Calling, from Miu Otsuki

Hi, there! Hope your Saturday ended 🙂 Following my goal of one manga review per day until I catch up with myself, today I present you a review for a title with a peculiar background with me: Calling, from Miu Otsuki. Yes, we are back to yaoi mangas.

from my Instagram 😀

Before introducing you formally to this title, I’d like to share our story. Last week, I was at a street bookshop and saw this title. I hated the art on the spot, it’s not my style at all. I didn’t want to buy it, but there are only three manga publishers on Brazil. Two very large and a medium one; the last was responsible for The Calling publishing and the other two publishers pretend that gay, pornographic and horror titles don’t exist. So, when I saw the smaller publisher bringing to us a gay title, I knew I had to get it to support them and show them that people would buy different titles, despite all the prejudice that they suffer on my country.

So, with a heavy heart, I went home and decided that, as I had already purchased the volume, it wouldn’t hurt to read it. Boy, I’m so glad I did. You shall find out why on the following lines of the review, but I really felt rewarded for helping out this particular publisher, haha!

The Story

Kazuaki is a regular salary man without a drop of excitement on his existence. That is, until one day when he literally stumbles on a porn recording session in the park that he always passed on his way home from work.

Kira is a porn star and leads a very carefree life. That is, until Kazuaki literally stumbles on him and his co-worker after a shooting at a park. On that moment, something shifted inside Kira; he had fallen for the clumsy and scared boy of the park and would do everything to see him again.

At first, Kazuaki is very eerie of Kira, as Kira was pushy and obviously too skilled, if you get my drift, but as they see each other and spend time together, Kazuaki starts to believe that maybe this is what he has been missing on his life: true love.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

As I said, I had a lovely surprise with this title. Despite the ugly art, the story blew my mind! It was so different and original! Not even the insta-love on Kira’s part bothered me. It was all too natural, too cute and, behold, innocent. Yes, there are some mature scenes, but without any hint of vulgarity to them ❤ I wish the art wasn’t so bothersome, as it made the title lose two stars 😦

Anyway, the narrative pace is steady and we follow the story mostly from Kazuaki’s point of view. There are some pieces from Kira in the end, but not knowing what he is really thinking is part of the fun on The Calling, haha!

The plot is pretty simple, full filed with human complexes. Kazuaki is an insecure guy, socially awkward, never knows what to do or to say around people. He doesn’t care about his job and highly admires that Kira is so in love with his profession. You saw what I did, didn’t you?

All the while, Kira intends to conquer Kazuaki’s heart, but Kazuaki himself understands that he needs to trust Kira in order to be his true friend, never mind the amorous relationship that comes tagging along. Serious, it is beautiful.

The characters were a blast in personality and I laughed a lot with Kira. He is that goofy type of male, but without being clumsy. That was Kazuaki, haha! They really matched as a couple and I caught myself awing for them more than I should, oops!

As it is typical of yaoi titles, we aren’t introduced to many other characters in the story and, as always, I’m fine with that. Kira’s work colleague, this very beautiful girl whose name I can’t remember to save my life, was the perfect side kick for their situation: light and funny, spilling a secret or two about Kira to Kazuaki ❤ Kazuaki’s work colleagues also were cool.

Now, the art. Omg, the art. I’ve read several reviews highlighting the beauty of Otsuki-sensei’s work, but I can’t bring myself to agree. It was totally not my type, sorry.

from left to right: Kira and Kazuaki 🙂

Just no. I simply can’t bring myself to like this*.

Overall, I still think that it was a worth buy and a pleasant surprise. Otsuki-sensei knows her way very well in plot and character construction 🙂 If you like daily life stories, a touch of drama, romance and laughs, this title may be what you’re looking for!

Thank you for reading! Sorry for the lateness of this review, I had a full day packing up for my trip tomorrow morning, haha!

Only Serious About You, from Kai Asou

Hi, there! As I said yesterday, on the next week or so, I shall bring you a manga review per day, so I can catch up with myself 😀

Today’s series is Only Serious About You, from Kai Asou-sensei ❤

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Nao is a divorced father that works on a nice and friendly restaurant. He’s friends with all the team and loves what he does. Unless he is obliged to serve this weird client named Yoshi.

