The First Guide เล่ม 1

The First Guide #1

by Die Zhiling, 蝶之灵, เตี๋ยจือหลิง

‘ลู่เจ๋อเซวียน’ คือเซนติเนลระดับ S พลตรีผู้ครองตำแหน่งหัวหน้าหน่วยรบฟอลคอนอันเกรียงไกรแห่งสหพันธรัฐ ไม่เคยมีภารกิจใดที่เขานำทัพแล้วจะไม่สำเร็จ ไม่เคยมีศัตรูใดที่สามารถต้านทานคมดาบของเขา

จนกระทั่งภารกิจหนึ่ง ลู่เจ๋อเซวียนได้ช่วยเหลือ ‘อวี้หราน’ ไกด์ระดับ C บนดวงดาวอันกันดารห่างไกล อีกฝ่ายเป็นเด็กหนุ่มที่ดูใสซื่อบริสุทธิ์เหมือนกับไม่มีทางทำเรื่องเลวร้ายได้

ทว่ารอบตัวเด็กหนุ่มกลับค่อยๆ มีคนตายทีละคน แม้ไม่พบหลักฐานที่เกี่ยวข้อง แต่ลู่เจ๋อเซวียนกลับนึกสงสัยว่าคนลงมืออาจเป็นอวี้หราน สัญชาตญาณของเขาไม่ไว้ใจเด็กหนุ่มที่ดูไร้พิษภัยคนนี้ใต้

รอยยิ้มใสซื่อนั้น…ซุกซ่อนความลับบางอย่างไว้

378 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2024

About the author

Associated Names:
* Die Zhiling (English)
* 蝶之灵 / 蝶之靈 (Chinese)
* Điệp Chí Linh (Vietnamese)
* เตี๋ยจือหลิง (Thai)

Reviews

[Yan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just didn’t really click for me. I think the setting of the world is explored an okay amount, but the overreaching plot was just lacking any semblance of risk and tension.

You sort of just feel like most things are solved pretty much instantly- there is always an answer for everything. I liked the main characters individually, but I did not really understand the ‘click’ moment. At times it did feel like their relationship started because of their guide essence compatibility or whatnot. There wasn’t much exploration on the characters’ likes and dislikes, hobby, etc. as individuals in the context of their relationship.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinese title: 星际第一向导
English title: First Interstellar Guide

I haven't read a sci-fi story in a while, so I decided to pick up this book on a whim and I'm glad I did! I finished it almost in one sitting, so you can tell I was pretty hooked onto the story.

The story takes place in an interstellar era where some portion of humanity has evolved into sentinels and guides. Sentinels have improved physical abilities, while guides have improved mental abilities. Sentinels are prone to mental breakdown when using their abilities, while guides with strong mental energy can navigate the mental worlds of sentinels and soothe their emotions. Therefore, sentinels and guides are also considered the most suitable partners for each other, and there are programs to match sentinels and guides together.

I've read other stories with a similar setting, but one difference here is that each evolved human also has a spirit body in the form of an animal. The sentinels and guides each have different unique abilities based on their animal. Also, it seems like there is some similarity to ABO worlds in that guides can go into heat and give birth. Wasn't expecting this part at all.

The story starts with our MC, Yu Ran, getting picked up from a remote planet by the ML, Lu Zexuan. Lu Zexuan, commander of the Eagle Special Forces, is there for a mission to deal with rampaging beasts. As part of his efforts, he comes across Yu Ran hiding in his family's cake shop and takes him back to the ship for treatment. Little does he know, Yu Ran is a super powerful guide pretending to be a clueless and weak newly awakened guide for some reason. Yu Ran uses his mental abilities to influence some corrupt officials to kill themselves, so right off the bat we're left with a lot of questions about his actions. I initially thought it was a simple case of having a personal grudge against these corrupt officials, but turns out his motivations are much deeper than that.

**Warning: Spoilers Ahead**

I thought the story was written very well. It was fast-paced and had me constantly guessing what was going on as the mystery deepens. The main characters are both likable, especially the MC, and the cast of side characters are fleshed out as well. This is the first story I've read (at least in recent memory) where the main character is a double agent, so it was super thrilling to read about how he balances his actions towards both sides. Plus, despite the fact that his powers are pretty OP, there are some close situations where he almost gets caught or has to scramble to come up with a way to trick the enemy, so it was exciting enough to keep me on the edge of my seat.

I really liked how the relationship between Yu Ran and Lu Zexuan developed. Initially LZX doesn't trust Yu Ran at all, not only because of the suspicious deaths but also because Yu Ran's scent smells familiar to him, and Yu Ran is frustrated with LZX's constant probing of him which makes it harder for him to complete his tasks. Eventually Yu Ran eliminates LZX's suspicions and LZX starts developing some light feelings for Yu Ran, only to be doused in cold water suddenly when Yu Ran shows his true abilities and reveals his true identity in front of him. While LZX is initially hurt by the truth, he slowly gets over it especially once he learns the truth of Yu Ran's past and everything he's suffered to reach this point.

Once the wall is fully down between them and they bond mentally, they start working together as true partners and their actions working together are completely seamless. They have full trust in each other. For example, at one point, Yu Ran completely blocks LZX's senses in fear that he will react to something and give the game away that he's not under Yu Ran's control, and LZX completely trusts Yu Ran to do so.

I personally enjoyed the first half of the story more, when the MC and ML hadn't started working together yet and there was a lot of distrust. Their dynamics were much more interesting at that point imo. After the mental bond, the focus of the novel shifted 100% to solving the Dark Night Organization and figuring out who was behind it. This part was also interesting but felt a bit more straightforward, though the author did leave us guessing a bit on who the bad guys were.

Would recommend to anyone looking for sci-fi intrigue with smart main characters!

[Trâm Nguyễn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truyện được được chuyển ngữ qua tiếng Việt với tên "Người dẫn đường số một vũ trụ"

[Ili Anuar · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better scifi stories I've ever read. The story is so good! I enjoyed the plot, great worldbuilding and the characters were all wonderful. Predictable sometimes but I loved reading about all the different planets and intergalactic creatures. I finished the 138 chapters in two days! Truly an enjoyable read.

[Nattapan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this first book, the relationship and the confrontation of the two main characters are few and far between.

[pn · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25/5)

[Ning · Rating 4 out of 5]

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