Dungeon Crawler Carl is everything you could want in a LitRPG dungeon crawl—fast-paced action, razor-sharp humor, and characters that you can’t help but root for. Matt Dinniman hooks you with an outrageous premise: Earth is destroyed overnight, and the survivors are thrown into a sadistic, reality-show-style dungeon run by alien overlords. Sounds grim, right? Well, somehow, Dinniman balances the chaos with comedy, heart, and some of the most creative world-building in the genre.
Carl is a fantastic protagonist—witty, resourceful, and just the right amount of reckless. And then there’s Princess Donut, the pampered, talking, and surprisingly badass cat who absolutely steals the show (I would die for Princess Donut). Their dynamic is pure gold, delivering some of the best banter I’ve read in a long time.
“You attacked and caused damage to a mob that is more than 75 levels above your own. The fact that you’re reading this suggests you’re the luckiest fucker in the dungeon. Just remember, luck goes both ways, like your mom. Reward: You’ve received a Platinum Lucky Bastard Box!”
The game mechanics are solid, the challenges are brutal, and the story is utterly unpredictable. Dinniman doesn’t just lean into the absurdity—he embraces it, making every level of the dungeon feel fresh, bizarre, and thrilling. Whether you’re a hardcore LitRPG fan or just looking for an insanely fun read, this book delivers in every way.
I devoured Dungeon Crawler Carl and immediately grabbed the next book. If you love a wild, hilarious, and high-stakes adventure, this series is a must-read.