What do you think?
Rate this book
Dungeon Crafting #4
The Crafter's Darkness
A time of great darkness is approaching, but will Sandra and her dungeon survive?
After being responsible for destroying multiple Dungeon Cores, the consequences of which she has yet to see but knows will be coming, Sandra and her friends must obtain help from the leadership of the nearby lands. The problem will soon become bigger than she can contain, and only by them all working together will everyone survive the dangers represented by the nearby dungeons.
On top of that, Sandra also has to develop a plan to combat the ever-expanding territories of the local dungeons and protect the people still living in her Area of Influence. It is a difficult and complicated problem to solve, but with the aid of some new friends she begins to get a handle on the situation.
Unknown to Sandra and everyone else, however, someone wronged by the craft-loving Dungeon Core has designs of their own that will throw the wastelands into chaos. Those dangers, coupled with some personal issues of Sandra’s own, could usher in a period of darkness that the world hasn’t seen in centuries…
This Dungeon Core story contains LitRPG/GameLit elements such as statistics and leveling and a heavy crafting emphasis. No profanity and no harems.
After being responsible for destroying multiple Dungeon Cores, the consequences of which she has yet to see but knows will be coming, Sandra and her friends must obtain help from the leadership of the nearby lands. The problem will soon become bigger than she can contain, and only by them all working together will everyone survive the dangers represented by the nearby dungeons.
On top of that, Sandra also has to develop a plan to combat the ever-expanding territories of the local dungeons and protect the people still living in her Area of Influence. It is a difficult and complicated problem to solve, but with the aid of some new friends she begins to get a handle on the situation.
Unknown to Sandra and everyone else, however, someone wronged by the craft-loving Dungeon Core has designs of their own that will throw the wastelands into chaos. Those dangers, coupled with some personal issues of Sandra’s own, could usher in a period of darkness that the world hasn’t seen in centuries…
This Dungeon Core story contains LitRPG/GameLit elements such as statistics and leveling and a heavy crafting emphasis. No profanity and no harems.
600 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2020
455 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Brooks
93 books491 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 12, 2024
It is an excellent book with big battles, descriptions of new crafting techniques and friendship. The end is heartbreaking but at least there is still some hope that the situation would be fixed.
June 29, 2020
Good book want more
Great book. I'm only annoyed that it ended where it did. Of course there is more crafting, as much as a core can do, but it's good fun and makes for an exciting read. Obviously there is a darker twist or problem in the latter part of the book but we wont see a fix until the next book. The enemies are piling up and I hope that the author doesnt allow some of the thorns to survive battle to annoy later or continuously in the series. Looking forward to the next book soon as this one is a bit of a cliffhanger which I hate.
Great book. I'm only annoyed that it ended where it did. Of course there is more crafting, as much as a core can do, but it's good fun and makes for an exciting read. Obviously there is a darker twist or problem in the latter part of the book but we wont see a fix until the next book. The enemies are piling up and I hope that the author doesnt allow some of the thorns to survive battle to annoy later or continuously in the series. Looking forward to the next book soon as this one is a bit of a cliffhanger which I hate.
June 21, 2020
Bloated
This is about two thirds longer than it needs to be. Removing redundancies, unnecessary descriptions, and some of the boring bits, would remove two thirds of this book. It would improve the pacing, allow room for more story, and be more enjoyable.
The previous books had similar issues, but the author has advanced this bad habit rather than break it.
This is about two thirds longer than it needs to be. Removing redundancies, unnecessary descriptions, and some of the boring bits, would remove two thirds of this book. It would improve the pacing, allow room for more story, and be more enjoyable.
The previous books had similar issues, but the author has advanced this bad habit rather than break it.
January 26, 2026
Enjoying this series.
July 20, 2020
An engaging and unique take on the dungeon core idea - crafting and allying with food...
Another great installment in Sandra the crafting dungeon’s epic tale brings back those who feel she’s wronged them for a battle that will affect more than just the two invading races... but don’t let me jump ahead too far.
Sandra and her resident dwarves begins working on alcohol, while Kelerim and Sandra work on a brilliant plan to hire mercenaries to help the races fight back against the cores attaching them.
Her unique mental outlook and situation creates turbulence in every races society that she comes into contact with, but...
Will the leadership of the races accept her offers of assistance? Can they believe a dungeon is anything but a hungry dangerous sentient out for their lives? Will her envoys and friends return in time to help Sandra? What new ideas or items will she craft? Can she survive a fight with 4 dungeons at once as they grow stronger, conflict seems inevitable?
I truly enjoyed this latest book regaling Sandra’s further adventures as a human turned dungeon core, she’s a likable, creative personality who we see struggle against her own new nature while trying to save the races that dungeons are meant to occupy and constrain from fighting each other.
Another great installment in Sandra the crafting dungeon’s epic tale brings back those who feel she’s wronged them for a battle that will affect more than just the two invading races... but don’t let me jump ahead too far.
Sandra and her resident dwarves begins working on alcohol, while Kelerim and Sandra work on a brilliant plan to hire mercenaries to help the races fight back against the cores attaching them.
Her unique mental outlook and situation creates turbulence in every races society that she comes into contact with, but...
Will the leadership of the races accept her offers of assistance? Can they believe a dungeon is anything but a hungry dangerous sentient out for their lives? Will her envoys and friends return in time to help Sandra? What new ideas or items will she craft? Can she survive a fight with 4 dungeons at once as they grow stronger, conflict seems inevitable?
I truly enjoyed this latest book regaling Sandra’s further adventures as a human turned dungeon core, she’s a likable, creative personality who we see struggle against her own new nature while trying to save the races that dungeons are meant to occupy and constrain from fighting each other.
April 26, 2024
Sandra has always been passionate about crafting. Blacksmithing, enchanting, jewellery making, leatherwork - she has made it her life's mission to learn everything she can. Unfortunately her disability means she's never been able to craft anything herself. But she makes do - right up until she's killed chasing a new lead.
When she's reborn as a dungeon core, Sandra is left awed when she discovers her new abilities will let her build and make all she wants - she only needs time and a little bit of creativity before she's able to pursue her passion; crafting.
This one was a bit more of a slog to get through than the earlier books. Sandra is experiencing lots of melancholy and random outbursts of violence and honestly it just made me anxious to read. There was crafting but Sandra was so caught up in the political mess and expanding dungeons and I was just tired. Plus all the characters are out on their own missions and I missed them.
I did like the dwarves and the community they were building. I liked Sandra helping them to create their brewery and distillery. And I liked the offer Sandra makes to the orcs. I just wish it wasn't all so end of the world. It just seems like they're fleeing from one disaster to the next and I wanted some downtime for crafting and getting to know each other and that.
So not quite as enjoyable as the previous books but it was an alright read. 2.5 stars, rounded to 3 stars.
When she's reborn as a dungeon core, Sandra is left awed when she discovers her new abilities will let her build and make all she wants - she only needs time and a little bit of creativity before she's able to pursue her passion; crafting.
This one was a bit more of a slog to get through than the earlier books. Sandra is experiencing lots of melancholy and random outbursts of violence and honestly it just made me anxious to read. There was crafting but Sandra was so caught up in the political mess and expanding dungeons and I was just tired. Plus all the characters are out on their own missions and I missed them.
I did like the dwarves and the community they were building. I liked Sandra helping them to create their brewery and distillery. And I liked the offer Sandra makes to the orcs. I just wish it wasn't all so end of the world. It just seems like they're fleeing from one disaster to the next and I wanted some downtime for crafting and getting to know each other and that.
So not quite as enjoyable as the previous books but it was an alright read. 2.5 stars, rounded to 3 stars.
July 7, 2020
Normally a good author but failed spectacularly in this book
I have read the station core series and thought they were all good. This book is not good at all for a number of reasons:
1st is that this book a massive cliffhanger. While I feel that some cliffhangers are necessary for complex stories this book uses as a trope. You will read the next book not because of a complex story and a amazingly sophisticated group of characters but for some closer to events that should have been resolved in this book.
2nd The main character acts out of her nature for no reason. The point of reading a story is to tell it. Right now the main character is acting completley outside her nature, why? Who knows mcguffins for all I know. The point character development in a story is to show why a character changes and this book doesn't do that at all. Also, side note the main isn't the only one.
3rd. This book doesn't develope the main story at all. Nothing happens in this book (that is explained) that develope the main story.
I could complain more but overall I would NOT recommend reading this book, at least don't read it until the next book comes out because there ZERO closer in this book.
I have read the station core series and thought they were all good. This book is not good at all for a number of reasons:
1st is that this book a massive cliffhanger. While I feel that some cliffhangers are necessary for complex stories this book uses as a trope. You will read the next book not because of a complex story and a amazingly sophisticated group of characters but for some closer to events that should have been resolved in this book.
2nd The main character acts out of her nature for no reason. The point of reading a story is to tell it. Right now the main character is acting completley outside her nature, why? Who knows mcguffins for all I know. The point character development in a story is to show why a character changes and this book doesn't do that at all. Also, side note the main isn't the only one.
3rd. This book doesn't develope the main story at all. Nothing happens in this book (that is explained) that develope the main story.
I could complain more but overall I would NOT recommend reading this book, at least don't read it until the next book comes out because there ZERO closer in this book.
October 9, 2020
This continues to be an enjoyable series with the author managing to give it a fairly unique feel in this sub-genre and at the same time showing a strong focus on progression that is needed as a series heads onwards to it's conclusion, which is particularly dramatic at points in this instalment.
Despite the obvious limitations that the main character has to deal with as a dungeon core, the author ensures that they are an interesting and sympathetic character that continues to engage the listener.
The performance of the narrator again serves to enhance the enjoyment of the listener of this book, particularly with the main character.
Overall, no point starting on this book if you are new to the series, but for those who have enjoyed the previous ones, this is a must-read.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
Despite the obvious limitations that the main character has to deal with as a dungeon core, the author ensures that they are an interesting and sympathetic character that continues to engage the listener.
The performance of the narrator again serves to enhance the enjoyment of the listener of this book, particularly with the main character.
Overall, no point starting on this book if you are new to the series, but for those who have enjoyed the previous ones, this is a must-read.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
July 14, 2020
Good book, but semi-transparent plot devices.
As usual, you get your Dungeon fix from M. Brooks in a manner that's consistent with his quality writing (with a minor complain about table formatting on my e-reader).
My two nitpicks were that the "crafting" interlude felt like a kind of a moment where the author remembers that the idea behind the story is crafting, so here's some crafting. And the ending-slash-cliffhanger seem to be a bit too forced. We've read this kind of story from Dakota Krout before, so I'm expecting something more intelligent to happen.
But overall, a good classic dungeon tale. You are still wondering what will be coming out of the world mechanics to solve the conundrum our Dungeon is slowly sinking into.
As usual, you get your Dungeon fix from M. Brooks in a manner that's consistent with his quality writing (with a minor complain about table formatting on my e-reader).
My two nitpicks were that the "crafting" interlude felt like a kind of a moment where the author remembers that the idea behind the story is crafting, so here's some crafting. And the ending-slash-cliffhanger seem to be a bit too forced. We've read this kind of story from Dakota Krout before, so I'm expecting something more intelligent to happen.
But overall, a good classic dungeon tale. You are still wondering what will be coming out of the world mechanics to solve the conundrum our Dungeon is slowly sinking into.
January 12, 2021
Jonathan Brooks yet again shows his impressive skills with this novel. What tends to surprise me most is his pacing. Brooks weaves the "action filled" chapters with the crafting and statistics portions in such a way that the book never gets dry or boring, yet still gives the reader some "breathing space" before the next action sequence. Speaking of crafting, it is apparent that Brooks had to do considerable research into how mundane things are made - such as cloth or beer - and the research has shown in these books. The Crafters series is one of Brooks best series so far, and I look forward to the next novel!
July 2, 2022
This book made me so angry.
It made me want to go in and beat characters half to death.
It made cry out "you dumb f%&k" more times than I wish to admit.
I have to take a break between this and the next book because I'm just so pissed at everything Sandra is going through.
Other than that this is an amazing story. Maybe because of that?
I have enjoyed and purchased the ebook and audiobook of pretty much everything Brooks has written and will likely continue. He has found his style, his kind of story and always produces something that meets the readers expectations of a "Brooks" story.
It made me want to go in and beat characters half to death.
It made cry out "you dumb f%&k" more times than I wish to admit.
I have to take a break between this and the next book because I'm just so pissed at everything Sandra is going through.
Other than that this is an amazing story. Maybe because of that?
I have enjoyed and purchased the ebook and audiobook of pretty much everything Brooks has written and will likely continue. He has found his style, his kind of story and always produces something that meets the readers expectations of a "Brooks" story.
June 27, 2020
Best one yet!
