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Dungeon Man Sam #1
Dungeon Man Sam and the Orphaned Core
Samuel Tolliver holds a deep and abiding hatred for Dungeons. For years he's been working and scheming to rid them from existence, and now he’s got a plan to do it.
But there's a problem; Dungeons form the backbone of national economies and their construction is big business in this world. It doesn’t help that Sam’s father runs one of the world’s premier dungeon construction companies, or that Sam works for the family business.
And when a series of disastrous events culminate in the death of Sam and everyone he knows, it seemed that all was lost. Until a voice came to him, offering a deal he could not refuse.
Now Dungeon Man Sam has returned to life as the guardian for a strange new dungeon core. To save himself and his family, Sam must construct a dungeon like the world has never seen and defend it against all comers, be they monstrous or adventurous.
If he succeeds, he'll see his family once more. If he fails, oblivion awaits.
And somewhere, beyond his awareness, something ancient and terrible stirs and takes notice.
Dungeon Man Sam is a slow-burn character-focused dungeon-building litRPG novel with a unique leveling system and elements of crafting and real time strategy.
But there's a problem; Dungeons form the backbone of national economies and their construction is big business in this world. It doesn’t help that Sam’s father runs one of the world’s premier dungeon construction companies, or that Sam works for the family business.
And when a series of disastrous events culminate in the death of Sam and everyone he knows, it seemed that all was lost. Until a voice came to him, offering a deal he could not refuse.
Now Dungeon Man Sam has returned to life as the guardian for a strange new dungeon core. To save himself and his family, Sam must construct a dungeon like the world has never seen and defend it against all comers, be they monstrous or adventurous.
If he succeeds, he'll see his family once more. If he fails, oblivion awaits.
And somewhere, beyond his awareness, something ancient and terrible stirs and takes notice.
Dungeon Man Sam is a slow-burn character-focused dungeon-building litRPG novel with a unique leveling system and elements of crafting and real time strategy.
- GenresFantasy
521 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2022
33 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 26, 2022
I really wanted to like this book.
But it was just too much. The first fifth is fine as long as you accept that the MC is fundamentally broken. The next fifth is the dungeon set up where nothing is done. The next fifth acknowledges all the problems up to this point. The rest is completely railroaded. The setting is great, the style of writing has a perfect simplicity. The characters are lacking and feel as if they have no agency. The storyline is forced. I sincerely hope the author takes this as a learning experience and keeps putting out more work.
But it was just too much. The first fifth is fine as long as you accept that the MC is fundamentally broken. The next fifth is the dungeon set up where nothing is done. The next fifth acknowledges all the problems up to this point. The rest is completely railroaded. The setting is great, the style of writing has a perfect simplicity. The characters are lacking and feel as if they have no agency. The storyline is forced. I sincerely hope the author takes this as a learning experience and keeps putting out more work.
June 17, 2022
Reading this for SPFBO again, this is only my personal opinion, team review might be quite different!
3,5*
Overall I quite enjoyed this humourous dungeon core story.The main character is not the stereotypical one for this sort of story, as he doesn't set out to build a dungeon, but to destroy the whole dungeon "industry"! He is a tinkerer and a thinker, and a good and loyal friend.
While it all is just a bit too easy and juvenile at times, I did enjoy the very quirky "secrefairy" as much as the powerless shadow of a lich king that gets trapped with them. I liked the banter and while it at times also made me groan, like a dad joke, I was mostly well entertained. They could benefit from a little bit more depth, but even as it is, they were what kept me hooked to the story.
Especially near the end everything seems to be not just overpowered, which I'm used to from LitRPG, but just way over the top. Yes there was quite some leveling and great new abilities, but what was an insurmountable danger, is suddenly gone with two strikes to get on to bigger and even more exciting battles, didn't heighten the suspense for me. Instead it made me care less for the battles, as I was just wondering what (seemingly) previously impossible thing would happen next.
3,5*
Overall I quite enjoyed this humourous dungeon core story.The main character is not the stereotypical one for this sort of story, as he doesn't set out to build a dungeon, but to destroy the whole dungeon "industry"! He is a tinkerer and a thinker, and a good and loyal friend.
While it all is just a bit too easy and juvenile at times, I did enjoy the very quirky "secrefairy" as much as the powerless shadow of a lich king that gets trapped with them. I liked the banter and while it at times also made me groan, like a dad joke, I was mostly well entertained. They could benefit from a little bit more depth, but even as it is, they were what kept me hooked to the story.
Especially near the end everything seems to be not just overpowered, which I'm used to from LitRPG, but just way over the top. Yes there was quite some leveling and great new abilities, but what was an insurmountable danger, is suddenly gone with two strikes to get on to bigger and even more exciting battles, didn't heighten the suspense for me. Instead it made me care less for the battles, as I was just wondering what (seemingly) previously impossible thing would happen next.
May 24, 2022
It was okay
The book had a good system and plot, and the side characters were likeable, but the MC was were I had problems. He constantly makes mistakes that should show everyone around him that he can't do it, but they keep following him and allowing him to do what he wants. Some of the plot with him seems forced because his personality shifts so much for key moments so that the story continues how the author wanted it to, even if the MC most of the time wouldn't have made that decision.
The book had a good system and plot, and the side characters were likeable, but the MC was were I had problems. He constantly makes mistakes that should show everyone around him that he can't do it, but they keep following him and allowing him to do what he wants. Some of the plot with him seems forced because his personality shifts so much for key moments so that the story continues how the author wanted it to, even if the MC most of the time wouldn't have made that decision.
May 29, 2022
What a worthless MC. Hard to enjoy a story with the terrible characteristics displayed so prominently. What a waste of money.
dnf-did-not-finish
September 12, 2023Every time I see the name of this book I thought of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and stayed away.
A friend convinced me to read this and I hope it's good.
I got six chapters in and just can't continue. Maybe I'm not in the right place (mentally), but the protagonist is annoying, the undead ruler is annoying, the fairy is annoying, and the protag behaved stupidly. He could have sent a message to his mom instead of trying to storm off.
His mom likes the Kobolds and would have gone to help. I don't want to read such a stupid protagonist.
Did Not Finish
A friend convinced me to read this and I hope it's good.
I got six chapters in and just can't continue. Maybe I'm not in the right place (mentally), but the protagonist is annoying, the undead ruler is annoying, the fairy is annoying, and the protag behaved stupidly. He could have sent a message to his mom instead of trying to storm off.
His mom likes the Kobolds and would have gone to help. I don't want to read such a stupid protagonist.
Did Not Finish
January 9, 2023
KU Review
Really interesting storyline. Non-typical dungeon core story with great character development. But the flavor text definitely has you thinking something else entirely is going on.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
Really interesting storyline. Non-typical dungeon core story with great character development. But the flavor text definitely has you thinking something else entirely is going on.
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis.
April 12, 2023
Unexpectedly good
It was a great read . Easy to read and captivating and fun , different and it just kept me wanting to read it and lose sleep. I promised I would read to a certain point and stop and then I would say just a little more and then before I knew it , finished the book . I recommend it and you'll enjoy it yourself, fluid read and fun.
It was a great read . Easy to read and captivating and fun , different and it just kept me wanting to read it and lose sleep. I promised I would read to a certain point and stop and then I would say just a little more and then before I knew it , finished the book . I recommend it and you'll enjoy it yourself, fluid read and fun.
June 7, 2022
Wow! Unexpected.
Very well crafted and intriguing.I love how the world of the book has been set up. Excellent pacing and characterization. I blame the author for my lack of sleep last night. I definitely look forward to more.
Very well crafted and intriguing.I love how the world of the book has been set up. Excellent pacing and characterization. I blame the author for my lack of sleep last night. I definitely look forward to more.
October 16, 2022
Great
I loved everything about this book.
It was well written, had a plot and characters I liked, and I honestly have little to no complaints. Well done, 5/5 and highly recommend!
I loved everything about this book.
It was well written, had a plot and characters I liked, and I honestly have little to no complaints. Well done, 5/5 and highly recommend!
June 21, 2023
Story starts out with a 19 year old who isn't very bright and still lives with his parents. My interest quickly waned.
July 31, 2023
Not just can't put down good
Not just can't put down good it's if you try to read during your lunch break you better set a timer good
Not just can't put down good it's if you try to read during your lunch break you better set a timer good
Read
April 19, 2024Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who likes LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
July 1, 2024
He got most of the words right.
(Jk Ben-boo ily)
(Jk Ben-boo ily)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews