(Audio Book) Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman


 

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Audiobook Review

Rating: ★★★★★

The end of the world has arrived. Humanity is on the verge of extinction. The dungeon’s doors are open, the levels await, and survival has become the universe’s favorite spectacle.

Earth has missed its payments, and now the powerful corporations are collecting what’s owed, putting every living thing at risk. What follows is one of the wildest, funniest, most brutal, and unexpectedly smart adventures I’ve read in a long time.

Dungeon Crawler Carl thrusts the reader into a nightmarish reality TV RPG, where Carl—and his recently inherited cat, Princess Donut—must fight their way through a deadly dungeon, floor by floor. Making it out alive takes brains, luck, quick thinking, and maybe a high charisma roll.

Also, Carl is missing both pants and shoes. That detail really sets the tone for the madness ahead.

As Carl makes his way through the dungeon, he’s met with bizarre creatures, terrifying monsters, questionable friends, and ever-escalating, absurd challenges. Imagine if someone blended Dungeons & Dragons, Fallout, Baldur’s Gate, World of Warcraft, a televised deathmatch, and a fever dream—it works, and it’s brilliant.

Gamers will immediately recognize the tropes: looting, NPC banter, dice rolls, and questionable decisions for XP. But even if you’re not a gamer, the book’s humor and chaos are easy to enjoy. The writing makes the story accessible, no gaming expertise required.

The cast is wonderfully varied and totally offbeat. Carl’s reactions—equal parts bafflement, anger, stubbornness, and surprising competence—make him a great lead. Princess Donut, though, absolutely steals every scene. Their odd partnership is hilarious and unexpectedly effective.

I listened to the audiobook, and Jeff Hays’s narration brings the story to life with incredible energy, timing, and personality. It’s honestly the perfect way to experience this book.

While the book is hilarious, it’s also much smarter than it first appears. Beneath the absurdity and game mechanics, the world-building is sharp and the stakes feel real. The humor works because there’s always a genuine sense of danger.

I can’t believe it took me this long to discover the series, but I’m hooked now. If this isn’t your usual kind of book, I’d still urge you to give it a try. It’s weird, loud, violent, absurd, and utterly brilliant.

5 stars

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