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Dungeon Crafting #3
The Crafter's Dilemma
After narrowly surviving an invasion of her dungeon by some seriously dangerous Elves, Sandra needs to recover from having all of her defending constructs destroyed in the process. With the bulk of her forces lost while shattering the Core of a Reptile Classification dungeon, the merchant-turned-Dungeon Core is feeling a little vulnerable.
Luckily, she has Violet, a Gnome Apprentice Enchanter, to help her get things back to normal. With Felbar, another Gnome that has decades of experience culling Dungeon Monsters, and Echo, an Elf that mistakenly got tangled up with Sandra and her dungeon, now awake from their Visitor Bond-induced comas, she can finally work on improving her relationship with the Gnomes and Elves by providing them with much-needed supplies.
Unfortunately, during her time of recovery and looking into crafting new things with her recent access to Enchanting, she neglected to keep an eye on the dungeons around her Area of Influence. With the Gnomes no longer there to cull the Undead Classification dungeon near their destroyed village, Sandra scrambles to get ahead of its rapid expansion – and potential threat to the Dwarves to the north.
But even if she manages to destroy the Undead Classification Core, should she stop there? Now that is quite the dilemma…
This Dungeon Core story contains LitRPG/GameLit elements such as statistics and leveling and a heavy crafting emphasis. No profanity and no harems.
Luckily, she has Violet, a Gnome Apprentice Enchanter, to help her get things back to normal. With Felbar, another Gnome that has decades of experience culling Dungeon Monsters, and Echo, an Elf that mistakenly got tangled up with Sandra and her dungeon, now awake from their Visitor Bond-induced comas, she can finally work on improving her relationship with the Gnomes and Elves by providing them with much-needed supplies.
Unfortunately, during her time of recovery and looking into crafting new things with her recent access to Enchanting, she neglected to keep an eye on the dungeons around her Area of Influence. With the Gnomes no longer there to cull the Undead Classification dungeon near their destroyed village, Sandra scrambles to get ahead of its rapid expansion – and potential threat to the Dwarves to the north.
But even if she manages to destroy the Undead Classification Core, should she stop there? Now that is quite the dilemma…
This Dungeon Core story contains LitRPG/GameLit elements such as statistics and leveling and a heavy crafting emphasis. No profanity and no harems.
511 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2020
604 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
82 books484 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 31, 2020
Enjoyable but repetitive
I’m giving it four stars but probably closer to three. I like that the other characters are getting more involved, but outside of that it’s starting to get a little repetitive and formulaic. If you like the first two books you’ll probably enjoy this one.
I’m giving it four stars but probably closer to three. I like that the other characters are getting more involved, but outside of that it’s starting to get a little repetitive and formulaic. If you like the first two books you’ll probably enjoy this one.
April 22, 2021
recruits and crafting and evolving. Dwarves encountered.
June 4, 2020
Not really anything new or creative here, the same bigoted response from every group except the special snowflakes who manage to reach the dungeon and “happen” to join it. Character interaction is predictable and frustrating. Characters themselves are flat and generic (even the supposedly special ones). I had been really hopeful for this series, but it just gets bogged down in technicalities and plans without much in the way of solid and enjoyable content. I think I’ll stop reading now.
February 1, 2020
Increasingly Flawed
The writing is clunky, repetitive, and bloated. The characters get stupider with each book. The presented magical effects are so absurdly powerful that the world should be very different.
For a series about craftsmanship, it desperately needs more craftsmanship in the writing.
The writing is clunky, repetitive, and bloated. The characters get stupider with each book. The presented magical effects are so absurdly powerful that the world should be very different.
For a series about craftsmanship, it desperately needs more craftsmanship in the writing.
February 2, 2020
Another great dungeon book by Jonathan
What is better than a prolific writer. A prolific writer that has consistent quality.
The story continues to scratch the dungeon itch and it tends to last until the next book comes around, which is awesome all the way around.
If you haven't picked up this or his other series yet, do so.
What is better than a prolific writer. A prolific writer that has consistent quality.
The story continues to scratch the dungeon itch and it tends to last until the next book comes around, which is awesome all the way around.
If you haven't picked up this or his other series yet, do so.
March 2, 2020
Fun, but the plot armor is getting thicker
Thankfully, Sandra the dungeon is getting a thicker skin and didn't feel the need to take the blame for every little bad thing that happens. The crafting is fun, the characters are growing in me and I love that the bag dungeon is an undead one with strategy. However, a while bunch of last minute 'rules' about dungeons suddenly came into play that I think are ridiculous and serve only to try and create melodrama. I finished this book, but I won't be reading the next one.
Thankfully, Sandra the dungeon is getting a thicker skin and didn't feel the need to take the blame for every little bad thing that happens. The crafting is fun, the characters are growing in me and I love that the bag dungeon is an undead one with strategy. However, a while bunch of last minute 'rules' about dungeons suddenly came into play that I think are ridiculous and serve only to try and create melodrama. I finished this book, but I won't be reading the next one.
January 31, 2022
Heavier into minutia
Thus ends my foray into Dungeon Crafting. The pacing in this book seemed a bit slower than the previous 2, and at times some of the fiddly bits really dragged.
If you are into that stuff, then you will likely enjoy this book, it has a plethora.
It isn't for me, though the story was still solid. I enjoyed seeing Sandra grow and make new friends.
Thus ends my foray into Dungeon Crafting. The pacing in this book seemed a bit slower than the previous 2, and at times some of the fiddly bits really dragged.
If you are into that stuff, then you will likely enjoy this book, it has a plethora.
It isn't for me, though the story was still solid. I enjoyed seeing Sandra grow and make new friends.
May 21, 2020
Overwhelming techno babble
As the title says. The end was good, but I started to skip pages. Later I just glanced at some chapters. The story itself is great.
As the title says. The end was good, but I started to skip pages. Later I just glanced at some chapters. The story itself is great.
July 21, 2020
Umm.
This book was the weakest in the series I hope the next book things go back like the book 1.
This book was the weakest in the series I hope the next book things go back like the book 1.
April 26, 2024
Sandra has always been passionate about crafting. Blacksmithing, enchanting, jewellery making, leatherwork - she has made it her life's mission to learn everything she can. Unfortunately her disability means she's never been able to craft anything herself. But she makes do - right up until she's killed chasing a new lead.
When she's reborn as a dungeon core, Sandra is left awed when she discovers her new abilities will let her build and make all she wants - she only needs time and a little bit of creativity before she's able to pursue her passion; crafting.
This was action packed. There were monsters and battles and more dungeons and it was kind of tiring. It seemed like there was never any downtime or breaks. I would've liked some peace in my reading - a few less battles, a bit more crafting. There were still lots of stats that I didn't really follow but it was okay. The game mechanics towards the end kind of just lost me. I like stats but I prefer them to be slightly less involved or better explained - one of the two.
This had a bit more of a dungeon family feel - all the characters working together and talking and I liked that more than the clunky relationships they seemed to have in the prior books. Especially their teamwork in the dungeon and their shared feelings about various events. There were many new faces - but my favourite was still Violet. I loved Sandra using her unstable shapeshifters though to mimic Felbar, Violet and Echo. I don't know I'd be okay with a copy of my body walking around naked but it was pretty funny.
Overall a solid addition to the series with lots of litrpg elements. 3 stars.
When she's reborn as a dungeon core, Sandra is left awed when she discovers her new abilities will let her build and make all she wants - she only needs time and a little bit of creativity before she's able to pursue her passion; crafting.
This was action packed. There were monsters and battles and more dungeons and it was kind of tiring. It seemed like there was never any downtime or breaks. I would've liked some peace in my reading - a few less battles, a bit more crafting. There were still lots of stats that I didn't really follow but it was okay. The game mechanics towards the end kind of just lost me. I like stats but I prefer them to be slightly less involved or better explained - one of the two.
This had a bit more of a dungeon family feel - all the characters working together and talking and I liked that more than the clunky relationships they seemed to have in the prior books. Especially their teamwork in the dungeon and their shared feelings about various events. There were many new faces - but my favourite was still Violet. I loved Sandra using her unstable shapeshifters though to mimic Felbar, Violet and Echo. I don't know I'd be okay with a copy of my body walking around naked but it was pretty funny.
Overall a solid addition to the series with lots of litrpg elements. 3 stars.
May 24, 2020
This instalment of the series was very much about escalating things, the level of threat that the dungeon Sandra was facing increases significantly, both from the current threat of an aggressive dungeon, from the consequences of her and others destroying dungeons and also from the other races who are not all so ready to accept a benign dungeon.
While it is quite common for the main characters in this genre to be overpowered or simply able to out-think rivals, it was interesting to see the author portraying a rival dungeon as being ahead of Sandra a lot of the time with better or more effective strategies, whether this will be the usual in subsequent books or is an early learning experience for her, we will have to wait and see. On a similar note, the author has not gone out of his way to make things too easy for the dungeon's larger missions, language barriers are still in place hampering efforts to unite the various races, none of whom are overly keen on her plans either.
The narration of this book worked well to enhance the story with the tone being well suited to the dungeon core and being suitably distinctive for the rest of the supporting cast too.
Overall, another strong instalment in this series and I look forward to the subsequent ones.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
While it is quite common for the main characters in this genre to be overpowered or simply able to out-think rivals, it was interesting to see the author portraying a rival dungeon as being ahead of Sandra a lot of the time with better or more effective strategies, whether this will be the usual in subsequent books or is an early learning experience for her, we will have to wait and see. On a similar note, the author has not gone out of his way to make things too easy for the dungeon's larger missions, language barriers are still in place hampering efforts to unite the various races, none of whom are overly keen on her plans either.
The narration of this book worked well to enhance the story with the tone being well suited to the dungeon core and being suitably distinctive for the rest of the supporting cast too.
Overall, another strong instalment in this series and I look forward to the subsequent ones.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
February 6, 2020
Love this twist on the dungeon core series, Sandra is one step behind this book
As Sandra continues to grow and expand her area and forces, she battles another core in an ever escalating war that could destroy one or even bring the wrong attention.
More power and growth through crafting, and enchanting especially, sets the tone of this installment. We see her visitors learn to be a team as they build their skills and experience with Sandra’s creations. I wonder what Sandra will unlock next?
Compromises must be made and knowledge shared for her lofty goals to be achieved... and I think Sandra does not have a true grasp of what it will take to achieve her goals and convince the races to cooperate against her kind. Except her, of course! ;)
As Sandra continues to grow and expand her area and forces, she battles another core in an ever escalating war that could destroy one or even bring the wrong attention.
More power and growth through crafting, and enchanting especially, sets the tone of this installment. We see her visitors learn to be a team as they build their skills and experience with Sandra’s creations. I wonder what Sandra will unlock next?
Compromises must be made and knowledge shared for her lofty goals to be achieved... and I think Sandra does not have a true grasp of what it will take to achieve her goals and convince the races to cooperate against her kind. Except her, of course! ;)
March 14, 2020
Solid Dungeon story, as you could expect from Brooks.
Mr Brooks is the Dungeon Core go-to author, and I like him for it, as I'm a sucker for dungeon management for decades (since the original DK). That limits the kind of story he tells, but it makes him very good at developing dungeon-based stories. The Crafter's Dungeon series is basically "what if the only PvP-enabled Dungeon was also the only sane one".
My only beef with this book #3 is that the dungeon has a lot less agency than usually. It's almost all getting socked by the world mechanic, reacting, and more reacting, and trying to juggle all the eggs in the air while crafting the egg boiler. It's a bit fast paced, but it's at the expense of our Dungeon having real choices.
Mr Brooks is the Dungeon Core go-to author, and I like him for it, as I'm a sucker for dungeon management for decades (since the original DK). That limits the kind of story he tells, but it makes him very good at developing dungeon-based stories. The Crafter's Dungeon series is basically "what if the only PvP-enabled Dungeon was also the only sane one".
My only beef with this book #3 is that the dungeon has a lot less agency than usually. It's almost all getting socked by the world mechanic, reacting, and more reacting, and trying to juggle all the eggs in the air while crafting the egg boiler. It's a bit fast paced, but it's at the expense of our Dungeon having real choices.
February 4, 2021
Of all of the dungeon crafting books, I'm liking this series the best. Dungeon core books generally don't interest me, because they can't do much (as is their nature), but I like the way this book stresses the dungeon core's gifts, and has the core actively trying to improve itself, even though it's just a core. If you're like me, and not really a fan of the dungeon core genre, you might want to take a second look at this series, it's a pretty good balance between the whole unmovable dungeon, and the whole crafting thing, and I think the author does a very good job with balancing the disadvantages of being a core with the advancement/learning a core must go through.
February 6, 2020
Can't wait for the next one
Good story and good world building Although I don't understand why. The dungeon could not find do not see the other the whole territory of the other one. Since in the first book the whole problem was because the other dungeon was lower level than she was and she was lower than the one she was fighting this time. She should have been able to access the entire area.
Good story and good world building Although I don't understand why. The dungeon could not find do not see the other the whole territory of the other one. Since in the first book the whole problem was because the other dungeon was lower level than she was and she was lower than the one she was fighting this time. She should have been able to access the entire area.
February 1, 2020
Good read
I enjoy crafting and though there is more in this book it is less detailed. Still the book is awesome. The story progresses well with new races and challenges for Sandra. She slowly gets bigger and stronger but must forge new alliance's and friends to survive. Looking forward to the next book hope the wait is short.
I enjoy crafting and though there is more in this book it is less detailed. Still the book is awesome. The story progresses well with new races and challenges for Sandra. She slowly gets bigger and stronger but must forge new alliance's and friends to survive. Looking forward to the next book hope the wait is short.
February 2, 2020
Building things - That's what crafters do
I like the idea and the execution. My one issue is this setup isn't good for dialogue. It was an interesting story and advanced the plot. Overall I liked it a bit less than some of Jonathan Brooks dungeon core stories. Good reading anyway, I enjoyed it. Some interesting magical tech.
Score: 7.8 out of 10
I like the idea and the execution. My one issue is this setup isn't good for dialogue. It was an interesting story and advanced the plot. Overall I liked it a bit less than some of Jonathan Brooks dungeon core stories. Good reading anyway, I enjoyed it. Some interesting magical tech.
Score: 7.8 out of 10
February 18, 2020
Another Great Entry
As the complexity of the world increases, so does my interest in the series. In the first book, the rules seemed overly restrictive. As Sandra expands and gathers resources, those restrictions, while still present, do not form such a huge barrier. Looking back, the author made the right call.
Can’t wait to see what happens next!
As the complexity of the world increases, so does my interest in the series. In the first book, the rules seemed overly restrictive. As Sandra expands and gathers resources, those restrictions, while still present, do not form such a huge barrier. Looking back, the author made the right call.
Can’t wait to see what happens next!
March 6, 2020
Interesting Series
I initially avoided this series as it featured a dungeon core as the main character, thinking it would be a slog of just inane traps. I am glad I was wrong. Each book builds on the others with problems needing varied solutions to solve and an overall goal to hopefully be achieved. Along with character growth the entire series is an enjoyable read.
I initially avoided this series as it featured a dungeon core as the main character, thinking it would be a slog of just inane traps. I am glad I was wrong. Each book builds on the others with problems needing varied solutions to solve and an overall goal to hopefully be achieved. Along with character growth the entire series is an enjoyable read.
March 7, 2020
One of the best book series in Dungeon LitRPG that i have read. I have read a couple of LitRPG and dungeon books but i just love this book series. I love crafting and this book has that and everything else you would like. if you like crafting and enjoy stats (all of his books are full of them) you will love this book. highly recommend it! just try it!
March 8, 2020
The plot thickens
In this Crafters dungeon novel we get some feedback from the nations that Sandra is trying to save. But things look grim as the undead dungeon grows in power. Finding out what happens and if our favorite dungeon prevails is a thrilling journey. Great read overall, I'm eager for the next in the series.
In this Crafters dungeon novel we get some feedback from the nations that Sandra is trying to save. But things look grim as the undead dungeon grows in power. Finding out what happens and if our favorite dungeon prevails is a thrilling journey. Great read overall, I'm eager for the next in the series.
March 8, 2021
Meet The Dwarves Nextdoor!
They're rambunctious, hide bound, bearded, cranky, and short, but their armors, axes, and hammers are second to none! They're Dwarves and they're thirsty! Sandra has some big problems with short people, so tuck in and start reading to learn how she deals with them.
They're rambunctious, hide bound, bearded, cranky, and short, but their armors, axes, and hammers are second to none! They're Dwarves and they're thirsty! Sandra has some big problems with short people, so tuck in and start reading to learn how she deals with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
Good story
It's OK, but it is just much the same problems, protect her base, attack other bases, convince different people that she mean well toward them, when all their knowledge knows she has to be evil. I have said, the truth doesn't matter, only what people think. If they think you're wonderful, you to can be the president
It's OK, but it is just much the same problems, protect her base, attack other bases, convince different people that she mean well toward them, when all their knowledge knows she has to be evil. I have said, the truth doesn't matter, only what people think. If they think you're wonderful, you to can be the president
February 1, 2020
Really enjoying this.
Love the crafting. Pleasantly surprised by the pretty unpredictable storyline. The MC isn't so OP that she doesn't mess up and actually has a learning curve. Go figure.
Love the crafting. Pleasantly surprised by the pretty unpredictable storyline. The MC isn't so OP that she doesn't mess up and actually has a learning curve. Go figure.
February 4, 2020
Book three
Mistakes: At the two percent mark we are told she doesn’t have a knife, yet she lays one down on the table anyway. This knife also seems to change from iron to stone. No other problems found.
Plot: Gathering more allies and the destruction of more dungeons.
Characters: Don’t really care about any of them except the dungeon itself.
8/10
Mistakes: At the two percent mark we are told she doesn’t have a knife, yet she lays one down on the table anyway. This knife also seems to change from iron to stone. No other problems found.
Plot: Gathering more allies and the destruction of more dungeons.
Characters: Don’t really care about any of them except the dungeon itself.
8/10
February 8, 2020
Another great dungeon novel
Another great dungeon read. I'm digging the crafting aspect of this series, although the buffs near the end seem a bit OP given the premise for the series. Still an enjoyable read.
Another great dungeon read. I'm digging the crafting aspect of this series, although the buffs near the end seem a bit OP given the premise for the series. Still an enjoyable read.
February 26, 2020
Good book!
I was listening to these on audio but, I really wanted to know what happened next so I switched to the written word. Only problem is that now I have to wait for the next book...
I was listening to these on audio but, I really wanted to know what happened next so I switched to the written word. Only problem is that now I have to wait for the next book...
February 29, 2020
Great series
One of the best dungeon core series out there. Lots of action, and obviously a lot of crafting. If you like this series,odds are you will like the other series by this author.
One of the best dungeon core series out there. Lots of action, and obviously a lot of crafting. If you like this series,odds are you will like the other series by this author.
March 4, 2020
Very good series!
Another very enjoyable read, though very short like most books now-a-days. I like where you are going with the story but feel like Sandra isn't using her abilities very efficiently.
Another very enjoyable read, though very short like most books now-a-days. I like where you are going with the story but feel like Sandra isn't using her abilities very efficiently.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews