TJ Minde

Oh! I forgot to mention!

Also as the series goes on, the books keep hitting me harder and harder in the emotions. This one got me almost bawling during my flight.

Yay crying in public!

I find as the series moves on, it slides further away from parts of the RPG aspect that really pulled me in at the start and is slowly feeling more and more like fantasy. Not completely, but still.

I still have questions; I'm still engaged. I still am excited to read the next book.

8/10

Book 8 of 2026:

"The Butcher's Masquerade" by Matt Dinninan

Book 5 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

We have finally reached The Hunting Grounds. Will the party survive? Will the hunters?!

No strangling old you; I like that guy.

But that also makes sense as Carl's emotional stability takes blow after blow.

I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next.

9/10

Another book and another floor.

Took me a second to get into this one. But once it got going, I was in. Interesting new characters, and exciting surprises throughout.

I also have so. Many. Questions. The political intrigue is really kicked up this time.

Book 7 of 2026:

"The Gate of the Feral Gods" by Matt Dinninan

Book four of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

The crawlers have been separated on to multiple islands, each with four different areas. Will Carl, Donut and Katia be able to convince their group to somehow work together?

“born to spread whimsy forced to fight fascism” with an armed badger holding a warhammer in a forest

It was still an interesting book and I still tore through it, but I think this isn't as new or shiny as it was a week ago. Maybe it's time for a smol break...

Or maybe it picks back up on the next book. Only one way to find out. :D

8/10

This was the first book in the series that felt like it was slowing down to me. Could be the nature of the floor, could be that trains were more involved (I'm not super into trains).

Could be that Carl and Donut have to tackle most of the floor on their own, without their usual insider knowledge.

Book 6 of 2026:

"The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook" by Matt Dinninan

Book three of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

We carry on to the next floor with new friends, curious enemies, and trains. Lots. And lots. Of trains.

My sister got me the first Dungeon Crawler Carl book around Thanksgiving. After finishing the first, I was addicted to the series and have been working my way through. Just started Book 3 today.

Though I do have other furry fiction on my TBR pile... Hmm...

Threats are looming for the party and I'm excited to keep following the story.

Smol sad to find out the ACE Published hard cover has a bonus short story the OG ebooks are missing. But I want to add the HCs to my collection at some point anyway. Nevertheless...

9/10

With all the groundwork book one laid out, book two is able to just run. There are still new situations and scenarios to survive, but it's a lot more.... Just go. This book was super engaging--as I finished it in two days--and I can't wait to see where it goes next.

Book 5 of 2026:
"Carl's Doomsday Scenario" by Matt Dinniman

The second book of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

The story continues from the last book, where Carl and Donut are on floor [spoilers]. The vibes have changed (because reasons) and they must acclimate to their new surroundings.

It starts a little fast, and I feel some of the negative feels aren't explored super well in the beginning, but the horror of it all still comes across well on the page.

I'm super curious to see where this story goes and maaaay be planning to just pick up the rest of the series now. xP

9/10

This... Wow. This is a book. xD

It's heavy (and apparently gonna get heavier) while also being the right amount of funny. There are bits that made me laugh out loud and others that, just really hit you in the chest.

Book 4 of 2026:
"Dungeon Crawler Carl" by Matt Dinniman

(Book 1 of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series)

A litRPG novel. Carl is standing outside in his boxers with his girlfriend's cat when the world ends; to survive, he enters the Dungeon Crawl where he and the cat must fight for their survival.

I probably woulda preferred to read it, but I can't complain too much. Would highly recommend the book to horror fans.

8/10

A good story that took a bit to get going, but it wouldn't let me go once it got moving.

Our MC and her dog are great, empathetic characters. The setting is rather interesting, but I kinda wish it had more character beyond the woods (which really came alive).

Book 3 of 2026:
"The Twisted Ones" by @tkingfisher.com

(Audiobook) An engaging horror novel with an interesting folklore twist.

After her grandmother's passing, Mouse and her dog Bongo go to clean out her grandmother's hoarded house. But... there's something in the woods behind the house.

Still, I enjoyed it so much that I would love to see another story with these characters.

Overall, 6/10

It was a very engaging book and Radic was a very interesting character, but I felt a lot of the story had points of telling history that possibly could have been shown. I also felt the story could have had some important character point developed more, and possibly more try/fail cycles.

Book 2 of 2026:
"The Blood of Life" by @nighteyes.bsky.social

A period novel, more slice-of-life than horror.

After returning to his hometown for a closing of a chapter, vampire Radic is driven to dig further into his past.

Still plugging away at the CoffeeWolf's vampire novel, but I'm thinking I might finish it tonight.

I'll gib you mine if you gib me yours.

I just started @nighteyes.bsky.social's "The Blood of Life" a day or two ago. Making notes as I read so I can try and do a proper review when I'm done.

Oh look, it's the book I just finished. X3

I was slightly squicked by some of the themes in the story (burglaries) as it was less Robin Hood and more for personal gain, but it really comes with the nature of the story.

And overall, I did enjoy this. Great characters and an engaging story.

8/10

Engaging story, though it took me a moment to settle into the shifting POV.

Didn't quite remember where in the Forester Universe we were but I got there in the end. I miss the map from the OOP series. X3

Kyell's characters are great; I really cared about Kris and had positive hopes for Bryce.