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Dungeon Heart #3
Dungeon Heart: Hell Gate
Hell hath come and the horde rides in its shadow!
In the high stakes world of dungeon keeping, the price of success is the avarice of your peers. Smit has defeated those who would take over his home, and all he wants is a bit of peace and quiet with his family. But alas, fate has other plans in store. A demonic lord from the deepest pits of the underworld is ready to unleash every corrupted spirit and demon at her disposal to capture him.
Forced to fight an ancient entity that weaves plans within plans, Smit will have to use all his inventiveness and cunning to lure the demonic horde into a trap. By pushing himself to his core's limit, he might convince others this rock is too tough to crack, but if he fails, an eternity of darkness and servitude awaits.
In the high stakes world of dungeon keeping, the price of success is the avarice of your peers. Smit has defeated those who would take over his home, and all he wants is a bit of peace and quiet with his family. But alas, fate has other plans in store. A demonic lord from the deepest pits of the underworld is ready to unleash every corrupted spirit and demon at her disposal to capture him.
Forced to fight an ancient entity that weaves plans within plans, Smit will have to use all his inventiveness and cunning to lure the demonic horde into a trap. By pushing himself to his core's limit, he might convince others this rock is too tough to crack, but if he fails, an eternity of darkness and servitude awaits.
- GenresFantasy
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2022
116 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 12, 2022
This 3rd book in the series is full of heart stopping moments as we see Smit, our dungeon doing his utmost to build more floors to his dungeon just to have them all threatened by a horde of demons bent on stealing his core. As usual Smit though no longer a dwarf still retained his great craftsmanship and went all out to embellish and beautify the new floors which he added on to create the elusive forest and the grand waterfall. He was expecting more adventurers and knew that the King himself might visit but when the demon threat turned up out of the blue, he and the King formed an alliance and worked to protect the citizens of Nam, whose village due to its proximity to the dungeon, was also in danger. The demon Lord Bahumaz wanted the dungeon heart and at first sent the necromancer known as Klax with his horde of undead to attack the dungeon but when these were overpowered she sent her best commander and many demons who were creatures of deceit and chaos to wreck havoc on Smit. He in turn had gone to great lengths to strengthen his four children, crafting magically infused armour pieces to protect them as best he could but would all their efforts be enough to save him from falling to the clutches of the demon lord? I am so in love with Smit and his wonderful creations especially Arturus who I really like as he is strong but gentle and caring. I also love the way all of them would do anything for their beloved father and the family. I cannot wait to read book 4 to see how the new element which was introduced will take the tale to another level as I am sure it will.
February 8, 2022
Decent, but drifting away from Dungeon Core
The book was decent, but not a single dungeon dive in the entire book. Instead there were several big life or death battles. More kingdom involvement, gods, demons, and all that. I was looking for more dungeon + adventurer development, and it was sadly lacking. It wasn't terrible, I still like many of the characters, but I'm also not sure how much I will continue with this series.
The book was decent, but not a single dungeon dive in the entire book. Instead there were several big life or death battles. More kingdom involvement, gods, demons, and all that. I was looking for more dungeon + adventurer development, and it was sadly lacking. It wasn't terrible, I still like many of the characters, but I'm also not sure how much I will continue with this series.
February 10, 2022
Where this story really comes alive is the sheer artistry and details behind the design of the levels, creatures, and items that Smit creates. Book 1 did this incredibly well, book 2 didn't do this at all, and now on book 3, it was brought back but never actually became plot-relevant.
The dungeon levels that were created in this book have stunning visuals and great details that make the areas feel real, but then they weren't used a single time in the whole book. No one delved into the new floors and the new monsters were only useful for a single paragraph in the whole book. The lack of people delving into the dungeon was sorely missed.
That being said, the pacing was still great with exciting attacks on the dungeon and good fights, even if they weren't the traditional adventures-exploring-a-dungeon type of fights. The length of the book was also very good and further reaffirms my belief that books 1 and 2 should have been combined into one.
The ending was kind of meh though. Smit ended up turning on his convictions that had been a defining characteristic for the last 3 books which undermined a lot of what had been built up. To top it off, he only did so for a completely avoidable reason that relied on sheer stupidity from people acting out of character and dropping their guard for no other reason than the plot demanded they do so.
The dungeon levels that were created in this book have stunning visuals and great details that make the areas feel real, but then they weren't used a single time in the whole book. No one delved into the new floors and the new monsters were only useful for a single paragraph in the whole book. The lack of people delving into the dungeon was sorely missed.
That being said, the pacing was still great with exciting attacks on the dungeon and good fights, even if they weren't the traditional adventures-exploring-a-dungeon type of fights. The length of the book was also very good and further reaffirms my belief that books 1 and 2 should have been combined into one.
The ending was kind of meh though. Smit ended up turning on his convictions that had been a defining characteristic for the last 3 books which undermined a lot of what had been built up. To top it off, he only did so for a completely avoidable reason that relied on sheer stupidity from people acting out of character and dropping their guard for no other reason than the plot demanded they do so.
September 13, 2022
Loved it
Great series can't wait for the forth one. An amazing litrpg that really captivated me and was easy to follow.
Great series can't wait for the forth one. An amazing litrpg that really captivated me and was easy to follow.
March 9, 2022
fun
Evil has found Smit and his dungeon and are set on conquering him. He and the village fight off the initial assault, but learn worse is coming. So Smit makes a deal with the neighbors to work together to survive and be free. When the next wave comes, the battle is epic and Smit and family barely win.
A great continuation of the saga. The pace is steady, the world interesting, the editing fairly good, and it was overall an enjoyable experience. I look forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out. Enjoy
Evil has found Smit and his dungeon and are set on conquering him. He and the village fight off the initial assault, but learn worse is coming. So Smit makes a deal with the neighbors to work together to survive and be free. When the next wave comes, the battle is epic and Smit and family barely win.
A great continuation of the saga. The pace is steady, the world interesting, the editing fairly good, and it was overall an enjoyable experience. I look forward to reading the rest of the series when it comes out. Enjoy
February 13, 2022
Difficult to Put Down
This book continues in the same vein as the previous two books in the series. If you liked them you will enjoy this next installment. Smit continues to flourish and attracts the attention of a powerful demon who is set on conquering him. Too many enemy troops, not enough allied ones and the stage is set for a confrontation that will leave you biting your nails.
Highly recommended.
This book continues in the same vein as the previous two books in the series. If you liked them you will enjoy this next installment. Smit continues to flourish and attracts the attention of a powerful demon who is set on conquering him. Too many enemy troops, not enough allied ones and the stage is set for a confrontation that will leave you biting your nails.
Highly recommended.
March 13, 2022
Another excellent instalment in a superb series
The journey continues, with more enemies seeking to challenger and control.. Can they stand together and survive.. The only chance they have is to grow stronger! A dungeon core book with action, strategy and hints about what is t come.
I had to ration myself reading this as I didn't want it to end, once again another worthy read.
The journey continues, with more enemies seeking to challenger and control.. Can they stand together and survive.. The only chance they have is to grow stronger! A dungeon core book with action, strategy and hints about what is t come.
I had to ration myself reading this as I didn't want it to end, once again another worthy read.
March 27, 2022
A Denouement Implies A Future Trilogy, Or Series.
Smit's Dungeon must repel the most dangerous band of invaders it has yet faced -- a horde of demons.
This novel, and the trilogy of which it is a part, may be of interest to fans of the wider Fantasy genre and to those who enjoy playing RPGs.
Smit's Dungeon must repel the most dangerous band of invaders it has yet faced -- a horde of demons.
This novel, and the trilogy of which it is a part, may be of interest to fans of the wider Fantasy genre and to those who enjoy playing RPGs.
February 8, 2022
Good solid book
Really enjoyed the 3 books , looking forward to the next, only real issue is would love to see more blacksmithing , the story is great but the Smith is what caused my interest in the book in first place
Really enjoyed the 3 books , looking forward to the next, only real issue is would love to see more blacksmithing , the story is great but the Smith is what caused my interest in the book in first place
February 8, 2022
Glad I stuck with it
This was a fantastic book. At the halfway mark I would have called it a short but excellent book but then David doubled down.
