*Spoiler Free Review*
So now I have something new to obsess over?
Dungeon Crawler Carl is the clear end result of someone simultaneously playing too many video games, watching too much TV, and having an unhealthy obsession with Dungeons and Dragons (and apparently Cat Shows?). And I cannot believe how unbelievably well it works! This was the most fun that I have had reading a book in a looooooooooooong time. It’s like an ADHD fever dream (perfect for me!) where there is constant movement, everything is in Technicolor, and the one-liners just keep coming.
The story follows Carl, a recently broken-up Cat Dad forced into an RPG style Dungeon Crawl when an intergalactic corporation flattens the world to create a televised Super Nintendo Game (at least that’s how it looks in my brain). With 18 floors (levels) to battle through, Carl and his now sentient feline companion (retired ShowCat Princess Donut) must battle to survive an army of goblins, ghouls, crack addicted Llamas, psychotic fellow humans and more.
The start of a now expansive series (that I will be reading EVERY ONE OF), we jump into action fairly quickly and it’s a non-stop ride from there. The dynamic between Carl and Princess Donut (initially a very immature pageant princess type) carries the story, while Carl’s inner monologue gives a hilarious insight into his experience in this obscene nightmare of a world.
Absolutely a 5 star read, I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to pick up book 2. This is a ‘Grab a Hardcover Special Edition’ type of read and it will be taking pride of place on my bookshelf.
Silverbear.

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