DnDoggos: Spells Like Trouble

DnDoggos #2

by Scout Underhill, Liana Sposto (Contributor)

Four adorable doggos and their new friend dive into another adventure-filled session of their favorite role playing game in Spells Like Trouble, the second book in the hilarious graphic novel series by Scout Underhill.

Magnus, Pickles, Tonka, and Zoey are ready to play! After leveling up, the doggos have new spells, new gear, new maps, and even a new Toast the cat! But Maxilla’s spell has woken a slumbering giant, and the threatening rumbles are growing louder. Plus, their new friend Toast has an unusual type of magic that is causing all kinds of trouble for our heroes.

Will leveling up help the DnDoggos and Toast stop Maxilla before she causes even more trouble? Or will their own magic get the best of them?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Animals, Humor, Fantasy

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this series slides in rules and gameplay tips throughout the story!

[Bets O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Scout Underhill and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group (through Netgalley) for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Since the first installment, my family has adored DnDoggos. The first book gets relentlessly checked out and renewed from our library. And since my 6 year old son is intrigued by my playing multiple campaigns in Pathfinder, these books are an incredible way to introduce him to table top role playing games.

DnDoggos: Spells like trouble is a continuation of the first book DnDoggos: Get the Party Started. It follows a group of friends who play the equivalent of Dungeons and Dragons together. There is Magnus, the Game Master who curates an adventure for his friends. Tonka plays a bard, Pickles plays a fighter, Zoey plays a cleric, and we have a new friend in this book, Toast the cat!

They interact with NPCs, solve puzzles, and battle baddies. It's a wonderful example of how characters grow throughout sessions, players gain confidence, and friends have fun together.

The illustrations are adorable and engaging, and the colors are wonderful. I think the introduction to real rules and gameplay is vitally important and while you get pulled back and forth between imagination and game play, it shows the importance of communication between players and working together.

My whole family is terribly excited for more graphic novels from Underhill, whether they are a part of this series (fingers crossed), or otherwise. I can't wait to purchase both the first and second books of DnDoggos for our own home library so that others can discover the magic of this series!

Available today, February 24, 2026.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

DnDoggos is the perfect middle grade introduction to TableTop Roleplaying! As a game master of my middle school library, it is often hard to find good examples of tabletop roleplaying that are both appropriate and informative to introduce to curious players. Many young people assume that DnD is exactly how it is played in "Stranger Things" (a great show to inspire young players but also not appropriate for all kids), this creates a single minded sense of understanding on DnD, which should be that it is infinite. This graphic novel is perfectly suited to introduce and satisfy the roleplaying curious or obsessed, encouraging kids to have an open mind, be imaginative, and work together for common goals. My young readers will love this as much as they love the first installment of DnDoggos.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing group for an Arc of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

DnDoggos was so much fun. If you’ve ever looked at Dungeons & Dragons and wondered how on earth people actually play that wild, imaginative game, this graphic novel is basically a tutorial in disguise. It walks you through the rhythm of a session in such a natural, story-driven way that you end up learning the flow without even realizing it.

I’ve only played Dungeons & Dragons once, but reading this felt exactly like being at the table. The dynamics, the way the adventure unfolds, the mix of seriousness and absolute chaos, it’s all spot on. The adventure in the book is entertaining on its own, but the real magic is how accurately it captures what playing D&D actually feels like.

If you’ve ever been curious but too shy or intimidated to try the game, this comic gives you the gist in the most approachable way possible. It’s welcoming, it’s funny, and it might just make you want to roll some dice yourself. Loved it.

[KATIE MEYERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

DnDoggos: Spells Like Trouble is a fun and imaginative middle grade graphic novel that brings together fantasy adventure and tabletop RPG style storytelling in an engaging way. The idea of a group of dogs playing through a magical game world adds charm and originality.

What makes this book stand out is the playful mix of humor, teamwork, and magical problem-solving. The characters are lively and easy to connect with, and their adventures feel both exciting and lighthearted.

The introduction of new spells, characters like Toast the cat, and rising stakes with Maxilla’s spell keeps the story fresh and entertaining throughout. It balances fun and tension in a way that works well for younger readers.

A creative, charming, and highly enjoyable read that will especially appeal to fans of fantasy, animals, and RPG-inspired adventures.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

DnDoggos is back with its second fun installment. Its premise is simple: a group of dogs playing Dungeons & Dragons. The graphic novel has an interesting concept of seeing both the players at the table and the action happening within the game. The story is easy to follow, but I wish there was more backstory with each character. This was a very quick read, and any young fan of dnd-esque games will surely enjoy this. Even if they're unfamiliar with the game, everything is explained to the reader. The characters had great facial expressions and I enjoyed the color palette. I did enjoy the first book more than the second, as the stakes felt higher.
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Christine LaBatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in this series finds the dog friends back for a continuation of their adventure! Maxilla has escaped prison, and they must her before she causes more chaos. Along the way, they are joined by cat friend Toast.

Just like the first one, this was a delight! I love all the characters so much, and this would be such a fun way to introduce kids to DnD/roleplay games. I'm sad that it seems like Toast might have only been for this volume because they were such a fun addition! I cannot wait for the next in this series - it is just such a delight to read.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Mac Kids Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends for an eARC of this graphic novel. I love this series so incredibly much! I want to be a player at Magnus’s table. More than that, DnDoggos does an outstanding job portraying actual DnD mechanics and rules for a young audience. All while giving us a delightful adventure full of unusual creatures and puzzles. Particularly in this volume, Toast’s feral magic introduced what is usually a complex concept in hilarious and simple ways. My 8yo has been reading this series with me and he loves it. Another phenomenal volume and I cannot wait for more!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, game-based comic book featuring smart and silly characters.

I read this book with my five year old and we both laughed and got invested in the story and game. I edited the story mildly for his reading level, but overall, we both enjoyed its creativity and the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lo Wayward Tomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

My entire family loved Get the Party Started and I know they're going to love this book. This is one of the cutest ways to get kids interested in DND or for kids who are already into it. I can't wait for book 3 I know it'll be a lot of fun too.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone in our family loves this series. Such fun read for kids who love DND and adventure! Thank you for the eARC through NetGalley

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly fun graphic novel for kids. Dogs playing Dungeons and Dragons together, joined this time by their cat friend. Book 2, with a to-be-continued ending that likely means a book three some time.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute series. Very sweet and terribly wholesome.

[Rachel (My bookshelf is about to overflow) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars🙃

[Ellie]

It's stupid that the dogs have "preferred pronouns" and that the male dog "changes" his from the first book. Stop shoving this drivel at kids.

[Varley Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel of dogs playing D&D. What's not to like? It's a quick, simple adventure, perfect for the kids.

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dungeons and dragons… and I love dogs. So this is the best combo for me. The dogs are super cute. And there’s a cat! I love how inclusive the characters are and open to helping people learn how to play d&d. I love the rule of cool (if the story is enhanced by fudging something… then, it can happen when someone evokes the rule of cool). I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

[Alli Buff · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received from NetGalley.

This first book in this series is wildly popular with the MG crowd- and the second did not disappoint! My preteen read it 3 times through immediately and was cracking up the whole time. A must read for any kid who loves DnD!