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The Dungeon Book
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Expected 11 Aug 26A young girl is left to die in a wizard's dungeon but finds a new home with the monsters around her in this humorous and heartfelt standalone epic fantasy from acclaimed author Gareth Hanrahan.
"Full of wit and adventure, twists and turns, wonderful monsters, and astonishing revelations. An absolute joy." – M. R. Carey, author of Infinity Gate
Enter a world of dungeons and dragons, magic and manticores, and goblins and gargoyles . . .
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 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.
"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
"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
"Full of wit and adventure, twists and turns, wonderful monsters, and astonishing revelations. An absolute joy." – M. R. Carey, author of Infinity Gate
Enter a world of dungeons and dragons, magic and manticores, and goblins and gargoyles . . .
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 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.
"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
"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
Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 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.
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
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 told in first person omniscient; later, it dips in and out of second person. Cornelius the disembodied skull is recounting Bait's story, so it’s also a frame narrative. For a book that is just over 500 pages, this went surprisingly quick. Writing styles can be a big ‘ol dealbreaker for me, but I LOVED Hanrahan's efficient and deftly creative prose. The tone is delightfully wry, irreverent, and even whimsical. There's an obvious Dungeons & Dragons vibe and influence, but you absolutely don't need to know anything about D&D in order to enjoy and appreciate this tale.
The character work is strong for the morally dubious Cornelius and misfit Bait. I loved Bait—her feral instincts were funny and she was resourceful yet very human. The side characters were also quite engaging, but never outshined Cornelius and Bait. The themes of right vs. wrong vs. easy and taking your place in the world were executed very well. I felt things got a little muddy in the last 82% with some of Orphir’s storyline and the Dungeon Denizens feeling crammed, but it balanced itself out in the end.
I highly recommend The Dungeon Book!
Thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for the eARC.
The character work is strong for the morally dubious Cornelius and misfit Bait. I loved Bait—her feral instincts were funny and she was resourceful yet very human. The side characters were also quite engaging, but never outshined Cornelius and Bait. The themes of right vs. wrong vs. easy and taking your place in the world were executed very well. I felt things got a little muddy in the last 82% with some of Orphir’s storyline and the Dungeon Denizens feeling crammed, but it balanced itself out in the end.
I highly recommend The Dungeon Book!
Thanks to Orbit via NetGalley for the eARC.
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
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
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 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
The Dungeon Book
By Gareth Hanrahan
Pub Date: Aug 11 2026
This is your average cozy fantasy book. I haven't read one taking place in a dungeon so that is a different spin on the genre. It is well written and fun so if cozy fantasy reads are your thing then this book may be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
By Gareth Hanrahan
Pub Date: Aug 11 2026
This is your average cozy fantasy book. I haven't read one taking place in a dungeon so that is a different spin on the genre. It is well written and fun so if cozy fantasy reads are your thing then this book may be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Dungeon Book was sensational, brimming with as much heart as it is ghoulies and beasties. It is perfect for the D&D brethren in your life, or really, anyone who just loves a great fantasy story told in a unique way. My dungeon crawl-loving heart was absolutely enamored.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews