This Inevitable Ruin (Dungeon Crawler Carl #7)[February 18, 2025]

[Nirkatze]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Gah, I just looked at the cover again, and [spoilers removed] looks gross! I still want a plushie though."

I think you mean AWESOME and I too would like a plushie lol"

LOL

End of Chapter 51 made me laugh--(view spoiler)[Samantha arrives on scene, looks around at the carnage, and says "Wow, and I haven't done anything yet."

But man, that guy tearing out his own rib...

And I was also sad to see Carl is planning on killing Empress Denadia... Or maybe I'm getting her mixed up with Princess Venatia? I can't tell what the name is... the Naga Sepsis Whore after all she had to go through to get power and not die... I'd really rather her and Carl find some way to take out the people who really need it... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Ann-Marie wrote: "I have been putting off posting because even though this was a long book I feel like there was so much packed into it, so many characters and references to prior events, it was a lot. I really wish..."

With luck there'll be more Book 8 chapters on the Patreon soon--he did apologize for not having any yet last update...

Through Chapter 67--(view spoiler)[So, Donut just cast a spell that combined everyone into a big slime?? Is that the War Crime spell? (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Through Ch 34 and Volteeg (view spoiler)[And there goes the Skull Empire. Can't say I'm sad about that. I only wish that Maestro had been in Faction Wars instead of the dad. Now I wonder how Carl is going to turn this whole "end of the universe but not really" situation to their advantage since he's probably the only person who knows that it's not all going to end. Well and now Donut because he told her but that's a lot to unpack in too short a time. Plus he really shouldn't talk about it out loud at all. Ever.

Volteeg's chapter was heartbreaking. I feel bad for the poor little pet who thought it didn't deserve love because he couldn't protect his owner. I also am aghast at the implications about leaving the dungeon and not keeping most of your enhancements. I worry if Carl and Donut survive how it will impact their relationship due to some reversions. At least both their races shouldn't have any weird impacts after leaving though if Donut loses her ability to speak, that would be the worst. Perhaps at the end of all of this they'll turn the dungeon into a theme park or something or extend the enhancement zone since the AI's influence is definitely growing and they can stay either on planet or in the region. I suspect they won't be taking any indentureship contract or anything.

I hope if there are any other former crawlers embedded into the other factions that they can make their way to the Princes Posse. (hide spoiler)]

I don't want this book to end.

I saw there's a poll up on Patreon. Is it anything interesting?

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "Gah, I just looked at the cover again, and [spoilers removed] looks gross! I still want a plushie though."

I think it's ugly cute and would make an awesome plushie :D

[Ann-Marie]

Narilka wrote: "Through Ch 34 and Volteeg And there goes the Skull Empire. Can't say I'm sad about that. I only wish that Maestro had been in Faction Wars instead of the dad. Now I wonder how Carl is going to turn..."

The poll closed, it was: "In book 8, when a team hits the pit stop, they can upgrade their vehicle. But if they come in the bottom of the current heat (and survive), they can't choose the upgrade to their vehicle. Instead, the audience gets to choose. You don't actually know yet what sort of vehicle Carl and Donut have. You don't even know if it's mechanical or biological. What upgrade should they get should they ever find themselves in this position?"

Winner: (view spoiler)[A very protective, sapient child's carseat for Donut.

However I preferred the choice that came in second place: A GPS system that may or may not be trying to kill them. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Narilka wrote: "Through Ch 34 and Volteeg..."

Oh yikes--(view spoiler)[I didn't even think about the possibility that losing their upgrades might remove Donut's sapience. That is indeed terrifying. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I've managed to hold off on reading this, and I might actually wait until Tuesday...

For now, my plans are to finish Summon the Keeper today, and read Shadows Linger and Isaac Steel and the Best Idea in the Universe tomorrow, before thinking about starting this...

[Narilka]

Through Ch 48. So much happening! (view spoiler)[Ahh so the exploding tank wasn't in the Skull Empire, it was the Operatic Collective. Somehow I mixed that up. I'm a tad disappointed that the Skull Empire managed to hang on but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone offs Stalwart.

I'm also a tad disappointed that the whole "end of the universe" thing was over with very quickly. The conversation with the AI's avatar was very interesting though. It's a very good thing it is into Carl's feet lol

So how was Juice Box able to take that weird form?? So many questions from the meeting of warlords.

Prepotente and Carl's reunion was adorable especially with how uncomfortable it made Carl LOL Pony is wicked smart. It's good to have his tactical mind to help out with the rest of faction wars. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Ann-Marie wrote: "The poll closed, it was: "In book 8, when a team hits the pit stop, they can upgrade their vehicle..."

This immediately made me think that perhaps book 8 is a form of Mad Max or Death Race movies.

[Ann-Marie]

Narilka wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "The poll closed, it was: "In book 8, when a team hits the pit stop, they can upgrade their vehicle..."

This immediately made me think that perhaps book 8 is a form of Mad Max or ..."

That is my expectation as well and yeah, I am so here for it <3

[Nirkatze]

Finished this on Saturday but if I didn't post it didn't end, right? (view spoiler)[So much happened, I can't even process straight. Donut is now the most powerful Crawler Mordecai has ever seen? Katya got out... thank goodness we don't have to worry about the crown now... but she had to revert to vanilla human, including no augmentations--and missing body parts! Same !!! as Ann-Marie here... and pregnant too... I don't remember the specifics of that loophole or deal she could use to get out, but I remember it existed... And was that a hint she would have liked Carl to be the father--or would have liked someone dead to be the father?? What was with that "I know what you would like but it cannot be"?

I need a reread already. Glad I have one planned... (hide spoiler)]

[Ann-Marie]

I agree I need to re-read!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

You guys... I swear, it's like wrangling kids ;)

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "You guys... I swear, it's like wrangling kids ;)"

I am okay with this :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

[Ann-Marie]

Listen, I want to be able to immediately recall the name of the crawler who died in the explosion on the 4th floor when the gnolls drove the train towards Carl and crew! Or whatever, you know what I mean.....

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Time to get into the Royal Road fanfics:

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/333...
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/353...

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "You guys... I swear, it's like wrangling kids ;)"

Wrangling slugalos! haha

[Narilka]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Through part 2/chapter 55 and the Justice Light chapter [spoilers removed]"

I just got past this part this morning (view spoiler)[I think Justice Light just convinced Juice Box to go all in and help bring the whole system down. Plus if they join through the 12th floor, there will be a lot of gods for them to touch.

The whole thing to take out the Nagas... wow. Just wow. That's a lot of pain Carl had to go through. His newest slugette is hilarious. I'm glad these guys stuck around after floor 8. I hope after Faction Wars they can keep some of the former cralwers with them, though that would probably be cheating lol

Also, I am loving the AI. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Hear hear to everything. Just everything.

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "Through Chapter 67--(view spoiler)"

(view spoiler)[She combined everyone into a big ball just like the pork ball back in book 1.

This whole push has just been utterly insane chaos. I love it. I know I'm missing things and already can't wait to reread this book :D (hide spoiler)]

This book has, inevitably, ruined me for other books right now lol I've basically stalled on my physical book and even tried to start other BRs I'm behind on to see if I just wasn't connecting with it and, nope! I can't get more than a few pages read before needing to head back to DCC :D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Should be reading this today... just want to finish Golden Son and maybe Threshold anthology, first...

[Ann-Marie]

Narilka is Team Re-Read!!!!! Iain's brain is going to explode lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I don't think Narilka has finished reading it yet...

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I don't think Narilka has finished reading it yet..."

And she wants to re-read already! From the spoiler: "I know I'm missing things and already can't wait to reread this book :D"

Same lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Ah... well... I didn't click the spoiler because spoiler...

I keep clearing my other reads, and saving DCC since it's a longer book... delayed gratification?...

[Narilka]

You're both right! I haven't finished yet and already want to reread it :)

This series is very rereadable. I definitely caught things in books 4 and 5 I missed or didn't understand while listening with my husband (his first time through the series, reread for me). Like in book 5 (view spoiler)[when Donut starts receiving items from other's prize boxes. One is the rod part of the hammer that breaks the 7th floor. It was called "The rod of Cascadia's tears" or similar lol Only we have no idea who Cascadia was when Donut got the item. And "Kill Kill Kill" lady was soooo excited about floor 7 and then it gets ruined... I think that was our hint that was her name and I did not put those together during book 5. Then suddenly in book 6 everyone knew the "kill kill kill" lady's name and I wasn't sure how... (hide spoiler)] There's little nuggets like that scattered throughout.

I finished Ch 68 and the book is giving me anxiety. (view spoiler)[WTF. They better overturn that rule or come up with an amazing alternative. I don't want everyone else to die once the Princess Posse wins :( Also, how the heck does a new faction form right at the end of faction wars? Seems like that shouldn't be allowed. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Finally started... was great opening the audiobook up, since I actually listened to the prologue a few months ago, back when Jeff Hays was recording...

Also slowed down to 3x, to marinate in it a bit more :D
It's only a 14% speed reduction, but it makes a difference...

About 2hrs in now (actual 2hrs, not sped up 2hrs), listening to all the achievements and rewards carrying over from the previous book, and with Dinniman, sometimes it's hard to tell what's a joke and what really happened... anything is possible, if your memory sucks... (view spoiler)[maybe Carl DID jerk off a crab ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Finally started... was great opening the audiobook up, since I actually listened to the prologue a few months ago, back when Jeff Hays was recording...

Also slowed down to 3x, to marinate in it a ..."

hahahahahahaha --- I think Carl would disagree ;)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Just reached the point in the book where the Donut Holes shirt became relevant, ROFL...

(view spoiler)[Unauthorized Animal Porn!!! (hide spoiler)]

Princess Donut is NOT amused...

[Ann-Marie]

Narilka wrote: "You're both right! I haven't finished yet and already want to reread it :)..."

In all seriousness I did want to immediately start a re-read and I am sad I didn't do so lol There was so much going on in the book, I am absolutely certain I missed stuff.

[Ann-Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Just reached the point in the book where the Donut Holes shirt became relevant, ROFL...

[spoilers removed]

Princess Donut is NOT amused..."

If that shirt wasn't truly awful I would consider buying it but man, the donut on her butthole is too much lol

[Nirkatze]

Damn, but I'm tempted to join you for your March reread, Ann-Marie... even though I've got my June one coming up...

[Ann-Marie]

Nirkatze wrote: "Damn, but I'm tempted to join you for your March reread, Ann-Marie... even though I've got my June one coming up..."

It's February, book club is this Sunday! That is part of the reason I started #7 so early, I wanted as much separation between that and my re-read of this so I wasn't like "OMG Wait until you see what happens with....." I am also considering buying the full cast edition but I am not certain if it is unabridged. I have off tomorrow because I need to bake cookies for my nephew's birthday party Saturday so I plan on listening to #1 in some version then :)

Also I wanted to read #7, not gonna lie here lol

[Narilka]

Through Ch 75 (view spoiler)[My god. Poor Katya. That backstory of hers is tragic on so many levels. I felt so bad for the little baby who could've had a loving home for the end of its days and instead was left in a sterile hospital :( The worst part is knowing that likely happens all the time in our reality too.

Lucia Mar's situation is seriously eff'd up. Seriously. And I didn't think the books could get that much more screwed up. That's a lot of lives relying on one character.

Donut's over the top reaction to having to get tattooed was priceless lol

I have no idea how the heck this ends without even more carnage. I really hope they figure out a way to save the NPCs too.

I also like how everyone who was previously trying to keep info hidden from the crawlers, like Xev and their adjutant, now share a lot more openly since they realized that the whole game is basically AI controlled without any other oversight and no one knows the repercussions so just trying to save as many as they all can.

And thank you for finally getting Donut and Carl back together physically!!! That was way too much time apart. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Forgot to add! This goes with through Ch 75 (view spoiler)[I had been wondering how the whole "get Samantha a body" thing was going to work out. Wasn't there supposed to be a vendor or caster that they could buy a spell from in Laracos or something before they destroyed the city by flooding it? So now Juice Box promising to help.... given how no other plan to get Samantha a body has worked, makes me think Juice Box won't survive even if they do figure out a way to save the NPCs otherwise. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Finished. I'm having trouble processing. Will open remaining spoilers in a moment. (view spoiler)[This just got so complicated.

I had completely forgotten Sledgie had the Zurzura spell to get them all out lol

It was highly satisfying for Mordecai to get his revenge.

We haven't seen the leader board in a while. Donut better be #1 considering everything. I have no idea how Carl will catch up or if he even can.

Li Na is absolutely screwed unless she can survive without any healing through all the floors needed to find everyone she marked. I'm not emotionally attached, just find this twist interesting.

I'm so happy Katya got out. And so sad at how much of her body she lost. I hope that being in an enhancement zone will help with things once they finish breaking the game and perhaps they'll figure out some better healing/regeneration. Dungeon enhanced prosthetics are good though. I really hope we get snippets of how she's doing during the remainder of the series.

How the hell is Eris gallivanting around the system? Is it because the AI's influence has expanded? Could technically all the gods do this if they were aware? Or was it because of what Justice Light did? A combo of both? The goddess tied with Katya's condition is now aware too of the surface so I guess we will see.

Who the hell is that lawyer that's now Carl's wife?? I thought this was not serious but seems it is. How does he not remember he got married? This better be explained in book 8.

Pony warmed my heart telling Carl he loved him. I think Carl is Pony's human now. Carl seems to have accepted it.

And... Samantha. Is the Scavenger?? What does that even mean???? She wasn't featured in the book nearly enough so hopefully that changes in book 8 with her new possible plot line. I'd forgotten they had that flesh golem body. It was nice of her to save Louis with it.

Milk's final scene with all the crawlers, past and present, thanking and giving gifts to Carl and Donut made me tear up so much.

Scolopendra waking up can't be a good thing.

I feel bad for Baroness Victory becoming the head of government. She has such a huge bullseye on her now. Hope she can transfer that target quickly. I like her. (hide spoiler)]

The advert at the end was hilarious. I wonder if Matt helped write this one.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I’m only through Chapter 25ish and feel like so much is happening :D

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I’m only through Chapter 25ish and feel like so much is happening :D"

Embrace that feeling :D

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "Finished this on Saturday but if I didn't post it didn't end, right? ......"

(view spoiler)[I think the glance shared between Katya/Carl at the end could go either way. They bonded in her dream sequence in a way she can't with anyone else. So would she have preferred Bautista? Not sure! Carl's not human either so it wouldn't have worked with him either. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Ann-Marie wrote: "I have been putting off posting because even though this was a long book I feel like there was so much packed into it, so many characters and references to prior events, it was a lot. I really wish..."

(view spoiler)[Mongo being a father! I forgot to mention that. Plus with a new hybrid species never seen before. I wonder if Mongo really understands. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "I’m only through Chapter 25ish and feel like so much is happening :D"

Embrace that feeling :D"

I mean... that's the series in a nutshell... it just feels next level in this one, with (view spoiler)[the cookbook flashbacks & quotes, and just tons of callbacks and references to characters we haven't thought about in awhile, in general... like that homeless Remnant... (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Based on the Soundbooth Theater advert, it seems there's another Matt Dinniman book coming out this year. Has he posted about it on Patreon?

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I mean... that's the series in a nutshell... it just feels nex..."

Yep and I agree. It's next level in this one. I have no idea how he does it. Matt is a genius. Buckle up Crawler, you ain't seen nothing yet ;)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Matt's other description of the book is basically "if Call of Duty gamers were killing real alien/interplanetary people, while sitting at home talking shit on microphone"

https://www.reddit.com/r/DungeonCrawl...

[Narilka]

Thanks Iain. That's interesting. The advert made it sound like something will release this summer too. Someone let me know if I misheard that at the very end.

[Narilka]

More thoughts now that I've processed a bit. (view spoiler)[What about Carl being the de facto ruler of earth? Will that still be true now that Donut's leveled up significantly? Was it ever actually true or just something the Nagas needed to make a deal?

Are they going to have to take out Agatha? She's suddenly an antagonist.

Is killing that lady enough for Mordecai's revenge or will they also try to set up Odette and that gameshow guy?

In the epilogue, the former crawlers are looking to send help to Katya. Thank god. (hide spoiler)]

[Ann-Marie]

This book was a lot and I keep saying I want to re-read the series and I haven't done so but I did re-read #1 today and it was so good. I forgot about dumb shit that made me laugh like the size of the 90 year old man's penis when he peed on the wall and summoned the level 93 monster and the struggle to tame Mongo when they first got him and how the AI started lusting after Carl's feet pretty much from the start. I am going to prioritize re-reading the series in time to start again with Nirkatze later this year. I want to know this series like I know Green Creek, Tales from Verania or The Tarot Sequence!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

So I was reading an article about "LitRPGs going maintstream" with Dinniman's acquisition by Ace, and various other LitRPG imprints at other publishers...

In the article they talk to Seth Ring, whose written several LitRPG series, and is starting a new one in March 2025 where a dishwasher helps fight alien invasion...

I was much more interested in the book when I thought it was the appliance, and not someone who washes dishes at a restaurant / military barracks :D

[Narilka]

OMG I read it as an appliance too before your last line lol