Books Reading

A Little Hatred — Kindle by Joe Abercrombie — Finished
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first book in The Age of Madness trilogy returns to the world of The First Law with a new generation of characters. Abercrombie’s signature brutal realism and dark humor shine through as industrialization comes to the North. The story follows multiple POV characters navigating political intrigue, revolution, and the costs of progress. While not quite as gripping as the original trilogy, it’s a solid return to this world with compelling character work and Abercrombie’s trademark cynicism about power and human nature.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman — Finished
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A wildly creative LitRPG where Earth is suddenly transformed into a deadly dungeon crawler game show broadcast to the galaxy. Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat Princess must fight their way through floors filled with monsters, traps, and sadistic game mechanics. The premise is absurd but executed brilliantly with great humor, surprisingly emotional moments, and clever game mechanics. Fast-paced and addictive, though some of the stats and system explanations can drag.

Dungeon Crawler Carl 2: Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman — Finished
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second book improves on everything from the first. The world-building deepens, the stakes get higher, and the emotional resonance hits harder. Carl and Princess’s relationship continues to be the heart of the series, and the introduction of new companions and increasingly creative dungeon floors keeps things fresh. Dinniman balances the humor with genuine character development and heart-wrenching moments. The game mechanics become more interesting as Carl starts to break the system in creative ways. One of the best LitRPG series out there.

Life Updates

Solomon’s 4th birthday was this month and we had a ton of fun celebrating! Time really flies watching him grow up.