As someone who has read more than my fair share of LitRPG books, I can confidently say that *Dungeon Crawler Carl* has quickly become one of my all-time favorite series. From the very first book, it grabs your attention with its fast-paced storytelling and delivers everything you could want in a modern fantasy-sci-fi crossover. At its core, this series follows the wild adventures of Carl—a regular guy thrust into the chaos of an apocalyptic space game show—alongside his hilariously sassy cat companion.
What really sets this series apart is Matt Dinniman’s unique writing style. He masterfully blends absurd humor with deep intrigue, creating a world that feels both outrageous and completely immersive. Once you start reading, it's incredibly hard to stop.
If that sounds like your kind of story, then I highly recommend grabbing a copy and diving right in. Amazon is currently running a buy one, get one 50% off sale on hardcover editions of the series. Alternatively, if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, the entire series is available to read at no extra cost.
So far, there are seven books in the *Dungeon Crawler Carl* series, though only six have been released in hardcover format. You can access all titles digitally either by purchasing the eBook or through Kindle Unlimited. The latest installment, *The Inevitable Ruin*, will receive a hardcover release in September 2025 and is not yet included in Amazon’s current promotional offer.
I’ve organized the full list of books in reading order above, but here's a quick breakdown for reference:
If you’re unfamiliar with the genre, LitRPG stands for Literary Role-Playing Game—an exciting subgenre where traditional storytelling meets RPG mechanics commonly found in video games. While some stories involve characters literally entering a game world, others weave in elements like stat progression, skill trees, and leveling systems within a fictional setting.
*Dungeon Crawler Carl* is a prime example of how LitRPG can beautifully blend with sci-fi and fantasy. The protagonist starts out as a normal human on Earth before being thrown into a deadly alien-controlled dungeon. The RPG mechanics are introduced organically through a chaotic AI system that grants players power-ups, levels, and abilities. If you enjoy action-packed, character-driven narratives, you’ll likely find this series right up your alley.
This series also serves as a fantastic entry point for newcomers to LitRPG. Rather than overwhelming readers with endless stats and complex systems, it focuses on delivering thrilling action, witty banter, and a truly engaging storyline. The interplay between Earth’s survivors and the bizarre galactic audience watching their every move adds another layer of intrigue that keeps things fresh throughout the series.