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The Alchemist #1
City of the Dead
There are whole anthologies of stories out there about what humankind does when a game enters their world. But what about when they’re living in one where a game arrived thousands of years before? What if they’re the survivors of a bloody struggle, having fought for and earned their place on the planet?
Tailyn Vlashich was a young nobody far away from all those grander issues. All he cared about was one thing: making his way through a harsh world where the emperor, evil foes, and an impartial god held sway. And the god, of course, demanded nothing less than that all things were done in accordance with its divine will.
Tailyn Vlashich was a young nobody far away from all those grander issues. All he cared about was one thing: making his way through a harsh world where the emperor, evil foes, and an impartial god held sway. And the god, of course, demanded nothing less than that all things were done in accordance with its divine will.
544 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2020
825 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Vasily Mahanenko
97 books1,095 followersBe the first to know when Vasily Mahanenko’s next book is available! Follow him at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/v-mah... to get an alert whenever he has a new release, preorder, or discount!
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 6, 2020
While definitely not a good book, it's at least not entirely awful.
Main character is kinda dumb, which is a no-go for me. He's also ten, at the same time acting the part of the petulant kid, as well as handling stuff in a way beyond his age. Also he's practically showered with all kinds of skills and items, making him severely overpowered, without him really doing much to earn them. He also meets the love of his life and something something insta love; they get engaged. Let me emphasise again that they are both ten.
Everyone but our heroes are comically evil, the obligatory arrogant rich boy bully included, and every enemy is little more than a single spell away from death, never putting up much of a fight.
The only vaguely interesting thing is the magic system, but that does little to redeem the book.
Won't be reading any of the sequels.
Main character is kinda dumb, which is a no-go for me. He's also ten, at the same time acting the part of the petulant kid, as well as handling stuff in a way beyond his age. Also he's practically showered with all kinds of skills and items, making him severely overpowered, without him really doing much to earn them. He also meets the love of his life and something something insta love; they get engaged. Let me emphasise again that they are both ten.
Everyone but our heroes are comically evil, the obligatory arrogant rich boy bully included, and every enemy is little more than a single spell away from death, never putting up much of a fight.
The only vaguely interesting thing is the magic system, but that does little to redeem the book.
Won't be reading any of the sequels.
May 26, 2020
Alert
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.
1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.
2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.
3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.
I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
I hate trying to write reviews because there are really only pass/fail results for me. Did I make it all the way through? Yes? 5 stars. No? There would be nothing here to read. In all fairness, if an author holds my attention from page one to the end, they’ve done their job. Anything less than 5 stars is petty criticism from someone incapable of even doing the job let alone doing a better one.
So in respect for the author and their work, I am going to start pasting this along with a generic review I found somewhere. “This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
Now, since I have to keep explaining myself to people who don't like my reviews, I guess some clarification is in order.
1. I am 100% against criticism for works of art. Art is subjective, meaning reviews are irrelevant. The observer's opinion is only relevant to the observer. It is my belief that regardless of what others might say, I have to experience the art for myself.
2. I read upwards of 20 books a month. The $10/month I spend on K U, feels like I am cheating the authors. But since I can't afford 20 books a month if I were to purchase them directly, all I can offer is a positive review. That leads us to the final point.
3. If I get to the end of a book, then it was worth my time. I give those books 5 stars because it helps the author get exposure. That is the only reason I write reviews at all.
I understand that people are people and they are going to do what they do regardless of my stance. I know the way that I review books upsets some people. I am sorry they feel that way but as many have said, they will just ignore my review going forward. In fact, if you made it this far through my review, you should definitely read the book and completely ignore all of the reviews here. You are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.
Cheers
December 12, 2022
This LitRPG has some great balance in it.
There's some awesome world backstory that is as much mystery and exploration as any good SF, including archeology, and a massive amount of time for things to get really muddled. The fantasy is on par with adventure SF, as well. The main difference is, we've got a mysterious "god" that basically works as a DM and we've got menus and leveling up and attributes as well as loot handled the normal LitRPG way.
The fun part of all this is in how smooth and balanced it is. It's very much a YA and the young, young boy is pretty much always way out of his depth but the "god" is still making things fair -- as much fairness as you might expect when the kid isn't allowed to level up and hasn't been initiated as a mage, yet.
Honestly, I thought it was funny and glorious. A little hunting for materials as a beginning alchemist NEVER would have prepared him for this wild underground, ancient civilization exploration and survival adventure. It was so cute and impossible and yet, so, so sweet, too.
I'm extremely happy with this.
There's some awesome world backstory that is as much mystery and exploration as any good SF, including archeology, and a massive amount of time for things to get really muddled. The fantasy is on par with adventure SF, as well. The main difference is, we've got a mysterious "god" that basically works as a DM and we've got menus and leveling up and attributes as well as loot handled the normal LitRPG way.
The fun part of all this is in how smooth and balanced it is. It's very much a YA and the young, young boy is pretty much always way out of his depth but the "god" is still making things fair -- as much fairness as you might expect when the kid isn't allowed to level up and hasn't been initiated as a mage, yet.
Honestly, I thought it was funny and glorious. A little hunting for materials as a beginning alchemist NEVER would have prepared him for this wild underground, ancient civilization exploration and survival adventure. It was so cute and impossible and yet, so, so sweet, too.
I'm extremely happy with this.
May 30, 2020
Freaking awesome!!!
March 3, 2021
This one grew on me as I kept reading. I think readers need to remember that the main character is only 10 and afford him that leeway.
August 6, 2020
I liked the story until we got to scene where he goes to search for treasure and encounters the lix. I mean everything just defies any logic, just a while ago lyx attacked mc's town and new he is helping the Ka-Do-Gir again and again. First, he had opportunity to just use his card to get rid of the guy. Next he totally ignores his own life by not staying away from the lyx. Then he even feeds Ka-Do-Gir to heal him. And after Ka-Do-Gir is buried in rocks he saves him again... I mean just why?? And after that mc gives him majority of his food supply....
It's just supreme idiocy and lack of self preservation. My reaction whole time was just odd frown and asking myself what the heck is going on, it's not that story is bad, but it's just that actions of mc is totally outside range of what anyone would or should do. I mean it wasn't even really established they really need each other, and certainly it wasn't what mc was thinking when doing all that. This just ruined the whole story for me. And again, trough all this lix are enemies that kidnap and kill, they even took only person that cared about mc, the herbalist! But here from absolute start mc is helping him again and again, being pretty much like best friend.
Not to mention fact that he wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the mission, and he still continued mission with Ka-Do-Gir. He even had added temptation of getting stuff that was supposed to be his. It was just so many things that made absolutely no sense that I had to quit. Even if rest of the novel is good, I just can't get over something so immersion breaking. I really wanted to continue but I just can't overlook so many inconsistencies.
It's kind of like writing scene like this, we have perfectly normal loving wife and husband pair. Then someone kills wife in front of husband, and husband just does nothing, calmly allowing murderer to go and continuing his life normally afterwards. And again, husband is totally normal guy that is emotionally and intellectually totally normal. It just doesn't make any sense does it? Or better yet, real story example of similar thing: Hyperdrive colliding with imperial star destroyer in new Star Wars trilogy.
It's just supreme idiocy and lack of self preservation. My reaction whole time was just odd frown and asking myself what the heck is going on, it's not that story is bad, but it's just that actions of mc is totally outside range of what anyone would or should do. I mean it wasn't even really established they really need each other, and certainly it wasn't what mc was thinking when doing all that. This just ruined the whole story for me. And again, trough all this lix are enemies that kidnap and kill, they even took only person that cared about mc, the herbalist! But here from absolute start mc is helping him again and again, being pretty much like best friend.
Not to mention fact that he wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the mission, and he still continued mission with Ka-Do-Gir. He even had added temptation of getting stuff that was supposed to be his. It was just so many things that made absolutely no sense that I had to quit. Even if rest of the novel is good, I just can't get over something so immersion breaking. I really wanted to continue but I just can't overlook so many inconsistencies.
It's kind of like writing scene like this, we have perfectly normal loving wife and husband pair. Then someone kills wife in front of husband, and husband just does nothing, calmly allowing murderer to go and continuing his life normally afterwards. And again, husband is totally normal guy that is emotionally and intellectually totally normal. It just doesn't make any sense does it? Or better yet, real story example of similar thing: Hyperdrive colliding with imperial star destroyer in new Star Wars trilogy.
August 16, 2021
I really enjoyed all 5 books in this series, I love the continuation of the original series "World of the Changed" It was very interesting to see what the world would become many years after the Game left a planet. Loved it. Thanks.
July 29, 2020
Interesting premise, worldbuilding and System.
The setting is one in which the System is pervasive, and taken as granted as a "God" (which appears to be a massive AI). The magic system behind it is a kind of CCG system - "mages" collect cards, build a combat deck, with pre-loaded charges, which they use in combat. This is in addition to a more classic system of stats, levels and skills.
There's hints dropped here and there to let you guess about what exactly caused the System Apocalypse a millennia or so ago, but you're left guessing for now (there's a system quest to have the hero figure this out).
The story itself is a relatively classic version, with massively overpowered fights and the like, leading to massive level gains in short times. But M. Mahanenko is a veteran of the genre and knows how to make the story flow. I would probably have moved the end of the book to the next one - there's no real reason to have a time skip and the launch of the next arc happen just as the last pages. It makes for an artificial hook for the next book of the series.
My main beef is that the Alchemist class, so far, as been relatively irrelevant, except as a way to make some mana potions for preparing for the fights.
The setting is one in which the System is pervasive, and taken as granted as a "God" (which appears to be a massive AI). The magic system behind it is a kind of CCG system - "mages" collect cards, build a combat deck, with pre-loaded charges, which they use in combat. This is in addition to a more classic system of stats, levels and skills.
There's hints dropped here and there to let you guess about what exactly caused the System Apocalypse a millennia or so ago, but you're left guessing for now (there's a system quest to have the hero figure this out).
The story itself is a relatively classic version, with massively overpowered fights and the like, leading to massive level gains in short times. But M. Mahanenko is a veteran of the genre and knows how to make the story flow. I would probably have moved the end of the book to the next one - there's no real reason to have a time skip and the launch of the next arc happen just as the last pages. It makes for an artificial hook for the next book of the series.
My main beef is that the Alchemist class, so far, as been relatively irrelevant, except as a way to make some mana potions for preparing for the fights.
September 1, 2020
It was... nice.
I think the fact that the book wasn't written by a westerner showed in the social interactions of the characters involved, and the outcome of their decisions. And it was refreshing to be spared the constant flow of teenage entitled whining. Major Plus right there.
I liked the pragmatic approach to conflict-solving the author took
On the other hand, I think the MC being 10 was a bit too young for realism. But the major flaw of this book was how thick the plot armour got, really quickly in the book. I just stopped caring about the outcome of fights. When it's that easy to defeat opponents that outclass you by several orders of magnitude, leveling (or its equivalent) loses all sense of achievement.
I'm expecting the next volume to be a classic Magic School trope galore, but I will check it out anyway. Hopefully, the slavic disregard for PC will stir things up a bit.
I think the fact that the book wasn't written by a westerner showed in the social interactions of the characters involved, and the outcome of their decisions. And it was refreshing to be spared the constant flow of teenage entitled whining. Major Plus right there.
I liked the pragmatic approach to conflict-solving the author took
On the other hand, I think the MC being 10 was a bit too young for realism. But the major flaw of this book was how thick the plot armour got, really quickly in the book. I just stopped caring about the outcome of fights. When it's that easy to defeat opponents that outclass you by several orders of magnitude, leveling (or its equivalent) loses all sense of achievement.
I'm expecting the next volume to be a classic Magic School trope galore, but I will check it out anyway. Hopefully, the slavic disregard for PC will stir things up a bit.
October 16, 2020
I think that Vasily Mahanenko is making a nice change with this book. While in the same world as the 'World of the Changed' series, The book feels more like the author is trying to build a good fantasy world, not just a ton of MMO/RPG stats. The MC also feels normal in power. While you can see how the stats may make him OP later the author does a good job in reining in the power and allowing the MC to grow without just giving him a new power that will solve all the issues.
I hope this is the direction I start to see the GameLit/LitRPG genre going in. Right now the genre feels very boring as if you have read one LitRPG book, kind of read them all. This is because most of them read in the same manner. I love the LitRPG genre and books like this really help to push it forward.
I hope this is the direction I start to see the GameLit/LitRPG genre going in. Right now the genre feels very boring as if you have read one LitRPG book, kind of read them all. This is because most of them read in the same manner. I love the LitRPG genre and books like this really help to push it forward.
June 16, 2021
City of the Dead & Not so Dead
It's hard to grow up in a world that has a God that is an AI. Here a 10 year old, that has no known future, has to prove himself in the harshest environment. He was born with Mana, but as an orphan he has no one willing to teach him the basics. Until he finds himself in a diar situation. Using his brains and good luck, and the help of an enemy, survives until that enemy decides to kill him. Then he must change his opinion and survive and save the lives of others.
This was a fun read through all the twists and turns. I'm looking forward to reading more of this kids adventures.
Read in 2 days
It's hard to grow up in a world that has a God that is an AI. Here a 10 year old, that has no known future, has to prove himself in the harshest environment. He was born with Mana, but as an orphan he has no one willing to teach him the basics. Until he finds himself in a diar situation. Using his brains and good luck, and the help of an enemy, survives until that enemy decides to kill him. Then he must change his opinion and survive and save the lives of others.
This was a fun read through all the twists and turns. I'm looking forward to reading more of this kids adventures.
Read in 2 days
August 1, 2020
A great read that is hard to put down!
It was almost an accident that I started reading City of the Dead (The Alchemist Book #1) - but a very good one at that. The story is absolutely NOT your typical village sap becoming the hero...well, okay maybe it is exactly that but the way in which it happens, the very interesting systems and back story on the word, the different characters and powers make this first book in the series a must read for those looking for a good romp!
It was almost an accident that I started reading City of the Dead (The Alchemist Book #1) - but a very good one at that. The story is absolutely NOT your typical village sap becoming the hero...well, okay maybe it is exactly that but the way in which it happens, the very interesting systems and back story on the word, the different characters and powers make this first book in the series a must read for those looking for a good romp!
January 16, 2021
He has done it again.
Mahanenko never fails to surprise with any of his stories I have read. I absolutely loved this book, and could not put it down. Every free minute I have had Was spent reading this book. It has some translation errors that will trip you up, though they can be ignored. My best advice would be to highlight the errors you find the author may push a revision. I shall see you all in book 2. Also never trust a lix
Mahanenko never fails to surprise with any of his stories I have read. I absolutely loved this book, and could not put it down. Every free minute I have had Was spent reading this book. It has some translation errors that will trip you up, though they can be ignored. My best advice would be to highlight the errors you find the author may push a revision. I shall see you all in book 2. Also never trust a lix
May 21, 2020
Awesome
A really great well-written book but definitely a unique take on the whole litrpg genre and a definite five star review for me for excellent World building strong characters and lots of unexpected twists and turns definitely a joy to read I hope for many more books in the series
A really great well-written book but definitely a unique take on the whole litrpg genre and a definite five star review for me for excellent World building strong characters and lots of unexpected twists and turns definitely a joy to read I hope for many more books in the series
June 1, 2020
Good book
It took a bit for me to get into the story but I really liked it by the end. The powers and equipment were interesting as the MC developed and grew through his adventures. I didn't like the MCs age as 10 years old seams especially unrealistic and leads to some problems just due to him being a kid. Looking forward to the next book.
It took a bit for me to get into the story but I really liked it by the end. The powers and equipment were interesting as the MC developed and grew through his adventures. I didn't like the MCs age as 10 years old seams especially unrealistic and leads to some problems just due to him being a kid. Looking forward to the next book.
August 19, 2020
Fantastic Story of a ten year old
This story of a little guy who gets the loot bug that makes him into a hero. It’s follows a very realistic (for that world) storyline and doesn’t really sugar coats for the young protagonist. He kind of gets over powered but is totally being used by this world AI.
This story of a little guy who gets the loot bug that makes him into a hero. It’s follows a very realistic (for that world) storyline and doesn’t really sugar coats for the young protagonist. He kind of gets over powered but is totally being used by this world AI.
May 20, 2020
Epic really epic.
Now this is a ride people get in line. This book is epic and I mean I didn't put it down once. I highly recommend this book .everything vasily has ever written I have loved to read
Now this is a ride people get in line. This book is epic and I mean I didn't put it down once. I highly recommend this book .everything vasily has ever written I have loved to read
June 3, 2020
So fun
If you like a stat heavy book, with a slightly OP MC, and dungeon diving well dive right in. I loved this book. The story was intriguing and refreshing and I like the use of cards to cast magic spells. Can’t wait for book 2.
If you like a stat heavy book, with a slightly OP MC, and dungeon diving well dive right in. I loved this book. The story was intriguing and refreshing and I like the use of cards to cast magic spells. Can’t wait for book 2.
June 8, 2020
Wow
Ok. I burned through this in one go. Great story and development. Good world building that leads to spoilers.....
This is a great book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Ok. I burned through this in one go. Great story and development. Good world building that leads to spoilers.....
This is a great book and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
May 24, 2020
Great story. Looking forward to sequel!
As is usual with this author, super entertaining. Loved this book and have already preordered the second. Good system, good new IP.
As is usual with this author, super entertaining. Loved this book and have already preordered the second. Good system, good new IP.
May 29, 2020
Great
A different take on a magic system mixing tech, magic and gaming. I really enjoyed this book and I will look for the next book in the series.
A different take on a magic system mixing tech, magic and gaming. I really enjoyed this book and I will look for the next book in the series.
May 31, 2020
Another home run!
Great book as most of the ones I have read are! Can't wait for the next one. Everything about it was fantastic!
Great book as most of the ones I have read are! Can't wait for the next one. Everything about it was fantastic!
June 10, 2020
Very good read
Decent characters,excellent plot twist that keep you guessing. Interesting world with both tech and magic. Gonna start reading the next one right nnow
Decent characters,excellent plot twist that keep you guessing. Interesting world with both tech and magic. Gonna start reading the next one right nnow
July 4, 2020
Another excellent piece of storytelling.
I am a self confessed fanboy for Vasily. He has amazing depths of imagination and I love the worlds he creates.
I am a self confessed fanboy for Vasily. He has amazing depths of imagination and I love the worlds he creates.
July 17, 2020
Another A list book!
@vasili does it again amazing world building and great setup only weird thing is using cards for magic spells other than that it's perfect
@vasili does it again amazing world building and great setup only weird thing is using cards for magic spells other than that it's perfect
July 27, 2020
Good
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
August 12, 2020
Brilliant
Absolutely amazing book. Great characters, world building & storyline. Can't recommend this book enough to people who like Litrpgs. Brilliant!!
Absolutely amazing book. Great characters, world building & storyline. Can't recommend this book enough to people who like Litrpgs. Brilliant!!
August 31, 2020
A masterpiece
It was a great and pleasant read. Full of action and intrigue. Can't wait for the next book. Two words.
It was a great and pleasant read. Full of action and intrigue. Can't wait for the next book. Two words.
May 16, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone that likes LitRPG and magic with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend it to anyone that likes LitRPG and magic with lots of action.
April 9, 2021
Awesome
Excellent start to a new LitRPG series!
Takes a new take which is very intriguing. I’m enjoying reading the Russian LitRPG masters works! Refreshing.
Excellent start to a new LitRPG series!
Takes a new take which is very intriguing. I’m enjoying reading the Russian LitRPG masters works! Refreshing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews