Vampire Queen and Her Poisonous Alpha Pet

a bit childish. sorry

I've been into yaoi for about two or three years now. I absolutely adore all types of yaoi—hardcore, softcore, anything with BL elements. I've gone through so many yaoi series that I can't even keep track of them all, but out of everything I've read?

This one is hands down the most satisfying, incredible, mind-blowingly cute yet sexy and perfectly crafted yaoi I've ever come across. I highly, highly recommend this to anyone who loves yaoi.

While it does get quite intense, the artwork is stunningly beautiful—you simply can't overlook it.

And as an added bonus, it's multiracial! Yay! That's not something you see frequently in manga! <p>

Being a yaoi enthusiast for quite some time now, I've explored a wide range of stories: good, bad, terrible, and even downright painful. But guess what? Now I can proudly add an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, GREAT manga to my list because this one, my friend, is not to be missed.

Story: Fantastic!!! The reason I'm not giving it a perfect 10 is that it has a slight tinge of cliché – we've all seen the strong guy and the weaker one falling for each other, with one protecting the other. However, don't let that deter you; it's still incredibly enjoyable!

The art: I'm not usually overly critical about the artwork in mangas as long as the characters have faces, legs, arms, and everything else that's anatomically correct. That said, I appreciated the visual diversity, including the portrayal of an Afro character – a nice touch indeed!

Characters: I adored every single one of them! The Seme, the Uke/Seme (thankfully, they didn't go for the overly girly Uke trope), their relationships, and the dynamics with the other prisoners were all spot on. I don't want to spoil anything, but everything was absolutely perfect!

Overall, I must acknowledge that I was thoroughly captivated by this manga and might have overlooked potential flaws. Not that I noticed any, but I should be more objective since others are reading this review. So, I give it a solid 9.

To wrap up, this series reignited my passion for yaoi, something I hadn't felt in a long time. It also inspired me to explore more of the mangaka's work. Definitely worth checking out!

I am starting to realize that the truly meaningful yaoi stories are often the most tragic ones. The romance and intimacy depicted amidst these harsh worlds are frequently idealized, but perhaps that's the one thing that goes right.

Mainstream yaoi tends to suffer from several clichéd flaws. It can be unrealistic, lack depth, and overly rely on stereotypical seme/uke dynamics. Despite often being created by and for women, it can sometimes exhibit misogyny. Another common issue is the sudden or inexplicable shifts in characters' sexualities, which doesn't reflect real-life experiences for most people. Such changes, when they do occur, typically involve women rather than men.

With "Under Grand Hotel," I find myself conflicted. While it avoids many of the genre's typical pitfalls, it stumbles into the issue of sexuality changes. My other favorite yaoi, "Kyuuso wa Cheese no Yume o Miru," explored a relationship between a straight man and a gay man, focusing on their inability to find happiness together as a couple yet their incapacity to separate and be happy apart. This narrative questioned the very essence of love and its various forms.

In this manga, both protagonists start off as straight but evolve otherwise as the story progresses. If such a transformation was necessary for the plot, it was executed plausibly. I'm torn about whether this change should have occurred at all, but the reasons given go beyond mere superficial attraction or perfection. These reasons might disturb some readers, involving primarily unpleasant events and a lack of female presence. However, it served the story well, provided it isn't taken as a reflection of real life.

Among both yaoi and general manga, this tale stands out. It revolves entirely around the relationship yet remains compelling, delving into murder, rape, deception, drug dealing, and impossible dilemmas. The sex scenes were integral to the storyline, not separate entities. With a limited cast, each character was vividly developed, particularly the two main figures. I appreciated seeing an interracial relationship portrayed in manga—it felt almost too good to be true. While one could argue the author might have initially used Sword's black skin to reinforce his 'bad gangster' persona, he transcends this stereotype, and all villains are white, so there's no genuine racism here. Sword is meant to be adored by the readers.

Sen's innocence is convincingly portrayed without making him weak or overly submissive. In fact, he is quite strong and gritty in his own way, possibly even stronger than Sword in certain aspects. Meanwhile, Sword fits the seme role, yet complexities arise.

The development across the three volumes is remarkable. Observing the brutal beginning transform into a twisted yet tender conclusion is awe-inspiring.

The story initiates with no semblance of love and culminates in something warped, dark, but undeniably authentic. The progression feels genuine and relatable. Miscommunications and misunderstandings persist, but there's never a moment where you feel everything would resolve if someone just explained themselves. There's always a valid reason for these misinterpretations. Similar to "Kyuuso wa Cheese...", it made me ponder the nature of 'love'. It presented moral dilemmas I had never considered before, keeping me engaged and questioning alongside Sen.

Many narratives explore what one would do to protect a loved one, but "Under Grand Hotel" takes this to extreme levels.

I'm uncertain if I can pinpoint a central theme, but it certainly raised questions. Its purpose wasn't to deeply analyze these queries or provide answers, yet it inadvertently did so by presenting unique scenarios.

The ending was spectacular. (Impression spoilers ahead) There are two plausible interpretations, and I'm unsure which side I align with. Most seem to favor one interpretation, yet paying attention to a specific statement allows for the alternative view. I appreciated its ambiguity.

This story left me smiling and tearing up.

The artwork is superb, not due to surpassing technical skill compared to other mangaka, but because the characters are distinct and expressive.

This is a brutal, intense story, yet it conveys a more genuine love story than many intended 'sweet romance' tales. (Still better than Twilight*) Clearly, significant relational issues exist. By calling the love genuine, I am not condoning any character's actions. Nearly all characters can be cruel, manipulative, and willing to commit or orchestrate heinous acts for one another.

That's the point.

It's about human isolation and sin, searching for connection during our darkest moments. It's about finding solace in shared shadows. It's about recognizing and loving a fellow flawed human being.

Oh, and the sex was fabulous. No need for elaboration, but to me, it genuinely was. Despite the profound themes discussed, if you're looking for intense, steamy prison sex, it's here too.

Even for those inclined towards this genre, this story is intense. It's set in prison, depicting the realities of life within. There are numerous confrontations, including a broom handle used in a disturbing manner. Reflecting reality, 'b****' is used derogatorily, while 'b******' signifies power struggles.

Sexist?

Not intentionally, but it reflects a cultural reality that frustrates me and should frustrate everyone. Realism, I guess.

Overall, this ranks among my top favorite yaoi and likely my top favorite manga overall.

I would rate this story a 9.8/10, essentially a perfect score.  

Typically, I don't delve into yaoi mangas with such intense roughness, but the storyline of UGH is just too captivating to resist! I devoured this story in one sitting, without pausing. Each volume brings something fresh and intriguing, and you're never quite sure what's coming next. It's an exhilarating tale that you simply can't overlook.  

The characters are flawless—definitely 10/10. You'll have to experience it yourself to understand why. The art matches the quality, and my overall enjoyment of this series is undoubtedly 10/10. If you're as passionate about BL as I am and ready for a refreshing twist, "Under Grand Hotel" is an excellent manga to immerse yourself in and enjoy.  

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I have no problem with Yuri, but God the dumb annoying leads make my blood boil.

I live in South Africa I can confirm this