The Butcher's Masquerade
Author: Matt Dinniman
Life sometimes gets in the way of my reading. How annoying! Mongo is appalled!
I started reading this series way back when there were only the first two books. A friend recommended the series because he really enjoyed the mix of humor, game concepts and creative characters. So I started reading the first ebook.....then I checked if there was an audio book version because the story just begged to be read out loud. Once I heard Jeff Hays' narration -- I was totally hooked.
The series helped me navigate the pandemic. But, I started and never finished book 5.
In 2022, my life temporarily imploded and I made a cross country move, started a new job, and began building a new life. I had to leave Carl, Princess Donut, and all the rest behind for a little while. Flash forward to 2025, and it was time to jump back in. I started all over from Book One and started reading this series again.
And, I finally got to finish book 5!
NEW ACHIEVEMENT!!! You have planned and survived a Full World Reboot. Winner!! You have received a Platinum You Will Not Break Me - F You All Box. REWARD!!!! A colorful set of hardback books featuring exciting dungeon exploits, the accompanying audio books and the ability to enjoy reading them all!
I got divorced, moved most of the way across the country, and put my life back together. I no longer have the friend who introduced me to this book series....divorce creates divides sometimes. But that's ok. I have new friends and moved on. And the books are still here!
I'm buying the hardback copies one at a time as I read my way back through the series. I read each book while listening to the audio. Loving it! And the books look so nice on my bookshelf!
The Butcher's Masquerade is the 5th book in the series! Took me 3 years to come back and finally finish this story. I'm glad I did -- very enjoyable addition to this series!
I read & listened to this story while on PTO for Christmas and New Year's. Great way to ring in the New Year!
Carl and Princess Donut are once again thrown into a new floor of the dungeon -- the sixth floor. And this time, the crawlers who are left in the dungeon will be facing off with hunters who are trying to kill them. And the entire chaotic battle will culminate in a party -- The Butcher's Masquerade. Enemies will be brought to a castle where there will be a pet show, a talent competition and......no violence allowed. Yeah sure.....right.
Lots of character development, twists and turns, political intrigue, angry gods and all sorts of dungeon-y goodness in this one!! I enjoyed every minute!!
And, I have a new appreciation for Oasis and the song Wonderwall. :)
I never ever thought I would read a book series where one of my favorite characters is a former sex doll head that constantly threatens to kill everyone's mothers.
Where does Matt Dinniman come up with this stuff? LOL I can tell he is a person that would be fabulous fun to talk with over lunch, or have in the party for a D&D game.
I finished this book earlier today -- New Year's Day 2026. And my brand new copy of Book 6 -- The Eye of the Bedlam Bride -- is being delivered tomorrow. As I write this review, the Dungeon Crawler Carl series has been optioned for a television show. There is an audio immersion version on Soundbooth theater's website that I'm enjoying (two "seasons" up so far -- it's full cast and fun to listen to between books!) And, book 8 is coming out mid-2026. Once I read through book 7 and am caught up with the author, I have a review copy of another book Dinniman is publishing in February 2026 -- Operation Bounce House.
These books make me happy. Just fun to read!! And Jeff Hays and the others at Soundbooth Theater do a wonderful job of narration/voice acting. The idea of an apocalyptic dungeon crawl, a man and his talking cat battling their way through all sorts of trouble, and all the wonderful side characters and bad guys -- it makes this nerd very, very happy. :)
