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Dungeoneer Adventures #1
Dungeoneer Adventures 1: Lost in the Mushroom Maze
The Last Kids on Earth gets a fantasy twist in this exciting first book in a highly illustrated middle grade series about the adventures of a boy who’s the only human student at an academy for future explorers.
Coop Cooperson lives in the Land of Eem, a fantastical realm where many different species live together and there is always more magic to be discovered by those up to the task. The Dungeoneer Academy trains future explorers with classes like Dungeons and Mazes, Creatures and Critters, and Swords and Sorcery.
Coop believes in the academy’s mission and the Dungeoneer’s Code, but being the only human student can make it difficult to fit in—sometimes he wonders if he really belongs. Lucky for Coop, his best friend Oggie the bugbear has his back, as do the two other members of their exploring team, Daz the boggart and Mindy the imp. They have to rely on each other more than ever as the test for their Junior Dungeoneer Badges looms closer.
If Coop and his friends fail to run the final gauntlet in the fungal jungle, they will have to leave the academy. As future dungeoneers, they know to expect the unexpected, but nothing could prepare them for the adventure in store.
Coop Cooperson lives in the Land of Eem, a fantastical realm where many different species live together and there is always more magic to be discovered by those up to the task. The Dungeoneer Academy trains future explorers with classes like Dungeons and Mazes, Creatures and Critters, and Swords and Sorcery.
Coop believes in the academy’s mission and the Dungeoneer’s Code, but being the only human student can make it difficult to fit in—sometimes he wonders if he really belongs. Lucky for Coop, his best friend Oggie the bugbear has his back, as do the two other members of their exploring team, Daz the boggart and Mindy the imp. They have to rely on each other more than ever as the test for their Junior Dungeoneer Badges looms closer.
If Coop and his friends fail to run the final gauntlet in the fungal jungle, they will have to leave the academy. As future dungeoneers, they know to expect the unexpected, but nothing could prepare them for the adventure in store.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2022
21 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 11, 2022
What worked:
Coop is the only human at the Dungeoneer Academy but he’s the leader of the Green Team. He’s also the target of two academy bullies, and his best friend Oggie, a bugbear, is supportive but not much help when they attack. Oggie is pretty strong but he’s better at drawing than wrestling like others of his kind. Mindy, an imp, provides the brains for the team, while Daz, a cute and daring boggart, does many of the more physical tasks. The Green Team will need to learn to mesh their talents if they hope to pass their upcoming Final Gauntlet to avoid expulsion from the academy. The title refers to the final test, although the circumstances of the challenge are not what the characters expect. The artful illustrations don’t just accompany the text, as readers will miss important details if the pictures are skipped over.
Dungeoneers are like archaeological adventurers as they search for lost or undiscovered places. Surviving in a maze of giant mushrooms provides a taste of what this series will offer. The Green Team encounters dense vegetation that often becomes more lethal and dangerous than they expect. Giant beasts roam the wilderness, searching for prey to devour, and threaten the team’s survival, and even innocent-looking little mushrooms might feast upon unsuspecting characters. Coop’s paralyzing fear of spiders only magnifies the terrors found inside the maze.
The plot is told from Coop’s point of view, as he tries to lead his friends past challenges of all kinds. Coop battles with self-confidence throughout the whole book and his internal conflict isn’t resolved until the exciting climax. He doesn’t see himself as anything special and can’t understand what others might see in him. He has a secret crush on Daz that tends to distract his attention at times. Coop has tremendous respect for the Dungeoneer’s Code and he has it memorized and follows its tenets at all times. The first few refer to dungeoneers in general, while the others provide guidance while in the field. Never split the party, fortune favors the bold, and expect the unexpected are especially relevant rules.
What didn’t work as well:
Nothing comes to mind, so I won’t force myself to think of something.
The Final Verdict:
Always do the right thing. This book won’t make literary history, but it will be very entertaining for middle-grade readers. While it’s not the best book written, I can’t think of anything that didn’t work well. It has interesting characters, suspenseful action, evokes feelings, and describes good friends accepting each other and working together. I highly recommend you give it a shot.
Coop is the only human at the Dungeoneer Academy but he’s the leader of the Green Team. He’s also the target of two academy bullies, and his best friend Oggie, a bugbear, is supportive but not much help when they attack. Oggie is pretty strong but he’s better at drawing than wrestling like others of his kind. Mindy, an imp, provides the brains for the team, while Daz, a cute and daring boggart, does many of the more physical tasks. The Green Team will need to learn to mesh their talents if they hope to pass their upcoming Final Gauntlet to avoid expulsion from the academy. The title refers to the final test, although the circumstances of the challenge are not what the characters expect. The artful illustrations don’t just accompany the text, as readers will miss important details if the pictures are skipped over.
Dungeoneers are like archaeological adventurers as they search for lost or undiscovered places. Surviving in a maze of giant mushrooms provides a taste of what this series will offer. The Green Team encounters dense vegetation that often becomes more lethal and dangerous than they expect. Giant beasts roam the wilderness, searching for prey to devour, and threaten the team’s survival, and even innocent-looking little mushrooms might feast upon unsuspecting characters. Coop’s paralyzing fear of spiders only magnifies the terrors found inside the maze.
The plot is told from Coop’s point of view, as he tries to lead his friends past challenges of all kinds. Coop battles with self-confidence throughout the whole book and his internal conflict isn’t resolved until the exciting climax. He doesn’t see himself as anything special and can’t understand what others might see in him. He has a secret crush on Daz that tends to distract his attention at times. Coop has tremendous respect for the Dungeoneer’s Code and he has it memorized and follows its tenets at all times. The first few refer to dungeoneers in general, while the others provide guidance while in the field. Never split the party, fortune favors the bold, and expect the unexpected are especially relevant rules.
What didn’t work as well:
Nothing comes to mind, so I won’t force myself to think of something.
The Final Verdict:
Always do the right thing. This book won’t make literary history, but it will be very entertaining for middle-grade readers. While it’s not the best book written, I can’t think of anything that didn’t work well. It has interesting characters, suspenseful action, evokes feelings, and describes good friends accepting each other and working together. I highly recommend you give it a shot.
June 3, 2022
Many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this one…
3.5 *’s
Strong Star Trek vibes, just underground and featuring way more mushrooms 😄
Lots of collaboration and teamwork and embracing everybody’s unique skills
3.5 *’s
Strong Star Trek vibes, just underground and featuring way more mushrooms 😄
Lots of collaboration and teamwork and embracing everybody’s unique skills
October 24, 2024
It is very good.
September 1, 2025
Meet Coop, he is currently in training at the Dungeoneer Academy. He is the only human ever to be admitted to the academy. Talk about feeling like the odd one out! Not every recruit is accepting of Coop's uniqueness.
Coop's team includes Oggie the large bugbear, who is the best artist. Mindy is an imp who is always prepared with a pack full of all things, she is a genius. Then there is Daz, she is a boggart and the most skilled. The newest recruit will be a Mushrum known as Tymbo or more accurately known as "the Tymbos." The team will be pushed beyond endurance, threatened by unfortunate choices, and possibly lost forever.
The academy's staff includes their coach Quag who is their "hardy" gauntlet instructor. Mr. Fang is an inkpot spider that serves as their librarian, as well as the one that pops out in the most unnerving sections of their maze assessments. Blorf is their cook... a bit like a boar... with less than dead meals. Professor Clementine is their passionate historian who believes the past will help them "plan for the future." There is always so much to learn, to cherish. Headmaster Munchowzen the ancient explorer the academy's preservationist.
Then of course there would be those that want to have glory but are not necessarily learning kindness. Zeek who is a goblin, nasty attitude who schemes chaos. Axel is a very large Dratch which enjoys mocking others and disrespects those in authority.
Which team... which individual... will succeed? Does the Cungeoneer's Code hold the secrets long held by generations as guidelines to be followed for the greatest adventures, or can you "pass" the Final Gauntlet without tenets? Maybe the warning to combine your talents is linked to four strategies of success!
Within the books journey, you will meet different species, uncover lost treasures, and obviously there be monsters, ruins, mazes, and unknowns that could cause your time to come to an end.
