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Operation Bounce House
A man must fight for his planet against impossible odds when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate it in this epic, fast-paced novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the smash-hit Dungeon Crawler Carl.
All colonist Oliver Lewis ever wanted to do is run the family ranch with his sister, maybe play a gig or two with his band, and keep his family’s aging fleet of intelligent agriculture bots ticking as long as possible. As a fan of Earth television and culture, he figures it will be a good thing when the transfer gate finally opens all the way and restores instant travel and full communication between Earth and his planet, New Sonora. But there’s a complication.
Even though the settlers were promised they’d be left in peace, Earth’s government now has other plans. The colossal Apex Corporation is hired to commence an “eviction action.” But maximizing profits will always be Apex’s number one priority. Why spend money printing and deploying their own AI soldiers when they can turn it into a game? Why not charge bored Earthers for the opportunity to design their own war machines and remotely pilot them from the comfort of their own homes?
The game is called Operation Bounce House.
Oliver and his friends soon find themselves fighting for their lives against machines piloted by gamers who’ve paid a premium for the privilege. With the help of an old book from his grandfather and a bucket of rusty parts, Oliver is determined to defend the only home he’s ever known.
All colonist Oliver Lewis ever wanted to do is run the family ranch with his sister, maybe play a gig or two with his band, and keep his family’s aging fleet of intelligent agriculture bots ticking as long as possible. As a fan of Earth television and culture, he figures it will be a good thing when the transfer gate finally opens all the way and restores instant travel and full communication between Earth and his planet, New Sonora. But there’s a complication.
Even though the settlers were promised they’d be left in peace, Earth’s government now has other plans. The colossal Apex Corporation is hired to commence an “eviction action.” But maximizing profits will always be Apex’s number one priority. Why spend money printing and deploying their own AI soldiers when they can turn it into a game? Why not charge bored Earthers for the opportunity to design their own war machines and remotely pilot them from the comfort of their own homes?
The game is called Operation Bounce House.
Oliver and his friends soon find themselves fighting for their lives against machines piloted by gamers who’ve paid a premium for the privilege. With the help of an old book from his grandfather and a bucket of rusty parts, Oliver is determined to defend the only home he’s ever known.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 10, 2026
249 people are currently reading
54502 people want to read
About the author
Matt Dinniman
31 books15.3k followersMatt Dinniman is the best-selling writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the published author of dozens of short stories and a gaggle of books. In addition, his art publications—from greeting cards to stationery kits to calendars—can be found in boutique and stationery shops around the world. Also, he strongly feels like a pretentious twat when he writes about himself in third person.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
February 10, 2026
I'm a huge Dungeon Crawler Carl fan so I wanted to try an other story from Matt Dinniman, and I'm so glad I did!
The concept is both chilling and entertaining, the characters are interesting and have great chemistry, and the world building is really immersive.
I loved the balance between deep feelings and action, humour and violence.
There are also very interesting ideas addressed all through the plot, especially regarding the treatment of who or what is deemed different from us.
I had a great time and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, action packed, genuinely good story.
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!
The concept is both chilling and entertaining, the characters are interesting and have great chemistry, and the world building is really immersive.
I loved the balance between deep feelings and action, humour and violence.
There are also very interesting ideas addressed all through the plot, especially regarding the treatment of who or what is deemed different from us.
I had a great time and I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, action packed, genuinely good story.
Thank you so much Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!
Read
December 17, 2025__Well, that might just be my last book of the year, ! A full review is queued up and ready to launch the moment I submit the last exam in 2025 hehee 💀😭
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩 (𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦), 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺.
----
Oh my gosh, I'm absolutely dying to know what Matt's cooking up! I'm starving just thinking about it, and the worst part is the book won't be out until next year. The wait is killing me😭.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘑𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘱𝘩 (𝘗𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦), 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺.
----
Oh my gosh, I'm absolutely dying to know what Matt's cooking up! I'm starving just thinking about it, and the worst part is the book won't be out until next year. The wait is killing me😭.
October 17, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Berkely Publishing Group/ ACE for an ARC of this book!
*Sighs and adds 30 books to my TBR*
Yeah, this was everything I was hoping it would be! to infinity and beyond more. I have had my eye on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series for a while now, and it's on my TBR. But I am in the middle of so many series right now it's actually disgusting. And I have also sworn against sci-fi up until very recently. But I knew I had to be careful when I took my first step. I had a hunch Mr. Dinniman would be a fantastic stepping stone into the world of Sci-fi. I was very much correct. If you've been contemplating getting into the Sci-fi genre, you start with this book. It's a standalone, so you don't have to worry about committing to a series. Pieces of real life/real life problems and Science Fiction are glued together with humor and it's absolutely brilliant! It's not hard to follow, you don't feel as if you're getting lost, or anything is over your head. I think the use of real life situations helps with that. The story itself is an emotional ride. This was definitely a good time
According to the rules of this book, Im very weak minded..f@&k 😅
*Sighs and adds 30 books to my TBR*
Yeah, this was everything I was hoping it would be! to infinity and beyond more. I have had my eye on the Dungeon Crawler Carl series for a while now, and it's on my TBR. But I am in the middle of so many series right now it's actually disgusting. And I have also sworn against sci-fi up until very recently. But I knew I had to be careful when I took my first step. I had a hunch Mr. Dinniman would be a fantastic stepping stone into the world of Sci-fi. I was very much correct. If you've been contemplating getting into the Sci-fi genre, you start with this book. It's a standalone, so you don't have to worry about committing to a series. Pieces of real life/real life problems and Science Fiction are glued together with humor and it's absolutely brilliant! It's not hard to follow, you don't feel as if you're getting lost, or anything is over your head. I think the use of real life situations helps with that. The story itself is an emotional ride. This was definitely a good time
According to the rules of this book, Im very weak minded..f@&k 😅
November 3, 2025
Operation Bounce House
by Matt Dinniman
This really is a book that came out of left field. The characters, plot, theme, and world-building are so unique that it caught me totally by surprise. I love a good, fresh look at sci-fi and this sure is! The characters on another planet are interesting and amazing. The backstory of the people and all the history is strange and mysterious. There is the simple awe of the story as it unfolds, the society they have and how it all works, and the dry humor that pops up frequently along the way.
Just as I was getting comfortable with this crazy but adorable life, people on earth find a way to mess things up. They start a game but the game really kills the people on the planet. It is televised on Earth and the planet's people are called terrorists. These farmers now have to fight mechanical soldiers with bombs, guns, and are controlled by rich spoiled kids.
I loved this book! I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this unique and wonderful book!
by Matt Dinniman
This really is a book that came out of left field. The characters, plot, theme, and world-building are so unique that it caught me totally by surprise. I love a good, fresh look at sci-fi and this sure is! The characters on another planet are interesting and amazing. The backstory of the people and all the history is strange and mysterious. There is the simple awe of the story as it unfolds, the society they have and how it all works, and the dry humor that pops up frequently along the way.
Just as I was getting comfortable with this crazy but adorable life, people on earth find a way to mess things up. They start a game but the game really kills the people on the planet. It is televised on Earth and the planet's people are called terrorists. These farmers now have to fight mechanical soldiers with bombs, guns, and are controlled by rich spoiled kids.
I loved this book! I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this unique and wonderful book!
February 7, 2026
˗ˏˋ 2 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
i requested this book since i loved DCC very much. it felt very different from DCC and it was very sci-fi and not as funny as DCC was. there was also kinda a lot of info dumping in the beginning of the book where i got very confused with all of the characters... somewhere in the middle of the book, the plot kinda got very repetitive and it felt like it was going nowhere? iykwim
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
i requested this book since i loved DCC very much. it felt very different from DCC and it was very sci-fi and not as funny as DCC was. there was also kinda a lot of info dumping in the beginning of the book where i got very confused with all of the characters... somewhere in the middle of the book, the plot kinda got very repetitive and it felt like it was going nowhere? iykwim
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing/Ace for the eARC! ♥️
My first exposure to this author came through Dungeon Crawler Carl (which I somehow ended up reading in tandem with this book).
This book is very different from DCC and has a very different vibe. While DCC is a kind of sci fi fantasy mashup with a somewhat campy and humorous feel to it, this book is straight sci fi and lacks the humorous vibe.
This book follows a group of people originally from Earth who colonized another planet and live fairly simple lives working the land (the main character is a rancher, others are farmers, etc). Meanwhile, Earth decides to invade this new planet and the main character Oliver and his friends and family members defend their home.
This was a somewhat odd reading experience for me. Oliver, despite being the main character, didn’t feel like the main character at all. A lot of the action happened “off screen” so to speak and he wasn’t involved with it at all; he would just hear about it later from someone else or see it later on a vid screen. Roger, one of the robots working on Oliver’s ranch, felt like more of the main character (even though this is first person from Oliver’s perspective) because Roger was involved in more of the action (and a lot of the time, he was the one reporting back to Oliver what was going on).
Roger was also the only humorous character and I enjoyed his scenes. Since he was essentially the babysitter/teacher of Oliver and his sister as kids, he doesn’t tolerate cursing which led to some funny moments. I kind of pictured him to look like IG-11 from The Mandalorian.
The rest of the “humor” in the book (if you could call it that) consisted of dirty jokes and the like, none of which I personally found funny.
Aside from Roger, none of the characters really stood out to me. Part of that is because a bunch of them were introduced at the same time and also because Roger would refer to them with names like “Oliver’s third friend” or whatnot so it was difficult to keep track of them all.
I did like the interview segments which helped explain the bigger picture. The story itself was a bit hard to follow at times and was a bit repetitive (Earth attacks, they defend, person XYZ was killed in the battle, etc). The ending got very sci fi and I personally wasn’t a fan of it.
Overall I would definitely recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl over this. This book is more on the sci fi end and is nowhere near as humorous or entertaining as DCC is. Sadly, this was a bit of a miss for me.
My first exposure to this author came through Dungeon Crawler Carl (which I somehow ended up reading in tandem with this book).
This book is very different from DCC and has a very different vibe. While DCC is a kind of sci fi fantasy mashup with a somewhat campy and humorous feel to it, this book is straight sci fi and lacks the humorous vibe.
This book follows a group of people originally from Earth who colonized another planet and live fairly simple lives working the land (the main character is a rancher, others are farmers, etc). Meanwhile, Earth decides to invade this new planet and the main character Oliver and his friends and family members defend their home.
This was a somewhat odd reading experience for me. Oliver, despite being the main character, didn’t feel like the main character at all. A lot of the action happened “off screen” so to speak and he wasn’t involved with it at all; he would just hear about it later from someone else or see it later on a vid screen. Roger, one of the robots working on Oliver’s ranch, felt like more of the main character (even though this is first person from Oliver’s perspective) because Roger was involved in more of the action (and a lot of the time, he was the one reporting back to Oliver what was going on).
Roger was also the only humorous character and I enjoyed his scenes. Since he was essentially the babysitter/teacher of Oliver and his sister as kids, he doesn’t tolerate cursing which led to some funny moments. I kind of pictured him to look like IG-11 from The Mandalorian.
The rest of the “humor” in the book (if you could call it that) consisted of dirty jokes and the like, none of which I personally found funny.
Aside from Roger, none of the characters really stood out to me. Part of that is because a bunch of them were introduced at the same time and also because Roger would refer to them with names like “Oliver’s third friend” or whatnot so it was difficult to keep track of them all.
I did like the interview segments which helped explain the bigger picture. The story itself was a bit hard to follow at times and was a bit repetitive (Earth attacks, they defend, person XYZ was killed in the battle, etc). The ending got very sci fi and I personally wasn’t a fan of it.
Overall I would definitely recommend Dungeon Crawler Carl over this. This book is more on the sci fi end and is nowhere near as humorous or entertaining as DCC is. Sadly, this was a bit of a miss for me.
January 25, 2026
This was a really fun read and even though I’m not really a sci-fi girly, it had lots of elements to appeal to a wide audience.🥰⭐️
The story predominantly follows Oliver, a farmer living a small off-Earth colony called New Sonara, alongside his friends and family.🧑🌾🐷🐓🌾
However, the characters soon discover a previously advertised ‘Operation Bounce House’ is real and its purpose is to exterminate New Sonara using remotely-operated mechanical robots. 🤖🦾🦿💥🚀
The story has a strong cat of characters with a good amount of depth but also it knows when to add humour to the story, and not take itself too seriously. I always have a soft spot for little robot characters (perhaps stemming from my love of Rocky in Project Hail Mary) and so Roger 👾was a great primary character and was strategically used to move the plot along, add information, humour and even contention. Similarly I think the elaborate lay-out of the AI systems was very clever.
The plot was very compelling and I was definitely invested in the progress of the invasion in what seemed like an insurmountable battle. Another component worth highlighting is the scene-cuts of Rosita’s recording 🎬📽️🎞️- aiming to create empathy in the audiences - which felt almost like a breaking-the-fourth-wall moment. Even though a lot of the language and plot centres around mechanics and technology, those scenes were a nice prompt to make you humanise the characters and their prior lives. 🥹😌They felt sincere and endearing.
Overall a great read. If you’re a Dinnaman fan and used to his writing style, you’ll have heaps of fun with this🫡💃🏽 - and if you haven’t read his work before, this is a great entry point to his writing as well as the sci-fi genre.🥰⭐️
The story predominantly follows Oliver, a farmer living a small off-Earth colony called New Sonara, alongside his friends and family.🧑🌾🐷🐓🌾
However, the characters soon discover a previously advertised ‘Operation Bounce House’ is real and its purpose is to exterminate New Sonara using remotely-operated mechanical robots. 🤖🦾🦿💥🚀
The story has a strong cat of characters with a good amount of depth but also it knows when to add humour to the story, and not take itself too seriously. I always have a soft spot for little robot characters (perhaps stemming from my love of Rocky in Project Hail Mary) and so Roger 👾was a great primary character and was strategically used to move the plot along, add information, humour and even contention. Similarly I think the elaborate lay-out of the AI systems was very clever.
The plot was very compelling and I was definitely invested in the progress of the invasion in what seemed like an insurmountable battle. Another component worth highlighting is the scene-cuts of Rosita’s recording 🎬📽️🎞️- aiming to create empathy in the audiences - which felt almost like a breaking-the-fourth-wall moment. Even though a lot of the language and plot centres around mechanics and technology, those scenes were a nice prompt to make you humanise the characters and their prior lives. 🥹😌They felt sincere and endearing.
Overall a great read. If you’re a Dinnaman fan and used to his writing style, you’ll have heaps of fun with this🫡💃🏽 - and if you haven’t read his work before, this is a great entry point to his writing as well as the sci-fi genre.🥰⭐️
August 27, 2025
Like many people, I came to know Matt Dinniman as a huge fan of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. While I can’t always completely understand what is happening in those books, I find reading them to be tremendously enjoyable. I’m not a big gamer nor am I a fantasy reader, but I love Princess Donut and Carl’s adventures.
This book, Operation Bounce House, has wonderfully developed characters that remind me a lot of Carl. While the supporting cast isn’t as absurd or whimsical, the story is engaging and it is so much easier for me to visualize and understand. Yay for Dinniman getting an editor!!
Oliver is a farmer with a steady girl and a garage band. He is the third or fourth generation on a planet called New Sonora. Earth hasn’t made contact with them for 100 years, when the planet was colonized by a handful of scientists and criminals. They are fully independent from earth. But the tables are turned with earth’s government decides to evict the settlers and take back control of the planet via AI android types that are controlled by earth gamers.
So they now become part of a video game that Earth people are charged to play to completely get rid of the citizens of Sonora, called Operation Bounce House.
This one is more speculative fiction and sci fi than fantasy, and has some thinly veiled warnings about late stage capitalism and AI. I found it to be very adventurous and fun. There is some humor, but mostly this is just action packed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ace Publishing/ Berkeley for the ARC. Book to be published 2/9/26.
This book, Operation Bounce House, has wonderfully developed characters that remind me a lot of Carl. While the supporting cast isn’t as absurd or whimsical, the story is engaging and it is so much easier for me to visualize and understand. Yay for Dinniman getting an editor!!
Oliver is a farmer with a steady girl and a garage band. He is the third or fourth generation on a planet called New Sonora. Earth hasn’t made contact with them for 100 years, when the planet was colonized by a handful of scientists and criminals. They are fully independent from earth. But the tables are turned with earth’s government decides to evict the settlers and take back control of the planet via AI android types that are controlled by earth gamers.
So they now become part of a video game that Earth people are charged to play to completely get rid of the citizens of Sonora, called Operation Bounce House.
