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The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life Manga #1
The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of a Quiet City Life Manga, Vol. 1
Mariela is the last alchemist alive after waking from a deep sleep that lasted two hundred years. As the sole alchemist in town, she could make a killing by brewing and selling potions…but after two hundred years of suspended animation, all she wants to do is relax, take things easy, and live at her own pace!
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2018
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308 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 29, 2021
go girl give us nothing!
December 28, 2022
Cute but there is no substance in this book.
A weird dynamic is developing with the grey haired guy.
A weird dynamic is developing with the grey haired guy.
May 20, 2023
I'm so surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It's slice of life but I'm in love.
January 8, 2026
Did anything happen?
Plus, the slavery dynamic is…uncomfortable
Plus, the slavery dynamic is…uncomfortable
May 26, 2022
4.5 stars a fun read, reminiscent of a few others I have read. Things come a little too easily to the MC, but she is likable enough that I don't mind.
May 3, 2020
Alchemy, lead lines, magic, miasma, mirror monsters. Does this sound like a lot for one volume? It is!
The summary (and title) is what drew me to this story - "all she wants to do is relax, take things easy, and live at her own pace!" That is not what this book was about at all. Mariela uses suspended animation to avoid horrible monsters coming after her. When she wakes up, she immediately makes as many potions and vials as possible. She has to try to fit in to a much different society after her 200 year slumber, a world where Alchemists are all but gone, and her potions and magic are extremely rare and profitable. Mariela is so far perfect at every piece of magic and alchemy she attempts, so her storyline isn't nearly as interesting as the second to last chapter we get from her slave's point of view. Sieg's very quickly summarized backstory was more interesting than anything Mariela did in the story.
I was imagining a story where she would have to fend off the crazy hordes of people who want her potions, but she's only had three customers the whole book, and she's accommodated all of them. Not exactly her fighting against the supply and demand chain. Nor is she lamenting how good business is for her while pining for a quiet life. Instead, she's running around, gathering ingredients, casting magic all over the place. The alchemical sequences are super detailed and slightly confusing. At times, there is a huge amount of exposition where text bubbles take over the entire page. Then the mirror monsters are thrown in at the end of this novel to add yet another element she must combat. As far as I can figure out, there are monsters in a mirror dimension so when you hold up a mirror behind you and a mirror in front of you, you can risk their escape. Mariela makes a jar of offerings to put in front of her mirror to ward off the monsters, but by morning it's empty. Did she let out a mirror monster? This extra element added in the last three pages is an attempt at a cliffhanger that only leads to confusion. What about all the other plot points left hanging that could have been cliffhanger enough?
The world Nonohara created is beautifully drawn, aside from the confusing alchemy sprinkled throughout. I really wish the plot lines were solid enough to match with the beautiful drawings.
Yen Press rates this title as Teen because of mild language and violence. In the first volume, there is a little bit of violence but nothing gory, and maybe two cuss words. Seeing as the rating before this would make it All Ages, the few scenes of violence push it from being an OK elementary title to it being fine for junior high.
Sara's Rating: 6/10
Suitability level: Grades 7-12
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
The summary (and title) is what drew me to this story - "all she wants to do is relax, take things easy, and live at her own pace!" That is not what this book was about at all. Mariela uses suspended animation to avoid horrible monsters coming after her. When she wakes up, she immediately makes as many potions and vials as possible. She has to try to fit in to a much different society after her 200 year slumber, a world where Alchemists are all but gone, and her potions and magic are extremely rare and profitable. Mariela is so far perfect at every piece of magic and alchemy she attempts, so her storyline isn't nearly as interesting as the second to last chapter we get from her slave's point of view. Sieg's very quickly summarized backstory was more interesting than anything Mariela did in the story.
I was imagining a story where she would have to fend off the crazy hordes of people who want her potions, but she's only had three customers the whole book, and she's accommodated all of them. Not exactly her fighting against the supply and demand chain. Nor is she lamenting how good business is for her while pining for a quiet life. Instead, she's running around, gathering ingredients, casting magic all over the place. The alchemical sequences are super detailed and slightly confusing. At times, there is a huge amount of exposition where text bubbles take over the entire page. Then the mirror monsters are thrown in at the end of this novel to add yet another element she must combat. As far as I can figure out, there are monsters in a mirror dimension so when you hold up a mirror behind you and a mirror in front of you, you can risk their escape. Mariela makes a jar of offerings to put in front of her mirror to ward off the monsters, but by morning it's empty. Did she let out a mirror monster? This extra element added in the last three pages is an attempt at a cliffhanger that only leads to confusion. What about all the other plot points left hanging that could have been cliffhanger enough?
The world Nonohara created is beautifully drawn, aside from the confusing alchemy sprinkled throughout. I really wish the plot lines were solid enough to match with the beautiful drawings.
Yen Press rates this title as Teen because of mild language and violence. In the first volume, there is a little bit of violence but nothing gory, and maybe two cuss words. Seeing as the rating before this would make it All Ages, the few scenes of violence push it from being an OK elementary title to it being fine for junior high.
Sara's Rating: 6/10
Suitability level: Grades 7-12
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
May 30, 2022
This review will be for the whole series; read at your own risk!
Read 2 volumes
I picked this up on a whim and I actually really liked it! I was not expecting slaves and I hope she does something about that but the plot was solid, I like the characters, and I look forward to more!
Edit 5/29/22: this is getting better. I like that she set up a shop and is thinking about her future in this time. I love Sieg. Good boy.
Read 2 volumes
I picked this up on a whim and I actually really liked it! I was not expecting slaves and I hope she does something about that but the plot was solid, I like the characters, and I look forward to more!
Edit 5/29/22: this is getting better. I like that she set up a shop and is thinking about her future in this time. I love Sieg. Good boy.
October 28, 2019
I'm actually really interested! I went in knowing nothing and am fascinated by the world. It is very exposition heavy and a bit too many moving parts, but the magic is interesting and main plot intriguing. Art is real good.
April 20, 2024
*So another quick book deterrent from getting back to a longer novel whose witchy heroine is giving me anxiety. I will likely get back to that one sometime this next week.
For this manga, obviously revolves it around an alchemist, Mariela, and as the title suggests she is a survivor. After using a spell to put herself in an enchanted sleep, to avoid a monster horde, she awakens to a big time jump. She has gone from a time where she was a commonplace practitioner to a more dark ages time where the alchemical knowledge of transference with its advanced apothecary and chemistry work combined with magic has been diminished. Whether this was the monster army’s intent or another figure, be it aristocratic or religious zealots, it’s hard to say in the beginning volume. Here we get a gist and setup of Mariela’s world and I would like to see how she traverses it now that she is a rarity. She currently has decided to keep her alchemical secret under wraps, beyond Sieg, a fallen adventurer turned slave, with her playing at being a rustic traveling apothecary.
Now the only reason I put it out at 3 star (which is more of a 3 1/2 stars) is because it went very fast for a beginning without fully immersing and getting to know more on all the characters that will be reoccurring. Also, when I look to see if Yen Press had created more volumes or more were coming out, it looks like the manga version stops at volume 2. They do have light novels with those that are continuing on, but that still kind of doesn’t bode well for me to enjoy this story. Mainly because that means that somehow a story that should have been much more dynamic in its illustrated fantasy imagery may have faltered. If I get a second volume from the library, I’ll see where it’s going from there. Though honestly, the fact that this one came out in 2019, and the other one came out around 2020 doesn’t give me hope that there’s going to be a third manga volume. The light novel will likely have a differing tangent from the manga story version too.😓
For this manga, obviously revolves it around an alchemist, Mariela, and as the title suggests she is a survivor. After using a spell to put herself in an enchanted sleep, to avoid a monster horde, she awakens to a big time jump. She has gone from a time where she was a commonplace practitioner to a more dark ages time where the alchemical knowledge of transference with its advanced apothecary and chemistry work combined with magic has been diminished. Whether this was the monster army’s intent or another figure, be it aristocratic or religious zealots, it’s hard to say in the beginning volume. Here we get a gist and setup of Mariela’s world and I would like to see how she traverses it now that she is a rarity. She currently has decided to keep her alchemical secret under wraps, beyond Sieg, a fallen adventurer turned slave, with her playing at being a rustic traveling apothecary.
Now the only reason I put it out at 3 star (which is more of a 3 1/2 stars) is because it went very fast for a beginning without fully immersing and getting to know more on all the characters that will be reoccurring. Also, when I look to see if Yen Press had created more volumes or more were coming out, it looks like the manga version stops at volume 2. They do have light novels with those that are continuing on, but that still kind of doesn’t bode well for me to enjoy this story. Mainly because that means that somehow a story that should have been much more dynamic in its illustrated fantasy imagery may have faltered. If I get a second volume from the library, I’ll see where it’s going from there. Though honestly, the fact that this one came out in 2019, and the other one came out around 2020 doesn’t give me hope that there’s going to be a third manga volume. The light novel will likely have a differing tangent from the manga story version too.😓
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2024
It’s ok, but everything is too simple. She’s pretty OP when it comes to alchemy, and basically just says a few words, points, and things get done. Something is going to happen with the salamander though…I would bet it’s super rare and likes her.
Sieg is a slave she picked up who miraculously turns out to have been an adventurer with a special eye that grants him enhanced marksmanship. He was a jerk before and promptly got into trouble after he lost his eye, ending up a debt laborer and then a penal laborer in the most unfair system. It just so happens that his eye can only be healed by a special potion made in the region he’s from…unfortunately there are no alchemists in that region…until now. Very convenient.
The pacing can be weird sometimes, like the interaction with Lynx scolding him about protecting her that came out of nowhere, and sometimes Lynx and the other guy from the Iron Freight Corps seem slightly evil…
I’ll continue reading. It’s not amazing but it’s still an ok read.
Sieg is a slave she picked up who miraculously turns out to have been an adventurer with a special eye that grants him enhanced marksmanship. He was a jerk before and promptly got into trouble after he lost his eye, ending up a debt laborer and then a penal laborer in the most unfair system. It just so happens that his eye can only be healed by a special potion made in the region he’s from…unfortunately there are no alchemists in that region…until now. Very convenient.
The pacing can be weird sometimes, like the interaction with Lynx scolding him about protecting her that came out of nowhere, and sometimes Lynx and the other guy from the Iron Freight Corps seem slightly evil…
I’ll continue reading. It’s not amazing but it’s still an ok read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2022
Two hundred years have passed as the Alchemist lay in a state of suspended animation.
In a bid to survive the onslaught of monsters, Mariela casts a spell only to wake in a different era altogether. When she happens upon an indentured man, she makes a bargain. Siegmund keeps her secrets, helping her create the potions & build a new life.
But as one of the last alchemists, can Mariela truly have the quiet life she so desires?
A feel good fantasy with elements of alchemy, magic, a medieval inspired setting & the vague underpinnings of love. Everything I enjoy in a story.
Content Notes: Some illustrations of women are slightly revealing. Slight language & innuendos.
In a bid to survive the onslaught of monsters, Mariela casts a spell only to wake in a different era altogether. When she happens upon an indentured man, she makes a bargain. Siegmund keeps her secrets, helping her create the potions & build a new life.
But as one of the last alchemists, can Mariela truly have the quiet life she so desires?
A feel good fantasy with elements of alchemy, magic, a medieval inspired setting & the vague underpinnings of love. Everything I enjoy in a story.
Content Notes: Some illustrations of women are slightly revealing. Slight language & innuendos.
July 15, 2024
A fun lighthearted entry in the series. Mariela's dreams of her own apothecary are coming true as she gets a store front and meets lots of new friends. My favorite part was probably when she takes the test to become an official chemist.
This series is more slice of life than I thought it might be although I do get the vibe that there might be an underlying deeper plot or event that is about to happen.
Struggling to find a third volume in the manga series. Lots of light novel entries are out, but doesn't seem like the third manga has ever been published. I'll read it if I can find it.
This series is more slice of life than I thought it might be although I do get the vibe that there might be an underlying deeper plot or event that is about to happen.
Struggling to find a third volume in the manga series. Lots of light novel entries are out, but doesn't seem like the third manga has ever been published. I'll read it if I can find it.
August 25, 2025
3.8
I'm aware the manga versions apparently are a bit of a mess since they have been restarted and whatnot with different artists. That said I still enjoyed this first version (?) of vol. 1.
I plan to read the four volumes my library has access to. I'm curious to see if the other set of 2 volumes picks up from this part of two volumes or if it is a repeat. I have seen people claim it is somewhat a continuation of this series and it is better if you read this one first before picking that one up. Guess I'll figure out when I reach vol. 1 of the second series!
I'm aware the manga versions apparently are a bit of a mess since they have been restarted and whatnot with different artists. That said I still enjoyed this first version (?) of vol. 1.
I plan to read the four volumes my library has access to. I'm curious to see if the other set of 2 volumes picks up from this part of two volumes or if it is a repeat. I have seen people claim it is somewhat a continuation of this series and it is better if you read this one first before picking that one up. Guess I'll figure out when I reach vol. 1 of the second series!
January 3, 2025
I need more?
For the first volume of a new series there were too many unexplored avenues to explain the raid and then why the alchemist was asleep for 200 years and then how the city life operates now. Each scene moved too quickly into another, introduced a new character or setting, and thus never built on what came before it- so it was disconnected.
And I was definitely intrigued by the alchemy part in general, so I definitely wanted more about that.
For the first volume of a new series there were too many unexplored avenues to explain the raid and then why the alchemist was asleep for 200 years and then how the city life operates now. Each scene moved too quickly into another, introduced a new character or setting, and thus never built on what came before it- so it was disconnected.
And I was definitely intrigued by the alchemy part in general, so I definitely wanted more about that.
August 19, 2020
As sweet as the original light novel
I really enjoyed having an image for the story I've read in the light novel. Although, it does miss some of the obliviousness and personality of the main character, but that's bound to happen when the book isn't told from her point of view.
Kudos to the artist, she's really cute and the characters are expressive.
I really enjoyed having an image for the story I've read in the light novel. Although, it does miss some of the obliviousness and personality of the main character, but that's bound to happen when the book isn't told from her point of view.
Kudos to the artist, she's really cute and the characters are expressive.
April 9, 2021
An excellent setup for the story! Though I read further manga publications (after vol. 2) will be put on hold until they find another artist to continue the series. Because of that, I'm not sure if I'll read the second volume. Rather keep to other series that are either finished or are still consistently being released.
January 16, 2023
Overall very boring and contains a very concerning level of ambivalence when talking about the slave trade present in this world. The relationship developing between the main character and Sieg is just very strange. Plus, there's just a bunch of unimaginative side characters. Definitely a pass from me.
June 18, 2024
I like the premise of this story, but the execution is very slow. Mariela seems like a smart young woman, but at times she comes across as too young and naïve. Too many pages are devoted to spells and not enough to characterization. Still debating if I want to continue with the 2nd installment.
November 6, 2019
Alchemy meets Rumpelstiltsken though the eyes of a big-hearted protagonist. Supporting cast is setting up a compelling and interesting story.
January 1, 2020
This was a decent read, if not super out of the ordinary. I liked Mariela and Sieg. The alchemy was interesting. I don’t trust the merchants, but they’re fairly entertaining. Overall, not a bad read. 3.5 stars.
Read
February 21, 2020Are manga with economics themes becoming a thing? Because I would be very okay with that.
March 4, 2020
3.5.
This was a fun volume. Not much really happened. But it set up the world and characters nicely
This was a fun volume. Not much really happened. But it set up the world and characters nicely
March 15, 2020
Wish there was a bit more to the set up of the story. But there's some potential here.
June 24, 2020
No esperaba nada y me ha gustado muchísimo
September 7, 2021
Adorable art, great setup... hopefully I can keep finding copies of this manga, it's an great mix of slice of life and fantasy. I love the world building.
September 16, 2022
It was a rough start but by the end it seems interesting
March 3, 2023
This was good but why are there only 2 manga published?
January 25, 2025
2.5 stars but mainly because I wasn’t sure what was happening some of the time and found it a little hard to follow.
February 1, 2020
Enjoyable
I am going to get the light novel,though I thought that is what I got, this is a great adaptation of the novel.
I am going to get the light novel,though I thought that is what I got, this is a great adaptation of the novel.
January 11, 2020
I LOVE this new series. I can't wait for the 3rd book! It's like Harvest Moon meets the Atelier game series. I can't believe how much I enjoyed this series so far, and I love the art that accompanies the novel too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews