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Goosebumps 2000 #18
The Horror of the Black Ring
Beth's new teacher, Miss GoLd, has been acting strange ever since she found a ring in the school parking lot. She writes scary messages on the board, and her house bums down! When Miss Gold loses the ring, Beth finds it. Suddenly, strange things are happening to Beth. Evil things...
108 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1999
20 people are currently reading
1063 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stine
1,679 books18.6k followersRobert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 8, 2020
The Horror of the Black Ring - Loaded with scare!
Nail-bitingly written.
Terrifying children with words - that is Mr. Stine for you.
July 26, 2022
I read all 25 Goosebumps Series 2000 books for a 2-hour YouTube video, where I reviewed and ranked them all, which you can check out here: https://youtu.be/VsNwNpeqgLo
April 29, 2022
Really did not expect to like this as much as I did. Just a really warm and comfy book with some genuinely horrifying moments. A common criticism I hear is that it is similar to The Haunted Mask and yes that's true to a point but it's an established set up in horror anyway. What sets it apart is how this one lets you spend alot of time with Beth way before she gets the ring so you get a good sense of her personality (how good hearted she is and how she gets mistreated by peers). By the time she starts doing evil deeds you really feel for her (by extension Miss Gold which is one of the best adult characters in the Gooseverse, love the contrast of how the adult deals with the evil vs the kid).
The carnival scene where everything starts moving and spinning is actually effective and frightening (shout-out to the carnival setting which is a really fun vibe). Afterwards the book goes into deeper waters with the most emotional part of the book, just really nerve wracking stuff. The ending is really powerful with the bird being given purpose and meaning after death, it's quite poetic and feels like such a defining moment for Beth (wish Stine was this poetic more often or treated dead animals with this much respect). Do have alot of love and respect for this book, it takes a very familiar concept and treats it with alot of love and care, very much behind this one!
Side note: The twist is fine and does it's job. It doesn't undo all the growth and progression of the character/themes so it's cool. Also it's nice that a tumultuous sibling relationship is given some dimension, there's some parts where you can tell they truly care about each other beneath the conflict.
The carnival scene where everything starts moving and spinning is actually effective and frightening (shout-out to the carnival setting which is a really fun vibe). Afterwards the book goes into deeper waters with the most emotional part of the book, just really nerve wracking stuff. The ending is really powerful with the bird being given purpose and meaning after death, it's quite poetic and feels like such a defining moment for Beth (wish Stine was this poetic more often or treated dead animals with this much respect). Do have alot of love and respect for this book, it takes a very familiar concept and treats it with alot of love and care, very much behind this one!
Side note: The twist is fine and does it's job. It doesn't undo all the growth and progression of the character/themes so it's cool. Also it's nice that a tumultuous sibling relationship is given some dimension, there's some parts where you can tell they truly care about each other beneath the conflict.
October 27, 2025
I figured it would be fun to read The Horrors Of The Black Ring from the Goosebumps Series 2000 book series,because if you don't know I'm engaged and it's close to Halloween,and I remembered this book had to do with a carnival and a ring,so you get the picture.The story follows our main protagonist Beth.She and her sister are outside when this neighborhood guy that Beth doesn't like almost runs over a hurt bird.We get a little background on this kid.His names Anthony and he loves bothering Beth.He tries to run over this bird,but Beth saves it.Amanda is kinda a brat and laughs when this kid Anthony drives over a worm.Beth goes to school and we are introduced to Mrs.Gold.Beth notices she has a ring on her finger and Beth freaks out,because she claims to see a face in the ring.Mrs.Gold explains she found this ring on the sidewalk and is simply wearing it until somebody claims it.Later that day,Beth hears a scream and rushes to the classroom and sees this writing on the board that says the carnival is doomed over and over agian.She leaves from there and goes into a room with wrecked art all of them are messed up besides this kid Anthony's.It all looks like the carnival is being sabotaged,because Anthony is jealous of Beth,because Beth is the coordinator for this thing.Beth gets home and Amanda wants to orgonize barbies,Beth refuses this and later that night she finds a cow eyeball in her bed followed by a creepy phone call warning her about the carnival.The cow eyeball came from Amanda's friend in school he got from a project.The next day is the carnival and this is where this book gets really good.First Beth brings her little sister with her.Beth bites into a brownie and it has maggots in it.This other kid ends up getting put into a dunk tank and it has boiling hot water.They get him out,and the whole gym starts shaking.They see lights begin to flicker and see this hoooded figure walk through.There is also wasps flying around. It grabs Amanda and cops begin to chase this figure.The cops eventually catch this person and it's revealed to be Mrs.Gold.I was so shocked at this scene.I didn't remember any of this when i first read it.The police haul the teacher away and her ring falls off.Beth picks up the ring and automatically puts it on almost hypnotized.After this we get the whole Haunted mask kinda story.Beth has a dream about kids with duck bodies and in the dream she rips off the duck heads,complete with blood.When she wakes up,she finds out she just destroyed Amandas room.Beth rips Anthonys bike apart with her bare hands.She breaks his sunglasses and then just starts going crazy.She stuffs a random kid in a locker.She locks a hamster inside a classroom along with a cat.She breaks Amanda's Barbies.Beth cant help doing evil things, and she wants to stop.There is a bike-a-thon kinda thing at the end of this book and she finally refuses to do this rings bidding.This is the climax ,so I'll stop here.This book was amazing.I didn't expect to like this book even more as an adult ,but I did.I loved how dark and violent this book got.I remember not loving the ending when i first read it,but this time it worked.I also forgot the ring actually talked.I give Horrors Of The Black Ring a five out of five stars.I do wish we learned more about the rings origins,but other then that this was pure carnage.
March 6, 2021
This one was okay. The whole first half of the book is very much akin to "Phantom of the Auditorium", whereas the whole second half of the book is very similar to "The Haunted Mask".
This entry in the series really is another retread of ideas (as most GB books are) in a slightly different shape and form. I do really like the concept of it being a ring this time around, and the 'evil spirit' being trapped in the ring and controlling or influencing the wearer of it (sounds almost like the ring from LOTR), but I feel like this story wasn't executed the best. There is a long, slow build during the first half of the book, that again, feels very much like a retread of Phantom of the Auditorium. The real action and conflict doesn't really present itself until the third act of the book, towards the middle/end of the second half, when our protagonist comes into contact with the ring and she has to fight the evil for herself.
As I said, I do really like the whole concept of Good vs. Evil, the evil spirit / powers inhabiting an inanimate object, etc., but it doesn't really come into play until pretty late in the story and it made the whole ending of the story feel very abrubt. I think it could have been explored a little more. I would have liked to see Beth's battle with the ring more than we do. Also, the resolution, while not entirely bad, was a little silly and almost too "convenient". The twist ending was very typical and predictable; again, it's an ending that we've seen many times before in GB books.
Overall, good concept and ideas, some creepy moments, but really nothing new here that hasn't been done before. Just a reskinned and recovered GB book that, while it's not bad, it's not spectacular either.
I give this one a 3.25 / 5
This entry in the series really is another retread of ideas (as most GB books are) in a slightly different shape and form. I do really like the concept of it being a ring this time around, and the 'evil spirit' being trapped in the ring and controlling or influencing the wearer of it (sounds almost like the ring from LOTR), but I feel like this story wasn't executed the best. There is a long, slow build during the first half of the book, that again, feels very much like a retread of Phantom of the Auditorium. The real action and conflict doesn't really present itself until the third act of the book, towards the middle/end of the second half, when our protagonist comes into contact with the ring and she has to fight the evil for herself.
As I said, I do really like the whole concept of Good vs. Evil, the evil spirit / powers inhabiting an inanimate object, etc., but it doesn't really come into play until pretty late in the story and it made the whole ending of the story feel very abrubt. I think it could have been explored a little more. I would have liked to see Beth's battle with the ring more than we do. Also, the resolution, while not entirely bad, was a little silly and almost too "convenient". The twist ending was very typical and predictable; again, it's an ending that we've seen many times before in GB books.
