Feb 5, 2020
Final scores w/summary at end for you TL;DR people.
I am genuinely surprised no one has reviewed this as of yet (Feb 2020). Well, here goes..
Before I begin, I will not cover events in the book. I'm personally not a fan of that, and a synopsis is readily available on this site and Wikipedia. This is purely my take on whether you should drop the 15 odd dollars on it.
As far as light novels go, Ikinokori Renkinjutsushi wa Machi de Shizuka ni Kurashitai, anglicized as The Last Surviving Alchemist Wants to Live Quietly in the City (phew) is a decent entry into the fantasy genre. It
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carries the usual points of swords and sorcery that we've come to expect from the genre, while putting its own little spin on it.
Last Surviving Alchemist (which I shall refer to it as for the sake of my sanity) puts a heavy emphasis on the actual alchemical processes the protagonist uses for each potion, which I found to be entertaining. However, if you aren't a lore nerd like me, then you may find it tiresome. Because of this attention to detail, the plot can drag in places. Again, this will only bother you based on your preference. It's nothing so bad as to make you want to stop reading.
That effectively summarizes most of the issues one may find with the novel. It doesn't go into Tolkein levels of detail (thank god) but it does edge a little too far into its own lore and magic system, and while both are interesting, they are not for the absent-minded reader.
Otherwise, the characters, while somewhat cliched, each have their own quirks and backstories that keep them entertaining and feeling like people. The world has a nice gritty feel to it, like if the Witcher was rated pg 13. The art throughout the book is nicely drawn, but the covers are truly beautiful (they're the reason I grabbed the first volume from the shelf). They will be very pretty additions to your shelf.
If you're looking for a nice fantasy to read while you chill in a cafe, or on a bus, or what have you, then this is it. If you're looking for some moving piece of literature that will stir your heart, then pass this.
Final Scores
Story - 7: It's a good story. Touching in places, tense in others, but nothing to write home about. It's just good.
Art - 8: The covers really are well done, and for those tactile people like me where feel matters just as much as content, then you'll love it. The art IN the book is alright, but the covers really sell it.
Character - 7: There are moments of real depth, and moments of blatant cliches. The cliches aren't overdone and the characters certainly feel real, so it earns a good score in my eyes.
Enjoyment - 6: I have to admit this book didn't draw me in like others have. It's a sort of book you read on a bus or an hour at a time. There's nothing profound or enrapturing in it. It's like a romcom or action movie you put on when you want to be entertained.
Overall - 7: Is it a grand book? No. Will you tell all your friends about it? No. Will it provide a few hours of solid entertainment and look pretty on your shelf? Yes. That's enough to earn my recommendation.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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