I really wanted to like this one, I really did. I was expecting something along the lines of litRPG/GameLit and this was not that, not really. Instead you just get a really rather annoying Main Character who is still obsessed with her former life 300 THREE HUNDRED years later. It got exhaustive hearing her talk about how she quite literally worked herself to death.

I just really couldn't connect to this story on any level, I found all of the characters annoying. The "children" plot was weird and unnecessary. And there was an entire chapter it felt like dedicated to one of the characters boobs.

This one was just very much not for me. I will not be continuing on with this series.

I don't know if this was an unfinished audio, but you could hear each intake of the narrators breath a lot of times it was a deep dramatic breath and it was incredibly annoying, also could have done without the narrator making vomiting sounds.

I listened to this audiobook while playing the organizing game “A Little to the Left,” and I think the author would approve. The entire ethos of this book is to not work too hard, and instead enjoy life, and I was living that!

Out narrator, Azusa, was an over-dedicated office worker, who died in her early 20s. Her simple wish for reincarnation was a long, simple life, and she got it! Functionally immortal, she unknowingly creeps up in levels by killing a few slimes on the way into town for supplies every day, until she finds out she’s one of the strongest beings in the world.

And with that knowledge, she…keeps walking into town every day, having a grand old time.

Stakes attempt to be raised, but when you’re basically unkillable, they’re just nuisances. Nuisances which become family! A shapeshifting dragon, an airhead elf, a demon, and two cute kids (one of whom is murderous) fill out Azusa’s life, making it even cozier than before.

The whole book is just feel-good. It’s fairly short–just over 6 hours–so make a light weekend of this. Cook some hearty soup, pick up a warm drink, and cuddle up with your pets. Play a video game or do a craft, if you’re the type who needs to be occupied as they listen. And just let things come as they may.

Advanced audio copy provided by the publisher.

Completely ignoring the plot of the book, I found this audiobook to be a delight to listen to. Rachelle Heger, the audiobook narrator, did a fantastic job. Every character had a separate and easily identifiable voice, a feat which got increasingly impressive as more characters were added to the plot. The absolute range Rachelle has, to go from Falfa/ Shalsha's child-like tone's to Halkara seductive voice! All of the foley work, the onomat0poeia, the energy Rachelle put into all of the background noises really brought the book to life.
I can honestly say that if it wasn't for Rachelle's work and how entertaining she made listening to this book, I most probably would not have finished the book at all.

*2.5 stars rounded up*

After living her life as a corporate slave, Azusa finds herself reincarnated as an immortal witch. She spends the next 300 years relaxing and killing slimes. However, when the adventurer guild learns that killing slimes for the last 300 years has made her level 99, Azusa's life gets a little more interesting. Will she be able to keep up her low-key life?

I really wanted to love this book. I enjoyed the synopsis, but the execution of this book was lackluster. Nothing really happened in this book and the fights were uneventful. New characters were introduced about halfway through the book but there was no depth to the characters. Although there were some comedic aspects to this book, I found the writing to be troublesome and sometimes offensive. Overall, I will not be continuing on with this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 years and Maxed Out My Level. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2.0⭐

A very lighthearted and sweet novel about finding a family, and getting a second chance to live a more meaningful life. Unfortunately, despite my interest in the synopsis, this novel wasn't for me.

Azusa ends up dying from overworking but is given a second chance to live a life of her choice. She asks to be immortal to have plenty of time to live a laid-back life. She lives peacefully near a small village, killing slimes to make a living. Then one day she discovers that accumulating experience has raised her to the max level. As the rumor of her power spreads, her peaceful life might be in danger.

What I enjoyed about the novel was its main message of finding a balance between a meaningful life and work. However, I'm uncertain if an immortal character who spends 300 years mostly lazing around sets a good example. I also enjoyed some of the sweet moments and humor. It was really a relaxing read.

My issue was that there was too much that irked me for me to be able to truly relax. The story was about Azusa finding herself and an adoptive family one by one, but then with some of the characters, especially the big-chested one, there was this constant sapphic tension and obsession over big boobs and behind. I suppose it's a common trope in Japanese novels, and this one was no exception. Also, the author is a male.

In addition to these off-putting vibes, I also couldn't always relate to the main character's viewpoints. She came over as someone shallow and naïve. Saying things like:

"To be honest, I rather wish she’d share a little of that bust with me. Just once, I’d like to complain that my chest is so heavy that my shoulders get stiff."

Or:

"Frankly, I didn’t feel remotely guilty about killing slimes.
Besides, if you took that logic to the extreme, you wouldn’t be able to kill any living things at all.
Humans eat living creatures for the most part, so if you wanted to avoid taking lives, you’d have to die."


I am not a vegetarian, but this hit me as an exceptionally coldhearted viewpoint. Especially since the character is supposed to be warm and avoids needless killing.

The final straw for me was the author underestimating the readers' intelligence. There were at least two occasions where what was happening was super obvious, yet the drama of revelation was needlessly prolonged. The story was overall a bit too simple for me, with little depth.

Regarding the narration, while I eventually became accustomed to it, the overly hyper voice didn't really endear me to the characters, especially Azusa.

This book is definitely going to have its fans as the rating already suggests, but for me, there were too many issues that stopped me from enjoying this. It's a shame because the idea was interesting, and I did enjoy some moments.

I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I read this volume years ago but it was amazing to revisit it in audio format. The narrator is absolutely perfect for the main character and the production quality is great. This volume sets up the story and gives us a lot of our main cast of characters and it's such a fun, cozy time. I'd absolutely recommend this series (especially the audiobook) to new and old light novel fans. Can't wait for the second volume's audiobook to drop!

I mean, it’s silly but it’s a fun kind of silly. And the audiobook in particular really capitalizes on and plays up that animanga silliness - particularly with the sound effects and onomatopoeias that are pretty liberally sprinkled throughout most light novels. The voice actress really leaned in, giving each character a unique vibe and giving the sound effects thorough consideration. There’s one point where a dragon has brain freeze and the delivery was so funny I couldn’t stop laughing.

Plus the central point of the story (which is all about living a life in moderation) is very fitting in our current side hustle/gig economy/rise and grind culture.

Personally, I don’t think I’d go out of my way to read the rest of the series unless it was on audio, but I did have a fun time.