Loving Luki Vasquez (review)

Loving Luki Vasquez by Lou Sylvre

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Like Sonny's tapestries, this story was exquisitely woven. From the bright warm colors of Sonny's and Luki's meeting and tentative relationship, to the dark somber hues of a growing threat to them and their loved ones.



Luki is an ex-ATF agent who now works in security. It's by chance that he meets Sonny, and begins a brief affair that grows into something deeper-more profound that Luki is prepared to deal with. He is a man bearing painful memories and scars that won't allow him to get close to anyone. I love Luki; he's a physically strong and able man, yet their is an intense vulnerability beneath his armor.



Sonny is a weaver; he's reclusive and spends his time creating his tapestries and dyes, taking walks in the wooded area surrounding his home, tinkering with his cars, or enjoying a swim. Luki comes into his life at a crucial moment-his sick nephew has been out of contact for several weeks-something that has him extremely worried. He's trying to fight the rising dread of his nephew's possible whereabouts and Luki's reluctance in their relationship, when violence hits too close to home. I like Sonny's character, at least from what little was gleaned; basically I felt that he-and some details about his life-was still a mystery 'til the end.



Sonny & Luki have to deal with what they feel for each other as they untangle the mystery of how 2 abused brothers, hateful attacks against a friend and Sonny's homes, the strange disappeance of Delsyn (Sonny's nephew), the sudden return of Luki's childhood nemesis-one that left him both physically and emotionally scarred all tie together...and who is behind it all.





This is a wonderful mystery. The story flows well and the nail biting tension when the action finally unfolds was both excruciating and exciting, truly a story worth rereading again and again.



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Reads of the Week 6/19/11-6/25/11

Butterfly of the Distant Day (review)

Butterfly of the Distant Day by Tooko Miyagi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


****Midsummer's Distance: In the opening story we get a peek at how Riya and Atsushi are doing. The guys, while doing well, are having some trouble dealing with the distance and financial inbalance Riya's career creates. This all comes about because of a broken a/c. The weather is HOT, and Atsushi's a/c breaks down. Unfortunately he holds back on purchasing another, he's trying to save in order to maybe go with Riya but he feels that he'll never reach that goal no matter how much he works to save. He gets a surprise when he discovers Riya has come for a surprise visit and learning that it's not possible for Atsushi to get a new a/c, he volunteers to buy it. Atsushi is bothered by this and after trying to deal with it by having some sexy and meltingly hot (literally & figuratively) sex. They finally talk and come to an understanding about what's going on between them and they both split the cost for a new a/c.



****Butterfly of the Distant Day: This story focuses on Saki-Riya's cousin. They are going to spend the summer at a cottage, where both of them will take part in a concert. But this place holds painful memories for Saki, as it is the place where he was involved in his first affair with another student-Irving...who just happens to be in charge of the concert. As a teen, Irving warns Saki to be careful of the musical director (Mr. Foreman)-who even though he was married, had flings with his students.



Out of curiousity, Saki asks Irving to show him what it means to be with another guy since he's never even thought about it. Their affair comes to a bitter end because of a severe misunderstanding; Saki feels that Irving was just using him as a replacement because he's still in love with a lover from his past, and Irving thinks that Saki is with him because having sex with a man is still a novelty to him.



Now that Saki and Irving are reunited, Irving plans a trap to lure Saki back into his arms. But Saki once again misinterprets the situation. It is Riya who finds the key piece that will finally make Saki realize the truth of Irving's feelings; and it will be up to Saki to create the notes that will finally complete the composition that will bring them together.



****Both Night and Afternoon: Saki wants more from Irving, yet he discovers that being drunk might have loosened his tongue more than he intended and brought upon a tighter bond that he anticipated.



***On a Sunny Day: A little meeting between the musical director Foreman, who has a little fun teasing Irving; but Irving puts one over the director by calling Saki in front of him, asking him to wait in the lobby and inviting him to dinner.



This was a beautiful spin-off to Il Gatto Sul G; I managed to get reacquainted with Riya and Atsushi and finally learned a little more about Saki. I was happy to see Riya doing so well after everything he dealt with; it was pleasant to watch him play around and actually have fun. As for Saki and Irving, I like their story. It was kind of painful watching them hurt it each other and be so at odds, but it was so sweet how they finally got together. I always savor Miyagi-sensei's art. There's just something so delicate and ephemeral about it that just fills me with warmth.



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Reads of the Week 6/12/11-6/18/11

Rabbit Man, Tiger Man v. 1 (review)

Rabbit Man, Tiger Man Volume 1 by Akira Honma

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! *phew* Okay, now that this moment of yaoi fangirling has been taken care of, I can happily say that I loved this! Ever since I learned that this series was being licenced by June, I have been waiting eagerly for it.



Uzuki is a timid and sweet man, a surgeon that heading home follows the cries of mewling cat only to find a man bleeding in an alley. The man with the huge tiger tattoo on his back seems shady; still Uzuki tries to assist him, but the injured man refuses to go to the hospital. He asks for Uzuki's phone to call for someone to pick him up, and then tells Uzuki he should go. Uzuki actions remind the man of a rabbit before he loses consciousness once again.



Uzuki feeling bad about running away and leaving someone hurt, goes back with some supplies from the hospital he works at and treats the guy's wound. Convinced he's done his best, he walks away leaving his coat behind.



Nonami is one of the heads of a crime organization. He is attacked by someone who sees him as a rival for the organization's leadership-as he later learns his boss is dying of cancer, and so that's how he manages to get injured and left for dead. Not really lucid when someone comes to his aid, he mistakes Uzuki's name for Suzuki. Armed with this name and knowledge that his 'nightingale' works at the nearby hospital, he makes his cousin fake an illness so that he'll be admitted as a patient-a ruse to grant Nonami the access he needs in order to find his Suzuki.



But something's not right, as his tiger tattoo tingles every time Uzuki is close; his instincts are telling him that his nightingale might not be a woman at all. Yet he has to tread carefully because his enemies are moving, and he has to keep Uzuki out of harms way.



I find Honma-sensei's work so pleasurable. Her Semes are always 'bad boy' types; they have such intensity and there's always this hint of darkness to their personalities. Nonami is no exception, but I like that he has this soft and playful side too. Although a man involved in a shady business and a killers instinct, he's also a man who loves animals and likes family movies e.g. Heidi and A Dog of Flanders. Uzuki is just fun to watch; his reactions, particularly with Nonami are just hilarious. He's just a ball of nervous energy the whole way through, poor guy must drop dead tired every time he sleeps.



I'm excited for the 2nd. volume but it's a little ways away-it doesn't come out 'til Oct.; so I guess I'll just content myself rereading this until then. :)



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Tale of the Waning Moon v. 2 (review)

Tale of the Waning Moon, Vol. 2 by Hyouta Fujiyama

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So we find Ryuka and company on the road to the moon, where Ixto-the Last Quarter Moon Spirit-is eagerly awaiting Ryuka's arrival. Of course this road is paved with obstacles-or more like comical misadventures-that make the journey a little bumpy along the way.



The first comes in the form of a cave that they must enter as within it's depths lies the 'Door to the Moon', which is the only way to get there. But warnings of young men-like Ryuka and Aldin-disappearing and never seen again make the group wary of going in.



Once inside, they're suprised to discover another Moon Spirit-Widow-who seems to have a bone to pick with Ixto; yet the story there isn't revealed quite just yet. Aldin however discovers something about Ral's curse. As it turns out he himself is under a spell and Widow hints 'That which has been cast on you and the horse cannot be undone on the moon' and in a contradictory move he wants to bargain with Aldin saying that it isn't impossible but that if he lays with him in front of Ral he'll do it--of course Widow gets turned down. With no way of keeping them as pets for his pleasure-due to both being spelled-Widow lets them go.



Finally able to get to the door, the group realizes it's not so simple as the door is chained and there are a set of particular items they must acquire in order to get through. One of the items is already at hand (some of poor Coon's tail hair), another is in Aldin's family's possession (Breath of the Fire Dragon) and the rest they have to seek out (One platter of burning wind, one sprig of peach pearls, and a sack of seven colored balls).



A helping hand reveals another of the articles (the sprig of peach pearls), but the owner makes a deal that brings the group into contact with the twin nemesis, Kapel & Qwen (see vol. 1). It's a close call for Ryuka and Al who have to use their manly wiles on them to grab the eye patches the twins wear; but Ixto, using Cymric w/Coon's assist rescue the guys.



With another item in their grasp they head out to Aldin's home to request the Breath of the Fire Dragon from Aldin's father and while Ryuka is a little taken aback by the obvious love they have for Aldin, he finds himself the object of displeasure of one of Al's older brothers, Mashura, who appears to hate him on sight. It's here that we are left with a major cliffhanger; Mashura, with the excuse of walking out Ryuka so that Al can spend time with his parents, kicks him out and claims that Ryuka will not be allowed inside again!



This was a nice and fun follow up; there's some progress with Ryuka's feelings and his journey. Aldin, now that he's learned a little more about Ral's & his curse might be on the verge of discovering who is behind it all and why. Coon-my fave character, provided some cuteness (his adult form is very sexy) and Ixto was being his sexy helpful self. There's a side story of a pair of minor characters (hopefully that story continues as well) as well as 2 extra short stories of Ryuka and Co.: Tale of the Moonlit Night 1 & 2 with the guys doing cosplay. ;)



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The Betrayal Knows My Name #1 (review)

The Betrayal Knows My Name, Volume 1 by Hotaru Odagiri

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Yuki Sakurai is afraid of being alone and unwanted-abandoned at an orphanage at birth-it is his greatest fear. Already a high schooler, he is trying to seek a place of his own to avoid being a burden to those that cared for him, especially now that threatening letters are being left at the orphanage's mail box.



A sweet and kind hearted teen, he feels different from those around him; with dreams that plague him constantly but has no memory of when he wakes and a strange empathic power that he feels is more a hindrance than a help.



Suddenly things in Yuki's life are changing; a friend is in peril, his powers are evolving, he discovers he has an 'elder brother' who has located him after several years and wants him back home, and he meets others with powers of their own.



Yuki is happy to finally belong, even if it is as a part of the Giou clan-a group with mystical powers who destroy demons. But his instant bond with Luka is both comforting and intruiging, and makes him wonder why Luka is always looking out for him and his safety.



Yet not everything is what it seems; events are unfolding that put the world at risk and Yuki's life as well. Because Yuki is the Light of God-a healer and the strength of the clan and the Duras (demons) will do everything in their power to destroy him.



I'll admit I was completely surprised when I saw this...and truly pleased as well, the manga is 360+ pgs. long, which is a little rare in graphic novels (at least from what I've seen)so it gave me something to really sink my teeth into. The cover is very fetching and colorful as well as the beautiful inserts and that was enough to have me starry eyed. You get a few bonuses; including an afterword, a fan corner, a terms & character lexicon, a fan corner autograph session report, as well as 2 extra short stories. There are many characters introduced, but my favorite of course is Luka with Hotsuma running a close second-he's just so fiery! There's some mysteries, secrets, and comedy that made this a joy to read, so I'm definitely hanging on to see what comes next.



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