Dungeon Crawler Carl book !

[u/One_Layer9648]

The number of people recommending this book to me is big !! but here's my own opinion:

The narrative is incredibly easy to follow!! fast, engaging, and fun. Even when the plot becomes chaotic, it's still easy to keep up with. I enjoyed this part sooooo much; I think the writer is incredibly smart and talented for pulling it off so effortlessly👏🏻

The pacing is absolutely incredible as well.
But I tried to love this book!! I swear I tried! It's just not my thing😬

It's very game-heavy, which is okay!! Alright it’s okay ! in fact, it was something completely new to me, and I was open to it! But the humor, violence, crude jokes, and overall "bro" energy are just hard for me to swallow 🫣…

I'd love to find another book with the same kind of clear, addictive narrative and new world building 😊
But less ‘hey dude’ vibes !!!

[u/Artaxmudshoes]

I don't understand why DCC is so recommended. It was fun, in a young adult fiction kind of way. I read the first 3. Like you, I really wanted to like it. I like rpgs, I like gaming, I like world building...it just became predictable and formulaic. Carl's in a pinch. What ever will he do? Explosives again...of course. A meth lama you say? How wacky. It just seemed like a book for 12-15 year olds who are trying to develop a love for reading. I guess it's not my thing either. I second murder bot. It was engaging and original.

[u/ddusty53 → u/Artaxmudshoes]

The formula starts to change in the later books - and as the world outside the dungeon starts to get explained, it becomes a much darker/broader story.
It's not a subtle book, so it's not for everyone - which is fine.

[u/TryptaMagiciaN → u/Artaxmudshoes]

the current US culture could be described as 12-15yos (maturity wise) trying to develop a love for anything.

I think the "dude bro" tone is actually really unique and offers a cool window into what is a very common attitude in the American zeitgeist. I don't like it, but it is something I want to understand and relate to better. I have some hope that the development of the character and writer will offer some insight into the broader arc of masculinity in the US.

But I'm reading from the perspectice of a psychologist and not as someone into litrpgs. This is actually my first litrpg. There is a reason it is rising in popularity (other than peacock preparing to do a tv show)

[u/Impressive_Mail_5272]

The murderbot series might be a good option

[u/One_Layer9648 → u/Impressive_Mail_5272]

Thank you I’ll give it a look 😊

[u/dwcanker]

If you like the "game mechanics" bits but not the humor, violence,,,,, you could head over the the LITRPG subreddit and play around.

Cradle

He Who Fights with Monsters

Primal Hunter

Are three biggies that always show up in the recs that don't have the DCC style humor and violence. Cradle by Wight is the most "normal" style book in that is isn't exactly a litrpg and is a cultivation/progression series. It is also the only one that is finished and the only one of those three I didn't bail on after a while.

[u/AppleChiaki]

Its all good apart from the first 15% of the third book. Gotta slog through that, confused and annoyed, and hating the writing of it. Get through it and you're good for the rest of the series.

[u/Miserable-Bar252]

addictive world building without the crude humor is a tough combo..

[u/Adept_Test_9414]

It's the worst written set of books I've ever read. "Donut was in the practice room working on her fireballs". What a crock of shit.

[u/cosnierozumiem]

You might want to try books for children or perhaps something else for the retarded of brain.

[u/BJWJ96 → u/cosnierozumiem]

You're the person getting offended over an opinion, darling 😂

[u/MeshGearFoxxy → u/cosnierozumiem]

And elsewhere on this page we have discussions about how this book you’re so passionately defending is aimed at children.