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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
Loveable characters:
No
(3.5 rounded up)
I'd skip reading this review if you want to go in blind. I'll be discussing some plot points below.
This book has me very conflicted. On one hand, I loved the parts of the book that dealt with the curse and how it worked. It was also great to read the source material for the American remake.
On the other hand, the two main characters were very unlikable. I can see why both the Japanese & American movies changed the main character to a woman. I'd take Rachel any day.
I wanted Asakawa and Ryuji to succeed only to save Asakawa's wife and child. Especially in Ryuji's case, he admits something disgusting to Asakawa that just made me hate him. I didn't really care if either of them died.
Most of the story doesn't really read like horror. It's more a mystery. There are some creepy parts (the very beginning and end) but I wouldn't consider them scary. There were definitely things that I found disturbing though.
Sadako's origin story is more fully explained than either the original Japanese movie and the American remake. There were parts of it i liked and others that i dont think really had to be included. The SA could have been entirely left out and her origin story still would have worked.
Overall, I would say I liked the book. It left me wanting to know more about the curse and Sadako. Maybe I'll read the other two books in the series.
I'd recommend this to those that liked the Japanese movie or Japanese horror in general. This book moves at a slower pace, so keep that in mind.
Also, be sure to look up any triggers for this book.
I'd skip reading this review if you want to go in blind. I'll be discussing some plot points below.
This book has me very conflicted. On one hand, I loved the parts of the book that dealt with the curse and how it worked. It was also great to read the source material for the American remake.
On the other hand, the two main characters were very unlikable. I can see why both the Japanese & American movies changed the main character to a woman. I'd take Rachel any day.
I wanted Asakawa and Ryuji to succeed only to save Asakawa's wife and child. Especially in Ryuji's case, he admits something disgusting to Asakawa that just made me hate him. I didn't really care if either of them died.
Most of the story doesn't really read like horror. It's more a mystery. There are some creepy parts (the very beginning and end) but I wouldn't consider them scary. There were definitely things that I found disturbing though.
Sadako's origin story is more fully explained than either the original Japanese movie and the American remake. There were parts of it i liked and others that i dont think really had to be included. The SA could have been entirely left out and her origin story still would have worked.
Overall, I would say I liked the book. It left me wanting to know more about the curse and Sadako. Maybe I'll read the other two books in the series.
I'd recommend this to those that liked the Japanese movie or Japanese horror in general. This book moves at a slower pace, so keep that in mind.
Also, be sure to look up any triggers for this book.
Spooky!
A surprisingly quick read. Partially because it's short, but also because I was very sucked into the fast pace of the story. It waltzes between horror and mystery rather elegantly.
It seemed to be written as the start of a trilogy and I'm excited to read the next two.
A surprisingly quick read. Partially because it's short, but also because I was very sucked into the fast pace of the story. It waltzes between horror and mystery rather elegantly.
It seemed to be written as the start of a trilogy and I'm excited to read the next two.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I waited a day to write this review. I picked up this book by chance 15 years ago knowing nothing other than the film “The Ring” was based on it. I lost that book and could never find a copy no matter how many book stores I visited over the years.
I got a library card after years of putting it off and was perusing the shelves when I get the urge to check for this book. Lo and behold, they have the whole trilogy! I immediately add it to my selections to check out.
I finally read this book in less than 24 hours and I found it so underwhelming. It dealt with some interesting themes but the last 30 pages really fell flat and there was some conversation around gendering that was very dated. The premise and prose were good but I feel the plot developed in a mediocre manner.
I got a library card after years of putting it off and was perusing the shelves when I get the urge to check for this book. Lo and behold, they have the whole trilogy! I immediately add it to my selections to check out.
I finally read this book in less than 24 hours and I found it so underwhelming. It dealt with some interesting themes but the last 30 pages really fell flat and there was some conversation around gendering that was very dated. The premise and prose were good but I feel the plot developed in a mediocre manner.
Jeg kunne godt lide historien om Sadako og hendes familie. Og gyserplottet fungerede også.
Jeg kunne ikke lide hovedpersonerne, misogynien, transfobien og afskyen overfor/fetisheringen af intersex personer.
Jeg kunne ikke lide hovedpersonerne, misogynien, transfobien og afskyen overfor/fetisheringen af intersex personer.