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MAYA QUARTZ

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MAYA QUARTZ is currently reading

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, #1)

by Matt Dinniman (Goodreads Author)

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in December 2024

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MAYA QUARTZ said: "
“When the Black Death swept through 14th century Europe, killing upwards of 200 million people and forever altering the course of human history, one of the original culprits of the epidemic was said to be the black rat, carrying plague-infested fleas
“When the Black Death swept through 14th century Europe, killing upwards of 200 million people and forever altering the course of human history, one of the original culprits of the epidemic was said to be the black rat, carrying plague-infested fleas into population centers to wreak their destruction. This is, in fact, not true. The true perpetrator was actually the Asian great gerbil, who took advantage of the warmer climate to travel the silk road and bring the disease into Europe. This is only important to know because Ralph, champion pit fighter of the kobold training grounds, lives his life in a perpetual state of rage. Why? Because he feels that human death toll of 200 million is much too low, and he will do everything in his power to triple that number. Starting with you. The only survivor of a family of gerbils left to starve by a child who’d grown bored with the pets, Ralph had to commit unspeakable acts of cannibalism in order to endure. Part earth rodent, part the embodiment of death, Frenzied Gerbils are regular mobs one might encounter on the fifth or seventh floors. But Ralph here is special. He has dedicated his existence to fighting and training in hopes that one day he might exact his revenge against the humans he so despises. He is fast, he is angry,”

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When I first heard about Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, I wasn’t sure it would be my thing. LitRPG adventures can be hit or miss for me and after a flip through it did seem a little overly silly and maybe misogynistic? But after giving the audiobook a shot, I found myself drawn in by its wild energy and unforgettable characters, even if some elements left me scratching my head.

The premise is not that new for anyone who loves dungeon crawler manhua: Earth is turned into an enormous dungeon where survivors must navigate deadly levels. But this time the twist is that they must do so while entertaining a galactic audience. The stakes are high, the traps are brutal, and the humor is… well, hit or miss. Some jokes landed beautifully, while others felt forced or a bit juvenile. Still, the zany atmosphere made for a lively ride that kept me curious about what bizarre scenario might pop up next.

Carl and his feline sidekick, Princess Donut, are the heart of the story. While they don’t have the deepest character arcs, their dynamic is fun and endearing. Carl’s everyman pragmatism contrasts well with Donut’s diva-like antics and unexpected magical prowess. Together, they form a duo you can’t help but root for, even as they navigate the chaos of fire-breathing llamas and orcs hosting murder-themed TV shows.

One standout aspect is the vivid world-building. While the explanations of stats, leveling, and galactic politics were sometimes overly dense (and still left me a bit confused), the sheer creativity of the dungeon’s design kept me hooked. The imaginative scenarios, quirky NPCs, and unpredictable events make the setting feel alive and exciting. It’s the kind of world that really would make a fantastic video game. Some people seem to have been really put off by the AI achievement announcements but personally I was amused by the slow realization that the AI is a little more sentient and has more control over the "randomness" than it initially seems.

The audiobook narration by Jeff Hays deserves special mention. His performance brings the characters and action to life, adding energy and depth to the story. I can’t imagine experiencing this tale without his voice work—it’s a perfect match for the book’s tone.

While Dungeon Crawler Carl didn’t fully convert me into a superfan, it delivered an entertaining experience that left me wanting more. I occasionally wished for a darker, more serious exploration of the grim premise, but the sheer inventiveness and fast-paced adventure kept me engaged. I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel to see what madness awaits next. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, chaotic romp with plenty of laughs and action, this book is worth a try. ...more "

Dec 31, 2024 07:14PM · see review

MAYA QUARTZ is currently reading

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

by Tom Stoppard

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Feb 17, 2026 06:52PM

MAYA QUARTZ is currently reading

Tenth of December

by George Saunders

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Jan 07, 2026 07:38PM

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MAYA’s Quotes

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it.”
― Alice Walker, Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology

tags: alice-walker, death, funny, life, peaches

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