4.5 ⭐️
Having now completed three books in this incredible series, I can definitively say that my perfect rating for Matt Dinniman’s work is well-earned. The sheer, unfathomable creativity behind this series is its greatest asset; it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever read.
Carl, Donut, and Katia are pushed through a brutal, stressful level, which yields many new friends and perilous adventures. Crucially, this book felt less focused on the classic dungeon crawl structure (bosses and experience) and more on the establishment of the larger Crawler team dynamics. It was a rich, “politically”-driven narrative that often marks the essential second act of a trilogy.
I genuinely loved far more than I disliked—the narrative momentum is constantly building. The reading experience is also significantly enhanced by Jeff Hays’ phenomenal narration, who is masterful at giving each character a distinct, memorable voice.
The series is only getting better. My biggest question going forward is about the strength of their bond: What will it take to break the group? Will a strategic need, a game mechanic, or personal differences force Carl, Donut, and Katia to finally split?