Enjoy a rollicking turn of these pages,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
Coop's team includes Oggie the large bugbear, who is the best artist. Mindy is an imp who is always prepared with a pack full of all things, she is a genius. Then there is Daz, she is a boggart and the most skilled. The newest recruit will be a Mushrum known as Tymbo or more accurately known as "the Tymbos." The team will be pushed beyond endurance, threatened by unfortunate choices, and possibly lost forever.
The academy's staff includes their coach Quag who is their "hardy" gauntlet instructor. Mr. Fang is an inkpot spider that serves as their librarian, as well as the one that pops out in the most unnerving sections of their maze assessments. Blorf is their cook... a bit like a boar... with less than dead meals. Professor Clementine is their passionate historian who believes the past will help them "plan for the future." There is always so much to learn, to cherish. Headmaster Munchowzen the ancient explorer the academy's preservationist.
Then of course there would be those that want to have glory but are not necessarily learning kindness. Zeek who is a goblin, nasty attitude who schemes chaos. Axel is a very large Dratch which enjoys mocking others and disrespects those in authority.
Which team... which individual... will succeed? Does the Cungeoneer's Code hold the secrets long held by generations as guidelines to be followed for the greatest adventures, or can you "pass" the Final Gauntlet without tenets? Maybe the warning to combine your talents is linked to four strategies of success!
Within the books journey, you will meet different species, uncover lost treasures, and obviously there be monsters, ruins, mazes, and unknowns that could cause your time to come to an end.
Enjoy a rollicking turn of these pages,
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
June 17, 2024
Coop Cooperson lives in the Land of Eem, a magical realm full of different species and magic to be discovered. He attends the Dungeoneer’s Academy, where they train future explorers with classes on dungeons, mazes, creatures and critters, and swords and sorcery. To graduate, Coop and his team must runt he final gauntlet. Unfortunately, he runs his team into an ambush of mushroom people. Now stuck in a mushroom maze, can the group find their way out?
The plot is engaging, entertaining, and full of magic and adventure. The illustrations are detailed black and white sketches. They add depth to the novel. The characters are likable, unique, and draw the reader into Coop’s world. The world building is well done and detailed. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and magic will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
The plot is engaging, entertaining, and full of magic and adventure. The illustrations are detailed black and white sketches. They add depth to the novel. The characters are likable, unique, and draw the reader into Coop’s world. The world building is well done and detailed. Readers who like fantasy, adventure, and magic will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections.
May 29, 2022
This will be the newest middle grade series that kids are going to go wild over! This book is super fun and adventurous without being too intense for any readers. The characters are great and the mix of real world problems that kids this age would be going through with this incredible fantasy realm makes for a super fun middle grade book. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ben and James for an upcoming episode of my podcast and you can definitely tell where all the fun of this book comes from.
This will be a great book for middle grade readers and definitely one that has to be in classrooms and libraries and is tons of wholesome fun!
This will be a great book for middle grade readers and definitely one that has to be in classrooms and libraries and is tons of wholesome fun!
February 4, 2023
Such a fun adventure in a mashup of text and line art similar in format to the Last Kids on Earth -- so if your kids like that series then this is the perfect next read for them. Main character Coop Cooperson is the only human at the Dungeoneer Academy, which means he has to work extra hard to prove he belongs there. The story starts out with an edge-of-your-seat scene and doesn't let off the gas from there as Coop and his friends are faced with one challenge after another. There's adventure, humor, and scares galore to keep kids up reading to see what happens!
October 11, 2023
I liked this this had illustrations on every page -- much needed for my middle-elementary aged kiddo who can listen to/read longer stories but still prefers pictures with books. There are also decent bullying and imposter syndrome storylines, which are great opportunities for conversation.
I personally didn't care for the main character going on (and on) about his crush on the girl on his team. I also had mixed feelings about the overall Indiana Jones vibes.
We will probably continue the series, fwiw!
I personally didn't care for the main character going on (and on) about his crush on the girl on his team. I also had mixed feelings about the overall Indiana Jones vibes.
We will probably continue the series, fwiw!
February 7, 2024
Coop Cooperson is the only human at the Dungeoneer Academy. That draws attention from the class bullies, making him feel very alone, especially since he comes from a huge family and has 14 brothers and sisters.
To be awarded the Junior Dungeoneer Badge, he has to get out of a secret location. The green team, Coop and three friends find themselves in all sorts of danger and must learn to work together to survive. How do they overcome all the monsters, traps and caves they find themselves in?
I enjoyed the excitement of the tests.
Recommended for readers aged eight years or older
To be awarded the Junior Dungeoneer Badge, he has to get out of a secret location. The green team, Coop and three friends find themselves in all sorts of danger and must learn to work together to survive. How do they overcome all the monsters, traps and caves they find themselves in?
I enjoyed the excitement of the tests.
Recommended for readers aged eight years or older
April 18, 2024
What do you do when you have an 8 year old obsessed with d&d, and reads all the time? You find a new series to read of course.
The book is great, with familiarity in the subject matter. Reads like a book for upper elementary kids, and is just a fun read.
I have a soft spot for bugbears, and the fact that one of the main characters is a bugbear makes it even better.
I can't wait to see what else the land of eem has to offer us.
The book is great, with familiarity in the subject matter. Reads like a book for upper elementary kids, and is just a fun read.
I have a soft spot for bugbears, and the fact that one of the main characters is a bugbear makes it even better.
I can't wait to see what else the land of eem has to offer us.
July 29, 2024
Not as funny as other books of this nature that I’ve read, but a better story overall. Nearing the end of the book, I promptly ordered the next book in the series, which I shall read shortly. I hope future books in the series get more into the Cataclysm and what caused it and all that. But I suspect it’s just a thing to quickly explain why the world is the way it is. We shall see.
January 7, 2025
3.5 ⭐ for a fun, middle grade, fantasy read! I loved all the interactive pages - leading it to morph into 1/2 traditional read and 1/2 graphic novel. Such a fun concept. My favorite part: The Tymbos. What great comedic relief; I laughed out loud several times at their "Yoda-like" speech patterns. The range of fantasy creatures was a blast.
October 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This was VERY fun! I think I would have just eaten this up as a kid—highly recommend for kiddos who are interested in adventuring and fantasy, and obviously if they’re curious about DnD then this is a no brainier! I loved the characters and the way they grew, I loved the foreshadowing and payoffs. The Mushrums were amazing. All of it was really really good!
This was VERY fun! I think I would have just eaten this up as a kid—highly recommend for kiddos who are interested in adventuring and fantasy, and obviously if they’re curious about DnD then this is a no brainier! I loved the characters and the way they grew, I loved the foreshadowing and payoffs. The Mushrums were amazing. All of it was really really good!
November 8, 2022
1/2 illustrations, 1/2 text. Familiar territory re: magical boarding school, author working out his imposter syndrome via his character. Some moments of charm but not enough.
https://twitter.com/towntaker/status/...
https://twitter.com/towntaker/status/...
September 16, 2022
100% recommend for older elementary and middle grade students
September 23, 2022
-not terrible!
-dnf because this was written for a younger audience but his crush played a big role and I was over it.
-dnf because this was written for a younger audience but his crush played a big role and I was over it.
May 19, 2023
Fun, illustrated adventure. My 9-year-old thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 5, 2023
Solid fantasy adventures story about the misfit Green Team and the final gauntlet of the school year. Kids will enjoy the occasional illustrations to help break up the text.
November 28, 2024
The world is very unique and the story has big twists.
December 7, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus or Netgalley
November 6, 2022
What I like about this book is the main character coop he really brings out the main parts. On chapter 5 I really got to really know his family. it feels like the last kids on earth show has come to life on a book even though it is already in a book i really liked it because now it inspired me to write a book to when i grow up. it is a feel good comedy like a full house and mystery with secrets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2023
Book project
10/10 would recommend
Very anticipating and interesting book with some good laughs, plot twists, & gut punchers, I you find good books during projects don't you?
10/10 would recommend
Very anticipating and interesting book with some good laughs, plot twists, & gut punchers, I you find good books during projects don't you?
August 4, 2023
Love the librarian. They need a bigger part, hopefully in the next book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews