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Onderwêreld
Die verhaal speel af by 'n elite privaat seunskool waar Greg Owen hoofseun is en Ekhardt, 'n buitestander, in matriek by hulle aansluit. Reeds met die inisiasie van nuwelinge vorm 'n band tussen die twee seuns. Ekhardt erken dat hy 'n voortreflike rekenaar hacker is en lei Greg in die geheime van die onderwêreld in wat hom, onwillekeurig, in 'n gevaarlike avontuur intrek.
- GenresSchoolRead For School
201 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
44 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Fanie Viljoen
162 books53 followersFanie Viljoen is a well-known Afrikaans author, living in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A full-time writer, illustrator, and artist, Fanie has written numerous short stories, radio plays, and books for children and teenagers. Three of these books have won awards for youth literature - the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature, the ATKV-woordveertjies ('word feathers') and the M.E.R. prize for youth literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 3, 2023
die boek was shit as ek 0 stere kon gee sou ek
DIT WAS SOOOO DOM!!!!!!!! Soos wie even is Eckardt soos shut up en Nicksie is n pyn in die gat gold digger wat irriteerend is en Greg en Eckard is eintlik net verlief op mekaar. Jy het uit idees uit gehardloop en ek hoop jy kry voëlgriep. SWAK! en as jy na die audioboek geluister het, what even is die intro musiek dis letterlik so dramaties vir geen rede soos shut net up. En ekk-0 is sulke dom naam soos dit is n naam wat n 7 jarige vir sy nuwe sim gee, en moet nie eers laat ek begin met G-4ce nie. dis letterlik die naam van n movie oor superhero marmotte. so is Greg dan n marmot?! As hy n marmot was sou dit die boek 4 keer beter gemaak het. en soos eckardt moet net oor hom kom soos ja jou pa het selfmoord gepleeg maar soos dis nie so diep nie KOM NET OOR DIT en soos dis so hartseer om jou hele lewe te beplan oor iemand anders se pa
soos as jy nie n lewe het nie se net so. eckard is eintlik net n broke ass hacker wat jaloers is op greg se geld en greg moes hom in die tonnels gegooi het. en hulle hou dieheektyd aan praat oor die dom voëlgriep wat LETTERLIK niemand oor omgee nie. en op n manier bliksem hulle skaak ook nog in die boek in op een en ander flippen manier soos HUH?! die boek sou baie beter wees as hy net nie geskryf was nie. hierdie boek het my depressie net erger gemaak en ek wil my polse sny met n rekenaar muis. SWAK fanie veljoen SWAK. doen ons almal n guns en tree af. nou moet ek n hele eksamen vraestel oor hierdie dom stuk breindood skryf en dan nog n langvraag erens uitruk?! daar is nie hoop vir die jeug van vandag as hulle hierdie moet lees en leer nie. RED N NASIE
DIT WAS SOOOO DOM!!!!!!!! Soos wie even is Eckardt soos shut up en Nicksie is n pyn in die gat gold digger wat irriteerend is en Greg en Eckard is eintlik net verlief op mekaar. Jy het uit idees uit gehardloop en ek hoop jy kry voëlgriep. SWAK! en as jy na die audioboek geluister het, what even is die intro musiek dis letterlik so dramaties vir geen rede soos shut net up. En ekk-0 is sulke dom naam soos dit is n naam wat n 7 jarige vir sy nuwe sim gee, en moet nie eers laat ek begin met G-4ce nie. dis letterlik die naam van n movie oor superhero marmotte. so is Greg dan n marmot?! As hy n marmot was sou dit die boek 4 keer beter gemaak het. en soos eckardt moet net oor hom kom soos ja jou pa het selfmoord gepleeg maar soos dis nie so diep nie KOM NET OOR DIT en soos dis so hartseer om jou hele lewe te beplan oor iemand anders se pa
soos as jy nie n lewe het nie se net so. eckard is eintlik net n broke ass hacker wat jaloers is op greg se geld en greg moes hom in die tonnels gegooi het. en hulle hou dieheektyd aan praat oor die dom voëlgriep wat LETTERLIK niemand oor omgee nie. en op n manier bliksem hulle skaak ook nog in die boek in op een en ander flippen manier soos HUH?! die boek sou baie beter wees as hy net nie geskryf was nie. hierdie boek het my depressie net erger gemaak en ek wil my polse sny met n rekenaar muis. SWAK fanie veljoen SWAK. doen ons almal n guns en tree af. nou moet ek n hele eksamen vraestel oor hierdie dom stuk breindood skryf en dan nog n langvraag erens uitruk?! daar is nie hoop vir die jeug van vandag as hulle hierdie moet lees en leer nie. RED N NASIE
May 22, 2022
Al n tydjie terug klaar gelees, maar dit was kak. Die einde was so boring en ek haat n oop einde. Sou eerder weer kringe in n bos lees.
November 2, 2022
Onderwêreld is een van die min boeke wat ek op skool geniet het. Die karakters in hierdie boek is realisties maar ongelukkig is Greg, die hoofkarakter die enigste karakter wat behoorlik ontwikkel.
Die storie is uniek en dit het my aandag gehou tot op die laaste bladsy. Die gebruik van terugflitse was ook 'n baie unieke manier van storievertelling.
Die einde was goed gewees maar ongelukkig kry ons nie 'n goeie idee van Greg se gevoelens en idees vir die toekoms nie wat die leser forseer om die tweede boek te lees as hulle enige afsluiting wil hê.
Fun boek en net die regte hoeveelheid cringiness. 8/10.
Die storie is uniek en dit het my aandag gehou tot op die laaste bladsy. Die gebruik van terugflitse was ook 'n baie unieke manier van storievertelling.
Die einde was goed gewees maar ongelukkig kry ons nie 'n goeie idee van Greg se gevoelens en idees vir die toekoms nie wat die leser forseer om die tweede boek te lees as hulle enige afsluiting wil hê.
Fun boek en net die regte hoeveelheid cringiness. 8/10.
September 3, 2024
Would've been shorter if they just kissed
November 19, 2022
Toe Eckardt Wilken gese het: "Alles is net Ones and Zeroes", I felt that... Ek het van toe af geweet dat hierdie nie net enige boek is nie, maar 'n uitsonderlike kunswerk.
Uit al die Afrikaanse "classics" wat ek al gelees het(trust my ekt al baie) soos Noem My Zol en Trompie, is Onderwereld my gunsteling Afrikaanse boek.
'n Groot rede hoekom ek die boek so geniet het is omdat die hacking realisties is (lore accuracy certified deur my, ek 'n is Certified Ethical Hacker frfr) Daar was 'n paar gedeeltes in die boek wat my opgewonde gemaak het omdat ek al presies daai ervaring gehad het; soos die gebruik van hackthissite.org, die sukkel om die probleme op te los en die uiteindelike buzz wat jy kry wanneer jy dit reg kry. Dit is duidelik dat Fanie Viljoen sy huiswerk gedoen het oor hacking, dit maak die storie meer outentiek.
My gunsteling tema in hierdie boek is geheimenis, daar 'n baie geheime in hierdie boek wat intrige skep in die verhaal; hoekom het Eckardt verdwyn? Wat het met Eckardt se pa gebeur? en hoekom is Plank altyd hoog?
The Candlestick maker is ook die lameste super villain naam ooit, maar verder is die boek baie enjoyable. 9/10
Uit al die Afrikaanse "classics" wat ek al gelees het(trust my ekt al baie) soos Noem My Zol en Trompie, is Onderwereld my gunsteling Afrikaanse boek.
'n Groot rede hoekom ek die boek so geniet het is omdat die hacking realisties is (lore accuracy certified deur my, ek 'n is Certified Ethical Hacker frfr) Daar was 'n paar gedeeltes in die boek wat my opgewonde gemaak het omdat ek al presies daai ervaring gehad het; soos die gebruik van hackthissite.org, die sukkel om die probleme op te los en die uiteindelike buzz wat jy kry wanneer jy dit reg kry. Dit is duidelik dat Fanie Viljoen sy huiswerk gedoen het oor hacking, dit maak die storie meer outentiek.
My gunsteling tema in hierdie boek is geheimenis, daar 'n baie geheime in hierdie boek wat intrige skep in die verhaal; hoekom het Eckardt verdwyn? Wat het met Eckardt se pa gebeur? en hoekom is Plank altyd hoog?
The Candlestick maker is ook die lameste super villain naam ooit, maar verder is die boek baie enjoyable. 9/10
December 3, 2024
doomed yaoi
September 11, 2020
#Onderwéreld - Fanie Viljoen
#Tafelberg (#NBUitgewers)
Hierdie was die silwer medaje-wenner van die Sanlam-prys vir jeuglektuur in 2007, maar dit het my op ‘n manier nog heeltyd ontwyk. Met die onlangse publikasie van sy opvolger (#donkerweb) vanjaar, het ‘n boekvriendin haar ‘Onderwêreld’ vir my geleen. Dit moet beslis eerste gelees word.
Greg Owen is sy ouers (veral sy pa) se modelkind na die dood van sy ouer broer. Hy is in matriek by ‘n eksklusiewe skool waar hy ook hoofseun is, eerstespan-rugby speel en waar van hom verwag word om 9 onderskeidings te behaal. Die aankoms van ‘n nuweling, Eckardt Wilken, in die matriekklas, verander egter alles. Eckardt is ‘n hacker, genaamd Ekk-0 en betrek vinnig vir Greg, as G-4ce, by die onderwêreld van hacking.
Dan verdwyn Eckardt en Greg moet sy hacking tegnieke inspan om sy vriend op te spoor, min wetende watter onheil hy in die proses sal ontdek.
Die boek het my aandag van begin tot einde behou - ek het letterlik alles gelees, selfs die bronnelys, want iewers tydens die lees het die grense tussen feite en fiksie vervaag. Alhoewel die boek ongetwyfeld op die mark vir jong volwassenes gemik is, beveel ek dit ook sterk vir volwassenes aan. Dis ‘n tegno-riller wat, gegewe die posisie in 2020, sy tyd vér vooruit was en, veral in die lig daarvan, 5 sterre verdien.
#Uitdieperdsebek
#Tafelberg (#NBUitgewers)
Hierdie was die silwer medaje-wenner van die Sanlam-prys vir jeuglektuur in 2007, maar dit het my op ‘n manier nog heeltyd ontwyk. Met die onlangse publikasie van sy opvolger (#donkerweb) vanjaar, het ‘n boekvriendin haar ‘Onderwêreld’ vir my geleen. Dit moet beslis eerste gelees word.
Greg Owen is sy ouers (veral sy pa) se modelkind na die dood van sy ouer broer. Hy is in matriek by ‘n eksklusiewe skool waar hy ook hoofseun is, eerstespan-rugby speel en waar van hom verwag word om 9 onderskeidings te behaal. Die aankoms van ‘n nuweling, Eckardt Wilken, in die matriekklas, verander egter alles. Eckardt is ‘n hacker, genaamd Ekk-0 en betrek vinnig vir Greg, as G-4ce, by die onderwêreld van hacking.
Dan verdwyn Eckardt en Greg moet sy hacking tegnieke inspan om sy vriend op te spoor, min wetende watter onheil hy in die proses sal ontdek.
Die boek het my aandag van begin tot einde behou - ek het letterlik alles gelees, selfs die bronnelys, want iewers tydens die lees het die grense tussen feite en fiksie vervaag. Alhoewel die boek ongetwyfeld op die mark vir jong volwassenes gemik is, beveel ek dit ook sterk vir volwassenes aan. Dis ‘n tegno-riller wat, gegewe die posisie in 2020, sy tyd vér vooruit was en, veral in die lig daarvan, 5 sterre verdien.
#Uitdieperdsebek
March 10, 2023
*gelees vir skool
November 21, 2025
Ek dink hierdie boek moet kom met 'n waarskuwing: "Don't try this at home"! 'n Boeiende kyk in die mag van die sogenaamde onderwêreld. Dit bekyk die kwessie van kuberkraking vanuit verskillende hoeke. Daar is diegene wat dit doen om finansiële gewin, ander wat dit doen om 'n stelling te maak, en nog ander wat bloot verslaaf is aan die adrenalien wat dit afgee om dit reg te kry. "Maar dit is makliker gesê as gedaan as die onderwêreld jou naam ken en jou roep om te kom speel" (p.184, e-boek)
Hoewel die boek reeds in 2011 verskyn het, is dit nou meer relevant as ooit tevore. Fanie Viljoen se gemaklike skryfstyl verleen die nodige spanning aan die verhaal. Die karakters oortuig en die situasie is kommerwekkend. Puik verhaal wat jeug en ouer mense se aandag sal hou.
Hoewel die boek reeds in 2011 verskyn het, is dit nou meer relevant as ooit tevore. Fanie Viljoen se gemaklike skryfstyl verleen die nodige spanning aan die verhaal. Die karakters oortuig en die situasie is kommerwekkend. Puik verhaal wat jeug en ouer mense se aandag sal hou.
February 9, 2024
Het nie van die einde gehou nie
November 10, 2025
Kyk, ek sal probeer om so Objektief as moontlik te wees...
Miskien was hierdie boek net nie vir my en my ouderdomsgroep nie... Hierdie boek was ons voorgeskrewe boek vir ons matriek jaar en dit het my regtig nie aangestaan nie.
Mnr. Viljoen, ek het al sensasionele kinderboeke van jou gelees, en ek dink dat jy maar daarby moet hou of eerder probeer verbeter.
Moving over to English:
-I honestly think the plot progression of this book was poorly executed, flashbacks are cliche and are easy to insert into a novel, but that doesn't mean that it will enhance the quality of the novel. I imagine that you intended to elaborate upon the characters' and their respective attributes through the flashbacks, how they were versus how they are now. Unfortunately this made characters stale instead of developing them into complex (and loveable or genuinely resentable) individuals.
-What makes a good book and an author is subjective, however there are some key aspects rooted in objectivity that have enhanced books, and I believe all books must focus on this: EVOKE EMOTION. When I smile at the voiceless pages because the diligent peasant became the liberator of a nation or because the princess finally found her fiance after trekking through cataclysms and abominable landscapes, it isn't because of random whim, it's because the writer actually got me to FEEL for these characters.
-By enhancing relateability through highlighting the characters backgrounds and attributes that make them human or make me love/hate/feel bad for/want to kill/want to cheer for them, you establish a irrevocable character. A person with a life, a goal, hopes, dreams, sorrows and secrets, a genuine ENTITY.
-Eckardt's sadness is hollow and I feel 0 sympathy for him, his father's backstory was shallow and his trauma was sloppily explained. I haven't read the second book, but if a book needs a sequel to enhance it's original, it's a bit sad. I don't need essays upon essays of inner turmoil, short and sweet exist.
-Greg's determination feels spontaneous and alien. His private moments with Eckardt may start deep with relatable family issues, but that's not enough. Why do they make peace after fighting over Nicole, why was Greg se worried? PSYCHOLOGICAL MOTIVATION screams good writing. Why is Nicole the way she is? What are her parental issues? Why doesn't Greg's mother do anything about the abuse? We are left to fill in the gaps, we are left to create 'obvious' reasons for these anomalies- BUT THAT'S THE THING.
Good writing, takes these questions and gives INTERESTING plot thickening reasons to these questions, it even ties these answers into the bigger motif or climax, into the theme. By making the answers non cliche, complex, raw and human, you develop plot, characters and theme AND YOU IMMERSE READERS.
Eg. Nicole is interested in both boys because she feels she gets no love at home, her parents are scientists always busy with some mysterious 'substance'- even when she was little. No one came when she wanted to climb out of her cot in the morning, she always had to sing herself to sleep and prepare her own food. Nicole was a prodigious student at school, genuinely smart, but only because she craved attention via her intellect, but it's never enough, thus she becomes 'tarty' to be an exotic paradox, beautiful AND smart. She misbehaves to get those highs of attention from her parents and so on... She loves both of these boys because she wants to be fought over, because then she'd matter, then she'd have purpose. Not only with this stir more attention but a poly relationship would also be taboo and exotic...
You see? Through a simple "she wants attention" motive, we elaborate it into a beautiful character with great story potential, what is this substance? why did they never come? do they love their daughter at all? Elaborate on the pain little Nicole felt, sensations make it feel human and earn sympathy/empathy. Bringing me to my other point.
-Sensations and senses. How does it feel, smell, look, sound and taste when Greg hacks, compare it with entities- something supernatural- something demonic, delicious sin... YOUR BOOK IS CALLED ONDERWERELD FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.
-I understand this might be a YA or a light novel, but please, that's no excuse to rush it. Even the shortest of stories can earn a fantastic place in history... So no, no excuses for this novel.
-Dialogue: We read the Afrikaans one, I understand 2008: in some world 'Mengels' might be cool taal, but it's not, very cliche and underdeveloped like the rest of those kinds of novels. You can speak your mother tongue fully and still create colloquialisms and funny slang with it, I've heard a lot of pure Afrikaans dialogue with slang unique to the language despite its youth.
-Please also make teens feel like teens, they are young adults and still have so much to experience. Playing the "By the way! They also do drugs!" card is cliche and stale. Yes some teens do drugs and experiment, we all know that, that's stale and cliche, and making it seem like they truly like it is even more poorly developed. Why do they do drugs? Surely they know of the consequences so why continue? How does it feel? Guilt, anger, joy, sorrow? DEVELOP THESE QUESTIONS.
Silent Hill 3's Heather Mason is a great example of the female teenager, yes she's smoked, it was realistic for her to try stuff behind her father's back, but that's not the soul aspect of her character, it's meant to ADD ONTO her core aspect. She is insecure, not in a cliche way of voicing it, she keeps it deep down, etc.
Please try to live yourself into the body of contemporary teens and characters of any age within the given setting. The 'Voelgriep' thing is also underdeveloped, reactions are stale and it isn't noticeably recurring (unless the teachers tell you, and yes it is repeated but its lack of relevance and enhancement make it forgettable)and its presence bears no tangible consequence or fear in the novel
-Lastly, Setting (I would like to say more but I haven't got all day), mono-spatial settings CAN WORK I'm sure. But there's a reason people include multiple, to set the tone and atmosphere. Firstly the settings revolve around the school and it's facilities, but all the descriptions are weak, immerse us into this location with the senses. The other settings like the holiday beach house was also quite fleeting.
Miskien was hierdie boek net nie vir my en my ouderdomsgroep nie... Hierdie boek was ons voorgeskrewe boek vir ons matriek jaar en dit het my regtig nie aangestaan nie.
Mnr. Viljoen, ek het al sensasionele kinderboeke van jou gelees, en ek dink dat jy maar daarby moet hou of eerder probeer verbeter.
Moving over to English:
-I honestly think the plot progression of this book was poorly executed, flashbacks are cliche and are easy to insert into a novel, but that doesn't mean that it will enhance the quality of the novel. I imagine that you intended to elaborate upon the characters' and their respective attributes through the flashbacks, how they were versus how they are now. Unfortunately this made characters stale instead of developing them into complex (and loveable or genuinely resentable) individuals.
-What makes a good book and an author is subjective, however there are some key aspects rooted in objectivity that have enhanced books, and I believe all books must focus on this: EVOKE EMOTION. When I smile at the voiceless pages because the diligent peasant became the liberator of a nation or because the princess finally found her fiance after trekking through cataclysms and abominable landscapes, it isn't because of random whim, it's because the writer actually got me to FEEL for these characters.
-By enhancing relateability through highlighting the characters backgrounds and attributes that make them human or make me love/hate/feel bad for/want to kill/want to cheer for them, you establish a irrevocable character. A person with a life, a goal, hopes, dreams, sorrows and secrets, a genuine ENTITY.
-Eckardt's sadness is hollow and I feel 0 sympathy for him, his father's backstory was shallow and his trauma was sloppily explained. I haven't read the second book, but if a book needs a sequel to enhance it's original, it's a bit sad. I don't need essays upon essays of inner turmoil, short and sweet exist.
-Greg's determination feels spontaneous and alien. His private moments with Eckardt may start deep with relatable family issues, but that's not enough. Why do they make peace after fighting over Nicole, why was Greg se worried? PSYCHOLOGICAL MOTIVATION screams good writing. Why is Nicole the way she is? What are her parental issues? Why doesn't Greg's mother do anything about the abuse? We are left to fill in the gaps, we are left to create 'obvious' reasons for these anomalies- BUT THAT'S THE THING.
Good writing, takes these questions and gives INTERESTING plot thickening reasons to these questions, it even ties these answers into the bigger motif or climax, into the theme. By making the answers non cliche, complex, raw and human, you develop plot, characters and theme AND YOU IMMERSE READERS.
Eg. Nicole is interested in both boys because she feels she gets no love at home, her parents are scientists always busy with some mysterious 'substance'- even when she was little. No one came when she wanted to climb out of her cot in the morning, she always had to sing herself to sleep and prepare her own food. Nicole was a prodigious student at school, genuinely smart, but only because she craved attention via her intellect, but it's never enough, thus she becomes 'tarty' to be an exotic paradox, beautiful AND smart. She misbehaves to get those highs of attention from her parents and so on... She loves both of these boys because she wants to be fought over, because then she'd matter, then she'd have purpose. Not only with this stir more attention but a poly relationship would also be taboo and exotic...
You see? Through a simple "she wants attention" motive, we elaborate it into a beautiful character with great story potential, what is this substance? why did they never come? do they love their daughter at all? Elaborate on the pain little Nicole felt, sensations make it feel human and earn sympathy/empathy. Bringing me to my other point.
-Sensations and senses. How does it feel, smell, look, sound and taste when Greg hacks, compare it with entities- something supernatural- something demonic, delicious sin... YOUR BOOK IS CALLED ONDERWERELD FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE.
-I understand this might be a YA or a light novel, but please, that's no excuse to rush it. Even the shortest of stories can earn a fantastic place in history... So no, no excuses for this novel.
-Dialogue: We read the Afrikaans one, I understand 2008: in some world 'Mengels' might be cool taal, but it's not, very cliche and underdeveloped like the rest of those kinds of novels. You can speak your mother tongue fully and still create colloquialisms and funny slang with it, I've heard a lot of pure Afrikaans dialogue with slang unique to the language despite its youth.
-Please also make teens feel like teens, they are young adults and still have so much to experience. Playing the "By the way! They also do drugs!" card is cliche and stale. Yes some teens do drugs and experiment, we all know that, that's stale and cliche, and making it seem like they truly like it is even more poorly developed. Why do they do drugs? Surely they know of the consequences so why continue? How does it feel? Guilt, anger, joy, sorrow? DEVELOP THESE QUESTIONS.
Silent Hill 3's Heather Mason is a great example of the female teenager, yes she's smoked, it was realistic for her to try stuff behind her father's back, but that's not the soul aspect of her character, it's meant to ADD ONTO her core aspect. She is insecure, not in a cliche way of voicing it, she keeps it deep down, etc.
Please try to live yourself into the body of contemporary teens and characters of any age within the given setting. The 'Voelgriep' thing is also underdeveloped, reactions are stale and it isn't noticeably recurring (unless the teachers tell you, and yes it is repeated but its lack of relevance and enhancement make it forgettable)and its presence bears no tangible consequence or fear in the novel
-Lastly, Setting (I would like to say more but I haven't got all day), mono-spatial settings CAN WORK I'm sure. But there's a reason people include multiple, to set the tone and atmosphere. Firstly the settings revolve around the school and it's facilities, but all the descriptions are weak, immerse us into this location with the senses. The other settings like the holiday beach house was also quite fleeting.
August 25, 2025
At first, Underworld feels like a slow burn—a world of cyber intrigue, cryptic messages, and a protagonist navigating an underground network of hackers and secrets. But don’t be fooled—because once the plot gains momentum, it delivers one of the best twists I’ve read in a long time.
Fanie Viljoen does a phenomenal job layering suspense, making every reveal hit harder than the last. The pacing builds up beautifully, and before I knew it, I was gripping the pages, racing toward answers. The final twist? Absolutely game-changing.
💻 Why you need this book:
✔ Slow-burn start that turns into an adrenaline-fueled ride
✔ Intricate cyber-thriller elements that feel shockingly real
✔ A jaw-dropping plot twist that changes everything
✔ The kind of ending that leaves you desperate for book 2
If you love mysteries with a tech edge, high-stakes tension, and unpredictable storytelling, this one is for you.
⭐ 4.5/5 – Slow start, but that twist was worth it!
Fanie Viljoen does a phenomenal job layering suspense, making every reveal hit harder than the last. The pacing builds up beautifully, and before I knew it, I was gripping the pages, racing toward answers. The final twist? Absolutely game-changing.
💻 Why you need this book:
✔ Slow-burn start that turns into an adrenaline-fueled ride
✔ Intricate cyber-thriller elements that feel shockingly real
✔ A jaw-dropping plot twist that changes everything
✔ The kind of ending that leaves you desperate for book 2
If you love mysteries with a tech edge, high-stakes tension, and unpredictable storytelling, this one is for you.
⭐ 4.5/5 – Slow start, but that twist was worth it!
September 6, 2021
I read this book as part of my school curriculum and wow. Afrikaans is my second language and even though I would never willingly pick up an Afrikaans novel this book might just change my mind. At the beginning of this book I had no idea how the story was going to end or where it was leading to. The plot of this story is very unique and it had me hooked from start to finish. The climax was intense and I had goosebumps throughout!
Fanie Viljoens writing is exceptional and even though my Afrikaans is a little weak I never failed to understand the story. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some good YA fiction!
Fanie Viljoens writing is exceptional and even though my Afrikaans is a little weak I never failed to understand the story. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some good YA fiction!
August 25, 2017
Een van die opwindendste jeugromans in Afrikaans. Viljoen skep oortuigende spanning in die verhaal van die hoofseun Greg wat deur die nuwe matrikulant Eckardt die weg gewys word na die wonderlike onderwêreld van kuberkrakery. Greg se rebelsheid teen al die verwagtinge van hom maak hom 'n gewillige student van Eckardt se tegnieke - tot Eckardt se agenda duidelik word. Maar dit gebeur eers nadat Eckardt verdwyn het ...
One of the most exciting youth novels in Afrikaans. The dark world of cyberhacking is the scene for Viljoen's masterly suspence story.
One of the most exciting youth novels in Afrikaans. The dark world of cyberhacking is the scene for Viljoen's masterly suspence story.
July 27, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Can't lie I feel like I should be writing this in Afrikaans but anyways, I actually kinda enjoyed reading this book for school? It was definitely a lot more intriguing than other books we've read and I'm really actually curious about what's going to happen in Donker Web... I guess we'll just wait and see.
Also Greg and Eckardt both have so many issues and I really don't like Nicole.
Can't lie I feel like I should be writing this in Afrikaans but anyways, I actually kinda enjoyed reading this book for school? It was definitely a lot more intriguing than other books we've read and I'm really actually curious about what's going to happen in Donker Web... I guess we'll just wait and see.
Also Greg and Eckardt both have so many issues and I really don't like Nicole.
August 26, 2022
WHY IS THIS SO GOOD I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO LIKE THIS dankie afrikaans klas ???
April 19, 2023
School read, could've been enjoyable if I didn't have to write tests about it, I don't necessarily like Eckhardt anymore
February 12, 2025
ek sou eerder kringe in die bos lees; die huistaal kurrikulum is swak
July 30, 2024
If poo was a book
September 16, 2024
Ek weet nie
January 6, 2026
einde was a no
March 25, 2025
Ek, wat nou n graadelf leerder is - het hierdie boek gelees, om insig oor dit te kry vir my matriekjaar. Ek is bly ek hét dié boek gelees - maar ek het juis alklaar ‘n opinie.
Ek hou glad nie van tegnologie nie, en al die gepraat oor hacking ens. het my brein gebreek so ‘n bietjie - maar that’s on me, die hele idee van die boek was onrealisties, of dalk het ek nie só ‘n verstaan in romanne nie 💀
Dié boek maak my wonder of dit selfs ooit nodig was, om eerlik te wees is dit SO random - as ek nou enige persoon moet neersit en hierdie boek in drie woorde moet opsom, sou dit wees: hacking, voëlgriep en verraaiers. Hulle sal my aankyk asof ek al my varkies 6 maande terug verloor het.
Dit was goed, en kon kophou met meeste van die goed, en ek vermoed nogsteeds Greg lieg oor sy straightness.. maar dit is seker nie my plek om dit kwyt te raak nie 👌🏻
Ek kry my matriek self jammer, sy wat HIERDIE weer moet lees en langvrae uit haar agterent moet ruk - fanie viljoen, hierdie boek was my eerste indruk van jou, not at all intrigued 🤷♀️
Ek hou glad nie van tegnologie nie, en al die gepraat oor hacking ens. het my brein gebreek so ‘n bietjie - maar that’s on me, die hele idee van die boek was onrealisties, of dalk het ek nie só ‘n verstaan in romanne nie 💀
Dié boek maak my wonder of dit selfs ooit nodig was, om eerlik te wees is dit SO random - as ek nou enige persoon moet neersit en hierdie boek in drie woorde moet opsom, sou dit wees: hacking, voëlgriep en verraaiers. Hulle sal my aankyk asof ek al my varkies 6 maande terug verloor het.
Dit was goed, en kon kophou met meeste van die goed, en ek vermoed nogsteeds Greg lieg oor sy straightness.. maar dit is seker nie my plek om dit kwyt te raak nie 👌🏻
Ek kry my matriek self jammer, sy wat HIERDIE weer moet lees en langvrae uit haar agterent moet ruk - fanie viljoen, hierdie boek was my eerste indruk van jou, not at all intrigued 🤷♀️
October 24, 2025
I first read Onderwereld back in high school when it was one of our prescribed books, and I decided to reread it after finding out there’s now a sequel. I remembered liking it at the time, but after revisiting it, my feelings are a bit more mixed.
The concept of the story is still great—dark, intriguing, and with a mystery that pulls you in—but a few things didn’t hold up as well for me. Greg’s relationship with his girlfriend feels more like a summer fling that dragged on too long, and several side characters seemed like they could’ve played bigger, more meaningful roles. The open ending, which I didn’t love the first time around, still left me feeling unsatisfied.
That said, I really enjoyed the way the story alternates between flashbacks and present-day scenes—it adds some depth and helps connect the dots as the plot unfolds. Even with its flaws, the book has a certain charm that makes it worth rereading.
A solid 3 out of 5 stars for its creativity and nostalgic value, even if some parts didn’t quite land the same way they used to.
The concept of the story is still great—dark, intriguing, and with a mystery that pulls you in—but a few things didn’t hold up as well for me. Greg’s relationship with his girlfriend feels more like a summer fling that dragged on too long, and several side characters seemed like they could’ve played bigger, more meaningful roles. The open ending, which I didn’t love the first time around, still left me feeling unsatisfied.
That said, I really enjoyed the way the story alternates between flashbacks and present-day scenes—it adds some depth and helps connect the dots as the plot unfolds. Even with its flaws, the book has a certain charm that makes it worth rereading.
A solid 3 out of 5 stars for its creativity and nostalgic value, even if some parts didn’t quite land the same way they used to.
October 22, 2023
Ek het persoonlik niks van die boek gehou nie. 1 ster dink ek ni dis gepas nie want dit is baie beter as die driehoekige sirkel, maar kom ni naby aan droomdelwers of map jacobs nie. Hierdie boek is baie cringe en die manier van skryf gee duidelik die boodskap deur dat dit is n volwasse man wat dink hy weet hoe tieners is en praat. Die storie is so langdradig en vervelig en die einde laat jou voel asof jy jou tyd gemors het. Ek het geweier om die boek klaar te lees omdat elke keer gaan ek oopbek aan die slaap. Vir eind gaan ek maar net opstel vrae leer en bid. In rekord het ek 20/25 gekry so ek hoop ek kan dit weer reg kry. Map se vrae red my altyd darem want daai storie kan ek actually geniet en nog steefs wawyd wakker wees na die tyd
November 16, 2023
Onderwêreld is one of the few Afrikaans books that kept my attention until the end. The characters are well-rounded especially Greg and Eckardt. The reader is kept in suspense until the end as to how certain events will unfold. I enjoyed the way the book was structured like a computer booting up then shutting down as well as Eckardt’s intelligence in completing his masterplan of manipulating Greg. However, the novel ends on an anti-climax and open ending, which forces the reader to read the 2nd book in the series to get closure. Anyone who wants to read a well-written Afrikaans book with mystery, hacking and a good plotline then this book is a good start.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2024
Had this as assigned reading in highschool. Probably the best book we ever got for assigned reading, and amazing book overall. Only reason why not 5 stars, I'm going to be honest I didn't enjoy reading the book. I love when reading I resonant with one of the characters and I am able to be oh I see myself in them, this book was focused on ±4 character types and wasn't really speaking to a female or an underprivileged, non white, non successful family or "hoofseun" audience. It was still a very good book, I shipped random characters to make up for my own issue for the book so it was fine.
February 27, 2024
Die boek was amazing ja ek is nog nie klaar gelees nie ek is by hoofstuk 24 nou maar ek voel ek wil die skryf... soes ek gese het die boek is amazing dit is interresant soe ver ek hou baie van dit... julle ken fokol nie ek weet nie vir wat bash julle op fanie nie god fanie gaan nie eers jou comment lees nie as jy voel die boek was kak dan gaan skryf gou jou eie boek
sommige mense in die comments is haters🤣🤣🤣🤣 (this comment isn't relevant to the book basically)
sommige mense in die comments is haters🤣🤣🤣🤣 (this comment isn't relevant to the book basically)
May 23, 2025
Sou dit een ster gee as dit nie vir Eckhardt was wat as antagonis reveal was nie. Die boek was actually pynlik om te lees, en nie net omdat ek my nek seermaak van al die afkyk nie. Die hoofkarakter het n ernstige ego probleem, en al die ander karakters is vervelend, behalwe Eckhart, waarvan ons ook nie eintlik veel weet buiten die feit dat hy edgy is en hack nie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 31, 2020good
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