I’m gonna leave the same review as I did for book 1. When I didn’t think I could be anymore impressed I read book 2 and that sealed the deal! I hear they just continue to get better and better.

What did I just read??? I have no idea how to describe it other than an absolutely absurd, bizarre, and outlandishly funny read. I didn’t know LRPG was a genre and definitely would have never guess I would enjoy it.

Another Fun one from DInniman.

Now this is a little obvious considering that there are currently 7 books in this series BUT there dies feel like just a touch to much plot armor on our main characters.

It’s exciting that our party is currently expanding and that we might get some stakes that feel real soon.

I liked that the weight of the enslaved npcs are starting to have weight and i wish we could have gotten a little more compassion for the hoard of dead prostitutes but at least Carl treats them with some respect.

I would say that this and the first are equally as good and thats a good sign for the rest of the series

Im looking forward to reading the rest

Carl and Donut have done it! They've survived to the next floor.

As we continue on with our intrepid pair, things get even more dicey as the battle lemurs under the big top and take on a quest that leads them right to the edge of survival.

There's still plenty of RPG fun along with the politics happening outside the dungeon. This one is a little heavier on the language. And there's definitely plenty of strange things going on. But a decent book two to keep things moving along. I really love that each new volume takes up just where the last left off, so readers don't feel like they are missing chunks of the story in between.

Now on to book 3!

I've been loving this series! It's the perfect escape from the real world. Funny, thrilling, nonstop action. I've recommended these books to tins of people and purchased for my library.

Carl and Donut return in this amazing sequel to Dungeon Crawler Carl. This series has it all. The action is fast paced and keeps you invested for the entire novel. The introduction of quests was especially gripping and added another fun layer to the dungeon's complexities. The characters are relatable and you find yourself rooting for them in their journeys. Donut's sass, Carl's humor, and the AI's absurdity keep the writing light, but they aren't just surface level. There is real depth to these characters - there were a couple parts in this that legitimately brought tears to my eyes.

Matt Dinniman continues to do no wrong and provides a fresh, fun, and action-packed sequel. I cannot wait to follow Carl and Donut on their journey through the dungeon and eagerly await the next book!

Now that Carl & Princess Donut have reached the third floor, they have to fight harder than ever. Now an entirely new problem has been introduced - quests. In what is called the Over City., there lies a sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered women rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose. Can Carl and Donut solve the mystery in time? This book was non-stop action Carl & Princess Donut battled their way across the city. There wasn't as much witty banter or as many hilarious achievement messages as there were in the first book,but it was still a lot of fun.

5🌟obviously

Ok, well, now I'm obsessed. Carl's Doomsday Scenario is the second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Read the first book if you haven't already. (And if you haven't - what are you waiting for?) I love Princess Donut, Carl, and Mongo. I wasn't sure exactly where things would go after the end of the first book and if this would get old, but nope. I'm here for the long haul. Now I need to start the third one immediately!

Recommended for everyone who enjoyed or loved the first book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

My biggest concern after reading book one was that the humor and the insanity was going to become tedious. That it wasn't going to grow and evolve and that I was going to get bored with the same thing over and over.

I have never been so happy to be wrong.

Carl's Doomsday Scenario comes in with the same insanity and humor but starts to add some heart and growth to the characters. Carl starts noticing that things are linking him to his painful past while Donut starts becoming more aware of the world. I am also very happy that we not only get to keep Mordecai, but his character is also being more fleshed out.

This book series is Awesome and I can not wait to see what the fourth floor holds for us. Especially now that we have a new member to the group. I see you Katia and I am curious about how you are going to affect the story.

As far as I can tell, the books seem to be taking the existing serial chapter releases and roughly bundling them into events that happen by floor, which dovetails nicely with the general arc. This is only the second collection, but we've got some more neat mechanics being developed out and intriguing quest lines. Again, the humor's a bit juvenile in that way that certain video games were cool for having quest lines centered around dead sex workers (this time they fall from the sky!), but it seems to be potentially building some interesting stuff in the backstage areas that's either a full blown rebellion or will at least fuck with the corporation some. I'm in for the next collection at minimum, and then I'm going to see if I want to read the other four books in the series currently (Ace gave out the first 3 for free).

Going into book two, you have a general idea of what’s to come - the games continue! These books are weirdly becoming a feel good read. Carl is still causing havoc while Princess Donut is still our reigning sassy royalty and Mongo is becoming the best velociraptor side kick. What I love most about this series is that you can see how Donut is marketing and Carl really does have his hero complex (morally gray?). The laughs keep coming and the game makers keep throwing everything plus the kitchen sink at the team. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

This second book picks up right where book one left off with Carl and Donut the cat. I will say that this book seems less humorous than the first. I feel sorry for some of these characters and their stories are pretty dark.
Thank you to Ace for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Wherein we find Carl, Donut and Mongo on Level 3 which continues to be full of the unpredictable and unexpected. There’s a circus, there’s a bear on roller skates named Heather, there are prostitutes falling out of the sky. Carl and Donut learn all about quests on the third floor. Mordecai plays a much bigger role in book two. Somehow Carl ends up with less clothing and it’s all very wild.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series is unlike any other. The only way to read is audio (although I did get the eARC as well). Carl, Donut and the merry band of oddities are nothing but pure joy. There’s not a huge narrative arc to these books, just insane encounter after insane encounter. Book two was much more emotional than the first, with multiple moments that made me tear up. Carl and Donut’s relationship and partnership gets deeper. Donut is still her eccentric self, PRINCESS THAT SHE IS. Inject these books into my veins.

“Cats don’t drink cocktails,” I said. “Cats don’t shoot lasers from their eyes, either, but here we are, Carl. Mama needs a night off.”

Keep going? Fuck yeah. Onto book three!

I can't put this series down. Carl and Donut are progressing through the dungeon and things just get weirder and weirder. It's hilarious, it's deadly, it's a ridiculous good time.

Characters ~ I appreciate Carl and Donut. The extended cast of characters, and how they help them to grow and develop, are also fun, aggravating, and irritating in turns. I appreciate the NPCs as well as they also lead to so much growth.

Plot ~ It's a video game and a shonen all in one. You know where you are being led, but not how you'll get there. It's both fun and comforting.

Worldbuiding ~ It would be so easy to fall back on tropes, but the author doesn't do that, which I greatly appreciate. This is a unique and different world with a slow buildup.

Writing ~ Pacing is important for a story. I think the author's writing keeps a pretty good pace. Sometimes we do get a bit bogged down in the details, but then it picks up again and all is well.

I was hooked and laughing from page 1. This is a must read for any rpg style gamer! I could not seem to put this down and I understand why this series is blowing up right now. So thankful I got get into this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: LitRPG / Sci-Fi Apocalypse / Comedy Horror
Format: Kindle
TL;DR: MORE BLOOD, MORE LAUGHS, MORE DONUT, AND STILL NO PANTS.

Just when I thought Dungeon Crawler Carl was pure unhinged brilliance, bucke up for this one, because Carl’s Doomsday Scenario doubles down on everything: the violence, the insanity, the strategy, the worldbuilding, the emotional beats, and yes... the clown fueled, undead, hooker murdering chaos of Floor Three.

This second installment picks up right where book one left off; no recap, no break, no mercy. Carl and Princess Donut are hurled into the next level of the intergalactic game show from hell. This time? It’s darker, more complex, and suddenly we’ve got side quests, class choices, and bio engineered race upgrades (don’t worry, no spoilers on what Carl and Donut choose, though I was screaming).

The tone remains PERFECT: laugh out loud funny one moment, absolutely horrifying the next. We’re talking mutated circuses, literal murder mysteries, exploding bodies, talking chickens, and somehow, SOMEHOW... emotional depth. I didn’t expect to feel things in between the exploding goblins, but here we are.

I would die for Pricness Donut, by the way.

🪦 Heavy themes warning: This series does not shy away from intense and graphic content. There is murder, drug use, suicide, violence, trauma. It’s unapologetically adult, but never gratuitous for the sake of it. Matt Dinniman manages to infuse meaning and satire into every grotesque beat.

🧠 We’re starting to peel back the layers of the galactic politics behind the dungeon. This isn’t just survival anymore, but it’s war, exploitation, and corruption on a scale we’re only beginning to grasp. The game might be rigged, and that makes Carl’s fight to survive even more compelling.

⚔️ Highlights:
Donut’s diva moments (as always)
Carl’s murder chicken sidekick (Mongo MVP)
The circus level? NIGHTMARES.
The “dead hookers from the sky” mystery = unhinged brilliance

And Carl maybe, possibly, finally finding pants???

🎧 Side note: I didn’t listen to the audiobook this time but hearing Jeff Hays is behind it again? Yeah... definitely switching to audio for book 3. That man is Carl.

Bottom line: If you liked Book 1, Book 2 turns the volume up and sets the controller on fire. It’s absolute madness, but somehow Matt Dinniman keeps all the chaos grounded in heart, satire, and character growth. I’m a Dungeon Crawler Carl girlie now, and there’s no going back.
BRB, grabbing book 3.

And maybe a pair of Crocs.

Just as fun, funny and chaotic as book one. Now with more velocirapter action (Hello Mongo).

Level 3 of the dungeon brings in a new village (over city) and epic quests to tend with on top of mobs. We learn more about the dungeon and new characters.

Devoured book two and jumping into book three immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced ebook to review.

I read the second book right after book 1, I didn't have netgalley until last year. Thanks to netgalley and Berkley for these eArcs. I read these pretty quick & did a lot of highlighting of my favorite parts. A lot of side quests and character changes. I don't like clowns so when they die, its a plus for me. Of course Princess Donut & Carl are the Main Characters of this second in the series by Matt Dinniman. One of the best series.

And… the misadventures of Princess Donut and Carl continue. I love this series, I don’t think I’ve laughed aloud more while reading a book or have been more attached to two characters in my life.

this book is relentless with its obstacles. just when you think carl, donut, and mongo might catch a break on the third floor, another challenge appears. the escalating conflicts made their connection feel precious and hard-won.

the over city's urban wasteland introduces circus quests and murder mysteries that showcase dinniman's range. what surprised me was how game mechanics become metaphor. rpg elements aren't just plot devices but commentary on agency and identity when the world treats you like entertainment.

the found family dynamic between carl, donut, and mongo evolves beautifully. each character learns to protect the others in ways that feel authentic to their personalities. donut maintains her aristocratic cat energy while showing genuine care, and carl's growth from reluctant survivor to protective leader feels earned rather than forced.

the book tackles exploitation and spectacle without losing its humor. balances satirical commentary on reality tv culture with genuine emotional stakes. manages to critique how suffering becomes entertainment while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and real character development.

what impressed me most was the moral complexity. the story explores maintaining humanity and empathy in a system designed for spectacle, asking hard questions about heroism and survival without becoming preachy.

perfect for readers wanting litrpg with substance, fans of terry pratchett's approach to serious themes through humor, or anyone craving stories about ordinary people finding strength through connection.

excellent continuation when you want character development that deepens rather than repeats the first book's beats.

arc received from ace books via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.