I'd actually seen the video version of this yaoi (gay male) manga a couple of years ago, before the books were available in the US. While the video version was a bit choppy, with lots of back story left to the imagination, I still enjoyed the characters and the hints of relationships to come. Thumbing through this I find very handsome artwork and some steamy-looking sequences...

Later: Yep, some steamy bits (including some rather explicit sex scenes) - and some edgy ones, not to mention lots of questionable situations, from the just-how-young-is-he-anyway Kai's attempt to seduce Kei's lover Ran to assorted threats and assaults on (and sometimes by) the main three characters. While I had trouble telling Ran and Kei apart in some of the artwork (both blond, both very boyish - the hairstyles are different but not always different enough to help me!), and while the back-to-front, right-to-left reading style takes some getting used to, I did enjoy the stories here. There's some angst and lots of romance, some shady background characters and some silly bits of business - and there are sequels. Several of them. I don't know if I'll try and follow the whole series, but if you like this one there are plenty more to try! (My favorite part of this particular book is the "Yearning Hearts" story, a flashback to Kai's youth in the household of a powerful gangster - and his trust in his bodyguard Masa, which seems destined to become a closer tie as Kai grows up. Or will it?)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I noticed that Katekintail had listed "graphic novels" and "LGBT books" on her wishlist, and since this is both, I thought I'd include it in the package when I sent out the Importance of Being Earnest book ring today. Hope you enjoy this one too!

OMG! I squeed out loud in my car like a pathetic albeit ecstatic fangirl when I opened up the package and saw this. I absolutely *loved* this short series in anime when I saw it several years ago. I have been wanting to read the manga for a while now, so this was such an incredible RABCK to come my way; Gory, you are fantastic!!!

I promise to be a good girl and read the bookring book first, but this is oh so tempting! Ran & Kei! Squee! *cough* I mean, yes, this is nice. Very satisfactory indeed. :-)

THANK YOU!

I have a certain love for Kizuna. It was one of the first yaoi anime series that I ever watched, so it's dear to me. It was wonderful to get the chance to read the first volume of manga! Even though I already knew how the story would go and what the characters were like, it was nice because I could easily jump back into their world with them and fall back in love.

Ran and Kei have a wonderful relationship, and steamy only begins to describe some of those scenes *G* I always hate when Kai gets thrown into the mix, resenting his brother, trying to win Ran (though, who wouldn't want Ran?). Even though I don't like Kai trying to split them up... it makes for a fun drama and some relationship craziness on all sides that's great to read. I love the romance. I love the angst. I absolutely love Kai/Masa as well, so it was great to see a little bit of that come out in the first volume.

It's not great literature or even a stunningly original story... but I love the characters and it's great to see them again here. I'm so glad I got a chance to read it! I read this during my day after Thanksgiving read-a-thon.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Adding this to my LGBT Bookbox. I hope that this book is enjoyed!

This looks good, so I'm taking from the bookbox!

Started this during my AM break, and finished just now. This was a cute story, and was pretty sexy in parts. Now I'm anxious to read the rest of the series (and have the anime series queued on Netflix, so should be watching it early next week)! Thanks GoryDetails and Katekintail for sharing this one!

Putting this in ealasaidmae's GBLTQ bookbox. Enjoy!

in the bookbox - thanks jare!

I read this one first because I'd seen the anime, and it didn't disappoint! The art is lovely, though I also had some trouble telling Ran and Kai apart in places. It made reading the story more interesting, certainly. Since I have seen the series I don't think I'll be picking up the rest of the books but I'm glad I had the chance to read this and see where the anime came from.

In front of Tulane Hospital

Welcome to Bookcrossing! I've registered this book here so that I can keep up on where it goes, who reads it, and what they thought of it. Please leave a quick journal entry so I know it's safe with you, then read and enjoy! When you're through, pass the book along to someone else who will appreciate it. We can all track this book's journey and the lives it touches forever more!

Thank You!