This one is more speculative fiction and sci fi than fantasy, and has some thinly veiled warnings about late stage capitalism and AI. I found it to be very adventurous and fun. There is some humor, but mostly this is just action packed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ace Publishing/ Berkeley for the ARC. Book to be published 2/9/26.
January 19, 2026
First off, this is true MD writing with the humor and vibes that feel like you are truly a part of the story.
Second, I just refuse to believe that this is a standalone. I had such a good time with this one but I think the way this story unraveled and ended could be by itself OR continue as a series. Personally I want more.
The first 1/3 of the book is somewhat slow but that is to be expected to get the lay of the land. Then it is a steady climb until we hit the peaks of the plot.
I didn’t think I’d be obsessed with the ending of this but I am! I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. But I think that is why I refuse for this to just end.
This book is full of humor, heartfelt moments, gore, violence and plenty of profanity that is monitored by a Robotic Bee named Roger….this will be your book if any of these spark your interest! Especially when it is placed in a dystopian future of human colonization mixed in with the propaganda and political turmoil.
Or you may like this book if you just pick it up and just read it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing for the eARC.
Second, I just refuse to believe that this is a standalone. I had such a good time with this one but I think the way this story unraveled and ended could be by itself OR continue as a series. Personally I want more.
The first 1/3 of the book is somewhat slow but that is to be expected to get the lay of the land. Then it is a steady climb until we hit the peaks of the plot.
I didn’t think I’d be obsessed with the ending of this but I am! I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. But I think that is why I refuse for this to just end.
This book is full of humor, heartfelt moments, gore, violence and plenty of profanity that is monitored by a Robotic Bee named Roger….this will be your book if any of these spark your interest! Especially when it is placed in a dystopian future of human colonization mixed in with the propaganda and political turmoil.
Or you may like this book if you just pick it up and just read it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing for the eARC.
February 5, 2026
Operation Bounce House was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and somehow, it still managed to exceed my already high expectations! The plot is unique and addictive, I was completely sucked in and couldn't put it down.
It captures that dystopian vibe that we all love in Dungeon Crawler Carl, but stands entirely on its own with a amazing storyline full of chaotic moments and a cast of unforgettable characters. The whole time I read it I kept imagining it as a TV show / movie or a video game. I couldn't put it down, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished. Pure perfection! Easy 5 stars and will be one of the best books of the year!!
It captures that dystopian vibe that we all love in Dungeon Crawler Carl, but stands entirely on its own with a amazing storyline full of chaotic moments and a cast of unforgettable characters. The whole time I read it I kept imagining it as a TV show / movie or a video game. I couldn't put it down, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished. Pure perfection! Easy 5 stars and will be one of the best books of the year!!
September 29, 2025
This isn't Dungeon Crawler Carl, but there's no denying it's a Matt Dinniman book. It has much of what makes Matt's books so enjoyable- a wild premise, irreverent humor, action, an endearing cast, and twists and turns that keep you guessing til the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Welcome, Citizen Soldier. Welcome to Operation Bounce House."
What an adventure - a story with Matt Dinniman's signature wit and humor mixed into the horror on-line streamers, internet anonymity, and war.
Generations ago, a group of people left Earth to establish a colony on a new planet. They've been there years now, working the land, trying to establish cities versus farms and make it ready for others to come and live here. There were some hiccups, sure. A mysterious illness, a few breakdowns in the drones and worker bots, but otherwise it's gone okay. However, suddenly, mechs are at their doorstep and a brother and sister, their friends and fellow farmers along with their robots, must fight to keep this planet and the only life they've ever known.
This was a great adventure of a read, but also sobering about the realities of fighting to live. I loved learning the history of the planet but, unlike Dungeon Crawler Carl, this doesn't show the horror of aliens but the terrible side of humans. It gives us both sides of the coin of people and we get to see how each can be used for good or bad. I loved the silly moments, the animals are absolutely wonderful parts of the story, and the friendships and found family warmed my heart. Wondering what would happen next and the maneuvering of war were fascinating and compelling and made it hard to stop reading. I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
What an adventure - a story with Matt Dinniman's signature wit and humor mixed into the horror on-line streamers, internet anonymity, and war.
Generations ago, a group of people left Earth to establish a colony on a new planet. They've been there years now, working the land, trying to establish cities versus farms and make it ready for others to come and live here. There were some hiccups, sure. A mysterious illness, a few breakdowns in the drones and worker bots, but otherwise it's gone okay. However, suddenly, mechs are at their doorstep and a brother and sister, their friends and fellow farmers along with their robots, must fight to keep this planet and the only life they've ever known.
This was a great adventure of a read, but also sobering about the realities of fighting to live. I loved learning the history of the planet but, unlike Dungeon Crawler Carl, this doesn't show the horror of aliens but the terrible side of humans. It gives us both sides of the coin of people and we get to see how each can be used for good or bad. I loved the silly moments, the animals are absolutely wonderful parts of the story, and the friendships and found family warmed my heart. Wondering what would happen next and the maneuvering of war were fascinating and compelling and made it hard to stop reading. I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 2, 2025
Such a good book. Not as good as Carl so don’t expect it to be. But definitely give it a read.
February 9, 2026
Full review to come.
Want to read
September 1, 2025I need to read whatever this insane and genius man writes.
January 18, 2026
Operation Bounce House is unlike anything you’ve read before but has all your favorites, dystopian, fast-paced, and fueled by found family. A war is coming, but the lines aren’t clear, and you may not even know who you want to win. Matt Dinniman pulls you in and keeps you questioning everything until the very last page. I’m still questioning things. Some people might even consider this a horror.
