This book seem to have a whole lot of words, yet not a whole lot of action. The only sexy bits you get are at the very beginning and that's it. The rest of the book is either textbook style history lesson of the world or a composition on how Riki used to be super awesome and how he's not and boring. No one really get's that much characterization, save for Kirie who is said to be like Riki was. However even he is only going "Let's go do something! You all wanna go do something?" and Riki going "Be quiet. No!" The rest of characters that speak are usually other gangs going "Man Bison was awesome, they aren't so awesome any more. Weren't they awesome... yeah not so awesome now."

There really isn't much to say more than this. I wish I had more words but, no the book didn't really allow for more. ( )

The comics, the novels, the series, the remake....all so damned good. ( )

A good start..., December 12, 2007
By Jem (MD, USA) - See all my reviews

Many yaoi fans are familiar with Ai No Kusabi. It was originally a japanese scifi novel that was adapted into an exclusive and now very hard to find anime. Many fans credit this anime for starting the yaoi craze in the US. So, naturally I was very excited to learn the original novel was finally being translated to English!

The bad part first: I received the book and finished reading it in about 45 minutes. Granted I read fast, but this book was SHORT. The Amazon info says about 300 pages but it is actually half that. This appeared to be only the first several chapters. So, it's very expensive for the price.

The good part: The story lives up to it's reputation. The author introduces a lot of philosophical themes regarding class distinctions, humanity's willingness to look at certain people as less than human and the divide between haves and have nots. This theme pops up in scifi often, but this is the first M/M scifi I've found to address it. The book opens with a powerful scene of erotic torture of an unknown captive by an unknown man. Riki was head of a powerful street gang, then he abruptly disappeared for 3 years. Now he is different. Though it is only implied, Riki was once the "pet" of a high class blondy called Iason. But why is he back? And is Iason following him? We don't get much relationship development beyond this. The rest of the book is taken with the introduction of this futuristic society. Jupiter is an AI who has taken control of Tanagura because humanity is not as intelligent as it is. Jupiter has divided people into classes, many of which are genetically engineered or altered. The high class blondys rule, but are sterile. There are also engineered sexual pets. Mongrels, dark haired, live in the slums.

I enjoyed the book very much, I just wish the price had reflected its content - especially since this looks to be at least 5 volumes. Recommended - if you don't mind the price. ( )

http://zehavit-lamasu.livejournal.com/336037.html ( )