Reviews

The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life, Vol. 1 (Light Novel) by Usata Nonohara

Only show reviews with written explanations

noemi1010's review

4.0

Mariela is an alchemist in a fantasy world where beasts exists and are dangerous. So when to survive she has to cast a spell on herself until the danger has passes, Mariela wakes up 200 years in the future where alchemist are not as common as they were at her time and a lot of their knowledge has disappeared. Now Mariela needs to adapt to this new time, but thankfully she has a slave-turned-friend, Sieg, who can help her— after all, the only thing that Mariela desires is living a quiet life.

I hurt so much for Mariela, but at the same time I understand her desires to just have the necessary means to survive. I think she's too good because many times she lets people take advantage of her and of her skills.

bookshroomy's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

athenaevarinya's review

Go to review page

slow-paced

4.0

ailurus's review

Go to review page

The completely unnecessary slavery plot that they kept harping back to just pulled me out of it. It's the first time I've properly DNF'ed a book and I'm quite annoyed because this has so much potential but halfway through and there's no point in continuing. Because even the non slavery plot was just tedious.

Content Warnings

pekoegal's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Like if the Atelier and Etrian Odyssey series had a crossover

I really enjoyed the world in this book. If you enjoy games where alchemy and gathering materials for it are central points you will feel right at home in Labyrinth City.

secrereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I came in expecting to be a fan of this series but overall it was a struggle to keep my attention. That's not to say it's awful but for me the genre is kind of a bore.

awritingsparrow's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Okay, so I really like this book. I like the plot and I enjoy the characters. The artwork is really nice. The world building is really good and it makes me want to know more about it.
But...

I really, really don't like it when slavery is used as a plot device to bring to characters together. It leaves a power-balance that I am generally not comfortable with. Especially when it looks like one of the characters has any inkling of romantic feelings for the other. The whole concept of 'treating a human being like a human being' is something I don't normally jive with.
I already like this series. I want to love this series. I hope as it goes on the dynamic between Mariela and Siegmund changes to something where it doesn't feel like Seig worships the ground Mariela walks on because she is a 'nice master.'