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The Dungeon Book
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100 copies available
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Enter a world of dungeons and dragons, magic and manticores, goblins and gargoyles in this captivating standalone fantasy from the author of The Gutter Prayer
'Full of wit and adventure, twists and turns, wonderful monsters and astonishing revelations. An absolute joy' M. R. Carey, bestselling author of Once Was Willem
Bait doesn't remember a time before the dungeon. Before the dragon stole her from her cot. She doesn't know what her name was before she was handed over to the monstrous denizens of the dungeon beneath the sorcerer's tower. Luckily for Bait, they decided not to eat her. And so, she grew up in the dark - the goblins her adopted family, a vengeful minotaur her protector, a sentient skull her tutor and a faithful blob of corridor slime her main source of nutrition.
But the labyrinthine dungeon, with its haunted halls, buried temples and forgotten magics, draws treasure hunters like moths to flame. And as the outside world starts to intrude, Bait will learn what it means to be monstrous, and she will have to decide where she truly belongs.
'For a story set in the deepest, darkest dungeon, The Dungeon Book absolutely bursts with warmth, heart, and energy. One of the best things you're going to read this year'
Jackson Ford, author of The Bone Raiders
'The Dungeon Book manages the difficult task of being epic and heartfelt both at once, and does it with style. I fell in love with Bait and her menagerie of friends immediately' Django Wexler, author of How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying
'Full of wit and adventure, twists and turns, wonderful monsters and astonishing revelations. An absolute joy' M. R. Carey, bestselling author of Once Was Willem
Bait doesn't remember a time before the dungeon. Before the dragon stole her from her cot. She doesn't know what her name was before she was handed over to the monstrous denizens of the dungeon beneath the sorcerer's tower. Luckily for Bait, they decided not to eat her. And so, she grew up in the dark - the goblins her adopted family, a vengeful minotaur her protector, a sentient skull her tutor and a faithful blob of corridor slime her main source of nutrition.
But the labyrinthine dungeon, with its haunted halls, buried temples and forgotten magics, draws treasure hunters like moths to flame. And as the outside world starts to intrude, Bait will learn what it means to be monstrous, and she will have to decide where she truly belongs.
'For a story set in the deepest, darkest dungeon, The Dungeon Book absolutely bursts with warmth, heart, and energy. One of the best things you're going to read this year'
Jackson Ford, author of The Bone Raiders
'The Dungeon Book manages the difficult task of being epic and heartfelt both at once, and does it with style. I fell in love with Bait and her menagerie of friends immediately' Django Wexler, author of How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 4, 2025
Delve into dark and dangerous depths of the Dungeon to meet the strangest of found family. The Dungeon Book is effortlessly charming and packed full of adventure. It's the kind of novel full of whimsical wonder that makes people fall in love with fantasy.
Don't go in expecting gritty epic fantasy and brutal battle, this is more like a gentle stroll exploring the nooks and crannies of the treacherous depths and meeting the weird denizens. It's not a kid's book by any means, but it is the sort of book you wanted to read as a kid, with a story and characters that shows a real love for fantasy, and evokes a nostalgia for classic fantasy with all its terrible dragons and dark be-trapped dungeons.
Don't go in expecting gritty epic fantasy and brutal battle, this is more like a gentle stroll exploring the nooks and crannies of the treacherous depths and meeting the weird denizens. It's not a kid's book by any means, but it is the sort of book you wanted to read as a kid, with a story and characters that shows a real love for fantasy, and evokes a nostalgia for classic fantasy with all its terrible dragons and dark be-trapped dungeons.
May 10, 2026
Here there be goblins. And many other denizens of the deep. Gareth Hanrahan certainly has a way with dungeony words. If you are looking for a book that feels like a D&D campaign but doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is for you.
To be sure there is goop and gore and slime and death. And have I mentioned the talking skull? Yet the overall tone is light and adventurous. You will be treated to all manner of descriptions of a dungeon, its dirt and grime and its many creatures. Minotaur, manticore, trolls, wraiths, sorcerers, and even a store-brand beholder.
It’s a coming of age tale of a small girl who gets unceremoniously dropped off in the dungeon by a dragon. Raised by a group of goblins. If you are looking for a dark and gritty sword and sorcery fantasy, this isn’t the book you seek. But if you have been feeling a serious lack of trickster goblins, The Dungeon Book has you covered.
My only complaint is it felt long at 500 pages. It was worth the ending. You’d do well to read it in sections.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
To be sure there is goop and gore and slime and death. And have I mentioned the talking skull? Yet the overall tone is light and adventurous. You will be treated to all manner of descriptions of a dungeon, its dirt and grime and its many creatures. Minotaur, manticore, trolls, wraiths, sorcerers, and even a store-brand beholder.
It’s a coming of age tale of a small girl who gets unceremoniously dropped off in the dungeon by a dragon. Raised by a group of goblins. If you are looking for a dark and gritty sword and sorcery fantasy, this isn’t the book you seek. But if you have been feeling a serious lack of trickster goblins, The Dungeon Book has you covered.
My only complaint is it felt long at 500 pages. It was worth the ending. You’d do well to read it in sections.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
June 9, 2026
I’ve had to sit with this review for a minute before I started. One minute I’m really into this book and the next it takes a sharp left turn I wasn’t expecting. The dungeon itself is more than just a setting—it feels like a living, evolving character with its own rules and history.
Hanrahan introduces compelling fantasy concepts that reward readers who enjoy uncovering lore and piecing together mysteries. There is a sense of danger and discovery that keeps the story moving but somewhat disjointed. Some sections spend significant time developing the setting and mythology, which may slow momentum for readers looking for a more action-driven story.
I’d give this a 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
Hanrahan introduces compelling fantasy concepts that reward readers who enjoy uncovering lore and piecing together mysteries. There is a sense of danger and discovery that keeps the story moving but somewhat disjointed. Some sections spend significant time developing the setting and mythology, which may slow momentum for readers looking for a more action-driven story.
I’d give this a 3 out of 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!
May 15, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC copy of The Dungeon Book.
For a very dark in the dungeon depths story filled with trials, it was very warm and cozy. I’m not sure if that’s due to feeling like you’re wrapped in a warm blanket next to a hearth, being told a tall tale by a talking skull. Or if fantasy is just a cozy spot in general. But I believe it’s the former.
Long winded is Cornelius the Tale Weaver, but you learn there is eventually a lesson or reason for every digression.
A baby is stolen from a castle by a dragon and left to a wizard’s experimentation. After she’s left to the dungeon’s mercy and raised by the goblins of The Arcade. Named Bait by her guardians, one might wonder what kind of child you end up with after such an upbringing. There’s one way to find out. Many laughs and woes are to be had.
I write this review from the coziness of my couch, but I’ll be thinking of little Bait and her escapades in the cold dungeon.
For a very dark in the dungeon depths story filled with trials, it was very warm and cozy. I’m not sure if that’s due to feeling like you’re wrapped in a warm blanket next to a hearth, being told a tall tale by a talking skull. Or if fantasy is just a cozy spot in general. But I believe it’s the former.
Long winded is Cornelius the Tale Weaver, but you learn there is eventually a lesson or reason for every digression.
A baby is stolen from a castle by a dragon and left to a wizard’s experimentation. After she’s left to the dungeon’s mercy and raised by the goblins of The Arcade. Named Bait by her guardians, one might wonder what kind of child you end up with after such an upbringing. There’s one way to find out. Many laughs and woes are to be had.
I write this review from the coziness of my couch, but I’ll be thinking of little Bait and her escapades in the cold dungeon.
Read
June 11, 2026The Dungeon Book is a found family story, a coming of age tale, an epic adventure with heartstopping action, and a redemption story, all wrapped up in the most typical of D&D-esque settings- a dungeon (although it doesn’t start in a tavern…)
Imagine me holding my hands in the classic director’s “picture this” pose… the book opens on a shot of a dragon swooping into a castle and snatching a child up out of a cradle, spiriting her away and into the clutches of one bad mother–well, you know. After he does his wizardly, dastardly deed, the evil Master gives the child into the clutches of one of his minions with the instructions to dispose of her in the usual, villainous way. Only the minion doesn’t. Instead, Bait, as she becomes known, is adopted by the strangest found family a fantasy reader can hope for and raised in the Dungeon, becoming one of the things that go bump in the night. Until everything changes, that is, and Bait has to decide who she really is and where she really belongs.
It’s already been established that onions have layers and ogres have layers. Guess what? Dungeons also have layers, and this particular multi-layered dungeon makes for a brilliant backdrop for a standout fantasy. The Dungeon Book made my dungeon-delving, D&D-playing self so very, very happy. The setting is absolutely genius. Nothing is taken for granted by the author, who seems to have enjoyed breathing new and unique life into well-known fantasy creatures. We are treated to ghasts, kobolds, goblins, and quite possibly the only dragon I have ever actively rooted against. I loved seeing new twists on old standbys. There was nothing generalized or run-of-the-mill about either the Dungeon or its denizens. There was just enough familiarity for me to smile in recognition before things went in completely different directions. I was a particular fan of Squinter, because who doesn’t love a beholder with a name like that?
The narrator just happens to be the talking skull of a previous Master of the Dungeon. I loved that, due to being immobile unless carried, kicked, rolled, etc, Cornelius the skull has to fill in some of the blanks in the story with hearsay or his own inference. I love a good unreliable narrator, and while he does his best, an immovable skull is going to fit at least slightly into the unreliable category.
Then there’s Bait herself. If dungeons and ogres have layers, they’re nothing compared to the nuance with which she is written. She is so at odds with herself and so unsure of her place that it is sometimes heartbreaking. Seeing her character grow and mature through the pages of the book (and the eyes of a skull) was wonderful. I became incredibly invested in her story. She’s the sort of character that you really want to see succeed, even when she doesn’t yet know what her success would look like.
And that’s part of what makes The Dungeon Book so special. The characters are works in progress, just like actual people. They all have their quirks, motivations, regrets, and secrets. None of them is a “finished product”; instead, they evolve naturally throughout the course of the book. The fact that half of the characters fall firmly under the Fantastical Creatures category is the icing on the cake. Delightful, monstrous icing.
One last thing I must rave about: the chapters have actual, honest-to-goodness, human-made chapter art! The artist, Edel Ryder-Hanrahan, channeled that classic 80s and 90s epic fantasy feel that I adore so very much.
I loved this book so much! The Dungeon Book is a must-read for dice goblins, epic fantasy lovers, or anyone who wants a found family story unlike any other. You’ll be geeking out from page one and utterly absorbed by page two. Put this book at the very top of your TBR. You’ll thank me.
Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with a copy of this book. My review is voluntary and my opinions are completely my own.
Imagine me holding my hands in the classic director’s “picture this” pose… the book opens on a shot of a dragon swooping into a castle and snatching a child up out of a cradle, spiriting her away and into the clutches of one bad mother–well, you know. After he does his wizardly, dastardly deed, the evil Master gives the child into the clutches of one of his minions with the instructions to dispose of her in the usual, villainous way. Only the minion doesn’t. Instead, Bait, as she becomes known, is adopted by the strangest found family a fantasy reader can hope for and raised in the Dungeon, becoming one of the things that go bump in the night. Until everything changes, that is, and Bait has to decide who she really is and where she really belongs.
It’s already been established that onions have layers and ogres have layers. Guess what? Dungeons also have layers, and this particular multi-layered dungeon makes for a brilliant backdrop for a standout fantasy. The Dungeon Book made my dungeon-delving, D&D-playing self so very, very happy. The setting is absolutely genius. Nothing is taken for granted by the author, who seems to have enjoyed breathing new and unique life into well-known fantasy creatures. We are treated to ghasts, kobolds, goblins, and quite possibly the only dragon I have ever actively rooted against. I loved seeing new twists on old standbys. There was nothing generalized or run-of-the-mill about either the Dungeon or its denizens. There was just enough familiarity for me to smile in recognition before things went in completely different directions. I was a particular fan of Squinter, because who doesn’t love a beholder with a name like that?
The narrator just happens to be the talking skull of a previous Master of the Dungeon. I loved that, due to being immobile unless carried, kicked, rolled, etc, Cornelius the skull has to fill in some of the blanks in the story with hearsay or his own inference. I love a good unreliable narrator, and while he does his best, an immovable skull is going to fit at least slightly into the unreliable category.
Then there’s Bait herself. If dungeons and ogres have layers, they’re nothing compared to the nuance with which she is written. She is so at odds with herself and so unsure of her place that it is sometimes heartbreaking. Seeing her character grow and mature through the pages of the book (and the eyes of a skull) was wonderful. I became incredibly invested in her story. She’s the sort of character that you really want to see succeed, even when she doesn’t yet know what her success would look like.
And that’s part of what makes The Dungeon Book so special. The characters are works in progress, just like actual people. They all have their quirks, motivations, regrets, and secrets. None of them is a “finished product”; instead, they evolve naturally throughout the course of the book. The fact that half of the characters fall firmly under the Fantastical Creatures category is the icing on the cake. Delightful, monstrous icing.
One last thing I must rave about: the chapters have actual, honest-to-goodness, human-made chapter art! The artist, Edel Ryder-Hanrahan, channeled that classic 80s and 90s epic fantasy feel that I adore so very much.
I loved this book so much! The Dungeon Book is a must-read for dice goblins, epic fantasy lovers, or anyone who wants a found family story unlike any other. You’ll be geeking out from page one and utterly absorbed by page two. Put this book at the very top of your TBR. You’ll thank me.
Thank you to Orbit Books for providing me with a copy of this book. My review is voluntary and my opinions are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A lot of people were excited about this book and that put it on my radar. When I read the premise it was giving me a bit of a Terry Pratchett vibe which made me want to read it right away. The Dungeon Book is set in the Underhalls, a magical dungeon full of magical creatures, loot and danger, and also one small child. One of the dungeon’s denizens, a cruel mean dragon, stole a princess from her castle and brought her back to the dungeon for the Master of the Dungeon. The dragon was promised the sweet meat of the child once the sorcerer was done with her but instead the dungeon’s guardian gargoyle decides to save the child by putting her in the tomes with Cornelius the Skull. The child, Bait, grows up in the dungeon and becomes one of its denizens but her past will eventually catch up with her.
