Dungeon Crawler Carl
I'm not usually a fan of "video game in real life" books, or isekai-likes, but god damn! Although the premise of the book is absurd (an alien corporation sponsors an intergalactic gameshow about dungeon crawling for survival), it doesn't devolve into pure nonsense and goofy antics. The first 20 or so pages piqued my interest, and then the rest after that had me hook, line, and sinker.
The characters taking part in this dungeon crawl are terrified. Their situation is genuinely morbid, especially as not everyone who enters is fit for survival. This is nicely contrasted by the game throwing RPG tropes, sassy descriptions, and "makes-good-TV" twists their way.
Carl, as the main character, stands defiant. His mantra is also the words etched into the hardcover version: "YOU WILL NOT BREAK ME." Donut, his talking companion cat, both contrasts and complements Carl. She's what you expect of a cat, but with real "human" nuance to her.
There is more story here than I expected, and when its 420-some pages came to an end, I knew I would be grabbing the next book in the series. You may wonder then (or maybe not): why 4 stars? I'll tell you (who'da thunk?).
My only gripe with this book is I wished we had gotten further along in the story and dungeon by the time it ended. That isn't to say the book is lacking or that the pace is bad. It isn't. And lord knows I enjoy my "epic" length series (looking at you, Stormlight). It's just that the book doesn't end feeling like this was a "complete" package the way the first Mistborn or Dresden Files book does. Rather than feeling like a smaller story came to completion while the larger story looms over it, most things are unresolved by the end.
I'll stress though that this is my only gripe, and a 4 / 5 stands as a "highly recommended" read from me!
Also, we all love Princess Donut. It sounds stupid. You don't think you will, but you will.
"Back of the Book" Overview
Your day couldn't possibly be worse than Carl’s — go on an intergalactic sci-fi adventure for the entire galaxy’s viewing pleasure in Dungeon Crawler Carl. Buckle in, it’ll be a bumpy ride.
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.
Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.