Shinku no pheromone by Masaki Hikaru

[insaneneko]

Shinku no pheromone (Crimson pheromone) by Masaki Hikaru is a terribly cliched but fun read about gay vampires illustrated by Sakuragi Yaya. I love the expression on the uke's face on the cover. I can even forgive the seme his atrocious taste in clothing for looking so devilishly sexy, and more importantly, making the uke look that way.

Satoi is a typical 19-year-old music student on his way to a date. He runs into a stranger who grabs and asks him, "Hey, isn't your throat thirsty? With a thirst that water can't quench?" He continues, asking if he doesn't want to drink blood. Satoi really wants to run away, but he can't shake the guy off. Instead, the guy pulls him in for an amazing kiss that tastes like blood. He finally escapes, but is plagued by excessive thirst that no amount of water can slake. Several days later he is very shocked to find that the strange guy, Taiga, is going to be his new pipe organ teacher. He gets hope to an even bigger shock. Taiga is at his house, to stay there for the duration. He is told by his parents that he is in fact half vampire. His mother, a vampire, had fallen in love with his human father and they had married and had him. Being half-human, they hadn't been sure if he was going to awaken to his vampiric half. Taiga is the son of the top of the Japanese vampires, of the direct line. Ensconced in Satoi's home and the good graces of Satoi's parents, aggressively pursues Satoi, first seducing him with the allure of his sweet blood, and while Satoi is drunk with the ecstasy of the blood introduces him to the pleasures of sex with men. He declares that he will make Satoi his "Partner." Of course, Satoi is initially resistant to the existence of vampires, bonding and gay sex...

As I stated earlier, the story is very cliched but that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. Satoi may be the weakest part of the story, as he is rather bland. Taiga is a typical aggressive, extremely confident and arrogant seme who is able to have his way with Satoi. But the way the pleasure of the drinking of blood and sex are blended, one heightening the other, is quite well done. There is the typical misunderstandings, hurtful words, and that lovely sweet moment where the seme actually shows another side to himself.

Some scans:


That first fateful kiss on a public street.


Taiga charming Satoi's parents.


Taiga seducing Satoi first with the lure of his blood.


Much later, a sweet picture of the two in bed. I love their poses and facial expressions.


So...is this okay enough to post to tanbi_?

And I've been meaning to comment that it's odd to see the explosion of novel illustrations being shared on various comms. Back when I did my first posts on YD, I was worried that they weren't appropriate since I hadn't really seen any posts of that nature. I do wish people would share some of the context behind each illustration, but I suppose I'm lucky enough to be able to read the book if I'm curious enough.

Comments

[insaneneko.livejournal.com]

I think lately posting on big comms really scare me. Not sure why, but I think I'm slowly retreating into my little corner of LJ. :P Also, I know my scanning skills totally blow. I know, it's silly, but I can't help it.

[xandria.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

Wish I could visit and make us some tea and just chatter through the night about everything. :-)

If I weren't going to Japan I'd consider that Hawaii seat sale right now. heeee.

xo