▪	RELEASED BY:		BE BEAUTIFUL
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		YOUKA NITTA
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / BW
		▪	PAGES:		216
		▪	RATING:		18+
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		05/15/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		06/24/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

A legend in yaoi, Youka Nitta delivers another sizzling erotic tale in Casino Lily. A beautiful man with luck on his side, Magira, dubbed Casino Lily, can’t lose. But this international gambler has a curse he’s trying to get rid of before returning to the man he loves. His journey across the best gambling casinos in the world has him cross paths with the handsome and powerful Anthony Monte Carlo. The two enter into a gamble that outreaches any monetary goal as they put both their bodies and their hearts on the line. When his luck changes, will Casino Lily be able to take the biggest gamble of all – the one for his heart?

This is a romantic tale told against the exciting backdrop of the world of high stakes gambling. The dramatic angst is done well, the men are all gorgeous, and the eroticism is intense. In fact, this manga showcases some of Youka Nitta’s more explicit love scenes. The artwork itself is well done and in one particular moment when Magira feels crushed, it shows an amazing depth in expression on his tear-stained face. The manga also showcases some of her best writing. The characters of Magira and Carlo are well developed as is the tension fraught relationship between them. It’s anyone’s guess how it will all end when Magira’s longtime love enters the picture. Plus the bonus story, “Not Guilty”, is one of the most tautly done, suspenseful yaoi shorts I’ve ever read. It has great twists in this stand alone erotic crime drama about a lawyer fighting to not be involved with the Yakuza. 

IN SUMMARY:
Casino Lily is a thrilling addition to Youka Nitta’s work that will delight yaoi fans. If you enjoyed Embracing Love, you will love Casino Lily.