Book Review: In These Words, Vol 1 by TogaQ & Kichiku Neko

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: In These Words, Volume 1
Author: TogaQ (art) & Kichiku Neko (script) Guilt|Pleasure
Series: In These Words
The Hero: Asano Katsuya
The Villian: Shinohara Keiji
Genre: Manga/Suspense, M/M
Length: 200 pages
Publisher: 801 Media, Inc
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Volume 1 is available in print at: Amazon (maybe?)
Individual chapters are available in print at: Guilt|Pleasure
Individual chapters are available in eBook at: Kobo
Add it to your shelf at: Goodreads & Booklikes

Blurb: Asano Katsuya is a US trained psychiatrist who has been recruited by the Tokyo Police Department to provide a profile through the victims’ data. Based on Asano’s profile and recommendation, an elaborate plan is put into place to lure the serial killer out – a plan that bore successful results! Now, after three years and twelve victims, Shinohara Keiji is finally in police custody. Shinohara has promised a thorough confession, however, on the absolute terms that Asano has to be the one to receive it. Besides the curious request by the killer whom Asano was only familiar with on paper, disturbing nightmares begin to plague him as soon as he’s given the case…

Review:

Meet my latest obsession…

A few years ago Nikyta introduced me to yaoi, and since then I’ve read a few here and there, along with some other styles of graphic art stories…especially the webcomic Teahouse (now that’s another obsession of a different color). Then one day I was scrolling through all of the amazing photography “art” on Tumblr *cough*, and came across the cover art for In These Words and thought to myself, “Hmm, this is pretty!”  And next thing I knew, I had read Chapter 1 (twice) on Kobo and ordered the paper version, Volume 1, from Amazon Prime.  So here I was, anxiously checking my doorstep for three days and the book NEVER arrives.  NEVER!!  All I can think about is one of my neighbors has received my package and is either closet-ly reading my smut, or burning it in their fireplace while they pray over the Bible.  So I immediately contacted Amazon, and two days later I had the book in my hands!  Of course I started with Ch 1 (again), then got halfway through Ch. 2 and put it down.  Why?  Because I knew right then that I didn’t want to continue reading until I had all 10 chapters (that are currently released) in my possession!  Obsessed much??  Soooo, I have since read Ch 1-5 which are included in Vol 1.  I’m stopping before I move on to Ch 6 to write an unswayed review covering only Vol. 1. You should feel special because all I really want to do is say fuck this review and get me some more Katsuya and Shinohara.

So why am I a bit obsessed with ITW?  Well, umm, it touches all those dark, dirty kinks than even I don’t want to admit I find erotic in the light of day.  Yes, there is non-con.  Yes there is sadism. Yes, there is knife play.  Yes, there are improbable declarations of love.  But when Shinohara is fucking Katsuya and licking his blood and telling him that he loves him…  Fuck it, I admit I’m disturbed!  There’s just something about these two…and I NEED to know more.

So what is this story really about?  Well, first there is Katsuya, a psychiatrist that has played the key role in profiling and capturing a serial killer…Shinohara.  As Katsuya is about to be sequestered until he can extract a confession from Shinohara, he starts having sado-sexual dreams/nightmares of Shinohara holding him captive and raping him…yet, he has never met Shinohara.  I really don’t want to give away anymore details of the plot, but Ch 5 ends with a huge cliffhanger.  I mean HUGE that will obviously change the direction this story is headed.  I have no clue where THAT is because I still haven’t gotten a grasp on what is really going on!!!  And instead of finding out, I’m sitting here writing this stinking review!

*Focus Heather* So I’m supposed to be giving my opinion on Vol. 1, but I feel it is necessary that I bring the individual printed chapters into the discussion…the two just don’t compare!  While Vol. 1 is compact and affordable, the individual chapters are GORGEOUS!!  Larger and the covers are texture and beautiful!  Quite pricey but totally worth it when you have an obsession like mine.  (Denial at this point would be a joke.)  Some chapters are available in eBook at Kobo…my obsession has yet to bring me that far.

The story is gripping.

The art is amazing.

What the fuck is going on?!?!

Overall Impression: I Loved It!

*I purchased my own, personal copy of this book for review.*