Dungeon Crawler Carl: The Audiobook That Feels Like an Old-School Radio Drama

I just finished the first Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook by Matt Dinniman, and I liked it! I’m absolutely continuing the series. But let me tell you, there is a LOT going on in this book. You’re introduced to an entirely new universe with different dungeon floors, rules, training, safe rooms, staircases you need to find, monsters, creatures, and a whole internal dashboard system. And just when you think you’re getting your bearings…

NEW ACHIEVEMENT!

REEEWWWAARRRDD!

It’s a lot to keep track of! I mostly listen to audiobooks during short car rides when I don’t have my kiddo with me, or in the mornings while I’m putting breakfast and lunch together. And while I love having something to listen to during those little pockets of time, this particular book really deserves longer listening sessions.

There’s so much happening that it can almost feel like sensory overload when I’m constantly stopping and starting. If I were listening to this on a road trip? PERFECT. I honestly wish I had more time to listen to it in longer stretches because I didn’t have anything I disliked about the book. I just wanted more uninterrupted time to enjoy it.

Jeff Hays Isn’t Narrating. He’s Performing.

Can we talk about Jeff Hays? Because WOW. There’s one narrator. ONE. And somehow, he makes this entire world feel like it’s filled with a cast of performers. Every character has a distinct voice and personality. The timing, the delivery, the humor—he absolutely nails it.

It reminds me of those old radio plays from before television, when people gathered around the radio to listen to stories acted out through dialogue, sound, and performance. That’s what this audiobook feels like. You’re not listening to someone read a book. You’re listening to a production.

And the NEW ACHIEVEMENT! announcements? The dramatic REEEWWWAARRRDD! delivery? Those are some of my favorite examples of how much Jeff Hays brings to the experience. He takes something that could have been a simple announcement and turns it into an entire performance. It’s so good that you genuinely forget one person is doing all these voices.

And then there’s Princess Donut. Yes, that’s really her name. But after you’ve spent some time in this universe, you realize that any other name would be ridiculous. Somehow, Princess Donut makes perfect sense. So does Carl. Don’t ask me to explain it. Just listen to the book.

Why I’m Excited About the Peacock Adaptation

Normally, I get a little nervous when books are adapted for television or movies. It’s not uncommon for important scenes, internal dialogue, or character development to get edited out. Sometimes the story needs to change to work on screen. Sometimes authors revisit their work and decide they’d approach something differently with the benefit of hindsight.

But either way, an adaptation isn’t always going to deliver the same experience as the book. And one of the biggest challenges is showing what characters are thinking. In a book, we’re inside their heads. We understand their motivations, their fears, and all those little thoughts that help us connect with them.

On screen, that’s harder to communicate. But I actually think Dungeon Crawler Carl has a lot going for it. Carl spends plenty of time talking to Princess Donut, which gives the story a natural way to communicate his thoughts. And so much of what he’s thinking involves surviving, solving problems, figuring out the rules, and navigating whatever completely insane situation he’s landed in.

That’s the kind of thing I can imagine translating well visually. And I cannot wait to see what they do with this universe. The different dungeon floors. The monsters. The creatures. The safe rooms. The internal dashboard. And PLEASE tell me they’re going to make those NEW ACHIEVEMENT! and REEEWWWAARRRDD! announcements every bit as ridiculous and entertaining as they are in the audiobook. Those announcements are practically characters themselves.

Hollywood, I Have a Casting Suggestion

I don’t know why, but whenever I’m listening to Carl, I keep picturing Ryan Reynolds. Something about the character, the humor, and the way the dialogue plays out just makes me hear him. Hollywood, if you’re listening, I’m just saying. Maybe give him a call?

And one thing I’m especially excited about is that Jeff Hays has been announced as the voice of Princess Donut for the adaptation. Considering how much he brings to the audiobook, that’s fantastic news.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed Dungeon Crawler Carl. It’s funny, action-packed, completely ridiculous in the best possible way, and brought to life by an incredible narrator. My only challenge was finding enough uninterrupted time to listen. This is one of those audiobooks I’d love to have on a long road trip, when I could really settle into the story without stopping every few minutes.

I’m absolutely continuing the series. But first, I’m taking a little detour into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros as part of my BookCon 2027 preparation. Then it’s back to Carl and Princess Donut.