Overall, good concept and ideas, some creepy moments, but really nothing new here that hasn't been done before. Just a reskinned and recovered GB book that, while it's not bad, it's not spectacular either.
I give this one a 3.25 / 5
October 4, 2023
7/10
My only problem with this book is that the stuff only starts happening on like page 40 (I think) so then the story feels really rushed.
My only problem with this book is that the stuff only starts happening on like page 40 (I think) so then the story feels really rushed.
September 3, 2020
This book's claim to fame is that it's 108 pages, making the shortest book in a series that is already pretty short on average. That does mean it is fairly basic and feels like a throwaway, but honestly I thought it was pretty good given all that. It's basically The Haunted Mask, where a nice girl gets supported by the evils of an object she wears.
It also an element Son of Slappy would later use with the protagonist is especially nice and the evil starts making them do things they usually hate being done to them. While some elements in that work better, this is better overall since Beth came across as a tad more likable and had a few flaws that made her feel a bit more realistic. She makes this book, she's one of the most likable protagonists in the series and she gets in some cute moments with a baby bird. It works to contrast later, as she even starts to see why Anthony, a bully, enjoys being a jerk when she is under the ring's power.
In contrast, Anthony is an especially hatable bully but it's balanced out with Miss Gold being easily the best teacher int he series. Of course that's done in contrast to how the ring corrupts her, as she puts it on first. The structure is odd but it works, as the ring is introduced on page 7 with Gold wearing it and bad things start happening then a bit over midway through, Beth puts it on.
The bad things that happen start off basic but get especially messed up in interesting ways. In some ways, it feels closer to a later Fear Street book, especially with a dream sequence that has a bit that reveals the opening of Wanted the Haunted Mask. Yes, really. Although this does lean into bad things towards animals, including one part near the end that's just sad, not even trying to be scary.
The 108 page things mostly hurts the second half, as Beth should have turned evil slightly earlier on and this school carnival should have been the climax and not just be a thing in the middle as it feels way more wild. I don't mind not getting a ton of info on the ring but the nature of it and what happens in the climax does some questions that could have been answered fairly easily.
But as it is, it works well and I'd only fix a few things here and there. Also, the annoying younger sibling is especially annoying which is odd because it almost tries an arc with her wanting Beth to hang with her more but that's just sorta dropped.
Overall, not the most standout entry in Series 2000 but it has enough to make it pretty enjoyable and memorable.
(Also, there's a part where the principal wants to keep the carnival going even though there's tons of terrible things going on that should serve as a sign to not do it. Gee, I wonder why that feels relevant right now lol)
It also an element Son of Slappy would later use with the protagonist is especially nice and the evil starts making them do things they usually hate being done to them. While some elements in that work better, this is better overall since Beth came across as a tad more likable and had a few flaws that made her feel a bit more realistic. She makes this book, she's one of the most likable protagonists in the series and she gets in some cute moments with a baby bird. It works to contrast later, as she even starts to see why Anthony, a bully, enjoys being a jerk when she is under the ring's power.
In contrast, Anthony is an especially hatable bully but it's balanced out with Miss Gold being easily the best teacher int he series. Of course that's done in contrast to how the ring corrupts her, as she puts it on first. The structure is odd but it works, as the ring is introduced on page 7 with Gold wearing it and bad things start happening then a bit over midway through, Beth puts it on.
The bad things that happen start off basic but get especially messed up in interesting ways. In some ways, it feels closer to a later Fear Street book, especially with a dream sequence that has a bit that reveals the opening of Wanted the Haunted Mask. Yes, really. Although this does lean into bad things towards animals, including one part near the end that's just sad, not even trying to be scary.
The 108 page things mostly hurts the second half, as Beth should have turned evil slightly earlier on and this school carnival should have been the climax and not just be a thing in the middle as it feels way more wild. I don't mind not getting a ton of info on the ring but the nature of it and what happens in the climax does some questions that could have been answered fairly easily.
But as it is, it works well and I'd only fix a few things here and there. Also, the annoying younger sibling is especially annoying which is odd because it almost tries an arc with her wanting Beth to hang with her more but that's just sorta dropped.
