY reason why Kazu is so fascinated with Kiyoi, except that Kiyoi is beautiful. We don't even know why he became King of the bullies/school in the first place. There's no reasonable explanation for how/why he became so popular, because we don't see anything except Kiyoi being distant, broody and demanding.
For me, it lacks the connection to either of the two MC's that I need to look past the bullying and slavery, and especially Kazu's pathetic nature.
My Beautiful Man, Volume 1 (Manga) by Yuu Nagira
3.0
This was a strange one. It VERY strongly reminded me of the same vibes as [book:Caste Heaven, Vol. 1|50945659] just without the rape and card game.
Kazunori Hira has had a stutter since he was young, and was badly bullied all throughout his school life. His stutter is worse when he's nervous. When he's made to introduce himself during a new school year, he's so taken by surprise when the guy before him - Sou Kiyoi - introduces himself. Kiyoi is so beautiful to Kazu that he can't even think, and Kazu ends up stuttering so badly that all he can say is "Hi Hi Hi" instead of "Hello." or "Hi." Somehow, that translates into his classmates calling him HeHe, because they thought he was laughing.
For the next two years, Kazu endures being bullied, being treated like a slave, and doesn't object to the HeHe nickname, all because the leader of the bullies is Sou Kiyoi. They treat him so badly that they even JOKE that they hope he doesn't kill himself because they don't want to be responsible for his death.
The story was sometimes interesting, but often too much. EVERYONE is unlikeable, even Kazu, who is supposed to be super sympathetic. Unfortunately, I just wasn't convinced. There's nothing really redeemable about him, because he ENJOYS being Kiyoi's slave, despite getting nothing in return.
At least in Caste Heaven, the MC's had actual feelings for one another that felt genuine, and when they endured the bad stuff - bullying, rape, slavery - it was only ever done to protect someone else or because they already had shitty lives that made their school life seem almost bearable in comparison. That's NOT the case here. Kazu has a really nice life at home. His only bad experience is the verbal bullying at school. In comparison to Caste Heaven it's not even close to the same experience.
Kazunori Hira has had a stutter since he was young, and was badly bullied all throughout his school life. His stutter is worse when he's nervous. When he's made to introduce himself during a new school year, he's so taken by surprise when the guy before him - Sou Kiyoi - introduces himself. Kiyoi is so beautiful to Kazu that he can't even think, and Kazu ends up stuttering so badly that all he can say is "Hi Hi Hi" instead of "Hello." or "Hi." Somehow, that translates into his classmates calling him HeHe, because they thought he was laughing.
For the next two years, Kazu endures being bullied, being treated like a slave, and doesn't object to the HeHe nickname, all because the leader of the bullies is Sou Kiyoi. They treat him so badly that they even JOKE that they hope he doesn't kill himself because they don't want to be responsible for his death.
The story was sometimes interesting, but often too much. EVERYONE is unlikeable, even Kazu, who is supposed to be super sympathetic. Unfortunately, I just wasn't convinced. There's nothing really redeemable about him, because he ENJOYS being Kiyoi's slave, despite getting nothing in return.
At least in Caste Heaven, the MC's had actual feelings for one another that felt genuine, and when they endured the bad stuff - bullying, rape, slavery - it was only ever done to protect someone else or because they already had shitty lives that made their school life seem almost bearable in comparison. That's NOT the case here. Kazu has a really nice life at home. His only bad experience is the verbal bullying at school. In comparison to Caste Heaven it's not even close to the same experience.
Only the Flower Knows Vol. 3 by Rihito Takarai
5.0
This was BY FAR the best volume of the series!
TRIGGERS: assault, attempted sexual assault, harassment, stalking
We FINALLY get to see a resolution to the Satoru storyline. Though I much preferred Youichi's methods, I love that Misaki was able to put his past behind him.
I LOVE that Youichi puts Misaki first and respects his consent. He does all the things that Satoru can't/couldn't, and that means so much to Misaki.
So stinkingly, ridiculously cute! I loved the ending.
TRIGGERS: assault, attempted sexual assault, harassment, stalking
We FINALLY get to see a resolution to the Satoru storyline. Though I much preferred Youichi's methods, I love that Misaki was able to put his past behind him.
I LOVE that Youichi puts Misaki first and respects his consent. He does all the things that Satoru can't/couldn't, and that means so much to Misaki.
So stinkingly, ridiculously cute! I loved the ending.
Only the Flower Knows Vol. 2 by Rihito Takarai
5.0
Somehow, Volume 2 was even better than Volume 1!
TRIGGERS: stalking, harassment, implied assault
We get to find out about Misaki's past and the meaning behind the necklace. We find out more about Satoru and the part he plays in Misaki's life - past and present.
This was a much more emotional and angst volume than I was expecting, but there is a lot to unpack about Misaki and Youichi, together and individually.
That sandcastle part at the end was SO CUTE!
TRIGGERS: stalking, harassment, implied assault
We get to find out about Misaki's past and the meaning behind the necklace. We find out more about Satoru and the part he plays in Misaki's life - past and present.
This was a much more emotional and angst volume than I was expecting, but there is a lot to unpack about Misaki and Youichi, together and individually.
That sandcastle part at the end was SO CUTE!
Only the Flower Knows Vol. 1 by Rihito Takarai
5.0
This was such a lovely and sweet story. It's a bit of a YA/NA vibe that takes place in college.
Youichi Arikawa has terrible eyesight and his contacts hurt. One day, at the train station, he bumps into Shouta Misaki, where Misaki loses his necklace, which ends up in Youichi's bag. Youichi doesn't realise until later, and he couldn't make out what Misaki looked like, so he doesn't know who to return the necklace to. He ends up breaking up with his girlfriend and having weird dreams right after finding the necklace, and considers the two incidents linked. He's determined to find Misaki.
By fluke, Youichi has volunteered to help out in one of the college labs, where Misaki works! They're stuck in a forced-proximity situation, where Youichi learns a bit more about Misaki from rumours and friends. There are rumours that Misaki is gay and got caught being attacked by another male student who was two years older, while on school grounds. Youichi discovers that Misaki has been getting countless calls from a name - Satoru Kawabata - almost every half hour.
There's a big mystery around Misaki and Satoru's history. Misaki is the grumpy to Youichi's sunshine. It's a little strange, as a college story, and the 'dreams' part doesn't really lead anywhere I was expecting, but it's really cute. There's a hint of using the language of flowers too, which is lovely.
Youichi Arikawa has terrible eyesight and his contacts hurt. One day, at the train station, he bumps into Shouta Misaki, where Misaki loses his necklace, which ends up in Youichi's bag. Youichi doesn't realise until later, and he couldn't make out what Misaki looked like, so he doesn't know who to return the necklace to. He ends up breaking up with his girlfriend and having weird dreams right after finding the necklace, and considers the two incidents linked. He's determined to find Misaki.
By fluke, Youichi has volunteered to help out in one of the college labs, where Misaki works! They're stuck in a forced-proximity situation, where Youichi learns a bit more about Misaki from rumours and friends. There are rumours that Misaki is gay and got caught being attacked by another male student who was two years older, while on school grounds. Youichi discovers that Misaki has been getting countless calls from a name - Satoru Kawabata - almost every half hour.
There's a big mystery around Misaki and Satoru's history. Misaki is the grumpy to Youichi's sunshine. It's a little strange, as a college story, and the 'dreams' part doesn't really lead anywhere I was expecting, but it's really cute. There's a hint of using the language of flowers too, which is lovely.
The Silent Lord by Otava Heikkilä
5.0
Oooft! What a volume!
Edmund goes through a very difficult transition, but through that we learn about the Silent Lord's history, about Ibauld's history, and how the Night Court was created. It's a fascinating, sad story. We learn more about the nurse Geza and his husband Sorin, which is very interesting.
Ibauld has such a tragic story - and the Silent Lord is so interesting - that I'm glad we had the slight deviation from the main plot to see both in good detail.
I only wish we understood this whole letter situation - every book starts at some point in the future, where Ed is writing letters to Lucardo, so they're obviously not together at this point, because Ed doesn't know where Lucardo is. Why are they apart? Is it temporary? Does that mean Ibauld is back in the forest (effectively dead) and Lucardo has taken over the Night Court? Or has being around the Night Court and the Silent Lord been so taxing on Ed that he's been forced to leave Lucardo? Or, has Ed somehow *not* completed his transition, so he's back to being human, and that's why he can no longer be part of the Night Court?
I. HAVE. SO. MANY. QUESTIONS! The most important being - when will we see a release date for Volume 4!
Edmund goes through a very difficult transition, but through that we learn about the Silent Lord's history, about Ibauld's history, and how the Night Court was created. It's a fascinating, sad story. We learn more about the nurse Geza and his husband Sorin, which is very interesting.
Ibauld has such a tragic story - and the Silent Lord is so interesting - that I'm glad we had the slight deviation from the main plot to see both in good detail.
I only wish we understood this whole letter situation - every book starts at some point in the future, where Ed is writing letters to Lucardo, so they're obviously not together at this point, because Ed doesn't know where Lucardo is. Why are they apart? Is it temporary? Does that mean Ibauld is back in the forest (effectively dead) and Lucardo has taken over the Night Court? Or has being around the Night Court and the Silent Lord been so taxing on Ed that he's been forced to leave Lucardo? Or, has Ed somehow *not* completed his transition, so he's back to being human, and that's why he can no longer be part of the Night Court?
I. HAVE. SO. MANY. QUESTIONS! The most important being - when will we see a release date for Volume 4!