I STRONGLY contemplated dropping the series due to my disappointment in the last book but I'm so happy I stuck with it.
This was a fantastic book. At the halfway mark I would have called it a short but excellent book but then David doubled down.
I STRONGLY contemplated dropping the series due to my disappointment in the last book but I'm so happy I stuck with it.
February 11, 2022
Not sure
I don't know book one was great but books two and three were okay but really didn't hold my attention like book one. Not sure if I will get book four. But make up your own mind
I don't know book one was great but books two and three were okay but really didn't hold my attention like book one. Not sure if I will get book four. But make up your own mind
March 27, 2022
Good ending!
Lots of great action, characters were developed a little more and a decent finish. But come on, there needs to be a fourth book to finish up. Of course, in real life, there is rarely an "and they all lived happily ever after" finish.
Lots of great action, characters were developed a little more and a decent finish. But come on, there needs to be a fourth book to finish up. Of course, in real life, there is rarely an "and they all lived happily ever after" finish.
February 12, 2022
thanks
Thanks that’s was an entertaining read. The best of this gender for me so far. Keep no !!!!
Good luck
Thanks that’s was an entertaining read. The best of this gender for me so far. Keep no !!!!
Good luck
Read
February 19, 2022Great book
Stellar work once again from David Sanchez-Ponton! Lots of action and adventure, dungeon building and demons. Looking forward to the next one!
Stellar work once again from David Sanchez-Ponton! Lots of action and adventure, dungeon building and demons. Looking forward to the next one!
February 28, 2022
This is a good wrap up.
But it says the stage for more. Whether it's not that is coming, I have no idea. All in all, a good series.
But it says the stage for more. Whether it's not that is coming, I have no idea. All in all, a good series.
March 24, 2022
amazing
this was a great book, hopefully there will be more to come. 10 of 10 cannot recomend enough. fantastic dungeon core adventure.
this was a great book, hopefully there will be more to come. 10 of 10 cannot recomend enough. fantastic dungeon core adventure.
March 29, 2022
Really picking up steam now
It's fairly clear we are really starting to get into the thick of Smith's story now, though hopefully soon he will be able to use his new body as well as his original and start crafting once more. This book was simply full of battle and conflict, while involving a little political intrigue and emotional evolution.
It's fairly clear we are really starting to get into the thick of Smith's story now, though hopefully soon he will be able to use his new body as well as his original and start crafting once more. This book was simply full of battle and conflict, while involving a little political intrigue and emotional evolution.
January 27, 2023
Awesome reading
Once again I was enthralled. I dont usually read this kind of book but the style of writing and way details are explained mean I'm able to follow Smit and his family without feeling bogged down. The supporting characters are likeable and the world outside the dungeon developing well. I definitely recommend this book.
Once again I was enthralled. I dont usually read this kind of book but the style of writing and way details are explained mean I'm able to follow Smit and his family without feeling bogged down. The supporting characters are likeable and the world outside the dungeon developing well. I definitely recommend this book.
August 24, 2023
Good story, but alot of words
Someone else had said it, and I agree, the story is good, but certain parts just feel longer then they should be. I skipped over those chunks to get to the meat of the story.
Someone else had said it, and I agree, the story is good, but certain parts just feel longer then they should be. I skipped over those chunks to get to the meat of the story.
March 16, 2023
Good story, I found the book short. At only 12~ hours, I was hoping more focus on dungeon and character development.
March 21, 2023
Omg
Ooo my god. This book was so awesome. I can't wait to read the next book. This author is so awesome.
Ooo my god. This book was so awesome. I can't wait to read the next book. This author is so awesome.
March 11, 2024
Another fun entry in the series.
June 12, 2024
She's still a slow book but I still love her like a favorite pet turtle. Still well written and enjoyable
February 21, 2022
Excellent addition to the series! I was glad to see so much really cool expansion within the dungeon though the emphasis was plot. The story was very interesting and it set up cool things for future books. I wish there was some more dungeon diving with all of the evolution that the dungeon experienced. The end battle was really cool but events unraveled in a way to force the series in a certain direction which felt a little jarring. I’m still very excited to see what is next.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews