- Dystopian
- Fantasy
- Sci-Fi
- Gaming
Dungeon Crawler Carl is the start of a very long (and still ongoing) series and what a chaotic beginning it is. When the end of the world quite literally comes crashing down thanks to aliens, humanity is “encouraged” to enter a sprawling dungeon system to survive. It gives strong Sword Art Online vibes, but far less serious and far more unhinged.
We follow Carl and his cat, Princess Donut, as they battle their way through the dungeon levels. But this isn’t just survival, it’s a live, televised game show where the apocalypse is entertainment. The whole concept leans heavily into D&D and classic role-playing game mechanics, feeling instantly familiar to anyone who’s played tabletop or video games.
It’s clear that Dinniman either is a gamer or has done some seriously thorough research. The mechanics, loot systems, and absurd quest structures feel spot on, and as someone who games regularly, I loved every second of it. I expected to enjoy this book but I didn’t expect it to be this much fun.
I listened to the audiobook after it was recommended to me, and I’m so glad I did. The humour absolutely shines in audio format. The range of voices and the fantastic narration elevate the story even further, bringing the chaos and comedy to life in a way that feels immersive and brilliantly performed.
This book does not take itself seriously and that’s exactly why it works. It’s brutal, absurd, and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. One of my favourite early lines was: “The furry asshole decided to Lewis and Clarke her way out of the apartment.” And somehow, the ending manages to be even funnier.
The dynamic between Carl and Princess Donut is perfect equal parts chaotic, heartfelt, and completely ridiculous.
I don’t want to spoil anything, because this is a book that really needs to be experienced firsthand. If you’re a video game or tabletop player, this will absolutely be your kind of story. But honestly? Even if you’re not, I think you’ll still have a brilliant time with it.
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