This was the most thoroughly engrossing book of the series. All is daisies until Sandra is pushed too far by the "stupid ones" of the world that can't see past their upturned noses!! The storyline is excellent and character development is great! I hope Sandra recovers and the races see her as the ray of hope she is for the survival of all. Can hardly wait until the next book! Well done Mr. Brooks!
This was the most thoroughly engrossing book of the series. All is daisies until Sandra is pushed too far by the "stupid ones" of the world that can't see past their upturned noses!! The storyline is excellent and character development is great! I hope Sandra recovers and the races see her as the ray of hope she is for the survival of all. Can hardly wait until the next book! Well done Mr. Brooks!
July 7, 2020
Another good book but I hate cliff hangers!
Good book with a lot going on. Book ended abruptly and I'm left with only negative emotions. Wasn't a bad book but because it ended with very little resolution of...anything...I'm struggling with saying I enjoyed it. More and more kept going wrong and it ended without even really knowing how the last scene ended. So I guess it's fine so far but without knowing how anything works out, I'm not sure how to review it.
Good book with a lot going on. Book ended abruptly and I'm left with only negative emotions. Wasn't a bad book but because it ended with very little resolution of...anything...I'm struggling with saying I enjoyed it. More and more kept going wrong and it ended without even really knowing how the last scene ended. So I guess it's fine so far but without knowing how anything works out, I'm not sure how to review it.
November 5, 2020
Book5 When?
Ok, you know you're hooked, when your frustrated at the seemingly abrupt end of the book. The next book doesn't seem to even have a title or a timeline. Surely it must be impossibly rude and against the laws of nature to let something as mundane as reality intrude on my book binge. Five star book, in a five star series. Thank you I am Thoroughly enjoying ! Now back to work. Snap Snap
Ok, you know you're hooked, when your frustrated at the seemingly abrupt end of the book. The next book doesn't seem to even have a title or a timeline. Surely it must be impossibly rude and against the laws of nature to let something as mundane as reality intrude on my book binge. Five star book, in a five star series. Thank you I am Thoroughly enjoying ! Now back to work. Snap Snap
March 13, 2021
Every Thinking Being Has Their Own Dark Side.
In the previous novel Sandra discovered that by absorbing the broken shards of another (deceased) Dungeon Core she could reduce the time required to increase her Core Size; however, this method of speeding her advancement has a severe drawback. Absorbing the fragments of a broken Core carries fragments of the deceased Core's personality as well. The result is, effectively, a severe case of P.T.S.D. or paranoid schizophrenia. Sandra finds her own dark emotions (anger, fear, and hatred) magnified and must find a way to deal with them and the frighteningly powerful shard of an insane Core that has taken residence in her mind.
In the previous novel Sandra discovered that by absorbing the broken shards of another (deceased) Dungeon Core she could reduce the time required to increase her Core Size; however, this method of speeding her advancement has a severe drawback. Absorbing the fragments of a broken Core carries fragments of the deceased Core's personality as well. The result is, effectively, a severe case of P.T.S.D. or paranoid schizophrenia. Sandra finds her own dark emotions (anger, fear, and hatred) magnified and must find a way to deal with them and the frighteningly powerful shard of an insane Core that has taken residence in her mind.
July 2, 2020
Amazing work!
Another amazing volume to the series! It certainly took a dark turn towards the end of this book. I really do hope that Sandra’s friends can get back to her in time to save her from the abyss that she has fallen into before she is lost forever. Keep up the awesome work Brooks!
Another amazing volume to the series! It certainly took a dark turn towards the end of this book. I really do hope that Sandra’s friends can get back to her in time to save her from the abyss that she has fallen into before she is lost forever. Keep up the awesome work Brooks!
July 21, 2020
???
I hate when writers make character take dark turns after multiple books, which building up to it. as a reader I came to know those characters so I have some kind of expectation of the reactions I don't wanna see another game of thrones style I would have given a 1 star but I enjoyed the overall book I didn't like the ending I hope that changed real quick in the next books.
I hate when writers make character take dark turns after multiple books, which building up to it. as a reader I came to know those characters so I have some kind of expectation of the reactions I don't wanna see another game of thrones style I would have given a 1 star but I enjoyed the overall book I didn't like the ending I hope that changed real quick in the next books.
October 1, 2020
Perhaps is it a bad time for me or perhaps I have had too many cliffhangers lately. But this is not a proper ending to a book. The story advances but all except for one arc is unfinished. If this is then windup to the finally then it fall short. If it is the next installment then it torched if you cannot pick up the next book.
October 3, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much. My only ask, I like seeing the updated status/statistics a bit more often. Looking forward to your next release.
I enjoyed this book very much. My only ask, I like seeing the updated status/statistics a bit more often. Looking forward to your next release.
I enjoyed this book very much. My only ask, I like seeing the updated status/statistics a bit more often. Looking forward to your next release.
October 31, 2020
Excellent series so far
Fantastic writing, solid grammar, and deep characters that found me enjoying both the protagonists and the antagonists. A bit of work could be done to flesh out the other cores in the story, but each had quite a bit of thought put into their motivations.
I will definitely keep reading any of the rest of the series as they become available
Fantastic writing, solid grammar, and deep characters that found me enjoying both the protagonists and the antagonists. A bit of work could be done to flesh out the other cores in the story, but each had quite a bit of thought put into their motivations.
I will definitely keep reading any of the rest of the series as they become available
June 18, 2020
Oof hot dang
Another great book in the series! It’s almost to the point that the races other than human want to kill themselves off. Love the twist with the 4 dungeons. And I hope Sandra isn’t bonkers!
Another great book in the series! It’s almost to the point that the races other than human want to kill themselves off. Love the twist with the 4 dungeons. And I hope Sandra isn’t bonkers!
June 27, 2020
Wish It Was Longer
This is my favorite series from Jonathan Brooks. I first started with dungeon world and enjoyed it a lot. But Sandra is such a unique core and her gimmick keeps everything interesting. Can't wait until the next book.
This is my favorite series from Jonathan Brooks. I first started with dungeon world and enjoyed it a lot. But Sandra is such a unique core and her gimmick keeps everything interesting. Can't wait until the next book.
June 29, 2020
Best crafting lit rpg!
The story is truly engaging with surprises and anticipation to see what happens next keeping my eyes glued to the pages. The depth of the characters grew with the authors confidence throughout the series.
The story is truly engaging with surprises and anticipation to see what happens next keeping my eyes glued to the pages. The depth of the characters grew with the authors confidence throughout the series.
June 29, 2020
Wow
This book builds so well on the previous three, the complications that seem to pile up from previous actions just keep coming. And the ending... let’s just say I’m actually a Little sorry I read this book before the next one is available.
This book builds so well on the previous three, the complications that seem to pile up from previous actions just keep coming. And the ending... let’s just say I’m actually a Little sorry I read this book before the next one is available.
July 6, 2020
Still a great read
Lot of action and suspense. It is hard to complain about it having lots of crafting and details about distilling but it is all crafting. I might not enjoy all that as much as the action but it is still interesting and instructive.
Lot of action and suspense. It is hard to complain about it having lots of crafting and details about distilling but it is all crafting. I might not enjoy all that as much as the action but it is still interesting and instructive.
July 17, 2020
A great continuation
Continuing with the story there was lots of well written action, crafting and dungeon development.
The story is starting to fragment slightly and hopefully will be pulled into a tighter narrative in future installments.
Continuing with the story there was lots of well written action, crafting and dungeon development.
The story is starting to fragment slightly and hopefully will be pulled into a tighter narrative in future installments.
August 4, 2020
Well done!
If you enjoyed the first three books, you'll enjoy this one too! Lots of upgrades and new creatures and enemies. Plot twists and other things galore! Eagerly waiting for the next book!
If you enjoyed the first three books, you'll enjoy this one too! Lots of upgrades and new creatures and enemies. Plot twists and other things galore! Eagerly waiting for the next book!
October 13, 2020
Solid story
This book was a hearty helping of our crafting dungeon. Thoughthe length worked against it at moments, the overall story was of excellent quality and I'm excited to read more.
This book was a hearty helping of our crafting dungeon. Thoughthe length worked against it at moments, the overall story was of excellent quality and I'm excited to read more.
January 12, 2021
The writing can be a little long the explanations a bit boring the story is great though .. sometimes I don’t mind skipping some paragraphs about how the dungeon produces some material for pants to keep the story going
August 26, 2025
Very captivating series, love it!
It is a very engaging story,really enjoyable to read. You might be even able to relate to the problems characters are facing. Hard to put down the book!!
It is a very engaging story,really enjoyable to read. You might be even able to relate to the problems characters are facing. Hard to put down the book!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews