Dungeon Crawler Carl is the first book in a comedy fantasy series by Matt Dinniman. Originally published in 2020, this reformat and re-release from Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint is 464 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a fun and well written take on dungeoncrawler fantasy. MC Carl is unwillingly thrust into a starring role in a survivor reality TV contest when an alien invasion puts a major crimp in *everyone's* day. Princess Donut (his ex-GF's pampered show cat) is along for the ride, and the book is positively bursting with sarcastic humor and improbable situations, with viewers from across the universe tuned in to see what happens next, and which contestants get eliminated, permanently.

It's not at all derivative, but the bonzo, zany humor will likely appeal to fans of Charles Stross and Tom Holt.

Four stars. There are currently 6 books in the series with a 7th due out in 4th quarter 2024. It would make a great choice for a genre buddy/binge read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Dungeon Crawler Carl absolutely blew me away! There was action, there were memorable characters, and there was so much SASS mixed with a ton of heart! This was my first LitRPG so this first book and series will always be special to me, but I couldn't have asked for a better <i>first</i>.

Also, as you've probably already gathered from other reviews, the audiobook, narrated by Jeff Hays, was <b>phenomenal</b>! Easily the best audiobook I've ever listened to—as in this the first book that I have ever chosen to listen to the audiobook over reading physically when given the option. That said, I think the new hardcover design is really neat and if you choose to only listen to the audiobook you will miss out on the little doodles at the start of most chapters—if you want to see and hear it all you'll have to buy both formats (audiobook + hardcover or ebook) and read this book a couple times, which is perfect because this series is definitely going to be a fun one to revisit many times.

I cannot wait to spend more time with these characters and see how their story unfolds in future books. At the same time I really do think this book works as a standalone experience if that's more your style.

Choice passages from my reading notes:
<blockquote><i>
• holy fuck is this my new favorite book ever?
• this might be my favorite book ever
• I'm sure most people fall in love with this book because of Princess Donut and I am one of them 😍
• ...I will absolutely be reading the rest of this series!</i></blockquote>

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
.
Earth has been destroyed and the survivors have all been taken by an alien race. The survivors will be competing in an RPG style game in a dungeon, and it will be televised across the universe.
.
What I liked:
-This book was insanely entertaining. Carl is such a snarky grump, I loved him immediately.
-Princess Donut. She is the best.
-I loved the entire premise and plot for this story.
-It was ridiculous, and funny, and zany, and quirky; which are all things I ADORE in a story.
.
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Fantastic. Loved. Cannot wait to read book two, which I am staring at right now but I HAVE to finish at least two other books before I can start it.

Real Rating: 3.25* of five

Samuel Beckett's absurdist humor meets <I>The Truman Show</I> by way of Cat Valente's <I>Space Opera</I>, but streamed on Twitch.

If any of that didn't make sense, this might not be the read for you. Wait for the TV show. They'll dumb that down.

Humor is the most difficult thing to review, since you are guaranteed not to think what makes me laugh is funny. Likewise, I'm sure. Princess Donut the cat was a sarcastic, clueless hoot. And I hate cats!

This is a video game, so you know. It didn't originate as one, but it really hit the same cultural nerve.
<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4b/d1/9b/4bd19be338314f9702c9f4eec55906bf.jpg"width=400>
Boy howdy, did Dinniman hit an artery! A TV deal with Seth MacFarlane's company is the latest...before that the book's self-published editions sold well, his Kickstarter for deluxe hardcovers went past goal. There's something here that spoke to those under forty in stentorian tones.

I think you already know if you'll like this one, and I'm here to assure you you're right.

This was such a fun book, especially as a virtual dungeon crawler myself. But I think I would have enjoyed it regardless! I love Carl and Donut - the story, loot descriptions, and dungeon bosses all made me laugh and cringe and laugh some more. I also like Carl's ability to think outside the box when he approaches challenges.
I will be reading the next one as soon as possible.

Carl does not do drama.

He goes out of his way to tell us this. But he's stuck in it anyway.

Dinniman takes a not-so-subtle chunk of Hitchhiker's Guide and leaps us into a world all his own. This book is a wild race from beginning to end, and Carl & Donut never slow down. It feels like a favorite video game. And of course, the satire is thick. I mean, who doesn't want a platinum achievement box?!

"The ghost of Steve Irwin smiles down upon you."

Of course it does.

Aliens? Apocalypse? Reality TV? A cat named Donut? What is not to like here? Rhetorical question. This series is so FUN.

The most thoroughly entertaining sci fi fantasy of my life so far- has had me snort laughing and gasping for air, but also has serious messaging on humanity and what it means to be human. Goddamnit, Princess Donut is my favorite character of all time & I’m allergic to cats!

This is such a fun read. We open up with a recently single man begrudgingly caring for his ex girlfriend's cat and an extinction level invasion hits. He has just moments to decide his path and then we go on an adventure. The indie version of this series was advertised as RPG Lit and it really is. It takes you to a video game like world with lots of fun action, traps, fights, and more (all for the pleasure of their new alien overlords). This series is being rereleased in quick succession so I'm excited to read the new expanded stories as they release.

Do you like Alice in Borderland, D&D, Squid Game, the apocalypse, a palate cleanser, and a sassy cat? Then you have to read this.

