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Dungeon Crawler Carl #1
Dungeon Crawler Carl
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.
You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.
Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.
Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.
Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”
The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.
You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.
Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.
Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.
Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2020
25828 people are currently reading
162532 people want to read
About the author
Matt Dinniman
30 books9,849 followersMatt Dinniman is the best-selling writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the published author of dozens of short stories and a gaggle of books. In addition, his art publications—from greeting cards to stationery kits to calendars—can be found in boutique and stationery shops around the world. Also, he strongly feels like a pretentious twat when he writes about himself in third person.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 18,653 reviews
January 28, 2021
This book whispered sweet nothings to my soul. I tore through it like a fat man at an all you can eat buffet with 5 minutes til closing. The banter between Donut and Carl is hilarious, and the action and snark is top notch. Goddamnit Dinniman.
February 4, 2024
What an absolutely absurd, bizarre, and outlandishly fun read this turned out to be - could it be that progression fantasy is the genre I never knew I needed!
Final Rating: 4.8/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Talk about a surprise – this book is completely absurd, and somehow, I'm all for it. I mean, I never thought I'd enjoy something so outlandish. I'm usually drawn to stories with depth and complexity, yet here I am, totally taken aback by how much fun I had with this one. It's zany, it's ludicrous, and against all expectations, I found myself absolutely loving it. It turns out this kind of book might just be the secret ingredient I never knew was missing in my reading life.
A quick heads-up before we go any further: this book might not click with everyone. My usual go-tos are sophisticated, multi-layered fantasy and sci-fi novels. But on the flip side, I've got a big soft spot for the quirky and humorous (big nod to the likes of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams) - although I should note that the humour is of a very different style to those two legends. If a book can make me chuckle, it's usually a winner in my eyes. Plus, I've been into video games for ages, particularly RPGs.
So, if your preference leans heavily towards the more serious, traditional fantasy and sci-fi, then this may not be your thing. However, if you're into gaming, enjoy progression fantasy or LITRPGs, and appreciate some light-hearted, even absurd humor, then this book is definitely worth checking out. It's a unique mix, and you might find it as surprisingly enjoyable as I did.
Also. Listen to the Audiobook. This would be a top 3 of all time audio narration for me.
Plot Summary
This truly-bizarre story revolves around the main character, Carl, who finds himself in a bizarre and dangerous situation where Earth has been turned into a massive dungeon. Players are forced to navigate this dungeon, facing various challenges and enemies, with their progress watched by alien viewers. Think Diablo the computer game told in a story format, and with jokes thrown in along the way - and you’re most of the way there.
Plot: 5/5
This was my first dive into progression fantasy, and I must say, I quickly got hooked.The book cleverly integrates video game-like elements: characters leveling up, acquiring better loot, and enhancing their gear and stats. This progression makes them increasingly powerful, a concept I found captivating as the challenges Carl faces escalate in intensity and complexity. It's a thrilling survival tale (with tinges here and there of dystopian power struggles beyond “the game”), and I couldn't get enough of it.
“Question: What’s the only thing standing between an innocent child and a happy, fulfilling life? Answer: You. The answer is you.”
The plot is inherently dark, but it's the overlay of juvenile humor that sets it apart. This humor transforms what could be disturbing moments into something unexpectedly funny, provided you're willing to let go of your critical and analytical mind and just immerse yourself in the fun. And trust me, there's a lot of fun to be had here. Humour of course a very subjective beast, and so it may or may not work for you.
One final point of praise: the originality and inventiveness of the scenarios Carl encounters. Not only does the episodic nature of the challenges keep the pace and momentum going. The creativity in these situations is remarkable, making me think, "I would love to play this as a video game!" It's a testament to the author's imagination and ability to craft a story that's as entertaining as it is unique.
World building: 5/5
When it comes to world-building, I usually have a pretty structured approach. I look for coherence: does the magic system make sense? Does the story naturally emerge from the world that's been built? Are the magical elements consistent across different contexts? Normally, these are my benchmarks. But with this book, sticking to this framework just doesn't do it justice. If I did, it'd probably end up with a one-star rating in this department. And that would be missing the point entirely.
“Cats are assholes. I get it. But do you know why people like cats, despite their asshole-ness? It’s because they don’t fucking talk. If they did, and they were all like you, they’d all be extinct because we’d have killed you all by now.”
This book throws conventional world-building out the window. It's not about coherence or predictability - it's about embracing the ridiculous. And this is where it shines. The unpredictability, the over-the-top weapons and magic, the ludicrous skills - they're not meant to be balanced or make sense in a traditional way. That chaos is the heart of its charm.
The world here is, frankly, fantastic in its absurdity. Stats, levels, and experience points seem to be handed out with no rhyme or reason. The powers, weapons, and the world itself are bonkers. Fire-spitting llamas, a magic cat armed with magic missiles, Carl's inexplicably powerful bare feet - it's all part of the wild ride. And that's exactly why I found it so captivating. It's a world where the usual rules don't apply, and that's what makes it such a blast
Characterisation: 4.5/5
How can one not start a section on characters with Princess Donut - i.e. Carl’s pet cat turned sidekick. She is flipping amazing. And I'm not even the biggest cat fan. Perhaps that's why I loved her so much. She’s not just a sidekick; she's a character in her own right, with a distinct personality that provides a perfect foil to Carl. Her sarcastic remarks and magical abilities add a layer of humor and unpredictability to the story. She also "literally" develops as a character. Great stuff.
Princess Donut
Carl, our protagonist, stands out with his blend of pragmatism and wit. He’s not your typical hero; he’s more of an everyman thrust into extraordinary situations. What makes Carl so compelling is his evolution throughout the story. He starts as someone who seems like he might be out of his depth, but as the challenges ramp up, so does his ingenuity, resilience, and humor. This growth feels organic and is one of the book's strengths in character development.
“Goddammit Donut!”
My only slight qualm is the side characters. I guess like a video game, many of the others feel like generated NPC's to me. Sure some of them have some interesting back stories, but they felt a little flat to me. Perhaps that's the risk of making a single POV story.
Prose: 4.5/5
When it comes to the prose of "Dungeon Crawler Carl," the term 'prose' itself feels somewhat misaligned. It suggests a formality that doesn't quite fit Matt Dinniman's style in this book. His writing is more functional, infused with a touch of the profane and the absurd. It's not the epitome of highbrow wit, and it's clear that this style might not align with everyone's sense of humor. However, it's undeniably inventive, creative, and, most importantly, fun.
“New achievement! You’ve killed an armed mob with your bare fucking hands! Holy crap, dude. That’s kinda fucked up. Reward: You’ve received a Bronze Weapon Box!”
The humor in Dinniman's prose is likely to be divisive among readers. In fact, how you react to the humor can be a great indicator of whether this book is for you. If the first 50 pages or the initial 1-2 hours of the audiobook don't draw a laugh from you, this might not be your cup of tea. For me, while the humor didn't reach the clever heights of some of my favorite humorists, it certainly inspired a kind of manic, unbridled, joyful sense of fun.
So. The writing style aligns perfectly with the book's tone and content, though I'd be the first to admit that it doesn't stand out for lyrical elegance. Yet, in the context of this story, that's perfectly fine. Dinniman's ‘prose’ drives the fun, offbeat nature of the narrative effectively, even if it doesn't strive for poetic beauty.
Enjoyment: 5/5
If you've picked up on anything from my review, it's probably clear that I had a total blast with Dungeon Crawler Carl. I think a major part of that was the surprise factor. I'm all about the deep, engaging reads, but finding a book that's as fun as a great video game session or a laugh-out-loud comedy flick? That's rare for me - although maybe not rare in the Progression Fantasy genre. And this book nailed it. It turned out to be a rip-roaring, addictive read.
I get that this might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially for the highbrow fantasy/sci-fi/literature crowd. And hey, I usually hang out in that crowd too (although maybe not the literature one as much). But this book? It was the perfect breather I needed. A great way to shake things up between those big, heavy fantasy epics I usually dive into. As I'm lining up to tackle series like Malazan and other massive tomes this year, this series might well be the light-hearted detour I need to break them up.
In short, this book is for those times when you're looking for something different. Something less about deep thinking and more about just kicking back and having a good time. It's a reminder that diving into a wild, fun story can be just as satisfying as getting lost in more serious, intricate plots.
Final Rating: 4.8/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Dungeon Crawler Carl :
Book 1. The Shadow of What Was Lost
My favourite books of 2024 in preferential order
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕:
1. The Way of Kings - (My Review)
2. Dungeon Crawler Carl
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗:
…
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑:
3. The Poppy War
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑:
...
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑:
...
🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑:
...
Final Rating: 4.8/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Talk about a surprise – this book is completely absurd, and somehow, I'm all for it. I mean, I never thought I'd enjoy something so outlandish. I'm usually drawn to stories with depth and complexity, yet here I am, totally taken aback by how much fun I had with this one. It's zany, it's ludicrous, and against all expectations, I found myself absolutely loving it. It turns out this kind of book might just be the secret ingredient I never knew was missing in my reading life.
A quick heads-up before we go any further: this book might not click with everyone. My usual go-tos are sophisticated, multi-layered fantasy and sci-fi novels. But on the flip side, I've got a big soft spot for the quirky and humorous (big nod to the likes of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams) - although I should note that the humour is of a very different style to those two legends. If a book can make me chuckle, it's usually a winner in my eyes. Plus, I've been into video games for ages, particularly RPGs.
So, if your preference leans heavily towards the more serious, traditional fantasy and sci-fi, then this may not be your thing. However, if you're into gaming, enjoy progression fantasy or LITRPGs, and appreciate some light-hearted, even absurd humor, then this book is definitely worth checking out. It's a unique mix, and you might find it as surprisingly enjoyable as I did.
Also. Listen to the Audiobook. This would be a top 3 of all time audio narration for me.
Plot Summary
This truly-bizarre story revolves around the main character, Carl, who finds himself in a bizarre and dangerous situation where Earth has been turned into a massive dungeon. Players are forced to navigate this dungeon, facing various challenges and enemies, with their progress watched by alien viewers. Think Diablo the computer game told in a story format, and with jokes thrown in along the way - and you’re most of the way there.
Plot: 5/5
This was my first dive into progression fantasy, and I must say, I quickly got hooked.The book cleverly integrates video game-like elements: characters leveling up, acquiring better loot, and enhancing their gear and stats. This progression makes them increasingly powerful, a concept I found captivating as the challenges Carl faces escalate in intensity and complexity. It's a thrilling survival tale (with tinges here and there of dystopian power struggles beyond “the game”), and I couldn't get enough of it.
“Question: What’s the only thing standing between an innocent child and a happy, fulfilling life? Answer: You. The answer is you.”
The plot is inherently dark, but it's the overlay of juvenile humor that sets it apart. This humor transforms what could be disturbing moments into something unexpectedly funny, provided you're willing to let go of your critical and analytical mind and just immerse yourself in the fun. And trust me, there's a lot of fun to be had here. Humour of course a very subjective beast, and so it may or may not work for you.
One final point of praise: the originality and inventiveness of the scenarios Carl encounters. Not only does the episodic nature of the challenges keep the pace and momentum going. The creativity in these situations is remarkable, making me think, "I would love to play this as a video game!" It's a testament to the author's imagination and ability to craft a story that's as entertaining as it is unique.
World building: 5/5
When it comes to world-building, I usually have a pretty structured approach. I look for coherence: does the magic system make sense? Does the story naturally emerge from the world that's been built? Are the magical elements consistent across different contexts? Normally, these are my benchmarks. But with this book, sticking to this framework just doesn't do it justice. If I did, it'd probably end up with a one-star rating in this department. And that would be missing the point entirely.
“Cats are assholes. I get it. But do you know why people like cats, despite their asshole-ness? It’s because they don’t fucking talk. If they did, and they were all like you, they’d all be extinct because we’d have killed you all by now.”
This book throws conventional world-building out the window. It's not about coherence or predictability - it's about embracing the ridiculous. And this is where it shines. The unpredictability, the over-the-top weapons and magic, the ludicrous skills - they're not meant to be balanced or make sense in a traditional way. That chaos is the heart of its charm.
The world here is, frankly, fantastic in its absurdity. Stats, levels, and experience points seem to be handed out with no rhyme or reason. The powers, weapons, and the world itself are bonkers. Fire-spitting llamas, a magic cat armed with magic missiles, Carl's inexplicably powerful bare feet - it's all part of the wild ride. And that's exactly why I found it so captivating. It's a world where the usual rules don't apply, and that's what makes it such a blast
Characterisation: 4.5/5
How can one not start a section on characters with Princess Donut - i.e. Carl’s pet cat turned sidekick. She is flipping amazing. And I'm not even the biggest cat fan. Perhaps that's why I loved her so much. She’s not just a sidekick; she's a character in her own right, with a distinct personality that provides a perfect foil to Carl. Her sarcastic remarks and magical abilities add a layer of humor and unpredictability to the story. She also "literally" develops as a character. Great stuff.
Princess Donut
Carl, our protagonist, stands out with his blend of pragmatism and wit. He’s not your typical hero; he’s more of an everyman thrust into extraordinary situations. What makes Carl so compelling is his evolution throughout the story. He starts as someone who seems like he might be out of his depth, but as the challenges ramp up, so does his ingenuity, resilience, and humor. This growth feels organic and is one of the book's strengths in character development.
“Goddammit Donut!”
My only slight qualm is the side characters. I guess like a video game, many of the others feel like generated NPC's to me. Sure some of them have some interesting back stories, but they felt a little flat to me. Perhaps that's the risk of making a single POV story.
Prose: 4.5/5
When it comes to the prose of "Dungeon Crawler Carl," the term 'prose' itself feels somewhat misaligned. It suggests a formality that doesn't quite fit Matt Dinniman's style in this book. His writing is more functional, infused with a touch of the profane and the absurd. It's not the epitome of highbrow wit, and it's clear that this style might not align with everyone's sense of humor. However, it's undeniably inventive, creative, and, most importantly, fun.
“New achievement! You’ve killed an armed mob with your bare fucking hands! Holy crap, dude. That’s kinda fucked up. Reward: You’ve received a Bronze Weapon Box!”
The humor in Dinniman's prose is likely to be divisive among readers. In fact, how you react to the humor can be a great indicator of whether this book is for you. If the first 50 pages or the initial 1-2 hours of the audiobook don't draw a laugh from you, this might not be your cup of tea. For me, while the humor didn't reach the clever heights of some of my favorite humorists, it certainly inspired a kind of manic, unbridled, joyful sense of fun.
So. The writing style aligns perfectly with the book's tone and content, though I'd be the first to admit that it doesn't stand out for lyrical elegance. Yet, in the context of this story, that's perfectly fine. Dinniman's ‘prose’ drives the fun, offbeat nature of the narrative effectively, even if it doesn't strive for poetic beauty.
Enjoyment: 5/5
If you've picked up on anything from my review, it's probably clear that I had a total blast with Dungeon Crawler Carl. I think a major part of that was the surprise factor. I'm all about the deep, engaging reads, but finding a book that's as fun as a great video game session or a laugh-out-loud comedy flick? That's rare for me - although maybe not rare in the Progression Fantasy genre. And this book nailed it. It turned out to be a rip-roaring, addictive read.
I get that this might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially for the highbrow fantasy/sci-fi/literature crowd. And hey, I usually hang out in that crowd too (although maybe not the literature one as much). But this book? It was the perfect breather I needed. A great way to shake things up between those big, heavy fantasy epics I usually dive into. As I'm lining up to tackle series like Malazan and other massive tomes this year, this series might well be the light-hearted detour I need to break them up.
In short, this book is for those times when you're looking for something different. Something less about deep thinking and more about just kicking back and having a good time. It's a reminder that diving into a wild, fun story can be just as satisfying as getting lost in more serious, intricate plots.
Final Rating: 4.8/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
Dungeon Crawler Carl :
Book 1. The Shadow of What Was Lost
My favourite books of 2024 in preferential order
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕:
1. The Way of Kings - (My Review)
2. Dungeon Crawler Carl
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗:
…
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑:
3. The Poppy War
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑:
...
🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑:
...
🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑:
...
Read
April 17, 2025Full Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/tiAiH3rxjrw
Yeah. I was wrong. This was a blast.
After my experience with Cradle a couple years back I quickly decided LitRPG/Progression fantasy wasn't going to be something for me. I do love playing some Final Fantasy, but I have no interest in reading about you grinding for XP. So I always said I'd consider it when people first started recommending DCC with no plans to actually do it. But, I do love to give the people what they want and they would not stop telling me they wanted me to read this. And I'm glad they did because this was the most fun I've had reading a book in awhile.
It certainly won't be a book for everyone, but I think if you just embrace the absurdity of it and stop being a fantasy snob (like I was) you may just enjoy it. 20 minutes of thoughts in the video review above.
Yeah. I was wrong. This was a blast.
After my experience with Cradle a couple years back I quickly decided LitRPG/Progression fantasy wasn't going to be something for me. I do love playing some Final Fantasy, but I have no interest in reading about you grinding for XP. So I always said I'd consider it when people first started recommending DCC with no plans to actually do it. But, I do love to give the people what they want and they would not stop telling me they wanted me to read this. And I'm glad they did because this was the most fun I've had reading a book in awhile.
It certainly won't be a book for everyone, but I think if you just embrace the absurdity of it and stop being a fantasy snob (like I was) you may just enjoy it. 20 minutes of thoughts in the video review above.
June 14, 2023
100% pure fun, almost to an addicting level. A must read for any litrpg fan, or fan of video games in general.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
Watch my video review by clicking here.
May 25, 2025
You just never can tell. I can't, anyway, so I listened to the 26 of my friends who have read this book. A mere one gave it 2 stars; otherwise it averaged a solid 4. And my friends were right! (Even the outlier, to be discussed later). I picked it up and finished within 24 hours. No, it wasn't the audio, which actually sounded tempting (note to self; if you have extra credits some day...).
The premise is silly, but it is popcorn-level fun, particularly if you are familiar with the role-playing genre. I never made it to Dungeons and Dragons, but I have read extensively in fantasy genre and played a lot of online, massive-multiplayer games of the type and recognize everything that is going on, even the hotkeys. I can appreciate where people who aren't a little familiar with gaming may not enjoy the references. I thought Dinniman did an excellent job of using the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) when it comes to menus and the like--just enough to remind us, not enough to bore us silly. As an aside, I found the achievements hilarious. You know how old people like to say in current generations, everyone gets a trophy? The same thing has happened in video games, and Dinnimen plays it for all it's worth.
"Congratulations! You’ve earned your first achievement: Crazy Cat Lady."
Technically falling into both my dick-lit and apocalypse categories, Carl is currently at a loss after breaking up with his girlfriend. He's been holding her Persian show cat hostage, but secretly, he just wanted to keep her. Late one night, Princess Donut demands to be let out, and he ends up chasing her to bring her in. Caught in the middle of an alien reclamation of Earth's many resources, they are given the option to fight for Earth by entering a dungeon crawl. Both Carl and Donut enter as individuals, a fascinating but unsurprising choice for the cat-lovers around us (there's a pair of dogs that are clearly pets). However, in a beautifully conceptualized twist, the dungeon crawl is broadcast for entertainment, much like 'Survivor,' or 'Squid Game.'
Upon successful completion of level 18 of the World Dungeon, regency of this planet will revert to the successor.
Tone is what really sets this apart. It manages to be both emotional and humorous. There's a running gag about Carl and Donut needed to develop a 'catchphrase' for the show, and it turns out Carl's 'Goddammit, Donut!' epithet wins the day. By the end, I'm sure I was chuckling along with the rest of the audience. The heartfulness comes in as Carl reflects on their situation, the apocalypse, and the reality of seeing over four million contestants whittled down. Something about Dinniman's writing feels like a genuine buddy relationship between the two leads as they care for each other but have their own ideas about progress, as well as the struggle with dungeon ethics. Of course, there are still plenty of jokes.
“How is it you can be so reckless and timid at the same time?”
“I can’t control my instincts! I’m just a few generations shy of being a ferocious tiger stalking through the jungles.”
“I’ve seen your pedigree,” I said. “You’re a few generations shy of nothing. Also, your grandfather was also your uncle.”
There's a lot of hints--in one case, an overt situation--that not everything is as it seems here. The lease-holders for Earth may be running a crooked game, and there's hints that the Non-Player Characters in the dungeons have lives of their own beyond the game role. It's that kind of background plotting that sets this series above many others (squinting at Travis Baldree's books).
Oh, that two star review came from someone that thought it was sexist. This might be splitting hairs, but I don't think it is sexist in the way of genuinely believing women are sluts kind of thing. I think that's a trope that comes up that the author deals with, but I can see where that perspective is valid. Although it's worth saying that two of the other successful teams are a young teen with her dogs, and a Valkyrie-type group of women.
"So if your boyfriend ogling your tootises keeps these easy-peasy bugs coming at us instead of more of those lava-spitting llamas, then you better buck up, get over your human male privilege, and take one for your princess.”
So glad I have more in the series. This will be perfect travel-reading.
Three and a half achievements, rounding up.
Update, May 2025: I am still waiting for Kobna's latest reading of Aaronovitch, so I am giving Audio Carl a shot. I think Hays has a southern type accent that is mostly alright but occasionally requires work for me to overcome. It is a group production with a separate actor for Princess Doughnut who does very well with her.
Also, if anyone can tell me how to add audio books separate from written in this iteration of Goodreads, I would appreciate it. 😊
The premise is silly, but it is popcorn-level fun, particularly if you are familiar with the role-playing genre. I never made it to Dungeons and Dragons, but I have read extensively in fantasy genre and played a lot of online, massive-multiplayer games of the type and recognize everything that is going on, even the hotkeys. I can appreciate where people who aren't a little familiar with gaming may not enjoy the references. I thought Dinniman did an excellent job of using the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) when it comes to menus and the like--just enough to remind us, not enough to bore us silly. As an aside, I found the achievements hilarious. You know how old people like to say in current generations, everyone gets a trophy? The same thing has happened in video games, and Dinnimen plays it for all it's worth.
"Congratulations! You’ve earned your first achievement: Crazy Cat Lady."
Technically falling into both my dick-lit and apocalypse categories, Carl is currently at a loss after breaking up with his girlfriend. He's been holding her Persian show cat hostage, but secretly, he just wanted to keep her. Late one night, Princess Donut demands to be let out, and he ends up chasing her to bring her in. Caught in the middle of an alien reclamation of Earth's many resources, they are given the option to fight for Earth by entering a dungeon crawl. Both Carl and Donut enter as individuals, a fascinating but unsurprising choice for the cat-lovers around us (there's a pair of dogs that are clearly pets). However, in a beautifully conceptualized twist, the dungeon crawl is broadcast for entertainment, much like 'Survivor,' or 'Squid Game.'
Upon successful completion of level 18 of the World Dungeon, regency of this planet will revert to the successor.
Tone is what really sets this apart. It manages to be both emotional and humorous. There's a running gag about Carl and Donut needed to develop a 'catchphrase' for the show, and it turns out Carl's 'Goddammit, Donut!' epithet wins the day. By the end, I'm sure I was chuckling along with the rest of the audience. The heartfulness comes in as Carl reflects on their situation, the apocalypse, and the reality of seeing over four million contestants whittled down. Something about Dinniman's writing feels like a genuine buddy relationship between the two leads as they care for each other but have their own ideas about progress, as well as the struggle with dungeon ethics. Of course, there are still plenty of jokes.
“How is it you can be so reckless and timid at the same time?”
“I can’t control my instincts! I’m just a few generations shy of being a ferocious tiger stalking through the jungles.”
“I’ve seen your pedigree,” I said. “You’re a few generations shy of nothing. Also, your grandfather was also your uncle.”
There's a lot of hints--in one case, an overt situation--that not everything is as it seems here. The lease-holders for Earth may be running a crooked game, and there's hints that the Non-Player Characters in the dungeons have lives of their own beyond the game role. It's that kind of background plotting that sets this series above many others (squinting at Travis Baldree's books).
Oh, that two star review came from someone that thought it was sexist. This might be splitting hairs, but I don't think it is sexist in the way of genuinely believing women are sluts kind of thing. I think that's a trope that comes up that the author deals with, but I can see where that perspective is valid. Although it's worth saying that two of the other successful teams are a young teen with her dogs, and a Valkyrie-type group of women.
"So if your boyfriend ogling your tootises keeps these easy-peasy bugs coming at us instead of more of those lava-spitting llamas, then you better buck up, get over your human male privilege, and take one for your princess.”
So glad I have more in the series. This will be perfect travel-reading.
Three and a half achievements, rounding up.
Update, May 2025: I am still waiting for Kobna's latest reading of Aaronovitch, so I am giving Audio Carl a shot. I think Hays has a southern type accent that is mostly alright but occasionally requires work for me to overcome. It is a group production with a separate actor for Princess Doughnut who does very well with her.
Also, if anyone can tell me how to add audio books separate from written in this iteration of Goodreads, I would appreciate it. 😊
February 9, 2022
It's very well done, but I did not like it
This book is very well written. Matt Dinniman is an amazing writer.
But this book Dungeon Crawler Carl made me feel bad. I was impressed by the craft but I was on the verge of quitting all the way through. Now I'm done and I can say that almost every aspect of this book is masterful, but Had I never started it I might be a slightly happier person.
This alien invasion/ post apocalypse/ LitRPG/ horror-comedy is intense, and brutal, and hard to stomach. The terror, agonizing deaths, implied rape, cannibalism, baby killing, and genocide of all human life on earth was not lightened by a few clever one liners and zippy jokes. The gross out factor is high.
Matt Dinniman doesn't just kill his characters, he breaks and destroys them. He makes you watch it in detail. He twists the knife. and then he tells a joke about it. That he does this all very skillfully almost makes it worse.
Thanks, but no. I'm done with this series and I'm done with this author.
This book is very well written. Matt Dinniman is an amazing writer.
But this book Dungeon Crawler Carl made me feel bad. I was impressed by the craft but I was on the verge of quitting all the way through. Now I'm done and I can say that almost every aspect of this book is masterful, but Had I never started it I might be a slightly happier person.
This alien invasion/ post apocalypse/ LitRPG/ horror-comedy is intense, and brutal, and hard to stomach. The terror, agonizing deaths, implied rape, cannibalism, baby killing, and genocide of all human life on earth was not lightened by a few clever one liners and zippy jokes. The gross out factor is high.
Matt Dinniman doesn't just kill his characters, he breaks and destroys them. He makes you watch it in detail. He twists the knife. and then he tells a joke about it. That he does this all very skillfully almost makes it worse.
Thanks, but no. I'm done with this series and I'm done with this author.
March 22, 2023
I can understand why a lot of people like this but it definitely wasn't for me.
Most of humanity is wiped out by aliens who plan to harvest Earth's minerals. The handful that remains have been thrown into a televised death game (e.g. The Running Man, The Hunger Games, etc) where everything is like a hack & slash dungeon crawl RPG (e.g. Diablo or Torchlight). If you survive to the 18th level of the dungeon then you win.
Can Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat (who can now talk) survive?
This is litRPG. It leans super hard on that. That means everything is like a videogame. And that's where it lost me. Because, at least in the parts that I could force myself through, the book gives you stereotypical dungeon crawl RPG .... and not exactly very much else.
That means when Carl does stuff, he often gets Achievements, just like in a videogame.
This snippet is pretty much the litmus test for whether you'd like this. Did that humor make you laugh? Do you want to read an entire book of dated, edgy humor like in the Borderlands videogame? Did you like that everything is gamified and think reading about those systems is super-duper fun?
This means that the first 100 pages at least -- that's all I could force myself to read -- is like reading the novelization of a videogame with full explanation of its mechanics. How characters have attributes and skills, how to gain XP, how leveling works.
Clearly a lot of people answer yes. But for me, it's a hard no.
Obviously lots of people like this but...I don't really get it. The target audience surely knows all this -- it is bog standard generic RPG stuff -- and is bored? The author isn't even doing anything interesting with it -- like how Brandon Sanderson builds interesting magical systems and interesting worlds. This is literally cut & paste generic fantasy RPG. And those not in the target audience are definitely not going to be interested.
Outside of all the videogame mechanic infodumping....there was just zero in the first 100 pages to suck me in. Carl has no personality to speak of. There's not exactly any interesting or witty dialogue.
The book -- like many of its kind -- is devoid of anything like real human emotion. I mean: you can't even really do that with this kind of book. Because it would be all about how Carl has PTSD from being forced to murder people and the soul-crushing loneliness of realising that everyone he has ever known is dead and he'll likely die alone too.
But that's not how this kind of story goes, so all of that gets swept under the rug. Carl murders some goblins -- literally with his bare feet -- and it is played for laughs.
Most of humanity is wiped out by aliens who plan to harvest Earth's minerals. The handful that remains have been thrown into a televised death game (e.g. The Running Man, The Hunger Games, etc) where everything is like a hack & slash dungeon crawl RPG (e.g. Diablo or Torchlight). If you survive to the 18th level of the dungeon then you win.
Can Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat (who can now talk) survive?
This is litRPG. It leans super hard on that. That means everything is like a videogame. And that's where it lost me. Because, at least in the parts that I could force myself through, the book gives you stereotypical dungeon crawl RPG .... and not exactly very much else.
That means when Carl does stuff, he often gets Achievements, just like in a videogame.
New achievement! Trailblazing Crazy Cat Lady.
You are the first crawler to have entered to the World Dungeon accompanied by a cat. You must really love that thing. Too bad you’re both probably going to die a horrible death at any moment. Or maybe not. Look at the prize you just received!
Reward: You’ve received a Legendary Pet Box!
New achievement! Early Adopter.
You are one of the first 5,000 Crawlers to enter a new World Dungeon. Sucker.
Reward: You’ve received a Silver Adventurer Box!
New achievement! Empty pockets.
You didn’t bring any supplies. None. You know you still gotta eat, right?
Reward: You’ve received a Bronze Adventurer Box!
This snippet is pretty much the litmus test for whether you'd like this. Did that humor make you laugh? Do you want to read an entire book of dated, edgy humor like in the Borderlands videogame? Did you like that everything is gamified and think reading about those systems is super-duper fun?
This means that the first 100 pages at least -- that's all I could force myself to read -- is like reading the novelization of a videogame with full explanation of its mechanics. How characters have attributes and skills, how to gain XP, how leveling works.
Clearly a lot of people answer yes. But for me, it's a hard no.
Obviously lots of people like this but...I don't really get it. The target audience surely knows all this -- it is bog standard generic RPG stuff -- and is bored? The author isn't even doing anything interesting with it -- like how Brandon Sanderson builds interesting magical systems and interesting worlds. This is literally cut & paste generic fantasy RPG. And those not in the target audience are definitely not going to be interested.
Outside of all the videogame mechanic infodumping....there was just zero in the first 100 pages to suck me in. Carl has no personality to speak of. There's not exactly any interesting or witty dialogue.
The book -- like many of its kind -- is devoid of anything like real human emotion. I mean: you can't even really do that with this kind of book. Because it would be all about how Carl has PTSD from being forced to murder people and the soul-crushing loneliness of realising that everyone he has ever known is dead and he'll likely die alone too.
But that's not how this kind of story goes, so all of that gets swept under the rug. Carl murders some goblins -- literally with his bare feet -- and it is played for laughs.
August 14, 2025
“There are no gods here. Just those who pay for the privilege.”
this was my first ever litrpg, so maybe that’s why i adored this extra, but my nerdy little heart really felt like it was falling down a tunnel of complete love alongside carl and princess donut fighting for their lives.
the very basic premise of this already very beloved story, is that on a very snowy january night, in seattle, carl finds himself barely dressed and chasing after this trophy winning cat outside, which inadvertently saves both of their lives, when aliens come and all structures are instantly flattened. tet, tunnels are opened up for the surviving humans, so they can enter the very first level of a universally televised broadcast where they will be forced to go deeper and deeper, becoming stronger and stronger, to maybe have a chance at survival after all.
carl and his kitty companion go, alongside ten million others, where they will learn about what has been forced upon them while learning new skills and abilities on this first level. and most importantly, they have a time limit of when they must find and enter the next level, because once the time is up, the level will be squished like all the infrastructure of earth when these tunnels opened up! and maybe, just maybe, with the help of a tutorial guide, a talk show host, a pr assistant, some healthcare workers (and their residents), and other crawlers they meet along the way, they will be able to find the limited entrances, enter the second level, and learn even more about what this ai and alien gauntlet!
this might be the most obvious thing i could possibly write in a review, but - if you like video games, you will most likely like this. this story is filled with getting achievements, opening loot boxes, setting up your ui, patch notes and hot fixes, grinding xp in so many different ways (with so many different mobs), forming raid groups to take down bigger bosses, cleaning up your inventory, learning and leveling up new skills, and so much more. but if you also like dnd? oh, i am even more certain you will like this book. because you add everything i just said, but also see where people’s skill points are going, and watching them learn spells and level them up, and trying to figure out while classes they are most likely going to be (maybe like barefoot fighter monk or a very charming bard), oh it is such a treat.
i also just want to say that if you enjoyed the concept of traveling through different levels, and finding different towns and communities, and being introduced to new side characters, i really recommend senlin ascends. it is a completely different type of book, but one that has always stuck with me because of the unique concept, and this is the closest thing i’ve ever found to the same feeling. again, wildly different stories, and main characters, and even settings, but that spark of unique concept is only shared between only those two in my mind! and i will also say that the overarching themes, and what the story is saying, (of capitalism and corrupt governing systems) are also similar, if you’re feeling like you want to read that extra in 2025! but yeah, i have read a lot of books, searching for that feeling of senlin ascends (and of the baths), and i have never found it… until now!
“Part of a collective mind intent upon destroying any semblance of scientific progress in the universe, the Krakaren is the only communal brain entity in the galaxy who actually gets stu. pider as time moves on. Consisting of multiple shrieking tenta-cles, members of the Krakaren cooperative spend their days birthing their disease-laden minions, creating and selling harmful products, attempting to debate scientific experts, and proselytizing to the weak minded, all in an attempt to ... Well, nobody knows what the hell their end goal is.”
overall, i just loved this completely and i am so happy i am going to have a new series to hopefully keep falling in love with. i also want to say that i liked some of the things matt dinniman was saying, from systems of oppression, to ai horrors, to the ignorance of anti vaxxers, to capitalism and entertaining the rich at the cost millions of literal lives. i also think he was addressing some of the hurtful and harmful stereotypes in the gaming community, and maybe even the ease in which white men can easily move towards red pill gamergate spaces, because of this stuff being proudly livestreamed without consequences. i don’t want to give too much credit, and let me read a few more books in this series, but i just really was not expecting that going in. but yeah, i for sure recommend this, alongside everyone else, but extra if you’ve put in the hours in wow, ff, divinity / baldur’s gate, and/or any dnd campaign.
trigger + content warnings: slavery, mass killing and death, colonization, gore, violence, blood, battle, murder, talk of death of goblin babies, explosions, fires, talk of ice (in a negative light), talk of cheating in past (on the mc), abandonment in past, child abuse in past / shitty parent in past, drug use, drinking, inebriation, an ed mentioned as a descriptor, drugging, dementia, loss of friends (some elderly), an incel talk show and host (in a negative light), talk of a deepfake / ai fake sex video (again, in a negative light, but i did really hate it)
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August 7, 2025
Everything about this book is absolutely weird. The fact that I’d never heard of it is weird. The plot is weird. The Oscar-worthy performance by the narrator (Jeff Hays) is weird. The fact that it’s a sci-fi book about aliens taking over earth and subjecting all survivors to a sadistic game show/MMORPG that is, at times, incredibly sad is weird. But more than anything, me thoroughly enjoying any media in this genre is weird (I am, and have always been, bored to tears by sci-fi. Don’t bother yelling — I’m just as God made me). I don’t want to spoil anything (and I don’t know how the hell I would even begin to describe what I just listened to anyway) so I’ll just say that Bea is, like, totally not dead, right? Do I have to read the other six books? Ah, shit.
February 23, 2025
MATT DINNIMAN (the writer) AND JEFF HAYES (the narrator) YOU BETTER COUNT YOUR FUCKING DAYS BECAUSE YOU’RE GETTING YOUR FOREHEADS KISSED UNTIL THEY BLEEEEEEED 🥰
If you’re a gamer, I feel like you HAVE to read and love this????
This was an instant 6 star for me. I am going to buy the physical copies asap.
It’s very borderlands humour, and ultimately was the funniest shit I ever read in my whole life. Not a single second of this book missed.
👏NOT 👏A👏SECOND👏
The achievements that Carl receives the whole book are so funny, I was laughing out loud.
A man survives an alien invasion, in just his underwear and his ex girlfriend’s pink crocs whilst holding his cat and must fight for his life in a video game dungeon setting, whilst aliens watch his pain for views/sponsorships like he’s on twitch. Say less.
The monsters are creative.
The characters are hilarious.
There’s a group of rogue old people from a home.
Safe rooms.
Magic and potion systems.
My inner nerd was cumming this whole book.
🤭🐀
If you’re a gamer, I feel like you HAVE to read and love this????
This was an instant 6 star for me. I am going to buy the physical copies asap.
It’s very borderlands humour, and ultimately was the funniest shit I ever read in my whole life. Not a single second of this book missed.
👏NOT 👏A👏SECOND👏
The achievements that Carl receives the whole book are so funny, I was laughing out loud.
A man survives an alien invasion, in just his underwear and his ex girlfriend’s pink crocs whilst holding his cat and must fight for his life in a video game dungeon setting, whilst aliens watch his pain for views/sponsorships like he’s on twitch. Say less.
The monsters are creative.
The characters are hilarious.
There’s a group of rogue old people from a home.
Safe rooms.
Magic and potion systems.
My inner nerd was cumming this whole book.
🤭🐀
August 4, 2025
4 ⭐️ overall, but ALL the ⭐️ for the audio narration.
”Being eaten by a bugbear makes me uncomfortable, Carl. So if your boyfriend ogling your tootsies keeps these easy-peasy bugs coming at us instead of more of those llamas, then you better buck up, get over your human male privilege, and take one for your princess.” ~ Princess Donut 😻😻
What did I just read?! Depending on my mood, I’ll read anything from classics to thrillers to dark smutty romance, but this is my first time exploring litRPG, a genre I didn’t even realize existed until now. I learn something new every day.
”Congratulations! You’ve earned your first achievement: Crazy Cat Lady.”
Carl runs outside in the middle of the night in just his boxers and his ex-girlfriend’s too-small pink Crocs to chase down her prize-winning Persian cat, Princess Donut. While he’s out there, an alien invasion destroys all man-made structures on Earth. The survivors are thrown into a crazy intergalactic game show where the goal is to level up or die trying. Throw in some hilarious commentary from a quirky System AI with an odd foot fetish, and you've got one heck of a wild ride.
”Goddammit Donut!”
Following Carl, a Coast Guard vet, and the spoiled but hilarious Princess Donut through this chaotic dungeon crawl is pure entertainment. Despite his many flaws, Carl is a super likable MC and a really good guy, but Princess Donut stole the show. I’ll definitely keep going with the series, especially when I need a fun break from heavier reads.
”New achievement! Why aren’t you wearing pants? You entered the dungeon wearing no pants. Dude. Seriously?”
If you’re bothered by foul language or raunchy humor, you’ll probably want to skip this one. The audiobook is an absolute riot from start to finish. Jeff Hays killed it with the narration and made the story even more fun to listen to. Highly recommend.
”Being eaten by a bugbear makes me uncomfortable, Carl. So if your boyfriend ogling your tootsies keeps these easy-peasy bugs coming at us instead of more of those llamas, then you better buck up, get over your human male privilege, and take one for your princess.” ~ Princess Donut 😻😻
What did I just read?! Depending on my mood, I’ll read anything from classics to thrillers to dark smutty romance, but this is my first time exploring litRPG, a genre I didn’t even realize existed until now. I learn something new every day.
”Congratulations! You’ve earned your first achievement: Crazy Cat Lady.”
Carl runs outside in the middle of the night in just his boxers and his ex-girlfriend’s too-small pink Crocs to chase down her prize-winning Persian cat, Princess Donut. While he’s out there, an alien invasion destroys all man-made structures on Earth. The survivors are thrown into a crazy intergalactic game show where the goal is to level up or die trying. Throw in some hilarious commentary from a quirky System AI with an odd foot fetish, and you've got one heck of a wild ride.
”Goddammit Donut!”
Following Carl, a Coast Guard vet, and the spoiled but hilarious Princess Donut through this chaotic dungeon crawl is pure entertainment. Despite his many flaws, Carl is a super likable MC and a really good guy, but Princess Donut stole the show. I’ll definitely keep going with the series, especially when I need a fun break from heavier reads.
”New achievement! Why aren’t you wearing pants? You entered the dungeon wearing no pants. Dude. Seriously?”
If you’re bothered by foul language or raunchy humor, you’ll probably want to skip this one. The audiobook is an absolute riot from start to finish. Jeff Hays killed it with the narration and made the story even more fun to listen to. Highly recommend.
April 20, 2025
RTC
Hi bestiessss
I know I’ve been MIA for like… 3 months?? wild. life’s been crazy!! I’m in my third year of uni and got chosen for an internship (yay but also HELP) so between that and classes, reading took a backseat. I’ve missed reading so much and I’ve missed you guys even more. Plus And so many of you guys read my favourite books and I totally missed it!! 😫😫😫 But school ends in a week and then I’m backkkk bitchessss!!!! I can’t wait to catch up, scream about books, and be chronically online with you all again. love uuu
Oh and I am loving this series it’s fucking hilarious!!!😭😭😭 if you wanna read it, I recommend trying out the audiobook.
Hi bestiessss
I know I’ve been MIA for like… 3 months?? wild. life’s been crazy!! I’m in my third year of uni and got chosen for an internship (yay but also HELP) so between that and classes, reading took a backseat. I’ve missed reading so much and I’ve missed you guys even more. Plus And so many of you guys read my favourite books and I totally missed it!! 😫😫😫 But school ends in a week and then I’m backkkk bitchessss!!!! I can’t wait to catch up, scream about books, and be chronically online with you all again. love uuu
Oh and I am loving this series it’s fucking hilarious!!!😭😭😭 if you wanna read it, I recommend trying out the audiobook.
December 30, 2024
audio: INFINITE STARS OMG THAT WAS AMAZING!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏
plot: 5 starssss this was LAUGH OUT LOUD FUN!!!
I would like to thank my other personality for somehow choosing this book because I think this WAS GENUINELY SUCH A FUN TIME!
This is my first ever LITrpg book, which basically means it's a video game but in book form. I saw the blurb which basically involved a post apocalyptic world turned into a dungeon with levels, and "crawlers" have to go through the levels as they progressively get harder and harder... oh and it is televised for the whole galaxy to see!
You have Carl, who is perpetually in his boxers for some reason😅and barefoot, an AI with a foot fetish (coincidence?) and his ex's Persian cat named Princess Donut😂 They go through adventure after adventure with funny hijinks and hilarious commentary from the AI 🤣
This is by no means a literary masterpiece and it is not supposed to be. It is just pure entertainment.
If you play rpg video games, and/or watched and enjoyed shows like Solo Leveling, you will LOVE this, especially on audio! I would HIGHLY recommend this if you are a fan of this genre!
Will most definitely continue the series!
---------------------------------------------
pre-read:
edit: Bullied my sister Layla into buddy reading this with me 😈
My other personality picked this book let's indulge her a bit 😭
plot: 5 starssss this was LAUGH OUT LOUD FUN!!!
I would like to thank my other personality for somehow choosing this book because I think this WAS GENUINELY SUCH A FUN TIME!
This is my first ever LITrpg book, which basically means it's a video game but in book form. I saw the blurb which basically involved a post apocalyptic world turned into a dungeon with levels, and "crawlers" have to go through the levels as they progressively get harder and harder... oh and it is televised for the whole galaxy to see!
You have Carl, who is perpetually in his boxers for some reason😅and barefoot, an AI with a foot fetish (coincidence?) and his ex's Persian cat named Princess Donut😂 They go through adventure after adventure with funny hijinks and hilarious commentary from the AI 🤣
This is by no means a literary masterpiece and it is not supposed to be. It is just pure entertainment.
If you play rpg video games, and/or watched and enjoyed shows like Solo Leveling, you will LOVE this, especially on audio! I would HIGHLY recommend this if you are a fan of this genre!
Will most definitely continue the series!
---------------------------------------------
pre-read:
edit: Bullied my sister Layla into buddy reading this with me 😈
My other personality picked this book let's indulge her a bit 😭
July 18, 2025
“Goddammit Donut!”
LitRPG? Goodreads, I didn’t even know that was a thing! I was a gamer once upon a time, addicted to World of Warcraft for about a year. Horde Blood Elf Mage. Yup. There’s an episode on the show The Big Bang Theory where Penny becomes obsessed with gaming. In one scene, she’s sitting in her apartment playing, looking all disheveled - hasn’t showered or changed out of her stained clothes and hasn’t been to work in a week. She has Cheetos in her hair, is surrounded by junk food, and is downing cans of Red Bull to stay awake to game. Leonard and Sheldon try to pull her away from her computer, but she’s not having it; she just gets irritable and refuses to do anything else. Yeeeah, that was me. lol I know I know, not my finest hour.
You can tell Matt Dinniman had a blast writing this. It was bananas! If you’re in the mood for something fun, action-packed, and a lil bonkers, head to the dungeon with Crawler Carl and Princess Donut. I chose the audiobook version for this one; the voices and sound effects add flair to the gaming-like experience.
“If you read this and enjoyed it, please review it. It's against Amazon's rules to offer a prize to those who review books, but I will risk Amazon's wrath and offer my services to be the father of your babies if you post a review.” -Matt Dinniman
😆
LitRPG? Goodreads, I didn’t even know that was a thing! I was a gamer once upon a time, addicted to World of Warcraft for about a year. Horde Blood Elf Mage. Yup. There’s an episode on the show The Big Bang Theory where Penny becomes obsessed with gaming. In one scene, she’s sitting in her apartment playing, looking all disheveled - hasn’t showered or changed out of her stained clothes and hasn’t been to work in a week. She has Cheetos in her hair, is surrounded by junk food, and is downing cans of Red Bull to stay awake to game. Leonard and Sheldon try to pull her away from her computer, but she’s not having it; she just gets irritable and refuses to do anything else. Yeeeah, that was me. lol I know I know, not my finest hour.
You can tell Matt Dinniman had a blast writing this. It was bananas! If you’re in the mood for something fun, action-packed, and a lil bonkers, head to the dungeon with Crawler Carl and Princess Donut. I chose the audiobook version for this one; the voices and sound effects add flair to the gaming-like experience.
“If you read this and enjoyed it, please review it. It's against Amazon's rules to offer a prize to those who review books, but I will risk Amazon's wrath and offer my services to be the father of your babies if you post a review.” -Matt Dinniman
😆
August 4, 2024
Goddamnit Donut, you captured my heart. I read the book while listening to the audiobook at the same time which I highly recommended because this audiobook is spectacular. At first I thought this was a fully cast production, but nope, just one guy voice-acting all the parts. Super-fun experience especially for fans of RPGs/computer gaming.
March 3, 2025
Believe the hype.
I'm as tough as anyone on self-published fiction and I'm too old for membership in the conceivable target audience for any serialized web fiction. I've dabbled with reading litRPG and cultivation and isekai and what not, enough to understand some of the appeal, but I still insist on judging such books by the same standard as more traditional genres.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is the real deal.
Dinniman had many years of writing and other creative arts under his belt before he started this series, and it shows. I think this is what elevates DCC: it's coming from a serious, experienced writer, with all the skill that entails in evidence on the page, and one who has a clear love of the sub-genre. It's no wonder that this is the litRPG that is making it to traditional publishing, with a print-only deal that will soon see this book in brick-and-mortar bookshops. (Have there been other pure litRPG titles that made it there first? I don't think so but please inform me if I'm wrong.)
Every chapter oozes with characterization, plot development, excellent pacing, humour, moral tension, and delicious bloody violence. There's story beyond just "the system", a failing of many attempts at litRPG for me, and the madness is treated with sincerity from a contemporary human viewpoint. There is no lack of complexity to the story elements and characters. Salient themes abound: genocidal trauma, corporate power and politics, ethics in the face of horrible circumstances, reality television, pet show breeding ....
The blend of chaotic, visceral fun and serious ethical issues makes this book pop. The characters are a blast, the situation is fraught, and the appeal is undeniable.
The only less positive thing I can say is that due to its serialized nature, when bound in book form it doesn't provide the same full arcs that you can expect from a traditional novel. It was still a satisfying experience, but aside from completing a dungeon level, by the end no specific story or character arc reaches completion. But that's okay because you bet I'll continue the series. Another caveat particular to the genre is that the game details pile up quickly. Characters quickly amass more skills and loot and abilities and tidbits of info than any reader can recall without a reference guide, many of them not even useable for several more books/levels, and if I didn't choose to not even try to retain any of that and trust in the author to make it relevant and memorable eventually, I would be driven mad.
This book covers levels 1 and 2 of the evolving dungeon, while subsequent volumes, according to the blurbs, appear to cover one additional level each. There are 6 books (taking the reader through dungeon level 7) out now, with the material for book 7 well in progress. The dungeon is designed to have 18 levels, although in-book we're told no one continues past level 12-13 or so. So how long will the series be? Will it ever conclude? Will it maintain its quality? We shall see.
*************************
Re-read in the new hardcover edition from Ace. They did an excellent job with the book. May it exponentially expand Dungeon Crawler Carl's reach to new readers. I received the first two books for Xmas and now my family has an easy pick for gifts for me for the next while.
There was plenty I didn't recall since my first reading. Not that there were surprises, rather just details and scenes that were a joy to experience as if they were new again. I found many parts even more poignant and relevant to current sociopolitical issues.
Best of all was brand new material that I didn't expect. (It had been announced long ago but while I'm a fan, I haven't been a superfan and wasn't keeping up.) A new story exclusive to this edition appeared at the end of the book, "Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret," featuring an excellently chosen POV side character. It was amazing! It seriously enhanced the book's worldbuilding and themes in a tight little package. This side story will continue in the subsequent volumes.
I'm as tough as anyone on self-published fiction and I'm too old for membership in the conceivable target audience for any serialized web fiction. I've dabbled with reading litRPG and cultivation and isekai and what not, enough to understand some of the appeal, but I still insist on judging such books by the same standard as more traditional genres.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is the real deal.
Dinniman had many years of writing and other creative arts under his belt before he started this series, and it shows. I think this is what elevates DCC: it's coming from a serious, experienced writer, with all the skill that entails in evidence on the page, and one who has a clear love of the sub-genre. It's no wonder that this is the litRPG that is making it to traditional publishing, with a print-only deal that will soon see this book in brick-and-mortar bookshops. (Have there been other pure litRPG titles that made it there first? I don't think so but please inform me if I'm wrong.)
Every chapter oozes with characterization, plot development, excellent pacing, humour, moral tension, and delicious bloody violence. There's story beyond just "the system", a failing of many attempts at litRPG for me, and the madness is treated with sincerity from a contemporary human viewpoint. There is no lack of complexity to the story elements and characters. Salient themes abound: genocidal trauma, corporate power and politics, ethics in the face of horrible circumstances, reality television, pet show breeding ....
The blend of chaotic, visceral fun and serious ethical issues makes this book pop. The characters are a blast, the situation is fraught, and the appeal is undeniable.
The only less positive thing I can say is that due to its serialized nature, when bound in book form it doesn't provide the same full arcs that you can expect from a traditional novel. It was still a satisfying experience, but aside from completing a dungeon level, by the end no specific story or character arc reaches completion. But that's okay because you bet I'll continue the series. Another caveat particular to the genre is that the game details pile up quickly. Characters quickly amass more skills and loot and abilities and tidbits of info than any reader can recall without a reference guide, many of them not even useable for several more books/levels, and if I didn't choose to not even try to retain any of that and trust in the author to make it relevant and memorable eventually, I would be driven mad.
This book covers levels 1 and 2 of the evolving dungeon, while subsequent volumes, according to the blurbs, appear to cover one additional level each. There are 6 books (taking the reader through dungeon level 7) out now, with the material for book 7 well in progress. The dungeon is designed to have 18 levels, although in-book we're told no one continues past level 12-13 or so. So how long will the series be? Will it ever conclude? Will it maintain its quality? We shall see.
*************************
Re-read in the new hardcover edition from Ace. They did an excellent job with the book. May it exponentially expand Dungeon Crawler Carl's reach to new readers. I received the first two books for Xmas and now my family has an easy pick for gifts for me for the next while.
There was plenty I didn't recall since my first reading. Not that there were surprises, rather just details and scenes that were a joy to experience as if they were new again. I found many parts even more poignant and relevant to current sociopolitical issues.
Best of all was brand new material that I didn't expect. (It had been announced long ago but while I'm a fan, I haven't been a superfan and wasn't keeping up.) A new story exclusive to this edition appeared at the end of the book, "Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret," featuring an excellently chosen POV side character. It was amazing! It seriously enhanced the book's worldbuilding and themes in a tight little package. This side story will continue in the subsequent volumes.
October 24, 2023
How can we focus on surviving when we have all that other stuff to deal with?
Wait i just realized i finally finished a book in my read soon shelf!
That shelf is literally doomed to obscurity i put important stuff there and forget to read them 😂
This series protagonists are hand to hand fighter with demolition expertise or that's what he will eventually become, if his race and class change don't change his course too much, and a snobby talking cat who is a stereotype of a spoiled princess, and she won an absurd number of pageants to back it up.
I love Dungeon Crawler Carl, I love Matt he is a really good writer, and he is outside of the box, kind of, i am not sure how many people will do the same as he does, his incel hippie vegan and so on real world jokes are really funny, and those incel guys are really losers, one of them actually threatened to kill his family because he made a goblin in this very book an incel 🤣
Oh and btw fun fact i learned from kindle dictionary the word INCEL, is actually woman made!
a queer woman first used this word in her memoires because it was very hard for her to get with someone or something like that.
What made me not give this novel as high a rating as i initially intended is this, the combat system, the crafting system, so far the major combat plays at being great and intricate and exciting, when it really is not, i feel people are probably as confused as me by all the building they don't realize how shitty the fight scenes are in fact!
so yeah somehow this literally became the weakest combat i saw in any litrpg, let's build a fort, and poke the boss with spears hiding under it, it's so silly and the fight was so easy.
let's build MOAB and roll down bombs on the boss chasing us, now i am glad he didn't let them get experience from this boss, because if they became OP, it would have fallen into the same issue most litrpgs have, and yeah i don't think Carl and princess donut are OP, they are really vulnerable characters.
so the crafting and the mazes need to be more clear for me to ever give this a better rating, because i really do feel they are being explained in more words than they should be, and just confusing us more lol
I think this is the last LITRPG for me till the end of the year, let's see if i stand my ground this time, but i really need to finish a few of my open books.
The Good news is the next book has clowns and dead hookers in it.
Not sure what more needs to be said, amazing series that i ll definitely get to it's end.
oh and Grand Champion Best in Dungeon Princess Donut rules!
December 4, 2024
5 stars
Three months later, here I am, revisiting this absolute gem via audiobook. And let me tell you, the audiobook? A whole freakin’ experience.
Jeff Hays. Dude. I bow to you.
This man didn’t just narrate, he delivered a performance of a lifetime. I had to bump my rating up to 5 stars because he deserves it. The book was funny, sure, but the audiobook? IT. WAS. NEXT. LEVEL. the imitation of Donut's voice and her accent was on point, like what i imagined it. and the Bopca's accents? I am deceased.
I was listening while working, and I swear, people were staring at me like I’d lost my mind because I was cackling like a maniac in front of Ms. Excel.
I’m begging you, everyone, please, PLEASE, read this book or, even better, listen to the audiobook. You will not regret it. This shit is hysterical. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
============================================================================
4.5 stars
This book was an absolute riot! It was my very first foray into the LitRPG genre, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. As a fellow gamer, I was HOOKED from the first page. The story plunges you headfirst into the wild adventures of Royal Bodyguard Carl and the one and only Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk, a Grand Champion Best in Dungeon, as they navigate an alien-programmed dungeon packed with danger, chaos, and endless excitement.
But let me be real here, Princess Donut absolutely stole the show. Hands down, my favorite character of 2024 . Picture this: a regal, snarky, brilliant cat who oozes charisma, elegance, and wit. She’s adorable enough to melt your heart but don’t be fooled—this queen is a total badass, armed with insane strength and magic. She’s the ultimate combo of charm and destruction, and I could not get enough of her. Every moment with Donut had me grinning like an idiot.
And the humor? Chef’s freakin’ kiss. The banter between Carl and Donut had me laughing so hard, I nearly choked. Their dynamic is an absolute delight, equal parts hilarious and oddly heartwarming. The pacing was perfection, fast, funny, and utterly addictive. Not a single dull moment. I’m talking non-stop action and entertainment that kept me glued to every page.
I’m already desperately waiting for the next book. I need more of Carl and Donut’s ridiculous, thrilling adventures in my life. If you haven’t read this yet, do yourself a favor. This book is pure gold, and Princess Donut? She’s the queen we all deserve.
Three months later, here I am, revisiting this absolute gem via audiobook. And let me tell you, the audiobook? A whole freakin’ experience.
Jeff Hays. Dude. I bow to you.
This man didn’t just narrate, he delivered a performance of a lifetime. I had to bump my rating up to 5 stars because he deserves it. The book was funny, sure, but the audiobook? IT. WAS. NEXT. LEVEL. the imitation of Donut's voice and her accent was on point, like what i imagined it. and the Bopca's accents? I am deceased.
I was listening while working, and I swear, people were staring at me like I’d lost my mind because I was cackling like a maniac in front of Ms. Excel.
I’m begging you, everyone, please, PLEASE, read this book or, even better, listen to the audiobook. You will not regret it. This shit is hysterical. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
============================================================================
4.5 stars
This book was an absolute riot! It was my very first foray into the LitRPG genre, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. As a fellow gamer, I was HOOKED from the first page. The story plunges you headfirst into the wild adventures of Royal Bodyguard Carl and the one and only Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk, a Grand Champion Best in Dungeon, as they navigate an alien-programmed dungeon packed with danger, chaos, and endless excitement.
But let me be real here, Princess Donut absolutely stole the show. Hands down, my favorite character of 2024 . Picture this: a regal, snarky, brilliant cat who oozes charisma, elegance, and wit. She’s adorable enough to melt your heart but don’t be fooled—this queen is a total badass, armed with insane strength and magic. She’s the ultimate combo of charm and destruction, and I could not get enough of her. Every moment with Donut had me grinning like an idiot.
And the humor? Chef’s freakin’ kiss. The banter between Carl and Donut had me laughing so hard, I nearly choked. Their dynamic is an absolute delight, equal parts hilarious and oddly heartwarming. The pacing was perfection, fast, funny, and utterly addictive. Not a single dull moment. I’m talking non-stop action and entertainment that kept me glued to every page.
I’m already desperately waiting for the next book. I need more of Carl and Donut’s ridiculous, thrilling adventures in my life. If you haven’t read this yet, do yourself a favor. This book is pure gold, and Princess Donut? She’s the queen we all deserve.
May 1, 2025
3.5 Stars rounded up for goodreads!
This was my first time reading LitRPG and I was a little nervous. Turns out it felt nostalgic from all the video games I played as a kid!
Listening to this book on Audio really enhanced my enjoyment because they narrator was hilarious! I felt like I was listening to Kronk from the Emperor's New Groove the entire time. The comedy and banter between Carl and Princess Donut MADDE the book for me. I gave characters 5 stars for this reason. Also, for the sheer number of times I laughed out loud I gave emotional impact 4 stars.
Unfortunately, I found out I don't really care about the levels, bosses, and "gifts" for crawlers. This brought plot, setting, themes, and overall enjoyment all to only 3 out of 5.
Buddy reading this book with my sister and another friend did up my enjoyment, but I personally think I would enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl as a mini series more.
This was my first time reading LitRPG and I was a little nervous. Turns out it felt nostalgic from all the video games I played as a kid!
Listening to this book on Audio really enhanced my enjoyment because they narrator was hilarious! I felt like I was listening to Kronk from the Emperor's New Groove the entire time. The comedy and banter between Carl and Princess Donut MADDE the book for me. I gave characters 5 stars for this reason. Also, for the sheer number of times I laughed out loud I gave emotional impact 4 stars.
Unfortunately, I found out I don't really care about the levels, bosses, and "gifts" for crawlers. This brought plot, setting, themes, and overall enjoyment all to only 3 out of 5.
Buddy reading this book with my sister and another friend did up my enjoyment, but I personally think I would enjoy Dungeon Crawler Carl as a mini series more.
March 4, 2023
I really tried to make it through this one but gave it up around 80% in. It’s written for a very specific audience- mainly guys who like DnD, fighting, and weird sex stuff.
September 24, 2024
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
I've heard a lot about Dungeon Crawler Carl, and it lived up to the hype! It is a ball of mindless fun that is entertaining throughout with some of the most random ideas and events you will find in speculative fiction. But, also amongst the anarchy, there are moments of heart that keep you hooked and engaged on a layer beyond just wanting to see more crazy creatures and hear more of Princess Donut (the cat) talking...
This is a whirlwind of a ride. I thought it would lose its novelty of the video game, reality show set-up about halfway-through, but it kept its edge, with Matt Dinniman gradually adding breadcrumbs of information throughout to keep you enthralled.
Also, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. There are so many sound effects and extra details, to the level that transforms this into a real listening experience.
Cannot wait to dive into book 2!
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
I've heard a lot about Dungeon Crawler Carl, and it lived up to the hype! It is a ball of mindless fun that is entertaining throughout with some of the most random ideas and events you will find in speculative fiction. But, also amongst the anarchy, there are moments of heart that keep you hooked and engaged on a layer beyond just wanting to see more crazy creatures and hear more of Princess Donut (the cat) talking...
This is a whirlwind of a ride. I thought it would lose its novelty of the video game, reality show set-up about halfway-through, but it kept its edge, with Matt Dinniman gradually adding breadcrumbs of information throughout to keep you enthralled.
Also, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. There are so many sound effects and extra details, to the level that transforms this into a real listening experience.
Cannot wait to dive into book 2!
May 26, 2025
RATING BREAKDOWN
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️
Themes: 3⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 3.5⭐️
This had me laughing out loud. The premise, character banter, and more tender moments made it a fun time! I found the plot structure, while perfect for the litrpg genre, didn't work that well for me. The beat-a-boss-level-up, rinse and repeat, of it all failed to grip me, but I could see larger stakes for the rest of the series that would pull me in. Overall, for fans of humor, action, and found family, this should work!
I enjoyed my time, but likely won't continue the series.
Characters: 4⭐️
Setting: 3⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️
Themes: 3⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3⭐️
Personal Enjoyment: 4⭐️
Total Rounded Average: 3.5⭐️
This had me laughing out loud. The premise, character banter, and more tender moments made it a fun time! I found the plot structure, while perfect for the litrpg genre, didn't work that well for me. The beat-a-boss-level-up, rinse and repeat, of it all failed to grip me, but I could see larger stakes for the rest of the series that would pull me in. Overall, for fans of humor, action, and found family, this should work!
I enjoyed my time, but likely won't continue the series.
November 28, 2024
Better than I expected
March 25, 2025
This audiobook was so much fun!
Carl wakes up during the night and his girlfriend’s cat jumps out the window. He goes outside to fetch her, wearing only boxers and his girlfriend’s too small pink sandals. Once he’s outside, every building on earth collapses. From there on out, this creative story goes off the rails and never comes back.
An alien corporation takes control and herds any and all survivors to a dungeon, where a dangerous game ensues. Make it through all levels of the dungeon without dying and you live. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, this is the funniest audio I’ve ever listened to.
RPG games aren’t my thing-I barely even know what they are, so I never thought I’d actually enjoy this. I was so wrong. From the moment when Princess Donut, (the cat), starts talking in a prissy English accent and shoots lazer beams from her eyes, I was hooked. When Carl and the princess stop to help some nursing home residents, much to their own detriment, I realized this story also has a lot of heart and a sense of fairness.
It’s the humor and the narrator that elevated this even more. The somewhat deranged AI and his increasingly disturbing announcements, (and a growing foot fetish), the fame hungry Princess Donut, unique enemies like the Krakaren, tv hosts that are crab-taurs, (did I mention this “game”is televised to all planets?), the whole thing is insane!
Thanks to my friend Richard for his enthusiastic recommendation of this audio. I would not have tried it if it hadn’t been for him. I haven’t laughed this much since before the last election. If you need a laugh or to escape from the daily news, this is the audio for you!
Carl wakes up during the night and his girlfriend’s cat jumps out the window. He goes outside to fetch her, wearing only boxers and his girlfriend’s too small pink sandals. Once he’s outside, every building on earth collapses. From there on out, this creative story goes off the rails and never comes back.
An alien corporation takes control and herds any and all survivors to a dungeon, where a dangerous game ensues. Make it through all levels of the dungeon without dying and you live. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, this is the funniest audio I’ve ever listened to.
RPG games aren’t my thing-I barely even know what they are, so I never thought I’d actually enjoy this. I was so wrong. From the moment when Princess Donut, (the cat), starts talking in a prissy English accent and shoots lazer beams from her eyes, I was hooked. When Carl and the princess stop to help some nursing home residents, much to their own detriment, I realized this story also has a lot of heart and a sense of fairness.
It’s the humor and the narrator that elevated this even more. The somewhat deranged AI and his increasingly disturbing announcements, (and a growing foot fetish), the fame hungry Princess Donut, unique enemies like the Krakaren, tv hosts that are crab-taurs, (did I mention this “game”is televised to all planets?), the whole thing is insane!
Thanks to my friend Richard for his enthusiastic recommendation of this audio. I would not have tried it if it hadn’t been for him. I haven’t laughed this much since before the last election. If you need a laugh or to escape from the daily news, this is the audio for you!
March 25, 2024
I loved everything about this book. I mean, what's not to love. A likable MC with a lovable cat sidekick who thinks she's actually the MC. A post-apocalyptic dungeon crawling with monsters. An alien corporation pulling the strings in the background. It was action-packed, hilarious, fast-paced, and thoughtful.
There's little doubt that this is my favorite March read. If you're looking for a fun and quick fantasy novel that breaks convention and feels like you're watching a video game or ttrpg come to life, pick up this book. You're going to love it!
Also! Soundbooth Theater did an amazing job on the audiobook. In fact, it might be the best audiobook I've ever listened to.
There's little doubt that this is my favorite March read. If you're looking for a fun and quick fantasy novel that breaks convention and feels like you're watching a video game or ttrpg come to life, pick up this book. You're going to love it!
Also! Soundbooth Theater did an amazing job on the audiobook. In fact, it might be the best audiobook I've ever listened to.
August 24, 2025
Esto es un videojuego de niveles novelado y metiendo grandes dosis de humor gamberro.
Los personajes son muy divertidos, las situaciones absurdas y el ritmo muy alto. Te diviertes, no paras de leer.
Los “jefes” de cada nivel son para partirte (por lo absurdos).
Los dos personajes principales son Carl y la princesa Donut…una gata…que obviamente se va a comunicar de una forma muyyyyyyyyyyy fluida. Son la caña y los que le dan casi todo el calor a la novela.
Le podría haber puesto las 5 estrellas xq dentro de su estilo esta muy muy bien.
Si eres de -o has jugado a - videojuegos antiguos (o a rol) posiblemente lo aprecies más.
Para amantes del humor tonto y gamberro.
La palabra “Cagüendios” sale mucho, por si acaso a alguien le afecta.
Los personajes son muy divertidos, las situaciones absurdas y el ritmo muy alto. Te diviertes, no paras de leer.
Los “jefes” de cada nivel son para partirte (por lo absurdos).
Los dos personajes principales son Carl y la princesa Donut…una gata…que obviamente se va a comunicar de una forma muyyyyyyyyyyy fluida. Son la caña y los que le dan casi todo el calor a la novela.
Le podría haber puesto las 5 estrellas xq dentro de su estilo esta muy muy bien.
Si eres de -o has jugado a - videojuegos antiguos (o a rol) posiblemente lo aprecies más.
Para amantes del humor tonto y gamberro.
La palabra “Cagüendios” sale mucho, por si acaso a alguien le afecta.
March 3, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
New Achievement: Hype train!
Congrats, you succumbed to the DCC hype and have now successfully binged the first book. Welcome aboard the hype train, choo choo motherfucker!
Reward: Ha, joke's one you. The book itself was the reward! But you are now one of the pathetic suckers with an inexplicable DCC addiction, so enjoy dealing with that!
Honestly, what can I say about Dungeon Crawler Carl that hasn't already been said way better by others before me? It's beyond bizarre, it's funny as all get out, and it's way more addictive than it has any right to be... yet somehow it just works?
If you have been living under a rock and somehow don’t know what this story is about, then listen up: an average dude goes outside in his boxers to save his ex-girlfriend’s Persian cat from the cold… and then the apocalypse happens. Aliens pulverize all constructions on Earth (RIP to all the people still inside buildings) and turn the planet into an 18-level dungeon. And the few lucky (?) people who survived get the opportunity of their lives: they can enter the dungeon to become participants in a thrilling intergalactic game show watched by billions of aliens. Basically, it’s a LitRPG mash-up of Dungeons and Dragons and The Hunger Games, except make it absolutely batshit crazy in the best way possible.
Now, forget Carl, he is fine (okay I admit his tragically funny first person narration is beyond entertaining), but I think we can all agree that the true showstopper is of course the one and only Grand Champion, Breed Winner Regional, National Winner Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk! As soon as Princess Donut opened her little pretty mouth to speak, I was in love. If she doesn't have any fans, then I am dead.
And really, it was all the 'slower, quiet' (insofar as this book gets slow or quiet) moments between these weirdly endearing characters that I personally enjoyed most. The dialogue is brimming with razor sharp wit and hysterical banter, and I loved the tentative development of some unexpected alliances here. And don't get me started on the talk show sequences, those were pure gold for me.
No, I can't sit here and pretend that every aspect of the storytelling worked for me, but I also just could not stop reading; well, listening really, because excuse meee, this audiobook production is phenomenal! Anyway, I am already not the best at visualising, so a lot of the descriptions of the wacky dungeon settings, crazy alien creatures and weird loot items just went in one ear and out the other. Especially during the hectic boss fights, that lack of immersion (totally due to my own struggles) only added to the confusing chaos, but hey... we made it out alive, so there's that.
Ultimately though, the fact that I could so easily ignore my quibbles and just strap in for the wild ride should say enough about Dinniman's insanely strong execution of this unhinged premise. This book is GAS. And goddammit, now I am invested in these characters... so I guess that can only mean one thing: bring on the next one, fuckersss!
New Achievement: Hype train!
Congrats, you succumbed to the DCC hype and have now successfully binged the first book. Welcome aboard the hype train, choo choo motherfucker!
Reward: Ha, joke's one you. The book itself was the reward! But you are now one of the pathetic suckers with an inexplicable DCC addiction, so enjoy dealing with that!
Honestly, what can I say about Dungeon Crawler Carl that hasn't already been said way better by others before me? It's beyond bizarre, it's funny as all get out, and it's way more addictive than it has any right to be... yet somehow it just works?
If you have been living under a rock and somehow don’t know what this story is about, then listen up: an average dude goes outside in his boxers to save his ex-girlfriend’s Persian cat from the cold… and then the apocalypse happens. Aliens pulverize all constructions on Earth (RIP to all the people still inside buildings) and turn the planet into an 18-level dungeon. And the few lucky (?) people who survived get the opportunity of their lives: they can enter the dungeon to become participants in a thrilling intergalactic game show watched by billions of aliens. Basically, it’s a LitRPG mash-up of Dungeons and Dragons and The Hunger Games, except make it absolutely batshit crazy in the best way possible.
Now, forget Carl, he is fine (okay I admit his tragically funny first person narration is beyond entertaining), but I think we can all agree that the true showstopper is of course the one and only Grand Champion, Breed Winner Regional, National Winner Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk! As soon as Princess Donut opened her little pretty mouth to speak, I was in love. If she doesn't have any fans, then I am dead.
And really, it was all the 'slower, quiet' (insofar as this book gets slow or quiet) moments between these weirdly endearing characters that I personally enjoyed most. The dialogue is brimming with razor sharp wit and hysterical banter, and I loved the tentative development of some unexpected alliances here. And don't get me started on the talk show sequences, those were pure gold for me.
No, I can't sit here and pretend that every aspect of the storytelling worked for me, but I also just could not stop reading; well, listening really, because excuse meee, this audiobook production is phenomenal! Anyway, I am already not the best at visualising, so a lot of the descriptions of the wacky dungeon settings, crazy alien creatures and weird loot items just went in one ear and out the other. Especially during the hectic boss fights, that lack of immersion (totally due to my own struggles) only added to the confusing chaos, but hey... we made it out alive, so there's that.
Ultimately though, the fact that I could so easily ignore my quibbles and just strap in for the wild ride should say enough about Dinniman's insanely strong execution of this unhinged premise. This book is GAS. And goddammit, now I am invested in these characters... so I guess that can only mean one thing: bring on the next one, fuckersss!
January 29, 2021
"Goddammit, Donut!"
This Dungeon Crawl is hilarious. The Plot is not new: Extraterrestrial beings transform Earth in a giant, underground dungeon. If you make it to the top..., well in this case to the bottom, you survive or you just die in the process of getting there.
But this Dungeon Crawl is not about killing, it's about killing big and getting views. I loved every bit of it. Carl, the MC, trying to get through the dungeon alive and Princess Donut, his view-and-follower-addicted ex girlfriend's cat just make a hilarious duo.
If you like dungeon crawls and are open to a different, comical approach, then this is your go-to book!
This Dungeon Crawl is hilarious. The Plot is not new: Extraterrestrial beings transform Earth in a giant, underground dungeon. If you make it to the top..., well in this case to the bottom, you survive or you just die in the process of getting there.
But this Dungeon Crawl is not about killing, it's about killing big and getting views. I loved every bit of it. Carl, the MC, trying to get through the dungeon alive and Princess Donut, his view-and-follower-addicted ex girlfriend's cat just make a hilarious duo.
If you like dungeon crawls and are open to a different, comical approach, then this is your go-to book!
January 17, 2025
Brb getting a Princess Donut tattoo
May 30, 2022
DNF at 18% 2.5 hours in. It’s so stupid. May be good for 10 or 12 year olds. I don’t know.
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