Review Corner - Last Portrait
May. 14th, 2007 10:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jukebox_csiNext review up - Last Portrait by Akira Honma.
Publisher: DramaQueen
From the back cover: Yamato works for his father's company, is subordinate to his older sister's fiance', Sakaguchi-san, and harbors a secret affection for him. The day before his sister's wedding, Yamato privately confesses his feelings to Sakaguchi. The answer he receives is surprising and unexpected, but at this last hour, can Yamato face the consequences of having his wish fulfilled...?
This volume also contains the independent story, Stairway to Heaven. This is a fast paced, FBI espionage thriller between a rookie agent and his charge, a former ace-agent who's been convicted of treason...A bittersweet romance in the guise of 'tough' love.
This book contains two separate story lines, each with two episodes. The first half of the book is the story represented by the title Last Portrait. Yamato always had a secret love and talent for art. When he was little and wanted something that he couldn't have, he would draw it in his sketch book and just keep staring at it. It made him feel like the object of his desire was truly his in some small way. Over time, drawing became fun for him. But, any affinity he had for art was squashed by his father's piercing words, 'Art serves no purpose'. On that fateful night in the rain when he threw away his sketch book, someone reached out to give it back. The 'flawless hand, as if sculpted from plaster,' that held his lost notebook left quite the impression on Yamato. To his surprise, those perfect hands belong to his sister's fiance, Sakaguchi who is a subordinate to the president of a construction company - Yamato's father. Sakaguchi has always wanted to return the sketch book to Yamato. The last page is empty and Sakaguchi won't be satisfied until that page is filled. It is on this last page that Yamato draws that which he most desires. But, with the wedding looming the very next day, is it too late for Sakaguchi to see this confession and explain his real reason for marrying Yamato's sister? The second episode of this story line takes place in the aftermath of the wedding day. Yamato's father announces that it is time for Yamato to start interviewing potential marriage partners. To make matters worse, he has decided that his son will work outside the company to learn the harsh realities of the business world. It will be the final nail in the coffin; the death of any flights of fancy regarding the pursuit of art. A choice will have to be made - to conform to expectation or to be happy. Which path will Yamato and Sakaguchi choose?
The second half of the book follows the FBI's attempts to stop a terrorist from detonating bombs in the heart of major cities. The clues to where the bombs have been planted are located within a video game sent by a supposedly dead FBI agent. But, the game is nearly impossible to beat, and requires the skills of a former agent, Keith Coburn, imprisoned for treason and previously the partner of the dead agent in question. The problem? Keith is scheduled for execution in less than one week. Narumi is a rookie agent permanently stuck with desk duty and disrespected by all of his fellow agents. His lack of confidence in his own abilities, and lack of courage to stick up for himself, makes him easy prey for grunt work within the ranks. When Keith demands his final week to be completely autonomous in exchange for helping to beat the game, he is allowed to choose a 'watchdog' that will be assigned to him. Almost immediately, he selects the rookie. Over the course of the week, as they remain together, Narumi becomes more and more convinced that Keith is innocent of his crimes, perhaps covering for someone else. He also begins to develop feelings for the man, admiring his courage in the face of adversity. His efforts to prove Keith's innocence cause the two to clash and, ultimately, Narumi's dismissal from guard duty. But what are the real reasons that Keith wants Narumi off the case? And if Keith is innocent as Narumi believes, then who is the real traitor?
I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Akira Honma's works. The raw emotions play out on the page in vivid detail. Her drawn characters are appealing in their masculinity, yet exude a vulnerability that makes the reader long to embrace them. The most exposure seen in the bedroom scenes are bare chests and perhaps a thigh, but it reveals just enough to show the passion between her men. If I had only one complaint, it would be the speech pattern of the FBI agent Keith. It seemed to be an attempt at some kind of Bronx-type accent and was a little distracting at times. But, overall, I was pleased with the book. It had two wonderful stories, full of angst and action as well as intense emotion. DramaQueen provides a color dustjacket for the book, as well.
Review posted at Boys on Boys on Film
Publisher: DramaQueen
From the back cover: Yamato works for his father's company, is subordinate to his older sister's fiance', Sakaguchi-san, and harbors a secret affection for him. The day before his sister's wedding, Yamato privately confesses his feelings to Sakaguchi. The answer he receives is surprising and unexpected, but at this last hour, can Yamato face the consequences of having his wish fulfilled...?
This volume also contains the independent story, Stairway to Heaven. This is a fast paced, FBI espionage thriller between a rookie agent and his charge, a former ace-agent who's been convicted of treason...A bittersweet romance in the guise of 'tough' love.
This book contains two separate story lines, each with two episodes. The first half of the book is the story represented by the title Last Portrait. Yamato always had a secret love and talent for art. When he was little and wanted something that he couldn't have, he would draw it in his sketch book and just keep staring at it. It made him feel like the object of his desire was truly his in some small way. Over time, drawing became fun for him. But, any affinity he had for art was squashed by his father's piercing words, 'Art serves no purpose'. On that fateful night in the rain when he threw away his sketch book, someone reached out to give it back. The 'flawless hand, as if sculpted from plaster,' that held his lost notebook left quite the impression on Yamato. To his surprise, those perfect hands belong to his sister's fiance, Sakaguchi who is a subordinate to the president of a construction company - Yamato's father. Sakaguchi has always wanted to return the sketch book to Yamato. The last page is empty and Sakaguchi won't be satisfied until that page is filled. It is on this last page that Yamato draws that which he most desires. But, with the wedding looming the very next day, is it too late for Sakaguchi to see this confession and explain his real reason for marrying Yamato's sister? The second episode of this story line takes place in the aftermath of the wedding day. Yamato's father announces that it is time for Yamato to start interviewing potential marriage partners. To make matters worse, he has decided that his son will work outside the company to learn the harsh realities of the business world. It will be the final nail in the coffin; the death of any flights of fancy regarding the pursuit of art. A choice will have to be made - to conform to expectation or to be happy. Which path will Yamato and Sakaguchi choose?
The second half of the book follows the FBI's attempts to stop a terrorist from detonating bombs in the heart of major cities. The clues to where the bombs have been planted are located within a video game sent by a supposedly dead FBI agent. But, the game is nearly impossible to beat, and requires the skills of a former agent, Keith Coburn, imprisoned for treason and previously the partner of the dead agent in question. The problem? Keith is scheduled for execution in less than one week. Narumi is a rookie agent permanently stuck with desk duty and disrespected by all of his fellow agents. His lack of confidence in his own abilities, and lack of courage to stick up for himself, makes him easy prey for grunt work within the ranks. When Keith demands his final week to be completely autonomous in exchange for helping to beat the game, he is allowed to choose a 'watchdog' that will be assigned to him. Almost immediately, he selects the rookie. Over the course of the week, as they remain together, Narumi becomes more and more convinced that Keith is innocent of his crimes, perhaps covering for someone else. He also begins to develop feelings for the man, admiring his courage in the face of adversity. His efforts to prove Keith's innocence cause the two to clash and, ultimately, Narumi's dismissal from guard duty. But what are the real reasons that Keith wants Narumi off the case? And if Keith is innocent as Narumi believes, then who is the real traitor?
I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Akira Honma's works. The raw emotions play out on the page in vivid detail. Her drawn characters are appealing in their masculinity, yet exude a vulnerability that makes the reader long to embrace them. The most exposure seen in the bedroom scenes are bare chests and perhaps a thigh, but it reveals just enough to show the passion between her men. If I had only one complaint, it would be the speech pattern of the FBI agent Keith. It seemed to be an attempt at some kind of Bronx-type accent and was a little distracting at times. But, overall, I was pleased with the book. It had two wonderful stories, full of angst and action as well as intense emotion. DramaQueen provides a color dustjacket for the book, as well.
Review posted at Boys on Boys on Film
