Địa Cầu Online - Tập 1

地球上線 #1

by Mo Chen Huan, Mạc Thần Hoan, Viễn Đồ (dịch)

1021 tòa tháp đen kỳ lạ thình lình xuất hiện trên toàn cầu, bất kỳ nơi nào, bất kỳ thành phố nào cũng có thể nhìn thấy nó.

Đường Mạch, một nhân viên thư viện bình thường vô tình bị cuốn vào chuỗi những thử thách sinh tồn do Tháp Đen tạo ra. Bất ngờ thay, cậu còn vô tình phát hiện người bạn quen qua mạng của mình - Victor, cũng đã tham gia chinh phục Tháp Đen.

Tất cả đã bắt đầu quen với thông báo của Tháp Đen kỳ bí: “Đing đoong! Địa Cầu Online!”

552 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

About the author

Associated Names:
* Mo Chen Huan (English)
* 莫晨歡 (Chinese)
* มั่วเฉินฮวน (Thai)

Reviews

[Kosztadinovszki Vanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts quite slowly but gradually gets more interesting as the story progresses. The MC, Tang Mo, is quite annoying at times but we, the readers have to bear with him since he is alone doing his thing for the greater part of the story. He meets several people during his quest to survive in the almost apocalyptic world, but none stick around long enough to befriend them. He is not only annoying but also quite arrogant as well. He knows that he is cleverer than most people around him and doesn't mind reminding others of this fact any chance he gets. He realizes early on that if he wants to survive he needs as many abilities as he can get. It really disappointed me when he forcibly tried to take other's abilities during the school arc, who were unaware of this and wouldn't be able to defend themselves without those abilities. Tang Mo can outwit others by being the smartass he is and he already has some abilities, so he has better chances to defeat the bad guys than a random school boy, who only has that one ability to defend himself and nothing else. I was glad that Tang Mo changed for the better and later only took the abilities of bad guys, people, who were unjust to others, or even killed or attempted to kill others. That's a lot fairer while the other option is just a pathetic and disgusting move.

The games are interesting enough, my favourite was Mario's Monopoly Game. It was the most exciting part of the entire novel and it was a really clever idea. It actually gave me some Squid Game vibes as the basis was similar, i.e. a familiar game turned deadly and played until almost every player is dead.

When chaos erupts in the city, the MC, who is a librarian, tells one of the regular visitors of the library that he should've finished reading all the books in his field of interest, implying that now he will no longer be able to. The other person replies that he would've finished reading them after two days which is quite a pity considering that now he won't ever have the chance.

If you're one of those people waiting for the ML to finally appear, then don't. He doesn't. Well, technically he does a few times in passing. But don't expect a huge meeting with the MC and that together they'll fight to survive and possibly end the games against all odds. They're the main characters of this story, but they don't even meet. I was quite disappointed because of this but at least this builds up some tension so that their eventual meeting will be all the more satisfying. I can only hope this will take place in the next volume and I don't have to wait longer than that.

There're many quite humorous scenes mixed in with all the gore and sorrow that are well-balanced throughout the novel. However, some parts almost feel like a parody, while some feel very serious with all the murders depicting the change in human behaviour when one's life is at stake that makes me wonder whether this is intended as a parody or a more serious story with a deeper meaning. The almost parodistic events somehow feel out of place but the general vibe of the novel is portrayed very well. I can easily imagine that apocalyptic city with all the empty streets with abandoned cars, ransacked shops, and a few people lurking around in the shadows on the lookout to rob others for food as money no longer has value.

The novel itself is well-written. However, there're some parts where I've felt that a certain action or scene was over-explained. The reason for that certain action is evident if someone pays attention when reading, so I don't think an explanation was necessary at all by the narrator. But otherwise, it doesn't interrupt the flow of the story just feels unnecessary.

I especially liked Tang Mo's response to the question of whether he was afraid when he killed someone:

"I was a little afraid the first time I killed. But I was more worried about being killed than feeling afraid."

This sums up the motive behind the behaviour of many characters in this novel. No wonder since it's a natural human instinct to want to survive at all costs.

[mimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is of pretty epic scale. The story progresses well and escalates steadily, with the games getting harder and the Black Tower's schemes more diabolical. I like that even outside of the games, there are intrigues and different organisations of players who can be enemies or allies; that really adds to the worldbuilding and the sense of the ever-present need to remain on one's guard. I will say that some games are less interesting or even feel repetitive, but that seems somewhat inevitable in a book this length, and I do like that the games have a shared lore.

The main couple, Tang Mo and Fu Wenduo, have a relationship built on tacit understanding and trust - so there is not much overtly romantic stuff going on between them in these 245 chapters, but that feels appropriate given the book's premise, and what is there hits you right in the chest. In both the main plot and the romance arc, I felt like I was on the same page as the author. Developments are foreshadowed well and built up to and delivered satisfyingly.

The secondary characters are also endearing and unique personalities. (Aside: Mu Huixue deserved better.) And the writing has this almost cinematic quality at times, while at other times it's so silly and funny I snorted through my nose. Overall, this is not perfect, but it's quite an enjoyable ride.

Note: This review is for the entire book. Goodreads no longer has an active record of any Chinese edition that is the full book in one volume instead of across several. Boo.

[Huu Vu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lần đầu đọc vô hạn lưu, cuốn ghê. Dù không phải trò chơi nào cũng đặc sắc và hoàn toàn logic, nhân vật cũng được buff khá nhiều, nhưng mà diễn biến thì khá là dồn dập và hấp dẫn. Nhiều nhân vật phụ cũng để lại ấn tượng tốt.
Tuyến tình cảm khá ít lại càng đúng gu mình hơn :)) 5- sao.

[LinhHoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truyện sáng tạo, lôi cuốn, tình cảm chậm rãi. Mình thích.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

gas