• Zathras@lemmy.zip
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    12 days ago

    The Dungeon Crawler Carl series. Fan-fucking-tastic, but dark humor is not everyone’s cup of tea.

    • mesa@piefed.socialOP
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      12 days ago

      I have ALL the books physically and audiobooks. So good! But I totally agree. Its not for everyone.

      • Zathras@lemmy.zip
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        12 days ago

        The situations and characters that are introduced through the books get more and more twisted and IMO funny, but I don’t like to spoil it for others. But if you finish book 1 and don’t care for it, then you probably won’t enjoy the following books.

      • WindyRebel@lemmy.world
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        11 days ago

        Man, the end of book 1 really sets up everything. The books really go deeper into themes we are experiencing today in society, but on a larger level. I don’t want to spoil it in case you ever want to get through it.

        The absurdity of what happens in the dungeon is literally meant to be absurd because it’s galactic entertainment on a fucked up level.

        In the end, it’s an entertaining series with a lot of social commentary.

      • Delphia@lemmy.world
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        11 days ago

        I love the series and yeah its definitely not for everyone but I would say finish book one. Its a very unique flavour. I cant think of another “If you like that then you have to read DCC”

    • kindnesskills@literature.cafe
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      12 days ago

      I have a friend who’s very much into DCC, but all he laughs about is a talking cat and a robot who’s very clearly into feet. I was bored of it already the third time he brought up a reference to the feet-thing, so I don’t really feel like reading a whole series with that type of running gag.

      I never heard a word about the dark humour in it… Then again maybe he tries not to spoil anything and that’s why it seems kinda weak?

      I’ll probably go for it if it ever becomes like an animated series or something.

      • Zathras@lemmy.zip
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        12 days ago

        The humor lies in the messed up situations and characters. The narrator in the audiobooks brings so much depth to them. One of my favorite characters who is a good example of this isn’t introduced until book 4. Again, it’s definitely not for everyone, but there’s a growing cult fan base.

              • Delphia@lemmy.world
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                11 days ago

                Prepotente has definitely had his moments but the way the A.I has transitioned slowly from a plot advancement, narrative and exposition tool into a full blown “Whats IT going to do?” character is one of my favorite things about the series.

        • kindnesskills@literature.cafe
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          11 days ago

          Are the characters good? I think what tripped me up most is from what I heard they seemed one-dimentional. Like do they have complexity and personality, or are they mostly one-note or trope-y? (Which can admittedly still be fun in the right setting)

          Because I like the premise. Kind of like a mix of tabletop RPG + dungeon crawler/procedurally generated games + hitchhikers guide to the galaxy?

          • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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            11 days ago

            It kinda straddles it. Most of the characters are on a TV show, and some play into it or are minor bit characters. Meanwhile the major characters have growth and depth as it’s explored what kind of person survives in this situation and what it does to them.

            You’re not going to get the level of depth from side characters you’d get in say Murderbot, nor will you get similar growth, but that’s because Murderbot is about healing, and DCC is about people in a ridiculous and bad situation trying to stay whole or at least break on their own terms.

          • Zathras@lemmy.zip
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            11 days ago

            I am not an advid reader so I don’t not want to mislead you with my answer, but I feel the main characters do build a depth of dimensionality as the series continues.

            • kindnesskills@literature.cafe
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              11 days ago

              Thanks for being upfront lol. But I must say, after having read a 6(?)-book series, you’re at least bordering on “avid reader” by now…!

              • Zathras@lemmy.zip
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                11 days ago

                For this series, yes, but in general compared to my friends, familiy, and coworkers, I do not consider reading a hobby or do it very often. So my idea of what would be a well-developed character be limited/skewed in comparison to those who read regularly.

      • Delphia@lemmy.world
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        11 days ago

        To be fair, its really hard to explain to people why its good. Like imagine the inverse of trying to sell someone on seeing John Wick by describing the plot. “Theres a retired assassin and some gangster kills his dog and then he goes on a rampage”. DCC ping-pongs around from dick jokes to proper emotional torment to obscene violence and back to dick jokes so well while not being able to stick to a genre worth a damn that any attempt to decribe it will sound like a delusional fever dream.

        • kindnesskills@literature.cafe
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          11 days ago

          That’s exactly how I’ve had John Wick described to me… hah. It’s not at the top of my to-watch-list, but it’s not disqualified either.

          Alright, so long as there’s some emotional torment and not just dick jokes - I’m in!

    • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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      11 days ago

      It took so long for my friend to convince me to try it but I’m loving it now that she has. And yeah it’s only for the sort of people who can handle just how much of everything it is