If you love diving into dungeon-crawling adventures, level-up systems, and gritty VR game worlds, this book will be right up your alley! It brings a fresh approach to the LitRPG/isekai genre, steering clear of overused tropes and integrating surprisingly deep moral choices into the narrative. Fans of Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, gamers, and anyone who enjoyed 'Ready Player One' will find plenty to get excited about. The story really hits its stride once the characters enter the game world, offering a nostalgic progression for RPG lovers and some refreshing twists on the usual hero's journey.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Readers looking for tight storytelling or fully developed supporting characters might be frustrated. The first-person perspective sometimes feels shaky, and there are pacing issues that can leave things feeling rushed or under-explored. If typos and uneven writing take you out of a story, or if you aren't a fan of 'trapped-in-a-game' plots, you may not find this book as enjoyable. Those wanting a deeply polished or highly original narrative might be left wanting more.

A fun, fast-paced romp for LitRPG fans that does things differently enough to stand out, even if it’s a little rough around the edges. Worth picking up if you enjoy quirky game-world adventures and leveling up alongside snarky protagonists.

About:

In a dystopian future, the protagonist Liam is forced to take his twin brother's place in an illegal underground VR dungeon crawl. The story follows the characters as they explore and fight their way out of a dungeon, paralleling their development in the real world. The writing style transitions from a slow start in the real world to an engaging and immersive experience once the characters enter the fantasy game world.

Characters:

Characters grow mainly within the game world, showing depth and development, with engaging dynamics and a departure from typical teenage clichés.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive with a distinct first-person perspective, though it features some typos and shakiness in the initial book.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores morality and consequences within a D&D campaign setting, initially shaky but improving in later installments, featuring an abrupt ending.

Setting:

The setting is a dystopian future featuring underground VR dungeon crawls, contrasting real-life slums with an immersive game world.

Pacing:

The pacing is hectic and at times feels rushed, though it tends to improve in the later books of the series.

My brother Tommy was down there in that melee, a man and a trident against the world. As family I was in the VIP section, although my interface wasn't nearly so grand as most. There were those connect...

Notes:

The book is written in the first person perspective, which some readers found shaky but immersive.

Dungeon Crawl feels like the author is still finding his writing style, while later books are more polished.

Themes of morality and consequences are central to the story.

The pacing of the book is often described as hectic, making the series feel rushed.

The ending of the first book is abrupt, reflecting the themes of choice and consequence.

The author breaks away from typical LitRPG tropes, offering a unique storyline.

Liam, the main character, takes over his brother's place in an underground VR dungeon crawl to improve their lives.

Teenage characters are portrayed with more realistic hormonal reactions, avoiding typical clichés.

Characters develop significantly in the game world, paralleling their in-game leveling up.

The writing is noted as good, contributing to the enjoyment of the story despite slow beginnings.

Readers found the world-building interesting but felt many past events were left unexplained.

The series appeals to gamers and fans of stories like Ready Player One.

Despite some critiques, readers expressed interest in continuing with the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The story's content warnings are medium due to themes such as a dystopian setting and the risks associated with underground gaming and illegal activities.

From The Publisher:

Gamers are celebrities. Superstars. Idols to the masses.

Only a few ever make it out of Piper's Mill, most toil their lives away in the small town just dreaming of a better life.

Liam thought he had a comfortable life all worked out when it winds up wrenched away from him. Drawn into other's schemes to hack the game and steal some spotlight he never expects to find himself playing in a game nobody has ever heard of.

He never expects to find himself deep in a dungeon at level one with no gear and barely any skills.

He certainly would never anticipate suddenly being tied to forces that promise not just to reshape his life, but the world outside the game.

Time to level up.

November 2016

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201 pages

Reader Stats (3):

Want To Read (3)

What can you read after
Dungeon Crawl?

See the list (15 books)

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Dungeon Crawl

Skyler Grant

Book 1 in the series:The Crucible Shard

Who Would Like This Book: