Classes continue at Haylon academy. Ken has identified who's behind the attacks on his Fieore and is determined to remove that particular problem, yet Haylon rules prevents him from taking it into his own hands. As they dive deeper into the dungeon, Crimson prepares him and the rest of the first years on how to camp in the dungeon. When their camping exercise is interrupted, Ken's done and this time he means business. Ken is going all out and his abilities tell him one thing, Ken was never trained as an adventurer. Ken was trained as an assassin.
Born and raised in the agricultural midwest, I moved every year after school even as far as Shanghai before settling down with my wife in Chicago.
I have always enjoyed Wuxia stories and became thrilled when I discovered harem stories spreading to western books. I've written down my day dreams for years as an idle hobby. Inspired by the harem genre I'm finally fleshing them out into full blown novels.
I'm excited to share my stories with you as I turn them into novels and series.
This is second in a LitRPG school story that picks up right where the first left off. Definitely read in order.
You know what you're getting with this having read the first. And also seeing the cover. Ken and his party continue to develop. Political things around the anti-elf faction picks up a bit. Ken's grandparents step up and get involved. Okay, that last is a new development and a totally awesome one.
Crimson continues to be the weakest part of the story, as she is completely over the top in pretty much every way. This installment we get some of her PoV that reveals a bit more of her motivation and personality and that helped me a lot with her character. Surprisingly so, actually.
And, of course, we have some progress on the harem part of the story. Sentar does a good job keeping everyone distinct and making Ken work for his relationships. So that's a good thing if you give the harem itself a pass. In all, I'm giving this five stars for delivering to expectations and then some.
A note about Steamy: There are way fewer explicit scenes than Sentar could have gotten away with. There are a handful on page, putting this on the high end of my steam tolerance, but still comfortably within it. Frankly, I think the author does a good job in picking those to go into and those to elide. Though, yes, the elf physiology was a little extra if I think about it too much...
More harem fun, as Ken and his women keep dungeon diving. He and Crimson get closer, the elves are worried about his power. The anti elf people get more desperate. Ken learns more about his family.
I really really liked the first book of this series, and I was hoping that the second was as good or possibly better. It's hard to say which I liked more, but both books were really fun to read and I didn't have a lot of negatives after I finished. The only things that I have a problem with are the leveling speed is a bit slow if we ever want to see Ken dive with Crimson, and I'd expect that the best storylines will come when he does since it's basically a whole new world for everyone. My only other concern is Harley, I personally don't really like her that much, she's supposed to be comic relief I guess, but she's mostly just whiney and annoying, i don't see how things will end smoothly either with her, because at some point she will have to leave Kens party. But other than those two things, I truly enjoy my time reading this series.
Still enjoying the series but there are a few places where it feels like the author literally left out a paragraph or two. Like characters rapidly shift from one thought or action to another entirely different one and there’s no explanation. But getting past that, it’s enjoyable
Title:Dungeon Diving 102 – Ken’s Next Level Adventure
Introduction: Hey there, fellow adventurers and furry companions! It’s Kiba Snowpaw, your frosty alpha Ice Wolf from the snow-cloaked realm of HowlStrom, where winter never truly sleeps. After devouring the thrilling first entry of the Dungeon Diving series, I couldn’t resist plunging into Dungeon Diving 102 by Bruce Sentar. Let’s break the ice on this sequel and see if it can level up the series with more dungeon-crawling, harem-building, and epic power-ups!
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Basic Plot Summary: Picking up right where Dungeon Diving 101 left off, Ken continues his training at Haylon Academy, navigating its political minefields, escalating dungeon challenges, and an ever-growing group of allies. When new threats emerge against his party—especially the fiercely loyal tank Fiore—Ken is forced to embrace his assassin heritage. Alongside Crimson, his enigmatic mentor, Ken learns what it truly takes to survive the dungeon’s depths and uncover the mysteries of his past.
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Originality: Sentar strikes a delicate balance between LitRPG mechanics, harem tropes, and character-driven storytelling. The seamless blend of modern technology, dungeon lore, and ancient assassin traditions keeps the series feeling fresh. While the "school for adventurers" trope is familiar, the unique world-building elevates it to something special.
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About the Writer: Bruce Sentar continues to prove his prowess in crafting compelling LitRPG stories. Known for his focus on character relationships and progression, Sentar delivers another solid installment here. Compared to authors like Shane Hammond or Virgil Knightley, Sentar’s approach leans heavily on emotional depth, making his characters feel like more than just archetypes.
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Analysis/Evaluation:
Character Development:
Main Characters: - Ken: The reluctant assassin continues to grow, both in power and emotional complexity. His evolution from a hesitant leader to a decisive protector is a joy to watch. - Crimson: This installment dives deeper into her backstory, revealing motivations that make her more than just a powerhouse mentor. Her dynamic with Ken is layered with respect, tension, and unspoken truths.
Supporting Characters: - Fiore, the steadfast elf tank, shines in her protective role, and her chemistry with Ken adds emotional weight. - Ken’s grandparents steal the show with their humor and deadly efficiency, adding much-needed levity and gravitas.
Character Arcs and Relatability: The relationships within Ken’s growing party remain a highlight. Each character has a unique personality, and their arcs intertwine seamlessly with the main plot.
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Structure and Mechanics: The book’s structure alternates between intense dungeon dives and character-driven academy segments. While the slower pacing in some academy scenes might frustrate action-seekers, it provides valuable context and depth. The LitRPG mechanics are subtle yet effective, avoiding overwhelming the reader with stats while keeping progression satisfying.
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Impact: "Dungeon Diving 102" deepens the series’ lore, exploring themes of loyalty, identity, and power. It’s a strong sequel that solidifies the series’ place as a standout in the LitRPG genre.
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Hook and Thesis: The central hook—Ken’s journey to master his assassin skills and protect his party—keeps readers invested. The thesis remains clear: growth isn’t just about power; it’s about the bonds you forge along the way.
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Praise and Critique:
What Howls: - Family Dynamics: Ken’s grandparents bring a rich backstory and humor to the narrative. - Character Depth: Crimson’s development is a welcome addition. - Balanced Pacing: Action and introspection are skillfully balanced, creating a well-rounded narrative.
What Leaves Frostbite: - Slow Progression: Ken’s leveling pace feels sluggish compared to the high-level threats he faces. - World-Building Gaps: The academy’s political and historical context could use more depth.
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Personal Enjoyment: As a veteran of countless tales and dungeon crawls, I found "Dungeon Diving 102" a delightful blend of action, humor, and heart. The assassin elements add an exciting edge, and the family dynamics are a refreshing twist.
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Highlights and Drawbacks: Highlight: The Nagato family’s reveal adds layers of intrigue and sets up future storylines beautifully. Drawback: Harley, a comic relief character, remains divisive and underdeveloped.
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Comparison: Fans of Master Class by Annabelle Hawthorne will appreciate the emotional complexity here, while readers of Dungeon Heroes by Shane Hammond will enjoy the well-executed dungeon mechanics. However, "Dungeon Diving 102" carves its own path with its assassin-centric narrative and smaller, more focused harem.
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Overall Conclusion: "Dungeon Diving 102" is a worthy successor to its predecessor, deepening the lore, expanding the characters, and raising the stakes. It’s a must-read for fans of LitRPGs and character-driven fantasies. While not without its flaws, it delivers on its promise of adventure, growth, and camaraderie.
The second Dungeon Diving book is just as amazing as the first. The concept of following an adventure group as the learn how to delve the dungeon and develop their skills, like all the RPG games we played as kids, is amazing and this second installment of the series continues to build on a great beginning. I really enjoyed the DD 102. You continue to see Ken honed into a stud adventure and build the group he has around him. You get introduced to some tertiary characters that play a larger role in the book and likely will continue to be apart of the larger series as Ken continues to build both his own group and make connections with other groups. We get to see a continuation of his unique and growing relationship with Crimson and what it might entail and develop into in the future. The most enjoyable component by far is the further introduction of Ken’s family and the development of what the Nagato family can do. The inklings of the grandparents adventure group is exciting and looks to be a group on a whole other level. When finding out that the Nagatos are a truly feared and established family, it leads you to be even more excited about what that can lead to in further books. This book ends with the final test for Ken in the dungeon and beyond as they are truly tested as both a group and a family. I can not wait until the next book comes out and we see what the Nagato family has in store the Ken and the girls as they prepare to restart the Nagato family business and for what the denziens of the Dugeon and Haylon can throw at them.
Uff, I had high expectations after book 1 and got pretty badly disappointed.
First of is he becoming an assassin now? Cause that feels like bait and switch. Im more interested in the dungeon and him being an adventurer than this „new path“. He told his grandma to reactivate the organization so quickly, basically saying he would be focusing on killing criminals for money instead of going for deep dungeon explorations with Crimson. I don’t think he even understands what he’s agreed on in the spur of the moment. And I can already see him going on year long dives, completely forgetting about this decision. This whole part felt off. The focus should be on being an adventurer, that can assassinate people if need be, not the other way around. The titel is „Dungeon Diving“!
This harmony thing with Fay was amusing, but a little ridiculous when the Mc started believing it as well. I mean come on. You know each other for 2 weeks and he has 2 other girls. Are their heartbeats also synchronized? The relationships with Charlotte and Des are moving at reasonable paces, but this… There are just some things that dont fit a HaremLit.
Also the leveling pace is off. After the 3 students, 4 thugs and the whole da*n guild, how is Ken not level 5 already and why is everyone in his party suddenly at the same level when Ken clearly was further ahead last book and the distance between Ken and them should have gotten only bigger. I hate it when authors write power ups and levels so haphazardly. Why write a litRPG in the first place? There is progression fantasy, in which the details about the characters power are purposefully left out and it is only minorly different from litRPG. If you don’t care about levels and exp and won’t bother to consider them while writing, then why not just leave them out? And even if we ignore the details, the speed is still not enough. At this rate I don’t see them getting to level 20-30 in just 4 years without serious plotarmor and throwing unreasonable amounts of exp at them later on. I mean he barely gained 1 level this book. How long is this series supposed to be? 50 books?
All said, compared to the first book this was not good. There are too many plotholes, that could have easily been avoided.
This book starts where the other ended. I like that the author is taking the slow route in building the Harem. The first book was about the relationship with the warlock of the group (Names don't always stay with me). This one is about continuing that relationship but also growing the relationship with the elf who is the groups tank. There were a couple of instances where a paragraph or two was left out. All in all this is a very enjoyable book. I may not appreciate the idea that there are honorable assassins and that the Nagato family just happens to be one of those. Ken after another some more attempts on the lives the elf in the group and also by extension his whole party comes to realize that he was raised an assassin and that in order to get the justice that he requires he is going to have to go that route in dealing with some powerful enemies in addition to diving the dungeon and gaining levels for him and his group. Each woman is very different with unique personalities.
Domo arigato, Grampa Nagato, you're much better comic relief than was Harley in book one. Her antics were enough to put me off in that book, but she is dialed back here. I had some hope of her being completely marginalized, but I'll take this. I'm not sure what her future is in Ken's orbit, but as it stands she's a weak link and a potential security risk.
Lots of future books are hinted at, so it looks like this series is meant to persist for a while. The author has stated that the harem will stay "small" for a while, so I think he's learned from the corner he painted himself into in the Dragon's Justice books. The harem in those got totally out of hand.
At this pace the 4-year program at Haylon will take 16 books, so I expect time skips at some point. Otherwise that's about double my regular attention span for a series; I guess we'll see.
A second volume less exciting than the first, which is quite normal. The narration sometimes takes liberties with the clearness of the first part, sometimes changing point of view in a strange way, but it remains quite readable. The hot polygamous romance is an important point of the story but does not overshadow the main stakes of the story. The sex scenes are ultimately quite rare and have little interest (this is almost always the case.) One of the strong points of the story is that it regularly makes revelations about important things without ever creating artificial mysteries as is often the case in Urban Fantasy. Overall it is still quite fun, the characters are... well characterized. But this is an episode in which we move away from the dungeon too often for my taste, a dungeon that would become almost boring without the many human enemies of Ken's team. Next!
Once again Dungeon Diving 102 is another whelming book. However, unlike the previous book, which was very fine™ 102 has higher highs and lower lows. Starting with the positives there is something about Bruce Sentar's writing that I now not only enjoy but find to be of very high quality. His character interactions. While most author just focus on character arcs or backstory, Setar is able to have his characters have very believable and enjoyable interactions. So that even when they act differently when they are in different groups or talking with other people, it never feels out of character. Which is an incredibly rare skill.
On the other hand, the characters themselves do tend to fall a little flat when not in a group. I still wouldn't say that they are bad, but with how quickly the cast is growing and the length of these books I get the feeling that they are either going to get dropped from the story or heavily flanderized.
The action is a bit better in this book but not by a significant amount, same with the plot. Now that most of the setup is done a lot more stuff happens, but that isn't entirely a good thing. I could take or leave most of the plots in the book. Honestly, I think that the author should have just picked 2 and stuck with them. Probably the school stuff and the dungeon. But with learning that Ken is from a family of assassins, the Elven ambassador stuff, and the people trying to assassinate the elves, it doesn't add enough to the story to justify how cluttered it makes the book. With how short these books are Sentar really needs to focus hard on what makes them work and stick to that and cut the rest.
This is rapidly turning into Sentar's best series, better than the first few volume of Dragon's Justice ( high praise indeed! ). If you enjoy a decent story with elements of D&D magic and high speed romance with sex that doesn't fade into black then this is quite possibly the best fantasy novel I ever read, and I am old enough to have read Elric in first edition paperbacks! Read Dungeon Diving 1 first though, it lays out the scenario for the series. Both are available as Kindle Unlimited and Amazon ebooks. You won't regret it. There are elves, naga and hints of vampire involvement to "make up" for those who don't like harem novels and prefer "reverse harem" vamps, lycantropes and the like. Again , Read This!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It continues to slowly build up the relationships between the MC and the party/harem, rather than adding more and more girls. The story itself is a continuation of the first and ends at the end of the first semester, which implies many more books in the series. It has its funny moments as well. Occasionally chapters would be told from another characters perspective rather than the MC, which I really liked. It illuminated some things in interesting ways. I'm really looking forward to the next books in the series.
A great second book in the series. The MCs levels, fights in the dungeon and out of it, we learn a bit more about his tutor Crimson, he gets a better bond with his harem and we have some nice scenes with his grandparents. For the long run i think the author should start to add a good villain. We need someone that is a real threat and not too dumb. Also the dungeons loot could be a bit more exciting. But everything else is fun and I was pleased to read that the author also had fun to write the series and hopes for a lot more books to come.
Ken is the first male to attend Haylon College one of the top 4 in the country .
Ken gets his chance to attend one of the top colleges in the country. The most celebrated adventure of all time Crimson is teaching at Haylon College an she just invited Ken to attend the college an all girl college an he is the first male to ever attend the all girl college. She is personally going to teach him at the college he's going to be one of her students in her class . This is his chance to make his grandfather an grandmother's proud .recommend reading excellent series .
The series is starting to hit its stride and I found this book better than the first. The first book felt too familiar to Bruces other “Book One’s”. I hope he does keep the harem tight and small so that when he adds other species (which you know he will) Ken’s harem will still be a manageable size unlike dome of this other books where the harem goes well into double digits. The grandparents are a good addition to the humour, and the characters are well enough established that they now feel more “filled out”.
The harem aspect is what it is. The sex hasn't become the primary focus which is important to me. The Litrpg and dungeon are still the key to the story. Ken grew but not exponentially. Nice to see the family get involved. Author did nothing to kill the story, but kept it growing. As of now the author has stayed away from any type of repetitive nature that occurred in Dragon's Justice. I went to bed having nightmares about the words "mine, mate". On to book 3.
The story of Ken Nagato is continuing with another fun book. I gave the first one five stars, I give this one a solid four. It is still fun and has good romance, and adding some new characters was a good touch. I felt like it did have some not-so-logical plot points, but nothing too major. There were some grammar mistakes in the beginning, not a lot, but just enough for me to notice them. Still, it didn't take me out of the story, it continued being what it was from the beginning - a fun story and that it is what it should be for the rest of the books.
We get more fun and adventure with Ken and his party as they descend the dungeon and level up. They do have some more difficulties with the AEF. The methods of dealing with it were cathartic.
Ken's grandparents do visit his academy. And hijinks were had.
The series sets up several plot threads for the future that can be slowly dealt out over the next few books.
Loved this book. Little bit of progression and growth and lots of funny on top. I find that all of the characters are unique and individual. no cookie cutter harem here. The humor in parts was certainly over the top. A lot of fun especially considering the genre. I was certainly like to see a few more stats and Powers listed but we get what we get. Some of it seems a bit nebulous It's still a wonderful series and I look forward to the next book.
I just couldn't put it down. With rest of Ken's family joint in, it just made me keep reading. Really wish we could find out the big problem Crimson is having and Ken can help her with. Maybe if we knew what the problem is, it would make the reader feel more involved we the book? I know that would make me wanna figure out how she's going to get him to help her. I'd really want to read more then. Great job!
The story is good, but the prose is pretty mediocre. There's a lot of cringe inducing lines in this story, at least to me. Also, the anthropomorphized bugs bunny caricature is not endearing, like at all. And i don't know if it's true, but i read somewhere that rabbits don't even like carrots all that much, preferring instead softer food, so now it bothers me that that is all that stupid rabbit seems to be fed. But that's on me i guess.
This was just so much fun, start to finish. Over coming the different challenges while keeping their harem working smoothly, now add assassins. Ken has 3, make that 4 women in his life, that Love him and he them. He has to make a choice for his future that will make life better and much harder, but does he want to drag his team/ loves with him...
Simple and fun read. The writing is... I'm not sure what the word i'm looking for but I think it's abrupt? I don't mind it much. There's just not as much description going on while reading it. The story progresses quickly, and I do enjoy it that way. It just a different feeling of writing. Either way, loved the story. I like Ken's grandparents. They're awesome. I'll definitely keep reading this series.
I really enjoyed this entry especially with his grandparents addition and the nuance of his background. My only concern is the seemingly really really slow progression. Last book crimson stated as being level 57? Ken is level 5 in this book so it feels like light years away and almost unobtainable. Hopefully that speeds up. Otherwise awesome entry
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series and can't wait for some more to come out. Got to find poor misunderstood Harley a romantic interest too. Its terrible she is not getting in on the action. Maybe she could help get the others ready for Ken. Then try some D for herself to see what all the fuss is about.
Surprise. Surprise, Surprise!!! What a twist! How unexpected! I love Bruce Sentar. He is a clever author with a gift of creativity. Start with 101 there is too much you need to know to jump in at the middle. Totally worth it. I love kindle unlimited and the authors who participate.
World building is slow but it's decent The character development is solid as far as strength though it is slow after two bucks around at level there is some character growth as far as the characters themselves go but it's pretty slow as well. However I think it's intended to be a long series so that's to be acceptable.