Overall, not the most standout entry in Series 2000 but it has enough to make it pretty enjoyable and memorable.
(Also, there's a part where the principal wants to keep the carnival going even though there's tons of terrible things going on that should serve as a sign to not do it. Gee, I wonder why that feels relevant right now lol)
June 25, 2022
Fatoni Maraton Goosebumps Series 2000
Buku 18 dari 25
Beth adalah salah satu panitia festival di sekolahnya. Dia giat sekali mempersiapkannya bersama teman-temannya. Namun, bencana demi bencana menimpa persiapan mereka. Dan hanya dia yang sadar bahwa kesemuanya ini berhubungan dengan sebuah cincin hitam yang dipakai oleh guru mereka.
Ceritanya layaknya Goosebumps klasik: misterius, beberapa momen horor, dan twisted ending yang memuaskan. Latarnya juga sekolah sehingga hal-hal yang terjadi lebih membumi ketimbang 2 buku terakhir. Aku suka.
Buku 18 dari 25
Beth adalah salah satu panitia festival di sekolahnya. Dia giat sekali mempersiapkannya bersama teman-temannya. Namun, bencana demi bencana menimpa persiapan mereka. Dan hanya dia yang sadar bahwa kesemuanya ini berhubungan dengan sebuah cincin hitam yang dipakai oleh guru mereka.
Ceritanya layaknya Goosebumps klasik: misterius, beberapa momen horor, dan twisted ending yang memuaskan. Latarnya juga sekolah sehingga hal-hal yang terjadi lebih membumi ketimbang 2 buku terakhir. Aku suka.
April 20, 2011
One of my favortie Goosebumps books.
November 5, 2014
Do ANY of his books end happily or atleast... normally?
Anyway, a fast-paced, scary read with the most unimaginable plot twists EVER. :D
Anyway, a fast-paced, scary read with the most unimaginable plot twists EVER. :D
May 28, 2024
Really enjoyed this one. Interesting start as the main character is normally in possession of the “cursed” item at the beginning but this time it was one of the side characters which was affected by the ring for a little bit less than half the book. Characters were pretty good especially seeing Beth slowly do evil things (especially to the Anthony kid who deserved it). I was pretty shocked by Beth’s dream sequence in the book which was very odd and graphic for a kids book, trust me you gotta read it to believe me 😂. Ending felt a bit coincidental as such but I understand they have to find a reason to end the book so I respect that. 4/5 solid read shocked me a bit but I remember a lot about it and enjoyed it
November 26, 2020
I am not giving a 4-star rating because I am biased...
Okay, maybe I am!
It's Mr R. L. Stine after all! How could I not be biased about this? xD
So, it's been a favourite of mine ever since I was a kid. I watched the "Goosebumps" (poor graphics and old as hell) show and I liked it. It was decent.
The book is a decent read although I expected a bit more from it.
But... it had the appropriate amount of creepiness in the form of that black mysterious ring. Although I'd appreciate learning more about the 'black ring', it was a fun read for me overall.
Anyone who wants a light version of horror and creepiness, you should got for it! Dig right in it! ;)
Okay, maybe I am!
It's Mr R. L. Stine after all! How could I not be biased about this? xD
So, it's been a favourite of mine ever since I was a kid. I watched the "Goosebumps" (poor graphics and old as hell) show and I liked it. It was decent.
The book is a decent read although I expected a bit more from it.
But... it had the appropriate amount of creepiness in the form of that black mysterious ring. Although I'd appreciate learning more about the 'black ring', it was a fun read for me overall.
Anyone who wants a light version of horror and creepiness, you should got for it! Dig right in it! ;)
September 2, 2017
Anelli birichini
L'ottantesimo volume della collana - siamo oramai negli anni 2000 - si va a barcamenare nei classici ingredienti che hanno reso famoso questi famigerati volumetti: la gente si diverte a mettere i vermi nei pranzi altrui (normalissimo), mentre nelle feste di primavera le uniche a divertirsi sono le vespe che imperversano sugli sventurati ragazzini, manco ci fossero le Piaghe d'Egitto in modalità on.
Il finale ha un suo dignitoso guizzo narrativo, tolto il telefonatissimo plot twist che ci fa capire che siamo oramai di casa.
Divertente.
L'ottantesimo volume della collana - siamo oramai negli anni 2000 - si va a barcamenare nei classici ingredienti che hanno reso famoso questi famigerati volumetti: la gente si diverte a mettere i vermi nei pranzi altrui (normalissimo), mentre nelle feste di primavera le uniche a divertirsi sono le vespe che imperversano sugli sventurati ragazzini, manco ci fossero le Piaghe d'Egitto in modalità on.
Il finale ha un suo dignitoso guizzo narrativo, tolto il telefonatissimo plot twist che ci fa capire che siamo oramai di casa.
Divertente.
November 5, 2023
"Horrors of the Black Ring" was part of my October tbr and it had all the cozy, yet spooky elements that I craved. It's the perfect book one should read on a rainy night, when the wind howls like a banshee and somewhere far away a storm is brewing.
This story is eerie, has dark twists and a good, yet predictable ending. Still i missed the spark of horror itself and the little sister of the protagonist was much creepier than the cursed artefact itself.
February 18, 2025
This was the final Series 2000 book I read and it is great. The book is essentially a repeat of The Haunted Mask but much darker and the villain is better. I think it's a bit better than The Haunted Mask. 10/10
April 2, 2025
I appreciate the Lord of the Rings homage but this was a fairly dull story that could have gone further. Also felt tame, like it should have been part of the original 62. I have to say, only a few of the Series 2000 books feel more intense than the original series.
May 5, 2017
in 1 uur uitgelezen. leuk voor de jeugd, vroeger was ik gek op zulke boeken.
July 13, 2017
Si tratta del solito Stine: inizio da paura...che però poi si scopre essere un falso allarme. seguono altri falsi allarmi mentre il lettore si chiede quando finalmente accadrà qualcosa di realmente pauroso...e finalmente accade. Ci si ritrova allora a vivere concitati momenti fino alla fine...tutto sembra finire bene e invece il lettore viene lasciato col fiato in gola di fronte alla prospettiva di una continuazione dei piccoli brividi...
Ebbene sì, è un genere letterario ben definito eppure in queste brevi regole l'autore riesce sempre a catturarti, anche molti anni dopo l'età ideale per leggere un piccolo brivido...sempre che tale età esista :)
Ebbene sì, è un genere letterario ben definito eppure in queste brevi regole l'autore riesce sempre a catturarti, anche molti anni dopo l'età ideale per leggere un piccolo brivido...sempre che tale età esista :)
May 16, 2018
Classic goosebumps book, enjoyed it!
September 4, 2023
إبداع👏👏👏
October 26, 2023
It's a decent book, cool idea, black Ring. Thought it could have been written most better, but it's ok. Recommend for people who want to read for fun.
Read
April 3, 2024One of my fav goosebumps book! Its litterally a cool scary and interesting plot in this book, i swear its worth reading..
September 10, 2024
Just… was there a monster backlash? Did we the youths become too cool for monsters in the late 90s? Because I’m sensing a hesitation to go there.
March 29, 2025
This was super short and the pacing was way off, but the ending was awesome.
March 30, 2025
Am das meiste kann ich mich nicht mehr erinnern. Weiss aber noch, dass es nicht so gut war.
October 20, 2025
Storia interessante se fosse stata scritta da qualcuno di bravo.
November 13, 2025
I've watched a few old goosebumps lately and decided to grab one of the books. so cute!!
November 13, 2015
A bland rehash of The Haunted Mask and Night of the Living Dummy. Stuff keeps getting destroyed and evil messages are left everywhere before a girl gets possessed by a ring and begins wreaking havoc. Been there, done that. By this point, Stine and/or his ghostwriters were just recycling earlier ideas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2016
Interesting. Better than I thought it was going to be, given what has been said about this Goosebumps series ( note: I totally get all of my information from Blogger Beware, so, ), and I did enjoy it. It was. Interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews