Getting past the fact that this is a 'novel' and not a manga, this is what I have to say about this:
I came in expecting manga so I was pretty disappointed at the pages but, hey, it's still yaoi, I guess. This received so much praise so I was expecting something more.
Hmm, I'm used to reading novels that are pretty freaking awesome you can actually see everything the author wants you to see in your minds eye. I also read manga because they're more visual, the author relies more on the dialogue, the expressions shown per panel and in the art itself and even if the plot is total crapapalooza in some manga, sometimes the author can totally pull it off. It's harder for a writer of a novel to convey everything in words and expressing his characters.
The first thing that hit me when I turned the pages of this novel was the utter pain creeping from my eyes to my brain. The prose was just damn...underwhelming? I guess I entered with too high an expectation because of all the other comments.
I read on since, I guess, I've read worse. The plot is...captivating? I dunno, pushing past the first few pages, I just kept reading, patiently waiting for the good parts the others were talking about.
There are so many slash fics written better than this.
I ended up getting caught up in the events but I ended up face-palming a lot. Like a lot, a lot. I still couldn't get past the name Neville, like arethusa, kept thinking about Mr. Longbottom of HP.
A line that totally caught me off guard and made me snort out loud since I decided not to take this too seriously after I got over my initial disappointment:
"I guess he looks like Beckham before he cut his hair."--Satsuki's thoughts on Edward.
I think this is crack. I'm not entirely sure. It says drama and romance in the tags but I totally agree with MightyMaeve.
The plot is okay and you end up getting caught up with the events. I hate to leave things unfinished even if it was a pain to read. I recommend for those who aren't as picky as me at the prose. Don't take it too seriously or you might end up busting an artery or something.