Picture this: Your ordinary Tuesday afternoon is interrupted when aliens blow up Earth and force survivors into a deadly dungeon-crawling reality show that spans 18 levels beneath the planet’s surface. Sound bonkers? Welcome to the world of Dungeon Crawler Carl, the explosive LitRPG series that’s become 2025’s runaway literary obsession!
If you haven’t fallen down the Dungeon Crawler Carl rabbit hole yet, you’re seriously missing out. Matt Dinniman’s series follows the incredibly relatable Carl and his sassy feline companion, Princess Donut (yes, a talking cat who’s arguably the true star of the show). Together, they navigate a dungeon filled with drug-dealing llamas, murder clows, and game mechanics that would make any RPG enthusiast squeal with delight.
But why is everyone and their grandma suddenly obsessed with DCC right now? For starters, the audiobook narration by Jeff Hays is chef’s kiss – bringing Carl’s exasperated outbursts and Donut’s enthusiasm to life in ways that have commuters sitting in their driveways long after reaching home. Then there’s the perfect blend of gut-busting humor alongside genuine emotional depth that hits you when you least expect it (be prepared to cry!).
The series also strikes that perfect balance between satisfying progression fantasy (Carl leveling up and gaining cool new abilities) and sharp social commentary about media consumption, capitalism, and what people will do to survive. And let’s not forget the supporting cast of characters that range from endearing to absolutely terrifying.
What makes Dungeon Crawler Carl stand out in the crowded fantasy and science fiction landscape? Here’s why readers can’t get enough:
- Hilarious commentary from the dungeon AI and sponsors that will have you cry-laughing (foot fetish, anyone?)
- Princess Donut – possibly the most entertaining sidekick in modern fantasy
- Brutal game mechanics with real stakes and clever workarounds that reward creative thinking
- Perfect blend of comedy and darkness that switches gears seamlessly
- Satisfying character progression as Carl transforms from average guy to legendary crawler
- Surprisingly deep emotional moments hidden among the chaos and carnage
- Instantly quotable one-liners that have infiltrated fantasy reader communities
The series itself has an underdog story worthy of Carl himself. Dinniman initially self-published the first book in 2020, building a devoted following through word-of-mouth and stellar reviews. As the fanbase exploded, ACE Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) made waves in the publishing world by acquiring the series in late 2024. The traditionally published editions hit shelves with gorgeous new covers, expanded content, and a marketing push that catapulted Carl and Donut into mainstream consciousness. This publishing journey mirrors Carl’s own progression—from humble beginnings to something legendary that nobody saw coming.
With the recent announcement of the TV adaptation and Dinniman’s explosive sales numbers putting him alongside fantasy heavyweights, Dungeon Crawler Carl has transcended its niche beginnings to become the series everyone’s talking about. So grab your healing potions and prepare for the dungeon dive of a lifetime—this is one apocalypse you won’t want to miss!
P.S. Read ahead at your own risk…each summary may contain light spoilers for that book or the others before it.
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Dungeon Crawler Carl (1)
When aliens destroy Earth’s cities and turn the planet into a deadly intergalactic game show, Carl—an unlucky Coast Guard vet—and his ex’s spoiled show cat, Princess Donut, are suddenly contestants in a trap-filled, video game–style dungeon crawl watched by billions. To survive, they’ll have to dodge exploding goblins, lethal llamas, and insane challenges, all while keeping the audience entertained.
Packed with dark humor, wild twists, and nonstop action, Dungeon Crawler Carl kicks off a hilarious, high-stakes sci-fi fantasy adventure where survival isn’t guaranteed—but the ratings better be stellar.
Carl’s Doomsday Scenario (2)
The dungeon just leveled up. Coast Guard vet Carl and his royal cat sidekick, Donut, are back—facing the deadly third floor of the galaxy’s favorite game show, Dungeon Crawler World. The Over City is a ruined metropolis crawling with danger: undead circuses, raining corpses, and a sinister spell ready to unfold. As quests pile up and the dungeon grows more twisted, Carl and Donut must solve a deadly mystery to survive—while keeping viewers entertained.
Ratings are soaring, enemies are deadlier than ever… and Carl still really needs to find some pants.
The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook (3)
Earth is now the set of the galaxy’s biggest game show—Dungeon Crawler World—and Carl and Donut have made it to level four: The Iron Tangle. It’s a twisted subway system of haunted train cars, shifting tracks, and deceptive stations, where monsters lurk and nothing is what it seems. Now ranked in the top ten, Carl and Donut are fan favorites—with bounties on their heads to prove it.
To survive, they’ll need allies… but trust is a gamble. The key to escaping might just lie in a strange, seemingly useless book. Welcome to the fourth floor.
The Gate of the Feral Gods (4)
Carl and Princess Donut are back—still trapped in a deadly, ever-shifting dungeon doubling as the galaxy’s favorite game show. This time, they’ve landed on a floating fortress with four bizarre castles, fifteen days to conquer them, and a team of unreliable low-level crawlers. The goal? Unlock the stairwell to the next level. Easy, right? Not with warrior gnomes, haunted crypts, sand castles, and killer machines standing in their way.
Trust is scarce, failure is constant, and survival? Optional. Welcome to the fifth floor of Dungeon Crawler World. It’s never just a game.
The Butcher’s Masquerade (5)
The dungeon’s sixth floor is here—and it’s open season. Carl and Princess Donut face their deadliest level yet: a jungle crawling with dinosaurs, revenge-hungry royals, and a twisted masquerade for the galaxy’s top crawlers. But the real threat? Tourists. For the first time, outsiders can enter the game—and they’re here to hunt. Leading the charge is elite predator Vrah, hunting her greatest prize yet. But Carl and Donut aren’t easy prey.
The hunters have entered the dungeon…but this season, the crawlers are ready to fight back. Welcome to the Hunting Grounds.
The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (6)
Carl and Princess Donut have defied the odds in the galaxy’s deadliest game show, but the eighth floor is pure chaos. With crumbling AI, feuding gods, and unexpected royal drama, the rules are changing fast. Their mission? Capture six powerful monsters and build a killer deck—literally. But to win, they’ll need the most dangerous card of all: Shi Maria, the Bedlam Bride. She’s deadly, possibly uncatchable, and absolutely unhinged. And even captured monsters don’t always stay loyal.
The stakes are higher than ever. Welcome, Crawlers. Welcome to the eighth floor of the dungeon.
This Inevitable Ruin (7)
Note that This Inevitable Ruin is currently only available on Kindle Unlimited or Audible. The traditionally published hardcover edition will be published on September 23, 2025.
The ninth floor is a war zone: nine alien-led armies battling for control of a central castle in a brutal, high-stakes tournament. But this season, death is real—and permanent. As the game’s AI crumbles, Carl, Donut, and their crew seize the moment, becoming one of the competing teams. Meanwhile, the once-disposable NPCs have gained self-awareness and launched a rebellion of their own. Alliances shift, betrayal brews, and only one of Donut or Katia can move on.
This is the battle they’ve been building toward. This is war. Welcome to the ninth floor.