Alchimia Rex

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

I know you’re here looking for an epic story about a powerless chemistry teacher turning a fantasy world and its rules on its head, having to rely on others to fight brutal battles, surviving impossible odds, to navigate difficult relationship dynamics, of a human having to handle being surrounded by people who consider the rules of physics little more than guidelines, and of carving out a place to call home in a dangerous world.

But let me level with you. Rick Cross might be the reason this new world gets itself the equivalent of the Geneva Convention, but he is also a flawed human pushing thirty in a world where he barely has a penny to his name. Lacking any magical abilities of his own, it will take sweat, blood, deception, and more than a bit of luck to get ahead (Unless you want to skip the pain and jump to chapter 50).

AN:

"Alchimia Rex" is a continuation of "Monsters and Maidens", but written with the intent of standing on its own.

Information

Status: Hiatus
Year: 2022
Author: Ravnicrasol

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.5/ 5.0
Followers: 804
Views: 627,214

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

eward638Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
While some readers are here looking for a story of the battle harem genre, others are wary of the flaws associated with stories of that sort. For those readers, I can assure them this story avoids those flaws in ways that explore inhuman psychologies. To try to explain concisely: various superpowered female-only species (Maidens) requires a psychic 'bond' with a human to stay sane.
The author does NOT use this premise to create mindless fetish fuel (not to denigrate such stories that do, as they have their place). Instead, he seems more interested in exploring the worldbuilding that would derive from the existence of such species. Much of this worldbuilding was explored in his past story (which made it clear that bonds could be formed from hatred just as much as positive feelings). However, that previous story took place mostly within a single kingdom in which humans were the ones in charge, aside from some few living in fear of the kingdom.
This story, by contrast, focuses on an area where the human-dominated kingdom lacks control, thus allowing us to see the flip side of that arrangement. Early on in this story, we encounter a community where humans are subordinate and the Maidens are the ones confidently in control. And certain destabilizing elements promise to soon show us power struggles between species that can occur during societal upheaval.
But don't think that the exploration of societal implications of fantasy worldbuilding decisions interferes with the actual story. The narrative actually manages to be highly action-packed. When it's not rife with action, the story is fleshing out and developing characters. Whereas the story's predecessor did admittedly have some slow-paced moments, this story never seems to experience any. In the time since the author wrote the previous story, he has improved- and perhaps mastered- having single scenes perform multiple literary functions.
The characters are all clearly well-considered, with each of them not only having t
Ab AeternoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Tl;DR
Awesome and deep worldbuilding without daunting info-dumps.
3 dimensional characters with their own motives, feelings and wants.
Minor NSFW mentions, nothing explicit.
Would recommend.
Full review:
The story doesn't start at the transmigration but gives context clues about that part. This is a great start for most gener savvy readers as the start of most such stories is rather similar (from story structure, plot devices and content perspective). However, enough clues and mentions are given that even an unfamiliar reader can recreate the order of events.
The first chapter feels like the teaser of an action film, where every character gets to show-off both what they do and their personalities. It also sets the tone of the rest of the story's great worldbuilding: show- don't tell (i.e. no info-dumps unless strictly necessary, it makes sense in that context, and only what relevant for the moment or a chekhov's gun). And again just to reiterate, the worldbuilding is well done and feels very organic.
This leads to the characters. There is Rick, the main character, Monica, Kiara, Dia and Eve. However, saying they are side characters doesn't do them justice. Each of them has a distinct personality, desires, feelings and relationships with each others that are very natural born from the above. This too cannot be said enough.
But back to Rick, he is clearly in an unfamiliar place trying his best to get the hang of things and even kind if succeeding. He isn't a bastion of morals or an outright villain, he is a person of his own and isn't defined by those he surrounds himself with. As a chemist in his 30s-50s (can't remember ATM) his scientific worldview is conflicting with his new reality, and he clearly tries to adapt and bridge that difference. His background does take a backseat at the start, but is very much an inseprable part of the story.
Grammar mistakes: can be counted one one hand, (finger chopping allowed).
Warnings: while nothing truly NSFW happened qui
some-random-readerRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I'm exited to read the 2nd book. I found the 1st book when it was almost complete and burned through it. I look forward to reading about the adventures of Rick and the gang as the main focus. *This sentence was added because the minimum word count for posts is 50 words.
Lorenzo221Royal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Not my best, but hope it conveys it well enough:
This author's approach to the monstergirls was unorthodox, to say the least
He took the typical harem and gave it a few twists
Gone were the cliches, and the shallow plot
Replaced with depth, themes, and characters that truly rocked
The setting was of humans and maidens together, despite the disparity
But as with any relationship, there was complexity and variety
The story followed Rick, a man with wit and grit
As he navigated this world, searching for a place to sit
He gathered a group of maidens, each with her own shine
Dia, the tough healer, Monica, the warrior divine
Kiara, the sly succubus, and Eva, still learning the ropes
They were unstoppable, as they tackled each challenge and obstacle
As they traveled, Rick grew in strength and power
He became a leader in that final hour
When they faced off against the ultimate foe
He led them to victory, and it was show
So if you're a fan of harems or fantasy
Give this tale a try, trust in me
You'll be swept away by the magic and mystery
Of Rick and his maidens, a true epic history
If you made it this far and didn't cringe to death xD, welcome!
The story's a great piece, plot and pacing are decent, and the high-stress start eases off at the promised chapter 20-ish. TBH though the story does have a harem, it feels more like an adventuring party where Rick is the central meeting point, each of the characters having their own goals, ambitions, and relationships.
LowRoarRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Excellently built world, great ups and downs, characters are all generally pretty solid or done so well it’s enjoyable to have them even in passing. Some elements are a little weird, sure. That’s simply how the story is told and it’s again just remarkable that I’ve enjoyed it as much as I have. I started reading the original “Monsters&Maidens” on Reddit and have followed since the release of chapter 9 or so. The MC is not overpowered and has actual trials/tribulations and well earned victories. Even if he gets a bloody nose he has a great cast supporting him either in muscle, mind or magic. I will admit however since his background consists of a science I wasn’t sure how well he would adapt into the world. Thankfully the author has seen fit to bless us with the wonderfully balanced horror/suspense that was the first few chapters lol. That initial grounding makes the tension very much alive in a few ways going forward. All in all I would say this is a great read, has some vivid 🍋 and zest, and while I’m being honest some pretty interesting concepts for being pretty harem based. All of which imo are a plus because harems can get dry without any action. This story provides plenty of it.
if your wondering why it feels like a couple things are missing in this review it’s because I didn’t want spoil anything, I’m terrible about it so I just cut it out to let you enjoy it.
A Giggly PenguinRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The world that the author here has created with their work is deep and complex. The characters all have motivations that push them to act in ways large and small. It's a wonderfully interesting read that I go out of my way to check daily in spite of knowing that it updates less often than that.
The only downsides are reaching the newest chapter, knowing that you're caught up and knowing that someday the Author will finish and the main story will be over.
There are finer nitpicks of course, grammar mistakes and such, but they don't take you out of the experience. I only wish they were checking in on some of the distant side characters within the main narrative, but I'll happily take this focused narrative and thank the Wordsmith.
Winged ThingRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Sexy Space Babes, and Sexy Sect Babes, not because their plots are remotely similiar (they aren't) but because this story of of exceptionally high quality, in my humble option, better than those two works.
Here we've got monster-girls, lots of well implemented world building that makes freaking sense, a main character that experiences tangible character growth by overcoming the steady stream of hardship lumped his way, and oh... and how could I forget the well written eroticism. That's there if you're into that.
Me, I'm here because the story's dammed entertaining. Hell, if you run out of chapters to read, you can even go and check out the previous version of the story that diverges so widely it is an entitely different thing alltogether, with its own charms.
Not gunna lie, I miss it. Grimdark PKMN with serial numbers intact was an awesome adventure.
Do yourself a favour, read both, Ravnicrasol does damned fine work!
_GlassesRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Alchimia Rex is off to a nice, intense start and makes uses of every single word. If you like every conversation feeling important, every interaction having meaning to it, then I think you'll like Alchimia Rex just as much as I do.
MC is still figuring things out, but seems to be dealing with politics of the group he is in as well as anyone else could expect from him. Power dynamics between all-powerful Maidens are always fun!
I'm certainly interested to see where it all goes!
MaidsWillBeMineRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
The author CAN write, if i had to describe his writing in general, having read 2 of his works it would be "Almost good". There's talent there, it's plain to see, and also work put into it. Trouble is that he can't help but try to stick some hard landings and ends up flailing and losing plenty of style points in the process. What the hell am I even talking about? Well, he seems to really care about having you picture scenes, events and emotions he's trying to invoke EXACTLY the way he's imagining it, not quite understanding that you, the reader's mind is supposed to do half the work and imagine the scene your own, unique way. So he ends up shifting between POVs as if getting the shot from multiple perspectives. The other thing is that he keeps "choking the snake". Meaning he lingers over a scene and gives it waaaay to many words and way too much screen time. And this is especially visible during action scenes. Uses 10 words where one would do. Makes action seem a tedious slog, hard to read through. The two complaints i named are why i won't be continuing the story, but if you are looking for something to pass the time, remember what i said, dude has both skill and talent. The story IS flawed, but still not at all bad. Lots of original concepts, and may be worth your time. I just have a long list of stuff i mean to read, so i'll be passing it over.
Karl NordRoyal Road
★★★ 2.5
-2 stars: No plot is introduced in the first 15 chapters. They are just under physical duress. There's an excess of action scenes that don't advance the main character's destiny. The main character doesn't have a motivation really beyond getting safe. He's not even excited about his collection of magical girls.
+2 stars: World-building and magical races are very interesting. Politics seems good. The idea of maidens is interesting. Good thought went into this stuff.
+1 star: Grammar.
-.5 stars, YMMV: The implied sex with a barely sentient sabertooth tiger. Like, I could see this being handled in a way that's interesting. The story almost does it; however, the sabertooth being a simple minded brute gave me the super yucks. If it was a villain doing this, I think the disgust would serve as a "kick the puppy" moment. This same amount of body horror extends to Eva. All of this lacks enthusiastic consent as the very world building is forcing "love." This is like "only dude at a magical high school" except it's built into the world building. It just feels miserable to think about. Not sexy. That said, the world building is so well done that it keeps this from being a huge problem. I look at this all as a missed opportunity. The story doesn't need to start with a series of action scenes, it needs to start with a gentle exploration of this messed up world. Like the premise is solid, it's just the execution. If we were gonna go on a romp to collect magical girls, then the story should be a lot more silly.