Carn Online: Second Chances

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

The future belongs to the rich. Corporations make the laws, while the poor are forced into medically-induced comas, all in the name of profits. The impoverished flock to a hero who vowed to fight back—not in the real world, but in immersive games. In these virtual competitions, the ultimate prize holds the key to changing the world.

Damian was one of the penniless, a follower of the hero's revolution. A former teacher turned analyst, Damian gave everything to help the hero, but in the end, the hero was a lie. The corporations created him as a pawn to hold the rebellion in check. When Damian tried to reveal the truth, the corporations had him executed— but it didn't work. Damian didn't die, but woke up alive, six years in the past.

Neither a warrior nor rich, but equipped with knowledge of the future, Damian has a second chance to take down the "hero" and the corporations.

//This synopsis was created with help from the amazingEtzoli, please check out her work.\\

Information

Status
Hiatus
Year
2019
Author
D.H.Hansen

Tags

LITRPGVIRTUAL REALITYADVENTUREDRAMASCI-FIREINCARNATIONCYBERPUNKSTRATEGY

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.2/ 5.0
Followers
1,254
Views
604,054

Chapters(87 total)

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

  • whoeverRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    So, another story with the protagonist travelling back in time to play the game that decides the world. There have been so many of them that it is hard to create another one that is not totally boring.
    But I think this story managed it make it quite enjoyable to read.
    One aspect is that the protagonist does not magically remember all the little details of the game, but only some of them. This makes it feel much more real. (It's of course still quite unrealistic, and it is more talking about not remembering the details than actually missing them, but it manages suspension of disbelief quite well for me).
    While some characters might be a bit over-accented, they feel much more like a real team than the other back-in-time stories I have read which are more like the protagonist and some support staff without real characteristics.
    And last but still quite important it is quite well written.
  • Mark TimeRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Read a large number of novels, especially this genre. I love this one more than most. Read so many of this story type from Asian writers that were horrible at writing a story. Please don't drop this story. This story stands head and shoulders above others of its type. when related to caricatures, plot, and world-building.
    some minor things to consider when going into this story.
    Combat doesn't have the oomph of other stories. You won't go into this story just for the fights. luckily numbers and stat windows are minimized to deliver an actual narrative.
    Crafting has been locked behind an rng system. This means using this as a creative narrative peace is locked away.
    luckily both of these become minor with the emotion, interest, and development of the story in other places.
  • NeriRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    This story is a rough draft. This is repeated at the start of every chapter, and yet its of better quality than many published books I've read.
    Have you ever thought of a time loop?
    Of course you have.
    How about hacking a computer with a brute force solution? Every password possible, from AAAAA1 (or equivalent) onwards?
    Have you ever thought to combine the two elements, and tell the story from the near 2000th attempt at getting a time loop conclusion correct?
    The whole story started fairly mundane with an ordinary man being betrayed. It quickly got me hooked and reading until 4AM, for several nights.
    5 Stars, and my personal salute to D.H.Hanson for a brilliant story that I hope continues.
    Trolls have been attacking this story on RR, If it is discontinued here, I will be following it elsewhere.
  • PommyJoshRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    A very well thought out story and the comments at the top of each chapter indicates that these are just drafts. I wouldn’t have been able to initially tell with how immersive the different characters are. The change in perspectives contributes greatly towards understanding the different personalities of the characters and the realist responses of each individual towards the MC is refreshing.
    Whilst the story does reflect some similar impressions of other stories, the direction and flavour of this one shows it to be truly unique. I would defentily recommend giving this story a try!
  • SlizeerRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    I just read the entire story and it was painful to put down! I was kind skepticle since the reincarnated in the past thing has been used already, but the noncombat spin and the Coffins along with the rest of the worldbuilding made the story drastically exceed my expetations. This is deffinitely worth a read and I can't wait for more!
  • danieljinkersonRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    The story takes place in a dystopian society where corporations have uspured power from the people. While this is a component of the story and is used as a device to motive the protagonist, it is not the main focus. For reasons explained in the story it takes place primarily in a virtual world. The MC while offering his own strengths does not solve all problems through individual means but through a mixture of insights and communications with the side characters. Because the MC recognizes his limitations he involves other characters to contribute allowing for a more interesting cast.
    It's an enjoyable read and has a well thought out story.
  • faithfreeRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    A fairly standard fantasy setup but with a unique storyline. While other heroes are getting stronger and stronger too defeat evil our protagonist is on his path to fight for his convictions without violence. The overarching storyline seems to be quite thought through from the beginning. There is plenty of space for surprises lateron. I especially like the growth in the story. Not only growth of stregth, but also the growth of the different characters.
  • beardetmonkeyRoyal Road
    ★★★★ 3.5
    Carn Online is a pretty basic novel. It scratches some itches, no problems with the grammar, the beginning is strong and the worldbuilding cleary has gotten a lot of love. That's where the good things end though, as every character on the MC's side is just plain unlikable, unreasonable and VERY arrogant, even though he essentially saved them. I dropped this when the random old grandpa (CEO in this case) took a liking to him and like some trashy xainxia novel saves him at the last moment from a power he could otherwise not compete with.
    If you don't mind the stereotypes and an unlikable cast except for MC, this is definetly a good read.
  • AllanGrant88Royal Road
    ★★★★ 3.5
    I’m not always a fan of VR game stories, as there isn’t often enough at stake to make it matter, though some have been exceptions. This is one of those. The author has built two worlds that interact in a meaningful way, using one to benefit the other. It’s entertaining, though admittedly a rough draft version. With some editing,  it could be a great series.
  • Ray The RedRoyal Road
    ★★★ 3.0
    Carn Online started off alright, with a classic set-up we've all heard before. It wasn't doing anything special, per se, but it was hitting the rights notes; the MC has a concrete goal, doesn't go it alone, and plans to take advatage of his future knowledge. It was looking to be a slow burn, with some solid world building and good number crunches, and I must give props for making the crafting fun. The character interactions are by far the weakest part of the whole thing though, especially as the author eschews subtlety entirely by the last few chapters of the first novel - not to even speak of the Epilogue.
    Honestly, I have no clue why the author thought it a good idea to waste not one but two villains with a single stroke, as well as removing any and all intrigue from the the table. What little nuance there was, and there was precious little to begin with given we already had evil corporations and a brutish and sadistic guild leader, is erased with Marcus. I won't spoil it but suffice to say that the revelations in the Epilogue come completely out of left field - and not in a good way, either.
    Where I'd been able to power on through the amateurishly handled drama of the buid up, there was no such inclination for the amount of stupid that was crammed in that one chapter. It was an instant turn off for me, and quite violently so. It's quite dissapointing really, because while Carn Online had never been without its flaws, it had at least been enjoyable despite them but nothing can save it now - at least as far as I'm concerened. If nothing else, though, it does show one how to waste any and all suspension of disbelief.