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The Hapless Dungeon Fairy #1
The Dungeon Fairy
All that Tacca GloomLily ever wanted to be since she was very little was a Fairy Assistant to a Dungeon Core. After her negatively portentous birth, however, she was never fully accepted by her superstitious peers and instructors at the Dungeon Assistant Preparatory School; nevertheless, she persisted in her studies and graduated at the top of her class.
Unfortunately for her, the “hands-on” training she was supposed to receive from a Mentor and his Bonded Dungeon Core didn’t go the way she would’ve hoped. In fact, the stigma attached to her origins finally made itself known in the form of horrendously “bad luck”; the rotten part of her newly discovered luck was that it adversely affected Cores that she happened to be near, and not just herself.
What can a Dungeon Assistant Fairy do when every Dungeon Core she gets near ends up being destroyed? Tacca had no idea, but a solution eventually presents itself – though it’s one that she never saw coming…
This story contains Dungeon Core elements such as dungeon construction and defense, LitRPG/GameLit mechanics such as character progression and stats, and contains NO harems/sexual content or profanity.
Unfortunately for her, the “hands-on” training she was supposed to receive from a Mentor and his Bonded Dungeon Core didn’t go the way she would’ve hoped. In fact, the stigma attached to her origins finally made itself known in the form of horrendously “bad luck”; the rotten part of her newly discovered luck was that it adversely affected Cores that she happened to be near, and not just herself.
What can a Dungeon Assistant Fairy do when every Dungeon Core she gets near ends up being destroyed? Tacca had no idea, but a solution eventually presents itself – though it’s one that she never saw coming…
This story contains Dungeon Core elements such as dungeon construction and defense, LitRPG/GameLit mechanics such as character progression and stats, and contains NO harems/sexual content or profanity.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2020
466 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
82 books483 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 20, 2020
Another great Brooks dungeon core book
While the gist of the story is in the blurb, I thought it would've gone a little bit different, basis on some of the first scenes in the book.
While the end result ended up being the same, the trip there was a little bit different and very enjoyable. Brooks has really set himself apart with his focus on this genre and it shows.
Very well developed mechanics, world building and character creation.
While the gist of the story is in the blurb, I thought it would've gone a little bit different, basis on some of the first scenes in the book.
While the end result ended up being the same, the trip there was a little bit different and very enjoyable. Brooks has really set himself apart with his focus on this genre and it shows.
Very well developed mechanics, world building and character creation.
March 14, 2024
This was a pretty average dungeon core LitRPG. It has a fun premise but never quite managed to translate that into a fully engaging story.
The idea of the story was good. Cursed Dungeon Fairy, Tacca GloomLily, is supposed to be a helper who assists dungeon cores but her curse means that all her cores keep dying. Things go from bad to worse for the hapless dungeon fairy when a dying core manages to die in a way that kills her body and sticks her soul in the now vacant dungeon core!
It could have been a fun tale with Tacca being a weird dungeon core expert thanks to her helper training and it definitely had a few fun moments in the early stages but the problem was that when the dungeon building got started it was all just a bit too dull. Too much stats being droned on about and not much else happening.
Tacca seemed likeable enough but the rest of the characters were too throwaway to matter. That hurt the story.
Rating: Meh..I’ll be kind and give this 3 stars.
Audio Note: Miles Meili did a good job with the audio.
The idea of the story was good. Cursed Dungeon Fairy, Tacca GloomLily, is supposed to be a helper who assists dungeon cores but her curse means that all her cores keep dying. Things go from bad to worse for the hapless dungeon fairy when a dying core manages to die in a way that kills her body and sticks her soul in the now vacant dungeon core!
It could have been a fun tale with Tacca being a weird dungeon core expert thanks to her helper training and it definitely had a few fun moments in the early stages but the problem was that when the dungeon building got started it was all just a bit too dull. Too much stats being droned on about and not much else happening.
Tacca seemed likeable enough but the rest of the characters were too throwaway to matter. That hurt the story.
Rating: Meh..I’ll be kind and give this 3 stars.
Audio Note: Miles Meili did a good job with the audio.
March 11, 2020
Decent concept.
Too soft. The best dungeon code books have unusual protagonists, this one had promise but once the drivers got involved it all fell apart. Two unskilled divers getting all the way to the boss room and leveling up in one go. The cores wishy washy responses. The end is boring and unbelievable, a waste of a good set up.
Too soft. The best dungeon code books have unusual protagonists, this one had promise but once the drivers got involved it all fell apart. Two unskilled divers getting all the way to the boss room and leveling up in one go. The cores wishy washy responses. The end is boring and unbelievable, a waste of a good set up.
February 15, 2021
Still fairly new to the dungeon core litrpg type story, so this was an unusual take for me and I liked seeing the perspective of a fairy assistant, and the concept of a Raider-Dungeon symbiosis balancing the world, even if I don't quite follow how that works. The general plot was ok, but mostly seemed to be setting up for the next book. It was slow going for a while and I got bored with the details of the mechanics and tables and building the dungeon - I just wanted the story. The tables of stats and choices kept breaking up the flow.
To be honest, I didn't really feel much for the characters. Tacca was okay once we got to know her, if a little naive in not realising how she was being used, but she had such limited interactions with the others for most of the story that I don't really get a feel for their personalities.
Pretty much all the "powerful" characters appeared to be arrogant/manipulative/mildly abusive assholes. Shale was kinda wishy-washy - he came across as earnest but largely ineffectual. And the hill dwarves came across as country bumpkins out of their depth, their raid into the dungeon an exercise in stupidity and dumb luck.
Hopefully they will improve and grow in the next book.
To be honest, I didn't really feel much for the characters. Tacca was okay once we got to know her, if a little naive in not realising how she was being used, but she had such limited interactions with the others for most of the story that I don't really get a feel for their personalities.
Pretty much all the "powerful" characters appeared to be arrogant/manipulative/mildly abusive assholes. Shale was kinda wishy-washy - he came across as earnest but largely ineffectual. And the hill dwarves came across as country bumpkins out of their depth, their raid into the dungeon an exercise in stupidity and dumb luck.
Hopefully they will improve and grow in the next book.
March 10, 2021
Good start to the series
I generally don’t like dungeon core books, mostly because of the dungeon fairy. In most dc books the dungeon fairy is either stupid, self-absorbed, oblivious or a combination of these and is often used as an excuse to push the plot in a certain direction, as in “Oh no! You got annoyed with my annoying fairy voice and spent all your dungeon points on doorknobs and never built any traps?? What? I never told you about traps? Oops, my bad! But what are we going to do now that the adventurers are here?”
I’m pleased to say that this book is NOTHING like that! The hook is that this dungeon fairy was born at an inauspicious time and shunned and sent to horrible, troublesome dungeon cores to try to sort them out. Or so she is told....
There is a good twist early on in the book and then the fairy stays in one dungeon for the rest of the book. The dungeon progression is well explained and enjoyable, but the -95% penalty?? C’mon!! I know there have to be some obstacles but that is mean!
The new adventurers are also fun to follow. The way they find the dungeon, the mistakes they make, all good. I really enjoyed this book.
In summary, Jonathan Brooks writes such good dungeon core books that even people who hate the genre (that’s me) will enjoy them!
I generally don’t like dungeon core books, mostly because of the dungeon fairy. In most dc books the dungeon fairy is either stupid, self-absorbed, oblivious or a combination of these and is often used as an excuse to push the plot in a certain direction, as in “Oh no! You got annoyed with my annoying fairy voice and spent all your dungeon points on doorknobs and never built any traps?? What? I never told you about traps? Oops, my bad! But what are we going to do now that the adventurers are here?”
I’m pleased to say that this book is NOTHING like that! The hook is that this dungeon fairy was born at an inauspicious time and shunned and sent to horrible, troublesome dungeon cores to try to sort them out. Or so she is told....
There is a good twist early on in the book and then the fairy stays in one dungeon for the rest of the book. The dungeon progression is well explained and enjoyable, but the -95% penalty?? C’mon!! I know there have to be some obstacles but that is mean!
The new adventurers are also fun to follow. The way they find the dungeon, the mistakes they make, all good. I really enjoyed this book.
In summary, Jonathan Brooks writes such good dungeon core books that even people who hate the genre (that’s me) will enjoy them!
August 29, 2020
I've listened to a lot of LitRpg books and this include quite a few dungeon core books but I admit this is the first one about a Fairy whose job it is to guide a dungeon core who is cursed with bad luck.
What begins as a fairly straight forward dungeon tale quickly shows Tacca Gloom Lilly (yes, clearly with that name she has little chance) is doomed when her initial core goes mad and kills itself. This is a prime opportunity for the fairy council who hate her for her bad luck and want her gone and leads to a major narrative twist but sadly this is nearly half-way through the book and it does feel a little late in the day for my liking but is still a great twist nonetheless.
Without oodles of action it would appear that the story would quickly get boring but the humour and cleverness of the plot do a great job of holding your interest and the author shows great restraint in holding back the numbers and stats which oftentimes LitRPGs can become drowned under.
So a somewhat mixed bag but I do feel that, without Miles Meili's brilliant narration and voice-work it may not be a recommend but he does a brilliant job of really bringing the story to life and making it far more accessible than it may have been otherwise.
What begins as a fairly straight forward dungeon tale quickly shows Tacca Gloom Lilly (yes, clearly with that name she has little chance) is doomed when her initial core goes mad and kills itself. This is a prime opportunity for the fairy council who hate her for her bad luck and want her gone and leads to a major narrative twist but sadly this is nearly half-way through the book and it does feel a little late in the day for my liking but is still a great twist nonetheless.
Without oodles of action it would appear that the story would quickly get boring but the humour and cleverness of the plot do a great job of holding your interest and the author shows great restraint in holding back the numbers and stats which oftentimes LitRPGs can become drowned under.
So a somewhat mixed bag but I do feel that, without Miles Meili's brilliant narration and voice-work it may not be a recommend but he does a brilliant job of really bringing the story to life and making it far more accessible than it may have been otherwise.
March 1, 2020
Fun
So a dungeon fairy plagued with “bad luck” loses core after core and by a twist of fate becomes one. She then tries to make the best of it and grow.
It is a premise we don’t see in dungeon core novels often: the fairy’s view. The whole book ended up feeling like prologue. At first the reader goes with our fairy as she experienced bad luck. Then shifts to intrigue of “will the council find out”. And the it picks up some flavor characters; some adventurers. Then it slams to a stop. I would be hard pressed to point to a conflict, climax, resolution pattern for the plot. There were a few minor typos, but the flow And pace were good.
The world described is dysfunctional, quasi-anarchist?. Adventurers are self-regulating social bullies and dungeon cores are all traumatized reincarnated people from another world. Fairies self-inserted themselves as a dungeon education system and created “rules” for dungeons.
I want to see where this goes. And I think you’ll enjoy it.
So a dungeon fairy plagued with “bad luck” loses core after core and by a twist of fate becomes one. She then tries to make the best of it and grow.
It is a premise we don’t see in dungeon core novels often: the fairy’s view. The whole book ended up feeling like prologue. At first the reader goes with our fairy as she experienced bad luck. Then shifts to intrigue of “will the council find out”. And the it picks up some flavor characters; some adventurers. Then it slams to a stop. I would be hard pressed to point to a conflict, climax, resolution pattern for the plot. There were a few minor typos, but the flow And pace were good.
The world described is dysfunctional, quasi-anarchist?. Adventurers are self-regulating social bullies and dungeon cores are all traumatized reincarnated people from another world. Fairies self-inserted themselves as a dungeon education system and created “rules” for dungeons.
I want to see where this goes. And I think you’ll enjoy it.
November 8, 2021
Jonathan Brooks writes another interesting dungeon core novel. I’m honestly impressed with how, after reading three series of his about cores, he still manages to keep me interested. This starts slow, but gradually picks up. I look forward to reading the sequel.
If you enjoy plenty of stats, lots of different dungeon creatures, and dungeon traps then this is something you’ll enjoy. I don’t really want to spoil the story which leads me without being able to talk about some of my favorite aspects of this book.
I liked Tacca. She is a bit naive, but she is adaptable and not stuck in her ways. I hope the other books will give us an opportunity to see her interact with more individuals.
As far as the audiobook is concerned, I’ll admit I was glad to have the kindle book to refer to. The stat tables and reading out sheets are always a bit hard to follow and having the numbers written down makes it much easier to reference. One of the downsides of litrpg audiobooks.
If you enjoy plenty of stats, lots of different dungeon creatures, and dungeon traps then this is something you’ll enjoy. I don’t really want to spoil the story which leads me without being able to talk about some of my favorite aspects of this book.
I liked Tacca. She is a bit naive, but she is adaptable and not stuck in her ways. I hope the other books will give us an opportunity to see her interact with more individuals.
As far as the audiobook is concerned, I’ll admit I was glad to have the kindle book to refer to. The stat tables and reading out sheets are always a bit hard to follow and having the numbers written down makes it much easier to reference. One of the downsides of litrpg audiobooks.
February 29, 2020
An interesting new take on dungeon cores
This book was an interesting read, in part due to the new twist, and also as there are at least a couple of background mysteries at play. We learn what is going on in one case, but at least one mystery remains and it sounds like there will be an effort to look into it as a priority in the next book; by side characters and not the main.
I liked the characters, the challenges faced by the main and other characters, and the explanations about why the core took certain risks. I like reading about dungeon building, but not too much and feel there was a good amount in this story. Especially, as part of the book covered the first dungeon dive, from both those diving and some from the core's point of view.
The next book should be exciting and I'm looking forward to it!
This book was an interesting read, in part due to the new twist, and also as there are at least a couple of background mysteries at play. We learn what is going on in one case, but at least one mystery remains and it sounds like there will be an effort to look into it as a priority in the next book; by side characters and not the main.
I liked the characters, the challenges faced by the main and other characters, and the explanations about why the core took certain risks. I like reading about dungeon building, but not too much and feel there was a good amount in this story. Especially, as part of the book covered the first dungeon dive, from both those diving and some from the core's point of view.
The next book should be exciting and I'm looking forward to it!
April 9, 2020
“This story contains Dungeon Core elements such as dungeon construction and defense, LitRPG/GameLit mechanics such as character progression and stats, and contains NO harems/sexual content or profanity. ”
It’s a somewhat sad state of affairs for a genre that the disclaimer No harems/sexual content is needed yet it is one thing in the description that I appreciate.
Overall while generally following a lot of the LitRPG troupes, Dungeon Fairy does provide a unique twist on the genre, with an in world protagonist rather than the standard Isekai self insert that seems to predominate. The early procession of doomed cores and self referential humour was enjoyable. Though as others have mentioned this see,s very much like a prologue, so hopefully it will indeed be the first part of a longer series.
It’s a somewhat sad state of affairs for a genre that the disclaimer No harems/sexual content is needed yet it is one thing in the description that I appreciate.
Overall while generally following a lot of the LitRPG troupes, Dungeon Fairy does provide a unique twist on the genre, with an in world protagonist rather than the standard Isekai self insert that seems to predominate. The early procession of doomed cores and self referential humour was enjoyable. Though as others have mentioned this see,s very much like a prologue, so hopefully it will indeed be the first part of a longer series.
March 18, 2020
Good Dungeon Core story with a twist.
M. Brooks is a good dungeon story specialist, which means he's got the core (ahah) of it right down pat. Then, it's how you turn it out. Not spoiling the story, but the fairy angle is a good one. It takes all the tropes you'd expect, then reuse them in a different context, and having a munchkin doing dungeon development is finally a good idea.
My biggest criticism here would be that there's an over-used mechanic in all of M. Brooks stories, and it's still used here. While I'm a sucker for dungeon core, I sometimes wishes there were different mechanics at work to support different stories. Quality is good, diversity is sometimes better.
M. Brooks is a good dungeon story specialist, which means he's got the core (ahah) of it right down pat. Then, it's how you turn it out. Not spoiling the story, but the fairy angle is a good one. It takes all the tropes you'd expect, then reuse them in a different context, and having a munchkin doing dungeon development is finally a good idea.
My biggest criticism here would be that there's an over-used mechanic in all of M. Brooks stories, and it's still used here. While I'm a sucker for dungeon core, I sometimes wishes there were different mechanics at work to support different stories. Quality is good, diversity is sometimes better.
September 5, 2023
The exploration of dungeon fairy culture is really cool but once Tacca settles down into a permanent dungeon situation it gets a lot less interesting. The lists of progression options are painfully long and I found myself skipping ahead at times. This book doesn't have an ending to speak of, though it's not really a cliffhanger either. Full series is published as of this writing so that's not a huge problem but still worth noting to anyone who wants to take it one book at a time.
I don't think the audiobook narrator is a good match for this story. Some later chapters focus on some dwarven farmers near the dungeon and that's the only part I think the narrator really suits.
I don't think the audiobook narrator is a good match for this story. Some later chapters focus on some dwarven farmers near the dungeon and that's the only part I think the narrator really suits.
March 13, 2021
Fairy Turned Dungeon Core.
O.K. First things first; this novel is set in a different literary world from some of Mr. Brooks other books (specifically the "Crafting Dungeon" series). The mechanics of the Dungeons, Fairies, and Raiders are different from at least one other series Mr. Brooks has written. However, there are some clues in this novel that this literary world exists in the same literary universe as his other works and there might be some interconnection.
This book will likely appeal to those who are: fans of Mr. Brooks' other series, fans of the LitRPG genre and possibly fans of the broader fantasy genre, as well as fans of RPG games.
O.K. First things first; this novel is set in a different literary world from some of Mr. Brooks other books (specifically the "Crafting Dungeon" series). The mechanics of the Dungeons, Fairies, and Raiders are different from at least one other series Mr. Brooks has written. However, there are some clues in this novel that this literary world exists in the same literary universe as his other works and there might be some interconnection.
This book will likely appeal to those who are: fans of Mr. Brooks' other series, fans of the LitRPG genre and possibly fans of the broader fantasy genre, as well as fans of RPG games.
December 25, 2025
A Clever Twist on Dungeon-Core That's Heavy on the Stat Blocks (4/5 stars)
Alright, dungeon-building fans and LitRPG addicts, listen up! If your TBR pile is looking for something with a truly novel hook, let me introduce you to The Dungeon Fairy by the prolific Jonathan Brooks. This is the first book in The Hapless Dungeon Fairy series, and it asks a delightful question: what happens to a fairy assistant when she's so spectacularly unlucky that she accidentally becomes the very Dungeon Core she was supposed to guide? It’s a premise full of potential, and for the most part, Brooks delivers a solid, mechanics-heavy entry that will satisfy genre fans, even if the character work takes a backseat to the world-building.
Key Themes
Perseverance Against Prejudice: Our protagonist, Tacca GloomLily, has been an outcast since her "negatively portentous birth," shunned by her superstitious peers. The entire first act explores how she persists and graduates at the top of her class despite this, only to have her supposed "bad luck" become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s a story about fighting against a rotten reputation you never earned.
Adaptation and Making the Best of a Bad Situation: When a catastrophic twist of fate leaves Tacca's soul bound to a Dungeon Core, the theme shifts. She can't change her circumstances, so she must use her unique knowledge as a former assistant to innovate and thrive in a form she never wanted. It's a fun exploration of applied expertise.
Systemic Exploitation (A Background Mystery): Several reader reviews hint that Tacca's "bad luck" might be more than mere coincidence, suggesting a deeper, more manipulative system at work in the fairy and core hierarchy. This adds a layer of intriguing conspiracy that promises to unfold in later books.
Character Analysis
Tacca GloomLily: She's the undeniable heart of the story. We follow her from a determined student to a beleaguered assistant, and finally to a confused but resourceful newborn Core. She's likable, adaptable, and her professional knowledge makes her dungeon-building choices feel smart. However, some readers noted her naivety about how she's being used can be frustrating.
The Supporting Cast: This is where the book is weakest. Many secondary characters, from Tacca's wishy-washy mentor Shale to the arrogant fairy council members, are described by readers as underdeveloped archetypes—"arrogant/manipulative/mildly abusive assholes" or "country bumpkins". They serve their plot functions but lack depth, which can make the social dynamics feel a bit flat.
Writing Style & Pacing
Jonathan Brooks is a known quantity in the Dungeon Core scene, and his focus is squarely on the mechanics. The prose is straightforward and functional, perfect for explaining complex stat systems and trap designs. The tone is generally light, with moments of humor, especially as Tacca applies her assistant training in unconventional ways.
The pacing is the book's most common point of criticism. The first half, detailing Tacca's tragic backstory and the central twist, is engaging. However, once the dungeon construction begins in earnest, the narrative flow is frequently interrupted by extensive stat tables and detailed mechanics. For some, this is the addictive "crunchy" core of the genre. For others, it bogs down the story, making sections feel "a bit too dull" or like "just a bit too much stats being droned on about". It honestly feels like a prolonged, detailed prologue setting up a much larger story.
What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:
The Brilliant Premise: A dungeon fairy becoming a Core is a fantastically unique perspective that freshens up the genre.
Smart Dungeon Design: Tacca's builds are clever because they're informed by her formal education, which is a satisfying twist on the usual trial-and-error approach.
Clean Read: As noted in the book's own description, it contains NO harems or sexual content, which is a nice plus for readers seeking a focus on adventure and mechanics.
Disliked:
Pacing & Stat Overload: The balance between story and spreadsheet definitely tilts toward the latter in the second half.
Thin Secondary Characters: I wanted to care more about the people (and fairies) around Tacca.
A Glaring Penalty: Without spoilers, Tacca is hit with a dungeon-building penalty so severe (-95%!) that one reviewer rightly called it "mean". It can feel like an overly harsh artificial constraint.
Conclusion & Recommendation
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. This is a rock-solid, inventive start to a series with huge potential.
You should read this book if: You are a LitRPG or Dungeon Core completist who loves detailed mechanics, stat tables, and creative world-building. If you enjoy stories about underdog innovators and want a fresh take on the "newborn dungeon" trope, you'll have a great time. Fans of Brooks' other series will find the same reliable quality here.
You might want to skip it if: You need fast-paced action, deep character relationships, or a story light on number-crunching. If stat blocks make your eyes glaze over, this might test your patience.
Think of The Dungeon Fairy as a foundation-laying first book. It establishes a fascinating protagonist in a unique predicament and a world ripe with mystery. While the journey has some slow, number-heavy patches, the destination—and the potential for the series—makes it well worth the read for genre fans. I'm invested enough in Tacca's journey to immediately pick up Book 2, Two Choices.
Alright, dungeon-building fans and LitRPG addicts, listen up! If your TBR pile is looking for something with a truly novel hook, let me introduce you to The Dungeon Fairy by the prolific Jonathan Brooks. This is the first book in The Hapless Dungeon Fairy series, and it asks a delightful question: what happens to a fairy assistant when she's so spectacularly unlucky that she accidentally becomes the very Dungeon Core she was supposed to guide? It’s a premise full of potential, and for the most part, Brooks delivers a solid, mechanics-heavy entry that will satisfy genre fans, even if the character work takes a backseat to the world-building.
Key Themes
Perseverance Against Prejudice: Our protagonist, Tacca GloomLily, has been an outcast since her "negatively portentous birth," shunned by her superstitious peers. The entire first act explores how she persists and graduates at the top of her class despite this, only to have her supposed "bad luck" become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s a story about fighting against a rotten reputation you never earned.
Adaptation and Making the Best of a Bad Situation: When a catastrophic twist of fate leaves Tacca's soul bound to a Dungeon Core, the theme shifts. She can't change her circumstances, so she must use her unique knowledge as a former assistant to innovate and thrive in a form she never wanted. It's a fun exploration of applied expertise.
Systemic Exploitation (A Background Mystery): Several reader reviews hint that Tacca's "bad luck" might be more than mere coincidence, suggesting a deeper, more manipulative system at work in the fairy and core hierarchy. This adds a layer of intriguing conspiracy that promises to unfold in later books.
Character Analysis
Tacca GloomLily: She's the undeniable heart of the story. We follow her from a determined student to a beleaguered assistant, and finally to a confused but resourceful newborn Core. She's likable, adaptable, and her professional knowledge makes her dungeon-building choices feel smart. However, some readers noted her naivety about how she's being used can be frustrating.
The Supporting Cast: This is where the book is weakest. Many secondary characters, from Tacca's wishy-washy mentor Shale to the arrogant fairy council members, are described by readers as underdeveloped archetypes—"arrogant/manipulative/mildly abusive assholes" or "country bumpkins". They serve their plot functions but lack depth, which can make the social dynamics feel a bit flat.
Writing Style & Pacing
Jonathan Brooks is a known quantity in the Dungeon Core scene, and his focus is squarely on the mechanics. The prose is straightforward and functional, perfect for explaining complex stat systems and trap designs. The tone is generally light, with moments of humor, especially as Tacca applies her assistant training in unconventional ways.
The pacing is the book's most common point of criticism. The first half, detailing Tacca's tragic backstory and the central twist, is engaging. However, once the dungeon construction begins in earnest, the narrative flow is frequently interrupted by extensive stat tables and detailed mechanics. For some, this is the addictive "crunchy" core of the genre. For others, it bogs down the story, making sections feel "a bit too dull" or like "just a bit too much stats being droned on about". It honestly feels like a prolonged, detailed prologue setting up a much larger story.
What I Liked/Disliked
Liked:
The Brilliant Premise: A dungeon fairy becoming a Core is a fantastically unique perspective that freshens up the genre.
Smart Dungeon Design: Tacca's builds are clever because they're informed by her formal education, which is a satisfying twist on the usual trial-and-error approach.
Clean Read: As noted in the book's own description, it contains NO harems or sexual content, which is a nice plus for readers seeking a focus on adventure and mechanics.
Disliked:
Pacing & Stat Overload: The balance between story and spreadsheet definitely tilts toward the latter in the second half.
Thin Secondary Characters: I wanted to care more about the people (and fairies) around Tacca.
A Glaring Penalty: Without spoilers, Tacca is hit with a dungeon-building penalty so severe (-95%!) that one reviewer rightly called it "mean". It can feel like an overly harsh artificial constraint.
Conclusion & Recommendation
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. This is a rock-solid, inventive start to a series with huge potential.
You should read this book if: You are a LitRPG or Dungeon Core completist who loves detailed mechanics, stat tables, and creative world-building. If you enjoy stories about underdog innovators and want a fresh take on the "newborn dungeon" trope, you'll have a great time. Fans of Brooks' other series will find the same reliable quality here.
You might want to skip it if: You need fast-paced action, deep character relationships, or a story light on number-crunching. If stat blocks make your eyes glaze over, this might test your patience.
Think of The Dungeon Fairy as a foundation-laying first book. It establishes a fascinating protagonist in a unique predicament and a world ripe with mystery. While the journey has some slow, number-heavy patches, the destination—and the potential for the series—makes it well worth the read for genre fans. I'm invested enough in Tacca's journey to immediately pick up Book 2, Two Choices.
March 1, 2020
A Unique take on Dungwon Cores
Nearly every dungeon core novel that I've read has one thing in common. Every dungeon has its fairy who serves as an advisor and flying tutorial. Its interesting to read a story that describes this relationship from the perspective of the fairy.
I enjoyed the writing, and the characters were all unique and interesting. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Nearly every dungeon core novel that I've read has one thing in common. Every dungeon has its fairy who serves as an advisor and flying tutorial. Its interesting to read a story that describes this relationship from the perspective of the fairy.
I enjoyed the writing, and the characters were all unique and interesting. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
March 6, 2020
It is a fun read and a great book
I had a fun time reading the storie witch is what i have come to expect from one by Jonathan Brooks. It starts with a protagonist that has an interesting background. Who is setup and put into multiple situations out of her control where she does her best to overcom and fix them.
I enjoyed the storie, the world building, and the setup for future books and can't wait to read the next one!!!
I had a fun time reading the storie witch is what i have come to expect from one by Jonathan Brooks. It starts with a protagonist that has an interesting background. Who is setup and put into multiple situations out of her control where she does her best to overcom and fix them.
I enjoyed the storie, the world building, and the setup for future books and can't wait to read the next one!!!
November 3, 2022
The author writes about the countless Dungeon Core failures, as if he enjoys (or gets a commission) every time a Dungeon Core #epicFAIL. So, if the Dungeon Cores created by the author are all "Basket-cases", then why focus on the Dungeon Fairies and not on creating a system, a school where Dungeon Cores are screened, trained and graduated? Why enjoy the failure after failure so much? The "hapless" author enjoys futility a tad too much...
September 15, 2023
I'm a bit of a newbie to dungeon core LIT-RPG type of story, so this was an unusual protagonist for me. I really enjoyed the fairy assistant perspective, and the concept of a Raider-Dungeon symbiosis balancing the world.
There is a good twist early on in the book at which point our MC fairy, Tacca GloomLily, stays in one dungeon for the rest of the book. The dungeon progression is well explained and enjoyable, I gave it a solid 3 stars.
There is a good twist early on in the book at which point our MC fairy, Tacca GloomLily, stays in one dungeon for the rest of the book. The dungeon progression is well explained and enjoyable, I gave it a solid 3 stars.
December 20, 2025
3.5 stars. This wasn't a book, it's like some Royal Road chapters compiled to form a "book" for amazon/audible. It has a beginning, but no middle, end or even a plot. Maybe the next book will have some sort of plot...somewhere.
Also, the narrator loves to read things in the wrong voice, then correct himself after the text says who is talking. It's clear he was too lazy to go back and fix whenever he read thing in the opposite person's voice. Jarring to say the least.
Also, the narrator loves to read things in the wrong voice, then correct himself after the text says who is talking. It's clear he was too lazy to go back and fix whenever he read thing in the opposite person's voice. Jarring to say the least.
March 5, 2020
Surprising
I wasn’t sure what to make of this book when I first picked it up however, I decided to try it out as I’ve read a number of books I enjoyed from the author.
I can say that this is my favourite of all his books so far and I can’t wait to see what other ideas he can come up with for Tacca the dungeon fairy.
I wasn’t sure what to make of this book when I first picked it up however, I decided to try it out as I’ve read a number of books I enjoyed from the author.
I can say that this is my favourite of all his books so far and I can’t wait to see what other ideas he can come up with for Tacca the dungeon fairy.
June 21, 2020
Fun and different take on dungeon building!
What happens when a dungeon fairy with terrible luck takes on a unique role and a plan to avoid eternal boredom? Awesome plot twists! Sympathetic and interesting characters. Neat ideas and addictive suspense. Can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.
What happens when a dungeon fairy with terrible luck takes on a unique role and a plan to avoid eternal boredom? Awesome plot twists! Sympathetic and interesting characters. Neat ideas and addictive suspense. Can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.
August 11, 2020
Started rather slow.. Almost dropped it
The start of the story was picturing the MC as the typical "woe me" teen heroine of YA books and I was about to drop the book when the twist happened... I'm not saying is a bad book, I mostly enjoyed it, but the story didn't hook me up, not totally my type of book.
The start of the story was picturing the MC as the typical "woe me" teen heroine of YA books and I was about to drop the book when the twist happened... I'm not saying is a bad book, I mostly enjoyed it, but the story didn't hook me up, not totally my type of book.
August 27, 2020
Book one
Mistakes: I didn’t find any mistakes in this book. Well written and well edited.
Plot: Dungeon fairy with what seems to be bad luck takes over running a dungeon. Some dungeon building and running. Interesting twist on the entire dungeon core concept.
Characters: So far I’ve enjoyed every character in this book. Mc is interesting to follow.
10/10
Mistakes: I didn’t find any mistakes in this book. Well written and well edited.
Plot: Dungeon fairy with what seems to be bad luck takes over running a dungeon. Some dungeon building and running. Interesting twist on the entire dungeon core concept.
Characters: So far I’ve enjoyed every character in this book. Mc is interesting to follow.
10/10
September 23, 2020
What do you do when your a dungeon fairy who's cursed with horrific luck?
An interesting take on the Dungeon Core idea, by trading the point of view of the dungeon fairy. Decent characters that slowly grow on you (though Shake is a bit bland so far) and am interesting premise lead this to be a good book. I'm looking diadem to the next one!
An interesting take on the Dungeon Core idea, by trading the point of view of the dungeon fairy. Decent characters that slowly grow on you (though Shake is a bit bland so far) and am interesting premise lead this to be a good book. I'm looking diadem to the next one!
December 10, 2022
I loved this fresh twist on the dungeon core system books. I kind of felt sorry for the fairy sent out to be the destruction of other dungeons, but she ended up being in the exact place she needed to be. And because she started her life as a core with so much information she was able to do things the others never considered doing.
January 17, 2023
loved this book, went in a total different direction than i thought. i thought she would be exceptional with awesome powers, great lineage. something special. and she is all that and more just not in the way i thought. she is literally consumed by her work and retain her fairy powers through out. great adventure.
November 10, 2024
New concept for me
I have not read any of the other books In this series and the concepts Are intriguing. RPG based statistical systems I've been used in fiction before but this is the 1st time I've encountered this one. Don't expect any deep meaning or Complex structure, But if you're just looking for an entertaining read This one will do.
I have not read any of the other books In this series and the concepts Are intriguing. RPG based statistical systems I've been used in fiction before but this is the 1st time I've encountered this one. Don't expect any deep meaning or Complex structure, But if you're just looking for an entertaining read This one will do.
December 19, 2025
Don’t tell Tacca your bank pin. You’ll be broke in a day.
Imagine having a main character who never learns the importance of keeping her mouth shut and then not even having interesting side characters.
Gwenda was just annoying and I started actively hoping for her downfall. Tacca deciding she had to survive just pissed me off.
This became a rage read.
Imagine having a main character who never learns the importance of keeping her mouth shut and then not even having interesting side characters.
Gwenda was just annoying and I started actively hoping for her downfall. Tacca deciding she had to survive just pissed me off.
This became a rage read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2020
A slightly different twist on the dungeon core/dungeon fairy story
This is a good book and this series seems to have a lot of promise. I look forward to the next book in the series.
This is a good book and this series seems to have a lot of promise. I look forward to the next book in the series.
February 29, 2020
Another great series
Man, I dont think you have made a series I dont like, downside of so many great ones coming from you is the wait, but it is well worth it, keep up the great work
Man, I dont think you have made a series I dont like, downside of so many great ones coming from you is the wait, but it is well worth it, keep up the great work
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