A Princely Gift by Claire Thompson is a homoerotic historical story based in ancient Japan.

Kisho's life has been filled with hardships. He can barely make a living out of the ground he tills so diligently to support him and his mother. Kisho longs to travel and see the temples of Kyoto,the Imperial Palace, but he would have to send his mother to her family who would mistreat her, so he finds himself tied down. While outside, working in the rice fields, Kisho sees a beautiful white bird in the sky. Maybe this is a sign that his luck may just be changing. On that day, Kisho hears that Prince Yukio will be passing through the village on the way to the hot springs of Kii Mountains to restore his ailing health. Kisho is pining for his lover Kiyoshi after his murder. Yukio sees Kisho working the fields thinking that his lover has returned to him. Yukio steals out of his room and goes in search of the man he saw. Yukio finds not his lover, but a young man obviously a peasant, but of rare breading and refinement. Kisho is entranced by the beautiful man he finds on his land, but never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he was the young prince. Kisho is startled when Yukio brings him to fulfillment in the most erotic manner. Before Yukio leaves he gives Kisho a bag of coins and promises to return. Is there a chance that Yukio and Kisho can have a life together and overcome their class differences?

Ms. Thompson has written an incredible story set in ancient Japan with unique characters who come to life for the reader. The very visual descriptions of Kisho and Yukio allow the reader to see them as the story unfolds. The use of birds such as cranes as a good omen is well used in Japanese literature. The love scenes between Kisho and Yukio are both beautiful to behold and very erotic. It was fascinating to watch Yukio, the prince of the realm, care nothing for the class differences between himself and Kisho as they begin to get to know each other. This story was written in the Japanese Yaoi, Man-to-man style that will be loved by anyone who enjoys Japanese yaoi anime. Thanks go to Ms. Thompson for a great short story.

This title is also available in the print anthology Zowie, It's Yaoi.

Reviewed by: Teresa