Dungeon World 2

Dungeon World #2

by Jonathan Brooks

Fred did something bad.

He didn’t intend to do it, but the destruction of a dungeon core – accident or otherwise – will likely result in horrific consequences for anyone connected with the crime. And not for just the perpetrators; everyone around them will suffer vengeful retribution from the nearby cores for the unthinkable act.

Knowing that his mistake will end up endangering his new friends, the townspeople of Gatecross, and even his Guild, Core Power, Fred decides to do whatever he can to protect them. After he absorbed the Nature Core, he unlocked the ability to establish a territory and create his very own dungeon – a dungeon which will hopefully provide the defense they need to survive against the expected fight to come.

Unfortunately, the Nature Faction isn’t the only one that learned about Fred’s crime. The Dungeon Adventurer Syndicate, under the authority of the Craytion Kingdom, has sent a powerful group to investigate…


Contains LitRPG/GameLit elements such as statistics and leveling. No harems and no profanity.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Role Playing Games, Adventure, Science Fiction

461 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what happened. I enjoyed the first book but I didn’t like this one at all. I didn’t feel like there was any character development at all. The characters became annoying by the end of the book. Annoying with no depth. I have read a lot of LitRPG and I don’t feel this reaches the peaks that I am expecting.

[GaiusPrimus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun one

Jonathan seems to have gotten this dungeon business down.

I have been a big fan of his Station Core series and this might be even better with its unique circumstances and differential take on the genre.

The paradox now is which series we will get first? I'm sure which ever it is, I will like it but set the same time will want the other one.

Hey John, anyway you can release both at the same time?

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction:
Alright, fellow adventurers, grab your swords, your spellbooks, and a bucket of popcorn because we’re diving back into the mind-bending, dungeon-crafting madness that is *Dungeon World 2* by Jonathan Brooks. This bad boy hit the scene in June 2019, continuing the litRPG/fantasy adventure of Fred, our accidental dungeon lord, as he tries to keep himself and his friends alive in a world that's about two stats away from going full Game Over. Brooks is a master at blending dungeon-core goodness with intricate character dynamics and a touch of chaos, making this series a standout in the LitRPG realm. So buckle up, fluff your tail, and let’s tear into this second installment of the *Dungeon World* saga!

Plot Summary:
So where do we kick off? Fred, the human-turned-dungeon-core, is in hot water after accidentally obliterating a Nature Faction core—whoops. Cue chaos. The dungeons aren’t too pleased about it, and now there’s a target painted on Fred and his allies. Oh, and did I mention the Dungeon Adventurer Syndicate is on their way, ready to crack skulls and ask questions later? Yeah, things are going to get wild.

Fred, though, ain’t just standing around. Nope, our boy digs deep into his newfound dungeon abilities, setting up a territory that’ll hopefully fend off all the angry dungeon cores gunning for him and the town of Gatecross. It’s dungeon building with a side of epic base defense, and let me tell you—watching Fred piece together traps and monster hordes to keep his friends alive? Mmm, chef’s kiss. But this ain’t all fun and games. Fred’s still reeling from the loss of his parents and the weight of leadership that’s slowly crushing him. With the stakes ramping up, Fred needs to juggle his growing powers, emotional baggage, and the encroaching doom headed straight for Gatecross. If you’re a fan of dungeon-building and defensive warfare, *Dungeon World 2* scratches that itch better than a flea comb after a romp through the woods.

The Author:
Jonathan Brooks isn’t just cranking out your average LitRPG or dungeon-core fluff. This dude’s got a knack for world-building that makes you want to actually live in the worlds he creates (you know, minus the whole “risk of dying in a dungeon” thing). Brooks has been grinding hard in the dungeon-core genre, delivering series after series that all have their own distinct flavor. His *Station Core* series? Absolute gold. But what makes *Dungeon World* stand out is how Brooks blends emotional character arcs with deep, strategic gameplay mechanics. His works hit that sweet spot of immersive storytelling and intricate dungeon management—think if *Dungeon Keeper* and *The Sims* had a baby in a magical fantasy land.

Characters:
Let’s get into the meat of it—the characters. Fred, our protagonist, is still figuring out the whole “I accidentally destroyed a dungeon core and now everything wants to kill me” bit. What I love about Fred is that he’s not just some overpowered, flawless hero. The dude’s a mess. He’s struggling to come to terms with his new powers, feeling the weight of responsibility, and making a ton of mistakes along the way. But that’s what makes him relatable. He’s not the guy who always knows the right answer—he’s the guy who’s trying not to screw up too badly, and I respect that.

As for the supporting cast, we’ve got a great mix of personalities. Fred’s human companions, though still a bit underdeveloped compared to the main man, offer some much-needed balance to the dungeon-core chaos. But here’s where it gets interesting: the dungeons themselves. Brooks has done an incredible job giving personality to the other dungeon cores, turning what could have been faceless enemies into real characters with motives, grudges, and their own brand of logic. The antagonists in this book are driven, ruthless, and ready to tear Fred’s world apart—making the conflicts feel personal and urgent.

Structure:
This is where *Dungeon World 2* really shines. Brooks nails the pacing, balancing dungeon-building mechanics with character-driven moments. The structure is clear—there’s a looming threat, Fred builds up defenses, and then BOOM, all hell breaks loose. But what’s nice here is that the plot doesn’t just lurch from one dungeon defense to another. Brooks peppers in moments of introspection for Fred, dealing with grief and responsibility in ways that feel genuine. You’re not just reading about monsters and traps; you’re getting a sense of Fred’s internal struggles, which elevates the whole experience.

Oh, and let’s talk stats. Brooks gives us just enough without drowning us in numbers. You want to know how Fred’s skills are improving? Cool, here’s a nice stat update. Don’t care about the math? Skip it and move on. Brooks smartly keeps the stat-heavy sections in their own chapters, allowing readers to choose how deep they want to go into the nitty-gritty.

Themes & Analysis:
At its core (pun fully intended), *Dungeon World 2* is about consequences. Fred made a huge mistake by taking out a core, and now he’s dealing with the fallout. But it’s more than just a plot device—this book explores the weight of responsibility and how it can crush you if you’re not careful. Fred isn’t just fighting off dungeon cores—he’s wrestling with guilt, fear, and the idea that his actions could get his friends killed. It’s a heavy theme for a dungeon-core story, but Brooks handles it well.

There’s also a strong theme of community. Fred’s not alone in this fight, and the people of Gatecross rally around him. The bonds between characters—whether they’re human or dungeon-core—are central to the story, highlighting the idea that you can’t do it all on your own, no matter how strong you get.

Scenes:
Now, if you’re wondering about any spicy romance or harem nonsense? Don’t worry—*Dungeon World 2* keeps it clean. There’s no gratuitous sex or over-the-top relationships here. Fred does have some moments of awkwardness when it comes to human interactions (the dude’s still figuring out how to be a leader), but romance isn’t the focus, and thank the wolf spirits for that. The emotional depth comes from Fred’s struggle to protect his friends, not from some tacked-on love triangle.

As for action scenes, they’re stellar. Brooks knows how to write a good fight. Whether it’s Fred setting up an intricate series of traps or battling waves of monsters, the tension builds perfectly. You can feel the stakes rising with every encounter, and when the big showdowns hit? It’s pure adrenaline.

World-Building:
Dungeon-crafting isn’t just a gimmick in this world—it’s a way of life. The way Brooks constructs the mechanics of dungeon-building, with all its layers of complexity, is fascinating. You’ve got to manage your resources, maintain your defenses, and make sure your dungeon can handle whatever the world throws at it. It’s like city-building on steroids, and Brooks handles it with finesse. The rules of the world are well thought out, and the dungeon-core system makes sense within the larger narrative. You’re never left scratching your head, wondering how things work—it’s all laid out in a way that makes you want to dive deeper into the mechanics without feeling overwhelmed.

Praise & Critique:
There’s a lot to love about *Dungeon World 2*. Brooks brings the same level of creativity and care to the sequel as he did in the first book, expanding the world and upping the stakes without losing the charm that made the series special. The dungeon-building elements are addictive, and watching Fred piece together his defenses is like watching an intricate puzzle come together. The action is solid, the character development is on point, and the stakes feel real.

But—there’s always a but—some readers might find the pacing a little off. The big climax hits midway through the book, and the rest of the story feels like a wind-down. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does shift the tone. The third act is more about tying up loose ends, which leaves you feeling like the big bang came a little too soon. Also, while the supporting characters are fun, they could use a bit more depth. There’s potential for them to become more fleshed out in future books, but for now, Fred is carrying the emotional weight of the story.

Comparison:
Compared to Brooks’ other works like *Station Core*, *Dungeon World* has a more personal, emotionally charged storyline. *Station Core* is all about grand designs and large-scale conflicts, while *Dungeon World* focuses more on the individual’s struggle within a dungeon-core system. The world-building is on par with Aleron Kong’s *The Land* series, but where Kong’s work is heavier on stats and grinding, Brooks focuses more on character and plot. If you’re a fan of dungeon-core but want something with more heart, *Dungeon World* will be your jam.

Personal Evaluation:
As someone who’s seen a few too many harems, overpowered MCs, and shallow stories in the LitRPG genre, *Dungeon World 2* is a breath of fresh air. Brooks gives us a hero who’s fallible, vulnerable, and learning on the fly, which makes Fred easy to root for. The world-building is rich, the stakes are high, and the action keeps you on your toes. There’s an emotional core (again, pun intended) to this story that makes it stand out from other dungeon-core series.

Conclusion:
If you’re into dungeon-core stories but want more than just mindless monster battles, *Dungeon World 2* should be on your list. It’s got all the stats, traps, and dungeon-building goodness you crave, but it also packs a punch when it comes to emotional depth and character development. While it’s not perfect, and the pacing could use a bit of tweaking, the story is still engaging, and the world-building is top-tier. Final verdict? I’m giving *Dungeon World 2* a solid 4.5 out of 5. Grab your pickaxe and dive in—Fred’s dungeon needs defending, and trust me, you’re gonna want to be there for it.

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Dungeon World 2 — Consequences, Construction, and a Stronger Turn Toward True Dungeon-Core Fantasy

Hook and Thesis
Dungeon World 2 by Jonathan Brooks takes the promise of the first novel and pushes it much harder into dungeon-core territory. Its central strength lies in turning Fred’s earlier mistake into a sustained siege-and-survival narrative, while its main weakness comes from uneven character depth and a structural rhythm that places its most explosive material too early. The result is a sequel that is mechanically satisfying, strategically engaging, and often emotionally grounded, even if it does not fully solve the characterization issues some readers had with book one.

Introduction
The second installment of the Dungeon World series continues directly from the fallout of Fred’s accidental destruction of another dungeon core. That premise gives the novel a built-in urgency: this is not a leisurely expansion story, but one shaped by punishment, retaliation, and desperate preparation. For readers who wanted the series to lean further into dungeon construction, territorial defense, and faction politics, this book appears to be where the concept fully finds its lane.

Basic Plot Summary
Fred’s accidental absorption of a Nature Core has consequences far beyond personal guilt. Nearby dungeon cores see the act as an unforgivable crime, and their coming retaliation threatens not just Fred, but the town of Gatecross, his allies, and the larger network around him. In response, Fred uses his new territorial powers to establish and develop his own dungeon as a defensive stronghold.

At the same time, human institutions are moving against him as well. The Dungeon Adventurer Syndicate, acting with kingdom authority, begins investigating what happened. This creates a two-front conflict: one from dungeon factions and one from political-adventuring powers. Much of the novel follows Fred as he builds defenses, navigates alliances, and tries to protect the people endangered by his mistake.

Analysis / Evaluation
The book’s biggest success is clarity of purpose. Unlike some sequels that sprawl, Dungeon World 2 is built around a direct dramatic question: can Fred prepare enough to survive the consequences of what he has done? That gives the novel momentum, even when it slows down for system explanations or stat updates.

Thematically, the story is more compelling than a simple “base under attack” scenario. Fred is not defending territory because he is ambitious or glory-seeking; he is doing it because his actions have put others at risk. That gives the mechanics moral weight. Dungeon building becomes not just progression, but responsibility.

That said, some of the criticism aimed at the book is understandable. Several readers note that the story can feel more like plot movement than deep character drama. The novel is often strongest when dealing with systems, strategy, and escalation; it is less consistently strong when trying to flesh out secondary personalities or emotional nuance.

Characters
Fred remains the clear focal point and the most fully realized character in the book. His appeal comes from the fact that he is not a polished power fantasy lead. He is often uncertain, socially awkward, burdened by grief, and forced to respond to consequences larger than he intended. That makes him easier to invest in than a purely dominant or omniscient protagonist.

The supporting cast is more mixed. Several reviews suggest they are functional and likable but not especially deep. They help stabilize the story and give Fred people to protect, but they do not always emerge as distinct enough to carry equal dramatic weight. Some readers were especially frustrated by how certain female characters were written, arguing that they felt shallow or overly simplified.

Interestingly, the other dungeon cores and external factions often come across as more vivid than some of the human side characters. Their motives are clearer, their hostility more focused, and their presence helps sharpen the stakes.

Setting
The setting grows more interesting here because the book finally leans into its hybrid identity: part human fantasy world, part dungeon-core ecosystem. Gatecross is not just a location; it becomes a defensive node in a wider network of human and dungeon politics. The world’s rules start feeling more tangible because we see how one broken taboo affects entire regional systems.

The dungeon itself is also a major part of the setting appeal. Brooks treats dungeon-building less like decorative scenery and more like infrastructure, economy, and warfare combined. That practical treatment is one of the book’s biggest genre strengths.

Structure
Structurally, the novel is effective but slightly unbalanced. It broadly follows this rhythm:

1. Fallout from Fred’s earlier crime.
2. Defensive preparation and dungeon development.
3. Escalating pressure from dungeon and human factions.
4. Major confrontation.
5. Aftermath and setup for the next installment.

The most common criticism is that the major climactic energy arrives too early, leaving the latter portion to feel more like cleanup and repositioning than a fully rising final act. This does not ruin the book, but it does affect how satisfying the ending feels.

Themes
The dominant theme is consequences. Fred’s mistake cannot be waved away, and the whole novel is shaped by the cost of that mistake. That immediately gives the story more substance than many progression-focused sequels.

A second major theme is community under threat. Fred may be the dungeon core, but survival depends on cooperation between him, the townspeople, allied groups, and those willing to trust him despite the danger attached to him.

There is also a quieter theme of identity. Fred is increasingly neither fully human adventurer nor purely dungeon entity. The novel gains some of its tension from watching him learn how to act inside that unstable in-between space.

Writing Style
Jonathan Brooks writes in a clear, functional style well suited to LitRPG and dungeon-core fiction. He explains mechanics cleanly, and many readers appreciated that stat-heavy sections were separable enough to skim or skip. That kind of structural awareness matters in a genre where overloading the reader with numbers can damage pacing.

The downside is that clarity sometimes comes at the expense of vividness. A recurring criticism is that the prose tells effectively but does not always show deeply. Character interiority and emotional subtlety can feel secondary to mechanical and plot advancement.

Tone
The tone is more serious than many genre peers, but still accessible. The book is clean by genre standards, with no harem framing, profanity, or forced romantic drama dominating the story. That gives it a somewhat broader tonal appeal. It feels like a defensive war story filtered through LitRPG mechanics rather than an indulgent genre mashup.

Impact
As a sequel, Dungeon World 2 appears to have improved many readers’ confidence in the series by delivering more of what the premise seemed to promise. It deepens the dungeon-core aspects, sharpens the world’s rules, and raises the stakes in a way that makes the series feel more defined.

Its impact is less about emotional devastation or literary elegance and more about proving that the concept can sustain real escalation.

Praise and Critique
Praise:
- Stronger dungeon-core focus than the first book.
- Clear, engaging defense-and-preparation storyline.
- Effective use of game mechanics without completely drowning the story.
- Fred remains a sympathetic and fallible protagonist.
- Good expansion of faction politics and world rules.

Critique:
- Supporting characters still feel thinner than they should.
- The structure peaks too early, making the ending feel like aftermath rather than culmination.
- Some readers found the stat emphasis excessive.
- Certain character portrayals, especially some female POVs, were criticized as weak or juvenile.
- The prose is competent but not especially rich.

Evaluation
Overall, this is a good sequel and, for many readers, a better expression of what the series wants to be than book one. It is strongest as a dungeon-building defense novel with moral stakes. It is weaker as a deeply character-centered fantasy. If approached primarily as LitRPG strategy fiction with a sympathetic lead, it works very well. If approached expecting sophisticated ensemble characterization, it is more uneven.

Comparison
Compared with Brooks’ Station Core and The Crafter’s Dungeon, Dungeon World 2 feels more personal than the former and less system-experimental than the latter. Compared with titles like Ritualist or dungeon-core works inspired by Divine Dungeon, it stands out by centering the fallout of taboo actions and by grounding dungeon-building in social responsibility rather than pure optimization.

Where many genre books ask, “How can the core get stronger?”, this one more often asks, “How can the core survive what it has already set in motion?”

Conclusion
Dungeon World 2 is a solid, sometimes very good LitRPG sequel that delivers meaningful progression, strong dungeon-construction appeal, and a central conflict built on accountability rather than convenience. It does not completely overcome the series’ lingering character-depth issues, and its structural pacing is imperfect, but it succeeds where it matters most: it makes Fred’s struggle feel urgent, his growth feel earned, and his dungeon feel worth defending.

"The best part of Dungeon World 2 is that its mechanics are never just mechanics — they are the shape consequences take when guilt is forced to become strategy."

Overall Assessment:
Strengths: Dungeon-building, faction conflict, clear progression, consequence-driven plot
Weaknesses: Thin supporting cast, early climax, occasional stat overload, uneven characterization
Recommended For: Readers who want dungeon-core defense, practical worldbuilding, and a cleaner LitRPG without harem or profanity

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you picked up this series in hopes of some dungeon building adventure then congratulations on finally getting here. This book is mostly about the dungeon building aspect of the universe and the author does a great job of explaining how it works without getting bogged down in the numbers of it all.

The story isn't quite as exciting as the first one, reverting to more of a dungeon base defence story, but everything that I enjoyed from the first is still technically there. They also expand the universe slightly by adding a focus on guilds this time around which were introduced near the end of the first book and provide a reason for allies to be there instead of them sticking around "just cuz" like your average dungeon book.

While the main characters don't grow quite as much as the previous book, they are still slowly fleshed out to be more than cardboard cutouts.

The main problem with this book was that the big final act sort of happens about halfway through the book and takes up the better part of the length of the story. This is good and bad since it makes for a lot of action happening constantly, but you don't get that build up to the final conflict. In fact, where the third act would normally be, the main characters essentially begin tying up loose ends and tidy up the plot. There is a sudden tone shift when a bunch of spoilers show up spoiler the main character and cast some weird spell before up and ditching. It felt a little off to me personally but did sort of wipe the slate clean in preparation for the next book which I didn't completely hate.

The audiobook version of this novel also goes the extra mile by putting the lengthy stat pages as separate chapters that you can skip if you don't enjoy listening to that sort of thing which is a nice bonus.

In the end, this novel is a great example of dungeon building done right and I'm immediately starting the following book. I'd recommend it to any fans of the genre or of LitRPG, though your typical fantasy buff might enjoy this less than the first entry in the series.

[Mistress OP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never seen a female character written so dumb. It's almost scary. I spent so much time screaming in this book. It was so annoying. So F'n annoying. And her lines weren't good. Dungeon Crafter is such a good series. But when I stop and think about it she has very few female moments. It's more like she's non-binary Asexuality. So, maybe that's why it was a better write. The problem is this is a multi-POV book. Therefore you are kinda stuck for a few chapters. And she reads so vapid. Fred feels like a blank slate guy doing right by folks but doing wrong if you actually stop and think bout his action. It's complex and somewhat interesting but the blank slateness is annoying.

Am I going to keep going with the series? I don't know. I think maybe. But this is an unhappy read and I have no plans to read anything but crafter dungeon. I don't plan on taking a chance on other works. The problem with LitRPG is sometimes the women are written so poorly. They are there to simp after the guy and it's not fun to read. It's like they rush the relationship oh isn't he so interesting and great? And you're like...... um not really. Like how Japanese animes write harems. The harems distract you from the actual interesting world and plot of the story.

I am so deeply frustrated reading this because there's so much talent in this writing and world-building. When your MC is this much of a blank slate it ruins the stakes of the book.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

With more range to rate, this would be closer to a 2 maybe, but it isn't bad and there's a lot going for it. But the characters are rough, even 2 books in. It's more a book with moving plot points. That isn't terrible, I'm interested in where it's going, but..

I have to admit, if I hadn't gotten the whole things (books 1 - 5) as a set, I don't know that I'd be continuing, or at least I'd be back-burnering it. But since I have it, I don't really have a problem just letting it play.

It has become closer to a dungeon core story, although in my opinion, it still isn't. Just because he can build a dungeon and has done so doesn't actually make it what I have in my head as 'dungeon' core. But given this seems to be one of the ground-breakers (?) maybe it is and I'm just on the outside not understanding. Eh.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this author likes his stats too much. So far from reading, I think he writes all his stats first (monster stats, person stats, etc), then he writes a story. The focus on individual monster stats is too detailed otherwise.

Do people actually enjoy knowing how much stats a tree monster has compared to a spider monster, and the ratio of essence you can receive from both? I don't.
The reason I think I enjoyed Divine Dungeons so well was because the core built stuff and did research. This book tests the stats first, then goes and does his thing.

Well I completed the book, but don't know how I feel about it. I will read the sequel, but this book felt off. I just can't put my finger on it. We will see how the next book goes.

2.5/5 Stars

[Colin Rowlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up right after the end of the first one, so it is best for potential listeners to check out that one first. This second instalment in the series definitely goes for the escalation of the original series premise with more factions aligning themselves against the main character and his friends. The main character applies his abilities in some unique and interesting ways during this escalation, both from his human and his dungeon aspects, so the personal progression matches the overall world escalation very well.

The narrator does another solid job, nicely enhancing this instalment of the series with their performance.

Overall, a strong sequel to the first book, which you should probably read or listen to before this one.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun continuation from book 1

I devoured this book when I started it, so I had to leave it 5 stars. I will say this book continues where book one left off, but in a different sense - because it focused a lot more on the dungeon side of our main character Freds abilities.

That made this much more of a Dungeon Core story than the first, but it still had a lot of fun cultivation style LitRPG upgrades of characters throughout the story, and a lot of world building to set up the future books.

Reasons to read:

Fun story and characters.
Dungeon core story
Neat ideas / world (Dungeons let humans live in order to feed off them)
A (somewhat op) main char

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good entry that really starts to use the mechanics set up in the first book.

With the ending of book 1 the stakes are suddenly a lot higher, forcing Fred and friends to be a lot more creative in their actions. I really enjoyed this as it got into the meat of a dungeon core book: dungeon building and leveling up. The characters were still pretty basic and the execution of the romance was not great. Overall, I really enjoyed this book for what it was, although I switched from an audiobook to kindle so that I could actually see the stat tables instead of hearing them listed.

Recommended if you liked the first book, but wanted it to better utilization of the underlying magic systems.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the key determinants of how much I like a book these days is whether or not I care about what happens to the characters. All other things being equal (quality of story, grammar, writing style, etc.) that and my ability to identify with the MC (regardless of age/race/sex) are what hold my attention.

I do find myself caring what happens to Frank, and man do things (no spoilers!) happen to him in this one! The book doesn't clear the "amazing" hurdle, but it's well-written and engaging and I look forward the next installment.

[Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

liked the second book, keeps the growth of the main character tee that has a really complicated name. and growth in all defense personal and in understanding of his power. Also the search of the killers of his parents has reveled the group that did it but to reach them the main characters has to keep on growing and helping his community. but the changes that are happening have consecuentes and this is impacts the environment tries to understand the human relations. the ending is great and left me wanting to jump to the next book.

[Charles Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dying is such a pain! Especially when you keep doing it over, and over, and over . . . .

Fred "dies" a lot in this novel. Given his unique nature he doesn't stay "dead," but it still hurts; it still impacts his human companions, and it takes some serious explanations to the people of Gatecross to gather their cooperation. That cooperation is vital to saving all their lives and quite likely hundreds of thousands of other people in the Kingdom from the wrath of vengeful Dungeons.

[Gareth Otton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable book with the same problem as the last one; too much exposition, too much telling but not enough showing, and not nearly enough work on the characters.

These problems continue to get in the way of this series being anything more than good, but the overall story is enjoyable enough that i can enjoy it for what it is. So ultimately, if you enjoyed the first book then you will enjoy this book as well, but if you didn’t then this one won’t change your mind on this series.

[Yu Ge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow-up from the first

Good and well written story. The plot was straightforward and likable, and follows succinctly where we left off from the first. I enjoy the characters, their growth, and their interaction. I think what's really refreshing with this series so far is that everything is consistent and progressing. Not that there's no plot twists and fun, unexpected developments, but that the storytelling is believable and enjoyable.

[Devon Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and unique dungeon core series

I don't normally write reviews, but this series is more than worth it. This series is amazing and will most likely get better with further additions to the series. The main character is likable and the unique dungeon core mechanics are really interesting. If you have kindle unlimited there isn't a reason not to start this series if litrpg is a genre that grabs your interest. Can't wait for more books in the series.

[Imkmoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choices of a Human Dungeon Core

In the first book, Fred, a human dungeon core accidentally killed another core putting a town in peril of the wrath of the Nature cores in the area. Well here they fight off an army sent to kill all humans.
An interesting story, but you loose me on and off through where the story is leading. I will read the next book, but we'll see about it it can keep my interest.

[AnnA Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. I like how this is a different take on the LIT RPG world. Fred, our main character has discovered that he can destroy other dungeon cores. He takes responsibility for his actions and tries to protect the humans around him. The other cores are not the only ones angry. The humans, the Dungeon Adventurer Syndicate, are sent to investigate, aka kill Fred and anyone around him.

[michael lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best dungeon core writers strikes again .

With multiple dungeon series Jonathan Brooks is a wordsmith on a mission. Once again he has turned a genre upside down, given it a shake, set it on fire and made a fantastic world out of it.
If you liked the divine dungeon series... Read this.
If you liked any other dungeon core books.... This is better.

[Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read as it goes from adventurer focus to dungeon core focus

The MC continues to be mostly clueless about human relations, which is fun to watch, as he explores his dungeon core heritage to defend Gatecross from his own mistakes. Yet another good read and I’m looking forward to book 3

[Roberto Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good.

I was not sure if the second book in this series was going to be worth reading. The concept was intriguing and the writing was alright, not all that good, just all right. But I have to say, this one shows great improvement, not just in form but also with character development. I will definitely be getting the next one.

[Stand Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but a bit short

I enjoyed this book and am glad I waited for it to come out, but I have to say that it seems a bit short overall. It contains a lot less events and plot than I expected out of the sequel and seems more to me like a stopgap between books one and three than a true sequel.

[Melissa Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! In this second book with our unique Dungeon Core MC, the action and adventures never end. The accidental absorption of Nature dungeon core brings enemy action to the humans that have become Fred's friends and he works with them building his own dungeon to fight back the invaders. I recommend this series to any LitRPG lovers. Where's book three?

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait for the next one!

I appreciate the detailed world that’s being built along with it’s lore. Dungeon core stories are as much about dungeon building as they are about the divers themselves. This story adds a nice twist that combines those aspects in a creative and fresh way.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book, write more please!

Love this series so far. The writing style is good and has very few typo's. The book is clean and free of smutty garbage and could be read by a young teen with no worries.

If the next book gets even better this might make it into my top 10 list of favorite litrpg books!

[Nick Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

You did it again I enjoyed reading this book you have a great concept I liked the charters and enjoyed the pace.I look forward to the next book I plan to go and read your other works.well from Kentucky I feel lucky to have found your work.thanks again till I can read the next dungeon core book.

[Vincent Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second tome progresses things, with a few twists.

The main topic is dealing with the consequences of the end of the previous book. Surprisingly - or maybe not - the largest problem ends up the reactions of the human Adventurer's guild rather than the Dungeon factions.

Again, the ending of the book brings a surprising twist, while setting up further background for the next book.

[Chris Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the dungeon under siege plot line dungeon core books all tend to do. Dungeon World does it better than most, with better explanation of the rules, better reasoning behind it, and with more interesting enemies. Brooks has created an interesting version of the dungeon core genre and I'll be looking forward to book 3.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dungeon dive defense

What happens when a human makes a dungeon, and other cores send monsters to raid it? This book, that's what.
Again, a solid, well written entry with an engaging plot. MC is still OP.
New humans are sent to investigate and find a solution to the core theft/destruction.