Book description
March 12th, 2024
Just finished Alchemist's Retribution on audiobook, and I'm still buzzing. Honestly, I wasn't sure about the LitRPG + time-travel combo-felt like a lot of gimmicks. But Samson Chui? He gets it.
Picture this: you're Ren Varrow, a quiet alchemist who just wanted to brew potions without getting stabbed in the back by his own guild. Then-bam-he's thrown back to Day One, Earth still intact, the Tower looming like a monster in the distance. And he knows what's coming: the betrayals, the dungeon traps, the whole damn apocalypse. But this time? He's not the guy who hides.
The audiobook? Chef's kiss. The narrator nails Ren's voice-this mix of "I just wanna brew tea" and "I'm about to dismantle a world order." You hear the panic when he's cornered, the quiet thrill when he realizes he's ahead of the system. That scene where he's sweating over guild recruitment, whispering to himself, "Just need one guy who won't run"... yeah, I paused it. Just to sit with that.
And the potion crafting? Oh my god. The narrator makes the bubbling, hissing details feel real-like you're right there in the lab, smelling the ozone. It's not just "I used a potion." It's "This one's got moonpetal essence, and it's gonna make the floor tremble." You feel Ren's pride when he crafts something mythic-not because it's flashy, but because it works.
The reviews nailed it: "All the good vibes from World of Warcraft" exactly. It's that sweet spot of strategy and fun-like you're leveling up with Ren, not just watching him. No harem nonsense, no forced romance. Just Ren, his potions, and the slow, satisfying burn of rewriting destiny.
What got me? The cowardly but overpowered thing. Ren isn't some brooding god. He's terrified. He still chooses to fight. When he says, "I'm done playing nice," you feel it. It's not about being the strongest; it's about being the smartest when the clock's ticking.
I've read a dozen time-travel reboots. This one? It's the only one that made me grab my earbuds and go: "Wait, is this real?" The system's rules feel earned, the guild wars feel personal, and that final line-"The Tower's coming-and this time, he climbs first"-it's not a threat. It's a promise.
If you've ever loved a game where you felt the grind, where the strategy mattered, this is your next listen. I've already queued up Book 2. (And yes, the swearing is chef's kiss-Ren's internal monologue is so relatable.)
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to the Royal Road reviewers: "Finally a redo story that keeps it simple, believable." They're right. This isn't just another LitRPG. It's a rebirth. And honestly? I'm glad Ren's back. Now I need to go brew myself a potion. (And maybe yell at my own guild for being jerks. Just kidding. Mostly.)
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience