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A review by oxfordcommas91
The Butcher's Masquerade by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
My favorite of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series thus far, hands down. Two paws up, Mongo approves!
But seriously, this series has continued to grow on me and while I really struggled with Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook, I think books 4 & 5 have been knocking them out of the park. You get to see so much growth with Carl, Donut, Mongo, Katia and their cohort of loveably-weird friends, allies, and NPC's in this one. Without spoiling - I love that this book brings a new and unique set up with the hunters and the hunting grounds. Dinniman is doing a great job keeping things cohesive but fresh so the audience doesn't tire of a scenario that feels like just reading one long video game. In The Butcher's Masquerade, it truly feels like all the pieces are coming together as Carl and Donut are beginning to play the "long game" - weaving together a cohesive strategy and teaming up with other squads to stick it to the man, er, AI, er... aliens? Despite this being the longest in the series so far, the pacing was great and the plot moved along rapidly, so I was able to get through it fairly quickly.
I continue to be surprised by how action packed and gory yet surprisingly moving and emotional these books can be. I've loved how Matt Dinninman has carefully placed each brick in the journey of Carl and Donut from their earliest days. The payoff is really worth it with these books as Carl and Donut both show more and more moments of vulnerability with each other.
Truly cannot wait for the next book.
But seriously, this series has continued to grow on me and while I really struggled with Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook, I think books 4 & 5 have been knocking them out of the park. You get to see so much growth with Carl, Donut, Mongo, Katia and their cohort of loveably-weird friends, allies, and NPC's in this one. Without spoiling - I love that this book brings a new and unique set up with the hunters and the hunting grounds. Dinniman is doing a great job keeping things cohesive but fresh so the audience doesn't tire of a scenario that feels like just reading one long video game. In The Butcher's Masquerade, it truly feels like all the pieces are coming together as Carl and Donut are beginning to play the "long game" - weaving together a cohesive strategy and teaming up with other squads to stick it to the man, er, AI, er... aliens? Despite this being the longest in the series so far, the pacing was great and the plot moved along rapidly, so I was able to get through it fairly quickly.
I continue to be surprised by how action packed and gory yet surprisingly moving and emotional these books can be. I've loved how Matt Dinninman has carefully placed each brick in the journey of Carl and Donut from their earliest days. The payoff is really worth it with these books as Carl and Donut both show more and more moments of vulnerability with each other.
Truly cannot wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Incest, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy