Birds of Shangri-La, Vol. 1 (Birds of Shangri-La #1)
Published November 10th 2020 by SuBLime (first published March 26th 2019), Paperback 194 pages
A straight man takes a job at a gay brothel that has a firm rule of no falling in love. What could go wrong?
Apollo takes on a rather odd job at a brothel as a way to make some fast cash, but when one of the male prostitutes takes an interest in him, his days of gainful employment seem numbered.
A paradise of sensuality, Shangri-La is a male brothel celebrating the glories of gay sex. Newly hired Apollo is in charge of getting the men ready for clients, but as a straight man, he’s a bit naive. Phi, one of the brothel’s most sought-after prostitutes, is tasked with getting him up to speed, but not before toying with him a bit. Too bad the rules of the brothel are clear—no orgasms, no penetration, and no falling in love!
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
I NEED MORE!!
I'M OBSESSED!!!
Rating: really liked it
I’m not going to lie that I had not heard of this title prior to discovering the cover image. I preordered almost immediately.
So we have Apollo who is straight and welcomed to shangri la, an all male brothel, where he will be working as a helper of sorts to the birds...
The birds are the main attraction and phi is as attractive as they come. Never having been with a man before Phi is instructed to introduce Apollo to the duties he is required to fulfill in his new position. The story is very different than other traditional BL storylines, more intellectual and character building. We have glimpses of both of the boys having dark sides they are suppressing that are slipping out.
It’s nice to see sex workers respected, sexuality respected in stories along these lines!!
I am anxious to see where this goes. I look forward to following this series.....
Rating: really liked it
WHAT. DID. I. JUST. READ?
Explicit content. Basically, they all just lay there naked waiting for you with all the barest of all truths and desires. I like that the author took the decent path to weave explicit content. This isn't actually bad. It does not only revolve around intercourse and pleasure but healing and overcoming trauma. By the way, loved the poetic intro.
Rating: really liked it
I've been sort of avoiding this author's books because I knew I'd love them and yup, i loved it. The art is so beautiful and sexy, like watch me drool all over these books!!! The story is pretty tame so far, we have a few hints of what's happened to both mains but idk how to describe it, the vibe is very mellow like even when things have been violent, the overall vibe hasn't changed which is a nice change of pace. I feel like smut is always usually frenzied and passionate but this, at least in our mains case, is something more down to earth, mature perhaps. I think it's Apollo, lol. I'm not sure where this is headed but damn I'm feeling the affection and now I'm swooning! Also wow these working conditions are AMAZING please hire me!
Rating: really liked it
Re-read for Thirsty Thursday. Still love it!
CW: Child Abuse in the past, Sex trafficking backstory, Marital problems, Divorce.
This manga was so good! I couldn't stop reading it. We follow two men in a brothel called Shangri-La. Apolo is new to the brother, he's straight, and looking for an escape from his life that's been turned upside down. He meets Phi, one of the escorts, and starts learning how to be someone who preps people for sex.
I love the art, as always. And the emotional aspects of the story is great, too. Apolo is like a sweet puppy dog. I'm loving this series and I highly recommend it.
Rating: really liked it
I think it's safe to say Ranmaru Zaria is my favourite Manga author. Her works just have an amazing atmospheric vibe to them.
And Birds of Shangri-La, Vol. 1 is no exception. The island paradise feels practically oozed from the pages. The characters all have interesting intros here, especially our main two Apollo and Phi. I can't wait to find out more about their backstories and how they both develop in the next volume.
Rating: really liked it
I loved it so much 🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
Rating: really liked it
Ranmaru never disappoints!
There was a whole lot of story, without feeling like we were being bombarded with information. Back-story to both MC's, without being crammed or unnatural. A really good exploration of Shangri-La, the Birds and the Teasers. A really great, original concept that gives the story room to breathe.
It wasn't rushed, it wasn't PWP and it wasn't all the things I was afraid it might be, when I read it was about a male brothel. This is one of those brothels that is well-run, with a respected/rich owner who takes care of his Birds first and clients second. Everyone is happy, loved, respected and well-treated, but Phi is an exception without anyone realising it, with a dark past that it slowly being explored.
Rating: really liked it
I want to read this but I feel like it fetishizes gay men and that's not the kind of story I want to read.
Rating: really liked it
I had a hard time finishing the book, I was so bored. At least in the middle we got the backstory and it got a little bit interesting, so I round it up to two stars.
Rating: really liked it
In my first Yaoi (aka gay romance-specific manga), I discovered Birds of Shangri-La.
Apollo is a straight new-hire, desperate for cash, working at a gay brothel.
He is taken under the tutelage of experienced sex worker, Phi, to be shown the ropes.
The only rule: no falling in love (with your co-workers or customers). How hard could that be?
Let's just say, it gets steamy...and I don't mean the hot tub or the showers.
Ranmaru Zaria is a force amongst the Yaoi community as a newer up-and-coming and does a fantastic job of creating believable characters, showing both the stereotypes and prejudices faced by sex workers, presenting intimacy in a realistic (no closed doors in this manga) and follows a very fast storyline to its ending...though this series is far from over.
Rating: really liked it
started cuz i was intrigued enough by the cover and blurb to try
now i am OBSESSED with the cover and the inside TT_TT
Rating: really liked it
Let me begin by saying I LOVE THIS MANGA!!! This is my second time reading this and it's just as enjoyable as the first time.
I enjoyed everything about it... the slow leisurely pace of the story, the beautiful artwork depicting Shangri-La's lush tropical gardens and open buildings, the way I could almost feel the breeze blowing through the trees and into the bedrooms, the way Phi looks at Apollo, the way Apollo is unwittingly becoming more and more drawn to Phi, how buff Apollo is, lol... I could go on and on! Everything unfolds so organically that we are even able to get the dark details of Phi and Apollo's past without it bogging down the relaxing flow of the story.
Shangri-La is the name of the all male brothel in which the story takes place. All of the sex workers, referred to as birds, are pampered and treated with love and respect. Their happiness and comfort are placed above those of the clients or any profit motive. They are allowed to choose who they sleep with and when. If they don't feel like doing anything they are allowed to take time off. They are also given access to a wide variety of "teasers," men who help prepare them for sex before customers arrive and clean them up when they leave. Apollo is a newly hired teaser and Phi is one of the more popular birds.
I really like the way everything is set up. It's apparent that Apollo is exactly what Phi needs in his life; someone who sees him as worthy of love and protection. Apollo already has this innate desire to love someone so why not Phi? I mean, other than the fact that he isn't gay. But this is yaoi so anything is possible.
Rating: really liked it
*Reread 11/18/2021*I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I last read this. It’s so so so good. Also reading this right after reading Twittering Birds made me recognize so many similarities mostly with the two main characters. Clearly I have a type.
Apollo and Phi are just so precious to me and I want them both to love and be loved. I’m afraid they’re going to get hurt just because of the situations they’re in and the trauma they’re dealing with.
Anyway!! I’m so excited to finally be able to read the next volume :’) it’s been a long wait.
*Original Review 10/30/2020*I am pleasantly surprised by this. The story has a very slow and soothing progression. It feels laid-back. It really sets the mood for the paradise that is Shangri-La. I like the fact that these are happy and respected sex workers. The workers get priority over the money and clients. They aren't forced to do anything they don't want to do and if they want to leave or take a break they are completely free to do so.
I liked the story as well especially towards the end. I hope we get to delve a lot more into Phi's trauma in the next volume. I'm kind of hesitant about the relationship between Phi and Apollo tho. I like them together, but I don't want Phi to get hurt considering Apollo is straight. It's a weird situation. They're both precious and neither of them have malicious intent towards each other, but I know the relationship will get messy cause that's just how it works.
Rating: really liked it
yes. a 5/5. this was a very deliberate choice that I had made, didn't even meant to read it even if it was from my fav bl author EVER possibly because of the *questionable* concept and vibe. but boy I was wrong. I legit cried reading this, at least once. Phi is so precious and needs to be protected at all cost, and Apollo needs to ALSO be comforted for the heck of it, and I need them both to be at peace and happy.
however, i sense that this manga is so slow in its translations (waited almost a year to finally read the recent chapter, ya Allah) and I don't exactly know the situation of the release in Japan, but, I really really can't wait to read more. because I sense an abundance of angst and pain coming up.
