I have to admit, Matt Dinniman has come up with some really cool titles for each of the Dungeon Crawler Carl installments and I always get a bit excited when I see how the title will inevitably appear in the story. The Eye of the Bedlam Bride begins with our Crawlers entering the eighth floor of the dungeon after a game-breaking exploit was used on the seventh floor. The eighth floor dumps the Crawlers on a facsimile of Earth, in a location they chose and Carl and Donut have landed in Cuba. Why Cuba you ask? Well, Donut isn’t exactly a geography expert with her being a cat and all, so she did get pretty close to their intended destination of the Bahamas.
I was initially a little skeptical about how well the premise of the eighth floor mechanics would work, especially as a book and you know, not an actual game. The floor is a hot mess mish-mash of card games and mythology, where Crawlers must use flags to capture an enemy they have nearly defeated in battle, which turns them into a totem card. The totems are used to battle other enemies and have varying levels of rarity, stats, and abilities, so the Crawlers definitely want to build a good team in order to stay competitive because they will soon have to battle one another for dungeon stairway keys. What I was initially skeptical of turned out to be quite fun and extremely ridiculous - I mean, Carl and Donut end up with a card called Uzi-Jesus and it’s literally Jesus with an uzi and a huge amount of blasphemous snark. I did not expect it to be that engaging!
While the card game aspect is the main focus, there are approximately 12 (totally made that up) other plot lines that are central to the progression of the story. The impending faction wars, drama between former Crawlers, Katia’s multiple crises, an assassination, Carl’s increasing number of questionable tattoos, and more that I can’t even think of ways to briefly summarize. These books are chock full of plot, so even if you aren’t crazy about one aspect, there’s probably something else you’ll enjoy. Unless of course, you hate overly complicated stories like this where dozens of things are going on all at once and sometimes very conveniently intersect in interesting ways.
Carl and Donut, along with their guild companions, are definitely having to make difficult choices now that sometimes result in terrible tragedies. Donut especially is beginning to realize that something could happen to Carl and she would be alone, forced to continue on through the dungeon on her skills alone and it terrifies her. They have some brief, yet touching conversations about this and Donut’s way of changing the subject to something trite and meaningless to get her mind off such serious, sad subject matter is relatable.
The end of The Eye of the Bedlam Bride was an absolute whirlwind and though I was feeling somewhat fatigued by the end of this 832 page chunk of a book I was also left excited for the next installment, where the Faction Wars will begin. The epilogue really dropped some tidbits of info that will really make that floor a bloodbath and though I’m planning to take a break from the series for at least a month just for a mental refresh, I’m excited for This Inevitable Ruin.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and were not affected by the free copy.

Welcome to the eight floor! After Pony broke the seventh floor, management is desperately trying to put together the eight floors with as few glitches as possible. The crawlers have been scattered across the globe in a Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh style world, attempting to catch six monsters they will summon into battle. But like always, there's a catch, because why not.

This book is about the time that the author really starts ripping my soul to pieces. There are portions that are just absolutely, completely devastaing. I legitimately cried at least once. But we haven't completely lost the fun; the AI has gone completely off the rails, which means the Achievements just keep getting better (and weirder).

The pacing felt better this book, I felt like I moved through this book quicker than the previous couple. However, things are getting a little more confusing as we go; we are being introduced to a lot more of the universe and attempting to wrap my mind around some of the politics is becoming more critical. I would rather operate on Carl's wavelength; no one can survive.

I love everything about this series. I actually purchased most of the audiobooks already, they are perfection, and I will be buying all of the hardcovers eventually. I cannot recommend this series more.

It feels odd to review the sixth book in a series. I'm already, at this point, more than 2000 pages into the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman. I'm invested, I own the first five in hardcover, I'm an easy sell. And boy does Dinniman make it easy to be an easy sell.

I first heard about Carl on a book podcast a few months ago, bought the first book, and sped through the rest in record time (about 1 every two weeks until I finish the Eye of the Bedlam Bride). The premise--that there is an intergalactic syndicate whose primary cultural product is a reality competition show in which the inhabitants of strip-mined planets fight for their lives in an 18-floor dungeon and that a Coast Guard guy and his ex-girlfriend's cat would somehow be that show's most compelling characters--was immediately attractive to me, a Dungeon & Dragons Dungeon Master. Dinniman's world of the Crawl is vibrant, his characters have incredible voice and range--I LOVE Donut, Carl's talking cat companion--and the stakes are both life and death and fun, like if half the cast of Survivor was actively trying to kill Jeff Probst.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride was perhaps my least favorite of the six entries so far, mostly because of a playing card game system that I just didn't find to work all that well but appreciated for its unique form and the big swing of it from a storytelling perspective, but that still netted it a five out of five on my rating scale. This series is the first in years that I am racing through, demanding people in my life read so I can talk about it, and wishing for more of. I cannot recommend it enough.

Wow. This sixth installment of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series really blew it out of the park! I was completely taken with how well Matt Dinniman has expanded on the universe and enhanced the stakes set for our main characters. Princess Donut is still, by far, my absolute favorite character from this series. She just gets more sassy and hilarious the further the story goes. Carl's character has definitely progressed since we last saw him too. He's becoming more decisive and courageous with pursuing his goals. I can't say too much else without gearing towards spoilers, but just know that this book, plot and world-building wise, has escalated beyond my expectations. I highly recommend this lit. RPG series for anyone looking to read a quick and fun sci-fi story!

I’ve been a reader my whole life, but I have rarely come across a series where each installment just gets better and better. This is that series. With each book, there is more depth, world building, character development, and even inside jokes. This book was fantastic. Although I personally do still think the previous book was my favorite, this one had me laughing out loud, tearing up, audibly gasping, and having to bite my lip from spoiling the book to my husband and friend who have now started the series.

I don’t want to mention any specific details in order to not spoil anything, but I am continuously impressed with how Matt Dinniman writes both major characters, and even the minor ones. Each character is written so vividly that you can’t help but hold onto them.

I can not recommend this series enough for fantasy, sci-fi, and adventure readers. I also think this book is perfect for gamers who also enjoy reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The sixth book of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and somehow I'm still absolutely enthralled! Carl, Donut and the rest of the crawlers start the eighth floor, which is an "Earth" made from memories before the collapse. The constant rule-changing keeps this series refreshing, and I'm so excited to listen to the audiobook of this one (HIGHLY recommended if you haven't yet!!)

I was a fan of this series long before Matt decided to include me as a character, er, stripper (Author Steve Rowland), and each book has been consistently better than the last. They're filled with humor and action, and despite this being one of the craziest premises I've ever read, there are so many thought-provoking, heartwarming, and gut-wrenching moments throughout.

I can't wait to see where it all goes.

Glurp glurp!

Another Wild, Brilliant Ride – 5 Stars

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride is yet another thrilling, hilarious, and unexpectedly emotional installment in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Matt Dinniman continues to prove he’s an absolute genius when it comes to blending chaotic action, laugh-out-loud humor, and genuine heart.

This book dives deeper into the political complexities of the Dungeon universe, adding even more intrigue to the nonstop adventure. We also get to see even more growth and depth from our favorite duo, Carl and Princess Donut. Their dynamic continues to be one of the best parts of the series.

I found myself laughing constantly, but also completely riveted by the action—and even wiping away a few tears during some surprisingly poignant moments. Dinniman masterfully balances all the emotions in a way that keeps the story fresh and endlessly engaging.

I’m already counting down the days until the next installment. Huge thanks to Ace Books and Berkley Publishing for the gifted ARC!

"Carl and Princess Donut journey into insanity in the wildly entertaining sixth book in the New York Times bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series - now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition!

Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, have survived longer and leveled up higher than anyone ever thought they could in the galaxy's most popular reality show, but after the shocking conclusion of the seventh level, it's now anyone's game.

A pantheon of forgotten gods. An old grudge between a talk show host, an heiress, and the man they shattered along the way. A rapidly deteriorating AI system. An inconvenient tiara upon the head of a friend.

It is bedlam on the eighth floor.

The crawlers are given a new task: Find and capture six monsters, each of which will be turned into a card. The stronger, the deadlier, the better. At the end of the floor, the bad guys will also have decks, made of some of the most powerful cards available. So it's crucial for crawlers to assemble the toughest squad possible. But, like always, there is a catch. There’s always a catch.

If Carl and Donut want a winning hand, they'll have to capture the most lethal and terrifying monster of them all: Shi Maria. She was once married to a now-missing god. Her special attack is known to drive one insane. They call her the Bedlam Bride.

But even if Carl and Donut can capture her, they know all too well that just because someone has been captured, it doesn't mean they have been tamed.

Welcome, Crawlers. Welcome to the eighth floor of the dungeon."

Oh, can your monster cards turn against you?

🕸️ 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕪𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝔹𝕖𝕕𝕝𝕒𝕞 𝔹𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕖 🕸️

After the abrupt end of the seventh floor, Carl, Donut, and the rest of the crawlers find themselves scattered across a reconstructed Earth—an Earth made from memories of life before its collapse. Now, they must face monsters inspired by the legends of each area, and capture them as playing cards for the level’s combat system

The catch? The crawlers must be able to control the creatures they catch. If they can’t, they risk losing control in battle—and facing the devastating consequences that come with failure.

Meanwhile, the game’s AI grows increasingly unstable, becoming less willing to follow the rules. Behind the scenes, different factions are hell bent on using Carl and Donut to settle old grudges and further their own agendas. With so much at stake, Carl and Donut are not just fighting to survive—they’re also struggling to avoid becoming anyone’s pawn in the process.

Out of all the Dungeon Crawler Carl books, this one probably made me the most emotional. A big focus of this book facing your past and there were several heartbreaking moments, especially as you e leaned more about Carl’s family history.

There was also a major found family element that had me tearing up, too.

This is the sixth book in the series. Book seven came out in November, with the rest of the series TBD. I absolutely love these books, and as excited as I am to be caught up with the series, I’m a little heartbroken I’ll have to wait for book eight.

Y’all should know by now, I’m obsessed with these books, and if you haven’t given them a try, you should! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (Rounded up for NegGalley)

Another five star read. I will be purchasing for my library and am eagerly awaiting more Carl. I’m so glad this book was picked up and shared with the world. Keep them coming.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride by Matt Dinniman, a good sequel in the series. I look forward to seeing what else this author pens, If you are a fan of Dungeon Dive books and haven't discovered this series yet, don't give it a miss!

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available for me.

While it may be a bit disheartening to have the dungeonmasters continually changing up the rules just so that it's more difficult for our intrepid questers, it is still great fun to see how Carl and Princess Donut manage to overcome the various obstacles. They do lose some friends and allies along the way, but they also gain some behind-the-scenes allies who can give them the occasional boost. And their sometime teammate who is always threatening everybody's families while trying regain her body is a source of continuous amusement. I mean, who wouldn't want a teammate who is literally just the head of a department store dummy that has been possessed by a demon while talking smack to anyone and everyone? That's entertainment.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to continue reading this fantastic series via ARC.

Welcome, crawlers, to the eighth floor and welcome, Princess Posse fans, to Cuba just weeks before the collapse. In Book SIx, "The Eye of the Bedlam Bride", we find our intrepid duo of Carl and Princess Donut on a floor which is a "memory" recording of Earth in the weeks leading up to the Christmas just prior to the start of Book One. The floor is populated this time with monsters based on various regional folklore creatures (mostly wrongly interpreted by lazy alien observers and the evolving AI) and memory "images" of the people who were going about their everyday lives in the weeks prior to the collapse. This floor also has a series of three phases to be completed as part of a new combat wrinkle, a form of card-based combat that is a mixture of various CCG/TCG tropes. The first phase is standard combat similar to every other floor except crawlers have the option to "flag" nearly defeated monsters to turn them into "totem" cards to be used in the deck-combat which will make up the other two phases. There is one catch, however; while strong monsters would obviously be the best choice, deckmasters without sufficient Charisma might be unable to control their summoned totems. In addition, deckmasters cannot use any of their personal spells, attacks, or inventory items as long as they have cards in their decks.

I will freely admit, I was originally concerned about this deck-combat adding a confusing new layer of complexity, but it absolutely grew on me, making this book one of my favorites, second only to the absolute insanity of Book One that brought this series to life. The crazy AI/alien take on the monsters is what originally drew me in to the series, and on this floor it returns en masse. At the same time, we continue to learn more about the galactic state of affairs, the levels of intrigues within intrigues both inside and outside the dungeon, and the history of the Crawl. The story has started to work on so many levels that you can enjoy it simply as mindless fantasy fun, a political thriller, or a damning commentary of a crazy end-stage capitalism. And the stage is set for the Ninth Floor and the Faction Wars where the never-say-die human Crawlers led by Carl will provide even more mayhem. I absolutely cannot wait.

Matt Dinniman is a genius! I am convinced of this! Every book in the "Dungeon Crawler Carl" serious is somehow better than the last. Each book is so inventive and interesting, and nothing ever feels repetitive. Dinniman is also carrying a larger plot through out each book, which leaves me on the edge of my seat. He somehow manages to transition thoughtfully from laugh out loud funny scenes to scenes in which I am tearing up. I cannot wait for this series to continue!