Kaleidoscope of Death

Description

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It started off peculiarly; first, his domestic cat refused to let him cuddle it.

Lin Qiushi soon found that a sense of disharmony and incongruity began to pervade everything around him.

Then, one odd day, he pushed open a door, and he discovered that the hallway he was familiar with turned into a boundless corridor.

At both ends of this corridor were twelve, identical iron gates.

He pushed one of the doors

Thus, the story begins.

Ruan Nanzhu said to Lin Qiushi, “When you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss will also gaze back into you.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiushi sank into deep contemplation. He then pulled down the zipper of his trousers and aimed at the abyss…

Ruan Nanzhu: “…Put your pants on properly!”

Super shameless, ill-pampered gong X Shameless, calm shou; a combination of double [or extreme] shamelessness.

Associated Names
One entry per line
KOD
Kính vạn hoa chết chóc/Tử vong kính vạn hoa
Sǐwáng wànhuātǒng
The Spirealm (Drama)
Калейдоскоп Смерти
ฝ่ามิติประตูมรณะ
死亡万花筒
死亡萬花筒
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Global Examination (13)
The Earth is Online (13)
Escape the Infinite Chamber (6)
Supernatural Movie Actor App (6)
The Trial Game of Life (6)
Paintings of Terror (5)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Horror-Action-Unlimited Flow
  2. Horror&Post apocalyptic BLs
  3. Autumn's Read BLs
  4. My favs
  5. UF/ IF novels that I read

Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/18/21 Zin extra 10
07/01/21 Zin extra 9
05/30/21 Zin extra 8
05/28/21 Zin extra 7
05/24/21 Zin extra 6
05/24/21 Zin extra 5
05/22/21 Zin extra 4
05/22/21 Zin extra 3
05/20/21 Zin extra 2
05/19/21 Zin extra 1
05/19/21 Zin c139
05/19/21 Zin c137
05/19/21 Zin c138
05/18/21 Zin c136
05/18/21 Zin c135
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274 Reviews sorted by


kyry
kyry rated it
April 24, 2020
Status: Completed
That was good!!

It was scary and crazy fun ride. I love it a lot. Give it a try, you won't regret it. MTL is readable also.

The romance is along the way, not really pointed out but you know MC and ML likes each other. It's a proper horror novel which MCs is accidentally male and male couple. You can love it even though you don't like BL (but I do, so it's a total plus). Sooo good!
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ByleeM
ByleeM rated it
April 1, 2020
Status: c33
This was my first horror novel and it led me down the rabbit hole known as horror BL... yes this is a BL if you haven't read the tags. The MC is lovable, easy to empathize with and both the writing and translations are divine!! I never saw the appeal of horror novels till this one, It left me trembling with fear and fascination and unlike in others of the genres the ML does not have some sort of god level cheat that borders on precognition but he's still so... more>> chilled that he gives off a "totally dependable gong" vibe. The world building is also quite good although the translation is quite slow. <<less
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Misty Foxtail
Misty Foxtail rated it
June 8, 2019
Status: c1
Through reading this I came to realize that this novel is a bit the same as Earth is Online. It is very unique and I'm quite excited for it to be completely translated!
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MillenniumMoon
MillenniumMoon rated it
June 8, 2019
Status: Completed
This is one of the best horror novels I've ever read! I'm a person who adores horror since I was a little child, I've read a lot of horror stories so I'm not a person that is easily spooked but man I sure got goosebumps reading this. (And I read this with MTL!!!)

I'm a person who loves reading alone but this story got me so paranoid and creeped out that I was relieved when my roommate got back from school.

I also like slow burn romances and this one is... more>> especially cute. I'm not fond of bl that always uses the love at first sight or quick to fall in love trope, so this was a breath of fresh air.

If you love horror, then I highly recommend you read this! Welcome to the Nightmare Game is a must too! <<less
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ResidentialPsycho
ResidentialPsycho rated it
October 20, 2018
Status: c19
Thus far, this is a wonderfully gory horror series perfect for the Halloween season. The personalities of the MC and ML lighten up the dark, suspenseful atmosphere with their refreshing personalities and sassy interactions.

The world-building for each door they go through is interesting, albeit a bit lacking. It's nothing particularly inspirational or note-worthy. The side-characters have yet to be fleshed out, which is another glaring weakness. Although the story is nice and the characters are funny, the writing doesn't evoke a sense of terror or loss for me in regards... more>> to the monstrosities faced and people killed. At this point, the writing isn't enough to move me, but I may change this review by the time the series ends. <<less
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merinnan
merinnan rated it
March 12, 2024
Status: Completed
Fantastic story, fantastic characters from the leads through to all the supporting characters. Really well done.
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DaraLyne
DaraLyne
March 2, 2024
Status: Completed
I just finished reading this book. First of all, I felt like *I* had several encounters with death the whole thing I was reading the book. I could r even sleep in my room alone. Is that what horror feels like?
I think this book is a good read. Only if you have the heart for it. What I'm concerned about is what exactly happened in the last few chapters??
I don't understand anything at all.
MAJOR SPOILER
Spoiler

So RNZ is actually an NPC who fell in love with a player (rose) LQS so he gave up his godhead and became a human? Lost all his memories in the process just to join LQS? So what about the Obsidan members RNZ had with him? All of those memories they had together? Cheng Yixie? Was he really scouted by RHZ? I'm so confused. Unless of course when RHZ became human all those relations were established and he lived until he got to meet LQS?

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ManhwaPlusNovelReader
ManhwaPlusNovelReader rated it
February 26, 2024
Status: Completed
This was an emotional ride for me. Every arc was extremely interesting, with surprising solutions that you could only guess. Some arcs left a gruesome image in my mind, while others made every word I read fill me with anxiety. I didn't feel the need to skip chapters, even in chapters where the main couple weren't even together, I still wanted to continue reading. The protagonist's calm demeanor actually calmed me down too, made me feel way less anxious. And the shameless ML was really like a breath of fresh... more>> air in an air-tight room. There were times he made me laugh for quite a bit. I like how the author has the ability to control my emotions, as I'm not easily moved.

Spoiler
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When Tan ZaoZao died, I felt that it was a shame and was a bit upset, but I got over it pretty quickly. But when Cheng QianLi died...I cried so hard. Like I was so attached to him I really thought the author wouldn't kill him off. I was too naïve OTL Then after my tears had dried, Lin QiuShi met him again, and I couldn't help myself from sobbing. My god I loved him so much I just want to keep rambling about him death it was too unfair for me TT

The ending was I guess satisfactory to some degree, but of course the author couldn't swiftly right up an ending before making us a little anxious, can she!

Spoiler
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To be honest, the fact that the doors blocked them from telling information made me feel uncomfortable, because I personally hate the feeling of being restricted. But I understand why the author would do that and I won't wish for it to be any different. Just saying it brought me a bit of discomfort.

Not gonna lie, I hoped for at least one smutty scene but what can we do ;-; I hope you guys have some fanfiction ready ;) Just kidding, when there's no smut I usually just accept reality, the novel is already so good orz

Overall 10/10, played with my emotions quite a bit, kept me on edge the entire time, but at least the main couple got their ending! I'm satisfied. <<less
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olhaalder
olhaalder rated it
February 23, 2024
Status: Completed
History in the genre of mysticism, horror and Chinese bl. Very carefully and subtly, over 139 chapters, we came to love, which for a long time smelled only of one-sidedness. One of the things that I don’t understand is the main character’s resistance to stress, and even the plot twist during which I had to slow down and re-read it didn’t quite save the situation.
The author’s good idea, but this story left a bitter aftertaste, as if I had eaten wormwood. I'm not sensitive, but maybe my cold did its job. I cried throughout the last part of the book and also the extras.
Moving away from the thread of love and friendship that completely entangles the story, I want to talk about the plot component - it is good. If we remove the characters and introduce others, the power of the plot is unlikely to weaken. We walk with the heroes through 12 mystical doors, which take the characters through hell: mysteries and mu*ders, human passions. This horror helps them recover. No one who is not in danger of death turns out to be a door player. Our characters are fighting for their two lives: the game and the real. And death in a game brings with it the experience of a second death, only in reality.
A stunningly complex story to comprehend. Through a seemingly ordinary horror, it stirs up many themes and internal traumas. This is definitely catchy.
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Mr.Mo
Mr.Mo rated it
February 17, 2024
Status: Completed
One of my fav BLs :)

All arcs overall were very interesting and some really scared the heck out of me when I was reading them at night.

Spoiler

Especially the drum and those long stick creatures arc

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About the ending

Spoiler

It felt a bit lackluster? I guess it was different from what I expected.

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Overall, the story is great. 10/10
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tiaglory
tiaglory rated it
December 31, 2023
Status: Completed
very scary, gore and ghost sometimes I couldn’t even sleep at night while reading this

not much of a bl, more much of a story and adventure kind of novel

agree with most of the reviews here, worth to read despite it genre’s bl much more suited to be adventurous novel
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izayaYY
izayaYY
October 18, 2023
Status: Completed
As I was reading, I was bothered by many little incoherent things, for e.g why the crossdressing antics? Why was ML so overconfident and arrogant when he is clearly not OP and could die anytime within the doors? What's so special about MC that ML keeps talking about? But all my doubts vanished after reading the final chapters. Author does wrap it up nicely. I went from not liking ML to really liking his character. The last chapter was such a beautiful analogy.
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Jaykeepfighting
Jaykeepfighting
August 22, 2023
Status: Completed
Really good novel. Not too horrific due to the comedy.

There was a funny moment in chapter 80. In chapter 1 it was revealed that the MC was a interior designer and therefore knew about feng shui. Funnily enough, however, by the time we get to chapter 80, apparently, MC has now completely forgotten he was a designer and knows nothing about feng shui.

Lol, the author totally forgot her character backstory.
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Rainy_night
Rainy_night rated it
July 3, 2023
Status: Completed
I really enjoyed reading this one. Survival games especially when u need ur brain rather than power are really interesting. And the romance, they confess +100 ch. the thing made me write this comment was to complain to the author: why did u killed them??? I really really loved those charactersಥ⁠╭⁠╮⁠ಥ especially ... more>>
Spoiler

Cheng Qianli. I hardly cry reading a novel but when he died... From Wu Qi to him all of them were my fav n I can't get why they all were killed. Last chapters really disappointed me. Tbh I dislikes the last arc. And my fav arc was hako onna. I wonder which one others would like the most.

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any way thank u for writing and translating it. Tysm because of u I could read a great novel after a long time. <<less
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StellaBang
StellaBang rated it
July 2, 2023
Status: Completed
It's kinda the same genre as Alice in borderland, but with a romantic line. Like, horror, but not really horror.
Tbh I got a little bored at the time of six door, I think, because of the repetitiveness: they got in, gore happened, they win and got out. And just that very slow developing romantic line (and cat cameos) helped me to keep it going.
Obviously, there was a twist at the end, but nothing that can shake me.

Spoiler

There is a tag for "human-nonhuman relationship" that is a biggest spoiler, so I kinda was ready for something like that. Especially when I've already read about bird & stone and about butterfly-boned beauty & tree.

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I saw many different opinions from "if you like the story, don't read extras" to "extras are must read". Well

Spoiler

extras about side characters are sad, and the new info in there are kinda prequels for what we already know. Extras about our shameless couple are a bit fun.

And the first one about literally revealing the secret... well, if you like to be confused or to think DEEP, it will give you food. But for me (and for the main character) it doesn't change anything.

Probably, since it'll be 11 doors now, something will change for the rest of the players. But do you really wanna go that way? Because if you wanna explore the new thin with doors, think that it was only 2 persons who returned from the 12 door, so if doors are unavoidable, almost all the ppl with doors are mean to die. It's not a new life, it's mostly a death trap with a bit of delay.

So why are ppl crying new players won't have chances? First of all, not like they really have it previously (otherwise MC wouldn't be MC, if he wouldn't be unique). Second, you don't know new distribution of difficulties and missions / new system rules after they became 11. So you can insinuate, but there's no reason to be angry or blame ML.

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It was kinda easy to read (many thanks for translators for my language, but it must be good written originally too). Author has a good sense of humor. And I'd love to see more of a romantic line, but I understand that it won't suite the genre.

Spoiler

So the romantic line is rare and even more puritanical than in Priest's stories (if you know what I mean)

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CloudCat
CloudCat
May 10, 2023
Status: Completed
I don't even know what to say. I really loved this novel, it has so much heart in it, and I hope more and more people give it a chance.

It's structure is so well done. And the emotions really hooked me, the translators did an EXCELLENT job on giving a faithful adaptation.

Zin and Taida Translations really worked so hard and their efforts definitely payed off, preserving the unique and lighthearted tone in some areas, the soul-crushing emotional beats, and the heart-stopping chilling parts. It's fantastic!

Especially some of these ghosts! Makes... more>> me wanna get a nightlight I was so scared at one point!

Spoiler

Many people have mixed feelings about the twist introduced at the ending, but honestly, I love the questions it sparked in my mind. It really had my thoughts swirling, perhaps, like a kaleidoscope. It re-contextualizes some parts of the story, but to me, in a really fun and interesting way.

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And I loved all of the extra chapters too!

Spoiler

Getting to see more of my girl Tan Zhaozhao made me burst into tears yet again. A regular occurance with this story

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All I want to say, is that this story made me laugh and cry and laugh through my tears and then breakdown even more.

But remember! No matter how dark it is, there's always a light in the abyss. You just have to reach it.

Spoiler

or if you're Lin Qiushi, pull down your zipper at it lmao

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<<less
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Loulaim
Loulaim rated it
May 1, 2023
Status: --
Ahh, on of those trap novels... high rating BL or shoujo. Basically people, who read those novels, knows what to expect and since their expectations are usually met they rate this high. But if some noob, like me, stumbles upon those - it's confusing to say the least.

Alright, I just give a quick impressions after reading first arc. It is not a horror, like people die, but important people to the story don't give a f*ck about it, so why should i? Ghosts are more funny than spooky (ghosts overall... more>> rarely spooky, people are). MC is typical passive japanese MC without his own opinion (yes, I know it's not a japanese novel), who complies with all demands of beautiful girl, who, for some reason, acting like dog in a heat, despite dire situation.

Spoiler

And this girl is apparently a dude, not my cup of tea, but don't really matter since they have almost no chemistry.

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All characters clearly divided into two groups - one group is important, they clear headed and can use basic logic, other group is not, they can panic, scream, blame first group for something and most them will die. Even veterans of the first group acting like helpless children, for example first timer girl threatens one of the locals to give them vital for survival information and they all like - you can do THAT?! They know the rules of the game, but don't use those rules in any meaningful way, like if there is people, who ghosts cannot kill - go and find troubles for the ghosts, burn their lairs, sacrifice locals, who dragged everyone here, to the ghosts etc. Don't just wait to be killed...

Maybe all of this will lead to some grand ending or interesting horror situations or maybe chemistry between main pair will appear, but I will stop here. According to average score this is outstanding BL novel, so if you like it, don't bother with my comment and go read it. <<less
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andreea9888
andreea9888 rated it
April 22, 2023
Status: c130
I loved this but anyway this is not necessarily a review but me venting about a certain thing that happened towards the ending of the book which is also a spoiler

... more>>
Spoiler

why just why did qianli have to die whyyyyy. I never even expected to get attached to side characters but with every time someone in the book said that qianli is s*upid I was just like “stfu you don’t know what you’re saying” and I just grew more attached to him. Same for yixie my heart is in shambles. I’ve been reading only this for a few days now and I just feel like someone I personally knew died. I don’t even wanna read anymore at this point I’m too sad. Why are you doing this to me and yixie man what have we done to you

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Anyway I really liked this but I still have to finish it after my heartbreak goes away <<less
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erialolita
erialolita
April 16, 2023
Status: c30
Won't rate for now, only got to chapter 30, but not interested enough to continue. Reading some of the reviews and seeing it on some favorite lists, I had really high expectations that I was let down. Maybe I will try again in the future when my expectations are lower.

I just didn't like any of the characters which made me disconnected from the story. The doors are okay, I've only made it theough 2 of them, the stories were kind of interesting, but not enough details. They get through the... more>> doors not by figuring things out from clues, but intuition.

MC is really bland to me. He brings almost nothing to the group other than he inexplicably trusts ML whole heartily and super hearing. I don't have to have an OP MC, but one that pulls his weight or has a personality is a must. He does get kudos for being a cat s*ave. Though I feel really bad for him each time the cat doesn't choose him.

ML is okay. He is shameless in the door world, but outside is meh. At times he seems like he doesn't care about MC, then other times he seems like he cares too much. I wouldn't mind ML like this, if MC had more personality. Wish their relationship was more balanced.

Also the whole don't ask questions thing was kind of dumb. So he can't know any information because some rookies with too much information got killed from being c*cky, but a 16 year old gets to know all the information because his brother is on door 8... okay. the worst part is the MC is so bland he just like okay no more question. it's just the author forcing it to try to stay mysterious. Not even sure why the rules are so secret. How do others not invited to an organization find everything out?

Translation is great, good notes and I love the updates they shared about the physical novels being released and offering to translate the extras from them. <<less
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Kiirian
Kiirian rated it
April 9, 2023
Status: extra 10
This was a good read. It kept me hooked up until the end. Maybe the style of writing isn't something amazing but it is entertaining. The banter is funny, there are some heartfelt moments that made me tear up. Yet I think this is the kind of thing you read to kind of turn your brain off and just have fun with horror. Just don't think too much about the plot.

... more>>
Spoiler

So yeah, the ending just... messed up everything if you are trying to think it through. Like all of the turmoil of MC doesn't make sense. His character traits are suddenly a big mystery. Since apparently ML is an otherworldly being who stole his place in reality (to be with him and play around with being human) and gave MC some fabricated past it leaves me with some questions.

  • Did every other flashback we read that happens after the revelation really happen? and if it did, did it include MC before everyone's memories got switched? If that is true the emotional impact just gets lost.
  • if MC character is based on his fake backstory that means we aren't reading a story of a real MC, but a character created by the ML (especially since the narration underlines how it is understable MC is the way he is with such backstory and when telling us the real events we see that the character of MC is different from what it would be if he still remembered who he used to be)
  • ML character traits are just stolen from original MC so we don't even know who he is. it makes this whole thing one guy being obsessed about someone to the point he made them his whole personality and later stole their place in life just to sleep with them
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MC and ML are pretty funny together. Also the secondary characters? They can be amazing. The twins and the parallels between their story and the story of another pair of siblings? Just get ready for tears while reading. The friend of MC and his girlfriend? The actress that becomes a friends? All of them are wonderful and seeing MC open up or just try to be a good friend is amazing.

Still we sometimes get into the area of casual sexism. Nothing new here, the usual "men always stronger than women" and women always crying. There are maybe three women in this that actually can achieve anything and they mostly aren't a part of the main cast. Like yeah, this is BL so women aren't the main focus. But just get ready to skip over some strange opinions or descriptions here or there.

The gore and horror are well done imo. Although sometimes they get... funny.
Spoiler

Slenderman with a top hat. Like.... It made me laugh so much

[collapse]
. But even when the author tries to write something more somber and less bloody it works. I've been reading this till wee hours of the morning and let me tell you the horror does work when you are home alone with only the light of your phone.

So yeah, a good read, but just don't try to think too much about overall plot. Door mysteries work fine, mostly. Have fun trying to figure them out. But the whole 12 door mystery once it gets solved is disappointing. <<less
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