Finished ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl?’ Here Are 7 Books That You Should Read Next
From LitRPG to progression fantasy, these are the perfect reads after 'Dungeon Crawler Carl'
Key Takeaways
- Discover seven books that capture the spirit of 'Dungeon Crawler Carl.'
- Explore the best LitRPG and progression fantasy series to read next.
- See why authors like Matt Dinniman say the genre is winning new readers.
Maybe you appreciated Carl’s sarcastic humor, Princess Donut’s scene-stealing personality or maybe the series’ addictive blend of game mechanics, action and heartfelt storytelling. Whatever that answer may be, it’s hardly surprising that Dungeon Crawler Carl has become one of the most successful word-of-mouth success stories in modern speculative fiction. So, what do you read as a follow-up?
The good news is that there’s no shortage of outstanding series that capture different aspects of what makes Matt Dinniman’s novels so compelling. Some feature wisecracking heroes thrown into impossible situations, while others deliver the same satisfying sense of growth as their protagonists become increasingly powerful. Others still combine clever storytelling with nonstop action and memorable supporting casts.
As Dinniman has noted, “LitRPG has been such a small kind of insular community… and to see it start leaking out the edges, and people in groups other than the LitRPG groups talking about some of these books makes me really happy. I’m happy to recommend them to anybody who will listen because it’s so fun. There’s so many amazing books that don’t really get the attention they need… He Who Fights with Monsters, Beware of Chicken, Heretical Fishing… you can just go on and on and on.”
If you’re looking for your next obsession, here are seven books and series that Dungeon Crawler Carl fans should add to their reading lists.
If you loved Carl’s humor…
‘He Who Fights With Monsters’ by Shirtaloon
About the author: Australian author Travis Deverell writes under the pen name Shirtaloon. He launched He Who Fights with Monsters as a web serial before it exploded in popularity on Kindle Unlimited, Audible and in print, helping establish it as one of the defining series in modern LitRPG.
Reading order: Readers should begin with He Who Fights with Monsters (2021), followed by Book 2 (2021), Book 3 (2021), Book 4 (2021), Book 5 (2022), Book 6 (2022), Book 7 (2023), Book 8 (2023), Book 9 (2024), Book 10 (2024), Book 11 (2025) and Book 12 (2025).
What it’s about: Jason Asano is an ordinary Australian who suddenly finds himself transported to a magical world where monsters roam, powerful abilities determine status and survival depends on learning the rules as quickly as possible. Initially dismissed as an outsider, Jason gradually develops extraordinary powers while becoming entangled in conflicts that stretch far beyond his own survival. Along the way, the series balances epic fantasy, political intrigue and explosive action with an irreverent sense of humor that has become one of its defining trademarks.
If you liked Carl’s sarcastic sense of humor: Like Carl, Jason is an ordinary person dropped into an impossible situation with no instruction manual. Rather than becoming a conventional fantasy hero, he meets danger with sarcasm, skepticism and an unwillingness to simply accept the rules of the world around him. Readers who loved Carl’s wisecracks, emotional growth and relationships with an unforgettable supporting cast will find many of those same qualities here. While He Who Fights with Monsters ultimately heads in its own direction, it offers a similar blend of humor, heart and high-stakes adventure that makes it easy to race from one book to the next.
Shirtaloon says: “Jason Asano is a flawed character. He has to be. This is a long series, which means he needs a lot of room to grow or I’ll just run out of character to develop. And he was most flawed at the start, as you’d expect. I’ve said many times that a lot of Jason’s flaws I took from myself at that age. I was pretty insufferable as well. That’s not to say that Jason is turning into me as he gets older and learns lessons—we might share a love of board games and nostalgia for Knight Rider, but our similarities are superficial and our differences deep.”
“As for why I decided on this approach, it’s for a couple of reasons. One is that if I was going to use the very overworn isekai trope, I wanted it to mean something. Yes, I wanted to tell jokes that were basically ‘what if Gandalf met Crocodile Dundee,’ and I had a lot of fun with that. But I really wanted to explore what it meant for the sensibilities of two very different worlds to come into conflict. The main way I explore this is through the character development of Jason. Although the stakes become increasingly grand, the heart of the story remains Jason himself—an unlikely hero whose wit often proves just as valuable as his growing arsenal of magical abilities.” (royalroad)
‘The Murderbot Diaries’ by Martha Wells
About the author: Martha Wells is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy author whose work spans novels, short fiction and media tie-ins. She achieved international acclaim with The Murderbot Diaries, earning multiple Hugo, Nebula and Locus Awards while introducing one of modern science fiction’s most distinctive protagonists.
Reading order: The series begins with the novella All Systems Red (2017), followed by Artificial Condition (2018), Rogue Protocol (2018), Exit Strategy (2018), the novel Network Effect (2020), Fugitive Telemetry (2021), System Collapse (2023) and Artificial Wisdom (2025).
What it’s about: Murderbot is a self-aware security android that has secretly hacked its own control module, giving it complete freedom for the first time. Rather than embarking on a campaign of conquest, however, it would much rather binge-watch serialized entertainment than interact with humans. Unfortunately, its instinct to protect the vulnerable repeatedly draws it into dangerous missions involving corrupt corporations, alien technology and deadly conspiracies. Despite its action-packed premise, the series is equally interested in questions of identity, friendship and what it truly means to be human, all filtered through Murderbot’s dry, often hilarious internal narration. There is already a Murderbot adaptation airing on Apple TV.
If you liked Carl’s dry internal monologue…: On the surface, Carl and Murderbot couldn’t be more different, yet they share many of the qualities that make readers fall in love with them. Both are reluctant heroes who never asked to become the center of extraordinary events, and both use biting sarcasm as a way to cope with impossible situations. Like Dungeon Crawler Carl, The Murderbot Diaries balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional depth, proving that even the funniest adventures can have a great deal of heart.
Martha Wells says: “I’d read/seen a lot of stories with AI who want to become human, like Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation. I wanted to write about an AI that wasn’t interested in becoming human at all, and who wasn’t particularly interested in revenge against humans, either. An AI that just wanted to be left alone.” (amazingstories)
If you loved watching Carl grow stronger…
‘The Primal Hunter’ by Zogarth
About the author: Danish author Zogarth first built an audience by publishing The Primal Hunter as a web serial before the series became a breakout success on Kindle Unlimited and Audible. Today, it’s regarded as one of the leading titles in the progression fantasy and LitRPG genres, attracting millions of readers eager to follow its ever-expanding world.
Reading order: Readers should begin with The Primal Hunter (2022), followed by Book 2 (2022), Book 3 (2022), Book 4 (2023), Book 5 (2023), Book 6 (2023), Book 7 (2024), Book 8 (2024), Book 9 (2024), Book 10 (2025), Book 11 (2025) and Book 12 (2026).
What it’s about: Office worker Jake Thayne is having an ordinary day when humanity is suddenly thrust into a brutal multiverse known as the System, where survival depends on strength, skill and the willingness to evolve. As civilization collapses around him, Jake discovers he possesses extraordinary instincts as a hunter, allowing him to thrive in a world filled with monsters, rival factions and ancient powers.
What begins as a desperate fight for survival steadily expands into a sprawling fantasy epic as Jake explores new worlds, forges unlikely alliances and continually pushes the limits of his abilities. The series places a strong emphasis on exploration, combat and the satisfaction of watching its protagonist steadily grow stronger through experience and determination.
If you liked watching Carl level up: One of the greatest pleasures of Dungeon Crawler Carl is watching Carl overcome increasingly impossible challenges by becoming smarter, stronger and more resourceful with every floor. The Primal Hunter delivers that same sense of progression in abundance. While it takes a more serious tone than Matt Dinniman’s series, it offers the same addictive “just one more chapter” momentum as Jake unlocks new abilities, defeats ever-more dangerous enemies and continually raises the stakes.
Zogarth says: “I read a lot of other novels like Defiance of the Fall, He Who Fights with Monsters, all of the big ones, and I pretty much picked and chose what I wanted. Then I made a standard universe where I took all of the good parts—dungeons, classes, professions—and spent way too long making a way too complicated system behind the hood. I wanted to create a bit of a lighthearted story and I wanted a main character that actually wants to get stronger. But I didn’t want what a lot of other novels do, where the motivation is always, ‘If I don’t get stronger, someone I like dies.’ Jake just wants to get stronger because he wants to kill bigger stuff.” (YouTube)
‘Defiance of the Fall’ by JF Brink
About the author: Swedish author JF Brink transformed Defiance of the Fall from a popular web serial into one of the biggest names in progression fantasy. The series has earned a devoted international readership through Kindle Unlimited and Audible, becoming a staple recommendation for fans of epic LitRPG adventures.
Reading order: Readers should start with Defiance of the Fall (2021), followed by Book 2 (2021), Book 3 (2022), Book 4 (2022), Book 5 (2022), Book 6 (2023), Book 7 (2023), Book 8 (2023), Book 9 (2024), Book 10 (2024), Book 11 (2025), Book 12 (2025), Book 13 (2026) and Book 14 (2026).
What it’s about: Zac Atwood’s quiet life ends in an instant when Earth is absorbed into a vast cosmic system that transforms the planet into a deadly battlefield. Cut off from civilization, Zac must survive alone against monsters, rival races and impossible odds before gradually discovering that Earth’s fate is tied to events unfolding across an unimaginably large universe. As the story grows, so does its scope. What begins as a tale of survival evolves into an epic adventure spanning multiple worlds, ancient civilizations and powerful cosmic forces, all while Zac continues his relentless climb toward greater strength.
If you liked the ever-expanding scope: Like Carl, Zac begins as an ordinary man forced to adapt to an incomprehensible new reality where every victory must be earned. Readers who loved the escalating challenges, inventive combat and constant sense of forward momentum in Dungeon Crawler Carl will find much to enjoy here. Defiance of the Fall trades much of Dinniman’s comedy for larger-scale world-building, but it rewards readers with an enormous, immersive adventure that never stops raising the stakes.
JF Brink says: “Defiance of the Fall was the first thing I wrote, and the books were written at a frantic pace as I built my audience. Combine the two, and there’ll inevitably be room for improvement.”
‘Cradle’ by Will Wight
About the author: Will Wight is one of the most influential authors in modern progression fantasy. Through his independent publishing company, Hidden Gnome Publishing, he built Cradle into an international bestseller and helped introduce countless readers to the genre.
Reading order: The completed series begins with Unsouled (2016), followed by Soulsmith (2016), Blackflame (2017), Skysworn (2017), Ghostwater (2018), Underlord (2019), Uncrowned (2019), Wintersteel (2020), Bloodline (2021), Reaper (2021), Dreadgod (2022) and concludes with Waybound (2023).
What it’s about: Lindon is born “Unsouled,” considered incapable of practicing the sacred arts that define status and power in his world. Refusing to accept the limitations others place upon him, he embarks on an extraordinary journey to reshape his destiny. Alongside powerful allies and unforgettable mentors, Lindon steadily transforms from the weakest person in the room into one of the most formidable figures in existence. The series is celebrated for its brisk pacing, imaginative world-building and remarkably satisfying progression, with every victory feeling earned through perseverance rather than luck.
If you liked rooting for an underdog: While Cradle isn’t a LitRPG, many Dungeon Crawler Carl readers recommend it for the same reason: watching an underdog hero grow through intelligence, determination and relentless effort is deeply satisfying. Like Carl, Lindon constantly faces opponents who appear vastly more powerful, yet repeatedly finds creative ways to overcome them. If your favorite part of Dungeon Crawler Carl was cheering as Carl became increasingly capable without losing his humanity, Cradle deserves a place at the top of your reading list.
Will Wight says: “I read a lot of translated web novels, and I watch a lot of anime. From that unnatural union, the Cradle series was born. Before beginning Unsouled, I envisioned Cradle as a free chapter-by-chapter web serial, like most of the stories I read nowadays.”
If you loved outsmarting impossible odds…
‘The Perfect Run’ by Maxime J. Durand
About the author: French author Maxime J. Durand, who also writes under the pen name Void Herald, has become one of the most respected voices in progression fantasy and web fiction. While he has written several successful series, The Perfect Run is widely regarded as his breakout work, earning praise for its inventive premise, memorable characters and sharp sense of humor.
Reading order: The completed trilogy begins with The Perfect Run (2021), followed by Book 2 (2021) and concludes with Book 3 (2022).
What it’s about: Ryan Romano has one extraordinary ability: whenever he dies, time resets to a fixed point in his life, allowing him to try again. After centuries of perfecting his skills through countless “runs,” Ryan arrives in the futuristic city of New Rome determined to achieve what has eluded him for so long—the perfect outcome, where everyone he cares about survives. Blending superhero action, science fiction, comedy and mystery, the trilogy turns every setback into another opportunity for Ryan to rethink his strategy. As each timeline reveals new secrets and unexpected consequences, readers slowly piece together the larger puzzle alongside the protagonist.
If you liked Carl’s clever strategies: One of the joys of Dungeon Crawler Carl is watching Carl think his way out of situations that seem impossible. Ryan approaches problems in much the same way, relying less on brute force than on careful planning, quick thinking and a healthy sense of humor. Both protagonists are endlessly resourceful, both refuse to give up regardless of the odds, and both anchor stories that balance explosive action with genuinely heartfelt moments. If you enjoy protagonists who win because they’re clever rather than invincible, The Perfect Run is an easy recommendation.
Maxime J. Durand says: “I started writing web novels as a hobby, after being inspired by works such as Worm or Mother of Learning. Now I work full-time as the author of LitRPG, fantasy and sci-fi works and I have no intention of stopping. Most non-LitRPG novel readers are usually looking for something beyond pure progression; The Perfect Run focused a lot more on the core cast and character dynamics because while readers were invested in the main character’s progress, they also wanted to hear more about the character than, say, classes. This opens more opportunities to focus on the world rather than the power system.”
‘We Are Legion (We Are Bob)’ by Dennis E. Taylor
About the author: Canadian author Dennis E. Taylor worked as a computer programmer before turning to writing full time. His background in technology helped shape the witty, science-driven storytelling of the Bobiverse novels, which have become modern science fiction favorites thanks to their inventive concepts and acclaimed audiobook editions narrated by Ray Porter.
Reading order: Readers should begin with We Are Legion (We Are Bob) (2016), followed by For We Are Many (2017), All These Worlds (2017), Heaven’s River (2020) and Not Till We Are Lost (2024).
What it’s about: Software entrepreneur Bob Johansson expects cryonic preservation to be little more than an expensive insurance policy. Instead, he awakens more than a century later as the artificial intelligence controlling a self-replicating interstellar probe. As new versions of Bob are created to explore the galaxy, they encounter alien civilizations, protect humanity’s scattered survivors and wrestle with the philosophical questions that come with existing as digital consciousness. Although filled with fascinating scientific ideas and large-scale space exploration, the heart of the series lies in Bob’s humor, curiosity and optimism as he continually finds inventive solutions to seemingly impossible challenges.
If you liked Carl’s inventive problem-solving: While Bobiverse is firmly rooted in science fiction rather than fantasy, it shares many of the qualities that have made Dungeon Crawler Carl such a phenomenon. Like Carl, Bob approaches one impossible situation after another with creativity instead of brute force, and readers quickly become invested not only in the action but also in the characters who surround him. It’s a different kind of adventure, but one that delivers the same sense of fun and discovery.
Dennis E. Taylor says: “I was reading one particular book and it was less than excellent. I got about 30 pages into it and finally gave up and said, ‘I can’t believe somebody managed to publish this. I could do better than this.’ My wife looked over and said, ‘Well, why don’t you? Write a book.’ I thought about it for a while and then I just fired up Word and started typing. I had a choice of two stories in my head at the time. One was Outland, one was We Are Legion. I went with Outland first, but that was just a flip of a coin.”
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