Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series is one of the best books to read—even readers with different tastes in books all like this particular series. If you’ve heard chatter around these books and have only seen people talk positively about them, you’d be intrigued to start this series, too!
If that’s the case and you’ve finally decided to try this book series, you’ll find out how to read the Dungeon Crawler Carl books in order in this article!
In the ever-growing world of LitRPG and gamelit fiction, few series have captured readers’ hearts like Dungeon Crawler Carl. The LitRPG genre isn’t new, but the DCC series, as fans call it, takes the dungeon crawl genre and cranks it up with humor, heart, high stakes, and some of the most lovable and hilarious characters in modern sci-fi fantasy.
Honestly, I didn’t even know that the LitRPG genre existed. I’m into comics, I watch anime, I read books, light novels, and manga, and I still didn’t know about this genre. Matt Dinniman is why I got introduced to this genre, and I am sure many readers like me were introduced to the LitRPG genre because of DCC and Matt Dinniman!
Since the release of the first book, Dungeon Crawler Carl, the series has exploded in popularity, especially among fans of LitRPG, science fiction, dark humor, and adventure.
In this article, we’ll not only walk you through the Dungeon Crawler Carl series in order, but we’ll also dive into the plot that’s captured thousands of readers—and the inspiring story of how Matt Dinniman went from self-publishing to becoming one of the biggest names in the LitRPG and the literary world.
How to Read the Dungeon Crawler Carl Books in Order?
| No.: | Book Name: | Original Release Date: |
| 1. | Dungeon Crawler Carl | September 2020 |
| 2. | Carl’s Doomsday Scenario | January 2021 |
| 3. | The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook | March 2021 |
| 4. | The Gate of the Feral Gods | June 2021 |
| 5. | The Butcher’s Masquerade | February 2022 |
| 6. | The Eye of the Bedlam Bride | June 2023 |
| 7. | This Inevitable Ruin | November 2024 |
What is The Plot of the Dungeon Crawler Carl Series?
The story kicks off with the end of the world as we know it. One moment, Carl and his ex-girlfriend are living their lives, and the next, Earth is reduced to rubble by an alien civilization that turns the remains of the planet into a twisted, intergalactic reality TV show called Dungeon Crawler World.
The catch? The remaining survivors must now become the unwilling participants in a massive, deadly dungeon crawl for the entertainment of billions of alien viewers.
Carl manages to survive the first wave of destruction and soon teams up with his faithful companion—and instant fan-favorite character—Princess Donut, a sassy Persian cat who was once his ex’s pet. As with the LitRPG stories, Princess Donut gains the ability to speak thanks to a special item that Carl receives earlier on in the story!
Together, they enter the dungeon and quickly learn that this isn’t any average game. The levels are brutal, filled with bizarre monsters, dangerous traps, and other desperate human contestants. Every move they make is watched, judged, and scored by unseen alien producers.
But Dungeon Crawler World isn’t just about surviving the dungeon’s countless floors. It’s also about the brutal politics behind the scenes, where alien corporations control everything, viewers influence outcomes, and cheating is not only allowed but encouraged if it gets better ratings.
When Carl discovers an ongoing power struggle between alien corporations for the show’s control, he must navigate all of it while trying to stay alive, protect Donut, and expose the corruption of these corporations.
As the series progresses, Carl evolves from a man trying to survive into a true hero. Each floor brings new horrors, insane boss fights, twisted humor, and moments that blend slapstick comedy with gut-wrenching emotion.
And through it all, Carl and Donut’s unlikely friendship remains the emotional heart of the series!
The Author: Matt Dinniman’s Journey to LitRPG Stardom
Matt Dinniman didn’t start off writing Dungeon Crawler Carl. He has written other novels, too, but this one changed the man’s literary career.
When Dinniman first published Dungeon Crawler Carl, it was a true indie project—self-published without the support of a major publishing house. He began publishing the series on Royal Road in 2020, and in October 2020, he self-published the first novel on Amazon.
He relied on word-of-mouth, a growing LitRPG community, and platforms like Kindle Unlimited, where his unique blend of dark humor, fast-paced action, and unforgettable characters quickly started building a loyal fanbase.
What made Dungeon Crawler Carl different—and helped it explode in popularity—was Dinniman’s ability to deliver a story that appealed to both hardcore LitRPG fans and general readers who love great character-driven sci-fi.
As the series grew, so did its reach. Eventually, the success of the books caught the attention of major publishing companies. Penguin Random House purchased the series’ print rights and started publishing the books through their Ace Books publishing wing.
The series also does well in the audiobook format as it is narrated by Jeff Hays, whose performance has become nearly as legendary as the books themselves. The partnership helped Dungeon Crawler Carl reach an even wider audience, cementing Matt Dinniman as one of the standout voices in the genre.
As per Matt Dinniman, the audiobook sales have far surpassed the print and ebook sales of the series, and much of the fanbase of the books first experienced the series in audiobook format!
Today, Matt Dinniman’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of how self-publishing, passion, and strong reader support can turn a niche idea into a genre-defining hit.
Why You Should Start Reading Dungeon Crawler Carl?
If you love stories that mix dark humor, epic battles, smart and imaginative world-building, and deeply human (and feline) characters, Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the best LitRPG series you’ll find.
It’s fast-paced without feeling shallow, funny without losing emotional impact, and genuinely addictive from the first chapter.
So whether you’re a longtime gamer, a sci-fi fan, or someone just looking for a wild, unpredictable ride, you’ll find something to love in Carl and Donut’s chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly touching adventure.
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