Scan barcode
sweetpea's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
This was my 1st proper reading of Yaoi. The subject matter was compelling and I tore through all 80 or so chapters in a day and a half. Being unfamiliar with BL/yaoi I (superficially) expected the plot to be relatively thin, but I was really intrigued that an author thought to tackle subjects like religion, homophobia and racism. This was not always done well/responsibly, but there was real effort put into fleshing out the main characters. Some of the dialogue and scenarios were a little trite or just too surface for me. I wish Simon's drug addiction and Kiev and Connor's relationship was explored more. Also, many of the supporting characters were a bit flat.
I loved that the main characters are adults, interracial, and not a dom/sub pairing that I assumed typified BL works. I was so intrigued I started the spinoff, Guardians of the Lamb! I really think the author is hitting her stride here and it seems much more fleshed out than DHThey retconned a character I found completely reprehensible even knowing his tragic backstory I'm truly a fan of JUNS now. Nothing has really grabbed my attention like this in a while. Excited to see where she goes next and hope to find similar works!
I loved that the main characters are adults, interracial, and not a dom/sub pairing that I assumed typified BL works. I was so intrigued I started the spinoff, Guardians of the Lamb! I really think the author is hitting her stride here and it seems much more fleshed out than DH
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Violence, and Xenophobia
laurenlanz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
After spending several nights bingeing this ‘till 2AM, I’m left but a shell of myself….
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia
More...