Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Rings by Kōji Suzuki

10 reviews

bhreaghmichelle's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Transphobia, and Pandemic/Epidemic

evening_person's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

One of the most achingly ‘90s pieces of media I have ever consumed. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with the existence of the film, whether or not they have seen it. I would recommend this book to someone who likes unsolvable mysteries and watching bad things happen to bad people. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Medical trauma, and Alcohol

juliawren's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

There are definite tones of misogyny and seriously fucked up characters (please for the love of God check the content warnings), but that's what made this such an addicting read. I could hardly put it down.

Forget morally gray - this is on the same level as Lolita. Whether or not some of the themes and ideas being presented are the author's or just a downright alarming depiction of misogyny present in Japanese culture when this was written, you'll need to approach this story with some serious media literacy to understand that it is 100% a social and philosophical commentary, and you should not agree with all of the characters or their actions because that is the point. There will definitely be times where you won't agree with the author, too (at least I seriously hope not), but I lean towards the belief that his personal ideology (while still sexist and displaying substantial

victim-blaming

qualities that shouldn't be ignored) does not entirely align with these characters, especially given the ending (which, contrary to what many readers claim, does make perfect sense and has nothing to do with

Sadako wanting to have a literal child

- do y'all understand what a metaphor is??).

If you think the ending falls apart with the paranormal stuff, I'd recommend reading up on the Japanese concept of

curses,

as it differs considerably from American mythology/culture about ghosts. Weirdly, I'd also recommend Jujutsu Kaisen if you like anime or manga, since it gets into this concept and you can really understand how these kinds of

curses

are made.

That aside, the story was nearly as good as the American version (I didn't love the original as much but might give it another try after reading this). The mystery presented fit together perfectly by the end. Even having watched both movie versions and knowing the general plot / final twist, I felt the tension all the way through. This was a wonderfully chilling and terrifyingly disturbing read, and anyone who enjoyed the films and likes a good scare and can stomach horror, both real and paranormal, will enjoy it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Transphobia

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail

saldre's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Pandemic/Epidemic

jaylee_books's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Transphobia

Moderate: Chronic illness and Death of parent

kchin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

It's all sorts of messed up. There must be significance to some parts of the book that I didn't grasp but it's likely cultural nuances. As a long time horror fan I'm happy to have finally read this cult classic.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

annelisezj's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Overall, good read! 
Kept me on my toes and even though some portions seemed obvious I still enjoyed the twists and turns each chapter took. 

I will be definitely picking up the next one in the series.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

hocuscrocus's review against another edition

I LOVE horror, but horror that relies on shock value immediately turns me off. It's especially bad when sexual assault is used in that way.
I started the book knowing that this would be a plot point, but I didn't realize there would be a POV description of assault and a regular supporting character who is introduced as a proud serial rapist. No thank you.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol

stevienielson's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder

Moderate: Medical content

spenceg's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Violence, and Murder