2.5/5 Stars — It started out interestingly, but it lost it’s momentum very quickly. The author had good ideas, but wasn’t able to go through with them, it got soooo damn repetitive and annoying, I just skipped through the last chapters and still was able to follow the „story“ xD since nothing had evolved or changed…. (づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ So, just an okayish read and no recommendation from me~ but I‘m glad for all the people who enjoyed it!
3.5/5 Stars — Well damn, this was a bumpy ride and such a rollercoaster of heavy emotions, drama, trauma, dumb decisions, heartbreak, some more drama, even dumber decisions, r*pe, some more heartbreak… Uff I tell ya, I‘m glad it ended happy (?), but on the other hand, I can’t get rid of that bitter aftertaste, that it’s such a toxic, obsessive and coerced relationship…
I do like a good drama, but it annoyed me, that this story was repetitive in that sense, that they were both just running in circles for years and repeating the same things over and over again (〜 ̄△ ̄)〜
It kept me interested enough to read until the end, but, honestly, I‘m just glad it‘s finally over xD but I am not planning on reading it ever again haha
(The artstyle is a majore PLUS!)
4.5/5 Stars The beginning is a bit rocky and briefly it get‘s a bit repetitive and singular, with Iri and Chick repeating the same things/dialogues and the Story not pushing forward (also I personally knew from the very start who the real culprit is and smelled the red herring miles away ssksk (づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ) BUT if you get through these few chapters, it‘s an all in all really cute and wholesome story! Even though the setting is a prison, there’s not much graphic violence and no r*pe (which is a huge plus in my BL book), only a somewhat 'lil obsessive green flag Alpha and a somewhat naive and inexperienced Omega, who are head over heels for each other. Will definitely read again and absolutely do recommend! I even hope for a Sequel and/or more Sidestories! ლ(´ڡ`ლ)
I get that most of them are traumatized by their past and/or encountering anomalities. I get them being all sick fucks, to quote cat-guy. I even mostly get, or let’s say, can tolerate, the very holey and and thin plot.
What I absolutely don’t get and skipped through 99% of it, is the permanent r*ape, gangr*pe and than some more r*pe. ┑( ̄Д  ̄)┍
No, seriously, I don’t understand why they have to treat Yugeon violently to such an extent and r*pe him constantly, while at the same time being severely attached to him and claiming that he is „special“ and „precious“ to them. If you look at it, that’s just an extremely abusive relationship, rooted in blackmail, (survivors)guilt and now it’s bordering on stockholm syndrome.
The author does not make a good job explaining anything in detail and (mostly) doesn’t give us any insight about their innermost feelings and ambitions; what keeps them driving. They push the story forward by leaving everything very vague and ambiguous. I‘m curious as to how it will end and if they’re going to survive or (who is going to) die.
And please, don’t at me with that „why did you read it then?!11“-nonesense. Just because I‘m asking valid questions and/or express constructive feedback, does not mean, that I don’t enjoy reading the story to a certain degree. ( ̄∇ ̄")
How I generally approach Guide x Esper stories is with the idea that while Espers are technically human, they are psychologically not
They are more like a different species that lives off of sex in my opinion
It helps when breaking down their mentality
I wish they would go deeper into the psychological aspect as well
I view Guides as a kind of bridge between humans and espers if that makes sense
3/5 Stars — Honest Review (my personal opinion)
The story jumps right into action and „forces“ you to empathize with Sooin, since he‘s in an abusive relationship with the most stereotypical scumbag of a human being and seemingly can’t escape from him. In comes Chi-Hwan, the knight in shining amor, who kills Sooins (seemingly) only problem in the world and also needs him and, conveniently enough, also falls for him; their relationship unfolds.
Don‘t get me wrong, I like a hot blood-sucker as much as the next gal, but they fall „in love“ so quickly and get obsessed over each other, you can’t even blink!
While it’s only human to wish better for Sooin, it’s still strange to literally jump onto another one‘s d*ck, as soon as your everyday and yearlong abuser is literally lying dead next to you xD“
Even if you overlook that grotesque interaction (and in general too much smut, without any real sensuality and build up to it), what bothered me most, was the fact that almost nothing gets really explained:
Why couldn’t Chi-Hwan drink anyone’s blood, but could survive on other vampires hearts?
How come a Link (who is HUMAN) can regrow any organ (even the heart), but a VAMPIRE dies, with his heart getting ripped out?
What exactly does make Sooins blood „pure“? What even does that mean? And why is that poisonous for vampires? How come Chi-Hwan, who is a vampire for hundreds of years, does not know that, but his Link does?
Even if it’s poisonous, why did it not kill him, but made him a human again xD?
What was that Magic/Power Joohyung (Chi-Hwans Link) possessed and how did he gain it?
How come no one of Sooins family ever reaches out to him? Or he to them? While I get that Sungha (his abuser) was blackmailing him with indiscriminating pictures and videos, Sooin did not really have any shown connection to the outward world to begin with, so he still could‘ve reached out for help and, I don’t know, maybe move back to his mother?
Why the heck would a Link get „stuck“ for eternity with the immediate state their body was in, when they became a Link (interesting concept, but still does not make ANY sense at all)?
And don’t even get me started on the whole switch! Why is Sooin physically still so weak, even after becoming a Vampire? Why even the whole „Sunghas blood and therefore his memories are inside me“-Arch?
The author just conveniently leaves everything very vague and takes whatever they need for the story to push forward and pulls on our emotions and heartstrings. ┑( ̄Д  ̄)┍
I think the plot per se had a lot of potential, but the author sadly was not able to properly develop a deep and authentic world, characters and connections (with explainable logic), which ultimately makes it a Porn with a so-so Plot.
It is an okay read, but I will definitely not read it again, since it leaves me with too many questions and (especially towards the end) bitter taste in my mouth.
2.5/5 Stars — Honestly, if you‘re looking for a nice, easy going and kinda boring story with a lot of smut, this is it! There‘s close to none plot here, the characters and their motives are shallow and you know from the beginning how it‘s going to end — Which is fine and can be comforting (▰˘◡˘▰) I don’t intend to slash this! It‘s a short, nice, okay read. No more, no less. (And I will forget it, as soon as I post this comment.)
Personally, it did not catch me, because their personalities felt too forced and stereotypical. I need the characters to catch me emotionally, even if the story is shallow or kind of a „chick-flick“. Sadly, the author did not achieve this and the change of artstyle did not help sksksk
I absolutely love this story and this author! The characters are so well developed, you feel for them right away and the communication, dialogues and inner thoughts are on point! Even the smut is not just wham-bam-thank-you-sir, but sensual and erotic!
My heart aches for Seok, Jun and yes, even Jiwoon and the other guy (forgot his name) — I really can‘t wait to see what‘s going to unfold for all of them!
Ps. Please tell me I‘m not the only one who‘s really creeped out and hated that white-haired jerk? ヽ(`Д´)ノ
4.5/5 Stars. Re-reading this for the nth-time. They‘re such a hot mess, but the characters really grow on you and you find yourself wishing them to just be happy. The only thing I really dislike is the whole cheating and „jumping into another relationship, with just barely (or not even) out of the former“-thing. Aside from that, I always find myself coming back to this Story and I do hope for some kind of continuation!(づ ̄ ³ ̄)づ
3.5/5 Simple, cute and wholesome ლ(´ڡ`ლ)