Customer Reviews

Words Of Devotion Volume 1 (Yaoi) (v. 1)

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

 

 

This was an okay set of stories. I usually rate anything that I at least liked 3 stars but not more if I somewhat regret spending the money on it. The story held my attention while reading them but I doubt that I will reread it on a continuous basis like I reread anything I really enjoyed. The first stories were interesting in a "Are they or aren't they" kind of way, but I think a reader will know the answer to that since it is somewhat predictable. Some of the stories felt flat. One in particular was the one were the friend confessed to his other friend that he is in love her her ex-boyfriend. There was no build up to them getting together except a few glances. In all I would say read it if you like but don't put to much into it.

I enjoy all 4 stories here. "Words of Devotion" on 2 close friends (Tachibana and Otani) who have been living together since college is well done. The 2 boys contrast each other nicely and there is really no distinction between seme and uke. They have sex and care for each other, yet refuse to acknowledge their love to each other or their friends. Some parts of their story are told from their female friend's view point and this certainly adds a fresh perspective to the guys' relationship as the girl is in love with one of them.

The second story "To the Ends of the Earth" is really good. It has a very engaging plotline as Sawako helps Hirofumi, her close friend since childhood, deals with his love for her ex-boy friend, Shinji. There are some funny as well as bitter sweet moments when Sawako accidentally "hears" them and reflects on her own experience while keeping a "lookout" for the 2 guys. The sex is pretty hot even if not all revealing and Hirofumi fantasizing about Shinji jerking off is just hilarious.

The 3rd story on one lonely rich kid desperates for friendship and ended up kidnapping a fellow student whom he likes is quite quirky but touching. This is weakest in terms of romance and is not Yaoi but has a brush of BL to it.

The last story which is also a spin-off from the main story is a surprise revelation on Sho-kun, a fellow student of Tachibana and Otani. Sho-kun's love story may be the shortest but I like it alot as it is emotionally effective and tender.

This mangaka has a unique approach to her story telling . Her artwork may not be her strenght but her engaging dialogue, interesting characters and appealing story lines more than make up for it.

I love these books! Even more I love the Jdrama based off of them, Ai No Kotodama.

This was turned into a movie called 'Ai No Kotodama' I believe which is actually a really great movie. The actors were really good, was well directed and turned into one of my favorite movies. Because of the movie I got both books. There really is not much to these books. Whoever wrote the script for the movie did a great job filling in things and actually making the characters worth caring for.