Five stars isn’t enough. Matt Dinniman can have all the stars.

I don’t even know how to review this book.

A Parade of Horribles left me laughing, stressed, emotional, confused, delighted, and desperately needing the next book immediately.

I’ll admit that for the first half, I felt a little overwhelmed—but not in a bad way. The world of Dungeon Crawler Carl has become so rich, layered, and interconnected that every conversation, every reveal, and every seemingly random moment feels like it could matter later. There is a lot happening, and Carl remains one of the most wonderfully unreliable narrators I’ve ever followed.

What impressed me most is how this series continues to evolve. What started as an absurd, hilarious premise has grown into something incredibly complex without losing the humor and chaos that made me fall in love with it in the first place.

And the humor is still unmatched.

There were moments in this book that had me laughing out loud like an idiot, followed immediately by moments that hit surprisingly hard emotionally. Matt Dinniman somehow manages to balance ridiculous comedy, genuine character growth, emotional punches, and absolute insanity in a way that shouldn’t work—but somehow does.

Carl continues to be one of my favorite protagonists in fiction. He’s stubborn, reckless, exhausted, hilarious, and completely incapable of backing down when common sense suggests he absolutely should. The man is a walking disaster, and I mean that as the highest compliment possible.

And as always, Jeff Hays deserves recognition for elevating an already incredible story into something unforgettable. His narration isn’t just good—it’s become inseparable from this series for me. Every character feels distinct. Every joke lands. Every emotional scene hits harder.

By the time I reached the end, I was left with a thousand questions, zero answers, and an overwhelming need for Book 9.

I don’t rank Dungeon Crawler Carl books because, at this point, they all feel like pieces of one giant story. Each book builds on the last, raising the stakes, deepening the world, and making me even more invested in these characters.

All I know is this:

Matt Dinniman has my full attention.

Now give me the next book.