
Thriller Trainee
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Author:
Raven,Wang Ya,妄鸦,
- Status: Completed
Rating(4 / 5.0, 101 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
30(30%)
3 stars
38(38%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)

Popular Reviews
I'm hoping the translators can address these discrepancies to improve the flow and logic, but I understand their limitations. Since I haven't finished the story, I'll give it a chance later, but my current impression of the main lead is negative. My rating for now stands at 3.5 stars.
The reviewer finds the developing conflict between the two compelling, particularly as it could potentially evolve into a romantic relationship. They also commend the well-developed supporting characters, which is a rarity in such stories.
The only criticism mentioned is the toxic nature of the ML, but the reviewer empathizes with his background, explaining that his actions stem from the maliciousness of his origin. Although they don't condone his behavior, they can relate to his motivations, making for a complex and thought-provoking narrative.
In summary, the reviewer enjoys the story's depth and character dynamics, despite the challenges presented by the ML's character.
The concepts of the Urban Fantasy (UF) elements were decent, perhaps except for the circus subplot that felt tedious. The execution was decent, but the novel lacked that awe-inspiring factor. The protagonist's character development felt lacking; much of his progress was attributed to luck, which the author repeatedly emphasizes as a skill. However, this comes across as lazy writing, as plot events occur solely to ensure the main character's survival.
The power dynamic between the MC and ML is glaringly imbalanced, and the attempt to portray them as equals is comical. Despite these shortcomings, I must say the novel isn't entirely terrible; I managed to finish it, which counts as a small victory. If you're looking for a scare, this might not be your cup of tea, but if you're after a decently written book, it's worth giving it a chance.
Additionally, I'm puzzled by the world-building and the portrayal of the main character (ML). Initially, it's mentioned that there are around 10,000 trainees, and each episode sees a significant portion wiped out. The dynamics shift from every person for themselves to the emergence of various organizations, which feels inconsistent. Also, the inclusion of S-level contestants alongside newbies who struggle similarly doesn't make sense to me. The only apparent difference is that newcomers appear more fearful and less competent, whereas S-levels remain relatively calm.
A major issue I have is that I initially thought this was a romance novel, specifically a BL one. Yet, despite the clear identification of the ML, after 190 chapters out of 259, there's virtually no romantic development between the protagonists. While I don't expect them to be together, the lack of mutual attraction between them feels off. The ML is portrayed as a cold, psychopathic thrill-seeker, fixated on the MC purely out of lust, with no genuine connection or concern for others. In contrast, the MC is apathetic and seemingly asexual, with minimal emotional involvement in the story.
The novel attempts to equate the MC and ML, suggesting they share a similar mindset, but I don't see it that way. The stark differences in their personalities – one a calculating psychopath and the other emotionally detached – make it difficult for me to envision them as a compatible pair. Despite the MC's actions showing care for others in unique ways, he is not the same as the ML, who seeks to harm rather than love.
In summary, I'm at a point where I'm unsure if I'll continue due to these discrepancies. At 190 chapters in, I find it hard to picture a romantic relationship between the two characters, given their vastly different natures and the lack of chemistry.
The school chapter stood out, particularly with the portrayal of supporting characters like Index 15 and 99. Despite their limited screen time, their emotional impact was strong, and their sacrifices left me teary-eyed. And let's not forget Class 9's camaraderie - it was truly heartwarming.
The circus sequence with its grotesque details was both haunting and amusing, especially with Chuuni Jiu's antics. The dark humor provided a much-needed break and had me laughing out loud at times.
Though the story leaned towards darkness, there were delightful comedic moments that lightened the mood, like the hilarious scenes between the main characters amidst the chaos on the train.
While I crave more of Jiu and the devil's flirtatious exchanges post-marriage, I found solace in the parallel storyline where Jiu and Number 1 reunited in the real world. The idea of their worlds merging and their rings symbolizing their union is intriguing. However, I couldn't help but wonder about the devil in a wedding dress - that would have been a sight to see!
Tsuchimikado unexpectedly became my favorite character, bringing laughter to the story. Overall, "Thriller Trainee" exceeded my expectations, and I thoroughly enjoyed my half-weeklong reading journey. I am grateful to the translators and the MTL sites for their contributions.
In conclusion, this novel was a fantastic read, leaving me wanting more, but content with what I experienced. Thank you for the incredible storytelling!
I would have appreciated more magical tricks beyond simple card tricks and sleight of hand. The focus mainly revolved around leadership, which was decent but not exceptional, and solving the puzzles within the copies. The Crazy Circus copy provided the biggest laughs due to its unexpected events, along with some character development.
The background reveal of the male lead (ML) was a close second favorite. The protagonist didn't heavily rely on the ML, deliberately keeping their distance, and the ML only intervened directly in the later stages to solve the copies.
The story revolves around:
- MC/Zou Ji: A brilliant character with a compassionate side, saving Class 9 (over 100 people) including Xu Su and Xu Sen. Described as handsome due to albinism and skilled as a magician, capable of deadly precision with playing cards.
- ML/Number 1/devil: A formidable figure who can control others, except for MC. Often disguised as an NPC, revealing his true form during intimate moments with MC. Collaborates with the main system, contributing to his overwhelming power. Initially, their relationship is ambiguous but ultimately ends up together.
- Supporting characters include:
- Messiah Mu Bei (controlled by ML), a seemingly good character.
- Zhuge An (gray area,知情者 of many secrets).
- Van Zhuo (ML's fiancé from the novel world, also controlled).
- Black Robbed Azan and Dark Warlock (both controlled by ML).
- Tsuchimikado (a humorous Yin-Yang master with excellent cross-dressing skills).
- Exorcist (friendship with Tsuchimikado, potential side couple).
- Ally characters like Xu Su and Xu Sen, who have a tragic love story.
The novel is filled with plot twists, including:
- Arcs: Mental Asylum, Casino, Corpse Village, King Game, School, Amusement Park, Judgement Day, Masquerade Ball, Super S-Class/Crazy Circus, System Punishment, and Final Battle.
- Memorable moments: Long French kiss between MC and ML, curse affecting MC, and the ultimate battle.
In the end, MC chooses an ending where some can leave the infinite loop while he waits for ML, deciding to stay together. Memories of the loop are erased, and a nostalgic game ad brings them back, revealing a wedding between MC and ML. The story concludes with a surprising revelation and the importance of redemption for the resurrected characters.
There are additional chapters for side couples and parallel universe ML, which are not included here. Overall, this novel offers a compelling blend of romance, power dynamics, and intrigue.
Furthermore, the collaboration with Machine Learning to determine a winner seems arbitrary, as the outcome doesn't seem to matter in the grand scheme. There's also confusion regarding how the system accumulates points – are they derived from defeated players, instance completion, or only those participating in the show? It's unclear why others not involved would be excluded.
In summary, while the individual instances might be engaging, the overarching plot is marred by inconsistencies and illogical gaps, which detract from the overall experience.
The ML undergoes a compelling character development, outshining the MC in terms of growth, making him one of the most well-written characters in the story. Initially portrayed as a manipulative puppeteer seeking to harm the MC, his motivations evolve into control and eventually love, marked by a profound realization about the nature of desire.
Though the couple doesn't explicitly declare their love, their subtle gestures and interactions reveal their deep affection. The ML's public display of their relationship and commitment is endearing.
However, the story's arcs are mixed, with the school arc losing interest for some readers due to its拖沓 nature and lack of a satisfying supernatural school experience. The plot could have been stronger, and the story didn't live up to its horror tag consistently. There were also underdeveloped aspects, such as the MC's transmigration, the dimensions' significance, and the reactions of those involved in the 'Unlimited Flow' world.
Nonetheless, the book stands out as unique due to its fusion of genres. The enemies-to-lovers trope is executed effectively, with the constant conflict between the MC and ML forming a thrilling foundation for the narrative. Overall, it's a decent read that might pique your interest, especially if you enjoy this particular trope. Give it a try!
Furthermore, let's discuss how fascinating the main character is - a magician struggling to mend his hands to continue his performances; what a wild and compelling plot twist!
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