Kit dreams of being a Dungeon Runner, but his small size makes people count him out and his classmates bully him. Until the day that an open competition gives him the chance to try out to become one. He just needs two other people to join with him. Enter a witch who doesn't know any spells and a vegan vampire, Sandy and Thorn, and they're ready to take on anything the maze and other competitors can throw at them.

This is very much a children's book for younger readers diving into chapter books or longer reads. Hence, the language is a little too simple at times compared to the usual fantasy books I read, but I like that it makes it super accessible for the readers it's obviously aimed at.

Overall, it's a fun little adventure with an adorable band of misfits doing their best and standing up for themselves. The messages are super positive and delivered in a way that doesn't feel preachy, which is a big plus when it comes to children's books.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow Inc. for the fun rad!

I received an advanced reader copy through a publishers weekly grab a galley event. Really enjoyed this one. It was cute, easy to follow, and a quick read, with the added bonus of getting me hyped for my own TTRPG group's next session! An unconventional dungeon runner team Kit and his friends might make, but their cleverness and teamwork prove invaluable. I'll definitely be following the series as it progresses. And probably reading it to my kid when she's a bit older!

This was a fun, sweet little book that shows that believing in yourself can get you a long way. I liked how Team Triple Trouble worked well as a group and tried to push back against the stereotypes of there respective species by attempting the dungeon trial. I love that Kleekoo got to stand up to his bully after being physically assaulted at the beginning of the book. The illustrations were fun, and my favorite had to be the nearly full-page spread of the jelly monster. All-in-all this is a quick read for children who are interested in Dungeons & Dragons, but may not be old enough to actually be able to play.

Thank you to Nosy Crow and NetGalley for the eGalley to review!

Our hero, Kit, is in no way ready to actually take on a dangerous Dungeon Run--he's an actual little kid, he's small and scrawny, and according to his stats card he only has 20/100 in combat skills. However, he's ambitious, and with 80/100 cleverness, some new and old friends, and one strong motivator, he manages to make it into the Dungeon Trial to beat his long-time bully Breg. It's an underdog story with satisfying resolutions.

I can immediately see the appeal in this book series for kids. It's a fantasy that has roleplaying game elements (like Dungeons and Dragons), dangerous magic dungeons, standing up to bullies, friendship, and good humor. It's also a fast read, with illustrations plentiful; I love how the Dungeon Run hosts get a fun talking head format with speech bubbles whenever we hear from them, and there are several really good two-page spreads.

Kids will no doubt eat this series up, so I would recommend multiple copies in your library if you're in collection development! I'm looking forward to the next book.

A delightful read filled with action, adventure, friendship and dungeons!

Our story revolves around Kit who dreams of becoming a Dungeon Runner. One day a spot opens up for a team to join the Dungeon Running League. Taking on the opportunity, Kit finds himself a team of three; a fighter, a healer and a mage. Alongside his new friends, Sandy and Thorn, Kit adventures forth to brave the dungeons!

The format of this book is very visual, both in the writing and presentation. The book is filled with illustrations supporting the story; whether it’s from a scene or an information card, they are smartly placed throughout. I loved how the book presented the conversations between the hosts for the Dungeon Running League and the darkened pages to imitate the dark dungeons. The writing was also descriptive but not overwhelming. It used simple yet precise words to describe the setting, emotions and the action.

The plot was fun! I didn’t imagine a book about dungeons to be so engaging. The writing style is captivating and I enjoyed how it relayed the characters’ personality through words. There are a lot of unexpected occurrences in the dungeon and I appreciated the representation of emotions throughout. The story is quite fast paced so there is always something happening, but it is also measured because key moments are highlighted to capture growth, progress and turning points.

Kit, Sandy and Thorn are realistic characters for their age. They were well built characters that balanced each other’s shortcomings to a certain degree. I enjoyed how they didn’t lose their childishness and remained somewhat innocent. I also enjoyed watching their friendship grow, including their trust with each other. It was heartwarming to say the least. Special mention to Kleekoo and Mister Pinchy who are absolutely adorable!

There is bullying in this book and although I’m not a fan of it, I think the book handles it well. It wasn’t the focal point of the story but it was the driving force to what occurs.

Overall, this was an enjoyable and fun read. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the next addition in this series to see what adventure our friends will go on next.

Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial is a fun children's book featuring a unique set of characters. There are adorable illustrations, different sized text, and different formats throughout the book to keep children engaged and entertained throughout the story. Highly recommend for younger readers.

Kit, a part gnome part dwarf would-be fighter, has dreamed of being a Dungeon Runner like his grandfather all his life. However, because of his size, the odds are stacked against him. When the opportunity for a new team to join the Dungeon Runners new televised season arises, Kit sees it as his chance to make his dreams come true. He just needs to find a mage and healer to form a team - enter Sandy (a want-to-be sea hag), her crab Pincher, and Thorn the vegetarian vampire. Though this unlikely team is small, through their wit, unique abilities, and teamwork, they prove that even the smallest of heroes can succeed.

HERO TRIAL is the perfect first instalment and fit for young fans of Dungeons and Dragons, RPGs, and adventure! It will surely have all readers rooting for Kit’s team of underdogs as they solve puzzles and best dungeon bosses. Looking forward to Kit, Sandy, and Thorn’s next adventure!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dungeon Runners is a sweet treat for young D&D players. The characters grow into their abilities and are able to overcome all the obstacles placed in their way while staying true to their values. A more unlikely team would be hard to find but they learn that the best way to win is to believe in themselves and keep going. A treat of a book and perfect for young gamers.

A brilliant, fast-paced, big-on-heart series launch! Dungeon Runners puts a captivating fantasy twist on The Last Kids on Earth. I can't wait to see our plucky trio of protagonists (in true D&D fashion, a fighter, a mage, and a healer) "level up" their abilities as the underdogs in a televised dungeon-crawling tournament. Kids will love imagining themselves as characters in the story, solving puzzles and slaying dungeon bosses. Give us the next installment now!

My 8 year old absolutely devoured this book.

I read quite a bit with her, and having to overcome the dungeons with the graphics was outstanding. It kept her ADHD brain engaged, I love how the graphics were vibrant, and it was so well drawn. She loved all the adventure this book had to offer! From the mind of my 8 year old, she wants more!

Dungeon Runners isn't just a book; it's like a rollercoaster ride for readers of all ages! When I cracked it open with my son, it was like opening a treasure chest full of excitement and adventure. From the get-go, he was hooked, and honestly, so was I!

Together, we dove headfirst into dungeons, faced off against all sorts of crazy creatures, and cheered on Kit and his buddies like they were our own crew. With each turn of the page, my son's eyes lit up with pure joy, and I couldn't help but get swept away in the fun.

Kieran Larwood's storytelling is like magic, and Joe Todd-Stanton's illustrations? Let's just say they're like icing on the cake - totally awesome! Dungeon Runners quickly became an obsession in our house. My son couldn't wait for bedtime to read, and I'll admit, I was just as eager to see what happened next.

Dungeon Runners isn't just a book; it's a ticket to the coolest adventure ever. It's like a secret handshake between kids and their imaginations, sparking endless giggles and late-night whispers about what might happen next. Thanks, Kieran Larwood & Netgalley, for giving us a story that's as fun as it is unforgettable!