Only The Ring Finger Knows Volume 1: The Lonely Ring Finger (Yaoi Novel) (v. 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Satoru Kannagi (Author), Hotaru Odagiri (Author)

Book Description

Series: Only the Ring Finger Knows

It's the ultimate expression of love to wear matching rings with your significant other, showing the world that you are a couple. High school student, Wataru Fujii, also wears one even though he is single. When he accidentally switches rings with a popular and handsome senior, Yuichi Kazuki, they discover that their rings pair up! Since that moment, Kazuki - who is known for being kind to all - becomes strangely harsh to Wataru. They alternate between hot and cold, as in between clashes they begin to sort their feelings for one another. Are Wataru and Kazuki the worst of enemies or are they actually soulmates?

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 246 pages
• Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing (March 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569709041
• ISBN-13: 978-1569709047
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Gay & Lesbian > Literature & Fiction > Fiction > Gay

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply beautiful., April 15, 2006

By 

T. LaPonte "mo" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Only The Ring Finger Knows Volume 1: The Lonely Ring Finger (Yaoi Novel) (v. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

The original novel of the popular BL manga is finally on American shores. This has got to be one of the most anticipated BL releases of the year for me, and I was not disappointed. Setting aside the awkward cliches and predictable plot, the story is absolutely beautiful.

If you enjoyed the manga version of this story, you will definitely enjoy the novel. It is divided into two parts. The first part, Only the Ring Finger Knows, follows very closely the story of the manga. Or, should I say, the manga followed this story very closely. This was fairly refreshing, as often a story gets condensed when it is transferred into a visual medium.

If you haven't read the manga, but are interested in the genre, you may very well still enjoy this title. The premise of the story is that Wataru Fujii, a second year high school student accidentally switches rings, a symbol of romance and fad at his school, with the very popular third year Yuichi Kazuki, who is renowned for his gentle kindness and good looks. Kazuki's attitude towards Wataru is anything but kind, and it leads the two down a two week long path of misunderstandings, confusion and heartache, all of which revolve around their "coincidentally" matching rings. Part one is very tame, only describing a couple of very sweet kisses and dealing primarily with the boys' conflicted emotions and their complicated relationship.

The second part, The Lonely Ring Finger, occurs less than two months after the first. Kazuki is studying for his practice entrance exams for college and this causes their already strained relationship to become even more difficult as the two are not as able to spend time together. Things are complicated further when Wataru "loses" the ring that Kazuki exchanged with him, and lies about it.

Part two is considerably more heated than part one was. If more graphic depictions of [...] romance make you sqeamish, I suggest passing on the novels and stick with the manga, which stops the story after part one. If they don't make you sqeamish, the end of part two will be a beautiful climax to a beautiful story.

The translation is lacking in some places, and the numerous typoes were annoying to someone like me who is a stickler for such things, but in all, the experience was not unpleasant. The illustrations were few, but they were in fact drawn by the same illustrator as the manga, and include depictions of scenes that are not in the manga.

The read actually takes some time. Most of the novelized manga I have read so far have been very quick reads, sometimes taking as much or less time to get through than their manga counterparts, but this smaller than normal sized novel took me several hours to get all the way through.

All we can really do now is wait impatiently for volume two to come out.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Long Way Coming, March 29, 2006

By 

C.J. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Only The Ring Finger Knows Volume 1: The Lonely Ring Finger (Yaoi Novel) (v. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I fell in love with the Only the Ring Finger Knows manga way back when it was first release and there was about a total of 3 BL titles avaible in the US. Imagine my delight when I realized that the novel was finally coming to the US (especialy after a few thousand names were signed on an online petition, including mine).

The novel is split into two chapters. Those familiar with the manga, will quickly realize that the first chapter is the same story. However, it is still a joy to read and guage the subtle differences. The kisses are described so... passionately it'll make any fangirl swoon ('cause I sure did). The translation has improved slightly from the manga but you'll notice that some of the phrases are identical.

The second chapter contains a new story that follows the romance between Wataru and Yuichi. The basis of the second chapter is that a first-year girl holds Wataru's ring for hostage after speculations about his relationship with Yuichi. The ending is as sweet as it can get and it'll definately fit the tastes of long time fans.

New art is scattered between pages and the last one is definately a treat. All in all, definately a five out of five.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Absolute Must-Have!!!, May 10, 2006

By 

aamee (SEAsia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Only The Ring Finger Knows Volume 1: The Lonely Ring Finger (Yaoi Novel) (v. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I absolutely love this novel! The story itself is great to begin with; not that the manga didn't do a wonderful job bringing the characters to life, but it didn't continue the second part of the novel which was about Wataru and Yuichi's time together as a couple.

The first half of the novel titled "Only the ring finger knows" is similar to the manga, so i won't elaborate more about this part. The second part titled "The lonely ring finger" is what you should look forward to (i know i did!).

"The lonely ring finger" is a continuation of Wataru and Yuichi's relationship after they became a couple; how they try to spend time together without revealing themselves to their peers in school, a bet that is out-of this-world, etc, etc; in my opinion, this second part tells more about their "human" side and their struggles to stay together (like how any other normal couples would) despite all the mishaps and lies.

Other than a few typo errors here and there, i find this novel a joy to read and have; it's a must-have for you yaoi fans out there! I can't wait for the second novel to be released in July!!!!