Going into book two, you have a general idea of what’s to come - the games continue! These books are weirdly becoming a feel good read. Carl is still causing havoc while Princess Donut is still our reigning sassy royalty and Mongo is becoming the best velociraptor side kick. What I love most about this series is that you can see how Donut is marketing and Carl really does have his hero complex (morally gray?). The laughs keep coming and the game makers keep throwing everything plus the kitchen sink at the team. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

This second book picks up right where book one left off with Carl and Donut the cat. I will say that this book seems less humorous than the first. I feel sorry for some of these characters and their stories are pretty dark.
Thank you to Ace for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Wherein we find Carl, Donut and Mongo on Level 3 which continues to be full of the unpredictable and unexpected. There’s a circus, there’s a bear on roller skates named Heather, there are prostitutes falling out of the sky. Carl and Donut learn all about quests on the third floor. Mordecai plays a much bigger role in book two. Somehow Carl ends up with less clothing and it’s all very wild.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This series is unlike any other. The only way to read is audio (although I did get the eARC as well). Carl, Donut and the merry band of oddities are nothing but pure joy. There’s not a huge narrative arc to these books, just insane encounter after insane encounter. Book two was much more emotional than the first, with multiple moments that made me tear up. Carl and Donut’s relationship and partnership gets deeper. Donut is still her eccentric self, PRINCESS THAT SHE IS. Inject these books into my veins.

“Cats don’t drink cocktails,” I said. “Cats don’t shoot lasers from their eyes, either, but here we are, Carl. Mama needs a night off.”

Keep going? Fuck yeah. Onto book three!

I can't put this series down. Carl and Donut are progressing through the dungeon and things just get weirder and weirder. It's hilarious, it's deadly, it's a ridiculous good time.

Characters ~ I appreciate Carl and Donut. The extended cast of characters, and how they help them to grow and develop, are also fun, aggravating, and irritating in turns. I appreciate the NPCs as well as they also lead to so much growth.

Plot ~ It's a video game and a shonen all in one. You know where you are being led, but not how you'll get there. It's both fun and comforting.

Worldbuiding ~ It would be so easy to fall back on tropes, but the author doesn't do that, which I greatly appreciate. This is a unique and different world with a slow buildup.

Writing ~ Pacing is important for a story. I think the author's writing keeps a pretty good pace. Sometimes we do get a bit bogged down in the details, but then it picks up again and all is well.

I was hooked and laughing from page 1. This is a must read for any rpg style gamer! I could not seem to put this down and I understand why this series is blowing up right now. So thankful I got get into this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: LitRPG / Sci-Fi Apocalypse / Comedy Horror
Format: Kindle
TL;DR: MORE BLOOD, MORE LAUGHS, MORE DONUT, AND STILL NO PANTS.

Just when I thought Dungeon Crawler Carl was pure unhinged brilliance, bucke up for this one, because Carl’s Doomsday Scenario doubles down on everything: the violence, the insanity, the strategy, the worldbuilding, the emotional beats, and yes... the clown fueled, undead, hooker murdering chaos of Floor Three.

This second installment picks up right where book one left off; no recap, no break, no mercy. Carl and Princess Donut are hurled into the next level of the intergalactic game show from hell. This time? It’s darker, more complex, and suddenly we’ve got side quests, class choices, and bio engineered race upgrades (don’t worry, no spoilers on what Carl and Donut choose, though I was screaming).

The tone remains PERFECT: laugh out loud funny one moment, absolutely horrifying the next. We’re talking mutated circuses, literal murder mysteries, exploding bodies, talking chickens, and somehow, SOMEHOW... emotional depth. I didn’t expect to feel things in between the exploding goblins, but here we are.

I would die for Pricness Donut, by the way.

🪦 Heavy themes warning: This series does not shy away from intense and graphic content. There is murder, drug use, suicide, violence, trauma. It’s unapologetically adult, but never gratuitous for the sake of it. Matt Dinniman manages to infuse meaning and satire into every grotesque beat.

🧠 We’re starting to peel back the layers of the galactic politics behind the dungeon. This isn’t just survival anymore, but it’s war, exploitation, and corruption on a scale we’re only beginning to grasp. The game might be rigged, and that makes Carl’s fight to survive even more compelling.

⚔️ Highlights:
Donut’s diva moments (as always)
Carl’s murder chicken sidekick (Mongo MVP)
The circus level? NIGHTMARES.
The “dead hookers from the sky” mystery = unhinged brilliance

And Carl maybe, possibly, finally finding pants???

🎧 Side note: I didn’t listen to the audiobook this time but hearing Jeff Hays is behind it again? Yeah... definitely switching to audio for book 3. That man is Carl.

Bottom line: If you liked Book 1, Book 2 turns the volume up and sets the controller on fire. It’s absolute madness, but somehow Matt Dinniman keeps all the chaos grounded in heart, satire, and character growth. I’m a Dungeon Crawler Carl girlie now, and there’s no going back.
BRB, grabbing book 3.

And maybe a pair of Crocs.

Just as fun, funny and chaotic as book one. Now with more velocirapter action (Hello Mongo).

Level 3 of the dungeon brings in a new village (over city) and epic quests to tend with on top of mobs. We learn more about the dungeon and new characters.

Devoured book two and jumping into book three immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced ebook to review.

I read the second book right after book 1, I didn't have netgalley until last year. Thanks to netgalley and Berkley for these eArcs. I read these pretty quick & did a lot of highlighting of my favorite parts. A lot of side quests and character changes. I don't like clowns so when they die, its a plus for me. Of course Princess Donut & Carl are the Main Characters of this second in the series by Matt Dinniman. One of the best series.

And… the misadventures of Princess Donut and Carl continue. I love this series, I don’t think I’ve laughed aloud more while reading a book or have been more attached to two characters in my life.

this book is relentless with its obstacles. just when you think carl, donut, and mongo might catch a break on the third floor, another challenge appears. the escalating conflicts made their connection feel precious and hard-won.

the over city's urban wasteland introduces circus quests and murder mysteries that showcase dinniman's range. what surprised me was how game mechanics become metaphor. rpg elements aren't just plot devices but commentary on agency and identity when the world treats you like entertainment.

the found family dynamic between carl, donut, and mongo evolves beautifully. each character learns to protect the others in ways that feel authentic to their personalities. donut maintains her aristocratic cat energy while showing genuine care, and carl's growth from reluctant survivor to protective leader feels earned rather than forced.

the book tackles exploitation and spectacle without losing its humor. balances satirical commentary on reality tv culture with genuine emotional stakes. manages to critique how suffering becomes entertainment while delivering laugh-out-loud moments and real character development.

what impressed me most was the moral complexity. the story explores maintaining humanity and empathy in a system designed for spectacle, asking hard questions about heroism and survival without becoming preachy.

perfect for readers wanting litrpg with substance, fans of terry pratchett's approach to serious themes through humor, or anyone craving stories about ordinary people finding strength through connection.

excellent continuation when you want character development that deepens rather than repeats the first book's beats.

arc received from ace books via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.

I am DEVOURING THIS SERIES.

You know, the downside of being so into these books is that I am too invested to pause and take 20 minutes to review each one as I go and boyyyyyy am I going! I’m currently reading The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (book 6!!)


Carl and Donut (and Mongo!) are now past the introductory “training levels” and are now encountering new things like demigods and quests! The AI is still being a huge creeper to Carl and I fear he may never get shoes 😂

I love the characters so much and the narration is probably the greatest thing I’ve ever listened to. If this is made into a series, no one but Jeff Hays should be allowed to be the voice of the AI.

Let’s keep goingggg (but in reality I’m already like 1/3 of the way into The Eye of the Bedlam Bride 😩)





Notable tropes —

☠️ Apocalypse/End of the World
☠️ Deadly Game/Deadly Trials
☠️ Talking cat sidekick
☠️ Evil Overlords
☠️ High stakes fantasy
☠️"Don't talk to me or my son ever again" coded (Carl &
Donut)


Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | ACE for the finished reading copy. I'm excited to read the rest of the books in this series!

These books are so much fun, and the entertainment value is off the charts! I can’t express enough how amazing the audiobook is. I will never stop recommending it. Just go in with an unserious mindset, and you’ll have a great time!

“Donut: TALKING SMACK IS MY SPECIAL TALENT.”

We pick up pretty much right where book one left off. There’s a lot more world-building, which is always a plus. The stakes are higher, and there are some conflicting developments that definitely won’t blow up later (lol). I absolutely cannot get enough of Princess Donut!! She delivers so many hilarious moments and loves to hit Carl with her one-liners. Mongo doesn’t have many big moments yet, but I’m sure his time will come. I won’t go into too much detail because I like to keep things spoiler-free as much as possible.

“Cats don’t drink cocktails,’ I said.

‘Cats don’t shoot lasers from their eyes, either, but here we are, Carl. Mama needs a night off.”

We’re introduced to a wide array of new characters, and it’ll be interesting to see how they come into play down the line. I also think Carl experiences a lot of character growth in this book. We get more insight into his past, and it’s clear he’s developing a stronger moral compass.

This book is just as wild, if not more so, than the first! During all the hilarious moments, there are some surprisingly serious themes woven in. It adds a layer of depth to the overall plot that I appreciated. Everyone keeps saying these books just keep getting better, and so far, I completely agree. I’m heading into book three now!

Thank you, Ace and Netgalley, for the e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Second book in the series was even better than the first! Matt Dinniman really finds his stride in this story and plays with your intuition, takes you for a wild story and makes you laugh, cry, laugh because you cried, and cry because you laughed. When I started reading this series, I did not have any expectations given that I had not heard of the author or the books, but it has now become my all-time favorite fantasy series.

Matt, can I please play D&D with you?!?

I liked this one better than the last. I do wish the sex workers in the book were called sex workers and not otherwise.

I really enjoyed the evolution of Donut and Carl’s relationship through the book as well as getting more out of Carl and Donut’s back stories.

I am amazed by the authors ability to create so many new characters and scenarios as well as keep everything fresh and entertaining for the reader. The narrators do a fanstatic job of showing all the personalities and everything about this whole series is just fun and unique.

I really disliked book one so I won't be reading the sequels, despite having downloaded the first three. This series is aimed towards people interested in RPGs, gaming and reality TV. I'm not interested in any of these. I won't be reviewing this book on Goodreads, nor on Amazon, since I'm not going to be reading it.

I can't submit this feedback without a star rating, hence the average three stars. I wish that this had been a favorable review!

This book is pure JOY. As an animal lover, the cat named Donut has my heart. Book two contained some surprisingly emotional scenes and I loved everything about it. I have heard the audiobooks are excellent and I plan on sampling those to recommend them to my audiobook customers and followers.

I'm still sitting on the fence with this video game series. Scotch helps, but too much of that and I have to re-read the next day. 🤪

The author's imagination is certainly in overdrive the way he dreams up the creatures trying to kill off our crawlers, namely Carl and Princess Donut, our talking cat.

Two books down and only level four of the eighteen levels in the "game" have been reached. Book three for me was free, so on I go. I do believe all the books are available on Net Galley; free for a review. Whether or not I continue after book three, remains to be seen.

Once again I completed an immersive read with the audio book that I purchased and the e-book provided by NetGalley. This was again a really fun story. I don't think it was quite as good as the first book in the series but not by much. I plan to continue series. It's not like anything I have ever read and is a fun departure from the things that I usually read. The story telling and relationships are so genuine and an interesting juxtaposition to the absolutely insane plot throughout. But I love it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-book in exchange for my honest opinion.