This book is told from the perspective of Cornelius the Skull, who is the ex-dungeon master and is not really dead but has lost his body and become a talking skull. It is written like a compilation of perspectives that Cornelius has gotten about Bait’s story and so at times you wonder how trustworthy of a narrator he could possibly be. I did enjoy the character work in this book. There are a lot of the expected evil and good characters you might see in a classic fantasy but there are also a lot of grey characters. Cornelius is an obviously flawed character and he has his moments of evil, weakness and also greatness. I think Bait’s character was slightly lacking at times. She came off as just a savage wild character, and she is also not very vocal so I feel like her thoughts and feelings get a bit lost in the story. This could also just be a natural effect of the format the book is written in but for me the plausibility of the ending seemed unlikely because of this missing piece. Ultimately, I liked the pacing of the story and the plot was good for it so I was not too bothered about one of the main characters being a bit flatter than I would like.
I am going to recommend this book to people who enjoy more of the classic style of fantasy. It has almost a cosy feeling despite the high stakes for many of the characters. I also just really liked the storytelling of Cornelius the Skull and loved the idea of a talking skull being the narrator. Especially when he is narrating things he hasn’t even witnessed himself. How does that guy see anyway? Extra bonus: It’s a standalone! Those are hard to come by these days. Anyways, I rated this book a 4 out of 5.
This book is told from the perspective of Cornelius the Skull, who is the ex-dungeon master and is not really dead but has lost his body and become a talking skull. It is written like a compilation of perspectives that Cornelius has gotten about Bait’s story and so at times you wonder how trustworthy of a narrator he could possibly be. I did enjoy the character work in this book. There are a lot of the expected evil and good characters you might see in a classic fantasy but there are also a lot of grey characters. Cornelius is an obviously flawed character and he has his moments of evil, weakness and also greatness. I think Bait’s character was slightly lacking at times. She came off as just a savage wild character, and she is also not very vocal so I feel like her thoughts and feelings get a bit lost in the story. This could also just be a natural effect of the format the book is written in but for me the plausibility of the ending seemed unlikely because of this missing piece. Ultimately, I liked the pacing of the story and the plot was good for it so I was not too bothered about one of the main characters being a bit flatter than I would like.
I am going to recommend this book to people who enjoy more of the classic style of fantasy. It has almost a cosy feeling despite the high stakes for many of the characters. I also just really liked the storytelling of Cornelius the Skull and loved the idea of a talking skull being the narrator. Especially when he is narrating things he hasn’t even witnessed himself. How does that guy see anyway? Extra bonus: It’s a standalone! Those are hard to come by these days. Anyways, I rated this book a 4 out of 5.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
If you love D&D and delving through dungeons and are fascinated by the monsters lurking down there, or if you're a big Delicious in Dungeon/Dungeon Meshi fan, this is definitely the book for you. Bait, our protagonist, was kidnapped as a baby from her royal parents and brought down into the dungeon to be devoured by a dragon. Fortunately for her, a kind-hearted gargoyle intervened, and she was instead delivered to goblins to be raised a dungeon denizen. Bait is one of my favorite kinds of protagonists: feral and stubborn and vicious and loyal to a fault. She loves the dungeon that she grew up in, she thinks of it as home while the human world is terrifying and full of unspoken rules that she doesn't understand, and she very much resents the dragon of the dungeon waking up again and trying to drive her out while eating her. She's also torn between the quest her protector knight-turned-minotaur set upon her to return to her father the king and reclaim her rightful place as princess since she wants to please him but at the same time, this is very much not a place that she feels like she belongs.
Besides Bait, the book is filled with other intriguing characters, like Cornelius the talking skull and former Master of the Dungeon, Ser Pelinore, the knight-turned-minotaur, Neb, the human village boy that Bait befriends, Gloop, Bait's loyal slime companion, and . The setting is a character itself, with so many twists and turns of the various rooms of the dungeon as Bait delves deeper and maps it out in her book, and you will come to love it as much as Bait by the climax of the book.
I will say that the one thing that I thought could be improved on in this book is that the pacing at the end was a bit too fast. .
Still, this is a wonderful, funny, moving celebration of dungeons and its monsters (more human sometimes than the humans) and everyone should definitely check it out!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
If you love D&D and delving through dungeons and are fascinated by the monsters lurking down there, or if you're a big Delicious in Dungeon/Dungeon Meshi fan, this is definitely the book for you. Bait, our protagonist, was kidnapped as a baby from her royal parents and brought down into the dungeon to be devoured by a dragon. Fortunately for her, a kind-hearted gargoyle intervened, and she was instead delivered to goblins to be raised a dungeon denizen. Bait is one of my favorite kinds of protagonists: feral and stubborn and vicious and loyal to a fault. She loves the dungeon that she grew up in, she thinks of it as home while the human world is terrifying and full of unspoken rules that she doesn't understand, and she very much resents the dragon of the dungeon waking up again and trying to drive her out while eating her. She's also torn between the quest her protector knight-turned-minotaur set upon her to return to her father the king and reclaim her rightful place as princess since she wants to please him but at the same time, this is very much not a place that she feels like she belongs.
Besides Bait, the book is filled with other intriguing characters, like Cornelius the talking skull and former Master of the Dungeon, Ser Pelinore, the knight-turned-minotaur, Neb, the human village boy that Bait befriends, Gloop, Bait's loyal slime companion, and . The setting is a character itself, with so many twists and turns of the various rooms of the dungeon as Bait delves deeper and maps it out in her book, and you will come to love it as much as Bait by the climax of the book.
I will say that the one thing that I thought could be improved on in this book is that the pacing at the end was a bit too fast. .
Still, this is a wonderful, funny, moving celebration of dungeons and its monsters (more human sometimes than the humans) and everyone should definitely check it out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Orbit Books, Gareth Hanrahan, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Dungeon Book was delightfully different from my usual fantasy reads—and that ended up being part of its charm.
Underneath the absurdity of dungeon monsters, goblins, manticores, corridor slime, and magical chaos was an unexpectedly heartfelt story about belonging, identity, and making a place for yourself.
At first glance, this almost feels like a fantasy farce, but underneath the humor and eccentricity is a genuinely strong emotional core. Bait’s story worked incredibly well for me, and the supporting cast of “monsters” became one of the book’s greatest strengths. The unreliable skull narrator in particular was consistently entertaining, and the dungeon itself somehow felt both strange and oddly warm.
This is not the kind of fantasy I usually gravitate toward—I tend to lean toward emotionally heavy, character-driven epic fantasy—but this surprised me in the best way.
Depth: Lighter than my usual fantasy reads, but intentionally so—the story leans whimsical and absurd in a way that works for the tale it wants to tell.
Connection: Strong. Bait, the unreliable skull narrator, and the dungeon’s monsters unexpectedly became the heart of the story.
Momentum: Excellent. Once I started reading, I genuinely didn’t want to stop.
Who it’s for: Readers who enjoy quirky fantasy, found family, humor mixed with heart, dungeon adventures, and lovable monsters.
Who it may not be for: Readers looking for darker, denser, or more politically complex fantasy.
