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Kaleidoscope of Death #2

Kaleidoscope of Death Vol. 2

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It started off peculiarly; first, his domestic cat refused to let him cuddle it.

Lin Qiushi soon found that a sense of disharmony and incongruity began to pervade everything around him.

Then, one odd day, he pushed open a door, and he discovered that the hallway he was familiar with turned into a boundless corridor.

At both ends of this corridor were twelve, identical iron gates.

Thus, the story began.

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 20, 2025

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About the author

西子绪

51 books11 followers
Associated Names:
* Xi Zi Xu (English)
* 西子绪 (Simplified Chinese)
* 西子緒 (Traditional Chinese)
* ซีจื่อซวี่ (Thai)

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5 stars
215 (61%)
4 stars
108 (31%)
3 stars
23 (6%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Alexia.
459 reviews
February 10, 2026
3.5 stars.

I found this volume to be quite enjoyable, though it lacked some of the strength of the first installment. I do admit that the story arcs in this volume were much more compelling to me, and I particularly appreciated how the horror elements were executed; they still hit all the right notes and resonated with my tastes. I do hope that the author has more arcs that focus less on gore and more on the greater psychological and mental aspects of horror cause she excels at these.

The 'Woman of the Rain' arc stood out as my favorite part of the book. The setting, the atmosphere, and especially the focus on how horror can influence and play with the mind made it a truly memorable experience, almost perfect in its execution.

Lin Qiushi remains such a refreshing protagonist. His character feels very grounded and relatable, largely because he is portrayed as quite average. I particularly enjoy his deep affection for his cat, which is a charming and meaningful aspect of his character so far.

Ruan Nanzhu continues to be a humorous and entertaining character, but I must admit he somewhat disappointed me in this volume. His attitude came across as very apathetic and cold, and the feelings he supposedly has for Lin Qiushi didn't seem to be convincingly conveyed. Although he treats Lin Qiushi differently, it didn't feel like he truly harbored romantic feelings for him, which was a letdown.

Their relationship development remains steady and gradual. There's undeniable chemistry between them, but in key moments where romantic or emotional tension should surface, it often feels absent. I still enjoy their interactions, but my connection to their relationship has cooled somewhat compared to the first volume.

In conclusion, while this volume was slightly less captivating than the first, I remained engaged throughout the various story arcs. It provided enough entertainment and interesting moments to keep me immersed and eager to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Queens Love Books.
506 reviews14 followers
December 13, 2025
“If I have to walk through another doorway, so be it. Not like I can do anything to stop it, right?”

description

Sharp, eerie, and smartly constructed, this novel pulls you into a world where horror isn't just lurking in shadows—it’s layered into the fabric of every room, every memory, every silence between two people. The pacing moves confidently through three arcs that each build on the last: a controlled spiral of dread, manipulation, and emotional pressure. Just when you think you’ve figured out the rules, the story shifts gears, revealing new dimensions that deepen the unease and sharpen the intrigue. It's thoughtful horror—never cheap, never rushed.

What really stuck with me is the relationship between Ruan Nanzhu and Lin Qiushi. Their connection is quiet but potent, built on dry humor, deep trust, and a kind of subtle emotional rhythm that’s rare to see done well. It’s not loud or dramatic, but you feel the weight of it in small gestures and shared looks. Ruan Nanzhu’s understated protectiveness and Lin Qiushi’s grounded steadiness complement each other perfectly. The chemistry simmers—controlled but electric. No overexplanation, no forced romance. Just two people moving through nightmare after nightmare with an ease and reliance that says everything.

The cover design deserves a quick mention: eerie, minimal, and totally fitting. And the dust jacket? Gorgeous. This isn’t a book for readers chasing jump scares or obvious twists. It’s for those who enjoy psychological tension, clever horror, and character-driven narratives with slow, deliberate reveals. If you’re into stories that mess with your head while quietly breaking your heart, this one delivers.

