**Torikai's work is a frank and nuanced examination of the emotional and practical effects of sexual violence, rendering the messy realities in gorgeously refined linework and dialogue far more naturalistic than most manga. The author veers away from blunt indictment to paint one of the most complex and fascinating psychological portraits of both rapist and victim in any medium. Very much not just for manga fans, Sensei's Pious Lie will appeal to readers of graphic novels and literary fiction in general.** Desperate in the face of Minako’s pregnancy, Hayafuji’s simmering hatred reaches the boiling point—and his grotesque imagination leaves Misuzu with an impossible choice to make. Unflinching and sometimes brutal, Akane Torikai’s examination of sex, gender, and power is nonetheless warm and humane at heart, boasting a rich cast of characters whose all-too-human need for love takes them to dark and unexpected places. 18+