Tag: sci-fi

Reviews

The Butcher’s Masquerade Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Butcher’s Masquerade Review

The Butcher’s Masquerade has easily become my favourite instalment in the series so far. I’ve loved every book, even when things got a bit chaotic along the way, but this one reminded me exactly why I’m so obsessed with this wild world. As soon as we hit the Hunting Grounds something shifted. It felt sharper, more emotional and way more gripping than I expected. I tore through it.

Donut absolutely steals the show here. She always does, but this time she’s on another level. She’s clever, dramatic, mouthy in the best way and so full of heart. I was laughing at her one second then wanting to cry with her the next. Carl’s great too, but Donut owns this whole book and I’m not sorry about it.

What surprised me most was how much heart sits under all the madness. There are some big emotional punches in this one and a few scenes that got me tearing up when I least expected it. The reunion with a certain someone had me holding my breath and it paid off in such a satisfying way. And then there were the moments that came out of nowhere and left me crushed. Prepotente and Miriam had me feeling things I was not prepared for.

Level six itself is such a fun setting. A fantasy world full of dinosaurs, hunters chasing crawlers, strange politics and that menacing masquerade hanging over everything. I loved seeing Carl and Donut take on new specialties, fail and succeed in the funniest ways and get tangled up in all the drama the dungeon throws at them. Even the side characters shine. People you barely know end up hurting to lose because Dinniman is annoyingly good at making them feel real.

The humour is still perfect. Between Donut’s diva era, Mongo’s dinosaur adventures, the comic con scenes and the absolute trainwreck of the masquerade party, I laughed more than I expected to. This series balances heartbreak and pure silliness better than anything else I’ve read and it never loses its heart.

The ending was brutal in that classic Dinniman way and left me stressed but keen for whatever happens next. This series isn’t for everyone, but for those of us who love it, The Butcher’s Masquerade is a standout. It’s emotional, funny, clever and packed with characters you can’t help but root for. I finished it and still don’t feel done with it.

⭐️4/5 stars Bring on the next level!!

Reviews

Walking Practice Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Walking Practice Review

This book was honestly one of the weirdest things I’ve ever read, and I mean that in the best possible way. It follows a shapeshifting alien stuck on Earth who changes between male and female forms to have sex with humans before, well… eating them. It’s bizarre, unsettling and kind of brilliant. Beneath all the chaos, it’s really a deep look at what it means to be human or what it means to never quite fit into the world’s expectations.

Through the alien’s voice, Min dives into big ideas about gender, queerness, loneliness and disability. The creature keeps changing shape, breaking every rule of identity, yet it still craves connection and love. There’s this strange tenderness underneath all the violence and hunger that makes it hit harder than you’d expect. It’s messy and emotional and painfully relatable at times.

The writing plays around with structure too, stretching out words and spacing to make you feel off balance, like you’re inside the alien’s head. It’s graphic, sexual and often confronting, but it’s also beautifully human in its own odd way.

Walking Practice won’t be for everyone, but if you like stories that are strange, gutsy and full of feeling, this one’s worth the ride.

⭐️4/5 stars, weird in the best way.

Reviews

The Gate of the Feral Gods Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on The Gate of the Feral Gods Review

*BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Gate of the Feral Gods is probably the messiest entry in the series so far, but it still had plenty of moments that kept me turning the pages. The fifth floor comes with a whole new set of challenges, with everyone split into their own little fortresses to fight their way out of. It’s a clever idea, but at times it did feel like box-ticking rather than real adventure. The pacing dragged in parts and some of the tension from earlier books wasn’t quite there.

That said, I still really enjoyed it. The world continues to evolve in ways I don’t expect and the creativity is what makes this series so addictive. There were a few frustrating bits, like Carl hiding things from the reader for no clear reason or characters levelling up off-page with little explanation. But those quirks aside, the planning, the battles and the talk show appearances were as entertaining as ever. The AI’s obsession with Carl just gets funnier each book, adding a weird but perfect layer of comedy.

Character-wise, there were some great little moments. Katia’s absence is going to leave a hole, but it also opens up space for new dynamics. I loved the glimpse of Bea finally getting into the game, and I’m keen to see how she’ll shake things up. Some of the new faces introduced on this floor also feel like they’re going to stick around, which could make things even more interesting.

Overall, The Gate of the Feral Gods isn’t the strongest in the series, but it’s far from a disappointment. It’s another step deeper into the dungeon and closer to uncovering the bigger story behind it all. I’m still hooked, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.

⭐️3/5 stars Again not the strongest floor, but I’m still all in for the crawl

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

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Carl’s Doomsday Scenario Review

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario takes the wild energy of the first book and somehow makes it even more outrageous, emotional and fun. Just when I thought the series might get repetitive, this sequel shakes things up with new settings, game mechanics and world-building that feel completely fresh. The dungeon evolves into something closer to a twisted fantasy world, quests are introduced, and we learn a lot more about the galaxy beyond. Not all the side quests grabbed me, but the scale and ambition kept me hooked.

The heart of the story is still Carl and Donut and their bond is stronger than ever. Carl really steps up in this one and not just as a funny lead, but as someone with real depth and a growing sense of purpose. Donut continues to shine with her sass and unexpected growth and even Mongo the dinosaur gets some great moments. The supporting cast is richer this time too, with Mordecai becoming much more than just a tutorial NPC.

What surprised me most again was how the story manages to balance humour with some genuinely heavy themes (trauma, abuse, neglect) all handled thoughtfully without undercutting the comedy. And as with book one, the audiobook absolutely nails the tone. The narrator’s performance is hilarious and spot-on across the board.

It’s chaotic, clever and unexpectedly touching. I gave characters a solid five, emotional impact a four, and the rest sits around a three and a half. Not perfect, but still one of the most fun and unique series I’ve come across.

⭐️4/5 stars I immediately want to jump into the next one!