Dungeon Crawler Carl

by Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl (1)

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The apocalypse will be televised!You know what's worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what's worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That's what.Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world-or just get to the next show more level-in a video game-like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that's actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain't your ordinary game show.Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not. show less

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128 reviews
This is the worst book I have ever finished.

The people in my life who liked and recommended it all listened to the audiobook and their enjoyment seemed specifically tied to the performance of the narrator. I ended up reading a hard copy and the experience was a miserable slog. Maybe if I had listened to the audiobook with half an ear while doing chores, it might have been more enjoyable.

It's worth being clear about where this book falls so short for me. I'm not offended if the plot points of a story or the actions of its characters in some way run counter to my social or political beliefs. Outside of stories for children, I don't think fiction necessarily HAS to model particular modes of behavior to be emulated by its readers. It CAN, show more certainly, but it doesn't HAVE to for it to be good work. So, it doesn't bother me that Carl almost immediately takes to slaughtering the denizens of the dungeon, that life is cheap, that the enemies the party encounters and mows down are empty caricatures. These things could have been interesting if they had been handled well...but this is such an amateurish attempt that no part of it was. Not even the talking cat.

Have you ever read something so uniquely terrible that its existence demanded justification? Finding out that this was originally self-published made it all click.
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IN A NUTSHELL
Innovative idea executed with flair. Perfectly captures the exploitative nature of gamification. Vividly imagined creatures and game rules. Spectacular fight scenes. All told with gentle humour. Having a cat as Carl’s partner was inspired. I can see why this caused such a sensation and why the series has attracted so many fans,

BUT…

…this wasn’t for me. Part of my problem is that I’ve never enjoyed RPGs. I also hate gamification in any form. I can see that the book is also anti-gamifaction and that the game is positioned as a cruelty-for-profit product that seems like the highest evolution of Imperialistic Captialism. Even so, I found it hard to sustain my interest in repetive slaughter-for-loot scenes, so I set show more this aside at 66%.

I listened to nine hours of ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ before reluctantly setting it aside. Below, I’ve shared the notes I made on my experience as I listened to the audiobook.

5%

I hesitated to pick this book up because I’ve never enjoyed RPGs - the tests, the rewards, the noise and the pointless aggression all left me feeling the game was playing me rather than I was playing the game. It turns out that not liking RPGs is an excellent reason for reading this book. In Dungeon World, gamification is a form of torture, a cruel, gratuitous exploitation of ‘players’ for the gratification of others. I imagine working for Meta is a bit like that.

The idea is great. The execution so far is fast, focused and amusing. I’m not sure that audiobook was the right choice for me. It feels unrelentingly loud.

25%

I’m impressed by Matt Dinniman’s ability to present huge amounts of information about the setup of the game without having it feel like an infodump.

It’s been amusing so far, but I need to see some progression beyond killing things and collecting rewards, or I’m going to get bored.

32%

I’m not sure I’ll make it through this book. Fundamentally, the situation is horrific, the game is evil, and the violence is graphic and unrelenting. The dissonance between the situation and the lighthearted tone of the storytelling is difficult to take.

52%

This is well done, but I’ve had enough of one gory fight after another. I need something more. I was on the point of setting this aside a couple of times, but each time, there’s a hint that things are going to become more complex. I’ve just finished Part 1. I’m going to give Part 2 an hour or so to show me that this is more than fist fights and weapon specs.

66%

Part two began with a nicely written TV interview that gave some insight into the larger picture and left me thinking about future plot developments. Then we got back to the fighting, the killing and the relentless, heartless, gamification.

I can see that this isn’t a trivial book. There is a story arc that rejects everything the game is about, and I’m sure that Carl will have to develop as a person along the way (although there’s been very little evidence of that so far).

My problem is the ratio of repetitive, gory violence to plot development. The fights and the reward boxes are beginning to feel like annoying adverts interrupting a drama I’d like to concentrate on. I thought about spending four more hours waiting for something to happen and decided that I wasn’t up for it, especially as I know the series continues for another seven books, so I’m not going to reach anything but an interim outcome here, so I’m setting this aside.
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I'm annoyed it took me so long to read this! Freaking obsessed. Hell of a great start to a series. I was hooked from the very beginning. Snarky, laugh out loud funny, adventurous, gory, and fun - this has something to appeal to most everyone. When Carl runs outside in the middle of the night to rescue his ex-girlfriend's cat he doesn't expect the world to essentially end. But while he's outside in his leather coat and frayed boxers coaxing Donut down from a tree every building in the world sinks into the earth's surface killing anyone and anything that was unfortunate to be inside at 2am. Immediately after that happens, thousands of portals open up and tempt surviving humans to enter within one hour if they want to survive. Inside the show more entrance is a series of levels filled with insane beasts and monsters. Carl and Donut will have to take them on in order to survive. And if they do well, they can get sponsors and be featured on intergalactic tv as trillions of beings around the galaxy are tuned into the games. How deep in the dungeon can he go? And did he just become best friend's with his exe's cat (who can also talk now). So much freaking fun! show less
Another book that I got at a bookstore on Vancouver Island because the person working there was attractive and flirty, and told me I should get it. I don't know that this old ass book is something that I would have picked up on my own, but buy it I did, so I had to read it.
Although I probably would not have crossed paths with Marcus Aurelius had we both existed at the same time, a lot of his ideas do resonate with me in the same way that reading Buddhist thought does. He writes a lot about acceptance, about how a good life embraces and loves everything that happens, simply because it's happening and we have no control over it. He writes about how the only thing that's constant is change and that we are only here for the briefest of show more times. In the end, it doesn't matter. As time goes on, we will be forgotten.
As someone who used to have to be constantly on the move—always finding the next best place—but has now discovered that I'm where I'm supposed to be, I appreciate the way he talks about the best vacation is to retreat inside of ourselves. If we can have a good inner life—not caring what other people are thinking, and that “If your distress has some external cause, it is not the thing itself that troubles you, but your own judgment of it,”—then all will be well. Finally, the thing I appreciated was how he talked about “god.” Like Spinoza many centuries after him, he talks a lot about the Whole; how everything is one and all actions effect everything (but in a much smarter way). My favorite part of is that he capitalizes Whole, but not god.
There were a couple major trains of thought that I disagree with: He is very pro-slavery and anti-gayness. I'm glad he only mentions these things minimally, and I can accept that this was written a couplet thousand years ago, but it's confusing that he's so forward thinking on just about everything else.
Overall though, I really enjoyed the short amount of time it took me to read this book. Reading fifteen or twenty pages was a great way to start my days.
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Series Info/Source: This is the 1st book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I got an eGalley of this from NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: I had high exceptions and was super excited to read this book...and they were all exceeded. I have been reading a whole bunch of really amazing books lately and this one was right up there with all of them. This was incredibly hilarious and entertaining and I absolutely loved every minute of it.

When Carl's cheating girlfriend's (soon to be ex girlfriend) prize show cat literally goes out on a limb, Carl steps out into the cold winter night wearing his boxers, a leather jacket and his (ex) girlfriend's pink crocs to rescue the cat. He does rescue the cat but then the world literally collapses. Yes, show more every structure in the world is suddenly a flat pile of rubble and Caril is freezing and being subjected to an announcement by an alien race. Any survivors can try to make a go of it on the surface or they can delve into the newly formed dungeon to win their freedom. Well it's cold and Carl is in his boxers, so when the Dungeon entrance appears it's nice and cozy and warm so in Carl and Princess Donut (the cat). How was Carl to know what he was getting himself in to? Or that the world-reknown show cat, Princess Donut, would have better stats then he does in this odd game?

This book was amazing. It is hilarious, unexpected, with strangely heartwarming moments, an odd foot fetish and a premise that is crazily believable. There was never a dull moment in this book, things just kept getting more and more intriguing as I read. There were also many times where I was laughing so hard I almost peed myself and my husband was looking at me oddly asking what my problem was. Then I would try to explain to him what I was reading and he would just shake his head and say "Uh, okay I'm glad you are enjoying yourself." I am totally going to buy this series on audiobook and make him listen to it at some point.

I don't even know how to explain this book. If you like RPGs or post-apocalyptic survival reads with a lot of dark humor, then this is the book for you. The premise is super well thought-out and the surprises keep coming. The magic/gaming system combined with the corporate exploitation is spot on. This is so much hilariousness and irony in here it might kill you. This can also be pretty gory and gross at times, so heads up if you are squeamish.

I don't really know what else to say about this. After reading it, I immediately acquired the rest of the series. Not something I normally do because I've been burned by that before, but in this case OMG I need the whole series. I need to be part of this strange intergalactic dungeon crawl where the cat has higher charisma and strength (but lower constitution) than anything else in the room.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I think this is my favorite read of the year so far. Which is really saying something since I have read a lot of amazing books recently. Do you like fantasy adventure with a dash of apocalypse, a heap of gory foot stomping, and an incredibly capable cat? Well then this is the book for you. I loved it and plan to read the second book shortly.
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The apocalypse will be televised!

It only takes a moment for the Earth to be destroyed with every building and everything in them to be reduced to rubble. The survivors are notified that they have a couple hours to enter the "world dungeon" and compete on the game show Dungeon Craweler World or they can take their chances on the destroyed surface of the planet. A man and his cat enter the dungeon. The universe has no idea just what kind of entertainment they're in for.

That description feels completely inadequate yet it's how the first chapter starts. Dungeon Crawler Carl is first in a fantasy series of the same name by Matt Dinniman. The story is absolutely absurd, as are the situations Carl (human) and Donut (cat) find themselves in. show more And it is just so much fun! The story alternates between heartbreaking, horrific and heartwarming while being hilarious and action packed. I have no idea how Dinniman did it but he did and I appreciate him for it.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Jeff Hayes. Jeff's narration is easily one of the best I've heard. Definitely listen to this on audio if you like that format. I've already listened to it twice it's such a great experience.
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It’s an indulgent story with a ridiculous implausible concept and I’m so here for it.

Imagine books like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner if you take out all the political and social commentary and replaced it with the goofiest stuff you can think of like goblin motorcycles, centaur-crab armor, and talking cats. You don’t even have to be really creative, just steal it from the nerdy video games and books and movies you like (not unlike Ready Player One) and mix it all together. It’s very “power fantasy”. But, like, why not? If you can make it entertaining, write that.

Reading this book is like reading a guy playing a video game (not in the licensed novelization sense). The narrator refers to his vision as a “screen”, show more his “health” as a numerical gauge, without much explanation of what that translates to in real-world terms. He’s in an alien reality show taking place in a mega-dungeon, including video game mechanics like achievements and an inventory in hammerspace. But that also means all the cruft is taken off. So what do you want? Do you want infodumping of a character contemplating or explaining what “+1 to your health” means? Or do you want to get to the fun? It’s like when you go on a brewery tour. Sure, you could find out about the vats and the fermentation process and the canning. But aren’t you just here for the tasting room? This book is all tasting room.

Is this the new pulp fiction? Just all the self-indulgent, hedonistic, sensational stuff that inflames our base carnal instincts? I’m not saying it like it’s a bad thing. The hero is reminiscent of the backstory-less badass heroes they had in those days, like Allan Quatermain, The Shadow, and Doc Strange. And those heroes turned into beloved icons like Indiana Jones and Batman and… Doctor Strange.

Art is supposed to appeal to the senses, to make you feel something. And if that something is anime-gynoid strippers dripping chocolate icing over your naked body in the freshly buttered orgy pit, who am I to judge? It’s not trying to say anything profound or take itself seriously or comment on the existentialism of humanity or junk like that. It’s just weird stuff happens.

I got to be honest, I feel like this book was made for me, so I’ll be reading more. It gets right to the heart of “I wish I were cool and fought bad guys and girls liked me.” The story is so unapologetically a Marty Stu that it came out the other side into awesomeness and said, “Yeah, I’m a nerd fantasy, and we’re turning this up to 11! You’re getting ALL the nerd, baby!”
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Author Information

Picture of author.
59+ Works 15,325 Members

Some Editions

Hays, Jeff (Narrator)

Awards and Honors

Series

Work Relationships

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Original title
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Original publication date
2020-10-02
People/Characters
Princess Donut; Carl
Epigraph
“Mana Toast. This is toast. It refills your mana. That's it. Nothing more. Fuck you.”
Rome will exist as long as the Coliseum does;
when the Coliseum falls,
so will Rome;
when Rome falls,
so will the world.

The Venerable Bede
Dedication
This version of Dungeon Crawler Carl is dedicated
to the star of one of the greatest, most inspiring,
most amazing survival stories of our time.
Fiona.
Fiona the hippo.
Yes, I am dedicating this book to<... (show all)br>a goddamned hippopotamus.

Sorry, Mom.
First words
The transformation occurred at approximately 2:23 a.m., Pacific Standard Time.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The problem is, if you pick it, it's going to make someone very angry.
Blurbers
Day, Felicia; Lynch, Scott; Wight, Will

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, Science Fiction
DDC/MDS
813.6Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English2000-
LCC
PS3604 .I49 .D86Language and LiteratureAmerican literature
BISAC

Statistics

Members
4,163
Popularity
3,684
Reviews
125
Rating
(4.20)
Languages
7 — English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
22
ASINs
13