Thank you to penguin publishing and Matt Dinniman for the ARC!
Thank you to penguin publishing and Matt Dinniman for the ARC!
Want to read
September 18, 2025Edit 9/17/25: Screaming crying throwing up because I got the ARC!!!
Um... pardon me, what is this? This is my formal request to Ace to let me get my grubby paws on this, please and thanks
Um... pardon me, what is this? This is my formal request to Ace to let me get my grubby paws on this, please and thanks
December 6, 2025
Review to come upon release
First half was wayyyy too slow, 2 stars.
Second half was much, much better, 5 stars.
So that means 3.5 stars, rounded up.
First half was wayyyy too slow, 2 stars.
Second half was much, much better, 5 stars.
So that means 3.5 stars, rounded up.
January 16, 2026
Thank you PRH Audio for the ALC. Operation Bounce House will have your adrenaline pumping the whole time. By the last few chapters, my mouth was hanging open. This book tackles gamer culture and AI head-on. The use of a small farming planet being thrown into absolute chaos offers clever plotting. Shout out to authors who put easter eggs in their other books. I love the call-outs to Dungeon Crawler Carl.
January 26, 2026
4.25⭐️
A unique concept and a thrilling read! This was what I expected from Matt Dinniman, and I had a great time!
Operation Bounce House occurs on the planet of New Sonora: a planet settled by humans from Earth two generations before the story begins. We follow our main character Oliver, a farmer on New Sonora, along with his sister Lulu, their AI tutor Roger, and their friends. As Oliver and Roger are investigating a missing farm helper robot, they are attacked by a war mech being piloted remotely by a spoiled Earth child. We then learn that an Earth corporation has created a video game called Operation Bounce House that allows residents on Earth to pilot real mechs, remotely from Earth, in order to eliminate "terrorists" on a settled planet far away, in this case Oliver's home, New Sonora. Oliver and his friends soon find themselves fighting to survive five days against an onslaught of gamer controlled mechs from Earth. Why is Earth after New Sonora? How will Oliver and his friends survive?
In typical Matt Dinniman fashion, this book is action packed and funny as hell, while also having tender character moments and tackling deeper themes. I loved the concept, the characters, and the action. The plot took a turn I wasn't expecting at the end, making things far more interesting than I'd thought they were. The characters and setting are unique, and the comedic moments were hilarious. Dinniman manages to create a fully fleshed out world while progressing the plot and bringing it to a satisfying conclusion, all in 437 pages.
Now for some things I didn't quite like about this book. The pacing to me felt inconsistent at times. Overall, the entire book is decently fast paced, but there were parts that felt TOO fast paced, or other places where the shift change in the plot felt a little too abrupt. There were also a number of things that felt far too convenient for our characters, simply to help the plot move along given this is a standalone. These things normally appeared without too much explanation, or a convoluted explanation. And lastly, there were one or two details thrown in for comedic relief that didn't quite work for me, or didn't really feel like they fit the story.
Overall, I loved this book, and it was another great story from Matt Dinniman. If you enjoyed Dungeon Crawler Carl, you'll enjoy the tone, characters, and plot in Operation Bounce House as well. Rhythm Mafia for life!
A unique concept and a thrilling read! This was what I expected from Matt Dinniman, and I had a great time!
Operation Bounce House occurs on the planet of New Sonora: a planet settled by humans from Earth two generations before the story begins. We follow our main character Oliver, a farmer on New Sonora, along with his sister Lulu, their AI tutor Roger, and their friends. As Oliver and Roger are investigating a missing farm helper robot, they are attacked by a war mech being piloted remotely by a spoiled Earth child. We then learn that an Earth corporation has created a video game called Operation Bounce House that allows residents on Earth to pilot real mechs, remotely from Earth, in order to eliminate "terrorists" on a settled planet far away, in this case Oliver's home, New Sonora. Oliver and his friends soon find themselves fighting to survive five days against an onslaught of gamer controlled mechs from Earth. Why is Earth after New Sonora? How will Oliver and his friends survive?
In typical Matt Dinniman fashion, this book is action packed and funny as hell, while also having tender character moments and tackling deeper themes. I loved the concept, the characters, and the action. The plot took a turn I wasn't expecting at the end, making things far more interesting than I'd thought they were. The characters and setting are unique, and the comedic moments were hilarious. Dinniman manages to create a fully fleshed out world while progressing the plot and bringing it to a satisfying conclusion, all in 437 pages.
Now for some things I didn't quite like about this book. The pacing to me felt inconsistent at times. Overall, the entire book is decently fast paced, but there were parts that felt TOO fast paced, or other places where the shift change in the plot felt a little too abrupt. There were also a number of things that felt far too convenient for our characters, simply to help the plot move along given this is a standalone. These things normally appeared without too much explanation, or a convoluted explanation. And lastly, there were one or two details thrown in for comedic relief that didn't quite work for me, or didn't really feel like they fit the story.
Overall, I loved this book, and it was another great story from Matt Dinniman. If you enjoyed Dungeon Crawler Carl, you'll enjoy the tone, characters, and plot in Operation Bounce House as well. Rhythm Mafia for life!
February 4, 2026
★★★★★ Operation Bounce House
ARC Review
This was an absolute blast from start to finish. I received an ARC of Operation Bounce House from NetGalley, and it completely delivered on everything I was hoping for and then some….It’s chaotic, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny in that very specific Matt Dinniman way where things are ridiculous on the surface but smartly constructed underneath.
The concept alone is wild, but what really makes this shine is the execution. The pacing never drags, the humor lands consistently, and the situations escalate in ways that feel both unhinged and perfectly logical within the world. I found myself constantly impressed by how the story balances absurdity with genuine stakes…you’re laughing one moment and fully invested the next. I think there is a slight reference to Princess Donut…😏
The characters are a huge highlight. They’re sharp, distinct, and react to the insanity around them in ways that feel earned rather than forced for laughs. There’s also that signature Dinniman energy: fast, snarky dialogue, unexpected turns, and a refusal to play it safe. I love that Roger refers to everyone not by names but by descriptions…😂
If you enjoy smart chaos, dark humor, and stories that fully commit to their premise, this is an easy five stars. Operation Bounce House is wildly entertaining, ridiculously fun, and proof (yet again) that Matt Dinniman knows exactly how to keep readers hooked….Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!
ARC Review
This was an absolute blast from start to finish. I received an ARC of Operation Bounce House from NetGalley, and it completely delivered on everything I was hoping for and then some….It’s chaotic, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny in that very specific Matt Dinniman way where things are ridiculous on the surface but smartly constructed underneath.
The concept alone is wild, but what really makes this shine is the execution. The pacing never drags, the humor lands consistently, and the situations escalate in ways that feel both unhinged and perfectly logical within the world. I found myself constantly impressed by how the story balances absurdity with genuine stakes…you’re laughing one moment and fully invested the next. I think there is a slight reference to Princess Donut…😏
The characters are a huge highlight. They’re sharp, distinct, and react to the insanity around them in ways that feel earned rather than forced for laughs. There’s also that signature Dinniman energy: fast, snarky dialogue, unexpected turns, and a refusal to play it safe. I love that Roger refers to everyone not by names but by descriptions…😂
If you enjoy smart chaos, dark humor, and stories that fully commit to their premise, this is an easy five stars. Operation Bounce House is wildly entertaining, ridiculously fun, and proof (yet again) that Matt Dinniman knows exactly how to keep readers hooked….Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!
February 10, 2026
4⭐️
What a fun read this was!! Operation Bounce House follows Oliver, a farmer who lives on a small colony off Earth with his friends and family. Everything is as it seems until one day they learn that “Operation Bounce House”, an initiative to exterminate their colony New Sonara with human operated robots, is real and has started.
Just like with his well loved Dungeon Crawler Carl series, there is a wonderful cast of characters (special shoutout to Roger) that add so much humor, vulnerability, and family moments to the book. The balance between all of these elements was really well done along with the immersive world building. The plot was engaging and pulls the reader immediately into the book and on the mission of how they are going to get out of this invasion. The scene-cut recordings added some really nice empathetic and heartwarming moments to the book as well. Matt Dinniman manages to incorporate real life situations and timely topics into this action packed sci-fi novel and it was a great read!
I highly recommend picking this one up if you are a lover of Dungeon Crawler Carl series or are wanting to get into the world of Sci-fi!! This is a great standalone in this space with intelligent writing, wit, humor, and family!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!
What a fun read this was!! Operation Bounce House follows Oliver, a farmer who lives on a small colony off Earth with his friends and family. Everything is as it seems until one day they learn that “Operation Bounce House”, an initiative to exterminate their colony New Sonara with human operated robots, is real and has started.
Just like with his well loved Dungeon Crawler Carl series, there is a wonderful cast of characters (special shoutout to Roger) that add so much humor, vulnerability, and family moments to the book. The balance between all of these elements was really well done along with the immersive world building. The plot was engaging and pulls the reader immediately into the book and on the mission of how they are going to get out of this invasion. The scene-cut recordings added some really nice empathetic and heartwarming moments to the book as well. Matt Dinniman manages to incorporate real life situations and timely topics into this action packed sci-fi novel and it was a great read!
I highly recommend picking this one up if you are a lover of Dungeon Crawler Carl series or are wanting to get into the world of Sci-fi!! This is a great standalone in this space with intelligent writing, wit, humor, and family!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!
February 4, 2026
A new standalone from Matt Dinniman??? SMASH!
After begging ACE for an eARC for weeks, they finally took pity on me and then when my Libro.fm ALCs for February dropped and I saw my most anticipated read of 2026 as the first pick…I clicked it so fast I think I cracked my phone screen!
Leave it to MD (Matty D? Would he hate that? I’ll have to ask) to take horrific subjects like genocide, colonialism, homicidal capitalism, and potentially murderous AI systems and make them laugh-out-loud hilarious and punch-in-the-gut miserable. Poor Oliver just wanted to be farmer who plays in a crappy garage bad with his buddies, but instead he has to save the planet from a terrifying government-contracted video game company bent on exterminating their colony.
Operation Bounce House gives all the heart and chaos of the DCC universe, with all the quirk and charm of the delightfully weird characters Matt Dinniman is known for.
Thank you to Libro.FM for the gifted ALC and to ACE for my gifted eARC and the opportunity to give my honest review!
After begging ACE for an eARC for weeks, they finally took pity on me and then when my Libro.fm ALCs for February dropped and I saw my most anticipated read of 2026 as the first pick…I clicked it so fast I think I cracked my phone screen!
Leave it to MD (Matty D? Would he hate that? I’ll have to ask) to take horrific subjects like genocide, colonialism, homicidal capitalism, and potentially murderous AI systems and make them laugh-out-loud hilarious and punch-in-the-gut miserable. Poor Oliver just wanted to be farmer who plays in a crappy garage bad with his buddies, but instead he has to save the planet from a terrifying government-contracted video game company bent on exterminating their colony.
Operation Bounce House gives all the heart and chaos of the DCC universe, with all the quirk and charm of the delightfully weird characters Matt Dinniman is known for.
Thank you to Libro.FM for the gifted ALC and to ACE for my gifted eARC and the opportunity to give my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an eARC.
This book has a chilling but unique premise where people from Earth create a game to attack and destroy the colonists remotely. I quite liked the characters and their dynamics. Midway through the book, I found the fight scenes somewhat repetitive and think that the book could've been a bit shorter. I'm not sure how to feel about the ending but I suppose it was fitting. The core of the story made me feel the same way I felt while reading 1984, like this could be real someday. I've never read a dystopian/speculative fiction book with this plotline before. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a unique dystopian novel -- part video games, part war.
This book has a chilling but unique premise where people from Earth create a game to attack and destroy the colonists remotely. I quite liked the characters and their dynamics. Midway through the book, I found the fight scenes somewhat repetitive and think that the book could've been a bit shorter. I'm not sure how to feel about the ending but I suppose it was fitting. The core of the story made me feel the same way I felt while reading 1984, like this could be real someday. I've never read a dystopian/speculative fiction book with this plotline before. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a unique dystopian novel -- part video games, part war.
February 1, 2026
Wow, I honestly don’t even have words for the book I just read. Operation Bounce House was somehow everything I expected from Dinniman and so much more.
Dinniman’s pacing is masterfully handled in this standalone. The story creeps forward at a deliberately painful pace in all the right places, forcing you to savor every moment of brutal combat, mournful loss, and the many adrenaline-packed plots unfolding simultaneously.
The worldbuilding is another major standout. Dinniman packs an incredible amount of detail and depth into a relatively short book, leaving you desperately wanting a book two. The cast is instantly lovable, and the protagonist, Ollie, serves as an especially satisfying narrative lens through which to experience this story.
As with many of his books, Operation Bounce House is also a fantastic entry point for newer sci-fi readers. The themes, setting, plot, and characters all feel fresh and deeply engaging. More than once, I found myself reading for hours without realizing it, only to immediately dive right back in.
Dinniman’s pacing is masterfully handled in this standalone. The story creeps forward at a deliberately painful pace in all the right places, forcing you to savor every moment of brutal combat, mournful loss, and the many adrenaline-packed plots unfolding simultaneously.
The worldbuilding is another major standout. Dinniman packs an incredible amount of detail and depth into a relatively short book, leaving you desperately wanting a book two. The cast is instantly lovable, and the protagonist, Ollie, serves as an especially satisfying narrative lens through which to experience this story.
As with many of his books, Operation Bounce House is also a fantastic entry point for newer sci-fi readers. The themes, setting, plot, and characters all feel fresh and deeply engaging. More than once, I found myself reading for hours without realizing it, only to immediately dive right back in.
September 30, 2025
2.5 / 5 stars
Full RTC
Full RTC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Operation Bounce House is one of those books that sounds ridiculous on paper and somehow ends up being completely addictive. It is funny, tense, and way more heartfelt than I expected, and I flew through it once I got started.
Oliver is a great lead. He is a farmer just trying to keep his land and his family’s legacy intact while also chasing his love of music, which makes him feel real even when everything around him goes off the rails. Lulu, his sister, is an absolute standout. She is confident, fearless, and not afraid to call anyone out, and she brings so much energy to every scene she is in. Roger, the queen honeybee, ended up being one of my favorite characters. He has way more depth than you expect at first, and watching him step up when things get serious was both fun and surprisingly emotional. Sam, the loyal best friend, rounds out the group with heart and humor, and their dynamic between them all made the story even more enjoyable.
The pacing kept me engaged the whole way through. The book moves quickly, but it never feels rushed, and the way the action and quieter moments are broken up keeps things from ever slowing down too much. There is always something about to happen, which made it really easy to keep turning pages.
The worldbuilding is a big part of why this works so well. The mix of colony life, advanced tech, and game like mechanics gives it strong tower defense and VR MMORPG vibes without ever feeling gimmicky. The history of the settlers and the forces attacking them adds real stakes, and the world feels busy, messy, and lived in.
By the end, I was completely sold. Operation Bounce House is not Dungeon Crawler Carl, but there is more than enough here for Dinniman fans to love, especially if you enjoy smart sci fi, fun systems, and characters you actually care about. At 4.75 stars, this was an easy win for me and one I had a blast reading.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ace Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Oliver is a great lead. He is a farmer just trying to keep his land and his family’s legacy intact while also chasing his love of music, which makes him feel real even when everything around him goes off the rails. Lulu, his sister, is an absolute standout. She is confident, fearless, and not afraid to call anyone out, and she brings so much energy to every scene she is in. Roger, the queen honeybee, ended up being one of my favorite characters. He has way more depth than you expect at first, and watching him step up when things get serious was both fun and surprisingly emotional. Sam, the loyal best friend, rounds out the group with heart and humor, and their dynamic between them all made the story even more enjoyable.
The pacing kept me engaged the whole way through. The book moves quickly, but it never feels rushed, and the way the action and quieter moments are broken up keeps things from ever slowing down too much. There is always something about to happen, which made it really easy to keep turning pages.
The worldbuilding is a big part of why this works so well. The mix of colony life, advanced tech, and game like mechanics gives it strong tower defense and VR MMORPG vibes without ever feeling gimmicky. The history of the settlers and the forces attacking them adds real stakes, and the world feels busy, messy, and lived in.
By the end, I was completely sold. Operation Bounce House is not Dungeon Crawler Carl, but there is more than enough here for Dinniman fans to love, especially if you enjoy smart sci fi, fun systems, and characters you actually care about. At 4.75 stars, this was an easy win for me and one I had a blast reading.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Ace Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 13, 2026
Operation Bounce House is Matt Dinniman’s first novel since the break out success of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and at first glance it shares a lot of the same DNA. There’s still a young male protagonist caught up in a resistance movement, a sassy sidekick, a prominent AI shaping events and a corporations enjoying a game at the expense of real lives. Even though the setup sounds similar enough to be a very safe follow-up, the differences are enough to keep it interesting and fresh. This time the AI themes are more grounded and critical of the ways technology can be misused. The heart is still there but focusses on the existing relationships instead of found family.
The humour is still prominent, but it’s toned down. It’s less ridiculous and crass, lending it a more serious tone overall. Because of that, this book may appeal to readers who found Dungeon Crawler Carl too over-the-top.
There was a lot of pressure on this book to deliver, and fortunately Dinniman pulls it off. I really enjoyed the depth it offers as a stand-alone novel, and the ending left me genuinely excited for a potential follow-up.
The humour is still prominent, but it’s toned down. It’s less ridiculous and crass, lending it a more serious tone overall. Because of that, this book may appeal to readers who found Dungeon Crawler Carl too over-the-top.
There was a lot of pressure on this book to deliver, and fortunately Dinniman pulls it off. I really enjoyed the depth it offers as a stand-alone novel, and the ending left me genuinely excited for a potential follow-up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Holy crap this was a wild ride!
thank you so much to the publisher for the early review copy via Netgalley.
If you like video games: this is for you. If you like Sci-fi books with an AI component: this is for you.
There's humor, there's some found family vibes, there's the terror of potentially dying, there's some little mysteries spread throughout.
This is one of those books that I want to start reading again immediately after finishing it. I will be listening to the audio.
thank you so much to the publisher for the early review copy via Netgalley.
If you like video games: this is for you. If you like Sci-fi books with an AI component: this is for you.
There's humor, there's some found family vibes, there's the terror of potentially dying, there's some little mysteries spread throughout.
This is one of those books that I want to start reading again immediately after finishing it. I will be listening to the audio.
Read
September 19, 2025DNF at 37%
I love the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and so it pains me to abandon Operation Bounce House just over the 1/3 mark. :(
The premise is great: gamers from Earth use remote-controlled battle robots to attacks farmers on another planet. The farmers' sole defense is their hyper-intelligent farm robot. (All of this is covered in the first 10 or so pages.)
My problem with the book was the overabundance of exposition, the relative lack of action, and, when the action finally took place, much of it happened off-page, without any involvement from the main character. (Who, incidentally, is running around just fine a few hours after getting concussed, but that's fairly minor.)
If you've ever played Disco Elysium, one of the skill trees ("Encyclopedia," IIRC) will give you walls of text with lore and context for literally everything you click on. It's fun at first, but it gets overwhelming quite fast. Likewise here.... When the main character goes on a very short walk, his internal monologue drops pages upon pages of lore about every single building he passes. (Which, again, is not a side effect of his concussion.)
At one point in the exposition-heavy chapters, one of the characters literally says, "As you know..."
The first real action scene occurred 23% of the way through, and I decided to keep going, to give the book a chance. (The many threads and hints of old conspiracies were enticing.) But I finally called it quits on chapter 18, when the main character said, "Update?" and then spent 3 pages - three whole pages - giving an info-dump on the people standing around him. When the other character finally provides an update, answering the question that had been posed 3 pages earlier, it feels bizarre due to the gigantic gap between the question and the answer.
Usually, I abandon a book around a 25% mark if it fails to grab my attention. I made it further than that with this book, but I just don't have it in me to finish it. Sorry, Matt. FWIW, the dialogue is occasionally funny, the worldbuilding is neat, and all the sinister conspiracies are intriguing. This is why I'm choosing not to add any rating with my review: it wasn't for me, but others might enjoy it, and I don't feel right rating a book that I've only read 1/3 of.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and so it pains me to abandon Operation Bounce House just over the 1/3 mark. :(
The premise is great: gamers from Earth use remote-controlled battle robots to attacks farmers on another planet. The farmers' sole defense is their hyper-intelligent farm robot. (All of this is covered in the first 10 or so pages.)
My problem with the book was the overabundance of exposition, the relative lack of action, and, when the action finally took place, much of it happened off-page, without any involvement from the main character. (Who, incidentally, is running around just fine a few hours after getting concussed, but that's fairly minor.)
If you've ever played Disco Elysium, one of the skill trees ("Encyclopedia," IIRC) will give you walls of text with lore and context for literally everything you click on. It's fun at first, but it gets overwhelming quite fast. Likewise here.... When the main character goes on a very short walk, his internal monologue drops pages upon pages of lore about every single building he passes. (Which, again, is not a side effect of his concussion.)
At one point in the exposition-heavy chapters, one of the characters literally says, "As you know..."
The first real action scene occurred 23% of the way through, and I decided to keep going, to give the book a chance. (The many threads and hints of old conspiracies were enticing.) But I finally called it quits on chapter 18, when the main character said, "Update?" and then spent 3 pages - three whole pages - giving an info-dump on the people standing around him. When the other character finally provides an update, answering the question that had been posed 3 pages earlier, it feels bizarre due to the gigantic gap between the question and the answer.
Usually, I abandon a book around a 25% mark if it fails to grab my attention. I made it further than that with this book, but I just don't have it in me to finish it. Sorry, Matt. FWIW, the dialogue is occasionally funny, the worldbuilding is neat, and all the sinister conspiracies are intriguing. This is why I'm choosing not to add any rating with my review: it wasn't for me, but others might enjoy it, and I don't feel right rating a book that I've only read 1/3 of.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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