Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: Adult, fantasy, sci-fi, apocalyptic, adventure

Publication date: September 2020

Published by: Ace

Source: Purchased hardcover

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.

You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.

Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.

Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”

My rating: ★★★★⯪

I had been seeing a lot of my friends on Goodreads raving about this series, and one day while I was at B&N I saw this book, and I was like, "Hey thats the one!" The new neon cover is what definitely caught my attention. But I'm glad to have finally gotten on the bandwagon because I had a lot of fun reading it!

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Sunday Post #488: Trying to Stay Afloat


Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!


Friday, January 23, 2026

Review: Sakamoto Days (Vol. 1) by Yuto Suzuki

Title: Sakamoto Days: Vol. 1

Series: Sakamoto Days #1

Author: Yuto Suzuki

Genre: YA, action, humor

Publication date: April 2022

Published by: VIZ Media

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He’s now living the quiet life as the owner of a neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!

Time has passed peacefully for Sakamoto since he left the underworld. He’s running a neighborhood store with his lovely wife and child and has gotten a bit…out of shape. But one day a figure from his past pays him a visit with an offer he can’t refuse: return to the assassin world or die!

My rating: ★★★★☆

I've been on a manga kick lately, so I'm glad this one was recommended to me because I really enjoyed it!

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Review: Rule of Wolves (King of Scars #2) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Rule of Wolves

Series: King of Scars #2 | Grishaverse #7

Previous book in this series: King of Scars

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: YA, high fantasy

Publication date: March 2021

Published by: Imprint

Source: Borrowed from library

Add it on Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Thrift Books

Synopsis: The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.

The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.

The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.

The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.

King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I still think that the Six of Crows duology is the superior series in the Grishaverse ðŸ˜†, but I did enjoy the overall story in this series. Also, I love Nikolai, so it's always great when he's around. Lol.