Date Read: 2025.10.11
Profile Image for Dani.
70 reviews
November 11, 2025
quite enjoyed this volume. A quickish read and the main relationship is plodding along quite well. I wish the "doors" were scarier as the stories and solutions seemed a bit predictable and I didn't really get a sense of danger for the MC. I'm still really enjoying it and looking forward to the next volume.
Profile Image for Jessica .
270 reviews
February 13, 2026
I would say with a 100% certainty that I would rather die than go thru those doors, I don't have the smarts for that.
Profile Image for Mal Martin.
398 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2026
Slow burn 🔥

5/5 stars

I still love these two. Lin and Ruan are amazing together. Their personalities work so well together. I cant get enough.

The horror in this novel was beautifully written as well. Some of the things that happen even made my face scrunch up. Thats saying something considering how much horror content I absorb on a daily basis. (Horror is one of my favorite genres).

(Btw this review is for chapters 13-26)

SPOILER ALERT STOP HERE!

SERIOUSLY STOP I AM GIVING YOU ONE MORE CHANCE AS IF YOU KEEP READING IT WILL SPOIL CHAPTERS 1-26!!!

Ruan dressing as a girl and Lin knowing this and still falling for him just shows that Lin loves the individual more than he wants to admit. Ruan is calculated and calm at all times while Lin is kind and thoughtful. Together these two are a power couple that i believe can get through any door world thrown at them.

I liked the first world a bit more than the second world, the second world was horrible, but I loved the snow mountain setting. Needless to say, the mother of this world was truly horrifying and inanimate body parts moving is disturbing 😳

I still rate this 5/5 stars because more unknowns are being brought forth that make me want to keep reading (ALSO THIS SLOW BURN!!!! AHHHHHHH I NEED MORE!!!) pinch his butt again ruan!!!!

Those two have the best banter and the sarcasm the characters have is hilarious. I hope the characters from these worlds (that survived) come back into later ones. I kinda want to know if they survived or not.

Also if Ruan does this for a living (getting people out of these door worlds) does that mean Ruan has done this more than 12 times? Can someone just keep coming back? If not does that mean Lin will have to face a world alone?

I assume one of those characters has a note about the next world. Also Lin was hit in the head so does that mean he has a concussion???? So many unanswered questions that NEED TO BE RESOLVED.

Anyway….i don’t think this book is for everyone. Not everyone likes horror. But if you like BL and horror this is for you. I truly don’t know what i will read after this considering a lot of books people have recommended don’t seem to have completed translations.

Review in Portuguese below (my Portuguese isn’t the best, but i am learning so this review will be short and sweet. If any of my friends or strangers want to correct my Portuguese please go ahead!)

Eu amei este livro! BL (boy love) é o melhor! Mal posso esperar para ler mais!!! Eu amo queima lenta!! 5/5 estrelas

Profile Image for Rin.
1,128 reviews
December 31, 2025
Finished before new years 🎉

3.5⭐ rounded up because I'm really enjoying the atmosphere and the creepy worlds beyond the doors. It's like a bunch of escape room survival horrors within one larger escape room survival horror and I'm here for it. This would make a really fun anime or video game.
54 reviews
January 25, 2026
4.5. I wouldn't have thought a series could so perfectly mix horror and gore, and comedy and fluff. I can't wait for the rest.
Profile Image for Rowan S.
23 reviews
July 15, 2025
my [redacted] reading habits make it hard to use this but i want my stupid reading challenge to go up and all i’ve been reading is danmei so … i really can’t get enough of this world or these characters!!! such a compelling story and the horror/tension is such a huge draw for me—the author really manages to keep it alive and genuinely creates some terrifying moments!! the protagonist’s halo is super strong BUT i’m not opposed to it because otherwise i would genuinely be constantly fearing for his life. i really love how his character is written too. i love kindness that doesn’t go above reason and generosity but not to the point of self destruction! add slight unhingedness and you have the ideal guy ^^
Profile Image for Anita.
325 reviews10 followers
October 26, 2025
”A pleasant warmth spread throughout his body at the thought of being trusted by another wholeheartedly.”

This is still really enjoyable. And please, the characters are so funny, even when surrounded by all the morbid stuff. We still know very little about the characters themselves, especially Ruan Nanzhu. We’re getting closer to the halfway mark and will be expecting more going forward. The action has slowly been building, and the story behind every door is still solid, but I’m lacking character development. Since we’ve almost reached door seven now, I’m also expecting there to be less “unexpected hints” to save them at the last minute.
Profile Image for Niki.reads.rainbow.
343 reviews30 followers
January 29, 2026
This is honestly so good. The concept is interesting, and I love the dynamic between Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu.
Profile Image for lisa.
166 reviews
Did Not Finish
March 4, 2026
dnf. I do see myself picking this back up in the future. The core story is amazing but I’m just not in the mood to trudge through pointless sexism.
Profile Image for ares.
24 reviews
November 23, 2025
I love KoD. Not one bad/boring chapter. ∞/10, can't wait for vol.3 & 4.
Profile Image for Ticha_11.
914 reviews13 followers
March 27, 2026
The 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge - March Mini-Challenge: Case #3

3.5 stars

Finally!!! I get to continue this series whoop whoop. And I got 3 books to read all in one go!

So, I feel like this book is not as good as the first one, buuuuut it's still so darn enjoyable.

We now know how this works (kinda) so we see Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu facing more challenges together through this doors. It's already evident that Ruan Nanzhu really likes Lin Qiushi, but of course, won't admit it to his face, so he is very possessively protecting him through this doors. Which we love to seeeee.

I also felt the stakes were a bit low and only towards the end I feared for the main characters, the other challenges seemed easy, but maybe it's because they were considered relatively easy doors, especially considering how good is Ruan Nanzhu in solving these puzzles.

We also meet one new character that is so infatuated Ruan Nanzhu cross dressing version, it's quite funny.

Hoping Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu relationship evolves a bit more, I felt that not much happened with this two during this book.
Profile Image for Jolien.
32 reviews
March 8, 2026
5 ⭐️
I especially enjoyed the constant bickering between Tan Zaozao and Ruan Nanzhu.
Cheng Qianli is another highlight! His playful & childish energy adds a refreshing balance to the darker parts of the story. Li Dongyuan also brings a lot of humor, constantly trying to get Meng Zu’s attention/good side while completely unaware that Meng Zu is actually Ruan Nanzhu.
The worldbuilding remains one of the novel’s strongest aspects, with each Door presenting a different layered story. The Sachan Door in particular was heartbreaking, the girl’s story was just tragic. Even though she was killing people, the students had treated her far worse.
I’m really curious about the next Door. I love how the dynamic has shifted now that Lin Qiushi is the one crossdressing instead of Ruan Nanzhi inside the door.
Just like in the first volume, their dynamic both inside and outside the Doors is one of my favorite parts of the story. Ruan Nanzhu somehow becomes even more shameless, while Lin Qiushi slowly starts to accept it. Their interactions made me laugh several times. Just love them!
Profile Image for Hane.
39 reviews
November 24, 2025
chicooos si estaban todos los volumenes aca en goodreads no sabiaaaa
Profile Image for Elmax.
128 reviews
December 8, 2025
Still a load of fun, but the misogyny gets tiring :/
Profile Image for Mochinoona.
5 reviews
March 5, 2026
4.8 stars!

How to express love? Dressing them in drag! Lol Jk. Poor Qiushi be running for his life while sleeping beauty is off in dream world—dead to the world!
Profile Image for skye.
41 reviews
March 11, 2026
door 4, 5 and 6
took me way too long to finish, I don't even remember how it happened in here, the show keeps running at the back of my mind.
Profile Image for Lilly.
147 reviews
May 14, 2026
So far my favourite doors are the one with the rain woman and the mirror hotel
Profile Image for V~.
121 reviews14 followers
December 22, 2025
4.8/5 🌟

The weather was actually a bit warm, so two grown men snuggling together should have been hot and stinky. But Ruan Nanzhu exuded a faint fragrance that was refreshing and not feminine. It was the first time that Lin Qiushi had smelled it.

He couldn't help himself. "Mengmeng, you smell really good."

Ruan Nanzhu said, "It must be..."

"Hm?"

"The smell of a virgin."

Lin Qiushi rolled his eyes. If I didn't know your package was bigger than mine, I might have actually believed that. Virgin fragrance? God be damned.