I’m so glad I picked this one up! It’s insanely fun and chaotic, blending dungeon-crawling madness with a dark sense of humor. Carl is just your everyday dude thrown into an apocalyptic game world, and his snarky commentary and relationship with his cat, Princess Donut, had me laughing out loud more times than I could count. If you love RPG elements, high-stakes survival, and a protagonist who can’t catch a break, this is a ride you don’t want to miss.

The pacing is fast, the action is constant, and you’re thrown into a mess of hilarious situations that somehow get worse (in the best way). That said, the humor might feel repetitive to some, and if you’re not into game-lit or mechanics-heavy storytelling, it can feel a bit overwhelming.

But honestly, if you’re looking for something wildly entertaining with heart, sarcasm, and a loyal, sassy feline sidekick, Dungeon Crawler Carl is a must-read.

I paired this with the Audible version, and it was amazing. The production quality and the narrators add so much value to the book, as if you’re part of the world itself.

When I first heard of the name of the book, I thought it sounded a bit weird. I also kept hearing the praises of this book everywhere so I had to read it at some point.

I had not expected the book to be as funny and characters to be as rich as they turned out to be. The world in this book is pretty much a hopeless place but somehow the author manages to keep a sense of fun as he explores the world and the story along with the main characters. With the humor, the author also makes sure the story has enough heart so that you as a reader cares for it. By the end of this book, it wasn’t even about the plot for me anymore - I just wanted to spend more time with the characters.

I found this ok. I understand the hype and maybe super gamers would love this. I do love video games but the story itself felt insanely repetitive. Not much world or character building.

Brilliant and fun. The plot was creative. The banter between Carl and Donut was sharp and amusing. I'm going to read all of these right now.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is the first book of a litRPG series by Matt Dinniman. The story follows Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, as they're forced to fight to the death in a sadistic intergalactic game show. The characters are very likeable and the story is extremely creative. I was a little disappointed that the first book has no real ending of its own; it just ends and assumes you’ll read the next part. I would have preferred a smaller storyline to come to some kind of conclusion. Also, when the author says "sadistic" he means it. The bad guys are BAD, uncomfortably so. But Carl is a great character and easy to root for. Fans of litRPG and RPGs in general will love this book, and I can already tell the series as a whole will be amazing. (And dark.)

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group ; all opinions expressed are exclusively my own.

I have mixed feelings on this read, but it's definitely still a solid four stars! I tend to really enjoy the LitRPG genre, and this book has all the elements to tick those boxes. It very much has a sort of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy premise along with the RPG elements that will delight fans of both in general. My reduced star comes from the instances of remorseless violence against sapient beings (not every instance), and humor occasionally straddling a line between funny and punching down. This I think is pretty subjective though, so if those are not concerns for you and you like the genre, definitely give it a go.

For sensitive readers this book contains intense graphic violence; references to rape, incest, and cannibalism; death; and body horror.

𝐃𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋, 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘯

Alright, listen up. There’s a 𝐂𝐀𝐓 named 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐔𝐓… and she shoots ✨ 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐒 ✨. From her 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒.

So yeah, I obviously loved this. I had no idea it was already such a big thing, but I’m so glad I stumbled upon it! I saw it on NetGalley, thought it looked ridiculous but fun, and figured, why not?

It’s like 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘳’𝘴 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘹𝘺 meets 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘖𝘯𝘦 meets 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴. You’ve got an apocalyptic setting, the overwhelming sense that you’re just a tiny part of a vast, mysterious universe, and you’re forced into a deadly game of survival in front of a massive audience. Oh, and it’s basically an 18-level, impossible-to-win video game.

The book is undeniably a good time, but it also carries a certain weight. It strikes the right balance, taking itself seriously enough to make the absurd feel relatable and human. I’d recommend this to pretty much everyone, but beware, it is part of a larger series!

One of the most cinematic reading experiences I’ve ever had. Every time I went back to it I felt like I was dropped right back where I left off, like a save point in a video game, and I was completely ensnared.

Carl is a sympathetic hero who is able to recognize the silliness of his horrific situation and make the best of it. Donut is truly a spectacular sidekick (don’t tell her I called her that) and at times a great foil for his seriousness.

I definitely made room on my upcoming tbr for the rest of the series.

Here's how I would reccomend it to people: LitRPG is certainly the way to classify this, I can't imagine picking this up without some familiarity with tabletop or video game RPGs. If you like either of these this, great, the book will be enjoyable to you and the jokes will make more sense.
Because that is basically what this book is about, the character gets dropped into such a scenario, becomes less of a person, just another variable for the book's system to control.
If you liked Baldur's Gate 3, you may like this book. I rather look forward to picking up the sequels, to see if the RPG system fades more into the background.

This was awesome! I'm really glad that this author got a chance to be traditionally published. I also saw him speak at a panel during DragonCon 2024 which was SO cool--he seems like a really cool person and I would love to pick his brain about character. This book was really unique and really compelling. The world and idea was really original, and I loved the concept. I cannot wait for the next installment to come out in hardcover so I can snag my own copy!

i haven’t had this much fun with a fantasy book in so long, obviously i love fantasy and i think a lot of them are good but they aren’t fun! this concept was so unique and unlike anything ive read recently.