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A review by shelf_life_with_jay
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Immediately after finishing Dungeon Crawler Carl, I launched straight into Carl's Doomsday Scenario, and let me tell you - it did not disappoint. If anything, it upped the ante in every way imaginable. The action, the absurdity, and the depth... all of it was cranked up, and I was hooked from page one (AGAIN).
Carl and Princess Donut reach level three of the 18-floor death trap that is the dungeon, and things get wild. I mean, Donut gets a pet velociraptor (Mongo!) and unlocks the Former Child Actor Class, Carl unlocks the Primal Class, and they gain a manager in the form of the eccentric, chaotic, always knowledgeable Mordicai.
What I really appreciated this time around was the expansion of the cast. Dinniman introduces a whole host of new characters, each with distinct personalities and backstories that add a surprising amount of emotional weight to an already bonkers premise. As someone who loves books that blend humor, heart, and horror seamlessly (think TJ Klune meets grimdark with memes), this installment hit that sweet spot perfectly.
The stakes are rising, the world continues to be bizarre and brutal, and yet somehow it's the relationships that keep me the most invested. The bond between Carl and Donut - equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and totally unhinged - continues to shine. And the fact that Jeff Hays brings every single character to life with such depth and nuance makes the audiobook all the more immersive. Seriously, this is some of the most fun I've had with a series in a while.
Matt Dinniman clearly knows how to walk that tightrope between chaos and coherence, and I am so here for the ride. I've already jumped into book three and fully plan to finish it today, because this series has become the kind of story I think about constantly. It's like literary popcorn laced with something addictive, and I'm jonesing for more.
Carl and Princess Donut reach level three of the 18-floor death trap that is the dungeon, and things get wild. I mean, Donut gets a pet velociraptor (Mongo!) and unlocks the Former Child Actor Class, Carl unlocks the Primal Class, and they gain a manager in the form of the eccentric, chaotic, always knowledgeable Mordicai.
What I really appreciated this time around was the expansion of the cast. Dinniman introduces a whole host of new characters, each with distinct personalities and backstories that add a surprising amount of emotional weight to an already bonkers premise. As someone who loves books that blend humor, heart, and horror seamlessly (think TJ Klune meets grimdark with memes), this installment hit that sweet spot perfectly.
The stakes are rising, the world continues to be bizarre and brutal, and yet somehow it's the relationships that keep me the most invested. The bond between Carl and Donut - equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and totally unhinged - continues to shine. And the fact that Jeff Hays brings every single character to life with such depth and nuance makes the audiobook all the more immersive. Seriously, this is some of the most fun I've had with a series in a while.
Matt Dinniman clearly knows how to walk that tightrope between chaos and coherence, and I am so here for the ride. I've already jumped into book three and fully plan to finish it today, because this series has become the kind of story I think about constantly. It's like literary popcorn laced with something addictive, and I'm jonesing for more.