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Reviews

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook Review

by amyleighreads1 Comment on The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook Review

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook was a bit of a mixed read for me. I still really enjoy following Carl and Donut as they try to survive this insane Dungeon and there is that same wild, over the top energy that makes this series so addictive. The character moments are great as always and I especially liked the glimpses into what other Crawlers are facing. Those little side encounters really make the world feel bigger and the intergalactic stuff happening outside the Dungeon is still such a fun, imaginative touch.

Where it lost me a bit was the main setting for this level, a sprawling, tangled subway and train system. Normally I am all for complicated worldbuilding, but here I just found it hard to visualise where they were or how it all connected. Portals, stations, endless train lines… it started feeling more confusing than clever. Because this setting takes up such a huge chunk of the plot, that confusion kept pulling me out of the story. Which is a shame, because when the focus shifted back to the characters and smaller moments, I was completely on board.

Even with those issues, I am still hooked on the series. There is a darker edge simmering under all the chaos that I would love to see explored more and Carl and Donut’s dynamic is just too good to walk away from. The worldbuilding, humour and wild situations keep pulling me back in, so I will definitely be there for Level Five, hopefully with a map I can actually follow.

⭐️3/5 stars Confusing at times, but I’m still hooked and ready for more.

Reviews

Bat Eater Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Bat Eater Review

*A LITTLE SPOILERY*

After witnessing her sister’s tragic death, Cora Zeng works as a crime scene cleaner in New York’s Chinatown. Grieving, anxious and navigating the racism aimed at East Asian communities during the early days of COVID, she also finds herself haunted by ghosts as the Hungry Ghost Festival approaches. When a series of murders targeting East Asian women begins, strange bat carcasses appear at the scenes, drawing Cora into a chilling mystery.

The novel weaves together grief, cultural tradition, systemic injustice and elements of horror. Its examination of anti-Asian hate, institutional failings and the significance of the Hungry Ghost Festival is both engaging and thought-provoking. Cora is a layered, well-developed protagonist whose struggles with loss, fear of illness and cultural identity are deeply relatable. The insight into Chinese traditions adds richness to the story, grounding the supernatural elements in real-world beliefs and history.

However, the pacing is slow, with long stretches where nothing seems to happen and the serial killer subplot often feels secondary to the cultural and personal themes. While there are moments of unease and some graphic imagery, the horror leans more towards the grotesque than the frightening. The lack of a strong sense of place in New York can make the setting feel flat and the ending may frustrate readers as it leaves justice unresolved.

It’s an atmospheric and meaningful read that shines in its cultural depth and social commentary, even if its structure and pacing stop it from reaching its full potential.

⭐️2/5 Haunting and heartfelt, but not quite the killer read it could have been.

Book Lists

Worth the hype?!

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Worth the hype?!

Every year I am definitely influenced by social media to pick up certain books that are super popular or just generally hyped! And for some reason all the girlies have been gravitating more towards fantasy and romantasy, or at least that’s what’s coming up on my FYP over the last year or so. I have 5 books that I thought were worth the hype and another five that I didn’t quite like or understand as much as the masses…

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman – wild, weird, unexpectedly touching, and genuinely funny. Definitely worth the hype!

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith – This has potential, but I wanted more depth, more connection.

The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli – this just had me hooked right from the start!

Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli – unfortunately didn’t live up to my expectations after the first book!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros – the dragons and the plot twists did it for me!

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood – Just ok… Scarlett was a little too insecure for me, Lukas was everything!

Gild by Raven Kennedy – I had very low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised!

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett – I had to DNF after this book literally put me to sleep.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart –  just enough spice sprinkled onto this pretty typical fae storyline with some fun twists and turns along the way!

Powerless by Lauren Roberts – just an unnecessarily long, tropey book

Updates

🐉 Inheritance Cycle Reread Update 🐉

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on 🐉 Inheritance Cycle Reread Update 🐉

*SEMI-SPOILERY THOUGHTS AHEAD*

I am about 100 pages into Inheritance and ahhh I am loving this so much. It just gives me all the nostalgic feels that I have been looking for and have thoroughly enjoyed my experience so far rereading not just Inheritance but the whole series. We are just getting into the thick of things and everything is starting to ramp up again and I am just enjoying the ride. I want to try and pace myself and take my time reading this book so I don’t get overwhelmed about the size and I want to savor the moment for sure. I am glad I have Murtagh to pick up straight after this is done because I really feel like from what I can remember about the ending I am going to have a bit of a reading hangover that I will have to get back out of!