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Dungeon Core Academy #1
Dungeon Core Academy 1
He was killed in the battle of good versus evil. He was resurrected and given new powers. Now it's time to change sides.
Beno doesn't remember much about dying, only that he probably deserved it. When he is resurrected and joins the fantastical Dungeon Core Academy, he learns that not all heroes are heroic, and not all demons are demonic. If he's to earn respect in this diabolical new world, he needs to embrace his inner evil.
After learning how to make a deadly dungeon and fill it with murderous monsters, he discovers a golden rule: every hero, warrior, and thief in the world wants to kill him. But Beno isn’t defenseless. He has great powers now, and he can create monsters who love tearing heroes, warriors, and thieves apart.
With sword-swinging and magic-wielding heroes hunting him, Beno and his creatures must destroy them and change how all the stories end. This is his second chance at life, and he’s not going to waste it. It's time to stop the heroes from winning.
Join Beno in book 1 of the Dungeon Core Academy series, a thrilling fantasy story of magic, power, and heroes.
Beno doesn't remember much about dying, only that he probably deserved it. When he is resurrected and joins the fantastical Dungeon Core Academy, he learns that not all heroes are heroic, and not all demons are demonic. If he's to earn respect in this diabolical new world, he needs to embrace his inner evil.
After learning how to make a deadly dungeon and fill it with murderous monsters, he discovers a golden rule: every hero, warrior, and thief in the world wants to kill him. But Beno isn’t defenseless. He has great powers now, and he can create monsters who love tearing heroes, warriors, and thieves apart.
With sword-swinging and magic-wielding heroes hunting him, Beno and his creatures must destroy them and change how all the stories end. This is his second chance at life, and he’s not going to waste it. It's time to stop the heroes from winning.
Join Beno in book 1 of the Dungeon Core Academy series, a thrilling fantasy story of magic, power, and heroes.
- GenresFantasy
159 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2019
325 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 10, 2020
3 1/2 stars
This is only my second dungeon core series that I’ve read but this is far better then my first series. It’s too short and the next book is just as short so they probably needed to be released as one book especially since this one ended on a cliffhanger. But onto the good things, characters great, loved the main character Beno and his first minion
This would have easily been on 4 star book for me if it was longer but I can’t wait to read book 2.
This is only my second dungeon core series that I’ve read but this is far better then my first series. It’s too short and the next book is just as short so they probably needed to be released as one book especially since this one ended on a cliffhanger. But onto the good things, characters great, loved the main character Beno and his first minion
This would have easily been on 4 star book for me if it was longer but I can’t wait to read book 2.
March 8, 2020
Read for my second f/fantasy Bingo card. I feel bad about giving it two stars but I didn't like it. Also, it's 100% about me - I loathe LitRPG in general. If you enjoy the genre, I think you may enjoy Dungeon Core Academy. It's short, humorous, and, probably, inventive. It lacks depth but it should entertain.
June 19, 2020
I listened to an audio book that isn't currently listed on Goodreads.com so I'm placing my review here.
This is an extremely short book with a shallow story and weak resolution. In fact what resolution there is largely invalidated by the end of the book. Also, the author goes into way too much unnecessary world building. That said, the author does know how to string sentences together, is consistent with his characters and actually thinks about what he is writing, which puts him way ahead of many other amateur authors. While I was underwhelmed with this book, I could see this author improving with time.
The story [with SPOILERS]: Some dungeon cores that were so successful they were reincarnated as humans have set up an academy to create, educate monitor and rate new dungeon cores. The MC is one of these dungeon cores and we are told in great detail just how he goes about setting up his dungeon and the reviews he must pass. (Failed dungeon cores are ground up and used in the creation of new dungeon cores.)
The MC still has much of his humanity in him however, which is a bad thing because it means that when an 11 year old girl finds his dungeon he doesn't kill her, which is against the rules and would get the MC killed if discovered by an overseer. The girl, it turns out, is a former dungeon herself, whose mother is sick. Therefore the girl came looking for the dungeon to convince it to help her get medicine for her mother. One of the girl's brothers finds out about the dungeon but doesn't know his sister was once a dungeon or that she has struck a deal with it. As a result brother goes dungeon diving with another brother and some newbie adventurers. The brothers are the only survivors and are just about to be finished off when the girl shows up and saves them (the author doesn't explain why the girl just happens to show up in the nick of time and there are clear indications she shouldn't have known they were there so poor thinking on that one point by the author).
Allowing the brothers to live causes the MC to fail his final review, but, while imprisoned awaiting grinding, the MC is bought by an unidentified person to run a private dungeon outside of the academy's oversight. So that is the ending that, to me, seemed to invalidate this entire book. Why not just tell the story of the private dungeon and skip this overly detailed introduction in book form?
Bottom line: Not worth the read but there seems to be hope for the author.
This is an extremely short book with a shallow story and weak resolution. In fact what resolution there is largely invalidated by the end of the book. Also, the author goes into way too much unnecessary world building. That said, the author does know how to string sentences together, is consistent with his characters and actually thinks about what he is writing, which puts him way ahead of many other amateur authors. While I was underwhelmed with this book, I could see this author improving with time.
The story [with SPOILERS]: Some dungeon cores that were so successful they were reincarnated as humans have set up an academy to create, educate monitor and rate new dungeon cores. The MC is one of these dungeon cores and we are told in great detail just how he goes about setting up his dungeon and the reviews he must pass. (Failed dungeon cores are ground up and used in the creation of new dungeon cores.)
The MC still has much of his humanity in him however, which is a bad thing because it means that when an 11 year old girl finds his dungeon he doesn't kill her, which is against the rules and would get the MC killed if discovered by an overseer. The girl, it turns out, is a former dungeon herself, whose mother is sick. Therefore the girl came looking for the dungeon to convince it to help her get medicine for her mother. One of the girl's brothers finds out about the dungeon but doesn't know his sister was once a dungeon or that she has struck a deal with it. As a result brother goes dungeon diving with another brother and some newbie adventurers. The brothers are the only survivors and are just about to be finished off when the girl shows up and saves them (the author doesn't explain why the girl just happens to show up in the nick of time and there are clear indications she shouldn't have known they were there so poor thinking on that one point by the author).
Allowing the brothers to live causes the MC to fail his final review, but, while imprisoned awaiting grinding, the MC is bought by an unidentified person to run a private dungeon outside of the academy's oversight. So that is the ending that, to me, seemed to invalidate this entire book. Why not just tell the story of the private dungeon and skip this overly detailed introduction in book form?
Bottom line: Not worth the read but there seems to be hope for the author.
April 22, 2022
I understand that this is the first book of a series of 7 books. It's about 150 pages long with 37 chapters. The main character is a reincarnated soul named Beno, that received a 1 year training at the Dungeon Core Academy. To be able to graduate as a Dungeon Core and be able to manage a Dungeon, the Cores need to complete certain requirements, level up and complete the trials.
Beno is smart and daring, a loner of sorts, that seeks the friendship of a girl Vedetta (that was a third reincarnation, second life had been a successful Dungeon Core). Beno because a lack of authority wants his subordinates to be his friends and form a clan with him.
The funny moments are not that funny. The first volume of the series is short. It feels like it takes forever for Beno and his Dungeon to get a running start. The climax and resolution are extremely short in contrast to the snail-pace introduction.
I hope the pace moves a lot faster in the following books. There is no excessive horror-blood and gore. The characters are all different and try to break out from their stereotypes. The dialogues are not excessive, nor is there useless explanations or commentary which is good for what I perceive to be a young author in probably his first published work.
Beno is smart and daring, a loner of sorts, that seeks the friendship of a girl Vedetta (that was a third reincarnation, second life had been a successful Dungeon Core). Beno because a lack of authority wants his subordinates to be his friends and form a clan with him.
The funny moments are not that funny. The first volume of the series is short. It feels like it takes forever for Beno and his Dungeon to get a running start. The climax and resolution are extremely short in contrast to the snail-pace introduction.
I hope the pace moves a lot faster in the following books. There is no excessive horror-blood and gore. The characters are all different and try to break out from their stereotypes. The dialogues are not excessive, nor is there useless explanations or commentary which is good for what I perceive to be a young author in probably his first published work.
June 20, 2020
Wonderful pacing
Normally when I see a book in this genre with less than 2-300 pages I worry that it will feel rushed, but that is certainly not the case here!
The story flows incredibly well, and the premise worked superbly. Characters have depth and motivations worked into the mix, and overall just make the story fun to read.
Normally when I see a book in this genre with less than 2-300 pages I worry that it will feel rushed, but that is certainly not the case here!
The story flows incredibly well, and the premise worked superbly. Characters have depth and motivations worked into the mix, and overall just make the story fun to read.
July 30, 2020
A ReRead when it’s Title was Different
I don’t know what it was named before, but it was only a different ending.
This story of a guy who is reincarnated as a dungeon core who is doing a dungeon to graduate was fantastic.
I don’t know what it was named before, but it was only a different ending.
This story of a guy who is reincarnated as a dungeon core who is doing a dungeon to graduate was fantastic.
February 14, 2021
Good dungeon core, but a bit on the short side.
You barely get started with the usual set of dungeon building and adventurers shenanigans when this book ends. As it is, it leaves you wishing for more *before* it ends rather than being a full story. So, average book.
You barely get started with the usual set of dungeon building and adventurers shenanigans when this book ends. As it is, it leaves you wishing for more *before* it ends rather than being a full story. So, average book.
October 3, 2020
That was so nice!
A real classic feel good dungeon romp. I enjoyed it a lot. I’m gonna go creep the author and read some of his other work. Thanks for the story!
A real classic feel good dungeon romp. I enjoyed it a lot. I’m gonna go creep the author and read some of his other work. Thanks for the story!
February 24, 2020
A simple, uncomplicated, but well executed tale
LitRPG, and DungeonCore by extension, generally relies on a fair amount of suspension of disbelief for the integration of the game mechanics. Stories like this one, which lean into it, tend to fare better for themselves. The book told its tale well, of Beno, his dungeon, and his struggle to prove himself.
LitRPG, and DungeonCore by extension, generally relies on a fair amount of suspension of disbelief for the integration of the game mechanics. Stories like this one, which lean into it, tend to fare better for themselves. The book told its tale well, of Beno, his dungeon, and his struggle to prove himself.
January 11, 2020
Ahh, now, this is what a dungeon core book should be like. I think if I'd read this book as my first dungeon core book, I'd not be so opposed to reading them now. I have a hard time getting into dungeon core books, because although I believe they should be interesting, I mean, after all, I thoroughly enjoy LitRPG books that have building as their main theme, that should put dungeon core books square in the middle of what I like to read right? Well, you'd think so, but for the most part, dungeon core books don't turn out to be good stories, either because the method of building is not up to par, the dungeon is too overpowered, or the core turns out not to truly be a core, but a mob in disguise (for all practical purposes). I'm happy to report, that this book does not suffer from any of those shortcomings. I can't say I'm thrilled by all the mechanics of this world, (for instance, the pedestals, and the inspectors), but for the most part, these are used only to enhance the flavor of the text, so I can let them slide. However, for the most part, this dungeon core builds their dungeon exactly the way it should be built, and we go through the story with the core as it learns how to be a core. It might have been a (slightly) better book if it had a bit more adventuring teams going through the dungeon, core learning from it's mistakes, and perhaps some more back story on the various main characters, but overall, this book is surprisingly good, and I can easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys LitRPG, and especially those who particularly like the dungeon core subgenre, or those who would like to learn what dungeon core books are, this is definitely a good book from which to begin your journey
February 9, 2020
Good dialogue and character building
Good dialogue and character building. Interesting twist with the academy. Definitely enjoyed the world building on it, will watch for the next.
Good dialogue and character building. Interesting twist with the academy. Definitely enjoyed the world building on it, will watch for the next.
October 27, 2019
Great book!
It's a new take on the dungeon core genre. Nothing particularly ground breaking but surprising in its freshness. There isn't a female fairy companion, the dungeon already knows everything it needs to. It is also not barred from making changes to the dungeon while people are in it. Definitely worth a read for fans of the genre.
It's a new take on the dungeon core genre. Nothing particularly ground breaking but surprising in its freshness. There isn't a female fairy companion, the dungeon already knows everything it needs to. It is also not barred from making changes to the dungeon while people are in it. Definitely worth a read for fans of the genre.
October 17, 2019
Interesting take on dungeon core book
It was a interesting read and had some cool dungeon mechanics to it overall a good take at dungeon core book... I love the melding room function and can’t wait to see more of the unique monsters it can make.
It was a interesting read and had some cool dungeon mechanics to it overall a good take at dungeon core book... I love the melding room function and can’t wait to see more of the unique monsters it can make.
October 20, 2019
Great short story/novella
This is a great short novella about a dungeon core trying to earn its stripes. There are some small editing issues, but overall the story is fast, friendly, and fun. Enjoy.
This is a great short novella about a dungeon core trying to earn its stripes. There are some small editing issues, but overall the story is fast, friendly, and fun. Enjoy.
October 16, 2019
Surprising
Glad I have this a shot. I normally overlook small books but I really like dungeon books so I picked it up holding for a book 2.
Glad I have this a shot. I normally overlook small books but I really like dungeon books so I picked it up holding for a book 2.
November 5, 2019
Cute story
Story follows the MC as he builds his dungeon. Enjoyed it and look forward to book 2 to see what he does next.
Story follows the MC as he builds his dungeon. Enjoyed it and look forward to book 2 to see what he does next.
November 5, 2019
Quick dungeon story
Not a lot of meat in the bones of this story, but what it does have its entertaining. Book 2 is our already and I think they should've been a single book.
Not a lot of meat in the bones of this story, but what it does have its entertaining. Book 2 is our already and I think they should've been a single book.
November 24, 2019
Wasn't sure
I wasn't sure what to expect from the book. But once I started it. I couldn't stop reading it until I finished it. I am definitely getting book two.
I wasn't sure what to expect from the book. But once I started it. I couldn't stop reading it until I finished it. I am definitely getting book two.
December 14, 2019
Great book
A great first entry into the dungeon core genre by Alex Oakchest! Plenty of dungeon building and expansion, looking forward to seeing what the next one brings!
A great first entry into the dungeon core genre by Alex Oakchest! Plenty of dungeon building and expansion, looking forward to seeing what the next one brings!
December 30, 2019
Gøôd bõök
This book reminds me of the divine dungeon series and the many other dungeon core lit. This book was simplistic, it a relaxing manner, can’t wait to read bk2
This book reminds me of the divine dungeon series and the many other dungeon core lit. This book was simplistic, it a relaxing manner, can’t wait to read bk2
January 4, 2020
a quick funny read
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews