Early Review – Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 1) by Matt Dinniman (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 464 pages
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: August 27, 2024
ASIN: B08BKGYQXW
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series
Source: eGalley from NetGalley
Rating: 5/5 stars
“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.”
Series Info/Source: This is the 1st book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I got an eGalley of this from NetGalley to review.
Thoughts: I had high exceptions and was super excited to read this book…and they were all exceeded. I have been reading a whole bunch of really amazing books lately and this one was right up there with all of them. This was incredibly hilarious and entertaining and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
When Carl’s cheating girlfriend’s (soon to be ex girlfriend) prize show cat literally goes out on a limb, Carl steps out into the cold winter night wearing his boxers, a leather jacket and his (ex) girlfriend’s pink crocs to rescue the cat. He does rescue the cat but then the world literally collapses. Yes, every structure in the world is suddenly a flat pile of rubble and Caril is freezing and being subjected to an announcement by an alien race. Any survivors can try to make a go of it on the surface or they can delve into the newly formed dungeon to win their freedom. Well it’s cold and Carl is in his boxers, so when the Dungeon entrance appears it’s nice and cozy and warm so in Carl and Princess Donut (the cat). How was Carl to know what he was getting himself in to? Or that the world-reknown show cat, Princess Donut, would have better stats then he does in this odd game?
This book was amazing. It is hilarious, unexpected, with strangely heartwarming moments, an odd foot fetish and a premise that is crazily believable. There was never a dull moment in this book, things just kept getting more and more intriguing as I read. There were also many times where I was laughing so hard I almost peed myself and my husband was looking at me oddly asking what my problem was. Then I would try to explain to him what I was reading and he would just shake his head and say “Uh, okay I’m glad you are enjoying yourself.” I am totally going to buy this series on audiobook and make him listen to it at some point.
I don’t even know how to explain this book. If you like RPGs or post-apocalyptic survival reads with a lot of dark humor, then this is the book for you. The premise is super well thought-out and the surprises keep coming. The magic/gaming system combined with the corporate exploitation is spot on. This is so much hilariousness and irony in here it might kill you. This can also be pretty gory and gross at times, so heads up if you are squeamish.
I don’t really know what else to say about this. After reading it, I immediately acquired the rest of the series. Not something I normally do because I’ve been burned by that before, but in this case OMG I need the whole series. I need to be part of this strange intergalactic dungeon crawl where the cat has higher charisma and strength (but lower constitution) than anything else in the room.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I think this is my favorite read of the year so far. Which is really saying something since I have read a lot of amazing books recently. Do you like fantasy adventure with a dash of apocalypse, a heap of gory foot stomping, and an incredibly capable cat? Well then this is the book for you. I loved it and plan to read the second book shortly.
