In an instant, almost all life on earth ends when a catastrophic event smashes every man-made structure (buildings, houses, vehicles) into the ground, atomizing everyone trapped inside and transforming into an 18-level subterranean labyrinth. WTF?⁣
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There are survivors, but those who do suffer a stranger fate. That includes Carl, a grizzled, down-on-his-luck former marine, and his ex-gf's competitive show cat…the aptly named…Princess Donut. She will play a big role (DAMMIT!), but to spoil that would spoil much of what makes DCC so damn fun.⁣
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Because Carl, Donut and others are offered an opportunity to save the planet: Earth has been chosen as the next location for the new season of the deadliest game of ‘Survivor’ ever played: THE CRAWL, aka the biggest intergalactic reality show of all time, a Hunger Games-esque competition where the living battle scary monsters, deadly obstacles, and each other. Those who make it thru all 18 levels of the labyrinth will save Earth from total annihilation.⁣
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You still with me?⁣
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I know. Wtf Jordy.⁣
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It’s bananas. It’s unhinged. It’s ridiculous. It’s my 5th favorite book of the year. DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL is the most delightfully out-of-left-field thing I read in 2023, so good that I even made an exception to the “must be published in 2023 to make my Top 10 list” rule to show it the love that it deserves. The 6th DCC book was released this year, so it kinda counts…also a testament to the critical and commercial success of the series is that not only are there 6 books in the series so far, but that they all sit comfortably at the top of the Amazon sales charts (it's the BEST audiobook I've ever listened to). It's impressive what Dinniman has done here, crafting an incredibly rich world and a wild mythology (think HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE meets SQUID GAME), while balancing humor and heart and thrills, and also exploring themes of class, race, and capitalism.⁣
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If you want my advice. Stop reading this review and just get yourself a copy. I was a skeptic myself at first, but believe me when I say this is my most reliable recommendation of the year. Enjoy the ride, Crawlers!

LOVED THIS BOOK!! Mostly just super annoyed that I'm going to have to wait so long for the sequel. Loved the combination of super nerdy D&D/gaming lore (but accessible) with the modern snark and ridiculous asides. This book feels like it was written directly for my personality.