In the end, Lin Qiushi never figured out why Ruan Nanzhu smelled so good. But that didn't matter; Ruan Nanzhu was his personal sleeping pill. Lin Qiushi fell asleep almost instantly. He blinked, and it was morning.


Me: (≖⩊≖)Teehee
Also me: (੭ ˊ^ˋ)੭ ♡

🔹🔹🔹

Just when you thought it couldn't get any creepier and you can't get more creept out, think again! The amount of creepy that happened in this book is insane... But why is it so good?? Σ(°△° ꪱꪱꪱ)

We got to see more insane worlds. More banter. More flirting. More cross dressing! Wait— what? Yes, and now it's not just our king of drag, he's making his cute boy dress up too and I'm so excited for this next arc!! Lololol ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)

I was a little sad at some moments because it felt like Ruan Nanzhu was ready to just be cold and leave our Qiushi out in the dust. Spending time with others; acting really cold to him, but then you get surprised because you're again reminded just how special he treats him.
(*´▽`*)❀.

Qiushi is a very interesting character because we don't really get to see a whole lot of his personal feelings and comes across as someone with only apathy and sometimes fear. We don't see things like anger, jealousy, and greed. I think as we have slowly seen very sweet and vulnerable sides of himself emerge, we will be able to see those more negative and raw emotions come out. I look forward and am SO excited to see those emotions pop up... Hopefully they will. Both protagonist are such a ride to read, I can't get enough of their moments together!

Other times we see Qiushi's sadness, like when his fur baby Chestnut won't snuggle with him, and even at the end seeing one of the twins freaking out over his brother almost dying. We saw a pang in Qiushi's heart. (•̯́ ^ •̯̀)
And then there's times that we see him bipanic!
₍₍⚞(˶˃ ꒳ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾
Like the quote below:

🔹🔹🔹

"No? I'm not attractive enough, then?" Ruan Nanzhu stepped upto Lin Qiushi, his towering figure and imposing presence creating immense pressure.

Lin Qiushi wanted nothing more than to step back but ultimately resisted the urge. "That's n-not what I meant. It's just... I'm not used to it."

*Okay." Ruan Nanzhu said. "So, do you prefer Zhu Meng or me?"

Lin Qiushi blinked dumbly. Aren't you the same person? What kind of question is that?

"So?"

Lin Qiushi's survival instincts gave him the answer. He suppressed his emerging honesty and calmly replied, "Of course, I prefer you, boss."

Only then did Ruan Nanzhu show a faint smile. Lin Qiushi breathed a sigh of relief.


🔹🔹🔹

This boy be checking out Ruan Nanzhu and blushing and it's the cutest f***ing thing ever! Hehehehe. (,,¬﹏¬,,)

I'm scared of what's to come. I'm scared now that they mentioned a veteran that was close to RNZ having died at level 9. How much closer can the two be close to death? Qiushi nearly died TWICE in this volume... What about RNZ... I fear for him. He's still human and all of these people are living on borrowed time. ( TДT)
_(°:з」∠)_
Profile Image for Precociousp .
293 reviews
March 13, 2026
Picking up right where the first volume left off, Kaleidoscope of Death Vol. 2 raises the stakes across its three arcs, plunging readers deeper into a meticulously crafted nightmare. This series represents the danmei genre at its most refined, where horror is built not on cheap shocks, but on atmosphere, psychological tension, and the quiet dread that seeps into every corner of the story. The devil is in the details—from the texture of every room to fractured memories, to the heavy silences that linger between two people when words feel too dangerous.

The pacing is razor-sharp, drawing readers into a controlled spiral of fear, manipulation, and emotional pressure. Each arc tightens the noose just a little more, allowing the horror to breathe while never letting the tension break. You don’t just witness the characters’ fear—you feel it, alongside them.

At the heart of all this darkness is the relationship between Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu, which adds an unexpectedly tender emotional core. Their connection is subtle but intensely magnetic, built on dry humor, unspoken understanding, and a growing trust forged in moments where survival depends on absolute faith in one another. The romance unfolds quietly, in glances and shared instincts, making it all the more powerful against the backdrop of relentless horror.

Like the first volume, Kaleidoscope of Death Vol. 2 earns a confident five stars.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews