The Bookwyrm's Review of The Gate of the Feral Gods (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4) by Matt Dinniman
Rating: 10/10
Synopsis
New Achievement! Total, Utter Failure.
You failed a quest less than five minutes after you received it. Now that’s talent.
A floating fortress occupied by warrior gnomes. A castle made of sand. A derelict submarine guarded by malfunctioning machines. A haunted crypt surrounded by lethal traps.
It was supposed to be easy. One bubble. Four castles. Fifteen days. Capture each one, and the stairwell is unlocked.
Here's the thing. It's never easy. Carl and his team can't go it alone. Not this time. They must rely on the help of the low-level, I-can't-believe-these-idiots-are-still-alive crawlers trapped in the bubble with them. But can they be trusted?
Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the fifth floor of the dungeon.
Review
Sometimes you run across a series that just grabs your attention more with each book. Dungeon Crawler Carl is just such a series. The Gate of the Feral Gods, the fourth book in the series, somehow managed to top the first three fantastic books in the series, and demonstrates that this is a series that has huge potential in future installments. Lets dive into what makes this the best in the series so far.
As in the other books, we get a completely new setting for the level in this book, in the form of individual domed lands with sky, land, water and tunnel portions, and missions requirements unique to each. The setup is different from the previous levels, separating the various crawlers much more than before, and really increasing the danger and stakes. There is also the introduction of gods, who have a much greater impact on the world at large, creating a whole new dynamic. We also get a look at some new races, including one that is an easter egg homage to another author in the LitRPG sphere. These little touches are a lot of fun.
The characters are again so well done. Carl and Donut are such fun protagonists, and play off each other so well. Carl's determination to not be broken and to pay back the aliens that have ruined all their lives comes across in so many ways, and we get to see a more strategic side to Carl in regards to survival. He makes some moves you would never have expected when the books first started, and its a great progression. The antagonists in the level are bigger and more deadly than ever before, and it's really in doubt how many crawlers will survive. The external threats to Carl and his companions are bigger than ever as well, with Carl realistically expecting to be backstabbed by his plethora of enemies from outside the levels, and he and his crew's reactions really point to some drastic changes as the story progresses.
The narration of the audio version is again performed by the talented Jeff Hays. It is easy to see how much he enjoys narrating this series, because he brings so much to his characterizations. Each character voice is distinct, and performed with passion and zest. The voice of the AI may be some of his best work ever, and he obviously relishes performing it. The narrative pacing is spot on, and it just immerses the listener in the story. I highly recommend this version.
I am really enjoying where the story is going. The stakes are increasing, and you have the feeling that the other shoe is going to drop at some point for Carl and Company. I highly recommend checking this series out to see just what that will entail.
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