Shelf Decision: Stays on Shelf — unique enough to earn the space and I hope they will do a special edition copy of this.
The Dungeon Book was delightfully different from my usual fantasy reads—and that ended up being part of its charm.
Underneath the absurdity of dungeon monsters, goblins, manticores, corridor slime, and magical chaos was an unexpectedly heartfelt story about belonging, identity, and making a place for yourself.
At first glance, this almost feels like a fantasy farce, but underneath the humor and eccentricity is a genuinely strong emotional core. Bait’s story worked incredibly well for me, and the supporting cast of “monsters” became one of the book’s greatest strengths. The unreliable skull narrator in particular was consistently entertaining, and the dungeon itself somehow felt both strange and oddly warm.
This is not the kind of fantasy I usually gravitate toward—I tend to lean toward emotionally heavy, character-driven epic fantasy—but this surprised me in the best way.
Depth: Lighter than my usual fantasy reads, but intentionally so—the story leans whimsical and absurd in a way that works for the tale it wants to tell.
Connection: Strong. Bait, the unreliable skull narrator, and the dungeon’s monsters unexpectedly became the heart of the story.
Momentum: Excellent. Once I started reading, I genuinely didn’t want to stop.
Who it’s for: Readers who enjoy quirky fantasy, found family, humor mixed with heart, dungeon adventures, and lovable monsters.
Who it may not be for: Readers looking for darker, denser, or more politically complex fantasy.
Shelf Decision: Stays on Shelf — unique enough to earn the space and I hope they will do a special edition copy of this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dungeons and Dragons meets Studio Ghibli.
The premise of the standalone book brought me in- even if I haven't read many books with this type of premise, it seemed pretty interesting. The author is well regarded too- this is actually my first read of his, and I anticipate getting around to his other series in due time.
The book regards a well designed dungeon (you legit feel that you were lingering around there, the fine details are picked up well), with your usual medieval kingdom on the surface above. I like how at the beginning that it is known that the dungeon is not a prison for the usual monsters that live beneath, rather, they enjoy being there!
The plot line involves a young girl brought to the dungeons, and becomes acquainted with many of the inhabitants of it (many of whom would certainly prefer to eat her), and then also is involved with actions on the kingdom of the surface. The girl, Bait, encounters Cornelius the Skull, and together, they form a very unique protagonist duo. Cornelius serves as the narrator from the book, incorporating his own brand of humor. Some of it was hit or miss, but there are several funny moments (the remark about the sign that says "Here Be Dragons" had me laughing out loud).
As with some of the recent books I've read, the middle part felt a little bit slower. In this case, it may have actually been because more time was spent away from the dungeons.
Still, this was a fine book! I would welcome a sequel or spinoff for this, but if this is it, then I'm content with how it went. The ending was solid.
I give this 3/5.
(I received an ARC through Orbit and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
The premise of the standalone book brought me in- even if I haven't read many books with this type of premise, it seemed pretty interesting. The author is well regarded too- this is actually my first read of his, and I anticipate getting around to his other series in due time.
The book regards a well designed dungeon (you legit feel that you were lingering around there, the fine details are picked up well), with your usual medieval kingdom on the surface above. I like how at the beginning that it is known that the dungeon is not a prison for the usual monsters that live beneath, rather, they enjoy being there!
The plot line involves a young girl brought to the dungeons, and becomes acquainted with many of the inhabitants of it (many of whom would certainly prefer to eat her), and then also is involved with actions on the kingdom of the surface. The girl, Bait, encounters Cornelius the Skull, and together, they form a very unique protagonist duo. Cornelius serves as the narrator from the book, incorporating his own brand of humor. Some of it was hit or miss, but there are several funny moments (the remark about the sign that says "Here Be Dragons" had me laughing out loud).
As with some of the recent books I've read, the middle part felt a little bit slower. In this case, it may have actually been because more time was spent away from the dungeons.
Still, this was a fine book! I would welcome a sequel or spinoff for this, but if this is it, then I'm content with how it went. The ending was solid.
I give this 3/5.
(I received an ARC through Orbit and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a delightful and unexpected read. This is a strongly character-driven story narrated by Cornelius, an undead (but still very lively and verbose) skull as he tells us the tale of Bait, a girl stolen by a dragon from the human world and raised in the Dungeon by goblins. Many other dungeon denizens become her friends and found family as she learns the rules of her new and dangerous home.
Though I would never describe the dungeon as cozy, to Bait it is, and as she explores back into the human world I felt the longing for the dungeon that she did. I did NOT expect to form such an emotional bond with Bait and the various creatures of the dungeon. The book does a great job of describing the dangers of goblins, minotaurs, slimes, and all sorts of fantasy monsters... But it also does a great job of showing another side of them: a more "human" side. Some are monsters only in name and appearance, and Bait finds the good in so many of them.
As the narrator, Cornelius is both informative and hilarious, sometimes going on tangents teaching us about the history of the world, but he is always entertaining and giving insight needed to appreciate the story even more. I love that, since he is a skull, he is sometimes just left behind or stuck in one place for years. But, as talkative as he is, he always seems to learn the details some way so the story can continue.
I loved the characters and creatures, loved the narration, and loved learning about the dungeon and it's rules. Great read!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
Though I would never describe the dungeon as cozy, to Bait it is, and as she explores back into the human world I felt the longing for the dungeon that she did. I did NOT expect to form such an emotional bond with Bait and the various creatures of the dungeon. The book does a great job of describing the dangers of goblins, minotaurs, slimes, and all sorts of fantasy monsters... But it also does a great job of showing another side of them: a more "human" side. Some are monsters only in name and appearance, and Bait finds the good in so many of them.
As the narrator, Cornelius is both informative and hilarious, sometimes going on tangents teaching us about the history of the world, but he is always entertaining and giving insight needed to appreciate the story even more. I love that, since he is a skull, he is sometimes just left behind or stuck in one place for years. But, as talkative as he is, he always seems to learn the details some way so the story can continue.
I loved the characters and creatures, loved the narration, and loved learning about the dungeon and it's rules. Great read!
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me the opportunity to read this as an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Princess Aldebara is kidnapped by a dragon, much of her family killed. Surviving almost by chance in a wizard's dungeon, she becomes Bait, a formally acknowledged Denizen. If only the dragon weren't angry that he never got a chance to eat her as promised.
Review
I liked the concept of The Dungeon Book – it’s right up my alley. And yet, somehow, it didn’t really take.
The book has an interesting (if familiar; cf Greg Costikyan) concept, and some nice humor. Not so much laugh-out-loud as knowing smirk, but I enjoyed it. It’s aware of fantasy tropes, if (I assume intentionally) heavy on the D&D side of beholders and kobolds.
It has some interesting turns and twists. Where I think it falls apart is in relying on Cornelius the skull as narrator. While he’s technically telling someone else’s story, we do learn much of his as well. Yet, somehow, I never felt really engaged by him; the story feels too dry and distant. The story was difficult to get into, and the end result is largely, “And …?’
The tense is occasionally careless, and I could have hoped for better proofreading.
It’s a harmless and diverting book, but also not one I’ll likely remember long, nor one that draws me to the author’s other books. Enjoyable, well-written filler.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Princess Aldebara is kidnapped by a dragon, much of her family killed. Surviving almost by chance in a wizard's dungeon, she becomes Bait, a formally acknowledged Denizen. If only the dragon weren't angry that he never got a chance to eat her as promised.
Review
I liked the concept of The Dungeon Book – it’s right up my alley. And yet, somehow, it didn’t really take.
The book has an interesting (if familiar; cf Greg Costikyan) concept, and some nice humor. Not so much laugh-out-loud as knowing smirk, but I enjoyed it. It’s aware of fantasy tropes, if (I assume intentionally) heavy on the D&D side of beholders and kobolds.
It has some interesting turns and twists. Where I think it falls apart is in relying on Cornelius the skull as narrator. While he’s technically telling someone else’s story, we do learn much of his as well. Yet, somehow, I never felt really engaged by him; the story feels too dry and distant. The story was difficult to get into, and the end result is largely, “And …?’
The tense is occasionally careless, and I could have hoped for better proofreading.
It’s a harmless and diverting book, but also not one I’ll likely remember long, nor one that draws me to the author’s other books. Enjoyable, well-written filler.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
TL;DR: A super fun little adventure. I really enjoyed this.
Source: NetGalley, thank you so much!
Plot: Bait has to figure out how to live in two worlds. In the Dungeon or beneath?
Characters: We’re being told this from a third perspective so not super deep but still lovable.
Setting: I loved the Dungeon. I could honestly have read another 2 or 300 pages about it.
Fantasy: Classic fantasy here. We have great creatures, a great setting, and some magic as well!
Thoughts:
500 pages seems like a lot, but I flew through this and ate it up. This is such a great book (I want to say little but it’s clearly not). Bait was a baby when she’s taken from the castle by a dragon. He brings her to the Master of the Dungeon who needed her, then was meant to be dragon food. Instead a kind gargoyle took pity and gave her to the Dungeon Denizens in hopes she’d survive. And she did!
Now as a young woman she ends up caught in the idea of the surface world but also the world she calls home, the Dungeon. She must abide by the rules of the Dungeon but she’s also called to the surface by her human side. There are so many other great creatures and characters here too. A talking skull tells us the story, a group of manticores appear, a minotaur with a quest, and more on top of all that.
If you like a good humorous fantasy, with a lot of the classic elements of a dungeon fantasy I really recommend this one. It’s one I’m adding to my collection and I sincerely hope we get more like it.
Source: NetGalley, thank you so much!
Plot: Bait has to figure out how to live in two worlds. In the Dungeon or beneath?
Characters: We’re being told this from a third perspective so not super deep but still lovable.
Setting: I loved the Dungeon. I could honestly have read another 2 or 300 pages about it.
Fantasy: Classic fantasy here. We have great creatures, a great setting, and some magic as well!
Thoughts:
500 pages seems like a lot, but I flew through this and ate it up. This is such a great book (I want to say little but it’s clearly not). Bait was a baby when she’s taken from the castle by a dragon. He brings her to the Master of the Dungeon who needed her, then was meant to be dragon food. Instead a kind gargoyle took pity and gave her to the Dungeon Denizens in hopes she’d survive. And she did!
Now as a young woman she ends up caught in the idea of the surface world but also the world she calls home, the Dungeon. She must abide by the rules of the Dungeon but she’s also called to the surface by her human side. There are so many other great creatures and characters here too. A talking skull tells us the story, a group of manticores appear, a minotaur with a quest, and more on top of all that.
If you like a good humorous fantasy, with a lot of the classic elements of a dungeon fantasy I really recommend this one. It’s one I’m adding to my collection and I sincerely hope we get more like it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise is such a unique twist on a common fantasy trope of a dungeon of monsters! Great for fans of dungeons and dragons with that classic, dungeon crawler feel (with the twist that our protagonist was raised by the Dungeon).
This is a great cozy read with a lot of charm. I wouldn’t call it entirely light-hearted, as with any Dungeon there are dangers and monsters, but it is a low stakes, slow fantasy where you really get a good picture of the world and its inhabitants. I think a good comparison would be Robin Hobb, in that there are bleak moments, but the story is very character driven and you feel strongly for what Bait is going through figuring out where she belongs outside of the Dungeon. Although there’s way more humour in this than in the Farseer Trilogy.
You resonate greatly with the characters, especially the monsters. I think Bait was really endearing as well. You feel for her struggles to understand the surface world after growing up in the Dungeon she called home. You feel her homesickness for the place and its Denizens.
I loved Cornelius the Skull who’s both the narrator and Bait’s tutor. The story really had that cozy, storybook charm as if you were being told the narrative by an old friend. The prose had a pretty strong voice and it was full of humour as well.
This is a great cozy read with a lot of charm. I wouldn’t call it entirely light-hearted, as with any Dungeon there are dangers and monsters, but it is a low stakes, slow fantasy where you really get a good picture of the world and its inhabitants. I think a good comparison would be Robin Hobb, in that there are bleak moments, but the story is very character driven and you feel strongly for what Bait is going through figuring out where she belongs outside of the Dungeon. Although there’s way more humour in this than in the Farseer Trilogy.
You resonate greatly with the characters, especially the monsters. I think Bait was really endearing as well. You feel for her struggles to understand the surface world after growing up in the Dungeon she called home. You feel her homesickness for the place and its Denizens.
I loved Cornelius the Skull who’s both the narrator and Bait’s tutor. The story really had that cozy, storybook charm as if you were being told the narrative by an old friend. The prose had a pretty strong voice and it was full of humour as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Dungeon Book is a charmingly zany book about found family, adventure, and finding who you are. Bait, as she prefers to be called, was kidnapped as a young child, taken to the local dungeon to become dragon food. Except, one of the dungeon's Denizens takes pity on her, and she grows up in the dungeon instead, guided by the odd collection of goblins, manticores, and other odd and interesting creatures that call the dungeon home. Years pass, and Bait eventually ventures out of the Dungeon to the world above, discovering that not everything is right with the realm. She faces the dilemma of who she is supposed to be, who she really is, and the challenges of defending the Dungeon, the only home she's truly known.
This is an odd little book, with a rather quirky narrator (Cornelius, the undead wizard who was once the Dungeon's Master, and is now an animated skull), and an equally odd mix of characters. It's dark and scary in parts, as befits the dungeon that's at the story's heart, yet cozy in its own way. Bait's strange but relatable in her own way, and despite their monstrous nature, I got to be fond of several of the dungeon's Denizens as well. A rather different kind of read to most fantasy books currently, but fun, and one I'd recommend looking for something off the beaten path.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
This is an odd little book, with a rather quirky narrator (Cornelius, the undead wizard who was once the Dungeon's Master, and is now an animated skull), and an equally odd mix of characters. It's dark and scary in parts, as befits the dungeon that's at the story's heart, yet cozy in its own way. Bait's strange but relatable in her own way, and despite their monstrous nature, I got to be fond of several of the dungeon's Denizens as well. A rather different kind of read to most fantasy books currently, but fun, and one I'd recommend looking for something off the beaten path.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
When the sorcerer in the Tower has a dragon steal a baby from the castle, he gets what he needs from her the orders his garoyle to feed her to the dragon. Instead, she's given over to the Denizens of the Dungeon below. Then the sorcerer leaves and the dragons slumbers. Raised by goblins,,tutored by a talking skull, watched over by a minotaur and befriended by a cave slime, Bait, as the goblins dubbed her, lives a glorious, if not dangerous, existence exploring the the tunnels of the Dungeon. After a few years she's told it's time to leave and return to her rightful place in the palace with her father the king. She reluctantly leaves the Dungeon in an attempt to do so. But something is stirring up the heat nearby. The dragon is waking up.
This was a whimsical fantasy tale, replete with monsters, wizards, knights, stolen princesses and dragons, among other such fare you'd expect in this this type of book. A complex enough story, that's amusing throughout, with one or two genuine LOL moments. The real climactic part of the book occurred about two thirds of the way through, and felt like it easily could have ended there, but went on for about another 130 pages. While the rest of the story was still entertaining, part in the latter third could have used a trim.
When the sorcerer in the Tower has a dragon steal a baby from the castle, he gets what he needs from her the orders his garoyle to feed her to the dragon. Instead, she's given over to the Denizens of the Dungeon below. Then the sorcerer leaves and the dragons slumbers. Raised by goblins,,tutored by a talking skull, watched over by a minotaur and befriended by a cave slime, Bait, as the goblins dubbed her, lives a glorious, if not dangerous, existence exploring the the tunnels of the Dungeon. After a few years she's told it's time to leave and return to her rightful place in the palace with her father the king. She reluctantly leaves the Dungeon in an attempt to do so. But something is stirring up the heat nearby. The dragon is waking up.
This was a whimsical fantasy tale, replete with monsters, wizards, knights, stolen princesses and dragons, among other such fare you'd expect in this this type of book. A complex enough story, that's amusing throughout, with one or two genuine LOL moments. The real climactic part of the book occurred about two thirds of the way through, and felt like it easily could have ended there, but went on for about another 130 pages. While the rest of the story was still entertaining, part in the latter third could have used a trim.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the arc!
This was such a fun read. A bit of a twist on fairy tales where the princess gets kidnapped and imprisoned by monsters, but instead of waiting to be rescued or even rescuing herself she just goes full little goblin mode. It almost feels like a cozy fantasy, especially towards the beginning where the focus is more on Bait’s life in the Dungeon, but at times it does get dark and the stakes certainly do not feel low.
I love Bait so much, she was absolutely the highlight of this book for me. She assembles a little bit of a found family of monsters who are delightful in their own rights as well (Gloop).
I really enjoyed the writing style as well. It is often humorous but more on the subtle side, not so much non stop laugh out loud or campy humor. And there are poignant moments as well, writing that tugs at the heart strings just a little. I found it to be a very nice balance. Cornelius, our narrator, puts a lot of personality into the storytelling, he rambles and goes off on tangents, which I really liked.
Without spoiling anything, the ending does hurt a little bit and that is how I like my endings.
Overall, a really great book, a nice balanced mix of humor and heart and monsters and dark dungeons with the most loveable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the arc!
This was such a fun read. A bit of a twist on fairy tales where the princess gets kidnapped and imprisoned by monsters, but instead of waiting to be rescued or even rescuing herself she just goes full little goblin mode. It almost feels like a cozy fantasy, especially towards the beginning where the focus is more on Bait’s life in the Dungeon, but at times it does get dark and the stakes certainly do not feel low.
I love Bait so much, she was absolutely the highlight of this book for me. She assembles a little bit of a found family of monsters who are delightful in their own rights as well (Gloop).
I really enjoyed the writing style as well. It is often humorous but more on the subtle side, not so much non stop laugh out loud or campy humor. And there are poignant moments as well, writing that tugs at the heart strings just a little. I found it to be a very nice balance. Cornelius, our narrator, puts a lot of personality into the storytelling, he rambles and goes off on tangents, which I really liked.
Without spoiling anything, the ending does hurt a little bit and that is how I like my endings.
Overall, a really great book, a nice balanced mix of humor and heart and monsters and dark dungeons with the most loveable characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gareth Hanrahan is a master of unique world-building, and the premise of The Dungeon Book—a "Jungle Book meets Dungeons & Dragons" mashup—is undeniably brilliant. Narrated by Cornelius, a sentient skull, the story follows Bait, a girl raised by a menagerie of monsters including a vengeful minotaur and a blob of corridor slime. Hanrahan’s signature wit is on full display here, and the humorous take on classic dungeon-crawling tropes made the first half of the book a delight to read.
However, despite the heartfelt exploration of identity and what it truly means to be "monstrous," I found the middle section to be a bit of a slog. The labyrinthine nature of the setting started to feel repetitive, and some of the side characters, while charming, didn't feel as fully realized as Bait or Cornelius. The standalone nature of the story is great, but the resolution felt slightly rushed compared to the intricate setup of the haunted halls and buried temples.
Overall, it’s a fun and inventive amble through a dark world, but it didn't quite capture the same "must-read" intensity of Hanrahan's The Gutter Prayer. Great for fans of cozy-meets-dark fantasy, but a bit uneven in its pacing.
However, despite the heartfelt exploration of identity and what it truly means to be "monstrous," I found the middle section to be a bit of a slog. The labyrinthine nature of the setting started to feel repetitive, and some of the side characters, while charming, didn't feel as fully realized as Bait or Cornelius. The standalone nature of the story is great, but the resolution felt slightly rushed compared to the intricate setup of the haunted halls and buried temples.
Overall, it’s a fun and inventive amble through a dark world, but it didn't quite capture the same "must-read" intensity of Hanrahan's The Gutter Prayer. Great for fans of cozy-meets-dark fantasy, but a bit uneven in its pacing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay so this was way more fun than I expected. When I picked this book up I was a bit worried that it would turn out to be a bit corny or cringe but I was happy to find out that it's not that at all. The humor here is more reminiscent of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett than anything else.
The Dungeon Book is a tale told by Cornelius, a once-dead-man-now-talking-scull who lives in a dungeon full of all of your typical spooks like goblins, trolls, some thing that's basically just a cluster of eyeballs, manticores, and a minotaur - among other creatures. One day a dragon brings home a little girl who ends up being raised in said dungeon by some goblins and Cornelius.
What follows is a surprisingly complex story with all kinds of twists and turns, both inside the dungeon and out, that is full of heart and humor.
I really enjoyed this book and the comedy within it. My only complaint is that it felt a bit long at some parts, but it's nothing that would keep me from recommending it. A good read and a unique take on your typical monsters & dungeons tropes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!
The Dungeon Book is a tale told by Cornelius, a once-dead-man-now-talking-scull who lives in a dungeon full of all of your typical spooks like goblins, trolls, some thing that's basically just a cluster of eyeballs, manticores, and a minotaur - among other creatures. One day a dragon brings home a little girl who ends up being raised in said dungeon by some goblins and Cornelius.
What follows is a surprisingly complex story with all kinds of twists and turns, both inside the dungeon and out, that is full of heart and humor.
I really enjoyed this book and the comedy within it. My only complaint is that it felt a bit long at some parts, but it's nothing that would keep me from recommending it. A good read and a unique take on your typical monsters & dungeons tropes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I fell for the Bait.. pun intended!
Gareth Hanrahan created a magical dungeon, with creatures and the occasional sentient things. If I may say, having read some of Hanrahan's previous works, he is exceptional at creating sentient things that you just have to grow fond of. With that being said, in The Dungeon Book we meet Cornelius, who happens to be a talking skull. He retells and explains the story of a little human child that ended up living in the dungeon amongst its various and deadly denizens. We are talking gargoyles, ogres, a minotaur and a dragon.. just to name a few.
The story is of a found family, with a sprinkle of coming-of-age, whilst still having enough tongue in cheek humor to keep us entertained.
This isn't an epic quest kind of read, but a magical story that is truly one of a kind. The dungeon itself is an amazing plot device, as it allows for us to literally run blind into the next scene. The stakes are still high (literally) and the story is full of twists and turns, but in an almost cozy way.
Thank you to Gareth Hanrahan for the Bait and this enjoyable trip beneath the surface! Thank you to Orbit Books for making it happen!
Gareth Hanrahan created a magical dungeon, with creatures and the occasional sentient things. If I may say, having read some of Hanrahan's previous works, he is exceptional at creating sentient things that you just have to grow fond of. With that being said, in The Dungeon Book we meet Cornelius, who happens to be a talking skull. He retells and explains the story of a little human child that ended up living in the dungeon amongst its various and deadly denizens. We are talking gargoyles, ogres, a minotaur and a dragon.. just to name a few.
The story is of a found family, with a sprinkle of coming-of-age, whilst still having enough tongue in cheek humor to keep us entertained.
This isn't an epic quest kind of read, but a magical story that is truly one of a kind. The dungeon itself is an amazing plot device, as it allows for us to literally run blind into the next scene. The stakes are still high (literally) and the story is full of twists and turns, but in an almost cozy way.
Thank you to Gareth Hanrahan for the Bait and this enjoyable trip beneath the surface! Thank you to Orbit Books for making it happen!
June 23, 2026
The chapter illustrations are incredible, and I need a screen adaptation for this yesterday. Someone get Carey Elwes on the phone, this is pure magic!
Kidnapped by a dragon, spared by a gargoyle, raised by goblins, and educated by a talking skull… little Bait may have been born a princess, but she has become a child of the Dungeon.
This is a funny and unexpected retelling of The Jungle Book, set in a fantasy land where the underground caverns of the Dungeon hold mysterious beasts and hidden dangers.
It’s been a while since I read a book with such an elevated vocabulary! I sincerely loved how many new words (mostly English, not Dungeonspeak) I learned while reading this story.
The Dungeon Book is not a LitRPG book, as I first guessed, but fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Monty Python, and The Princess Bride will be wholly entertained nonetheless.
Pacing is a bit of an issue in this book, with a narrator that really likes to talk, but it’s still a fun time.
Thank you most kindly to Orbit Books for the privilege to read this ARC via NetGalley.
Kidnapped by a dragon, spared by a gargoyle, raised by goblins, and educated by a talking skull… little Bait may have been born a princess, but she has become a child of the Dungeon.
This is a funny and unexpected retelling of The Jungle Book, set in a fantasy land where the underground caverns of the Dungeon hold mysterious beasts and hidden dangers.
It’s been a while since I read a book with such an elevated vocabulary! I sincerely loved how many new words (mostly English, not Dungeonspeak) I learned while reading this story.
The Dungeon Book is not a LitRPG book, as I first guessed, but fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl, Monty Python, and The Princess Bride will be wholly entertained nonetheless.
Pacing is a bit of an issue in this book, with a narrator that really likes to talk, but it’s still a fun time.
Thank you most kindly to Orbit Books for the privilege to read this ARC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a delight to read, it was so fun seeing familiar characters and tropes brought in from dungeons and dragons and the fantasy sphere in general, and Hanrahan subverts expectations for what happens with each character. The characters, especially Bait, were extremely compelling and are what made the story most engaging. The dungeon denizens continuously stole the show, and I love the individuality given to almost all of them. I loved Neb, the Minotaur, Clove, and the Manticore among all the others. The descriptions of different parts of the dungeon and the many varieties of dark and darkness brought you right there.
The story itself was unexpected and did not follow the expected path beyond the hints that were foreshadowed throughout the book. The ending was satisfying but still left some aspects up in the air. Thank you NetGalley, Gareth Hanrahan, and Orbit Books for this E-ARC.
The story itself was unexpected and did not follow the expected path beyond the hints that were foreshadowed throughout the book. The ending was satisfying but still left some aspects up in the air. Thank you NetGalley, Gareth Hanrahan, and Orbit Books for this E-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would probably give a 3.5, but I'll round to 4.
This story was very charming. I wasn't 100% sure I was gonna like it being told by one of the characters, but it actually was one of my favourite aspects. It felt like someone just telling you a story by word of mouth, with all the flourishes and random tidbits all over. It felt personal, I liked it a lot.
The story itself is very up and down in terms of eventfulness. There's some spots that lull a bit, but generally there's a lot of action happening and it's engaging. It covers a very long period of time as well for how short it is.
The ending felt a little fast somehow, but not bad. Kind of open ended so I like that there's room for more or room for the audience to interpret how things could go. The characters don't have a crazy amount of growth or dimension, I don't feel, but they're still likeable characters.
Overall I did enjoy this! It's quirky, but enjoyable.
This story was very charming. I wasn't 100% sure I was gonna like it being told by one of the characters, but it actually was one of my favourite aspects. It felt like someone just telling you a story by word of mouth, with all the flourishes and random tidbits all over. It felt personal, I liked it a lot.
The story itself is very up and down in terms of eventfulness. There's some spots that lull a bit, but generally there's a lot of action happening and it's engaging. It covers a very long period of time as well for how short it is.
The ending felt a little fast somehow, but not bad. Kind of open ended so I like that there's room for more or room for the audience to interpret how things could go. The characters don't have a crazy amount of growth or dimension, I don't feel, but they're still likeable characters.
Overall I did enjoy this! It's quirky, but enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As soon as I saw that the narrator of this story was a skull, I knew that I was going to read it. This was a fun, witty, fantasy full of epic elements with an almost cozy charm. The main character, Bait, is a young girl who is kidnapped by a dragon and taken to a dungeon where she is looked after by goblins, a minotaur, and tutored by the narrator of her story, Cornelius the Skull. He wasn't always a skull and we do get his backstory along the road of this adventure which takes places in the dungeon and out and back again and features all sorts of dungeon denizens. This was an enjoyable read which should be a good match for those who like their fantasy with a side of tongue-in-cheek humor.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
The Dungeon Book is pretty cute, and I had fun reading a fantasy story that’s genuinely sympathetic to the monsters for a change. That said… I’m still not entirely sure who the audience for this book is. Based on the description and that fantastic cover, I expected to be a lot more blown away than I was.
It felt a little too ponderous—and occasionally too gory—to work as a kids’ read, but at the same time, it never quite felt sharp or engaging enough to fully hook me as an adult reader either. While I enjoyed parts of it and appreciated what it was trying to do, getting through it sometimes felt more like work than escape.
Overall, an interesting concept with some charm, but ultimately a bit of a slog for me (10 days reading is me going at a turtle's pace). 2 stars.
The Dungeon Book is pretty cute, and I had fun reading a fantasy story that’s genuinely sympathetic to the monsters for a change. That said… I’m still not entirely sure who the audience for this book is. Based on the description and that fantastic cover, I expected to be a lot more blown away than I was.
It felt a little too ponderous—and occasionally too gory—to work as a kids’ read, but at the same time, it never quite felt sharp or engaging enough to fully hook me as an adult reader either. While I enjoyed parts of it and appreciated what it was trying to do, getting through it sometimes felt more like work than escape.
Overall, an interesting concept with some charm, but ultimately a bit of a slog for me (10 days reading is me going at a turtle's pace). 2 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dungeon Book is a High Fantasy standalone novel by Gareth Hanrahan, set to release on August 11th, 2026. Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this before most of the population. This book has everything I could ever ask for. Goblins, banter, WIZARDS AND DRAGONS? YES. I just love the fantasy genre in general, but this book felt like coming home. A magical home. And what more could you want as an adult? Your childhood dreams don't just fade and this novel recognizes that and tailors it to your “advanced in years” age since that time. It made me want to watch the Dungeons and Dragons animated TV show. The narration was so unique and witty. I loved every moment of this novel. Good thing there wasn't a witch in it, because the way I was cackling at the jokes made up for that lack. 5 ⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this e-book ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
I really struggled with this one. I think what it came down to was I really didn't like the narrator, Cornelius the talking skull. The parts that just told the story of Bait were the sections I actually enjoyed. But when Cornelius was just rambling along in his narration, it was pretty boring and I had a hard time staying motivated to read. Unfortunately, there was a lot more Cornelius rambling than there was Bait's story.
There were some clever asides, and a lot of nods to SFF fans - including a reference to the Weeping Angels from Dr. Who. But it just wasn't enough to overcome the challenges. For me it was too violent to be cozy, and not consistent in the characters enough to be found family. And, ultimately, too boring to be fun and interesting.
I really struggled with this one. I think what it came down to was I really didn't like the narrator, Cornelius the talking skull. The parts that just told the story of Bait were the sections I actually enjoyed. But when Cornelius was just rambling along in his narration, it was pretty boring and I had a hard time staying motivated to read. Unfortunately, there was a lot more Cornelius rambling than there was Bait's story.
There were some clever asides, and a lot of nods to SFF fans - including a reference to the Weeping Angels from Dr. Who. But it just wasn't enough to overcome the challenges. For me it was too violent to be cozy, and not consistent in the characters enough to be found family. And, ultimately, too boring to be fun and interesting.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Orbit Books/netgalley for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review
I felt like Cornelius (the semi-omniscient talking skull narrator of this fabulous tale) was metaphorically tucking me (alas, he has no hands) and telling me a bedtime story. I loved this. I want this book to be my dad.
The tale meanders at times (as Cornelius is wont to do) but the humourous stream of consciousness writing style and character-driven story kept me glued to the page. Bait is a unique protagonist, my heart was broken and remade many times as she overcame the trials laid before her. As a long-time consumer of D&D content, the fantasy of the Dungeon and surface world was incredibly nostalgic, masterfully woven, and endlessly creative.
I felt like Cornelius (the semi-omniscient talking skull narrator of this fabulous tale) was metaphorically tucking me (alas, he has no hands) and telling me a bedtime story. I loved this. I want this book to be my dad.
The tale meanders at times (as Cornelius is wont to do) but the humourous stream of consciousness writing style and character-driven story kept me glued to the page. Bait is a unique protagonist, my heart was broken and remade many times as she overcame the trials laid before her. As a long-time consumer of D&D content, the fantasy of the Dungeon and surface world was incredibly nostalgic, masterfully woven, and endlessly creative.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An immersive dungeon experience, filled with wit and intrigue
A talking skull, a coming-of-age story in a dungeon with monsters, and everything in between.
This felt like an animation in my mind as i was reading it. I have yet to read a novel as such. The world was fun and immersive. I enjoyed the characters, and the bits of humor really made this an enjoyable read. There was a promise and payoff. The action was good and well written. The emotions were executed nicely. Overall i would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy/ heartful fantasy with a nice payoff and whimsical feeling.,
I rated this a 4 star. My only issue with this book was the pacing. It felt a bit unbalanced at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the Opportunity to review this ARC.
A talking skull, a coming-of-age story in a dungeon with monsters, and everything in between.
This felt like an animation in my mind as i was reading it. I have yet to read a novel as such. The world was fun and immersive. I enjoyed the characters, and the bits of humor really made this an enjoyable read. There was a promise and payoff. The action was good and well written. The emotions were executed nicely. Overall i would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy/ heartful fantasy with a nice payoff and whimsical feeling.,
I rated this a 4 star. My only issue with this book was the pacing. It felt a bit unbalanced at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for the Opportunity to review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the opportunity to read this ARC.
3.5 stars rounded up.
The Dungeon Book is absolutely charming. The story is told by Cornelius, a former wizard who is now a talking skull. The story follows Bait, a young human girl who was kidnapped and then taken in by the denizens of the Dungeon and became an honorary member.
The denizens of the Dungeon were all written so vividly. I could read an entire series just on the going-ons of the Dungeon.
The main difficulty I had was with the pacing. At times it felt slow and inconsistent. It definitely felt like 500 pages. This is not a weekend book.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of Dungeons & Dragons, LitRPG, and to anyone who LARP's.
3.5 stars rounded up.
The Dungeon Book is absolutely charming. The story is told by Cornelius, a former wizard who is now a talking skull. The story follows Bait, a young human girl who was kidnapped and then taken in by the denizens of the Dungeon and became an honorary member.
The denizens of the Dungeon were all written so vividly. I could read an entire series just on the going-ons of the Dungeon.
The main difficulty I had was with the pacing. At times it felt slow and inconsistent. It definitely felt like 500 pages. This is not a weekend book.
I would definitely recommend this to fans of Dungeons & Dragons, LitRPG, and to anyone who LARP's.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the ARC. Review left voluntarily.
I tend to like Grimdark or darker reads in general, and what is more dark than a dungeon with no natural light? I'm all over the place with this book, because at starts off like a stereotypical fantasy, veers away from it, comes back, then veers off again. Once you know who the MC is, you have an idea of what the end will be, and aside from a few times I should have seen a swerve coming in hindsight, I was surprised throughout the story.
What I loved was the monsters, each set had their own personalities, and the characters had their own that still fit in with the established personalities. The "narrator" was hit and miss on the humor, mainly hit for me.
I tend to like Grimdark or darker reads in general, and what is more dark than a dungeon with no natural light? I'm all over the place with this book, because at starts off like a stereotypical fantasy, veers away from it, comes back, then veers off again. Once you know who the MC is, you have an idea of what the end will be, and aside from a few times I should have seen a swerve coming in hindsight, I was surprised throughout the story.
What I loved was the monsters, each set had their own personalities, and the characters had their own that still fit in with the established personalities. The "narrator" was hit and miss on the humor, mainly hit for me.
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