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oishigreentea's review
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racial slurs and Rape
maruu_t's review
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
kaelynn_'s review
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
laurenlanz's review
5.0
When I went looking for friends-to-lovers manga (my fav romance trope), Dark Heaven caught my eye as one of the highest rated results. Who was gonna tell me it would completely and thoroughly destroy my heart with its drawn-out portrayal of how senseless hate can ruin the most innocent bond of love.
I think I cycled through every human emotion while reading this story, it was truly incredible. I had no idea that JUNS would tackle racism, homophobia, addiction and several more heavy topics in such a hard-hitting manner. I cried way too many times for everything the main characters were put through; this certainly isn't one for the weak of heart.
~★~ What is this story about? ~★~
Conor, a Korean-American guitarist, and Simon, the lead singer of their band—Dark Heaven—have been best friends since middle school. Now, their band is broken up, Simon’s risen to fame as a soloist, and Conor is left in the shadow of their years-long-now-ended romance. What the public doesn’t know, is that a notorious hate group targeting homosexuals and people of colour found their next victim in young Conor, crushing his fingers so he’d be unable to play guitar again. Now, Simon’s life is falling to pieces without Conor by his side. With hate groups and murderers making the daily headlines, Conor is intent on finding Simon again…
────── {⋆★⋆} ──────
Everything about Dark Heaven makes me want to scream. I feel so strongly about Conor and Simon; the way they bonded as kids was so sweet to watch unfold, especially with how desperately Conor needed a friend. The way the timeline jumps back and forth really makes the love between these characters feel even more tangible, making it hurt all the more knowing it's been broken apart by the society surrounding them. I was rooting so hard for these two to find each other once again and reconcile their fractured bond, a journey which didn't dissapoint.
For all the pain in this series, there is both meaning and great payoff. I'll never get back all the tissues I needed while reading Dark Heaven for the first time, though I'll also never forget the way it impacted me. This is easily one of my favourite webcomics out there, and it deserves all the praise it already gets. Such beautiful art, with a meaningful love story that emerges from a pitfall of darkness.
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia