Most of the story in Secret Moon takes place in present day Japan but bits and pieces of the story refer back to other times in other places due to the fact that Akihiro is a sort of vampire and has been living for over 100 years. He’s not a true vampire, though, which I think makes this story different from a typical vampire tale. He doesn’t have fangs and he won’t attack humans but he does have to drink blood on a daily basis to survive and can’t be out in the day light. One night while taking a stroll through the “bad” part of town, he spots Taichi Yamagami, who has gotten himself into a bit of trouble. Akihiro helps him out and that is the beginning of their time together. What is meant to be a one night stand quickly turns into something more as Akihiro realizes Taichi isn’t your typical human. Quiet and reserved by day, arrogant and wild by night, Akihiro feels like he’s dating two different people and takes on the task of merging these two very separate personalities, but doing so means battling the powers of the moon.

I really liked this novel and at 206 pages, it’s a pretty good bargain. The story has a real mysterious feel to it as you are reading through it trying to figure out just what secrets these two guys hold. I love the contrast of the characters as well. Akihiro is half Japanese and half British, but really comes off as a British aristocrat who is easily insulted by bad manners. Taichi is a boy from the mountains and doesn’t know the first thing about city life or proper manners and his nighttime manners get even worse. This sets up some funny scenes with Akihiro as well as with Akihiro’s butler Anthony, who you can’t help but like and is truly his own character.

Overall, I liked the plot. Like I said, it isn’t your typical vampire tale and I like that it is done in a way to show how a real vampire would live day-to-day if one existed. No coffins or black capes (ok, there is a black cape but only to cover his tux) J This does fall into the “I’ve fallen in love with you five minutes after I have met you” scenario but the author does it in a way to show Akihiro’s desire to be loved and to be able to share his secret with someone who can truly understand his situation. Although Akihiro is the uke, the author makes him a little bit devious throughout the story and able to hold his own so that is a nice change from being angsty or weak. The sex scenes are good although not detailed enough for my hard yaoi taste but still satisfying nonetheless. I do like that the author set up the first sex scene in a more realistic manner for two people who have just met. It doesn’t go quite as planned for Akihiro and I did actually chuckle a little as to how he has to deal with it.

The book has eleven black and white illustrations and one rather steamy color illustration in the beginning of the book. The illustrations are nice but I think if you’re illustrating a novel, they should be much more detailed since there are less of them than a manga but that is pretty typical with boys’ love novels from Japan. I’m not a fan of the cover either as I feel they could have used a better illustration. I don’t think it does the characters justice as to how attractive they really are and it makes Taichi look younger and less manly that he really is (unless you happen to notice just how beefy his arm is). The translation was pretty good, just the occasional typo. Overall, I definitely recommend this title.

Characters = A

Plot = A-

Book Design/Illustrations = B+

Sex = B+

Translation = A

Overall Grade = A-

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