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Dungeon of Evolution #1
Thief's Bounty
A thief with a bounty on his name steals a dungeon faerie. This one moment will change Kraken Island forever.
Marcus the Exile thought his life was done for. Until he found a dungeon faerie with immense power on offer.
Now, he's the owner of pocket dungeons that spontaneously evolve whenever items are left inside them. Scum on a boot? That's a monster. A sword left by an adventurer? You bet that's gonna be a monster.
But this power of evolution isn't just happening to the dungeon and its creatures. It's happening to Marcus, and anyone near the dungeon. No one knows why, least of all Marcus.
If he's not careful, Marcus might end up becoming the most powerful man on Kraken Island.
This LitRPG Dungeon Core novel contains multiple interior illustrations of characters, monsters, and scenes. Expect to find an intelligent main character, consistent progression, and a unique Age of Discovery setting.
- GenresFantasy
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2021
254 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 26, 2021
This is a simple book with no real form.
Everything relies on intentions. Everyone can "just tell" if someone is lying to them. Magic just comes to you. The entire book had no real story, every action is unneeded since the book is railroading you to the end. The twist in the epilogue is obvious and cliche. This reads like something you would come up with in high school, the action is weak. The world mechanics are completely missing any kind of basic foundation. The characters and their choices are flat and one dimensional.
Everything relies on intentions. Everyone can "just tell" if someone is lying to them. Magic just comes to you. The entire book had no real story, every action is unneeded since the book is railroading you to the end. The twist in the epilogue is obvious and cliche. This reads like something you would come up with in high school, the action is weak. The world mechanics are completely missing any kind of basic foundation. The characters and their choices are flat and one dimensional.
August 31, 2021
Book one
Mistakes: Pretty well written. I only found two mistakes that I have listed on Goodreads.
Plot: A thief rescues a fairy and as a reward she makes him a dungeon master. Lots of action in this book.
Characters: The thief with a heart of gold. The dungeon is really interesting and I'd like even more.
7/10
Mistakes: Pretty well written. I only found two mistakes that I have listed on Goodreads.
Plot: A thief rescues a fairy and as a reward she makes him a dungeon master. Lots of action in this book.
Characters: The thief with a heart of gold. The dungeon is really interesting and I'd like even more.
7/10
July 30, 2021
What a read! Fantastic book!
What can I say, the plot, the characters, the world. It all forms a perfect balance that develops well to provide a great reading experience.
What can I say, the plot, the characters, the world. It all forms a perfect balance that develops well to provide a great reading experience.
September 29, 2022
This book tries to change everything ever written about Dungeons, Dungeon Cores, Dungeon Masters, loot, monster-folk/mobs born from a dungeon, etc. I write "tries" because most of the "evolutions" sound impossible to believe. For example, the Dungeon Cores are unbreakable and the Dungeon Cores are portable, thus the Dungeons can be carried away by the Dungeon Master to anywhere. Dungeon Masters fight and need to defeat the Monsters/mobs found within their own dungeon. Why would the Dungeon Master need to fight the mobs/monsters in his dungeon????
The Dungeon gives cash prizes (Gold coins, jewels, weapons, etc.) when monsters are defeated. Not the coins or weapons of defeated adventurers, but loot created by the dungeon to be given as "prizes". The Dungeon Master gets a commission from the loot awarded. Other things that do not read well are that from a feather, the Dungeon can create a Harpie. From crab shells and other ingredients, creates a unique sea-monster.
Supposedly, a dungeon needs a complete skeleton to be able to clone, a complete monster to be able to recreate, a complete weapon to be able to copy, etc. This dungeon seems to have a mind of it's own. Each "room" in this dungeon becomes its own dungeon. So they are only "room dungeons". If the "dungeon" has so much independence, then why have a Dungeon Master? Dungeon never displays mana acquired, miasma collected, equipment available, expansion options, etc.
Main character, Marcus, acts more like a bar-bouncer, bar-pusher (sells entrances outside of establishments), than a real Dungeon Master/Dungeon administrator...
And then, what is the main plot of this story? Where is the story going? Can surviving be enough to create a story around it about an atypical Dungeon, Dungeon Cores, Dungeon Master, etc?
The Dungeon gives cash prizes (Gold coins, jewels, weapons, etc.) when monsters are defeated. Not the coins or weapons of defeated adventurers, but loot created by the dungeon to be given as "prizes". The Dungeon Master gets a commission from the loot awarded. Other things that do not read well are that from a feather, the Dungeon can create a Harpie. From crab shells and other ingredients, creates a unique sea-monster.
Supposedly, a dungeon needs a complete skeleton to be able to clone, a complete monster to be able to recreate, a complete weapon to be able to copy, etc. This dungeon seems to have a mind of it's own. Each "room" in this dungeon becomes its own dungeon. So they are only "room dungeons". If the "dungeon" has so much independence, then why have a Dungeon Master? Dungeon never displays mana acquired, miasma collected, equipment available, expansion options, etc.
Main character, Marcus, acts more like a bar-bouncer, bar-pusher (sells entrances outside of establishments), than a real Dungeon Master/Dungeon administrator...
And then, what is the main plot of this story? Where is the story going? Can surviving be enough to create a story around it about an atypical Dungeon, Dungeon Cores, Dungeon Master, etc?
May 27, 2021
The book starts out with Marcus, a thief exiled from the thieves guild, going for the big job that will set him up for life. Marcus is crafty, careful and observant, which stand him in good stead to get the job done.
Up to that point I was on board. The story was solid and well written, and the fantasy setting is well described.
After that, Marcus undergoes a personality disorder. He starts ending every other sentence with an exclamation point, and he and his small friend are happy clappy about the world and everything going on it. The careful thief is gone, replaced by a guy where everything goes his way.
It's too easy. He gains wealth, a modicum of respect, and all because of that big job. Yes, there's a big battle at the end, but even that goes too easily.
I don't know, maybe I was expecting more because of the good start. If the story had continued on from there, with Marcus scrapping for every coin, I think it would have been a different book.
Having said that, I don't want to be overly negative. I did enjoy aspects of the book, and while the plot isn't very complex, it's easy to like the book. I just expected and hoped for more.
Maybe that will change in book 2.
3.5/5*
Up to that point I was on board. The story was solid and well written, and the fantasy setting is well described.
After that, Marcus undergoes a personality disorder. He starts ending every other sentence with an exclamation point, and he and his small friend are happy clappy about the world and everything going on it. The careful thief is gone, replaced by a guy where everything goes his way.
It's too easy. He gains wealth, a modicum of respect, and all because of that big job. Yes, there's a big battle at the end, but even that goes too easily.
I don't know, maybe I was expecting more because of the good start. If the story had continued on from there, with Marcus scrapping for every coin, I think it would have been a different book.
Having said that, I don't want to be overly negative. I did enjoy aspects of the book, and while the plot isn't very complex, it's easy to like the book. I just expected and hoped for more.
Maybe that will change in book 2.
3.5/5*
May 26, 2021
Now you see me, now you don’t…
This is one of those dungeon core novels that takes a bit of a different approach. I’ve only read one other book like it, and this one by far outdoes anything I could have expected. We have an intelligent MC for a change (thank you!) and somewhat of hazy backstory that he kept blissfully short but highlighted the important bits. Then we have the world we find ourselves in and instead of politics, nations, and heroic adventurers plumbing the depths of a dungeon we get a street smart thief and his rag-tag band of survivors. Don’t mistake it, still people going for the gold, but they weren’t the focus. Honestly, I’m all for this change and was exciting to see how it would unfold.
This is definitely the start though, we get our feet wet with the dungeons, the people, and the struggle to come. This books has a strong foundation so I’m hoping book 2 doesn’t break anything and if you are wanting a dungeon core book that is a different breed, I suggest giving it a shot.
This is one of those dungeon core novels that takes a bit of a different approach. I’ve only read one other book like it, and this one by far outdoes anything I could have expected. We have an intelligent MC for a change (thank you!) and somewhat of hazy backstory that he kept blissfully short but highlighted the important bits. Then we have the world we find ourselves in and instead of politics, nations, and heroic adventurers plumbing the depths of a dungeon we get a street smart thief and his rag-tag band of survivors. Don’t mistake it, still people going for the gold, but they weren’t the focus. Honestly, I’m all for this change and was exciting to see how it would unfold.
This is definitely the start though, we get our feet wet with the dungeons, the people, and the struggle to come. This books has a strong foundation so I’m hoping book 2 doesn’t break anything and if you are wanting a dungeon core book that is a different breed, I suggest giving it a shot.
October 9, 2024
First of all, this is not a story about a thief. It's a dungeon system, with some rogue thief/rags to riches/Robin hood and a world building elements draped around it for decoration. The dungeon story itself is boring and overcomplicated with pages and pages of info dumps. This feels like the author made pizza and minestrone, but he really had lasagna in mind, so he staked the pizza in layers with minestrone in between. Bon appétit !
June 13, 2021
Great stuff
A great book, I enjoyed the fresh take on dungeons, my only complaint is that the second book is still on pre order, and not ready for my next binge, all joking aside, keep up the good work DB
A great book, I enjoyed the fresh take on dungeons, my only complaint is that the second book is still on pre order, and not ready for my next binge, all joking aside, keep up the good work DB
June 25, 2021
Marcus is a terrible thief. His idea of a flawless burglary is to smash his way in through a random window, then blunder about killing people until he stumbles onto some loot. After that I just kind of thought he was a prat? And he didn’t prove me wrong.
August 5, 2021
Fantastic
Excellent story teller. Some people have a true gift in the art of creating and an telling outstanding tale. The ability to create a tale full of excitement and intrigue from the first page to the last. Rich and full on so many levels. A truly outstanding author.
Excellent story teller. Some people have a true gift in the art of creating and an telling outstanding tale. The ability to create a tale full of excitement and intrigue from the first page to the last. Rich and full on so many levels. A truly outstanding author.
October 8, 2021
Now that was Awesome!
As far as I am concerned this book had it all. A believable hero without a martyr complex, excellent minions and a really great job of building the story. The villain was easy to relate to as well.
First class effort!
As far as I am concerned this book had it all. A believable hero without a martyr complex, excellent minions and a really great job of building the story. The villain was easy to relate to as well.
First class effort!
May 26, 2021
Good Dungeon Story
It follows a slightly different dungeon story path, and benefits from that. It has a rich world I look forward to seeing more of in the next story.
It follows a slightly different dungeon story path, and benefits from that. It has a rich world I look forward to seeing more of in the next story.
May 27, 2021
Good book
Very good book ,well thought out characters and a very good plot . Loved the book from beginning to end ,I expect good things with the author and can't wait for book 2
Very good book ,well thought out characters and a very good plot . Loved the book from beginning to end ,I expect good things with the author and can't wait for book 2
June 2, 2021
Another one please
It may not be his normal type of work. But you can say he still keeps you hooked and entertained though out the book.
It may not be his normal type of work. But you can say he still keeps you hooked and entertained though out the book.
June 4, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who likes magic and dungeon types of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it to anyone who likes magic and dungeon types of books with lots of action.
June 19, 2021
I love the dungeon building
Been a while since DK has written some dungeon building, and I love it a lot. This book sets up a promising series that will be awesome to follow.
Been a while since DK has written some dungeon building, and I love it a lot. This book sets up a promising series that will be awesome to follow.
June 19, 2021
Good
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good start to the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
August 19, 2021
Very good
D. B. King has written another great book and series! I am really not into LitRPG. But right from the first I was captured.
D. B. King has written another great book and series! I am really not into LitRPG. But right from the first I was captured.
September 2, 2021
Interesting premise
Was not the standard dungeon master story. Had view point from the dungeon builder, runner and some small base building. Overall a pretty decent story and interested in more.
Was not the standard dungeon master story. Had view point from the dungeon builder, runner and some small base building. Overall a pretty decent story and interested in more.
October 30, 2021
Really fun
This book was a lot of fun. Well placed, great action, and fun characters. I'm looking forward to the next one.
This book was a lot of fun. Well placed, great action, and fun characters. I'm looking forward to the next one.
January 22, 2022
Great Read
Quick enjoyable read. It's a great page turner that just keeps you wanting to see what comes next. If you like this genre I highly recommend the author👍
Quick enjoyable read. It's a great page turner that just keeps you wanting to see what comes next. If you like this genre I highly recommend the author👍
May 17, 2022
DNF at 27%. a dungeon core fairy tale. This books seems to be written for younger teenagers. The MC is popular and so great and everything seems to fall conveniently into his lap...
September 14, 2022
I like it
I like this book as it takes an old rail and put s s new spin on it well. Put together and well woven can only recommend this book to you the reader's
I like this book as it takes an old rail and put s s new spin on it well. Put together and well woven can only recommend this book to you the reader's
May 29, 2021
Good Read.
Interesting take on the dungeon master type of books. Using the supplied items and letting the dungeon generate/interpret what it will look like.
Interesting take on the dungeon master type of books. Using the supplied items and letting the dungeon generate/interpret what it will look like.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews