There are books that make you wonder what on earth the author was thinking when they came up with the concept. Dungeon Crawler Carl is definitely one of those books, and I mean that in the best possible way.
I’ve read a lot of fantasy over the years, and it’s not often that I come across something that manages to be completely ridiculous, entertaining, and surprisingly well written all at the same time.
Matt Dinniman has managed to do exactly that.
The premise is simple enough. Earth has essentially been turned into a massive dungeon, and the survivors are forced to participate in a deadly game for the entertainment of an alien audience. Carl, our unfortunate main character, finds himself thrown into this nightmare alongside Princess Donut, a cat who quickly proves that she has more personality than most human characters in other books.
And let’s be clear about something. Princess Donut is an absolute treasure.
One of the things I appreciated most about this book was the humour. It’s sarcastic, dark, completely inappropriate at times, and absolutely hilarious. The situations Carl finds himself in are often so absurd that you can’t help but laugh, even when you probably shouldn’t.
But underneath all the craziness, there is actually a very interesting story being told.
The dungeon mechanics, character progression, achievements, and increasingly dangerous encounters give the book a strong LitRPG foundation. I’ve always enjoyed stories where characters have to work for their abilities and learn how to survive through trial and error. Carl certainly doesn’t have everything handed to him.
He makes mistakes, gets beaten up, and somehow manages to keep going despite the absolute insanity surrounding him.
What impressed me was how the author balanced the comedy with moments of genuine danger. You can be laughing at something completely outrageous one minute and then suddenly realize just how horrifying Carl’s situation actually is.
The relationship between Carl and Princess Donut is another highlight. Their interactions provide much of the humour, but there is also a growing sense of loyalty and friendship that makes you care about what happens to them.
My Final Thoughts
Dungeon Crawler Carl was a very good read and one that reminded me why I enjoy fantasy and LitRPG so much.
It’s creative, fast-paced, wonderfully sarcastic, and filled with enough bizarre situations to make you question the author’s sanity. Which, quite frankly, might be part of its charm.
After reading thousands of books, I always appreciate finding something that feels different. This one certainly qualifies.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
If you enjoy LitRPG, dungeon crawling, dark humour, and characters who somehow survive situations that should have killed them several times over, then this is definitely worth picking up.
Just remember, when the world ends, apparently the most important thing you can have by your side is a talking cat with an attitude problem.
And somehow, that makes perfect sense.
— Crazy Canadian Writing
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