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A review by shelf_life_with_jay
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Dungeon Crawler Carl is not just a book - it's a full-blown, adrenaline-pumping, laugh-out-loud, emotionally gripping experience. From the very first page, I was hooked. This is easily one of the most fun, creative, and unexpectedly heartfelt books I've ever read, and I cannot stop recommending it to anyone who'll listen.
Carl, our reluctant hero, is the ex-Coast Guard dude bro you didn't know you needed in your life. Thrust into an apocalyptic dungeon reality show, when the world quite literally blows up beneath his bare and perfectly maintained (you'll understand later) feet, he navigates monsters, madness, and mayhem with grit, sarcasm, and surprising depth. And while Carl is an absolute gem of a protagonist, it's Princess Donut Queen Anne Chonk - his ex-girlfriend's bougie, hilarious, and somehow utterly endearing cat - who steals every scene she's in. She's the sassiest, most chaotic feline I've ever encountered in fiction, and I am 1000% obsessed with her. Carl's constant exasperated refrain of "God damnit, Donut!" never failed to make me laugh out loud.
The writing is razor-sharp, the world-building is wild and imaginative, and the balance between humor, action, and emotional depth is nothing short of masterful. Let me be very clear: the audiobook takes this already phenomenal story and rockets it into the stratosphere. Jeff Hays' narration is next-level - truly one of the best performances I've ever heard. It makes the whole experience 1000% better (no exaggeration). I laughed, I gasped, I shouted in disbelief, and I had an absolute blast from start to finish.
The second I finished this book, I immediately started book two. There was no question. I had to know what happened next. A review for that one is coming soon (because, of course, I devoured it), but in the meantime, do yourself a favor and read this book. Or better yet, listen to it. You won't regret it.
This series is my new obsession. ABSOLUTE! PERFECTION!
Carl, our reluctant hero, is the ex-Coast Guard dude bro you didn't know you needed in your life. Thrust into an apocalyptic dungeon reality show, when the world quite literally blows up beneath his bare and perfectly maintained (you'll understand later) feet, he navigates monsters, madness, and mayhem with grit, sarcasm, and surprising depth. And while Carl is an absolute gem of a protagonist, it's Princess Donut Queen Anne Chonk - his ex-girlfriend's bougie, hilarious, and somehow utterly endearing cat - who steals every scene she's in. She's the sassiest, most chaotic feline I've ever encountered in fiction, and I am 1000% obsessed with her. Carl's constant exasperated refrain of "God damnit, Donut!" never failed to make me laugh out loud.
The writing is razor-sharp, the world-building is wild and imaginative, and the balance between humor, action, and emotional depth is nothing short of masterful. Let me be very clear: the audiobook takes this already phenomenal story and rockets it into the stratosphere. Jeff Hays' narration is next-level - truly one of the best performances I've ever heard. It makes the whole experience 1000% better (no exaggeration). I laughed, I gasped, I shouted in disbelief, and I had an absolute blast from start to finish.
The second I finished this book, I immediately started book two. There was no question. I had to know what happened next. A review for that one is coming soon (because, of course, I devoured it), but in the meantime, do yourself a favor and read this book. Or better yet, listen to it. You won't regret it.
This series is my new obsession. ABSOLUTE! PERFECTION!