Thanks for the feedback. This actually isn't my first entry into the genre, but I will admit I focused more on the narrative side - exploring was originally always free, but I was worried that would make the game too timewally.
I will, however, say that all potions are programmed to always make a profit, even if the RNG is at its worst. Fully agreed on the lack of confirmation exploration doesn't reveal anything - the original intent was to challenge players to determining the pattern of where the books are placed, but that doesn't seem to have come across well in-game.
The current plan on my end is to make a version with less writing/narrative, but more items/puzzles to find and a better balancing curve.