From the very first chapter, Dungeon Crawler Carl had me hooked. This isn’t just a LitRPG—it’s a wild rollercoaster that’s equal parts action, absurd humor, and surprisingly touching character moments.
Jeff Hays absolutely owns this narration. His ability to switch between Carl’s deadpan sarcasm, the over-the-top ridiculousness of Donut the cat, and the manic hilarity of the AI announcer is nothing short of masterful. The way he delivers those moments—“Neeeew achieeeeevement!!!” or “Poooower uuuup!!!” had me laughing so hard I had to rewind just to catch what I missed. It feels like listening to an entire cast, not just one narrator.
The writing is fast-paced, never dragging, but also never shallow. Beneath the chaos of boss fights and bizarre challenges, there’s a surprising amount of heart. Carl’s interactions with Donut are hilarious and weirdly touching—like the bickering of two best friends who just happen to be surviving a dungeon apocalypse. It’s equal parts laugh-out-loud comedy and genuine emotional connection.
This book is like if The Hunger Games got drunk with Ready Player One and adopted a snarky housecat. Every level-up announcement, every unexpected plot twist, and every bit of ridiculous banter makes it impossible to stop listening.
An instant favorite. If you like your stories equal parts thrilling, heartfelt, and hysterical, don’t just read Dungeon Crawler Carl—let Jeff Hays perform it for you. You’ll thank yourself later.