Science fiction · Fantasy
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Earth is turned into a televised death-game dungeon for an alien audience, and an ordinary man in very little clothing has to climb it level by level. His only companion is his ex-girlfriend's cat, who has opinions.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 2020
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 465
- Format
- Book 1 of 8 in Dungeon Crawler Carl
Read this if you want a fast, darkly funny survival romp that treats its game rules like a puzzle to be cracked.
Skip this if you dislike graphic violence, crude humour or stories where a game system sets the rules.
The feel
Content warnings
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Quick answers about Dungeon Crawler Carl
- What is Dungeon Crawler Carl about?
- Earth is turned into a televised death-game dungeon for an alien audience, and an ordinary man in very little clothing has to climb it level by level. His only companion is his ex-girlfriend's cat, who has opinions.
- Who should read Dungeon Crawler Carl?
- Read it if you want a fast, darkly funny survival romp that treats its game rules like a puzzle to be cracked. Skip it if you dislike graphic violence, crude humour or stories where a game system sets the rules.
- How long and how fast is Dungeon Crawler Carl?
- It is a fast-paced, medium read of about 465 pages, first published in 2020.
- Does Dungeon Crawler Carl have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Gore, Death.
- Can I borrow Dungeon Crawler Carl for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Dungeon Crawler Carl; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Dungeon Crawler Carl?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Ready Player One, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Red Rising.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Dungeon Crawler Carl
-
Ready Player One Both turn a game-like system into the engine of the plot and reward readers who enjoy rules, loot and clever exploits.
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Another comic take on Earth being treated as disposable by indifferent aliens, with a much gentler bite.
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Red Rising
Shares the brutal, escalating competition and the sense of a cruel system watching you, but played completely straight.
Science fiction
