Der Dungeon-Anführer: Ein LitRPG Level-up Adventure (Dungeonjäger 3)

The Dungeon Slayer #3

by Konrad Ryan, Stephan Waba (Translator)

Gefangen in einem Dungeon und infiziert mit einem Werwolf-Virus ringt Tad mit Fenrir, dem Wolf in seinem Dolch. Irgendwie kann der Wolf seine Gedanken hören. Er neckt Tad. Kann Tad dem Dungeon entkommen? Und was ist mit Titan und der Gefahr, die es für die Erde darstellt? Selbst wenn er zurück auf die Erde kommt, hat sie ihre eigenen Probleme. Die Schöpfer sind alle in Titan eingetreten; Titanspawn blockiert den Himmel und die Welt friert über. Um die Dinge noch schlimmer zu machen, explodieren Dungeons weiterhin und die einzige Person, die sehen kann, wann das passiert, ist verschwunden. Der Überläufer ist der einzige verbleibende Schöpfer, der den Himmel reinigen könnte, aber er scheint seine eigenen Pläne zu haben. Kommen Sie und begleiten Sie Tad auf seiner Reise im dritten Teil der Dungeonjäger-Serie.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Adventure

628 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2021

Reviews

[chez9891 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of monologuing

The author seems to broken from the first and second book and decided an inner monologue would be the best way to pan out the book.

Most of the litrpg elements have been removed which pretty much run counter to the purpose of the genre.

[Kino · Rating 2 out of 5]

The focus and core of this story is the MC, unfortunately the MC sucks and the writer seems to be confused with the story he is writing.

The MC agonizes because he can't protect people that comes with him inside a dungeon then only a few pages later he goes "I'll cull you all" and that's just stupid ain't it? And it's alright to have a messy MC, that doesn't necessarily make for a bad story. But so much time is given in his delusions that it's alright to do bad things as long as you feel bad about them that I have no clue if the writer is just confused about how his character actually is or if this is for character development.

Because if it's for character development then where exactly is the development, it's been 3 books of the same thing, dozens upon dozens of melodramatic sentences that highlight the MC's anguish then every time this anguish is displayed a few pages later it's culling this or do it my way! that. It's just a confusing mess.

This is why I don't like reading heavy topics for litRPG, the reason is because few authors can actually make it work. It's so edgy and serious then after a few pages thinking about dexterity and strength. Everything is mishandled and the characters are shallow despite their chosen vocabulary. It's a mess, better to just read Solo Leveling. At least that story knows what it's about and doesn't try to go the angsty teen route unlike this mess.

[Wilhelm Eyrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality continues.

Just as fun as the previous books and still a weird perfect blend of hope and despair. Tad continues his mission to the top and while he doesn’t progress as far as I was expecting, there was a lot of training and other aspects gained that make up for it.

Action remains entertaining as does our increasing knowledge of the world that Ryan has created for us.

Very much looking forward to the fourth!

[Jermel Purse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levels of amusement and confusion

Not bad but somewhat confusing. The story is confusing what’s confusing is the power progression we are exposed to in this book. Especially at the end I mean the leaps and bounds we see in progression from one enemy to the next just they don’t ruin the story but they seem implausible. I mean how can we on one hand argue there is this entity that super strong God like power you know you hear that a lot in this book and then hears this other entity this main villain CAIN and he’s described just having this alpha like power it doesn’t make sense. I know the author was trying to convey strength through unbeatable strength but I don’t know I think it’s just a bit much.

Now the story overall is good it progresses further you see the main character grow and get stronger part at the end doesn’t quite make sense but I’ll go with it. You might find yourself like me asking the question well why don’t you go back to the tower. That’s what got me once you hit that level cap go back immediately for some more power if you need it. I don’t think the author did a good job explaining why the main character didn’t.

[Albert Elrod · Rating 1 out of 5]

First two books were somewhere between 2 and 3 star material, flawed, and ridiculous, but bearable. This book is tedious, excruciatingly stupid, and just no fun to read. I understand that deus ex machina is part and parcel to this genre, but every potentially dangerous situation is resolved in increasingly ridiculous fashion. The main character is always on the back foot, but also somehow always manages to win with overpowering force. I just can't.

😑

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great third book in the series

These are intense dungeon crawler books. No one is safe except for the main character. Definitely recommend this series. It will entertain for sure.

[Eric Merrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating!!!

It's honestly shocking how good this book really is. It has so many elements that make it so. If the complexity of the story is even more captivating than the system and the premise on which it is based.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was soso.

Honestly I had a hard time with this book the first 50% of the book was so dry and unappealing that I almost did not finish the book. Not sure if I will read the next book in the series.

[Travis Neuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet

Cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. Not a cliffhanger, per se, as it is a complete story arc. The author does an absolutely amazing job building to the next novel. Need it now.

[maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

there is a lot to unpack in this book, too much this book was amazing and recommend fully to anyone.

[David U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an audiobook review. 4.5/5

There is something unique about Konrad Ryan’s storytelling style. So far the MC is very introspective and always second guessing the choices he made in the heat of the moment; but at the same time, it is to be expected as he is just a 16 year old boy trying to survive and grow as he faces stronger and often times impossible odds. I absolutely enjoyed the character development and the dungeon slayer world /powers in this story. It is more or less like Solo leveling, so if you enjoy dungeon crawl stories with an MC that can progressively get stronger I would highly recommend this book. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

[Dantegideon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t get past the first few chapters. Everything’s so miserable!

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh

Ok overall, nothing special. A simple and lacking story. If it were food, it would be poor gas station food.

[Steven Penick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent

Needed growth in skills and character for our hero in a somewhat predictable way, and an ending so telegraphed I honestly hated reading the end of the book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tad tries out being a Dungeon Leader

Tad is back and ready for action. More dungeon slaying action as he takes the reins as a Dungeon Leader.


Tad escapes from the wolf dungeon with his class trial.

He decides he doesn't want to do the Void Minotaur's trial, but finds himself forced to (or be destroyed). Fortunately, by pushing it off, he is contacted by the "plague" class being and told to refuse all prizes to get a better one. Which he does and it is an egg.
We find out nothing about it until the end of the book, but no great details. Though he plans to seek them out soon (aka the next book).

After his escape from the Wolf Dungeon, he comes back to a changed world. He spent 2 years of subjective time in the dungeon, but only 7 days (or less) of real time had passed. In that time, his brother was reborn and sent to a dungeon by the Defector (as punishment for Tad's failing) with no hope of exiting, his mom held a funeral for him, and as was noted in the last book all of the other Creator class slayers went into Titan, despite being warned not to by Gerald. As a result, the skies have been covered by Titanspawn and the temperature has noticeably cooled (due to lack of sunlight) with snow covering much of his town of Lincoln, Nebraska.

After assuring his mother he is in fact alive, he goes to the class tower and unlocks a couple more classes: the Stat Mage becomes his new default. He picks up another, a Colossus-like class that feels no pain. However he only uses it briefly at the end of the book.
Then he gets back and talks with Gerald. He gets filled in on what happened and then goes back to raiding dungeons. He also makes a deal with Gerald: He will go into Warrior Titan if Cain fails (more on that below) if he will go into the dungeon his brother was sent to and bring him back.

He uses his Wolf Clone helmet and sends one clone with the Fighting Fighters, One with Fenrir, and he goes with Liz and her dad Ethan.
It mostly works out and he goes on more raids until he ends up 2 levels from his current level cap, but then he has to go to "Warrior Titan", so called because it has never been beaten (just like regular Titan).
Cain (the bad guy from the last book and minion of The Defector) went in with Bunta and Fat Jack, but they never came out. However, Tad's quest to kill Cain is still present so he realizes something else must have happened.

Warrior Titan is in New York. Tad takes Liz, Ethan, Penny, and Junko (a top rated Warrior Slayer who believes herself superior to all, including Cain). They get a fancy stay at a fancy place before they go in. Tad and Liz sleep together for the first and only time; she is later revealed to be pregnant (something that is heavily implied throughout the dungeon as she is repeatedly having to throw up or be ravenous).
Tad shows up 2 weeks after everyone else in the dungeon, showing us that there is some definite time dilation. The first couple rooms require they make mud bricks. Eventually they get to a fight, where they see than Fat Jack, Bunta, and Cain are now "champions" for a Lion void, Leonidis. He tells them that each can fight once. Tad bargains with the boss, promising him his Void Egg, and Fenrir deals a lethal blow to Fat Jack, allowing Tad to take Fat Jack and restore him. He has no eyes, but a magic blue eye from a previous dungeon, gives Jack sight again.

Next, we alternate between building things (clearing and planting fields, building houses and clearing pests - getting Tad his last 2 levels, celebrating) and fights: Liz versus no name, Ethan vs Bunta then Tad vs Bunta to avenge his death. Junko vs Cain, (Penny bends a knee at this point so as not to die) then Tad vs Cain.
Things go awry and the boss gets involved. Liz and Tad wake up chained and in trouble. Tad gets killed, then goes to the Void Assimilation. He takes over the boss' body. He tries to use the Character Creation aspect to change back to his body, but it doesn't quite work. Having acquired a Leonic Godsign means it can't be hidden.
He wakes up Liz, it freaks her out, and everyone has to escape.

And escape they do, along with most, if not everyone, else. They come out to seeing the Defector trying to seal up the black void ball. Which is completely unnecessary now. He speeds off in a huff as he feels a creator.

The creator has just come out of Titan and is covered in mud. The Defector tries to kill him, but is beaten instead. The creator asks where "the old man" (Gerald) is, to warn him to prepare. The creator is of course Tad's nemesis, Brad.


Time for Dungeon Phoenix!

[Torr · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit let down by this one.

In the first 1/4 to 1/3 of the book the author delves into why the world is the way it is by delving into the origins of the universe (the authors explanation of the big bang, I guess), and I dang near stopped there as it kind of smashed any cares I had about the series. It felt like an attempt to re-imagine the complex story arc of Neo Genesis Evangelion and if you understood that Anime without it being explained to you, you are a far smarter person than I, or you read the manga and played the video games and made notes about it, or maybe you watched an explainer video on YouTube (like I did when it popped up for me the other day).

That isn't why I read/listen to LitRPG books. When I partake of this LitRPG genre (and my desires might not be your desires) I'm attempting to scratch that itch of compelling gameplay in audiobook form, because the games that truly scratch that itch for me also trigger the addiction centers in my brain which makes avoiding those games a better choice for me personally (your mileage may vary).

In the real world the story doesn't matter if a game has compelling gameplay (e.g. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong... you know the OG's, those lead into things like Mario Party, Mario Kart, games where the playing is the story) but it sure can help (there actually is a story to Donkey Kong if overly simple). Games can be solely carried by the story, but the story has to be beyond over the top amazing and original to drive a video game (e.g. silent hill), especially if the game play is terrible (e.g. silent hill again).

About the 1/3 mark through the book the talky talk sort of stops and we move back into the gameplay mode where our hero (Tad) is going to do stuff to try to save the world. That quickly drew me back in, glad I stuck with it. I'd give this book 3 or 4 stars if that first part of the book wasn't so jarringly confusing, because I appreciate that there are rules that tad must follow in his world/universe for the mechanics of the gameplay aspect to work. Working within those rules he continues to grow allowing him to achieve more (progress feels good in video games, leveling up etc). The speed of power creep doesn't seem outrageous (which also feels good that he is tougher but his challenges are getting tougher as well).

Tad's personal story arc has grown from willing to do "anything" to win/ be powerful continues to shift to attempting to not lose his humanity, or his soul; to try and continue to care about other is a struggle that true heros must endure and come through lest they become villains (also a feel good experience in the book).

In short (sorry it's at the end instead of the first line of this review) the "game play" aspect of fighting in dungeons and leveling up are still very enjoyable to me and the character is still likable. Let's see what book 4 holds.

[Sesler · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating System:
5- Perfect for my taste, could not physically stop reading/listening, wanted more afterword.
4- Almost perfect, could not stop reading/listening, probably wanted more afterword.
3- Enjoyed the book, could see others loving it, need to think if I want more.
2- Can see why others might like the book, but I could not, I do not want more.
1- What is this? What went wrong? Why did they do this? This doesn't make any sense! (No idea who it is for but definitely not for me).

[Audiobook Version]

This was a good continuation of the story; however, the one annoyance that really bothered me throughout the story was the constant popup of philosophical debates between the characters on how to be a "good" or "perfect" dungeon leader. Yes, I know the name of the book is literally referring to being a dungeon leader, but how it was handled felt... lacking. Simply put, it felt like the author was forced (probably not literally) to pull ethical dilemmas into the book. Then, once the dilemmas were presented they were quickly discussed and "solved", then forgotten about. Overall, great story, I will definitely come back once the new book is released.

[Clint Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alert

“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”

I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. I am simply saying that I liked it. I would like you to read it and make your own decision. After all, you are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.

I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.

(Yep...hit with the banhammer.)

Cheers

[Jeremy Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love hate

Some parts of this series are really good. Some I can't stand.

The bad:
I'm getting tired of "oops I forgot" and "oh duh, I should have checked my quest rewards" as plot points. Its not a small percentage of times either.

Also, this is hard magic system, but full of cheaters. Like every gets to cheat. What's the point of the system?

If it really worked the way the author described. No one would go into dungeons because everyone would be dead. The mortality rate and the nature of the deaths that happen in dungeons is just too over the top it's unrealistic. It destroys fourth wall.

The good:
The larger plot/story
Most of the MCs character growth
The world building

I don't want to give away too many spoilers, but there is some really good stuff there.

[Steven Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seires is improving.

I like this series so far because it is a bit more complex with the unreliable narrator being used at the start...or at least that's how I'm choosing to look at it. In the third book of the series, it remains appropriate for young adults and above, but does have some gruesome deaths.

I liked that the author did not choose to simply have this a smashing level lit r p g that simply has the character on one mode. The relationship dynamics are interesting, as is the growth of Tad, the main protagonist.

This is a good kindle unlimited read. The journey might not be what most people would like, but it is really popular, and it seems to be a great playplace for many upcoming authors. The voice narrator for audible was great.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tad is running out of time as the world is about to end permanently .

Tad's trials to complete the class tower with each promotion of class upgrades without trying to lose his humanity in the process . The dungeon slayer name of Cain destroys other slayers for his own pleasure .No one strong enough to challenge him .Tad saves a dungeon slayer from Cain but pays the price with dungeon imprisonment for 2 years inside of a dungeon with a wolf void as Tad learns he's a void himself born from his mother's womb an still human also which is why he shown as a zero at his rebirth on his fifteenth birthday . recommend reading excellent series .

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly the best entry so far.
Audiobook: great narration and mixing
Story: still has some stumbles on fleshing out side characters but they're beginning to feel like real people, and remembering we're hearing it via a formerly misanthropic 16-19 year old (time dilation is difficult for birthday tracking) I can cut it some slack.

We have some good twists and turns, heartbreak, some limits broken, as well as some hearts.
If you pushed through the earlier entries you'll enjoy this one! (Especially since we get a lot more info about the world and universe that has lead to its current existence)

Looking forward to seeing more about the life with this void.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another triumph of the voidborn

Gripping from start to finish, I devoured this in two days. The characters are wonderfully realised and multifaceted. The combat system is nice and robust but not rigid. The slack in the systems creates tension, though it would be nice if sometimes Tad's enemies would also run out of mana from time to time. It often seems like he's the only one that has to worry about it!
In any case, it was lovely to find out so much more and to have lasting consequences in the story. Looking forward to the next one already!

[Lynxie Brat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The good:the pacing, character development were good, I still enjoyed MC, and most of the supporting characters...

The bad: there was both to much detail and not enough. They battled dungeon after dungeon, but it was confusing trying to keep track with who was doing what.

The ugly-a fricking cliffhanger. And this was supposed to be the third in a trilogy.
There was no real conclusion.

There was so much detail in this book it could have (and should have.) Been expanded into 2-3 other books.

I really wish the author had mentioned if he was conclude the story.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the second book.

This book is much better than the second book, but I am so sick of listening to Tad and his teenage angst over trying to be the best leader in a dungeon and not let anyone die. There are often times you forget that Tad is only 16 until the whining in his head starts.

Fenrir is amazing but I am confused on how they left his twisted plot open. We will probably see some backstabbing soon.

Some death that was emotional, and a weird twist at the end that left the book weird.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully epic battles

So the leap in Tad’s ability to control his cloak was a bit too much. How was that in any way logical for him to suddenly realize that he could match Cain’s ability without ever once thinking of something remotely like it before?

Is the lost alpha insane? Is she really trying to communicate with Hawk? Or is he crazy? Is Zero fighting to save someone? What is the purpose of the Voidspire in Eternity?

[Rob Enderle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a great series so far, the first book is a bit painful to get through as you deal with all the concerns, fears, and doubts of a level 1. But the power-ups come relatively quickly, and the guy starts kicking butt before that first book is over. By this book, except for bosses, the hero has become a force of nature and in this book, he discovers just a bit, not too much, of romance. Enjoyed the read, already a quarter through the next book.

[TG · Rating 2 out of 5]

just to repetitive for me

I really enjoyed the first two books, but not much story progression in this one i got half way through and had to drop it. The training montage was to long the fight scenes where to drawn out and the constant inner struggle to do what he’s comfortably been doing the past 2 books is monotonous. It’s a shame too because the series started out really promising.

[gordon musgrave · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad book!!

Read the the other 2 books and they where ok but this one was bad!! The mc turned into someone I did not like,plus the writer kept writing the spells!! That is so stupid to have someone say the name then use it!! If anyone was smart in these books you could easily figure out how to defeat them!#

[Lester Covax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the first, with each successfully better. This is mostly due to the decreasing amount of repetitive internal thoughts of the MC the books are filled with. This book still suffers from it, but to a low enough degree that I could finally bring myself to give a 4-star rating.
Looking forward to the continuation of the story...