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Dungeon Devotee #1
Into the Darkness
Through all of Linaria, no dungeon holds such a grip on the dreams of men as the Eternal Depths. Hundreds throw themselves against its trials each day. Dozens survive, walking away with power and wealth beyond their wildest dreams… until they go back for more. One way or another, they all eventually feed the Depths.
Edmund Montgomery Ahab has sworn to destroy it.
Underleveled, undertrained, and underprepared, Edmund steps into the maw of the world’s greatest predator, a sword in his hand and vengeance on his mind. At first his task seems impossible, but with every level he earns, every piece of loot that drops, every secret he uncovers, and especially every bit of power he can squeeze from his mysterious connection to the Aspect of Madness, Edmund crawls closer to accomplishing that insurmountable feat.
With nothing else to lose, Edmund has already given the Depths his life. All that remains to be seen is whether he takes the dungeon’s right back.
Edmund Montgomery Ahab has sworn to destroy it.
Underleveled, undertrained, and underprepared, Edmund steps into the maw of the world’s greatest predator, a sword in his hand and vengeance on his mind. At first his task seems impossible, but with every level he earns, every piece of loot that drops, every secret he uncovers, and especially every bit of power he can squeeze from his mysterious connection to the Aspect of Madness, Edmund crawls closer to accomplishing that insurmountable feat.
With nothing else to lose, Edmund has already given the Depths his life. All that remains to be seen is whether he takes the dungeon’s right back.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2022
61 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 30, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author.
Edmund Montgomery Ahab is a kid who enters a dungeon. I don't recall being told what world this is on and I suppose it doesn't matter. It seemed that Edmund was being forced to enter the dungeon, but later on in the book it seems that he entered of his own volition. The city (which city? Again, doesn't matter) forces the poor into the dungeon to feed it.
Edmund enters with twenty other kids. He meets Liam and they get along. Then the rats come, and the only person still breathing is Edmund. Instead of heading to level two like anyone else in his position would, he sticks around and practices killing the rats as new ones come to life. He does this for two solid weeks before leaving for the second level.
There are some good points in this book. I especially liked the dungeon accords, which specify what can happen and on what levels. For example, there can't be any invisible traps from levels one to twenty, but that doesn't mean the dungeon can't obscure them. Edmund becomes fanatical about rooting out the traps, along with the secrets in the dungeon.
His companion is Liam. Not the original kid who died, but a spirit of some kind from the dungeon. This has the effect of adding lots of dialogue which wouldn't have been present otherwise.
There weren't any parts of the book I didn't like, but there were parts I didn't understand because they were never explained. Such as the twenty-seven aspects. At the end of each level the delver can pick an aspect. Are there always twenty-seven aspects? Are the individualized to a person? I have no idea, and it's never explained.
As with all dungeon delving books, the main character can't die until the end of the series if then. Despite this, the author does a good job of maintaining tension. Some of the levels are fairly devious. I think my favorite was the crystal shard level.
All in all, this is a straightforward dungeon diving book with some nice twists and a main character that is obsessed with killing the dungeon itself. Edmund does meet other people along the way, but never for very long.
A solid book with above average editing and frequent skill (aspect) gains. 5/5*
Edmund Montgomery Ahab is a kid who enters a dungeon. I don't recall being told what world this is on and I suppose it doesn't matter. It seemed that Edmund was being forced to enter the dungeon, but later on in the book it seems that he entered of his own volition. The city (which city? Again, doesn't matter) forces the poor into the dungeon to feed it.
Edmund enters with twenty other kids. He meets Liam and they get along. Then the rats come, and the only person still breathing is Edmund. Instead of heading to level two like anyone else in his position would, he sticks around and practices killing the rats as new ones come to life. He does this for two solid weeks before leaving for the second level.
There are some good points in this book. I especially liked the dungeon accords, which specify what can happen and on what levels. For example, there can't be any invisible traps from levels one to twenty, but that doesn't mean the dungeon can't obscure them. Edmund becomes fanatical about rooting out the traps, along with the secrets in the dungeon.
His companion is Liam. Not the original kid who died, but a spirit of some kind from the dungeon. This has the effect of adding lots of dialogue which wouldn't have been present otherwise.
There weren't any parts of the book I didn't like, but there were parts I didn't understand because they were never explained. Such as the twenty-seven aspects. At the end of each level the delver can pick an aspect. Are there always twenty-seven aspects? Are the individualized to a person? I have no idea, and it's never explained.
As with all dungeon delving books, the main character can't die until the end of the series if then. Despite this, the author does a good job of maintaining tension. Some of the levels are fairly devious. I think my favorite was the crystal shard level.
All in all, this is a straightforward dungeon diving book with some nice twists and a main character that is obsessed with killing the dungeon itself. Edmund does meet other people along the way, but never for very long.
A solid book with above average editing and frequent skill (aspect) gains. 5/5*
January 2, 2023
Excellent
Admittedly, I write this with numb, unmoving, legs as I sit upon the porcelain throne at work. I've been in here too long, I don't know if I can get up, I'll have to call my boss for help. This book is so good I'm probably going to get a write up for this!
Admittedly, I write this with numb, unmoving, legs as I sit upon the porcelain throne at work. I've been in here too long, I don't know if I can get up, I'll have to call my boss for help. This book is so good I'm probably going to get a write up for this!
July 5, 2023
Edmund enters the most famous dungeon of all, the Eternal Depths, with one thing on his mind: vengeance. People flock to the dungeon for wealth and fame, but the vast majority of them die - and their deaths feed the dungeon.
Edmund isn't particularly strong or intelligent, but he has rock solid determination. Nothing is going to stop him from achieving his goal. He has a plan, and uses the various dungeon levels to train himself. He also chooses a rare path to power: Madness.
The dungeon, and the different paths, were intriguing. I liked how clever, and tricky, some of the dungeon levels were. Many of the creatures grabbed my attention, especially the blue fox. I can't wait to find out what it's up to.
Edmund was a bit dour, frankly. But Liam's humor and mischief was a good balance. I'm also eager to see what happens with a few of the other characters, but I don't want to spoil anything by naming them.
There is a lot here that I haven't seen in other books of this type. The world building is wonderful. I only wish there was a little more humor to balance the bleakness. And Edmund can get a bit too methodical in his explorations, but you can take that with a grain of salt. That methodical approach has reaped many benefits for him.
I will be continuing the series as soon as the next book comes out.
Edmund isn't particularly strong or intelligent, but he has rock solid determination. Nothing is going to stop him from achieving his goal. He has a plan, and uses the various dungeon levels to train himself. He also chooses a rare path to power: Madness.
The dungeon, and the different paths, were intriguing. I liked how clever, and tricky, some of the dungeon levels were. Many of the creatures grabbed my attention, especially the blue fox. I can't wait to find out what it's up to.
Edmund was a bit dour, frankly. But Liam's humor and mischief was a good balance. I'm also eager to see what happens with a few of the other characters, but I don't want to spoil anything by naming them.
There is a lot here that I haven't seen in other books of this type. The world building is wonderful. I only wish there was a little more humor to balance the bleakness. And Edmund can get a bit too methodical in his explorations, but you can take that with a grain of salt. That methodical approach has reaped many benefits for him.
I will be continuing the series as soon as the next book comes out.
January 21, 2023
I have enjoyed reading this book on Royalroad. That is what I'm reviewing. I want to help the author out with a review as well.
Other then using grit a lot in the incorrect manner it's pretty well written.
The MC is up on his moral high horse, blaming the dungeon for the deaths of the people that die inside. The fact is people are greedy and they make the choice to enter the dungeon.
Doesn't matter what else is going on in the world, nobody forced them inside. They could very easily make the choice to sit and starve, hunt, plant food, or move away. Instead they chose to delve the dungeon knowing the odds.
People are very good at convincing themselves that they will be fine. Wonder how long it will take the MC to realize this and question why he is really doing what he's doing instead of the lies he's been saying?
8/10
Other then using grit a lot in the incorrect manner it's pretty well written.
The MC is up on his moral high horse, blaming the dungeon for the deaths of the people that die inside. The fact is people are greedy and they make the choice to enter the dungeon.
Doesn't matter what else is going on in the world, nobody forced them inside. They could very easily make the choice to sit and starve, hunt, plant food, or move away. Instead they chose to delve the dungeon knowing the odds.
People are very good at convincing themselves that they will be fine. Wonder how long it will take the MC to realize this and question why he is really doing what he's doing instead of the lies he's been saying?
8/10
May 2, 2023
Wow. Just Wow
This is probably one of the better progression fantasy series out there. Atypical progression without hard stats not is it cultivation. Characters have real weight and motivations. Plot is more than just the power level jumps. A to Aplus for me
This is probably one of the better progression fantasy series out there. Atypical progression without hard stats not is it cultivation. Characters have real weight and motivations. Plot is more than just the power level jumps. A to Aplus for me
May 2, 2023
a surprising combo of shallow and deep
A lot if this story is just game - with the security of knowing the protagonist is a “paragon”. But there are hints of some strange nihilistic frenemy dynamic between delver and depths
A lot if this story is just game - with the security of knowing the protagonist is a “paragon”. But there are hints of some strange nihilistic frenemy dynamic between delver and depths
March 20, 2024
I listened to the Audiobook/Podcast.
Thete are not enough GOOD Dungeon Crawling storys. This one is good! Can't wait for more! Nice that the podcast is free atm but I would purchase audiobooks if that would motivate a second release.
Thete are not enough GOOD Dungeon Crawling storys. This one is good! Can't wait for more! Nice that the podcast is free atm but I would purchase audiobooks if that would motivate a second release.
October 18, 2024
I quite enjoyed this. A bit dark/morose, but very interesting so far and I hope we get a sequel. I'm reading another series by the same author that I enjoy a bit more, so if you're doing the same try this out and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
April 13, 2023
A great read
I don't know man but JP Valentine always just writes some amazing books. This one is no exception. It was fun! Adventurous and I love it!
I don't know man but JP Valentine always just writes some amazing books. This one is no exception. It was fun! Adventurous and I love it!
June 19, 2023
Dark and to the point.
Read
November 25, 2023Interesting read.
Valentine has an way of telling a story that makes for a fun read. Looking forward to his next book
Valentine has an way of telling a story that makes for a fun read. Looking forward to his next book
March 10, 2024
Quite similar to Dungeon Crawler Carl, but played entirely straight. Correspondingly grim, but enjoyable.
June 21, 2025
This was such a good story! It kept my interest non-stop. I loved how it balanced some darker vibes with lighthearted scenes. I really wish there were more in this series, though!
December 30, 2024
Mediocre dungeon crawler. The first 25% was so boring i almost dnf'ed it. But some (small) twists were revealed which made for a sometimes entertaining read. It does nothing new but does not fall entirely flat on its face, so i at least could finish it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews