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絶対ナル孤独者 [Zettai naru Kodokusha] (Novel) #2
The Igniter
An alien parasite living inside of Minoru Utsugi gives him the power of Isolation--an unbreakable shield that surrounds his body. With this power, he's managed to defeat an evil Ruby Eye. Having done so, he's invited by the Accelerator--a girl named Yumiko--to join a mysterious organization, whose goal is to defend humanity from the threat of the Ruby Eyes. Minoru agrees to join, with one condition: Once he has fulfilled his duty, the Syndicate will erase all memory of his existence from the world--for Minoru seeks a world without any knowledge of him, a world of total and perfect isolation.
But his next enemy is cunning and deadly, with the ability to manipulate oxygen itself: the Igniter. In the face of this all-consuming inferno, what will become of the Isolator?
But his next enemy is cunning and deadly, with the ability to manipulate oxygen itself: the Igniter. In the face of this all-consuming inferno, what will become of the Isolator?
200 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2015
13 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Reki Kawahara
284 books913 followersKawahara Reki (川原礫) is the writer of Sword Art Online and Accel World. He also uses the pen name Kunori Fumio. His hobby is cycling.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 14, 2016
Unlike bk 1, bk 2 of the Isolator didn’t touch me emotionally, but it was still a good read.
Where bk 1 focused on Utsugi facing off with the Biter, bk 2 develops the plot.
Not only do the jet eyes have an organization, but the red eyes have one too. Characters are introduced that will no doubt influence the direction of the story. And even the mysteries behind the third eye’s powers are touched on.
A lot of thought was put into this and I really appreciate how the author tries to make the fantastical situation make sense.
It’s surprising how much was explained in this bk, considering it’s shorter than bk 1 and the font is bigger, but I have to hand it to the author. He did a good job not wasting time.
Now, about Utsugi.
I empathized with him in bk 1, and I still empathized with him in bk 2, parts of him remind me of who I used to be, but sometimes he just felt annoying. Luckily the way the book was written he never came off as too annoying.
I learned two things about him I didn’t expect. One, he’s so detached from reality and other people that the lives of others don’t affect him, which makes sense so I’m glad the author went there. I even like how he explained his actions in the first bk as selfish.
The second thing is, he has no romantic feelings for anyone. A girl he describes as beautiful gives him mouth to mouth and she’s more bothered than he is. To him it wasn’t a big deal, and that made me realize, he’s not attracted to anyone. Possibly because of his detachment from others, or maybe the way he’s lived so far he doesn’t realize social cues?
It’s funny, a character asks Utsugi if he’d still want to erase everyone’s memories of himself if there was a girl who loved him. He answered that she’d be disappointed in him and lose interest. But I think they both missed the point. Even if a girl fell for Utsugi, if he doesn’t fall for her than it doesn’t matter. I hope this issue continues to be addressed, but the moment between Utsugi and another character near the end of the bk make me wonder if it will.
Lastly the Igniter. Unlike the Biter I didn’t emphasize or feel anything for him. I honestly don’t know why his code name wasn’t changed because the assumptions associated with calling him igniter actually really hurt the jet eye team.
Final Thoughts: I really liked this book. It didn’t touch me like the first bk, but it did set up potential storylines for the series and introduced interesting characters (all of which weren’t girls). The explanations a character comes up for how the third eye powers work made sense and the fact the author put this much thought into the story just made it better. Looking forward to bk 3.
Where bk 1 focused on Utsugi facing off with the Biter, bk 2 develops the plot.
Not only do the jet eyes have an organization, but the red eyes have one too. Characters are introduced that will no doubt influence the direction of the story. And even the mysteries behind the third eye’s powers are touched on.
A lot of thought was put into this and I really appreciate how the author tries to make the fantastical situation make sense.
It’s surprising how much was explained in this bk, considering it’s shorter than bk 1 and the font is bigger, but I have to hand it to the author. He did a good job not wasting time.
Now, about Utsugi.
I empathized with him in bk 1, and I still empathized with him in bk 2, parts of him remind me of who I used to be, but sometimes he just felt annoying. Luckily the way the book was written he never came off as too annoying.
I learned two things about him I didn’t expect. One, he’s so detached from reality and other people that the lives of others don’t affect him, which makes sense so I’m glad the author went there. I even like how he explained his actions in the first bk as selfish.
The second thing is, he has no romantic feelings for anyone. A girl he describes as beautiful gives him mouth to mouth and she’s more bothered than he is. To him it wasn’t a big deal, and that made me realize, he’s not attracted to anyone. Possibly because of his detachment from others, or maybe the way he’s lived so far he doesn’t realize social cues?
It’s funny, a character asks Utsugi if he’d still want to erase everyone’s memories of himself if there was a girl who loved him. He answered that she’d be disappointed in him and lose interest. But I think they both missed the point. Even if a girl fell for Utsugi, if he doesn’t fall for her than it doesn’t matter. I hope this issue continues to be addressed, but the moment between Utsugi and another character near the end of the bk make me wonder if it will.
Lastly the Igniter. Unlike the Biter I didn’t emphasize or feel anything for him. I honestly don’t know why his code name wasn’t changed because the assumptions associated with calling him igniter actually really hurt the jet eye team.
Final Thoughts: I really liked this book. It didn’t touch me like the first bk, but it did set up potential storylines for the series and introduced interesting characters (all of which weren’t girls). The explanations a character comes up for how the third eye powers work made sense and the fact the author put this much thought into the story just made it better. Looking forward to bk 3.
February 14, 2016
I'm really enjoying this series so far, Minoru may not be my favorite protagonist, but I like Yumiko a lot. Hopefully the future books continue to reveal more about the plot, can't wait!
August 7, 2018
Minoru has reluctantly joined an organization composed of other Jet Eye users like himself to hunt down the Ruby Eyes before they can kill. He's nervous about all the memories this will create for him and for others, and he's not sure he's cut out for fighting. But when the next Ruby Eye is located, it's someone the organization has seen before. Someone who has killed Jet Eyes.
I like the variety in both the type of villain and his powers. The enemy is once more a serial killer, egged on by his Ruby Eye, but the circumstances that drove him to that place are different, and his power isn't as straightforward as everyone initially assumes.
Minoru's timidity also doesn't win him much with his new teammates. He's a mystery the Professor wants to solve, a cook the girls adore . . . but in terms of battle capability, his novice mistakes almost end his career before it starts.
(Also, a small peeve: CPR IS NOT KISSING. If someone's life is in danger, you aren't stealing a kiss on them, you're using your lungs to help theirs. Save "first kiss" talk for if/when the two of you choose to do it.)
It is interesting how Minoru's powers develop in this book. It was pretty clear in the first one what, at a basic level, they are: he can totally isolate himself. But in this book, we start to see how it all works---or doesn't work, as the case may be. And the fact that his experiment at the end works hints at the possibility for far more if he ever figures out how to use it. It also brings up a fascinating question. If Minoru is no longer isolated, if he allows himself to deeply connect to others, will his powers expand, or quit working? If the need that created his isolation no longer exists, will the Jet Eye change how it manifests? I don't think those questions will have answers for a long time, but it's an interesting thing to consider.
I also like the little we see of some of the other Jet Eyes. Hopefully future books will expand on them farther. And it looks like the Ruby Eyes have noticed the Jets have banded together, and have formed an organization of their own.
I'm less fond of some of the stereotypical aspects that start popping up, from the little girl genius professor to the fact that most of the girls seem to be in love with Minoru when he's not really doing anything (or they can't remember what he did do). But the rest of the story is engaging enough, and I hope future books will allow the guys at least as much focus as the girls so it can round out the team properly.
Overall, if you liked the first book this is an easy recommendation. Pretty much everything gets expanded, Minoru is more actively engaging the plot, and it's setting up a much bigger conflict to come. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
I like the variety in both the type of villain and his powers. The enemy is once more a serial killer, egged on by his Ruby Eye, but the circumstances that drove him to that place are different, and his power isn't as straightforward as everyone initially assumes.
Minoru's timidity also doesn't win him much with his new teammates. He's a mystery the Professor wants to solve, a cook the girls adore . . . but in terms of battle capability, his novice mistakes almost end his career before it starts.
(Also, a small peeve: CPR IS NOT KISSING. If someone's life is in danger, you aren't stealing a kiss on them, you're using your lungs to help theirs. Save "first kiss" talk for if/when the two of you choose to do it.)
It is interesting how Minoru's powers develop in this book. It was pretty clear in the first one what, at a basic level, they are: he can totally isolate himself. But in this book, we start to see how it all works---or doesn't work, as the case may be. And the fact that his experiment at the end works hints at the possibility for far more if he ever figures out how to use it. It also brings up a fascinating question. If Minoru is no longer isolated, if he allows himself to deeply connect to others, will his powers expand, or quit working? If the need that created his isolation no longer exists, will the Jet Eye change how it manifests? I don't think those questions will have answers for a long time, but it's an interesting thing to consider.
I also like the little we see of some of the other Jet Eyes. Hopefully future books will expand on them farther. And it looks like the Ruby Eyes have noticed the Jets have banded together, and have formed an organization of their own.
I'm less fond of some of the stereotypical aspects that start popping up, from the little girl genius professor to the fact that most of the girls seem to be in love with Minoru when he's not really doing anything (or they can't remember what he did do). But the rest of the story is engaging enough, and I hope future books will allow the guys at least as much focus as the girls so it can round out the team properly.
Overall, if you liked the first book this is an easy recommendation. Pretty much everything gets expanded, Minoru is more actively engaging the plot, and it's setting up a much bigger conflict to come. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
July 19, 2022
Without any due process of law or law enforcement authority, main characters investigate, fight and try to defeat the antagonists that use their "third eye gift" to commit crimes. In this second volume, the main characters are trying to hunt down "igniter".
This fantasy novel series gives people special abilities from alien origins, some people use their third eye to fight ("good guys" are called Jet Eyes) the evil third eye antagonists (nicknamed Ruby Eyes).
The author has yet to explain how extra terrestrials found Earth, selected the people and why to some people it affects them positively and to other people it affects them negatively. The main plot arc seems to be to control or wipe out the "Ruby Eyed" antagonist "evil users of their third eye" and to recover those "third eyes". The main character really has no reason to help the "good guys". Because of his constant fear, his non-committal attitude, main character avoids new relationships because he fears that he will bring death to them like what happened to his family. This is why the other characters call him isolator, because he does not want to have relationships with people that are then just going to die, or have terrible problems. What do they do with all the "Ruby Eyes" they recover?
Because there is no training, no manuals, no cultivation or martial arts background, the main characters use their "special third eye powers" without optimizing those abilities, without instructions or guidance from authorities. So basically, kids with superpowers fight in total impunity.
I feel this story needs a lot of work. First volume was filled with confusion, not very clear about anything. Confusion continues in story and plot arcs. This is by far the worst novel series written and published by this author. Sword Art Online and Accel World have problems, but are much better stories than this one.
This fantasy novel series gives people special abilities from alien origins, some people use their third eye to fight ("good guys" are called Jet Eyes) the evil third eye antagonists (nicknamed Ruby Eyes).
The author has yet to explain how extra terrestrials found Earth, selected the people and why to some people it affects them positively and to other people it affects them negatively. The main plot arc seems to be to control or wipe out the "Ruby Eyed" antagonist "evil users of their third eye" and to recover those "third eyes". The main character really has no reason to help the "good guys". Because of his constant fear, his non-committal attitude, main character avoids new relationships because he fears that he will bring death to them like what happened to his family. This is why the other characters call him isolator, because he does not want to have relationships with people that are then just going to die, or have terrible problems. What do they do with all the "Ruby Eyes" they recover?
Because there is no training, no manuals, no cultivation or martial arts background, the main characters use their "special third eye powers" without optimizing those abilities, without instructions or guidance from authorities. So basically, kids with superpowers fight in total impunity.
I feel this story needs a lot of work. First volume was filled with confusion, not very clear about anything. Confusion continues in story and plot arcs. This is by far the worst novel series written and published by this author. Sword Art Online and Accel World have problems, but are much better stories than this one.
April 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this one. Volume 1 was alright, but volume 2 was more interesting and fun for me. I think it is because we weren't having to set up the world from scratch. Or perhaps it is because Minoru, as much as he still claims he wants to be totally isolated, shows that isn't exactly the case more than once. And of course we are introduced to other Jet Eyes (and some other Ruby as well).
The Igniter was an interesting baddie to have. I was more interested in him than the Biter for sure. Perhaps it was because of his power, or maybe it was his goal. Whatever the case he was just a more interesting antagonist for me.
Verdict: If you liked vol 1, you should like this one. If vol 1 was pretty good for you, try this one, it was better for me. If you haven't tried either -- they're worth a look.
The Igniter was an interesting baddie to have. I was more interested in him than the Biter for sure. Perhaps it was because of his power, or maybe it was his goal. Whatever the case he was just a more interesting antagonist for me.
Verdict: If you liked vol 1, you should like this one. If vol 1 was pretty good for you, try this one, it was better for me. If you haven't tried either -- they're worth a look.
September 18, 2017
Currently my fav villian is in this book. Yumiko and her motorcycle do stunts that turn her from high school girl to bad chick persona under neon lights. Total change of attire and i loved it. When the villian manipulated O2 in this one this series and the author explains the characters powers to a scientific level, i couldnt close it until i finished reading it. Im serious read book 1 and you wont be disappointed with book 2. The good thing is that villians are open and closed in each book, as the next one will introduce even more characters and of course returning ones from the previous volumes to push the story forward.
June 30, 2017
Another good edition to the series. Book 2 focuses more on developing the plot as well as the intricacies between powers and how they work.
In addition it does touch on some characters from book 1, and new characters from book 2 a gives more back story to them.
The only downside for me is power the igniter exhibited. As an engineer I could think of numerous other applications for such a power, and that overall gave off an unresearched feel to the power.
Overall I'm enjoying the direction this series is taking and am most keen to see how the main character develops.
In addition it does touch on some characters from book 1, and new characters from book 2 a gives more back story to them.
The only downside for me is power the igniter exhibited. As an engineer I could think of numerous other applications for such a power, and that overall gave off an unresearched feel to the power.
Overall I'm enjoying the direction this series is taking and am most keen to see how the main character develops.
October 27, 2020
(4.5/5 stars)
September 25, 2016
Minoru Utsugi's quest for absolute solitude continues in this genre-defying sci-fi series.
"The Igniter", a Ruby Eye host with the ability to control oxygen, has returned to Tokyo after a few months honing his powers- and he makes a splash right away. The Igniter uses his power to stoke the flame- literally, and the SFD (Special Forces Division) has to stop him before he burns down all of Tokyo.
Yumiko Azu, "The Accelerator", has finally convinced Minoru to join the SFD- with one condition: after they defeat all the Ruby Eyes, he will have the memory of himself erased from everyone he knows- including her. Yumiko has already lost someone close to her- and has scars from her past as well. Can she ever befriend this "Isolator", who is running from everyone?
Riri Isa, The Speculator, is the Strategic Commander of the SFD. Her power allows her to think, to figure anything out as long as she has all the necessary information. But knowing the meaning of life itself isn't all it's cracked up to be- especially for a fourth grader.
Olivier Saito, The Divider, is the half-French, half-Japanese gaming addict of the SFD- but, probably more than anyone else, he understands the value of human life- something "The Isolator" just can't seem to grasp- can the two ever get along?
Tomomi Minowa is back in school after a few days in the hospital for reasons she can't remember. When she is approached by Minoru, she doesn't really understand all the things he's talking about- but she has no objections to befriending him- will she end up regretting that decision? Only time will tell.
Norie Yoshimizu, Minoru's sister, doesn't know where Minoru's hanging out these days- but she's glad he seems to be making new friends. Will Minoru be able to make the ultimate choice that might be able to keep her safe?
Minoru wonders how he ended up in this situation, but he may as well just grin and bear it. He has the Igniter to stop, after all. But something just isn't adding up. Will He and the rest of the SFD be able to figure out The Igniter's secret before it's too late?
"The Igniter", a Ruby Eye host with the ability to control oxygen, has returned to Tokyo after a few months honing his powers- and he makes a splash right away. The Igniter uses his power to stoke the flame- literally, and the SFD (Special Forces Division) has to stop him before he burns down all of Tokyo.
Yumiko Azu, "The Accelerator", has finally convinced Minoru to join the SFD- with one condition: after they defeat all the Ruby Eyes, he will have the memory of himself erased from everyone he knows- including her. Yumiko has already lost someone close to her- and has scars from her past as well. Can she ever befriend this "Isolator", who is running from everyone?
Riri Isa, The Speculator, is the Strategic Commander of the SFD. Her power allows her to think, to figure anything out as long as she has all the necessary information. But knowing the meaning of life itself isn't all it's cracked up to be- especially for a fourth grader.
Olivier Saito, The Divider, is the half-French, half-Japanese gaming addict of the SFD- but, probably more than anyone else, he understands the value of human life- something "The Isolator" just can't seem to grasp- can the two ever get along?
Tomomi Minowa is back in school after a few days in the hospital for reasons she can't remember. When she is approached by Minoru, she doesn't really understand all the things he's talking about- but she has no objections to befriending him- will she end up regretting that decision? Only time will tell.
Norie Yoshimizu, Minoru's sister, doesn't know where Minoru's hanging out these days- but she's glad he seems to be making new friends. Will Minoru be able to make the ultimate choice that might be able to keep her safe?
Minoru wonders how he ended up in this situation, but he may as well just grin and bear it. He has the Igniter to stop, after all. But something just isn't adding up. Will He and the rest of the SFD be able to figure out The Igniter's secret before it's too late?
March 17, 2016
A translated story is tricky to review because any problems you find might be due to the translation and not the author's skill. Nevertheless, I'm willing to share my thoughts here. The writing itself is somewhat basic and seems to be written for teenagers rather than adults. The narrative also switches between past and present tense in the middle of a scene, which bugs me. Again, I don't know if that's how the author wrote it or if it's a faulty translation, but this is the finished American product.
Regardless of translation, though, The Isolator is an entertaining story with compelling protagonists. Minoru isn't your typical hero since he's trying to make everyone forget he exists, and I find that very interesting. Yumiko is also a heroine who has her own problems but is easy to root for. And Suka, while not entirely devoid of clichés, still has his own angle.
Furthermore, the story has a cool comic book-inspired, superhero vibe which is really easy for a guy like me to get into. You can never go wrong with superpowers.
The book also includes some nice artwork to accompany the story. It certainly made it easy to visualize the characters.
However, I wouldn't get this book from Barnes & Noble. At $20, you're much better off buying a used copy off Amazon for less (hence the link below).
With plenty of questions that still need answering, I look forward to reading future entries in this series.
Regardless of translation, though, The Isolator is an entertaining story with compelling protagonists. Minoru isn't your typical hero since he's trying to make everyone forget he exists, and I find that very interesting. Yumiko is also a heroine who has her own problems but is easy to root for. And Suka, while not entirely devoid of clichés, still has his own angle.
Furthermore, the story has a cool comic book-inspired, superhero vibe which is really easy for a guy like me to get into. You can never go wrong with superpowers.
The book also includes some nice artwork to accompany the story. It certainly made it easy to visualize the characters.
However, I wouldn't get this book from Barnes & Noble. At $20, you're much better off buying a used copy off Amazon for less (hence the link below).
With plenty of questions that still need answering, I look forward to reading future entries in this series.
May 15, 2016
I got distracted and took a few months to get back to it, but really liked volume 2. It developed the characters a lot more and opened more threads to be discovered and fleshed out going forward. can't wait for volume 3 now
July 6, 2016
Rumor has it that a movie is coming - which would be beautiful and brutal.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews