Customer Reviews

The Guilty, Vol. 1: Verdict

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I liked and didn't like some of the things that occurred in this novel. Some may not like it at all. After mistakenly promising Hodaka that he would "be his for the rest of the night" if he lost at pool, he thinks that Hodaka means him to be some type of cleaner or maybe do research. As readers we know exactly where Hodaka is going but confused Sakurai agrees. After losing (big surprise), Hodaka tells Sakurai to shower and go to his bedroom. At this point Sakurai gets some clue but is still confused. This is where some may not like the story any further because Hodaka forces himself on Sakurai. Again big surprise Sakurai finds he is enjoying it all the while berating himself and Hodaka for doing this to him. The rest of the novel and Sakurai soul searching and wondering about his feelings not only for Hodaka but also his fiancée. It goes on and on. I liked the s*x scenes. They were well described. I also like the illustrations which came at the appropriate times throughout. There were a few confusing moments when going from on scene to another which I didn't like.

Things you should know about this book.

-Plenty of non consentuality. Near the end it turns somewhat into romance but that's almost entirely the second book. Toya does get raped (though he likes it)
-Decently written
-Pictures don't add or take away from the story (for me, but I'm not a very visual person over sexual things and other images are just of him standing somewhere).
-Part of a series (obviously) and the series goes on for 3 more books. On top of that the third book is outrageous on Amazon (never checked anywhere else) so keep in mind if you like this series it may get hard to continue.

It was a good, sexy, book for a bit though. Not as mainstream as the usual Uke is caught in a love triangle books. That's the next book.

I enjoyed this novel...it kept me on my toes the whole time and there was never a moment where I felt bored.

There is a plot in this novel, the plot is about the ups and downs of their relationship and the obstacles that come in between them while they live their lives. You see a development between the two main characters and their love grows after each volume. You just have to read all the volumes to see it happen, but it does!

I also want to add that Katsura did a wonderful job in creating characters that are complex and have more dimensions to them. They have traits to them that is not perfect but that's called being 3-dimensional.

This is the kind of yaoi novel where there is bound to be some harsh sex so fair warning to people who don't like hardcore sex.

If you look at this more closely instead of just looking at the surface, you will see a love story that is worth reading.

Having read Volume 2 first due to varying shipping dates, I ended up reading this story second.

I was already familiar w/ the premise from the second book.

Innocent and earnest Toya is in charge of getting a new book out of his publisher's most popular novelist w/in the year. However, the novelist, Hodaka only releases 1 book per year per publisher. Unfortunately, this is not the year that Toya's publishing company has it's turn.

The publishing company is suffering financial problems, so Toya has been set to convince their best selling author to produce an unscheduled book to pull them from out of the waters.

Despite all of Hodaka's refusal, Toya finally convinces Hodaka to a game of pool. If Toya wins, Hodaka must write 20 pages. If Hodaka wins, then Toya is promised to Hodaka for the rest of the night. Innocently unaware of the implications, novice pool player gets taken advantage by the pro pool player and gets commanded to shower and get into his bed to his shock.

What follows is Toya's earnest desire to get the book from Hodaka and his emotional confusion at his body constantly getting taken by Hodaka even though Toya is in the midst of planning his wedding w/ his college sweet heart. Is it really cheaing if his desire to sleep w/ Hodaka is for business reasons? Or is Toya more emotionally attached than he thinks?

Even though Toya doesn't have much a back bone in this story, he does show some surprising tenaciy and guts occasionally. This book may not appeal to everyone, because however you see it, Hodaka is an absolute jerk most of the times who is amazingly socially awkard despite his wealth, popularity, and looks.

I bought this novel because I'm a big fan of the mangaka illustrator... But the novel in itself is not extraordinary.... quite boring in fact..