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Holiday Dungeon Core #5
Halloween Core
The spooky conclusion to the Holiday Dungeon Core series!
Elmer Robbins has survived thousands of Adventurers delving through his dungeon, but the holiday-obsessed Dungeon Core is in danger. The threat doesn’t stem from some powerful Adventurer or world-ending crisis set to destroy his Core, but from his own success. With a limitation set upon him from the Gods and Goddesses of his new world, he soon hits a wall in his development that could end up destroying him because of an overabundance of Life Force he is forced to absorb from slain Adventurers in his dungeon.
With a choice between slowly succumbing to his destruction by doing nothing, which would prolong his life, or going out in a blaze of glory by creating another holiday-themed section to his dungeon and inviting the permanent death of his soul all that much faster, the decision was easy. With new Halloween-based rooms, he can finally decorate for one of his favorite holidays, and this new section is well-suited the environs of a dungeon.
Will the Adventurers appreciate his new fear-filled dungeon areas filled with pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, vampires, and even trick-or-treating before the inevitable destruction meets his Core? Or will there be a light at the end of the tunnel, saving both Elmer and his trapped wife’s soul from utter annihilation?
Find out now in the conclusion to the Holiday Dungeon Core series, Halloween Core!
Halloween Core is a short, 42k-word novella set in a unique universe that contains LitRPG and Dungeon Core elements such as stats and character progression. Contains no foul language, explicit sexual content, or harems.
Elmer Robbins has survived thousands of Adventurers delving through his dungeon, but the holiday-obsessed Dungeon Core is in danger. The threat doesn’t stem from some powerful Adventurer or world-ending crisis set to destroy his Core, but from his own success. With a limitation set upon him from the Gods and Goddesses of his new world, he soon hits a wall in his development that could end up destroying him because of an overabundance of Life Force he is forced to absorb from slain Adventurers in his dungeon.
With a choice between slowly succumbing to his destruction by doing nothing, which would prolong his life, or going out in a blaze of glory by creating another holiday-themed section to his dungeon and inviting the permanent death of his soul all that much faster, the decision was easy. With new Halloween-based rooms, he can finally decorate for one of his favorite holidays, and this new section is well-suited the environs of a dungeon.
Will the Adventurers appreciate his new fear-filled dungeon areas filled with pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, vampires, and even trick-or-treating before the inevitable destruction meets his Core? Or will there be a light at the end of the tunnel, saving both Elmer and his trapped wife’s soul from utter annihilation?
Find out now in the conclusion to the Holiday Dungeon Core series, Halloween Core!
Halloween Core is a short, 42k-word novella set in a unique universe that contains LitRPG and Dungeon Core elements such as stats and character progression. Contains no foul language, explicit sexual content, or harems.
- GenresFantasy
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2022
33 people are currently reading
57 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.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. Listened on Halloween Day to get me in the mood before trick or treating, and it hit all the right spots.
As the last book in this series, I appreciated that I didn't have to know all the previous books in the series to still understand the world. It did enough of a recap so I could understand the points of previous books, but was its own self-contained story.
Short and sweet. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for hardcore stats, but was light and festive and a great way to get in the mood for the holiday.
As the last book in this series, I appreciated that I didn't have to know all the previous books in the series to still understand the world. It did enough of a recap so I could understand the points of previous books, but was its own self-contained story.
Short and sweet. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for hardcore stats, but was light and festive and a great way to get in the mood for the holiday.
October 19, 2022
Nice
I enjoyed the book and I enjoyed the whole series I feel a bit cheated that we don't get a Thanksgiving book. I definitely wanted to see a giant turkey running around
I enjoyed the book and I enjoyed the whole series I feel a bit cheated that we don't get a Thanksgiving book. I definitely wanted to see a giant turkey running around
January 9, 2023
With Death on the Line? What's to Lose ?
Whoa !!!! Jonathan Brooks has achieved a very notable accomplishment in this Utterly Amazing Novella series Holiday Dungeon Core and especially its Finale Halloween Core... These are Characters that I have come to Love. Through all of Elmer's adventures as a new Core to Keebles and Annabella, I had a vested interest in their incredible Journeys. Without spoilers all I can say OMFG ... even with Death on the Line literally, this is a Juggernaut of fun and Tense moments where I was cheering and Heartbroken for the Heroes and Yelling and cursing the Bad Guy !!! Well-done Jonathan for a Bad Ass ride through your Dungeon !
Whoa !!!! Jonathan Brooks has achieved a very notable accomplishment in this Utterly Amazing Novella series Holiday Dungeon Core and especially its Finale Halloween Core... These are Characters that I have come to Love. Through all of Elmer's adventures as a new Core to Keebles and Annabella, I had a vested interest in their incredible Journeys. Without spoilers all I can say OMFG ... even with Death on the Line literally, this is a Juggernaut of fun and Tense moments where I was cheering and Heartbroken for the Heroes and Yelling and cursing the Bad Guy !!! Well-done Jonathan for a Bad Ass ride through your Dungeon !
December 4, 2025
Rating: 3.5 stars
Halloween Core is a solid ending to the Holiday Dungeon Core series. All loose ends are tied up nicely and the comeuppance for the main bad guy was very satisfying.
I read this as part of an omnibus of the whole series. There was a bonus Thanksgiving themed short story at the very end that I think I enjoyed more than the rest of the series. It was the perfect length for the story it had to tell and gave us a nice glimpse into Elmer and Mary's life after she was freed.
Halloween Core is a solid ending to the Holiday Dungeon Core series. All loose ends are tied up nicely and the comeuppance for the main bad guy was very satisfying.
I read this as part of an omnibus of the whole series. There was a bonus Thanksgiving themed short story at the very end that I think I enjoyed more than the rest of the series. It was the perfect length for the story it had to tell and gave us a nice glimpse into Elmer and Mary's life after she was freed.
October 15, 2022
Great story and finale!
This has been a fun, and at times scary, series! Some part of me wishes there was more (more holidays, etc.), but the story and series was wrapped up well and completely. :)
It would be really neat if one of the MMORPG companies would make a deal with Mr. Brooks and recreate the dungeons in a game!
This has been a fun, and at times scary, series! Some part of me wishes there was more (more holidays, etc.), but the story and series was wrapped up well and completely. :)
It would be really neat if one of the MMORPG companies would make a deal with Mr. Brooks and recreate the dungeons in a game!
May 14, 2023
When I read the original story, Christmas Core, I have looked forward to seeing what author Jonathan Brooks had in store for Halloween. It was a little disappointing that we didn't get to see what a couple of the rooms in this dungeon were capable of due to the bad guy's efforts. But, the overall story and conclusion were worth the wait. Fantastic ending to a fun series.
October 12, 2022
Another Great Tale!
I loved it! It kept me riveted the whole way through and though I am sad that the series has now ended, it was a fitting and satisfying finale. Totally magnificent writing!
I loved it! It kept me riveted the whole way through and though I am sad that the series has now ended, it was a fitting and satisfying finale. Totally magnificent writing!
October 16, 2022
Great end to a fun series
This whole series has been comforting and entertaining, and this final book is no exception. While it would be nice to continue hearing stories from this world and characters, it ended well enough that I'm satisfied. Cheers to you.
This whole series has been comforting and entertaining, and this final book is no exception. While it would be nice to continue hearing stories from this world and characters, it ended well enough that I'm satisfied. Cheers to you.
October 26, 2022
fantastic
This book was amazing, it gave a ending to the series. I knew the soul manipulator would have to have been dealt with for Elmer to find peace, and I knew he would be with his wife by the end, but I loved the interesting way the soul manipulator was defeated.
This book was amazing, it gave a ending to the series. I knew the soul manipulator would have to have been dealt with for Elmer to find peace, and I knew he would be with his wife by the end, but I loved the interesting way the soul manipulator was defeated.
November 1, 2022
I loved the series
I waited for Halloween to finish reading the last book. I loved the books. I love how it ended. Though I do wish there was a book with his wife at his side. :)
I waited for Halloween to finish reading the last book. I loved the books. I love how it ended. Though I do wish there was a book with his wife at his side. :)
February 1, 2023
Happy Holidays
A very good series
Even though written for America as a Brit I could still feel the Holiday spirit
I enjoyed Being one with the core and seeing how his traps and minions faired
A very good series
Even though written for America as a Brit I could still feel the Holiday spirit
I enjoyed Being one with the core and seeing how his traps and minions faired
April 25, 2023
Halloween Core
Elmer has learned a lot as a dungeon core and is ready to create a new section. This time he has a more specific target I. Mind though. Dungeon Divers are well and good, but he knows that the Soul Manipulator is still out there. He is not after loot and experience, but after Elmer and his wife’s very soul.
This is a great conclusion to the series of novellas! Each one perfectly encompasses the feeling of the holiday it represents. My only complaint is they there is not a Thanksgiving Core bonus novella!
Content warning: none
Elmer has learned a lot as a dungeon core and is ready to create a new section. This time he has a more specific target I. Mind though. Dungeon Divers are well and good, but he knows that the Soul Manipulator is still out there. He is not after loot and experience, but after Elmer and his wife’s very soul.
This is a great conclusion to the series of novellas! Each one perfectly encompasses the feeling of the holiday it represents. My only complaint is they there is not a Thanksgiving Core bonus novella!
Content warning: none
September 6, 2024
Prefectly Simple
Although the story was predictable, there is something quite pleasing about it. One of the better dungeon core stories out there for sure. I would probably describe this series as the best introductory/beginner stories for the genre. Thank you for the read!
Although the story was predictable, there is something quite pleasing about it. One of the better dungeon core stories out there for sure. I would probably describe this series as the best introductory/beginner stories for the genre. Thank you for the read!
May 5, 2025
A pretty basic story with a straightforward dungeon setup—nothing groundbreaking, but it does what it sets out to do. If you’re a fan of the dungeon core genre, it’s worth a listen for the fun, seasonal theme, even if it doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table.
October 5, 2022
Good book
Another very good book. It is a fitting end to the series.
I wish there would be 1 more book as an epilogue.
Another very good book. It is a fitting end to the series.
I wish there would be 1 more book as an epilogue.
October 13, 2022
Omg
Omg this book was so great.I can't wait to see if the author does a great job with the next one.
Omg this book was so great.I can't wait to see if the author does a great job with the next one.
October 24, 2022
Excellent series
Absolutely enjoyable! Will likely reread each book at the beginning of each Holiday season over the next year. Ended at a perfect place.
Absolutely enjoyable! Will likely reread each book at the beginning of each Holiday season over the next year. Ended at a perfect place.
October 25, 2022
A nice end
I enjoyed the story and of how things turned out. The set up for the Halloween setting sounded fun and I only wish that I could have read more of it
I enjoyed the story and of how things turned out. The set up for the Halloween setting sounded fun and I only wish that I could have read more of it
November 7, 2022
fun
A fun conclusion to the series. Goes well with the series. Well told. Good world. Fast paced. Highly enjoyable. I hope you like it
A fun conclusion to the series. Goes well with the series. Well told. Good world. Fast paced. Highly enjoyable. I hope you like it
November 23, 2022
I absolutely loved this whole series!
Great concept well written and fun to read.
The whole series was great, I am sad to see it go.
Great concept well written and fun to read.
The whole series was great, I am sad to see it go.
December 14, 2022
Great end to the series.
January 12, 2023
A fantastic ending to the series. Loved the different creatures, and rooms elmer created, and the ending just made me smile ear to ear. So sweet.
July 12, 2024
As part of a holiday based core system it is a good read. I recommend reading starting in early October to get into the Halloween mood.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews