Reviews with content warning for Death - Rings

It's been a while since I've picked up a book that I couldn't put down until I finished. It pays homage to many Japanese horror tropes while having it's own identity simultaneously.

Content Warnings

evening_person's review against another edition

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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.

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stargirlsky's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

while I’m giving this book a 3.75, that’s not to say it wasn’t an enjoyable read. I really liked the pace, I liked that it was simple enough to understand, and yet just mysterious enough for me to be thrilled by. I also thought a lot of the “discovering” and plot twists were well done. however, as many other people have stated, it is like rampant with really weird views and details on women?? I mean it was written in 1991 but like for example, there’s a certain part in the book that was about Sadako that genuinely made me sigh. I love the story itself it’s very interesting and for the time it was certainly a new plot concept, I just wish stuff like that had been left out

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cadimy's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

3.0

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lostfoxtrail's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

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

2.5

There’s a good premise here but the explanation was a huge let down for me personally. Some problematic elements too, which decreased my reading enjoyment substantially. Probably wouldn’t recommend.

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novellearts's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I’m a bit conflicted on this book. I ended up giving it a 4 because is I still found it enjoyable.. but there were parts of the story that I found extremely unnecessary.

Why did the author find it necessary to have the best friend Ryuji admit to raping a girl? And why did Asakawa not do anything about that admission? Not only that but then there’s a second rape at the end with Sadako who turns out to be intersex and is then murdered.

This is one of the rare occurrences where I did enjoy the film more than the book. I missed the possession aspect that the film gave to this story.

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saldre's review against another edition

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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

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