Review: Dungeon Crawl Carl by Matt Dinniman

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book #1)

by Matt Dinniman

Release Date: August 27, 2024 

2024 Ace

Hardcover ARC; 464 Pages

ISBN: 978-0593820147

ASIN: B08BKGYQXW

Audiobook: B08V8877BY

Genre: Fiction / Fantasy / LITRPG

5 / 5 Stars

Summary

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 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.

 

My Thoughts

Dungeon Crawler Carl is the first book in the incredibly popular LITRPG series featuring Carl and his ex-girlfriend's cat Princess Donut.  It took me awhile before writing this review because I wasn't sure how to describe it.  When I received a hardcopy version of this book, I had already listened to it twice, so it gave me an opportunity to listen to it again as honestly, it is probably one of the best audiobooks around and I would have used any excuse to go back to that world. So I listened and read at the same time. And although this was my third go-through, it was still as funny as the first time I listened/read.

 

This book is such a unique blend of humour, sarcasm, and serious moments that you never know what to expect from one moment to the next. I was literally laughing out loud, then gasping in shock from one scene to the next, realizing that although this book doesn't take itself seriously, there are some serious things going on with the themes and in the background, only some of which is revealed in this book.  

 

Carl and Princess Donut are so much as main characters and feed off each other so well. The dialogue is witty and fun, and there is also the inclusion of other NPC included in the story, something that often throws a wrench into Carl's plans.  Because I have already read the first six books in this series, I paid more attention to what was not said and done this time round, realizing the depth to the story I missed the first time through.  While it appears to be a dungeon-style maze with the requisite stats you would expect in a LITRPG, you quickly realize how much Carl and Donut are being led around by something else entirely.  However, it's well-balanced and quite nuanced, so I didn't really pick up on how much until I read the later books.  

 

I really love the fact that this book makes fun of itself through the inclusion of pop cultures comments and quotes, and considering the world has collapsed around him, it seems fitting for Carl to rely on these quips to keep himself going and keep himself sane in what must be absolute chaos.  Although the first book covers a couple of levels of the maze, you quickly realize there is way more depth and complexity that at first appears, with factions and rivalries that should play a role in future books, something that sounds intriguing and fun.  

 

Verdict

Dungeon Crawler Carl is a breath of fresh air from those grimdark epic fantasy novels I had been reading, and the audiobook is a standout in audiobooks.  It is one of the few I could listen to over and over again, that's how well it is done, and I am not one to re-read books.  If you are looking for something with humour and sarcasm, but still has a lot of depth to it, I highly recommend this series.  

 

Review: A Snake in the Barley by Candace Robb

A Snake in the Barley (Owen Archer, Book #15)

by Candace Robb

Release Date: December 3, 2024

2024 Severn House

Ebook ARC; 325 Pages

ISBN: 978-9448315758

ASIN: B0D6YZ1417

Genre: Fiction / Historical / Mystery

Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary

York, 1377. Owen Archer is determined to find his friend, taverner Tom Merchet, who has been missing for five days. His wife, Bess, is frantic with worry.

Who is the elusive Widow Cobb that Tom was seen visiting? And who is the man spotted following Tom before he vanished? As Owen hunts for clues, Bess decides to visit the widow’s lodgings and makes a terrifying discovery.

Owen digs up past sins and long-buried secrets that answer some of the questions surrounding Tom’s disappearance. But who is the sly and malevolent figure intent on destroying his friend, and why? A shocking confession will rock Owen to his core . . .

 

My Thoughts

A Snake in the Barley is the next entry in the long-running Owen Archer mystery series, and honestly, I don't know how this author manages to come up with engaging mysteries book after book.  This instalment features Tom and Bess from the York tavern, and I was thrilled to get to know them better and have them feature in their very own mystery. 

 

Being book fifteen in this series, it is hard to keep developing Owen and his family as we have gotten to know them pretty well, so I was glad the focus was on developing the characters around Owen. Although Tom and Bess feature in older books, we don't really know a lot about them so it was nice to have their characters in the foreground and learn more about their history.  I thought the author did a great job weaving the past into the present and how that eventually has consequences if you haven't dealt with major things from your past.  Although the concept of PTSD and other mental illnesses did not really exist during this period, the author managed to include that in that book but from the perspective of the time period which we know doesn't really go well for those who suffer.  

The descriptions of the time period are well done, and I like how the author does not romanticize the past. I personally would not want to live during this time period as it was pretty rough and disease ran rampant through people's lives.  Although it was sad to read about those downtrodden people, it was the reality.  In fact, I think it was probably worse than even the descriptions showed in this book.  Hunger, cold, homelessness, starvation, disease, etc.. all all realities of this time, much worse than in today's world. Although it can be bleak however, the author shows a nice balance of what life is like for those who work hard and are comfortable, and the reliance on each other in order to survive.  

Verdict

A Snake in the Barley has a mystery that was quite fascinating and although it was quite a complex case, with a lot of people involved, I was captivated by the concept of how you can't really run away from your past actions.  It can be hard to keep track of all the players, especially if you are not familiar with the books, and there were quite a few secondary themes running through the story.  However, the author managed to pull them all together in the end in a satisfactory way.  This was definitely another entertaining entry to the series, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.