Common Sense Media Review
By Julian Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, swearing in hilarious sci-fi role-play adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
DUNGEON CRAWLER CARL, begins as U.S. Coast Guard veteran Carl is adjusting to his breakup with ex-girlfriend, Beatrice, while still caring for her Best-in-Show winning cat, Princess Donut. Earth is soon rocked by an alien invasion, and the planet is turned into a reality competition show with the aesthetics of a popular gaming genre: dungeon crawlers. Carl's life is thrown into a world of pain as he's forced to fight to survive. With the help of Princess Donut, now magically speaking English, Carl must learn to navigate this perilous apocalyptic reality.
Is It Any Good?
This hilarious, entertaining read is fun, engaging, and thrilling from beginning to end. Author Matt Dinniman crafts a funny, action-packed, apocalyptic story as a satirical commentary on the corporate bureaucracy of reality TV shows, which exploit their contestants and cast members at the expense of entertainment and profit. The pursuit of unrealistic beauty standards reinforced by social media also gets a critical eye. Combining astute observations with the dungeon crawler genre and sci-fi elements makes for a fascinating romp. Carl's journey is transformative, yet brimming with endurance, and unexpectedly funny. Princess Donut's pompous and comedic personality adds more humor to the mix: her light-hearted interactions with perplexed and reactive Carl are a riot. This first book in a long-running series is a great introduction to a quirky and entertaining world. Fans of LitRPG, sci-fi, and apocalypse genres will find Dungeon Crawler Carl a rewarding read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dungeon Crawler Carl is a story about perseverance through a variety of obstacles, hardships, and quirky environments, in the hope of surviving an apocalyptic reality competition show. What obstacles have you encountered in your life? If you kept going, what was hard and rewarding about persevering?
In many of the battle scenes featured in the story, Carl is courageous as he faces off against various monsters. What was a moment in your life when you found the courage to face a tough situation? What happened?
Throughout this story, Carl and Princess Donut exhibited teamwork despite Carl having trouble adapting to the cat's new ability to talk. Was there a time when you had to work with someone you had difficulties with?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Erik Wilson
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Cats ) , Competition , Fantasy ( Magic , Monsters ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Penguin Random House
- Publication date : September 27, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18 - 18
- Number of pages : 464
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 28, 2025
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