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Superhero Dungeon #1
Villain Core
Sam Smith, the biggest superhero fanboy ever, was excited to get super powers… until his first evening as a crime fighter meant dealing with the villain Exosuit.
Then Sam died. It was a heroic death, but still not how Sam imagined things going.
To his surprise, Sam wakes as a “Villain Core”—the A.I. behind superhero training centers. He’s quickly informed that an equal number of superheroes and supervillains will be created for an intergalactic competition over the control of Earth, and Sam must prepare his side—the superheroes—for this grand war.
Which is awesome, up until Sam learns the supervillains are cheating.
With the aid of his A.I. assistant, Melissa, and a superhero team run by Sam’s old friend, Lucas Lee, now the hero Fury Fist, Sam must grow his training center to become the most powerful Villain Core ever, both to level up the heroes around him and to survive the villains attempting to destroy him.
A Dungeon Core story for fans of superheroes.
Then Sam died. It was a heroic death, but still not how Sam imagined things going.
To his surprise, Sam wakes as a “Villain Core”—the A.I. behind superhero training centers. He’s quickly informed that an equal number of superheroes and supervillains will be created for an intergalactic competition over the control of Earth, and Sam must prepare his side—the superheroes—for this grand war.
Which is awesome, up until Sam learns the supervillains are cheating.
With the aid of his A.I. assistant, Melissa, and a superhero team run by Sam’s old friend, Lucas Lee, now the hero Fury Fist, Sam must grow his training center to become the most powerful Villain Core ever, both to level up the heroes around him and to survive the villains attempting to destroy him.
A Dungeon Core story for fans of superheroes.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2022
86 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 5, 2022
This is a out as unrealistic and pathetic as it gets.
The heroes are just a joke, they show no skill, no training, no planning, nothing. The core is a child who creates a non-lethal dungeon, then makes it easier for the heroes. That is not training, that is coddling. The actual dungeon building is rather pointless and never feels like it gets anywhere. This is hard to read, you never feel good about the heroes and the villains are generic and interchangeable. As a dungeon book, this is poorly written. As a superhero book this is badly balanced.
The heroes are just a joke, they show no skill, no training, no planning, nothing. The core is a child who creates a non-lethal dungeon, then makes it easier for the heroes. That is not training, that is coddling. The actual dungeon building is rather pointless and never feels like it gets anywhere. This is hard to read, you never feel good about the heroes and the villains are generic and interchangeable. As a dungeon book, this is poorly written. As a superhero book this is badly balanced.
February 28, 2022
fun
A fun combination of dungeon core and superheroes, we watch as Earth is thrust into an alien game to determine our future and our fate rests in the hands of a nerd turned hero turned core. The story starts slows, but entertains. It’s fast paced, well written, good edits. Highly enjoyable. Have fun.
A fun combination of dungeon core and superheroes, we watch as Earth is thrust into an alien game to determine our future and our fate rests in the hands of a nerd turned hero turned core. The story starts slows, but entertains. It’s fast paced, well written, good edits. Highly enjoyable. Have fun.
February 28, 2025
The premise is decent, however the childish humor and constant oh you miss your best friend, you must be gay for each other is extremely annoying.
August 27, 2022
A functional book, but I personally just could not get over one of the main characters. The whole dungeon core subgenre is usually pretty silly but when a character goes out of their way to remind you of "that" person in high school who made you miserable because you were too polite to tell them to shut up and leave you alone it's hard to stick with it. Some of the background world building is also pretty bleh. That all said if you like dungeon core novels with a different angle and you really, really like boy scout type characters you will probably have a really good time.
August 7, 2022
*Audiobook review*
If I could, I would I give this zero stars. The MC is a man child and I felt embarrassment just to read the character's inner thoughts and dreams. He is a WEEB with the cringe factor so high that I couldn't continue an hour into the book. Interesting idea and plot but the author spends his time talking about his boyfriend Jonathan Brooks; who is equally a less than stellar writer.
If I could, I would I give this zero stars. The MC is a man child and I felt embarrassment just to read the character's inner thoughts and dreams. He is a WEEB with the cringe factor so high that I couldn't continue an hour into the book. Interesting idea and plot but the author spends his time talking about his boyfriend Jonathan Brooks; who is equally a less than stellar writer.
March 25, 2022
Good
Hero dungeon book. It's good and I like the characters. The humor is funny and the violence is awesome. Very fun.
Hero dungeon book. It's good and I like the characters. The humor is funny and the violence is awesome. Very fun.
August 18, 2022
More interesting in theory than in execution. As often, there's far more focus on "not-dungeon" rather than "dungeon".
It's readable, but not much more.
It's readable, but not much more.
September 16, 2022
Good Dungeon Core novel w/ cringy dialogue
I am not someone that likes dungeon core novels. I find that the story is the weakest part cause authors have to try to describe this type of book in a semi realistic way. I often can't take it shortly in but the story wasn't so bad.
There are common themes to dungeon core usually involving a gifted protagonist, some wish fulfillment, sometimes harem, and story that tells you to just shut off your brain. This has most of those with no harem thankfully. The story is decent if predictable at times
The worst part of this book though is the dialogue and there were even some weird placements of social issues in there. A villain randomly using racism when he hadn't thus far and called for "idiotic racism" and towards the end a girl talks about bully tactics like they are taught in a school lecture. There are sole heart warming moments and dialogue but it's hard to get past how cringy it can be and that may be something that puts people off.
Overall it's a good story and has a path forward. The new book just came out and I will give it a go. I don't think there is enough negative in book 1 to not give book 2 a try.
I am not someone that likes dungeon core novels. I find that the story is the weakest part cause authors have to try to describe this type of book in a semi realistic way. I often can't take it shortly in but the story wasn't so bad.
There are common themes to dungeon core usually involving a gifted protagonist, some wish fulfillment, sometimes harem, and story that tells you to just shut off your brain. This has most of those with no harem thankfully. The story is decent if predictable at times
The worst part of this book though is the dialogue and there were even some weird placements of social issues in there. A villain randomly using racism when he hadn't thus far and called for "idiotic racism" and towards the end a girl talks about bully tactics like they are taught in a school lecture. There are sole heart warming moments and dialogue but it's hard to get past how cringy it can be and that may be something that puts people off.
Overall it's a good story and has a path forward. The new book just came out and I will give it a go. I don't think there is enough negative in book 1 to not give book 2 a try.
April 24, 2022
A Great Read For The Nerd Inclined
A great portion of the enjoyment from reading this novel is recognizing the tropes from, and references to, Science Fiction and Fantasy books, movies, games, TV shows, and comics. The story begins with the origin stories of two neophyte superheroes, Lucas Lee and Sam Smith and quickly morphs into a Dungeon Core novel with the death of of one resulting in his conversion into a Villain Core.
This novel may appeal to fans of Superhero stories as much as it does to fans of Dungeon Core stories. It may also appeal to some fans of the broader Science Fiction and Fantasy genres.
A great portion of the enjoyment from reading this novel is recognizing the tropes from, and references to, Science Fiction and Fantasy books, movies, games, TV shows, and comics. The story begins with the origin stories of two neophyte superheroes, Lucas Lee and Sam Smith and quickly morphs into a Dungeon Core novel with the death of of one resulting in his conversion into a Villain Core.
This novel may appeal to fans of Superhero stories as much as it does to fans of Dungeon Core stories. It may also appeal to some fans of the broader Science Fiction and Fantasy genres.
September 22, 2023
This is one of my favorite dungeon core stories, and one of my favorite superhero LitRPG stories. If you like either, or both, this story is definitely one to check out.
Dual MCs/split narratives are one of those things that people seem to either love or hate. For me, I think it's a cool way to tell a story, and this executes it well. Both MCs feel different when it's their turn to be the POV character, neither overshadows the other or excessively steals the limelight.
Instead, both of their personalities and perspectives compliment the other, and I liked the interplay between them a lot.
The setting and system are both interesting, and while I'm not usually a fan of cooperative dungeon stories, this one does a good job of justifying the tropes and creating interesting conflicts that revolve around them.
Dual MCs/split narratives are one of those things that people seem to either love or hate. For me, I think it's a cool way to tell a story, and this executes it well. Both MCs feel different when it's their turn to be the POV character, neither overshadows the other or excessively steals the limelight.
Instead, both of their personalities and perspectives compliment the other, and I liked the interplay between them a lot.
The setting and system are both interesting, and while I'm not usually a fan of cooperative dungeon stories, this one does a good job of justifying the tropes and creating interesting conflicts that revolve around them.
August 9, 2022
Well worth the read
Taking the time honored Dungeon Core tropes of base building, snarky-sexy dungeon fairy, and geeky references both big and small (yes I saw that Cat Dungeon reference you tried to hide) This story manages to merge all of that almost seamlessly with the superhero genre in a way that no one else has yet managed.
More than that, the author has given the origin of superpowers an interesting and believable explanation.
I really hope the author continues this series cause I can't wait to see how this goes.
Taking the time honored Dungeon Core tropes of base building, snarky-sexy dungeon fairy, and geeky references both big and small (yes I saw that Cat Dungeon reference you tried to hide) This story manages to merge all of that almost seamlessly with the superhero genre in a way that no one else has yet managed.
More than that, the author has given the origin of superpowers an interesting and believable explanation.
I really hope the author continues this series cause I can't wait to see how this goes.
March 25, 2025
For the audiobook
Narrator was just OK. I stopped shortly after the super villains entered the dungeon and were defeated by the minions. The Dungeon core helper lady with her east coast ethnic accent just started really grating on me, it wasn't very well done.
I thought it might get more interesting once the striver wolf asian girl showed up, but then realized I simply didn't care anymore - I think there was an hour left, not sure, don't care.
This is YA tier and not really interesting.
Narrator was just OK. I stopped shortly after the super villains entered the dungeon and were defeated by the minions. The Dungeon core helper lady with her east coast ethnic accent just started really grating on me, it wasn't very well done.
I thought it might get more interesting once the striver wolf asian girl showed up, but then realized I simply didn't care anymore - I think there was an hour left, not sure, don't care.
This is YA tier and not really interesting.
October 11, 2022
A Fun Kind Of Different Take On The Standard Dungeon Core Story
I liked the interactions between characters and the particular style of the story. As always easy to follow progression in these types of stories is a plus. I enjoyed that it wasn’t too serious without throwing the stakes out the window. Becoming neither slapstick comedy nor gritty drama. A nice balance was struck and I appreciate it. Overall it was fun and entertaining throughout.
I liked the interactions between characters and the particular style of the story. As always easy to follow progression in these types of stories is a plus. I enjoyed that it wasn’t too serious without throwing the stakes out the window. Becoming neither slapstick comedy nor gritty drama. A nice balance was struck and I appreciate it. Overall it was fun and entertaining throughout.
May 6, 2022
A great dungeon core b
I like everything about this story and found it to be able too hold on to my imagination to the very end.I believe the charters to be refreshing and have an amazing possibility to be a cut above with many more books to hold my imagination.Thanks for your hard
I like everything about this story and found it to be able too hold on to my imagination to the very end.I believe the charters to be refreshing and have an amazing possibility to be a cut above with many more books to hold my imagination.Thanks for your hard
February 7, 2023
Goodvread
This was an enjoyable read. My one big problem is not explaining the leveling up. I'm s gamer so I understand but there are non gamers that would be completely lost by that.
This was an enjoyable read. My one big problem is not explaining the leveling up. I'm s gamer so I understand but there are non gamers that would be completely lost by that.
May 29, 2023
For those who like discussing optimum builds and the number crunching side of gaming, you'll love this book. For those who also want well-developed personalities and multifaceted characters, not so much.
September 19, 2022
Good overall
A little slow at first but picked up and turned into a great story. Will move right into the next.
A little slow at first but picked up and turned into a great story. Will move right into the next.
September 30, 2022
Lots of fun
This is a creative hero story, with a fun dungeon core theme. Very well written, and worth a good read.
This is a creative hero story, with a fun dungeon core theme. Very well written, and worth a good read.
November 17, 2022
A very good hero story. Funy
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews