Review By: Lindsey Stupp
Published: 2020
Genre(s): YA Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Humor
Audience: Grades 9–12, Adult
Content Warnings: Graphic violence and gore, mass killing, animal endangerment, torture, psychological manipulation, apocalyptic themes, references to suicide and child abuse, alcohol and drug references, grief and loss, sexual references and adult humor (mild, not explicit)
Reviewer’s Note: “It was pitched to me as reading a book as if you were watching someone playing a video game (true).”
Goodreads Link: Dungeon Crawler Carl
Summary:
On an ordinary night, Earth is suddenly harvested for resources, transforming into an enormous multi-level dungeon. Every building collapses, every human atomized into a deadly survival game watched by an intergalactic audience. Carl, a former Coast Guard vet, and Princess Donut, his ex-girlfriend’s pampered cat turned sentient companion, must fight through monsters, traps, and twisted game mechanics to survive. In this dystopian game show, survival is not only about strength or skill but entertainment value.
Review:
Dungeon Crawler Carl is a fast-paced, darkly funny, and imaginative sci-fi adventure that reads like watching a video game unfold. Dinniman blends brutal action, sarcastic humor, and clever worldbuilding into a story that becomes more than simple survival. Beneath the chaos are thoughtful themes of friendship, resilience, and the search for meaning amid destruction. While it contains moments of violence and crude humor, these elements are grounded in the world’s absurdity rather than gratuitous. Readers who enjoy video games, satire, and survival stories will find this both thrilling and surprisingly emotional. It is best suited for mature teens due to its violence and adult references, but for the right audience, it is an unforgettable and addictive read.
