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Smith to the Small Gods: A Retired Legend Cozy LitRPG
A Cozy LitRPG for the ages!
Everyone knows that true Legends never die. But they do occasionally retire.
After decades of bashing, slashing, and executing his way through the ranks of the evil tyrant king, Orin Ironfinger is… tired. Victorious and feared the world over, to be sure, but tired all the same.
Leading a rebellion as the highest-ranking Barbarian in the world is no easy feat, but now that he’s spilled enough blood to turn the seas red and burned enough vengeance to dim the sun, all Orin wants is to embark on his long-held dream of retiring into a quiet life as a small-town blacksmith.
But the gods have other plans.
Specifically, the Small Gods. The ones only the locals know about. The ones who give the happy blessings and the small boons of favor.
And so the question What happens when the world’s most terrifying Barbarian disappears and gains the favor of the gods?
And how the heck is Orin going to keep his true identity hidden within the charming seaside hamlet of Havenhold? Can he ever find peace, or will his past catch up with him?
Looking for a retired legend cozy LitRPG? This story is for you!
Everyone knows that true Legends never die. But they do occasionally retire.
After decades of bashing, slashing, and executing his way through the ranks of the evil tyrant king, Orin Ironfinger is… tired. Victorious and feared the world over, to be sure, but tired all the same.
Leading a rebellion as the highest-ranking Barbarian in the world is no easy feat, but now that he’s spilled enough blood to turn the seas red and burned enough vengeance to dim the sun, all Orin wants is to embark on his long-held dream of retiring into a quiet life as a small-town blacksmith.
But the gods have other plans.
Specifically, the Small Gods. The ones only the locals know about. The ones who give the happy blessings and the small boons of favor.
And so the question What happens when the world’s most terrifying Barbarian disappears and gains the favor of the gods?
And how the heck is Orin going to keep his true identity hidden within the charming seaside hamlet of Havenhold? Can he ever find peace, or will his past catch up with him?
Looking for a retired legend cozy LitRPG? This story is for you!
- GenresFantasy
509 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2025
225 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 28, 2025
okay story with choppy writing. potential is there, but not the best.
October 1, 2025
My reviews are my own. If you liked this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If not, I respect your opinion. This is merely my opinion, so let's keep it courteous.
I enjoyed this author's other book (Tonic Shop), so I decided to give this one a chance, but it wasn't for me. Too much action despite the fact that it is a cozy story, and the same issue I had with the other book when it comes to romantic interests, or comments about a female's body. I do not understand why litRPG books almost always introduce a romantic partner or make sexual comments. Can't we focus on the story? Is that not enough? Also, can't people JUST be friends? Anyway, I don't care for a romantic sideline on my adventure or sex related comments. It happened to me with another story about BOBA, I dropped it because of the sappy romantic part of it.
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
I enjoyed this author's other book (Tonic Shop), so I decided to give this one a chance, but it wasn't for me. Too much action despite the fact that it is a cozy story, and the same issue I had with the other book when it comes to romantic interests, or comments about a female's body. I do not understand why litRPG books almost always introduce a romantic partner or make sexual comments. Can't we focus on the story? Is that not enough? Also, can't people JUST be friends? Anyway, I don't care for a romantic sideline on my adventure or sex related comments. It happened to me with another story about BOBA, I dropped it because of the sappy romantic part of it.
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
November 27, 2025
Ok book
The is ok, but several issues really bothered me in this book. The first is the stupidity of having a main character promising himself not to kill people in this type of world. "Bandits that rob and kill people are coming to kill me, but I am so much of a good guy, I will let murderers run free". I absolutely that.
My other issue is that while not wanting to kill murderers and assassins, the author has no issues with bad guys getting rusted fish hooks to the face and no about boiling water and boiling oil being poured on someone. Doors the author have any clue how bad it is to have boiling oil poured on your head?
The whole defense of the town was utterly ridiculous and stupid. The attackers and the defenders actions were like what 10 year old would do.
The is ok, but several issues really bothered me in this book. The first is the stupidity of having a main character promising himself not to kill people in this type of world. "Bandits that rob and kill people are coming to kill me, but I am so much of a good guy, I will let murderers run free". I absolutely that.
My other issue is that while not wanting to kill murderers and assassins, the author has no issues with bad guys getting rusted fish hooks to the face and no about boiling water and boiling oil being poured on someone. Doors the author have any clue how bad it is to have boiling oil poured on your head?
The whole defense of the town was utterly ridiculous and stupid. The attackers and the defenders actions were like what 10 year old would do.
November 27, 2025
DNF at 7% when the MC re-met his old female best friend, didn’t re-introduce himself, and spent all of his subsequent inner monologue wondering about how she would perceive him if he was willing to reveal himself and not at all about how she had been over the intervening years of separation. Then he decides she can’t handle a fight in her own bar without knowing anything about her abilities, just that obviously he is so badass that no-one can get by without him. I am not wasting more time reading self-centered MC’s who don’t communicate.
If you want a well-written retired-legend cozy with characters that actually interact with each other and don’t just exist in relation to the MC, I’d recommend Kael’s Curios by E. M. Hardy.
If you want a well-written retired-legend cozy with characters that actually interact with each other and don’t just exist in relation to the MC, I’d recommend Kael’s Curios by E. M. Hardy.
January 14, 2026
The idea behind the novel is interesting, but the shackles that the MC puts upon himself are selfish and reek of forced plot. It is one thing to try to become a pacifist, but another to allow known murderers to escape to murder again when they could be stopped.
There are also some irritating plot holes. Why does a super high level barbarian need to tie sheets together to jump out of a second story window? He is shown jumping 90 ft in the next chapter! Why does he need to sneak past revelers in the front of the inn? Doesn't the inn have a back?
By the time the third murderous bast**d has been allowed to escape to go murder someone else, I just couldn't take it anymore.
DNF at CH 12
There are also some irritating plot holes. Why does a super high level barbarian need to tie sheets together to jump out of a second story window? He is shown jumping 90 ft in the next chapter! Why does he need to sneak past revelers in the front of the inn? Doesn't the inn have a back?
By the time the third murderous bast**d has been allowed to escape to go murder someone else, I just couldn't take it anymore.
DNF at CH 12
November 13, 2025
The story struggles with the OP MC. MC vows to never kill again, but still gets in a lot of fights so the author has to write in some unlikely scenario to enable the MC to win but just disable or knock out his opponents. The world building, System and levels dont really make sense or seem to be balanced.
I liked the author's Tonic Shop story, but this one was a complete miss.
Also, the author needs to do some work on writing women, descriptions of women and romance if they're going to make the MC immediately meet a love interest.
I liked the author's Tonic Shop story, but this one was a complete miss.
Also, the author needs to do some work on writing women, descriptions of women and romance if they're going to make the MC immediately meet a love interest.
Did not finish
January 14, 2026DNF @ 37% because it does not meet my coziness standards for being labeled a cozy litrpg. Too much fighting so early on ruins any sort of cozy beginning before drama starts.
Also, the MC doesn't feel like a legend who has spent the past twenty years fighting - he seems to not know many things and reads like a twenty year old.
finally, there was some gross wording around women early on that leads me to believe it will be pervasive in the story.
Also, the MC doesn't feel like a legend who has spent the past twenty years fighting - he seems to not know many things and reads like a twenty year old.
finally, there was some gross wording around women early on that leads me to believe it will be pervasive in the story.
December 20, 2025
Almost low stakes
The most feared and powerful barbarian in the world wants to retire as a small town blacksmith in an area with "small gods". What could possibly go wrong? This story has amusing parts, new takes on divine magic and ( thankfully) is light in the litRPG portions. It even has some battles and a dungeon delve. Overall, an amusing read.
The most feared and powerful barbarian in the world wants to retire as a small town blacksmith in an area with "small gods". What could possibly go wrong? This story has amusing parts, new takes on divine magic and ( thankfully) is light in the litRPG portions. It even has some battles and a dungeon delve. Overall, an amusing read.
October 23, 2025
enjoyable OP Slice of life
This is a sub genre of LitRPG in which an OPMC retires and tries his hand at something new. This is charming, with an interesting divine sub plot. It can get a little cutesy, but I enjoyed it.
This is a sub genre of LitRPG in which an OPMC retires and tries his hand at something new. This is charming, with an interesting divine sub plot. It can get a little cutesy, but I enjoyed it.
October 24, 2025
Great slice of life
Ever thought about just leaving the city for a quiet life. What happens when the greatest hero finds that the final victory just leaves him cold. But it is not so easy to build a new life.
Ever thought about just leaving the city for a quiet life. What happens when the greatest hero finds that the final victory just leaves him cold. But it is not so easy to build a new life.
October 29, 2025
Really, really good!
This is a very character driven story. Orin's ability to leverage old skills in new ways, and then teach someone else is amazing. It ends with a really good feeling, and I can't wait for the next book
This is a very character driven story. Orin's ability to leverage old skills in new ways, and then teach someone else is amazing. It ends with a really good feeling, and I can't wait for the next book
November 28, 2025
Max Vale is someone to watch!
This is my second Max Vale book and I don't think there is another out as of yet 😒 But I will be waiting! Fun, moves along, not too fast, not too slow. I love his characters and they develop in a pleasing manner. The magic is just right. Love!
This is my second Max Vale book and I don't think there is another out as of yet 😒 But I will be waiting! Fun, moves along, not too fast, not too slow. I love his characters and they develop in a pleasing manner. The magic is just right. Love!
January 18, 2026
Good Read
This was a pretty good read. It was well written with an interesting plot and characters, and it made me want to keep reading. The only con, for me, was the ill timed romantic moments between Orin and Rhea, like in the catacombs which made me roll my eyes.
This was a pretty good read. It was well written with an interesting plot and characters, and it made me want to keep reading. The only con, for me, was the ill timed romantic moments between Orin and Rhea, like in the catacombs which made me roll my eyes.
February 15, 2026
Heartfelt and light
With all the craziness we're all dealing with, this story was a perfect balm to frazzled nerves. I loved it and it hit just the right tone. I needed this story so I am highly recommending it as your next read.
With all the craziness we're all dealing with, this story was a perfect balm to frazzled nerves. I loved it and it hit just the right tone. I needed this story so I am highly recommending it as your next read.
October 13, 2025
fun just clean fun
In our complicated times easy reading fantasy and good clean fun are high on my agenda. Feel free to take my advice and buy this book
In our complicated times easy reading fantasy and good clean fun are high on my agenda. Feel free to take my advice and buy this book
November 27, 2025
a charming small story
Very enjoyable, and heartwarming. I very much enjoyed reading it, and it was a pleasant hour or two. Would recommend
Very enjoyable, and heartwarming. I very much enjoyed reading it, and it was a pleasant hour or two. Would recommend
December 9, 2025
Loved it!
Great character, great motivations . I would have liked him to tell the girl who he was. Epilogue was very nice as well!
Great character, great motivations . I would have liked him to tell the girl who he was. Epilogue was very nice as well!
January 11, 2026
The writing style was a bit flowery and verbose for me. And I didn't like how he was pointlessly lying to everyone and had taken a stupid vow on top of it. It made him seem like a bit of an idiot.
January 15, 2026
Meh, Main character suddenly know all there is to smithing and cant do wrong. Easy progression.
March 13, 2026
A thoroughly enjoyable read!
This is one of those books that you’ll finish with a smile on your face and joyful adventure in your heart.
This is one of those books that you’ll finish with a smile on your face and joyful adventure in your heart.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews