What an addition to the series!!! When I finished this entry all I could think about is how I am ready to start the next one and quickly hitting google to see if a release date has been announced.

So many hopeful heartwarming moments, lots of jokes, and so many references packaged in a very non predictable plot. This is all I can give away from the good/great column without giving away major plot spoilers and with this entry being a pay off book, lots of things have been building up that you want to experience blind for the emotional pay off. BUT Everything you loved from the story before is back and just as good.

That being said, this hasn't been my absolute tippy top favorite entry, Donut felt like she got the back seat through most of the book (and lets be honest we're here for Donut), and a major plot point fell a little flat after all it's build up. Honestly it's probably a good thing, because I'm not sure I could have emotionally recovered if things had gone any differently.

Also A LOT HAPPENS, like a lot a lot, and since it's juggling so many named characters the descriptions of the action can get a little muddy.

But for now, I must sit and patiently wait with baited breath to find out what happens next, which can't come soon enough.

This Inevitable Ruin, which is Book 7 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, is ready for its Berkley edition! This spoiler-free review is from my perspective as a fan of the series and public librarian.

This is not a standalone novel. I recommend reading all previous installments first.

Although I’m primarily an audio reader for this series, I’ve been excited about the Berkley versions. Each book gets a bonus chapter for “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret”, which has been a fascinating lore addition. The eye-catching colors on the covers and spines look great on a display and even just shelved as a series.

In my opinion, this is the most expertly-crafted volume of the series so far.
The interstitial vignettes are incredibly well-utilized. They add so much depth to the story and are highly memorable.
The plotting here feels the most intentional; the shockwaves set in motion earlier in the story have become more impactful. Parallel to that is how deeply we are feeling the effects of the dungeon on each character psychologically, both individually and in their relationships to each other—excellent characterization throughout.

The scenes that happen outside the dungeon especially stand out for setting up the big implications to come.

I continue to recommend this series for readers who like bleak, dark scenarios with a lot of comic relief; readers who enjoy media with ensemble casts; and readers who enjoy offbeat scenarios and unique world building. Bonus enjoyment in store for readers who have ever loved a cat.

The Inevitable Ruin is the 7th book of the indie darling Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman. The books follows faction wars, something that has been built up since the very first book of the series and it does not disappoint. Carl and Donut face their hardest challenge yet. Carl's commitment to not letting the dungeon break him leads him down paths he never thought he'd trod. The book is emotional, exciting, and about 75% action yet still has the ability to tug at your heartstrings in the quieter moments.

This Inevitable Ruin is everything I love about the Dungeon Crawler Carl series turned up to eleven—brutal, hilarious, emotional, and impossible to put down. The long-awaited Faction Wars floor brings nonstop action, but it’s the deep character development, especially for Carl, Donut, and Katia, that makes this installment unforgettable. Matt Dinniman expertly balances chaos and heart, showing how far these characters have come and how much they’ve lost. Jeff Hayes once again delivers an incredible audiobook performance that adds even more power to the emotional moments. This book had me laughing, crying, and gasping, often within the same chapter. If you haven’t started this series yet, now is the time—I can’t recommend it enough.

Carl and Donut have made it to the ninth floor: the Faction Wars, where teams from across the Syndicate fight for the title of Champion. Only this year, thanks to Carl and Donut, crawlers aren’t the only ones whose lives are at stake. For the first time, if members of the opposing teams die in the games, there’s no coming back.

To top it all off, the AI’s descent into madness is accelerating at an alarming rate—along with its influence across the galaxy. With the Syndicate teetering on the brink of all out chaos and the AI’s madness spreading like wildfire, Donut and Carl must defy impossible odds—because every enemy they’ve made, both in and out of the dungeon, will stop at nothing wants this to be their last stand.

Starting This Inevitable Ruin was both exciting and a little bittersweet. It’s the last book in the series that’s been published so far, with book eight still in the works, and knowing I’d be caught up when I turned the final page made me want to savor every moment.

But once I started, I couldn’t put it down. There’s that perfect mix of heart-stopping action, tear-jerking moments, and laugh-out-loud humor I’ve come to expect from this series—plus the added bonus of seeing several storylines either finally reach their conclusion or build to toe curling cliff hangers that make you want to scream, laugh, and jump up and down all at the same time.

Ugh! So much goodness. I’m already dying for more.

To top it all off, the audio by Jeff Hayes is… incredible. Perfect. A masterpiece I could listen to over and over again. It’s so well done that, if I’m being totally honest, he’s the reason I decided to try audiobooks in the first place—and I’ve never looked back.

I can’t say it enough… if you’re not reading these books, you should be. They’re hands down an all-time favorite and a one-of-a-kind thrill ride everyone needs in their life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#thisinevitableruin

This is a Dungeon Crawler Carl book. That should be enough but just to leave it there would be a terrible disservice to this series. I didn't have any experience with these books until we went through four sets of the first six books in the series in less than a month of our store opening so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about... I am so glad that I did. This series has become my all time favorite series taking the spot from R.A. Salvatore and his Drizzt series.
These books are just a lot of fun and I hope there is more to come.

Thank you so much Berkley for the e-book!! I’m so sad that I don’t have any Carl books left to read now. I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Each book got better and more unhinged. I did not expect to get so emotional on countless occasions. The found family in this series is so good, and I love how they’re such an eclectic bunch!! Of course I love Donut, but I really felt a connection with Katia especially after this book. I even felt a connection with a lot of the “villain” crawlers because they were all trying to survive. The action in this book was especially stressful for the safety of the main characters. I enjoyed learning all about the different spells and levels to be unlocked. The Faction Wars in this book were so interesting! Matt is so creative and really keeps the reader engaged and thinking “what is possibly going to happen next?!” I’m going to recommend this series to anyone. Now I’m excited for book 8!

I won't spoil it for you, but you might want some tissues handy for Katia's memories in this one. We relive both her best and worst memory in this book and it is... tragic. Once again, the character development continues, and I'm not referring to their leveling and skills. Yes, that happens too, but what stands out is the personal development. Especially watching typically shallow Princess Donut growing in depth. I can feel the precipice Carl is standing on. How difficult he finds it to accept what is reality and what is not. And he's pushing down his grief, which is going to overwhelm him. And soon I suspect.

This was a very action packed book and there is truly so much that happens that I’m still grappling with some of the smaller details. Dinniman is doing a great job of returning back to things from previous installments that may not have seemed important at the time but now are becoming subplots or just zany callback jokes. It has a lot more serious and tense moments than all of the other books- but it still kept its silliness and charm that we all love. Cannot wait to see how Matt Dinniman will tackle the 10th floor.

So much happens in this book.

As always there is a lot of action, but this one also offers so much development for the secondary characters and the political landscape.

I still can't believe how brutal, funny and emotional this story is.

I can't wait for book 8.

Matt Dinniman might as well buy a collar with “Sara” written on it because I am barking like a dog for Book 8! This Inevitable Ruin was just as wildly funny, entertaining, and absolutely heartbreaking as the other books in this series. Because each floor is a different concept, the first 50% of each book is a bit slower in pacing because there is a lot of world building and set up, but because This Inevitable Ruin is Faction Wars, it goes pretty fast right out of the gate.

There is a LOT of war strategy that went right over my head in this book but the characters kept me completely locked in and focused on the book. I am really loving how the deeper we get into the dungeon, the more and more character development we get. I thought Rend was a really fun addition to the team and I love how strong (yet vulnerable) Donut and Carl have become.

Matt does a really good job keeping all the details organized and coming back together, NOTHING he mentions is left as a loose end, in-fact his masterful way of weaving small details in past books back into the story that have pretty massive implications is pretty impressive. The way Matt can transition from comedic relief to really serious/ heart wrenching character events straight back into comedy has turned him into one of my favorite authors of all time and this series into my favorite of all time. What he is doing is NOT easy, this guy is running a masterclass on character development, world building, and fantasy/LitRPG. This is a massive undertaking of a story and it shocks me each and every book that he is pulling it off.

I’ll reread/relisten to this story for a life time.

RIP Freddie.

I have a ridiculous amount of love for this series as a whole and This Inevitable Ruin added another layer to the story. It’s no surprise that as the series progresses, gets darker, and brings in a lot more serious consequences, that this book had me sobbing.

Faction Wars is finally here, the moment that has been teased and alluded to since the first book. There was a ton of combat and action, as was expected, but there was also so much character development and emotional moments. Seeing how the dungeon has affected characters both physically (if you know you know) and mentally adds so much depth to all the characters.

One of the things I find that Matt Dinniman has done so successfully, is crafting characters and making you care about each and every one of them. In his books, even though we know Carl and Donut are the principal characters, each character feels like they bring value to the story. Even the minor ones.

If you have not picked up this book, I highly recommend it! I will not be able to shut up about this series for a long while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read this book before on Kindle Unlimited and reading it a second time was just as good as the first time. I can not wait for the next book!

6 ⭐️
This series will be my Roman Empire. Hands down.

These books have a way of making you feel so deeply for the characters. Even characters you don’t know. All of the cookbook crawlers backstories and to know how each were effected in such a multitude of ways. Watching each of the current crawlers begin to rise or crumble as they fight.

Specifically, the chapter on Volteeg. I (no exaggeration) sobbed for a character who we hardly knew. Reading from the perspective of a beloved pet who loved their person more than anything in the world. To think that your pet has ever felt like they let you down. I read that chapter with one of my dogs snuggled up next to me feeling so grateful to have her, even if their time is far too brief.

Matt, you’re right, we don’t deserve dogs. I am so sorry about Freddie. I hope you find comfort in knowing that there are so many good boys and girls to keep him company while they wait for us. 🐶🩷

Thank you again for these books. You have a forever fan here. I would LOVE to read book 8! 😊

Audiobook/Kindle together
Immersive Reading™️

I loved it so much! Are there going to be more after this? It feels like there's still things missing and it feels incomplete. I love the banter, the characters, and the humor. The references are great too. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy.

I will always recommend this series and am so happy so many people are talking about it. It’s difficult to keep the interest going in a long series but I am still all in at book 7 and am eager for more. Great characters, engaging plot, and a healthy mix of laughter. That you for the copy and I will continue to recommend. This might be my favorite so far.