by Matt Dinniman
Published 2025
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The apocalypse will be televised! Welcome to the first book in the wildly popular and addictive Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition.You know what’s worse than breaking up with your girlfriend? Being stuck with her prize-winning show cat. And you know what’s worse than that? An alien invasion, the destruction of all man-made structures on Earth, and the systematic exploitation of all the survivors for a sadistic intergalactic game show. That’s what.Join Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, as they try to survive the end of the world—or just get to the next level—in a video game–like, trap-filled fantasy dungeon. A dungeon that’s actually the set of a reality television show with countless viewers across the galaxy. Exploding goblins. Magical potions. Deadly, drug-dealing llamas. This ain’t your ordinary game show.Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the Dungeon. Survival is optional. Keeping the viewers entertained is not.Includes part one of the exclusive bonus story “Backstage at the Pineapple Cabaret.”
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Energetic · Authoritative · Confident · +3 more
“This voice offers a powerful and energetic delivery, perfectly capturing the dramatic, preacher-like intensity needed for a sadistic game show host persona.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“The deep, dramatic range and expression in this voice are excellent for conveying the high-energy, booming quality of the LitRPG system messages.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Excited
“With its expressive and lively tone, this voice brings a life-like and engaging quality that suits the narrator's dark humor and clear delivery.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Serious
“This voice's smooth, dramatic presence and immersive narration style can effectively carry the theatrical and engaging requirements of the role.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“The bold and inviting energy of this voice provides a dynamic presence, ensuring the narrator's lines are clear and captivating for the audience.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A pragmatic and often sarcastic Coast Guard veteran, facing impossible odds with a weary but determined resolve. His voice should convey both his exasperation and his underlying strength.
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“The deep, gritty, and gravelly texture of this voice perfectly embodies Carl's weary but determined resolve as a veteran facing impossible odds.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Raspy
“This warm, weathered voice with deep gravel and authenticity matches Carl's pragmatic and sarcastic nature, conveying his underlying strength.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“A deep, resonant voice with a slight husky quality and measured delivery suits Carl's serious demeanor and the gravitas of his situation.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Wise
“The seasoned, wise tone of this voice, reminiscent of a former Coast Guard, aligns well with Carl's background and his grounded, sarcastic outlook.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Mature
“This calm, composed, and slightly mysterious voice with a measured pace can portray Carl's exasperation and the subtle tension of his journey.”
A former show cat, now a surprisingly intelligent and sassy companion. Her voice should be distinct, perhaps a bit prim or high-pitched, but with a growing assertiveness and occasional cattiness.
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Entertainment · Low · Educational · +60 more
“This voice offers a versatile range, including high and crisp qualities, which can capture Princess Donut's prim, sassy, and increasingly assertive personality.”
Male · Neutral · Young · Old · Conversational · Narration · +61 more
“The bright, expressive options within this voice can convey the intelligent and confident aspects of Princess Donut, while allowing for a touch of cattiness.”
Canadian · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“While a male voice, its calm and confident energy, combined with professional articulation, could be modulated to create a distinct, slightly prim, and assertive animal companion voice.”
Male · Gaming · Narrative · Calm · Friendly · Middle-Aged · +6 more
“This voice, though male, has a confident and authoritative tone with a smooth, rhythmic delivery that could be adjusted to portray a sassy, intelligent pet with growing assertiveness.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story
“The intelligent and sharp qualities of this voice, despite being male, could be adapted to provide Princess Donut with a distinct, clear, and subtly sassy conversational style.”