Yoshi is a salaryman that goes to Nao’s restaurant practically every day, as he lives nearby. He makes no secret of his attraction towards Nao, even knowing that Nao is heterosexual. On every visit, Yoshi does his best to be noticed by Nao as more than a regular costumer.

All was well until Nao’s daughter, Chizu, falls sick and Nao’s only chance at healing his daughter properly is to accept Yoshi’s offer and stay at his place for some days. Nao doesn’t want to be a burden, but his daughter’s well-being comes in first place, making him move in with Yoshi.

And this was just the opportunity that Yoshi needed to seduce Nao.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

This series was a rollercoaster. In a good way, but I was always left a mess, haha! I loved Nao since page one and I wanted him happy. As for Yoshi, the guy is perfect even on his flaws. He captured my heart and never faltered on his resolutions to conquer Nao’s affections, but never in a forceful way. Honestly, this series was so real and boys next door that I wanted to hug my e-reader ❤ It has only two volumes and it is a proud five stars one 😀

The narrative pace was steady, as we witness Nao and Chizu’s daily routine until she falls sick. Yoshi was always there, telling all about his life to Nao – you know, amorous style – and trying to pick him up, but on a fun and cool way. The perspective is mainly from Nao’s point of view, but we have some Chizu, Yoshi and Nao’s boss povs too.

The plot was simply, but very complex on the human level. I mean, Nao’s life is very difficult and he barely has the money to spare. He and Chizu are happy, but Nao wanted to spend more time with his daughter, just like Chizu would love to play more with her papa. Nao has a glimpse of he could have when he is forced to move in with Yoshi and this leaves him confused: Yoshi lives in the front of the restaurant and only a few blocks away from Chizu’s daycare. And, as a salaryman, he leaves work in time to get Chizu on daycare and stay home with her, eliminating the nighttime daycare that Nao also had to afford. He finally has the time for his daughter, but also has to defend himself against Yoshi’s disturbing perfection, as he still is a man and Nao is still heterosexual. So simple and so complex.

The characters definitely were the strongest point on this title, along with the art. Nao and Yoshi were so well developed that I fell in love with both of them, haha! (I usually pick a favorite male on my gay couples.) There was no insta-love, not even on Yoshi’s part, as he first was attracted to Nao and came to love him from their daily acquaintanceship. Nao was the typical hardworking guy, too focused on his career and family and bills to think about love. Yoshi also was a hardworking guy, but way far from typical, with an unique past and way of handling his feelings. Chizu was the most adorable child in the world and that makes me think that the insta-love on this series is on her part with Yoshi. From day one, Chizu and Yoshi fall in love with each other and become daughter and stepfather. The only one that didn’t see it coming was Nao, haha!

A good point on this series is that, despite the dramatic main theme, both Nao and Yoshi are super funny. They pick on each other all the time and make the reader laugh out loud well, at least this particular reader. This is a small sneak peak of how they handle each other:

SERIOUSLY, I CRACK EVERY TIME I READ THIS LOL

And, as we are on this subject, we totally have to talk about this manga’s art work. Asou-sensei has one of the most beautiful traces that I ever seen, without being too perfect bordering pain and without being common either. I need some posters of this series on my bedroom now:

from left to right: Nao, Chizu and Yoshi ❤

Yoshi and Nao ❤

Yoshi and Nao again ❤

and again!!

Yes, lots and lots of pictures* ❤ Because they are that good together! /o/

Okay, I’m controlled. I think.

Overall, if you love daily life mangas, drama, funny and beautiful males trying to have a family together and perfect art, just read Only Serious About You ❤

That’s it, thank you for reading! This week, we will have a manga review per day until I catch up with myself, so please bear with me. You know, if WordPress doesn’t mess my scheduling agenda once again.

 

 

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Kai Asou-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

Baked Sweet Glasses, from Ayano Yamane

Hello, again! Brace yourself for one more manga review! 😀

I set a goal for myself: no more manga reading until all my reviews are up to date, so you’ll understand me when I say that every day of the next week shall have a manga review, right? 🙂 I can’t live without reading manga, haha!

But let’s go to the star of the day: Baked Sweet Glasses, from Ayano Yamane!

Just for fun, guess which the genre of this title is: ( ) shoujo ( ) adventure ( ) yaoi ( ) other

The correct answer is on the end of the post, haha!

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Mikami is a top class busy businessman, with a tight schedule and little time to trivial things of life – much less to spend with insistent and annoying salesman Fujiya, who insists on trying to sell his companies products to Mikami’s on the worst places ever.

Fujiya knows Mikami’s reputation, but he has a secret reason to insist so hard with the businessman. They have already met a long time ago under very different circumstances…

As Fujiya fights to get both Mikami’s respect and attention, Mikami realizes how little he has been really living – starting by his gastronomic indulgences. Despite having a real sweet tooth, Mikami simple has not the time to go to his favorite bakery on a weekly basis and grab the perfect desert only served there.

Maybe the way to his heart is simpler and sweeter than Fujiya expects.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

If you are around the blog for a while, you may already know how I love Yamane-sensei’s works. I’ve read my fair share of them, but not even close to enough. She simple doesn’t know how to make a poor job: the plot is always well executed, the art is exquisite and the characters, more than human. Truly people next door. Baked Sweet Glasses is a really short story (unfortunately), but slays every element needed in a good manga. Five stars without any doubt 🙂

The narrative follows mostly Mikami’s point of view, but we have small glimpses of Fujiya’s as well. The story pace is fast, as it is a short story, but not rushed. Yamane-sensei just don’t get to deep in descriptions or reflections herself, leaving this role to her reader. Honestly, I loved it. After reading Baked Sweet Glasses, I started to think about all the small things that we won’t do every day because we take them for granted. Like playing with our pets, eating good food or simply taking a walk on a cool place. It took me something like ten minutes to read this, but I stood staring my bedroom’s wall for almost an hour, lost in thoughts and reflections.

Anyway, sorry for going with the wind here, haha! The plot was simple, but full of twists. As it is so real, we don’t know how the story is going to end. Will Mikami and Fujiya get together? Will Mikami change his ways? Will Fujiya focus and grow up? It’s a big mystery until the last pages, haha! It worked very well for me. As long as the plot is well executed, the length of the title matters not. And if you didn’t take the hint, Yamane-sensei did a hell of a job here, haha!

As in almost all manga titles of this genre (gotcha ya, I bet you thought I was going to spill the beans!), the couple are the main characters and we barely know anyone else in the plot. Funny thing is that deeply bothers me in books and makes me give a shit on mangas. I’m weird, haha! Mikami was the typical strong and decided top, all dominance and impatience and beauty. I really connected to him because he was so well succeeded and yet too lonely. He had everything… yet he didn’t. Although deep serious guys don’t suit me in any way, I love appreciating them from afar, haha!

Fujiya could be classified as Mikami’s opposite, but they have things in common. Just like Mikami, Fujiya works hard to get what he wants and stands for what he thinks it is the right thing to do, no matter the consequences. Both also love good book, specially sweets. And that’s it, haha! End of similarities. Fujiya is the typical common bottom that catches the eye of his top by chance, always smiling, being positive and gentle no matter what. I like the balance between their looks as well: as Mikami is insanely beautiful, Fujiya’s regular beauty balances the reader’s eyes. I have serious concentrating problems when both parties on the relationship are divinely beautiful, oops!

But my babbling is worthless without some illustrative images*:

from left to right: Mikami and Fujiya ❤

look how well they look together ❤ I took the liberty of erasing the text due to spoilers 🙂

honestly, this man.

Now you see what I mean? Yamane-sensei simply doesn’t miss a single item on the list of “what to do to release a five stars manga title”. Her draws are delicate, firm and male, even when she does soft bottoms. I like the cleanness and maleness of it all. Darn, I think I’m drooling.

Ahem.

Bonus point: the sex scenes. Yes, there are sex scenes among all this cuteness and Yamano-sensei kicks ass on them! They are usually filled with fantasies, but the desire of the couple is so real and palpable that the reader doesn’t get bothered. The best delivered fan service in the field, I assure you as I have quite some experience with this genre.

