The version of The Guilty I purchased was for my KINDLE2 as a way to test all the new KINDLE versions of yaoi currently coming out on the market. I’ll have a separate post regarding my thoughts on that. As far as the story itself is concerned, I have one word for you… HOT!

Toya Sakurai is an editor for Sozan Publishing and his transfer request has just been approved. You see, Toya’s favorite author, Kai Hodaka, currently publishes one novel a year for the company and it has been Toya’s life’s dream to someday work with his most beloved author. Imagine his surprise when shortly after his transfer he is asked to take on Hodaka as one of his authors. Not wanting to believe the rumors about the supposedly difficult and scandalous author, Toya sets out to get to know as much about him as he can, even daring to help spur his muse when faced with writer’s block. Toya is confused by all the rumors when after his first few encounters he finds Hodaka to be nothing but professional. Is something more sinister lurking behind that professional, charming façade? But of course!

Oh Toya, you naïve little thing you. Our poor boy is so star struck that he simply can’t see what he’s getting himself into. It’s a good thing too because that is what makes this story so delicious. Now the premise may seem a bit clichéd and I agree, some of it is but the difference with this story is just how well told it is. The author does a fabulous job showing the utterly despicable side (or is it?) of Hodaka and you can’t help but see how pathetic our broken down little Toya becomes. It’s painful to watch him struggle with becoming someone he isn’t or at least never thought he was. Throw in a fiancée and a wedding on the horizon and there’s conflict for days. There’s a reason this series is a four-parter and the wonderful writing is it. Beyond the torment is the incredibly hot sex. Wow. And I loved the tiny thread of BDSM that weaves its way throughout. Did I mention the incredibly hot sex?

The illustrations are nice and there are a few pretty hot ones but they could pretty much be swapped with any yaoi novel out there and you probably wouldn’t notice the difference. The translation was well done and I think I only found two errors in the entire book.

My final recommendation? A must buy. Yes, the story premise and characters are pretty typical but the writing, the torment and the amazing sex are all things that make this a must buy for me.

Plot = A- (clichéd but beautifully written)

Characters = B+ (author/editor spin also clichéd)

Illustrations = B+ (pretty typical, nothing special)

Sex = A+

Translation = A

Overall Grade = A-