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Holiday Dungeon Core #2
Valentine Core
Elmer Robbins was turned into a Dungeon Core after an untimely death back on Earth, and he had a heck of time learning how to survive in the new, strange world of Bershia. However, by adopting “Holidays” as a theme and creating the first few rooms of his dungeon focused on Christmas, he learned how to protect his Core from being destroyed by Adventurers.
While Elmer was steadily increasing his Core Level – the eventual goal of which was to break down the barrier in his Core separating him from the soul of his wife, Mary – there is trouble brewing in his dungeon. When a high-Level group of Adventurers arrive and obliterate all of his Christmas-based defenses, they leave with a warning for the dungeon to make their next visit in 30 days more interesting.
Having decorated for many of the major holidays back on Earth, Elmer knows exactly what his new – and hopefully interesting – dungeon section needs to be: St. Valentine’s Day. Now, all he needs to do is figure out how to translate a holiday based on love and friendship into defenses designed to kill Adventurers….
While Elmer was steadily increasing his Core Level – the eventual goal of which was to break down the barrier in his Core separating him from the soul of his wife, Mary – there is trouble brewing in his dungeon. When a high-Level group of Adventurers arrive and obliterate all of his Christmas-based defenses, they leave with a warning for the dungeon to make their next visit in 30 days more interesting.
Having decorated for many of the major holidays back on Earth, Elmer knows exactly what his new – and hopefully interesting – dungeon section needs to be: St. Valentine’s Day. Now, all he needs to do is figure out how to translate a holiday based on love and friendship into defenses designed to kill Adventurers….
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2022
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
94 books514 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 9, 2022
Novella two
I'm not much of a Valentine's fan, however this was pretty good. I enjoyed the high-powered group going through the dungeon.
6/10 Toodles!
I'm not much of a Valentine's fan, however this was pretty good. I enjoyed the high-powered group going through the dungeon.
6/10 Toodles!
February 14, 2022
Elmer has survived the first attempt to destroy his core. Everything seems to be going well until a high level group arrives. They enjoy their run and give him an ultimatum: keep it up and impress us. You have 30 days. Don’t waste my time. With this in mind, Elmer is ready for to expand. Continuing along his Holiday theme, he starts to create a Valentines theme for his next section. Hopefully, he can pull it off.
I’m really enjoying this series! It was been made even better by celebrating the actual holiday while reading along. These are shorter novellas, but that makes them perfect to read a day or two before the holiday. I’m really looking forward to the next holiday!
Content warning: one fade to black scene
I’m really enjoying this series! It was been made even better by celebrating the actual holiday while reading along. These are shorter novellas, but that makes them perfect to read a day or two before the holiday. I’m really looking forward to the next holiday!
Content warning: one fade to black scene
April 28, 2025
Valentine Core continues the charm and creativity of the Holiday Dungeon Core series in a really fun way. It builds nicely off the first book, keeping the same lovable tone while adding new twists that fit the Valentine’s Day theme perfectly.
The main character remains a highlight—heartfelt, genuine, and easy to root for. The dungeon-core elements are handled well, and the overall vibe is a nice balance between cozy and adventurous. Like the first book, the writing is decent—not the most polished, but it gets the job done without getting in the way of the story’s heart.
If you liked Christmas Core, you’ll definitely enjoy this next chapter. It’s light, imaginative, and full of good feelings without being overly cheesy.
The main character remains a highlight—heartfelt, genuine, and easy to root for. The dungeon-core elements are handled well, and the overall vibe is a nice balance between cozy and adventurous. Like the first book, the writing is decent—not the most polished, but it gets the job done without getting in the way of the story’s heart.
If you liked Christmas Core, you’ll definitely enjoy this next chapter. It’s light, imaginative, and full of good feelings without being overly cheesy.
February 21, 2023
I am new to litRPG but I fell hard for them. I was so dang excited to find these holiday (specifically Christmas) core stories! I loved the first one- Elmer is so sweet and adorable. After that one, though, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a valentines themed story or dungeon for that matter.
I was pleasantly surprised! Elmer has managed to make a very unique dungeon that’s bringing in adventures from all over and when he introduces the valentines challenges and minions i got a good laugh and even gasped a few times at the brutality of the traps. Love kills! Looking forward to Easter core!!
I was pleasantly surprised! Elmer has managed to make a very unique dungeon that’s bringing in adventures from all over and when he introduces the valentines challenges and minions i got a good laugh and even gasped a few times at the brutality of the traps. Love kills! Looking forward to Easter core!!
February 24, 2022
fun
The story is a fun light hundred wrong that is of interesting mash up of the dungeon cord genre and the Valentine‘s holiday. It explores a little bit about the Traditions surrounding the holiday and what it means to experience it at different age ranges.
It’s a fun read. It’s pretty fast and easy. What’s new are introductions of traps and puzzles. Sadly Cupid does not make an appearance. I hope you enjoy this book; I truly did.
The story is a fun light hundred wrong that is of interesting mash up of the dungeon cord genre and the Valentine‘s holiday. It explores a little bit about the Traditions surrounding the holiday and what it means to experience it at different age ranges.
It’s a fun read. It’s pretty fast and easy. What’s new are introductions of traps and puzzles. Sadly Cupid does not make an appearance. I hope you enjoy this book; I truly did.
March 20, 2022
Not A Typical Romance Novella.
Elmer expands his dungeon with the addition of a Valentine's Day wing. Several couples, a triad, and a group do discover their romantic interest in one another via their adventure through the Valentine's Day section of the Holiday Dungeon.
This novella may appeal to fans of the wider Fantasy genre and to some fans of the Romance genre; as well as to those who enjoy playing RPGs.
Elmer expands his dungeon with the addition of a Valentine's Day wing. Several couples, a triad, and a group do discover their romantic interest in one another via their adventure through the Valentine's Day section of the Holiday Dungeon.
This novella may appeal to fans of the wider Fantasy genre and to some fans of the Romance genre; as well as to those who enjoy playing RPGs.
May 4, 2026
Elmer has 30 days to improve his Dungeon - a party of high-level (and very picky!) Adventurers have promised to return.
This time around he goes for a twisted Valentines theme, not necessarily more deadly, but far more fun.
In a lot of ways “Valentine Core” is a re-working of “Christmas Core” but it is nicely done.
The subplot concerning how Elmer will, hopefully, eventually re-unite with his late wife Mary doesn't advance but continues to add a level of interest.
3 Stars.
This time around he goes for a twisted Valentines theme, not necessarily more deadly, but far more fun.
In a lot of ways “Valentine Core” is a re-working of “Christmas Core” but it is nicely done.
The subplot concerning how Elmer will, hopefully, eventually re-unite with his late wife Mary doesn't advance but continues to add a level of interest.
3 Stars.
September 26, 2025
sure entertaining for a 164pg novella, Elmer makes 4 more dungeon rooms based on valentines to hopefully kill more adventures to gain life force to continue to upgrade his dungeon in order to save his wife's soul. well let's just say you need to get to the end for the super gritty scene caused by Maron and his adventuring team in the Cupid room. haha
February 15, 2022
a great sequel short story
Great followup and great theme swivel adding without torching the christmas theme. Excited to see this continue! I love brooks’s books definitely worth it
Great followup and great theme swivel adding without torching the christmas theme. Excited to see this continue! I love brooks’s books definitely worth it
February 17, 2022
Loving the theme.
Valentines day was a great follow up to Christmas.
The books are a fun lighthearted quick read.
I am looking forward to seeing how the main group advances with the new Sub-classes and to the Easter rooms.
Valentines day was a great follow up to Christmas.
The books are a fun lighthearted quick read.
I am looking forward to seeing how the main group advances with the new Sub-classes and to the Easter rooms.
February 28, 2022
another enjoyable story
It was and interesting view of Valentine’s Day. It shows that love it in the air, even thought my favorite part is the historical, but that does not interest most people.
It was and interesting view of Valentine’s Day. It shows that love it in the air, even thought my favorite part is the historical, but that does not interest most people.
April 7, 2022
Review for both Christmas Core and Valentine Core as they are pretty much the same continuing story:
The first 'dungeon core' books I've read that I would describe as 'charming'. Weird, I know. But yeah - looking forward to number 3.
The first 'dungeon core' books I've read that I would describe as 'charming'. Weird, I know. But yeah - looking forward to number 3.
April 14, 2022
Excellent read
Though I'm 55 and our paste wasn't yellow, it was white and smelled of peppermint! Other than that the boss was a interesting surprise, was expecting Eros or Aphrodite tbh.
Though I'm 55 and our paste wasn't yellow, it was white and smelled of peppermint! Other than that the boss was a interesting surprise, was expecting Eros or Aphrodite tbh.
April 22, 2023
After reading about Elmer and the Christmas Core I was worried that Valentine's Day couldn't provide as enjoyable a story since the holiday offers a lot less options to work with. I didn't need to worry, Jonathan Brooks brings the fun and occasional violence as he crafts a tale around the rooms that represent Valentine's Day.
It is interesting how he is able to create rooms that follow his life from his first schoolboy crush to finding his soul mate and beyond. I also liked the idea that the different level players react differently to his core chambers. The lower level players "farming" the areas they know they can handle to the higher level players and their ultimatum to make things more interesting.
This is obviously the second book in the series since the Christmas rooms are mentioned a few times. But, the only mention of the next holiday is in the last couple of pages.
It is interesting how he is able to create rooms that follow his life from his first schoolboy crush to finding his soul mate and beyond. I also liked the idea that the different level players react differently to his core chambers. The lower level players "farming" the areas they know they can handle to the higher level players and their ultimatum to make things more interesting.
This is obviously the second book in the series since the Christmas rooms are mentioned a few times. But, the only mention of the next holiday is in the last couple of pages.
February 27, 2022
A short read, but lots of fun. It's always interesting to see what unusual traps and mobs Mr Brooks comes up with.
March 5, 2022
Even better than the first novella!
May 16, 2022
Short but sweet
Another good book in the series. I enjoyed the theme and the interesting way a valentine themed dungeon could be implemented.
Another good book in the series. I enjoyed the theme and the interesting way a valentine themed dungeon could be implemented.
October 12, 2022
Fun series!
This is a fun and interesting series. Can't wait to get to the rest of the holidays. Absolutely enjoying this one.
This is a fun and interesting series. Can't wait to get to the rest of the holidays. Absolutely enjoying this one.
October 14, 2022
Omg
Omg this book was really good.I can't wait to read more from this author.This series looks so great.The author is really good.
Omg this book was really good.I can't wait to read more from this author.This series looks so great.The author is really good.
November 1, 2022
Power balance issues.
Not enough to knock it down to a three, but it does keep it from a five. This is a matter of theme out weighing content.
Not enough to knock it down to a three, but it does keep it from a five. This is a matter of theme out weighing content.
December 23, 2022
Fun Read
I like the unique connections between the holiday and the obstacles created. I also enjoy reading about favorite adventurers who keep returning.
I like the unique connections between the holiday and the obstacles created. I also enjoy reading about favorite adventurers who keep returning.
January 1, 2024
Really enjoying this series. On to #3.
November 23, 2025
Valentine Core is the second in the Holiday Dungeon Core series by Jonathan Brooks. I enjoyed this one a little more than the first, probably more like 3.5 stars. I liked how we get some background from Elmer's past and also what the holiday means to him. The puzzles and traps Elmer created were interesting and creative interpretations of the theme. The final run through by the high level group was quite entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews