6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Style works for the plot, April 23, 2009
This review is from: Take Me To Heaven (Yaoi) (Deux) (Paperback)
Nase Yamato has a bit of a reputation for drawing very young-looking characters, no matter what age she states they might be (see "Pet On Duty" for an example). In "Take Me to Heaven", though, the plot and nature of the characters match her drawing style perfectly.
The main characters are in high school and at that awkward age when attraction to someone else is still confusing, overwhelming, and tempting in equal measures. The main plot, involving ghosts, the boy who sees them and the other boy who can help chase them away, drives much of the book -- in fact, the plot is pretty meaty for a single BL book. Also, the slowly developing relationship between the two boys adds richness to the plot, rather than takes it over as in many BL stories.
Yamato's art is dense in that her panels are usually bursting with characters, backgrounds, text and reactions -- I wasn't able to zoom through this book, which made it a more rewarding read. Adult scenes are present, but of typical English language publishing variety (not too graphic), which works well with Yamato's teen characters. I understand that Yamato has been evolving her style, moving toward older-looking characters, but her recent work has yet to hit the English publishers (this book was printed in Japan in 2000).
Overall, "Take Me to Heaven" was a surprisingly satisfying read. If you're not a fan of horror, don't let the ghost storyline put you off. The scenes with ghosts are creepy, but not graphic or gory, and the tone of the book is so light-hearted that you won't be left with the shivers for long. I wouldn't let this book get away!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nase Yamato at her Best!, February 3, 2009
This review is from: Take Me To Heaven (Yaoi) (Deux) (Paperback)
Take Me to Heaven has all the elements that makes Yamato Nase such a beloved and successful boys love artist and storyteller in the yaoi community - masculine good-looking boys, cute bishounens, slap-stick comedy, and interesting plotlines. This story is no exception. With an interesting role reversal involving childhood friends Fumiya (a boy who lives right next to a grave yard and can see ghosts) and Shogo (the son of a priest with the power to exorcise ghosts, but can't see them), you can expect lots of "interesting" situations to take place, expecially since Fumiya has a cute "ghost detecting ability" in which tears suddenly poor out of his big, water eyes as soon as ghosts are detected around him. And if that were enough material to satisfy your funny bone, throw in the president of the school's occult club and other supernatural-obsessed guys whose sole purpose seems to be torturing our cute, crying protagonist Fumiya ^_^
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a delightful and fun read!, January 9, 2009
This review is from: Take Me To Heaven (Yaoi) (Deux) (Paperback)
I love Nase Yamato's artwork, her boys so cute when young, the seme gorgeous and the uke adorable when older. Take Me to Heaven about a pair of childhood friends blossoming into lovers is delightful and fun. The plot itself is very enjoyable as the cute Fumiya sees ghosts while his gorgeous childhood friend, Shogo does not, even though Shogo is a priest's son and possesses the means to ward off ghosts! Their circle of friends are a cute bunch. And as for the ghosts, they certainly spice up each chapter whether they wreck havoc on the lovers' lives with their creepy presence or lend a helping hand in their relationship. Have to admit the ghosts in the first 2 chapters are quite scary. The last chapter with Fumiya's ancestral ghosts paying a visit is refreshing. Hardly any sex but this one does not need it to work as the adorable artwork, endearing characters and a fun (if sometimes a bit scary) plot more than make up for the sex! Wish more of Nase Yamato's works are licensed.
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