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Birds of Shangri-La #1

Birds of Shangri-La, Vol. 1

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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!

194 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2019

33 people are currently reading
1291 people want to read

About the author

Ranmaru Zaria

26 books383 followers
ZARIYA Ranmaru: 座裏屋蘭丸

Please also see other profile Ranmaru Zariya.

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5 stars
697 (43%)
4 stars
605 (37%)
3 stars
258 (16%)
2 stars
41 (2%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
Profile Image for Fallon.
283 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2025
Interesting concept 🥴
Profile Image for Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎.
1,310 reviews188 followers
February 26, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Ben Howard.
1,496 reviews253 followers
January 27, 2021
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.
Profile Image for dragon.
466 reviews37 followers
July 3, 2022
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!
Profile Image for ↬ Ⓛ.
379 reviews707 followers
June 26, 2023
that booty hole of his makes me wanna tap dat fine ass, lol.
Profile Image for Dylan.
1,019 reviews5 followers
March 4, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Emi.
826 reviews20 followers
March 19, 2022
Pues pensaba que sería una historia más chunga, pero no. Me gustan mucho los personajes y el enfoque que tiene esta historia. Hay mucho conenido erótico i el dibujo una pasada.
Profile Image for Elaine White.
Author 43 books260 followers
July 8, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Mazzy.
263 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2022
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.
Profile Image for frau.meln.
595 reviews7 followers
February 11, 2022
Ranmaru Zariya ist eine Mangaka, die es schafft mit spannenden Settings, geheimnisvollen Charakteren und sehr heißen Szenen aufzuwarten. Und meiner Meinung nach ist sie völlig underrated!

In Birds of Shangri-La landen wir in einer paradiesischen Umgebung, in der alle ihrem Leben frönen, denn Shangri-La ist ein ziemlich besonderes Bordell. Dementsprechend beinhaltet die Story einiges an Sexy time 😏.

Die Spannung wird durch die beiden sehr gegensätzlichen Charaktere herbeigeführt. Bisher sind Backgroundinfos über Phi noch Mangelware, aber es teastert sich eine düstere Vergangenheit an, die gar nicht zu seinem allgemeinen Wesen zu passen scheint.
Der stille Apollo landet wegen eines Vergehens auf der Insel, denn er benötigt dringend Geld. Auf Fragen antwortet er ehrlich, kurz und knapp sowie emotionslos. Allgemein kann man ihn eher an seiner Gestik als seiner Mimik lesen.

Band 1 ist ein Auftakt, der Leser:innen erst einmal in das Setting einführt, aber dennoch Spannungsmomente herbeiführt und Köder auslegt, die mich neugierig zurücklassen.

Ein großartiger Reihenstart, einer großartigen Mangaka 👌🏼.
Profile Image for Natalie.
1,133 reviews20 followers
May 22, 2023
This was…interesting. Tbh, I had to keep myself from laughing because this mangaka truly CAN draw different faces but she refuses to make anyone who doesn’t look like Coyote/Theo be the main character of her manga 😂

Anyway. In terms of the story, I like the concept of Shangri-La: a place where sex work is accepted and done openly and willingly. It’s not a perfect place, but the man who owns it seems to genuinely care for his sex workers.

I honestly could do without the trope of turning a straight man bi/gay, but Phi’s persistence is kind of funny. It becomes funnier because of Apollo’s kind of 🙄 approach to it. He doesn’t take Phi too seriously in that sense. Slowly, however, you can see the two of them growing closer. Apollo is a genuinely nice guy, so when he sees the cracks in Phi’s easy-going veneer he wants to treat him sweetly.

I found myself really rooting for them despite it all. Apollo doesn’t really “fit in” at Shangri-La, but he’s also surrounded by men who like him and are flirty but ultimately harmless. It does feel idyllic in many ways 🤔

Anyway. I’ll obviously be continuing the series ✨
Profile Image for Andrew.
2,337 reviews71 followers
April 11, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Pixie.
307 reviews14 followers
April 23, 2024
Už je to strašně dlouho, co jsem četla nějakou mangu. Jsou vždycky takhle krásné? / I didn't expect this to be so cute & soft (among other things) / I need some time to recover / Moje další knižní objednávka bude obsahovat druhý díl a možná taky další tituly od autorky / I wish I had more time to savour it properly, but it is indeed the end of the semester and I have no patience, so I just swallowed it whole.
Profile Image for colagatji.
547 reviews19 followers
July 18, 2022
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
Profile Image for Julie.
2,635 reviews197 followers
June 19, 2024
*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 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.

*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.

*Reread 6/14/2024*
Rereading because book 3 is finally out and I am once again reminded how much I love this series.
Profile Image for L Ann.
750 reviews160 followers
November 30, 2021
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.
Profile Image for zah.
485 reviews
June 6, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Frank Chillura (OhYouRead).
1,695 reviews77 followers
October 19, 2022
An exclusive island owned by a very wealthy man is home to Shangri La, an elite members only brothel where only men aptly named birds are on the menu. These birds of paradise are treated with the utmost respect and if anything untoward happens, the patrons is immediately banned.

Apollo is running away from his divorce and needs money to pay for the mistake he made, so he takes the job as a teaser. As a straight man, all of the birds are excited to have him there, where it’s his job to get them “ready” for the patrons. Think of it like the boyfriend experience, but where the birds aren’t allowed to c_m or be “entered” with anything other than fingers. (Trying to make this PG😅)

Phi is Apollo’s trainer and also the most popular bird on Shangri La. He’s damaged, coming from a past where he was made to service men from a very young age. His scars are both physical and mental, but sometimes they peak out when he lashes out at someone who touches him without permission.

I really enjoyed that this isn’t only a boys love manga. It’s about mental and physical trauma and dealing with the aftermath. But the smut is 👨🏻‍🍳🤌🏼💋!!! So if that’s what you’re looking for… there is a LOT!

I can’t wait to see what Volume 2 has in store for me.
Profile Image for Bian.
68 reviews
February 12, 2024
Einer meiner Lieblings-BL-Mangas... und nein, das liegt nicht am Cover XD. Viel mehr an der Vielschichtigkeit der Charaktere und der Tiefe der Handlung. Zugegebenermaßen hatte ich das beim Thema nicht wirklich erwartet - fand den Klappentext einfach interessant und den Zeichenstil bereits auf dem Cover echt schön. Glücklicherweise bleibt der auch wirklich pretty ^-^ nur dass eben noch die Story dazu kommt.
Ich war sehr froh nach dem ersten Teil direkt den zweiten Band parat zu haben, denn ich hätte definitiv keine Wochen... Monate... Jahre 🫣 auf den nächsten Teil warten wollen.
Darum - lucky me - wundervolle spicy BL Reihe, die nicht nur voller "expliziter" Szenen ist, sondern eben auch für jeden der Hauptcharaktere eine Backstory hat, die sich definitiv zu erfahren lohnt ^-^.

*empfohlen ab 18... würde zum einen die expliziten Szenen betreffen aber auch die Vergangenheit des einen Hauptcharakters, also da bitte als lesende Person aufpassen, dass man bei potentiellen Triggerthemen entweder springt oder sich danach jemand zum Reden sucht ♡
Profile Image for Elyse.
1,358 reviews25 followers
November 15, 2022
The drawings & characters are gorgeous as always.
This book just like others from this author are quite explicit and doesn't shy away from the sexual details. So, take that in note if you have curious people around XD.

Shangri-La is a brothel made up exclusivity of male sex workers and is a members only place. The prostitutes are nicknames "little birds" by the owner.

Apollo is a straight man looking for a job, in need of money. He accepts to become a teaser - he basically takes care of the bird before and after customers.

Phil is the one assign to him, he keeps teasing him and trying to push him to his limit since he believes the other man is timid, sweet and even naive.

Both of them are running away from something from their past and the so call Island of Paradise is just an escape.

This is only the first volume and an introduction to the characters but I feel that rules will be broken pretty fast in futures volumes and I am curious to see where the story will be going.
Profile Image for Knigoqdec.
1,183 reviews190 followers
December 30, 2024
Стигнах до спайси литературата :D
Хм, би следвало да игнорираме факта, че ми се струва доста неестествено един мъж Това е толкова шантава логика :D Нещо в идеята ме човърка и не мога да се справя с нормализирането на тази драма в главата си, затова ще отнема една звездичка от резултата, докато не ми мине, евентуално :D
Отделно от това, артът на Зария е все така стилен, донякъде като цяло меланхоличен и все пак отличен именно за история като тази. Аполо(н) е чаровен дебил от добричкия тип, точно както се полага на драматичен герой, поставен в сходните БЛ истории. Фи със сигурност крие адски гадна история зад гърба си, но пък е достойна чаровна змия. Всички останали са достоверно шантави. Лошото е, че историята е японска, а това предполага, че може да последват много мрачни дълбини на гадостите.
Profile Image for Ana Jim.
84 reviews9 followers
December 15, 2022
Uno de esos mangas que tienes que leer sin sobrecubierta si estás en un sitio público :')

Este primer tomo lo tiene todo: smut (que para eso lo leemos, vamos a ver), humor, drama y misterio. Estoy deseando saber más sobre el pasado de Phi.

El dibujo de Ranmaru Zariya es increíble. El tomo en sí (en España, esta serie la publica la editorial Nowevolution) me ha parecido un poco tieso al principio (?), pero conforme vas leyendo se hace más fácil manejarlo y el papel me parece de gran calidad.
Profile Image for Felix The Pirate Cat.
281 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2025
Ich hatte echt Bedenken, was diesen Manga angeht. Aber irgendwie konnte mich die Story mit den Verwicklungen der einzelnen Charaktere echt fesseln. Auch die Hintergründe und Geschichte der einzelnen Figuren ist spannend.

Phi ist zwar durchaus etwas sehr strange, aber immerhin ist er dennoch sehr sympathisch, sodass ich es durchaus nachvollziehen kann, dass er eine der zentralen Figuren ist. Apollo ist da schon eher undurchsichtiger, aber dennoch sehr sensibel. Bin gespannt, wie sich diese Kombi in diesem Umfeld weiter entwickelt.
Profile Image for Vera.
49 reviews12 followers
February 4, 2022
Der Zeichenstil... wie schon bei Coyote - ein Traum. Mittlerweile. Früher hab ich auch anders darüber gedacht. Was an Ranmaru Zarias Mangas ganz besonders ist: die Settings. Auch hier führt sie die Leser:innen in ihre Fantasieblase und die ihre eigenen Regeln hat.
Im Laufe des Bandes gibt es düstere Entwicklungen und huuui, ich glaube, dass kann noch was richtig großes werden.
Das Cover ist ein kleines Highlight. X3
Profile Image for Venda J. Croft.
83 reviews8 followers
January 11, 2023
3-
Per il momento non mi sbilancio. Il primo volume di per sé non mi è dispiaciuto, ci sono delle situazioni di dub-con ma considerato il contesto possono essere ok.
Il fatto è che sento puzza di gay for you: protagonista che si dichiara etero e lavora in un bordello di lusso di soli uomini per uomini. Gli do però il beneficio del dubbio perché è stata nominata la bisessualità, aspetto di leggere il secondo volume e, quando uscirà, anche il terzo. Spero di sbagliarmi.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews

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