Overall, I think this is a good option if you want a quick, fun and cute read with some steamy hot scenes 🙂

That’s it, thanks for reading! On the next week, the blog shall have one manga review per day, so I can put myself on the tracks. Please, bear with me, haha!

Oh, and the correct answer was… Yes, that’s right, yaoi! A.K.A. gay mangas and all 🙂

 

 

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Ayano Yamane-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

Heart o Nusumu no wa Dare da, from Makoto Tateno

Hi, there! Welcome to another yaoi (a.k.a. gay) manga review! I know you missed those ;D

Kidding, but I do have some serious catching up to do, comparing to the amount that I have read this month and last year… So please, bear with me, haha!

Today’s title is Heart o Nusumu no wa Dare da, from Makoto Tateno-sensei 😀

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Akira Hjirikawa is a classic Japanese thief Kaitou, complete with the beauty, the mask, the cape and the top hat. He is also the nightmare of young police officer Kuruto Torimaru.

Akira, who runs the coffee shop that Kuruto loves to go to, is not a thief because he wants to. He has a family debt to pay and the only way is to reunite the pieces of the spoiled treasure that his grandfather used to have.

Kuruto is the chief of a whole police department dedicated to Kaitou’s crimes. He knows the thief better than anyone else, but doesn’t even dream that the same man that haunts his sleep at night is the man that he learned to care for.

Akira was happy enough to play with Kuruto’s mind while full filling his grandpa’s wishes, but he didn’t expect to fall for the young policeman.

That really could ruin everything.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

This manga unfortunately is a one shot, but omg, it blew my mind! Akira and Kuruto’s romance was so cute! And I have a special appreciation for love born out of hate. I live for that moment where a person sees she can no longer end the other’s life because the obsession turned up to be a good feeling inside their chests ❤

This title is a full five stars for me: it had the perfect plot, perfect time, perfect art, perfect pairing and knew exactly what to show!

The narrative is divided by Akira and Kuruto’s points of view, but Akira is usually a step ahead of Kuruto and his team. It has a steady pace and the descriptions of the treasures are rich.

The plot is simple, but full of twists. The reader is kept on the anxiety of Akira’s identity as Kaitou being revealed to Kuruto during the whole volume; we are under the impression that it can happen any time, any minute. We worry and have fun, feel the love of Akira for Kuruto ❤ And no heist is the same as the previous, so it was nice to see how Akira would play Kuruto next, haha! Poor Kuruto, right?

I think it’s a bit obvious how I loved Akira’s character, but he stole my heart. You know, along with other things, haha!

I apologize.

Akira was pure mischief and kindness. And handsomeness. And perfectioness. Okay, that’s not a word, so I’ll stop. But I really loved everything about him. And I think Kuruto balanced him very well with his scandalous and serious way – yes, he could pull both together at same time, haha! Besides, just look how good they look together*:

from left to right: Akira and Kuruto ❤

close up of their perfect faces ❤

Akira and Kuruto together ❤

I took the liberty of erasing the dialogues due spoilers, sorry 🙂 But aren’t they breathtaking together?

Overall, this is the perfect volume for a quick read if you love thieves, romance and yaoi 😀

That’s it, thanks for reading! And for not giving up on me just because 95% of my manga reads are yaoi, haha! Love you guys :*

 

 

*ps: I do not own the illustrations, they were found on Google, belong to Makoto Tateno-sensei and were used with illustrative purposes only 🙂

Gifted Thief, from Helen Harper (Highland Magic #1)

Hello, there! Today’s book is a sweetheart of mine. I received my copy of Gifted Thief, from Helen Harper, through NetGalley and I’m very thankful for that, as it was one of the best books in my life. The best part is that there is a sequel on the way! ❤ ❤

from my Instagram 😀

The Story

Integrity has to admit that she is not exactly the number one citizen on town. Since escaping the Sidhe domain when she was eleven, Integrity learned everything that a high class thief needs to know and she is the best on what she does.

The problem is that you can’t escape your past forever. Especially when it comes on the form of a beautiful and sexy man named Byron, that knows exactly what he wants from Integrity and worse: how to get it.

Now Integrity has a big decision on her hands: to bow to the wishes of the people that always have hated her and help them out or to leave the Sidhe to their own luck and watch their magic end millions of lives – and not just Sidhe lives.

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

Honestly, this book. I don’t recall the last time that I fell so hard for a female main character as I did for Integrity. She had me since page one and never once lost me – which is a very important accomplishment, as the book is narrated in first person by her and I usually have no patient at all with the protagonists. But I connected in such a level with her, it was just like if I had found a new best friend. I actually cried when the book ended because there would be no more Integrity waiting for me on my e-reader (and the end was perfect, just saying). I don’t know how I’m going to keep breathing until February, when the sequel is to be released. Helen Harper did a hell of a job here and think every human being on the planet should read this book. If I could, I would rate it a million stars ❤

The narrative pace was first person from Integrity’s point of view, which started as an annoyance. You know, on the first page of chapter one. Then, I fell in love with Integrity in a fashion that I simply can’t explain. She was so strong, but so human…. But I’ll get there, haha! It didn’t bother me at all that I didn’t know what as happening with the other characters during the book and this is new for me. I always want to know everything and that’s why I bitch over first narrative styles. Harper was so badass on her writing style that I was happy with Integrity and crawling for more, haha! Seriously, I don’t promise an impartial review this time, because I simply can’t measure perfection.

with all due respect 🙂

The plot was wonderful. It seemed like it was simple, but there were so many twists and action that I never knew where I was standing with the people around Integrity – even with her friends. The way Integrity told us how things were was tons of fun. Harper inserted her reader on the story, making me feel like I was a voyeur to every scene, every dialogue. I’m in love.

For the sake of your sanity, I’ll first talk about the characters overall and then Integrity 🙂

Harper knew exactly what she was doing with her characters. They all are insanely well built and deep, even the ones that are not that important. You feel that they are emotionally human and real. Byron made his way into my bookish boyfriends list with his bad boy gone good way. To be honest, I still don’t know if he his all that good, but I shall have to wait until February to find out, haha! Jamie was a cutie, but not my kind of cutie. Taylor also was a hell of a man for raising Integrity as he did and I love him for that ❤ Also, there is Bob, the little genie in all his cuteness and mischief. This book has too many huggable characters ❤ There is also Lexi and Lily, the other nice girls. And Tipsy. O loved that this is the official nickname of this bitch, haha! I hated her, ugh.

Now, Integrity. Oh, Integrity. She was such a strong woman, sure of herself and of what she wanted… Even when she doubted herself, she was still in control of her emotions. Don’t get me wrong, she has her flaws. She does really bad jokes and has a bad timing in knowing when to shut up and stay low, but I am too enchanted to be bothered. Everything that she did seemed right, haha!

A really great point on this book (you know, besides all the other great things that I already said), is the semi-dystopian vibe. It’s the world that you know, but not quite. I loved the way Harper mixed magical races and what they could do in this book. Seriously, February won’t be here fast enough.

If you like strong main female characters, dystopian books, beautiful males, adventure and action with a touch of romance, just READ THIS BOOK.

Thank you for indulging me until the end of this review, I love you ❤ You can find Gifted Thief both on ebook and paperback formats on Amazon.

Fangirl, from Rainbow Rowell

Hi, there! Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday so far – I am, haha! Today’s book is one of the most talked of pretty much everywhere: Fangirl, from Rainbow Rowell.

from my Instagram 😀

 The Story

Cath is the kind of person that doesn’t deal well with changes. She’s already stressed out enough for going to college, she didn’t need her twin sister Wren shooing her off and announcing that she doesn’t want to share her room with Cath.

Cath also didn’t need a scary roommate or her weird almost boyfriend that doesn’t seem to have a room of his own – if he had, maybe he would spend less time in Cath’s. Cath didn’t need a classmate that only cares about himself and his writing to tag along with her on their assignments as well. Or even the worry that her father may have a nervous collapse any minute without her at home to keep an eye on him.

But Cath had all those things on her life, while trying to finish her Simon Snow fanfiction, Carry On. Her real life seemed to insist on pulling her away from her own world, no matter how hard she fought it.

As the year goes and Cath realizes how people aren’t always what they seem, her offline life starts to show some appeal. Will Cath abandon her Simon Snow fixation or can she balance it with her new self that actually has friends that are not inherited from Wren?

The Analysis

Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader 🙂

I loved this book far more than I imagined I would. Despite not being socially awkward as Cath, sometimes I have some difficulties in living my own life. Books, mangas and fanfictions are way more appealing almost all the time. I thank every day for all my friends, for all the people that I love and that I know that love me back, but sometimes, Anneliseland just wins me over. (A good example is that I’m writing this review while my relatives are all in the pool, on a beautiful summer day.)

That said, I understand very well how Cath feels about the real world. Sometimes, it can be so scaring that we want to just run away. It has been a while since I felt this level of connection with a character. Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to give this book a big five stars because I felt the end was so lacking. Don’t worry, no spoilers, but my impression was that Rainbow was writing on her computer, looked at the words counter and said: “I guess this is enough, I’m tired. Hey publisher, you can send it to the world now!”. 😦

A friend of mine on Instagram (yes, I’m talking about you dear @writerahart! <3) pointed out that maybe this is Rainbow’s way to leave her reader wanting more. I hate when authors do that on standalone books, it’s too frustrating for me. You can leave some loose ends and it can be awesome, but this was just lacking. Still, four stars! 🙂

The narrative pace was slow, but not in a bad way. Rainbow presents us with lots of details, as Cath is very perceptive of everything. The narrative style was third person from Cath’s point of view only. It worked for me and I loved Cath, so I can’t complain, haha!

The plot was simple and so well executed that filled my heart with warm. Fangirl is the kind of book that shows the reader that it is okay to like “children’s things” and still grow up. Simon Snow was their Harry Potter and did not stop Cath’s life, not even when she made us believe that it had. There were some cool twists, but nothing out of this world and, honestly? Fangirl didn’t need to impress with twists. A young adult’s life can be a plot twisting itself and Rainbow was brilliant at capturing that.

Now, the characters. I loved Cath, but she got on my nerves sometimes. She was too stubborn, haha! The funny thing is that, even knowing that she and Wren were identical twins, I imagined them as being totally different. Not the kind “looking in the twisted mirror” different, but physically different. I guess that’s the after effects of both personalities, haha! Also, I hated Wren, even after the twists. I understand Cath for wanting to be with her and I think that she’s right, you have to try to always be your sister/brother’s best friend, but Wren just… She went too far. Same thing with Cath’s mother. She also went too far and I hated her, haha! Cath’s dad was really cute and huggable, I loved every scene he was on and my heart almost broke when he got sick 😦

And then there was Levi.

Ok, I’m kidding, haha! But oh boy, he had guts to like and stick with Cath. She was a difficult person and too afraid of people in general, but Levi never minded it. He was always there, always smiling and caring. Being flawed and real. In my head, he started as an okay boy and evolved as Cath’s feelings did. In the end, I thought him the most amazing and beautiful guy in the world. Like a blonde version of Ian Somerhalder.

sorry to bother you, handsome

Love is a powerful beauty tool.

I won’t even bother to mention Courtney and Nick because they simple don’t deserve to be featured in here, but I will say this: all of Rainbow’s characters could be your neighbors. It is awesome.

Also, we can’t forget about Carry On! Almost a character itself inside the story, it’s Cath’s personal private paradise. The only place where she controls everything and can do and say the right things all the time. Carry On has the power to unite people though something and it is a beautiful metaphor for reading. Besides, a story about a girl who writes gay fanfiction is badass by itself. Golden star for Rainbow! ❤ I can’t wait to actually read Carry On in February ❤ ❤

Overall, this is one of the best books I’ve read in my life, lacking end and everything. If you like contemporary romance and young adult, you just have to read Fangirl ❤

That’s it! Thanks for reading ❤ Do we have any Rainbow Rowell’s fans around??