Carl and Donut are probably two of my most favorite characters in fiction. Ever. These books are hysterical. There's so much destruction, sarcasm, and wit. I'm impressed with Matt's imagination with the different classes, skills, monsters, subclasses, and gadgets. Each is distinctive and fun. I love the non-stop action, which keeps this book on the MOVE. There's a bit of political maneuvering in this one that we didn't see before which feels like it's going to move into more in future books. Onto the third!

The adventure continues. The author keeps writing such fast-paced and captivating storylines! As the characters and the world expands, I find myself becoming even more obsessed. Matt Dinniman is insane - in the best of ways. I do not typically read this genre but the way it is written is an absolute masterpiece. How can he be so funny?

If I thought the first book was incredible (which I did), this second book knocked me out. I am in this and I am in deep!!!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!

After finishing the first book in 24 hours I had to immediately pick up this one and I devoured this just as fast as the first. I am fully submerged in this series. We picked up right where we left off and that made jumping back in that much easier. I found this was just as hilarious. Even though the training levels are completed we still have high stakes and quests that keep us deeply engaged.

Join Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they attack the third level of the galaxy’s most watched game show Dungeon Crawler World. Their antics on the first two levels have earned them a massive following, but now the training wheels are off and they must complete new Quests involving an undead circus, murdered women falling from the sky, and ancient spells.
I loved how this book expanded the Dungeon Crawler world, while still deepening Carl and Princess Donut’s relationship, and, of course, its full of crazy antics, strange creatures, and Carl’s trademark chaos. Another hit in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series!

Coming back to the series I was so excited, and rightfully so because it ended up being just as amazing as the first! Princess Donut is that girl or cat? Lol. But her humor and little remarks had me laughing throughout this entire book. And Carl, he’s such an easy character to like, and I enjoy reading his growth and heroism that he’s gained so much more of in this book. Can’t wait to read the third!

Ok I am officially a dungeon dweller, and I never want to leave.

These characters are SO great and I have an absolute blast (hah) with them. This book definitely upped the ante and the ending blew me away (hah hah)

The stakes are higher, and the comedy elements funnier. The perfect balance. And Carl's cat deserves some of the spotlight too.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I started this series on a whim, and after finishing Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, the second installment of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, I can confidently say this will be my series of the year. We’re back with Carl and Donut (his ex-girlfriend’s cat—yes, really) as they descend deeper into the dungeon, and this wild ride somehow manages to stay hilarious, grounded, and completely unhinged in the best way.

Where do I even begin? The pacing mirrors the first book, and the humor is just as iconic. I’m usually either laughing, crying, or both while flipping through the pages. This one kicks off with Carl and Donut choosing their races and classes—an opening that immediately had me excited for the chaos to come.

That said, this book is very much a setup for bigger things down the line. There’s a good amount of exposition and slower moments where the action takes a backseat to world-building and lore. Coming off the first book, which was fast-paced and full of payoff, this one feels a bit more like a slow burn. It still has those fun and unexpected moments, but I’d go in knowing it’s laying the groundwork for something even bigger.

All in all, it’s a solid middle installment that builds the world and keeps things moving. Even if I wasn’t constantly dying of laughter like I was in book one, I still had a great time. And honestly—when you give a cat a dinosaur, you have to let the tension simmer. Long live Mongo... and may the rest of the Princess Posse make it out alive.

Levels 1 and 2 were just the beginning..
The adventures of our favourite trio continue as we follow main character Princess Donut and her minions, Mango and Carl as they traverse the dungeon levels on the hunt for good loot, bosses to battle and pants for Carl.
With the same wit as the first and hilarious new sticky situations that Carl, Donut and Mango find themselves in, this really was a great follow up to Dungeon Crawler Carl. I loved reading the antics this trio continually found themselves in, and I really like where this story is going. There's a lot to love in this series and I am still having a great time, and look forward to continuing.
The ending was explosive and I can't wait to see what Carl cooks up in The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook.
Again, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as Jeff Hays continues to knock it out of the park bringing these characters to life.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I really didn’t know what to expect when I started this series, but so far, I haven’t been disappointed. I had no idea where the plot was going and and I still don’t know how it’s going to end up. I can’t wait for the next installment!

I started reading this book before I received a review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ace for the ARC. I love progression web novels, but this one was just too repetitive.

***5.0 Stars***

Overall,

This series is so much fun. You never know what to expect. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a high stakes whacky story that will make you laugh out loud and also love the characters so much you want to see them succeed. While the premise and story is ridiculous there is also a lot of heart as the characters are grappling with what their lives have become and how to move forward. I will 100% be continuing this series!

***Thank you Netgalley and Tor for providing me this eBook in exchange for my free and honest review***

This series is so much fun! This book picks up where we left off from the first. Dinniman’s writing is exceptional and has the ability to keep you constantly engaged, though his book isn’t as good as the first, it’s a fun ride. This story does get more absurd than the first, and there is an over abundance of explanations for the game play portions. But we see a lot more places and meet a lot more characters. I genuinely never knew what would happen next.

Dinniman has a wonderful ability to make the characters lovable and I’ve become so attached to Carl, Princess Donut, and Mongo. I cannot wait for book 3.

this was a great follow up and I can't get over how much this book made me laugh, it's been a blast and everyone should read it!

This volume had me laughing, gasping, and emotionally devastated in turns. The world keeps getting richer and more twisted, and Carl’s evolution as a character continues to surprise me. The pacing is perfect, the stakes are massive, and somehow, Dinniman makes it all feel grounded through Carl’s humanity and Donut’s fierce loyalty. Absolutely brilliant!!

In the end how could you ask for more from entertainment. These books were outrageouly fun, engaging and addictive. On to the next. I'll absolutely be buying hard copies.

This was my first Lit rpg read and I loved it. This is adventurous and funny. I love Princess Donut and Carl. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Back again with an absolute BANGER. It continue with the same vibes as the first one, but this one ramped up the heat!

I had a blast with this book. Carl’s Doomsday Scenario picks up right where the first Dungeon Crawler Carl left off, and somehow manages to get even weirder, darker, and funnier. It’s unpredictable in the best way.

Carl and Princess Donut continue to be a fantastic duo. Their banter kept me laughing, and there’s something incredibly heartwarming about watching them survive the absurdity together. I also liked that the story doesn't shy away from real emotional stakes—there’s a thread of trauma and survival under the chaos that gives it more weight than you'd expect.

That said, the pacing was a little uneven. Some quests felt like filler, and the plot occasionally meandered. It’s clearly setting up for bigger payoffs in future books, which I’m okay with—but I did wish for a bit more resolution by the end.
Still, if you liked the first book, this one won’t disappoint. It’s more of everything: more danger, more jokes, more world-building, and more Donut.

I LOVE THIS SERIES. I finish these books so fast because they have such great characters, pacing, worldbuilding, and conflicts. They are funny but still tackle some serious concerns. The characters fight with, for, and against each other and you never know what is going to happen next. Carl and Princess Donut are an absolute DELIGHT.