
Member Reviews

Carl and Princess Donut did not disappoint in this 2nd book. Even more fun than book 1, we continue to follow them through more floors of the dungeon. Definitely recommend these books if you are looking for something new, different and fun!

The second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series was just as good as the first. The shenanigans they get themselves involved in are often hilarious and they keep you on the edge of your seat. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series!

This is the second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and it returns with everything you loved from the first book only now with even more world-building and intrigue. I really enjoyed the shift from the cave tunnels to that classic RPG-style village and outer wilderness setting teeming with creatures. You can also see the build up that will be explored in further books including more of the behind the scenes politics and what role it plays in the games. We also meet new types of characters and get to know more about the other crawlers and how they are playing the game. The concept of other shows and storylines within the show was also really interesting and, not going to lie, I’m kind of invested. One of the things I’m both looking forward to and dreading in future books are secrets and manipulations coming to light and how they will play out. But one thing’s for sure, I will be there for every step! I’m really loving this series and have already begun devouring the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy. This review was written voluntarily.

Carl and Donut are back, and the Crawl is meaner, weirder, and more hilarious than ever. This sequel cranks up everything: the action, the absurdity, the social satire — and somehow, the emotional stakes too. The writing is fast, furious, and ferociously clever, blending chaos and heart in equal measure.
Smart, savage, and surprisingly moving — a perfect second act in one of the wildest LitRPG series out there. (I think… anyways… 🤪)
Brilliantly bonkers. Brutally funny. Surprisingly emotional.
This is building something truly original, terrifying, and addictively readable.
Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing Group for this eArc!

4.5 stars
This series is even more entertaining. I am loving it. I love the extra characters that have been added. The talk shows have been some of my favorite scenes.
Mongo is amazing and I am continuously obsessed with Princess Donut.
*Thank you so much Ace for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m gonna leave the same review as I did for book 1. When I didn’t think I could be anymore impressed I read book 2 and that sealed the deal! I hear they just continue to get better and better.
What did I just read??? I have no idea how to describe it other than an absolutely absurd, bizarre, and outlandishly funny read. I didn’t know LRPG was a genre and definitely would have never guess I would enjoy it.

Another Fun one from DInniman.
Now this is a little obvious considering that there are currently 7 books in this series BUT there dies feel like just a touch to much plot armor on our main characters.
It’s exciting that our party is currently expanding and that we might get some stakes that feel real soon.
I liked that the weight of the enslaved npcs are starting to have weight and i wish we could have gotten a little more compassion for the hoard of dead prostitutes but at least Carl treats them with some respect.
I would say that this and the first are equally as good and thats a good sign for the rest of the series
Im looking forward to reading the rest

Carl and Donut have done it! They've survived to the next floor.
As we continue on with our intrepid pair, things get even more dicey as the battle lemurs under the big top and take on a quest that leads them right to the edge of survival.
There's still plenty of RPG fun along with the politics happening outside the dungeon. This one is a little heavier on the language. And there's definitely plenty of strange things going on. But a decent book two to keep things moving along. I really love that each new volume takes up just where the last left off, so readers don't feel like they are missing chunks of the story in between.
Now on to book 3!

I've been loving this series! It's the perfect escape from the real world. Funny, thrilling, nonstop action. I've recommended these books to tins of people and purchased for my library.

Carl and Donut return in this amazing sequel to Dungeon Crawler Carl. This series has it all. The action is fast paced and keeps you invested for the entire novel. The introduction of quests was especially gripping and added another fun layer to the dungeon's complexities. The characters are relatable and you find yourself rooting for them in their journeys. Donut's sass, Carl's humor, and the AI's absurdity keep the writing light, but they aren't just surface level. There is real depth to these characters - there were a couple parts in this that legitimately brought tears to my eyes.
Matt Dinniman continues to do no wrong and provides a fresh, fun, and action-packed sequel. I cannot wait to follow Carl and Donut on their journey through the dungeon and eagerly await the next book!

Now that Carl & Princess Donut have reached the third floor, they have to fight harder than ever. Now an entirely new problem has been introduced - quests. In what is called the Over City., there lies a sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered women rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose. Can Carl and Donut solve the mystery in time? This book was non-stop action Carl & Princess Donut battled their way across the city. There wasn't as much witty banter or as many hilarious achievement messages as there were in the first book,but it was still a lot of fun.

5🌟obviously
Ok, well, now I'm obsessed. Carl's Doomsday Scenario is the second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Read the first book if you haven't already. (And if you haven't - what are you waiting for?) I love Princess Donut, Carl, and Mongo. I wasn't sure exactly where things would go after the end of the first book and if this would get old, but nope. I'm here for the long haul. Now I need to start the third one immediately!
Recommended for everyone who enjoyed or loved the first book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

My biggest concern after reading book one was that the humor and the insanity was going to become tedious. That it wasn't going to grow and evolve and that I was going to get bored with the same thing over and over.
I have never been so happy to be wrong.
Carl's Doomsday Scenario comes in with the same insanity and humor but starts to add some heart and growth to the characters. Carl starts noticing that things are linking him to his painful past while Donut starts becoming more aware of the world. I am also very happy that we not only get to keep Mordecai, but his character is also being more fleshed out.
This book series is Awesome and I can not wait to see what the fourth floor holds for us. Especially now that we have a new member to the group. I see you Katia and I am curious about how you are going to affect the story.

As far as I can tell, the books seem to be taking the existing serial chapter releases and roughly bundling them into events that happen by floor, which dovetails nicely with the general arc. This is only the second collection, but we've got some more neat mechanics being developed out and intriguing quest lines. Again, the humor's a bit juvenile in that way that certain video games were cool for having quest lines centered around dead sex workers (this time they fall from the sky!), but it seems to be potentially building some interesting stuff in the backstage areas that's either a full blown rebellion or will at least fuck with the corporation some. I'm in for the next collection at minimum, and then I'm going to see if I want to read the other four books in the series currently (Ace gave out the first 3 for free).

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.