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The Lone Wanderer #1
Whispers of the Ghost Alchemist: A LitRPG Adventure
A new LitRPG adventure perfect for fans of He Who Fights with Monsters, Unbound, and The Path of Ascension.
An accidental clone. Talent no one saw coming. Infinite worlds to explore.
Percy was born with little hope of standing out—just another face in a world ruled by bloodlines and class. Starting with the lowest Red core and mocked as a waste, Percy was always overlooked by his peers and scorned by the powerful. But when his bloodline awakens with the power to send clones across worlds, he seizes the chance to shatter expectations.
Exploring strange realms teeming with danger, Percy returns with priceless divine techniques, obscure knowledge, and even the seed of a second mana core stolen from an advanced civilization. But the road to the apex is riddled with peril. The elixirs he needs to advance? He’ll have to master alchemy to brew them himself. The Great Houses, scheming titans, and invading gods?
They’ll do anything to crush him before he can prove that even a so-called waste can reach the stars.
The Lone Wanderer is an action-packed LitRPG progression fantasy series with intricate battles, morally complex heroes, cultivation, and characters who rise because they must. This series is perfect for fans of the defined magical progression of Cradle, the tactical survival aspect of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the growth arc of Unintended Cultivator!
After earning more than 13.5 million views on Royal Road, this fan-favorite web-serial has been completely revised and released in its final, definitive form - now on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible with narration by Austin Rising!
An accidental clone. Talent no one saw coming. Infinite worlds to explore.
Percy was born with little hope of standing out—just another face in a world ruled by bloodlines and class. Starting with the lowest Red core and mocked as a waste, Percy was always overlooked by his peers and scorned by the powerful. But when his bloodline awakens with the power to send clones across worlds, he seizes the chance to shatter expectations.
Exploring strange realms teeming with danger, Percy returns with priceless divine techniques, obscure knowledge, and even the seed of a second mana core stolen from an advanced civilization. But the road to the apex is riddled with peril. The elixirs he needs to advance? He’ll have to master alchemy to brew them himself. The Great Houses, scheming titans, and invading gods?
They’ll do anything to crush him before he can prove that even a so-called waste can reach the stars.
The Lone Wanderer is an action-packed LitRPG progression fantasy series with intricate battles, morally complex heroes, cultivation, and characters who rise because they must. This series is perfect for fans of the defined magical progression of Cradle, the tactical survival aspect of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the growth arc of Unintended Cultivator!
After earning more than 13.5 million views on Royal Road, this fan-favorite web-serial has been completely revised and released in its final, definitive form - now on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible with narration by Austin Rising!
522 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 30, 2025
did not finish
I read about 44% of this and was bored out of my mind.
There’s no tension or meaningful character progression.
Where is the big villain what’s the story leading to?
There might of been one towards the end of the book but I’m not slugging through it in the hopes it gets better.
I read about 44% of this and was bored out of my mind.
There’s no tension or meaningful character progression.
Where is the big villain what’s the story leading to?
There might of been one towards the end of the book but I’m not slugging through it in the hopes it gets better.
February 19, 2026
The writing is pretty bad. I hate the cultivation garbage. His ability to possess aliens from other worlds, is interesting at first, but then it just gets old.
Main Character is extremely self-centered and selfish. He is a teenager, yet he drives himself to work 18 hour days, for YEARS. He has seemingly zero reason to do this, besides some vague ambition about becoming a god.
MC becomes a psychopath murderer out of nowhere
The guy didn't know the monster bird was his familiar!! Attacking monsters is normal.
The MC thought it was "inconvenient" to talk to him, so he just murders him.
MC has zero regrets about it. As a teenager he killed someone... wiped his hands and moved on.
DNF 61%
Main Character is extremely self-centered and selfish. He is a teenager, yet he drives himself to work 18 hour days, for YEARS. He has seemingly zero reason to do this, besides some vague ambition about becoming a god.
MC becomes a psychopath murderer out of nowhere
The guy didn't know the monster bird was his familiar!! Attacking monsters is normal.
The MC thought it was "inconvenient" to talk to him, so he just murders him.
MC has zero regrets about it. As a teenager he killed someone... wiped his hands and moved on.
DNF 61%
November 11, 2025
Very unique litrpg with some of the best world hopping I've ever read, each location visited feels unique and interesting and keeps the story constantly fresh.
November 12, 2025
Interesting, well written, Litrpg Book
Probably one of my favorite litrpg books. A well written underdog MC with a ton of grit and determination. An interesting world, and worlds. A good system that’s simple but with a lot of depth. A world with a lot of opposition but not too dark. Overall a great book if you like litrpg!
Probably one of my favorite litrpg books. A well written underdog MC with a ton of grit and determination. An interesting world, and worlds. A good system that’s simple but with a lot of depth. A world with a lot of opposition but not too dark. Overall a great book if you like litrpg!
November 12, 2025
Best litrpg
Currently my favorite story I’m reading, extremely creative and well thought out growth system, more than just fighting to grow stronger.
Currently my favorite story I’m reading, extremely creative and well thought out growth system, more than just fighting to grow stronger.
November 11, 2025
Very unique litrpg with some of the best world hopping I've ever read, each location visited feels unique and interesting and keeps the story constantly fresh.
December 22, 2025
Not bad
Stories a little lackluster and the magic system is very restrained And lackluster. It's okay. It's mildly entertaining, if you have Amazon prime it's worth the price.
Stories a little lackluster and the magic system is very restrained And lackluster. It's okay. It's mildly entertaining, if you have Amazon prime it's worth the price.
November 21, 2025
Thank you
Dear writer all I want to say is thank for this refreshing new take. I haven't had this much of enjoyment since iron Prince. Can't wait for book 2.
Dear writer all I want to say is thank for this refreshing new take. I haven't had this much of enjoyment since iron Prince. Can't wait for book 2.
January 10, 2026
The story has a lot of world building from how they advance their cores, to snippets of the overall universe. The book is well written and easy to follow, while going into great details of all the little things of the world.
The problem with this book is that it is world building and that's all it is. Sure there is a fight here or there and he does some alchemy but there isn't really much substance to it. All of it stems back to the world building as the character is your typical LitRPG protagonist with unlimited will power and no personality. The side characters also barely exist and you do get their perspective sometimes but it amounts to little.
Overall the book isn't terrible if you like a lot of world building but if you are looking for fight or alchemy you are going to be sorely disappointed in that department.
The problem with this book is that it is world building and that's all it is. Sure there is a fight here or there and he does some alchemy but there isn't really much substance to it. All of it stems back to the world building as the character is your typical LitRPG protagonist with unlimited will power and no personality. The side characters also barely exist and you do get their perspective sometimes but it amounts to little.
Overall the book isn't terrible if you like a lot of world building but if you are looking for fight or alchemy you are going to be sorely disappointed in that department.
November 30, 2025
While most of this book suffers from a solo-perspective, at least the protagonist is relatable.
The core plot is familiar to all of us; a boy born at the lowest rung of potential must fight and claw his way to the top. That's enough to make a decent story, and I enjoyed it for what it was. But the aspect of this novel that truly stands out, is its magic system.
I love the idea of a base set of magic, honed by millennia of use and research, being upended by techniques brought back from across the universe. Percy can't bring back new magic systems but he can learn from other cultures to use his magic in different ways. I love it!
The core plot is familiar to all of us; a boy born at the lowest rung of potential must fight and claw his way to the top. That's enough to make a decent story, and I enjoyed it for what it was. But the aspect of this novel that truly stands out, is its magic system.
I love the idea of a base set of magic, honed by millennia of use and research, being upended by techniques brought back from across the universe. Percy can't bring back new magic systems but he can learn from other cultures to use his magic in different ways. I love it!
May 25, 2026
Excellent
I remember initially reading this book on royal road,and the kindle version did not disappoint.Everything from the world building and character development was excellent.
I remember initially reading this book on royal road,and the kindle version did not disappoint.Everything from the world building and character development was excellent.
December 27, 2025
The hook is interesting but poorly executed. The part with clones is boring and confusing. This is a fun idea that has failed on a fundamental level.
August 9, 2026
Rating 4.0 stars
An interesting story. Almost a slice of life kind of story. Doesn't follow a straight path. In this world all people are born with magic but the level you have at birth defines how they treat you. If you are born a red, you have the lowest amount of magic. It goes from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, etc. The higher level you are born at, the more life you have. A good thing too because it takes progressively longer to move to the higher levels. It might take 10 years to move from red to orange but then 15 years to orange to yellow, then 100 years to the next one. The problem is that people that are born red won't live long enough to advance much further. There are elixirs that can help improve the time but not by much and nobody is going to waste their efforts on a red born.
The story follows the MC Percy. He is a red born that just advanced to orange. He has magic but doesn't know his affinity. There is one other thing that is important in this world. Bloodlines. Percy is part of a family that has the clone bloodline, and it was just awakened. The way it manifests is different depending on the type of magic the person has. Most in his family has the life affinity but some have a water affinity. So, they make clones with those affinities. Percy doesn't know his affinity (he was never deemed important enough to get it checked) but as soon as he is able, he triggers his bloodline and it changes everything.
An interesting story. Almost a slice of life kind of story. Doesn't follow a straight path. In this world all people are born with magic but the level you have at birth defines how they treat you. If you are born a red, you have the lowest amount of magic. It goes from red, orange, yellow, green, blue, etc. The higher level you are born at, the more life you have. A good thing too because it takes progressively longer to move to the higher levels. It might take 10 years to move from red to orange but then 15 years to orange to yellow, then 100 years to the next one. The problem is that people that are born red won't live long enough to advance much further. There are elixirs that can help improve the time but not by much and nobody is going to waste their efforts on a red born.
The story follows the MC Percy. He is a red born that just advanced to orange. He has magic but doesn't know his affinity. There is one other thing that is important in this world. Bloodlines. Percy is part of a family that has the clone bloodline, and it was just awakened. The way it manifests is different depending on the type of magic the person has. Most in his family has the life affinity but some have a water affinity. So, they make clones with those affinities. Percy doesn't know his affinity (he was never deemed important enough to get it checked) but as soon as he is able, he triggers his bloodline and it changes everything.
November 13, 2025
A Star Has Arisen
There’s good and then there’s great and then there’s something above that. This is next level greatness. I’m going to admit I follow this book on Patreon. I’m well beyond the first book in the series, but I will keep my review to the first book in the series. This is one of the best progressive series you will read. Excellent MC excellent story, excellent world the author is building for you. The journey you’re taking on in this book from truly what would be considered nothing in the eyes of so many to be something more than expected is amazing. The story is well. Told the quality of the writing is exceptional and like those of us who follow the series you’re going to want more. That’s a great thing actually because the next book guess what it’s dropping soon. You won’t have to wait six months or a year to read the next part of the story it’s already coming. no point in talking about that here this is all about book one and this is a solid foundation solid start to a journey. You will never forget. Bravo to the author those of us who follow your work we’ve been waiting for this day and to those of you who are just getting to read this series enjoy sit back and enjoy it. Soak it up. Take it in and spread the word. A new series that we’re gonna talk about in the chat rooms has come on the block and it deserves your eyes, your ears and your promotion.
Message to the author
You know I had to come show my support I’ve been reading and following for months. I don’t know maybe years since the beginning. Love this series. Can’t wait to see where it goes. I’ll be on Patreon daily.
There’s good and then there’s great and then there’s something above that. This is next level greatness. I’m going to admit I follow this book on Patreon. I’m well beyond the first book in the series, but I will keep my review to the first book in the series. This is one of the best progressive series you will read. Excellent MC excellent story, excellent world the author is building for you. The journey you’re taking on in this book from truly what would be considered nothing in the eyes of so many to be something more than expected is amazing. The story is well. Told the quality of the writing is exceptional and like those of us who follow the series you’re going to want more. That’s a great thing actually because the next book guess what it’s dropping soon. You won’t have to wait six months or a year to read the next part of the story it’s already coming. no point in talking about that here this is all about book one and this is a solid foundation solid start to a journey. You will never forget. Bravo to the author those of us who follow your work we’ve been waiting for this day and to those of you who are just getting to read this series enjoy sit back and enjoy it. Soak it up. Take it in and spread the word. A new series that we’re gonna talk about in the chat rooms has come on the block and it deserves your eyes, your ears and your promotion.
Message to the author
You know I had to come show my support I’ve been reading and following for months. I don’t know maybe years since the beginning. Love this series. Can’t wait to see where it goes. I’ll be on Patreon daily.
July 12, 2026
Grab the book and Brew up a jolly good time!
What a Funtastic litRPG adventure! I picked up Whispers of the Ghost Alchemist, 'cause I love Alchemist and the discovery of new Elixirs. This is Percy's story as he a Red-Born Core user, finally leveled up to a Orange Core by his 15th year! Although still the weakest of his large family... but at Orange Percy is finally able to use his bloodline and make a Clone. Things go awry, but on his second attempt it goes much, much better than he could've hoped. And that's why you to meet Micky! You'll Love him! That all I'm sayin', spoilers. After that Percy's all about trainin' his magical abilities and Alchemy! And in a world full of bullys Percy is finally able to reach out and make a couple of Friends/Allies...
So yeah grab this book and Brew up a good time!!!
What a Funtastic litRPG adventure! I picked up Whispers of the Ghost Alchemist, 'cause I love Alchemist and the discovery of new Elixirs. This is Percy's story as he a Red-Born Core user, finally leveled up to a Orange Core by his 15th year! Although still the weakest of his large family... but at Orange Percy is finally able to use his bloodline and make a Clone. Things go awry, but on his second attempt it goes much, much better than he could've hoped. And that's why you to meet Micky! You'll Love him! That all I'm sayin', spoilers. After that Percy's all about trainin' his magical abilities and Alchemy! And in a world full of bullys Percy is finally able to reach out and make a couple of Friends/Allies...
So yeah grab this book and Brew up a good time!!!
April 6, 2026
One of the best cultivation books I've read in a while.
For how complicated it is, I am very impressed! I can only IMAGINE the spreadsheet the author has to keep track of what's going on...
The only reason I took a star off was because sometimes the whining gets to be a bit much. "Imma red core~~ whaaa~~" ok, we get it, life isn't fair, but that seems to be the whole plot and it gets to be a bit much sometimes. Cultivation is about getting stronger mentally as well, and I'm not seeing that in the MC yet, even after book 2...he's still complaining and people have to capitulate before he forgives them.
There's just something about how everything working out for him rubs me the wrong way....
For how complicated it is, I am very impressed! I can only IMAGINE the spreadsheet the author has to keep track of what's going on...
The only reason I took a star off was because sometimes the whining gets to be a bit much. "Imma red core~~ whaaa~~" ok, we get it, life isn't fair, but that seems to be the whole plot and it gets to be a bit much sometimes. Cultivation is about getting stronger mentally as well, and I'm not seeing that in the MC yet, even after book 2...he's still complaining and people have to capitulate before he forgives them.
There's just something about how everything working out for him rubs me the wrong way....
August 29, 2026
multiple isekai
A poor little rich kid starts off at the lowest level of his family, finds a secret power (soul clones, basically multiple isekai that can go off and learn things from different RPG systems, then report back) and by the end of the book, is a full on anime character who can conjure weapons of pure mana
-dantian/core grades are graded on the color scale (ROYGBIV), could mana be wavelength like light?
-constructs with mana possible, like concentration of particle and wave
-white is above violet, are gods those people who can boost their mana wavelength beyond visible spectrum
-is the culture inspired by western myths (Hermes: greek , Avalon: Arthurian ), descended, or is it a quirk of translation?
-souls can talk without needing a translation skill
A poor little rich kid starts off at the lowest level of his family, finds a secret power (soul clones, basically multiple isekai that can go off and learn things from different RPG systems, then report back) and by the end of the book, is a full on anime character who can conjure weapons of pure mana
-dantian/core grades are graded on the color scale (ROYGBIV), could mana be wavelength like light?
-constructs with mana possible, like concentration of particle and wave
-white is above violet, are gods those people who can boost their mana wavelength beyond visible spectrum
-is the culture inspired by western myths (Hermes: greek , Avalon: Arthurian ), descended, or is it a quirk of translation?
-souls can talk without needing a translation skill
February 26, 2026
Lots of fake reviews again, even here on goodreads now. The first parts of the book weren't great, but passable and barely worth reading. The later half is awful and hastily done. Overall, the writing is subpar, which makes it about average for this genre. The world building is varied and the author has many interesting ideas, but the plot is forced and poorly executed. As a scociopathic teenage with anger issues, the MC is not fun to read about, and it gets much worse in the latter half. I simply could not finish despite many attempts.
December 17, 2025
Simply Amazing!
This book is absolutely amazing—I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. If you want to fall into a rich world of cultivation and leveling, this is it. The pacing is spot-on, the world unfolds naturally, and while the main character is powerful, it feels less like being overpowered and more like being lucky in all the right ways. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Really good work. Great work, actually.
This book is absolutely amazing—I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. If you want to fall into a rich world of cultivation and leveling, this is it. The pacing is spot-on, the world unfolds naturally, and while the main character is powerful, it feels less like being overpowered and more like being lucky in all the right ways. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Really good work. Great work, actually.
January 9, 2026
Diamond in the rough
I love the concept and really enjoyed this book enough to want to continue the series. I do wish though that the language and the writing was a bit better at immersion and showing rather than telling.
Author does a decent job, but not at the level of some of my favorites in this admittedly young genre. Regardless, highly recommend to those wanting to read a non traditional cultivation series.
I love the concept and really enjoyed this book enough to want to continue the series. I do wish though that the language and the writing was a bit better at immersion and showing rather than telling.
Author does a decent job, but not at the level of some of my favorites in this admittedly young genre. Regardless, highly recommend to those wanting to read a non traditional cultivation series.
April 16, 2026
Great series
Original take on litrpg, love the character buildup, love the story development. Even there there is a lot of battle like most litrpg the story seems to have a nice balance and the description of battle is less which is a refreshing take on the genre. It just seems really well rounded with a very complex character development including missed motivations and realistic responses. Really enjoying this series, already started the next book!
Original take on litrpg, love the character buildup, love the story development. Even there there is a lot of battle like most litrpg the story seems to have a nice balance and the description of battle is less which is a refreshing take on the genre. It just seems really well rounded with a very complex character development including missed motivations and realistic responses. Really enjoying this series, already started the next book!
June 5, 2026
90% sure this author uses AI to write their books and I won’t continue reading anything they put out.
The first book is good, interesting premise and some good side characters. The Second book starts out ok but around half-way through it starts to fall apart and by the 3rd book it’s bad.
I think the author wrote a decent first book and part of a second then fed that into a AI prompt. Just read the third book and you’ll see all the signs. Disappointing to see.
The first book is good, interesting premise and some good side characters. The Second book starts out ok but around half-way through it starts to fall apart and by the 3rd book it’s bad.
I think the author wrote a decent first book and part of a second then fed that into a AI prompt. Just read the third book and you’ll see all the signs. Disappointing to see.
December 31, 2025
Good start and well written! 4.8/5
All the power-ups are well-earned! The process by which MC got them is not too grinding.
It lacks a main antagonist as one reviewer mentioned, but this kind of story doesn't really need a main nemesis in order to move the story, for the world-building itself propels the story.
All the power-ups are well-earned! The process by which MC got them is not too grinding.
It lacks a main antagonist as one reviewer mentioned, but this kind of story doesn't really need a main nemesis in order to move the story, for the world-building itself propels the story.
April 24, 2026
light LITRPG at its finest
Light LitRPG at its finest not utterly action, packed or hyper focused on development, but a beautiful blend of both file building an intelligent MC. Side characters are a little too dimensional, but not to the point where it’s offering they just lack a little of depth. I recommend this read.
Light LitRPG at its finest not utterly action, packed or hyper focused on development, but a beautiful blend of both file building an intelligent MC. Side characters are a little too dimensional, but not to the point where it’s offering they just lack a little of depth. I recommend this read.
May 1, 2026
IDK, I'll give it a 3.5. You need to treat the first three quarters of this as a prologue, it doesn't feel like the story starts until the end. The MC is annoying too, their mortality seems to be all over the place and contradictory at times. A lot of his issues would go away if he was more willing to kill people that try to kill him.
May 5, 2026
Read this over on RR.
The novel quickly becomes a test of thee readers patience, with more chapters than events demand and events and character that only tends to drive the things towards the authors ends. A longer story that'll keep his patron alive. I may continue with it though, I have a curiousity that doesn't agree with my intelligence
The novel quickly becomes a test of thee readers patience, with more chapters than events demand and events and character that only tends to drive the things towards the authors ends. A longer story that'll keep his patron alive. I may continue with it though, I have a curiousity that doesn't agree with my intelligence
November 21, 2025
well paced and adventure throughout unique situations
I can’t say that I have read a book like this before. It was well paced and kept me going throughout. Jumping around the universe could be confusing but th story doesn’t really dwell on it.
I can’t say that I have read a book like this before. It was well paced and kept me going throughout. Jumping around the universe could be confusing but th story doesn’t really dwell on it.
November 30, 2025
I liked the setup from the blurb but got bored. 9% into the book and I was still waiting for something interesting to happen. Obviously other people felt differently since this book currently has a 4.55 rating (but that is based on only 12 reviews so friends and family?).
December 18, 2025
not bad
The premise was interesting. And overall, I’d say it was a good read. That said, there were a lot of things that that seemed contrived. The interactions between the MC and others don’t always make sense. There also wasn’t much action.
The premise was interesting. And overall, I’d say it was a good read. That said, there were a lot of things that that seemed contrived. The interactions between the MC and others don’t always make sense. There also wasn’t much action.
December 23, 2025
It was pretty interesting and Percy was likeable enough. It feels a little bit like a horrible slaughter is coming, but so far so good, no red weeding (the process of removing weeds from one's garden) style shenanigans.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews