Book Review: Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 3)

Author: Matt Dinniman

Genre: LitRPG / Progression Fantasy / Dark Humor / Science Fiction Fantasy

Tropes: Dungeon Crawl, Survival, Found Family, Game-Like World, Deadly Challenges, Bounties, Dark Humor, Found Family, Talking Pets, Apocalypse

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook 

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl — Book 3

    After leaving the third floor with Carl’s new device that he definitely can’t use yet, Carl and Donut head into the fourth floor’s Iron Tangle, where they meet up with Katia at the request of one of the other top-ten crawlers. Katia is still getting used to her new class, but she quickly becomes an important and connected part of the team.

    Now Carl, Donut, and their growing group have to figure out the secrets of the subway system while helping as many crawlers as they can—which, let’s be honest, is very much a Carl and Donut thing to do—and somehow make it to the next floor. Of course, there’s also the tiny problem of having bounties placed on their heads by anyone trying to take down the top ten.

    I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am obsessed with the Dungeon Crawler Carl books. While I still really enjoyed this installment, it didn’t quite hit me the same way as the previous books. There was plenty of the action, violence, absurdity, and dark humor I’ve come to expect from this LitRPG series, but Carl felt like he was in a much darker mental place throughout this book. And honestly? I am so glad he got the cookbook. Those recipes are going to become far more important to Carl than he has any idea right now.

    We also get to see a side of Mordecai that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. His temper really comes out, especially when it comes to the person Carl got the cookbook from. I genuinely never thought I’d see Mordecai physically lose his temper in a safe room, and while I definitely don't want it to become a regular occurrence, it was incredibly satisfying to watch. Now I desperately need the full story behind what happened there.

    Katia is another fantastic addition to the growing group. She starts this floor still trying to figure out her new class, but she quickly becomes an important part of the core team. I’m not sure whether she’ll remain with Carl and Donut for the entire series, but I really hope she does—or at least becomes one of those recurring background characters who sticks around long enough that you get emotionally attached to them. Donut spends quite a bit of time trying to improve Katia’s appearance, because obviously Donut has opinions about everything, but Katia seems to be doing just fine without taking all of her makeover advice.

    Zev is also slowly growing on me, although I still have some reservations there.

    The biggest difference for me with this book was the emotional tone. There’s some Skull Empire downtime, but the deaths are really beginning to take their toll. Carl is carrying more and more of the emotional weight of everything happening around him, and it makes this installment feel heavier than the previous books.

    I really hope the cookbook gives Carl something positive to hold onto before he gets too far inside his own head. And Mordecai really needs to slow down on the drinking. Seriously. It is bad on this floor. Like, bad bad.

    Even though this wasn't my favorite installment of the series, I still absolutely loved it. The action, violence, ridiculous situations, dark humor, character development, and completely unhinged world-building are exactly why I keep coming back to Dungeon Crawler Carl.

At this point, I don't think there is anything that could stop me from finishing this series.

And yes, I 100% plan on watching the TV adaptation when it comes out, especially because Jeff Hayes is voicing Donut. That casting decision alone has me ridiculously excited.

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.49 by clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll like this book if you enjoy:

• Progression fantasy with game-like mechanics

• Apocalypse and survival stories

• Dungeon crawls and deadly challenges

• Dark humor mixed with brutal violence

• Found family and unforgettable characters

• Talking pets with very strong personalities

• Emotional character development beneath the chaos

• Books that somehow make you laugh while simultaneously destroying you emotionally

Books by this Author: 

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1) 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2) 

Book Review: Day of the Bluebirds by Tarin Elbert

Genre: Science Fiction • Techno-Thriller • Sci-Fi Thriller

Tropes: Self-Driving Cars, Cyberterrorism, Secret Society, Alien Intervention, Military Task Force, Star-Crossed Lovers, Political Conspiracy, First Contact, Multiple POVs

Spice Level: 🌶️

Format: Hardback

Series: Potential Series Starter

    The future promised safer roads. Self-driving vehicles were supposed to be unhackable. Perfect. Foolproof. Until someone proved otherwise. When a secret organization gains control of autonomous vehicles and turns them into assassination tools targeting world leaders, governments scramble to stop an invisible enemy. A multinational military task force is assembled, but after months of investigation they've uncovered little beyond whispers of someone known only as The Reacher.

    As if cyberterrorism wasn't enough, mysterious alien beings—communicating only through dreams and cryptic visions—appear determined to prevent humanity from destroying itself. The question is...why?

    I received a complimentary hardback copy of this book from the author.

    This is a fast-paced sci-fi thriller that took me a little while to settle into. The story opens with several seemingly unrelated events before gradually revealing how everything connects. Once those pieces begin falling into place, though, the book becomes incredibly engaging and difficult to put down.

    There are a lot of moving parts throughout the story, making this one of those books that's easiest to enjoy in longer reading sessions. I'm normally someone who reads in small chunks throughout the day, but I found myself needing to dedicate larger stretches of time so I wouldn't lose track of all the interconnected storylines. That's less of a criticism and more of a recommendation for the best reading experience.

    One of my favorite aspects was the aliens themselves. Rather than the typical humanoid extraterrestrials, they're portrayed as glowing spheres of light that communicate through dreams and fragmented messages. It gave the first-contact element a unique, almost ethereal feeling that fit the story surprisingly well.

    I also really enjoyed how the romance developed. The star-crossed lovers storyline blended naturally into the larger conspiracy, and it was satisfying watching all the seemingly separate plot threads weave together by the end. It's fascinating to think these two characters never would have crossed paths without all of the outside interference—and yet they clearly end up better together because of it.

    The ending wraps up the main conflict well while still leaving readers with plenty of new questions during the final pages. It definitely feels like there's room for this world to continue if the author decides to revisit it, and I'd happily read another installment.

    One thing worth mentioning is that there is some romance and spice sprinkled throughout the novel. The scenes aren't especially explicit, but they are open door, which isn't something I see very often in sci-fi thrillers, so it was a pleasant surprise.

    Overall, this was an entertaining blend of science fiction, political conspiracy, technology, and romance that kept me curious to see how everything would eventually connect.

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Techno-thrillers with AI and futuristic technology
• Self-driving cars and cyberterrorism
• Political conspiracies
• Alien first-contact stories
• Military task force investigations
• Multiple interconnected storylines
• Star-crossed romance
• Fast-paced sci-fi mysteries
• Near-future speculative fiction
• Books that leave you thinking after the final page

A smart, action-packed sci-fi thriller that combines futuristic technology, political intrigue, alien intervention, and romance into a story that's both thought-provoking and entertaining. I'd absolutely read more if this world continues.

Book Review: Tall Boy Sun by Neal Holtschulte

Genre: Science Fiction • Space Opera • Character-Driven Sci-Fi

Tropes: Redemption Arc, Middle-Aged Hero, Space Pirates, Found Family, Family Drama, Hidden Conspiracy, Off-World Adventure, Reluctant Hero, Second Chances

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook & Physical Book

Series: Works as a Standalone with Series Potential

    Sol has spent most of his life trying not to become his father. He may have a questionable employment history, a tendency to drink too much, and a habit of making spectacularly bad decisions, but at least he never abandoned his children. Even after his divorce, he was a parent constantly trying to spend more time with them—not less. Then he gets fired from yet another job after pulling a reckless stunt that could have cost a coworker their life.

    While tinkering with the piles of scrap cluttering his living room, Sol discovers an old holodisk containing footage from one of the leaders of the rebellion that ended twenty years ago. Unsure if it's authentic, he turns to a childhood friend who now works for the government. His friend insists it's fake. But, the events that follows leaves a lot more questions. 

    I received a complimentary copy of this book in both audiobook and physical formats from the author.

    I really enjoyed the audiobook version of this story. The narrator did an excellent job conveying emotions, and I never struggled to tell who was speaking. But the real strength of this book is its characters. Sol is not instantly lovable. In fact, he's kind of a mess. He's a middle-aged man full of unrealized dreams who firmly believes he would have been a legendary pilot during the war…if he hadn't been ten years old when it ended. He drinks too much, makes poor decisions, and has damaged relationships with nearly everyone around him.

    At the beginning, I didn't necessarily feel sorry for him. He created many of his own problems. But watching his growth throughout the story was incredibly rewarding. As the story progresses, we see him confront the effects of his father's abandonment, deal with the consequences of alcoholism, and slowly begin taking responsibility for his choices. His redemption arc felt genuine because it wasn't easy or immediate. He stumbles, backslides, and struggles, which made his growth feel earned by the end.

    This is a fast-paced space opera with plenty of moving parts, including conspiracies, gunfights, family drama, and an intriguing mystery surrounding the holodisk. Despite everything happening, the story never felt overwhelming and kept me invested from beginning to end.

    Trigger Warnings: Parental abandonment, alcoholism, withdrawal symptoms (DTs), abuse, kidnapping, and gun violence.

    The ending doesn't leave off on a major cliffhanger, but it does leave one particular storyline—especially concerning Sol's sister—just open enough that another book could easily happen. And honestly? I would happily return to this universe.

    This book is available on Amazon for $5.99 by clicking here. 

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Character-driven space operas
• Redemption arcs and flawed protagonists
• Middle-aged main characters
• Space pirates and off-world adventures
• Family drama and second chances
• Government conspiracies and hidden secrets
• Sci-fi with emotional depth
• Fast-paced adventures with strong character growth
• Stories about broken people learning to do better
• Audiobooks with excellent narration

    A fun, emotional space adventure that blends conspiracies, family relationships, and a wonderfully messy protagonist into a satisfying sci-fi read with plenty of heart and room for future adventures.

Books by this author: 

Crew of Exiles 

Book Review: Carl’s Doomsday Scenerio by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2)

Genre: LitRPG • Science Fiction • Dark Comedy • Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy

Tropes: Dungeon Crawl, AI Game Master, Talking Animal Companion, Found Family, Survival Game, Leveling System, Quest-Based Adventure, Dark Humor, Apocalypse

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2

    Carl and Donut survived the first two floors of the dungeon. Barely. They even managed to rescue most of the nursing home residents along the way, which is honestly more impressive than some of the boss fights. Now they've reached the third floor, where crawlers must choose their race, gain new abilities, and begin carving out their place in the dungeon hierarchy. This is where Carl and Donut stop being just another pair of survivors and start becoming legends.

    The third floor introduces a massive sky-fowl city filled with quests, factions, side missions, and enough chaos to keep even the most experienced crawlers busy. Mordecai warns them repeatedly to avoid the quests and focus on leveling, but when has Carl's life ever gone according to plan? Before long they're tangled up with a half-niad royal, a circus full of possessed animals, a town-saving mission, and a series of increasingly ridiculous situations where failure could mean Donut's death. 

    I don't think it's possible for me to be objective about Dungeon Crawler Carl anymore. This series has become a permanent fixture in my personality and I regret absolutely nothing. By this point, the world-building really starts to expand. The dungeon feels larger, stranger, and more alive than ever before. We learn more about Borant, the viewers, and the bizarre economy that keeps the crawl running. Every floor somehow manages to feel completely different while still maintaining the same chaotic energy that made me fall in love with the series in the first place.

    One of my favorite aspects of this installment was seeing Carl and Donut truly establish themselves as major players. They're no longer simply reacting to whatever the dungeon throws at them—they're beginning to influence events themselves, whether anyone likes it or not. We also get significantly more Mongo in this book, which is always a win. He's finally grown into his full dinosaur glory and, while he's still very much a child with selective hearing, Donut has become a much more capable dinosaur parent. Their interactions remain some of the funniest moments in the series.

    The humor continues to be absolutely unmatched. The AI remains weirdly obsessed with Carl's feet, Mordecai is perpetually exhausted by everyone's existence, and Donut somehow manages to be both hilarious and infuriating in equal measure. At the same time, the emotional moments hit harder than ever. There were several reveals throughout this book that added depth to the larger story, including finally learning the truth about Ferdinand. Some long-running mysteries begin paying off, while others are only becoming more intriguing.

    And then there's that ending. I won't spoil it, but let's just say Carl acquires something that has all the potential to become an absolute disaster later. Knowing Carl, it almost certainly will. I am both excited and terrified to see what happens next.

    The audiobook continues to be phenomenal. At this point, Jeff Hays doesn't just narrate these characters—he is these characters. I genuinely cannot imagine experiencing this series any other way.

⭐ You'll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG adventures
• Dark humor and absurd situations
• Talking animal companions
• Dungeon crawls with unique mechanics
• Explosive action and boss fights
• Found family dynamics
• AI characters with questionable motives
• Quest-heavy fantasy adventures
• Apocalypse survival stories
• Books that balance comedy and emotional moments

This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1)

Dungeon Anarchists Cookbook (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 3)

Book Review: The Game Master’s Legacy by Michael D Bridges

Genre: LitRPG • Sci-Fi Fantasy • Cyberpunk Adventure

Tropes: Full-Immersion VR, Disabled MC, Sentient NPCs, Evil Corporation, Glitch-Walker, Virtual Reality Survival, Inherited Legacy, AI Consciousness

Spice Level: None

Format: ARC / eBook

Series: Potential Series Starter

    Kade’s real world is painfully small. Confined to a wheelchair and dependent on a ventilator for most of his life, his only true escape exists inside Aethelgard, the fully immersive VR world his father created before his death. In the game, Kade isn’t weak or fragile—he’s a legendary speedrunner and glitch-walker capable of bending the world’s rules.

    But now the corporation Neosy wants control of the system. And Kade refuses to let them take it. Aethelgard is more than just a game. It’s the only place Kade has ever truly felt free, and his father left him the keys to protect it. There’s just one problem: every code alteration comes with a cost under the Law of Conservation of Code. And Kade himself is the price.

    Meanwhile, Neosy has unleashed EGO to “optimize” the system and recover the mysterious soul-data hidden within the game. They won’t stop until they control everything—including the sentient NPCs who may be far more alive than anyone realizes.

    I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author.

    As someone who absolutely loves LitRPGs and full-immersion VR stories, this immediately grabbed my attention—but what surprised me most was how different it felt from most books in the genre. Kade’s physical disability fundamentally shapes both the emotional core of the story and the stakes within the game itself. In most VR LitRPGs, the virtual world is simply an escape or power fantasy. Here, Aethelgard is deeply personal. It’s the one place where Kade can move freely, feel independent, and connect to the legacy his father left behind. That emotional weight made the story hit harder than I expected.

    The concept behind the “Law of Conservation of Code” was one of the coolest parts of the book. Any change to the game must be balanced with a cost, and because Kade is considered the most unstable variable, he absorbs the consequences physically. It added genuine tension to every major action and made the coding mechanics feel dangerous rather than convenient. That said, the phrase itself was repeated a lot throughout the story—twenty-three times, according to my count—and it occasionally became distracting. Similarly, Kade consistently referring to his father by his full name instead of simply “Dad” during emotional moments felt a little unnatural to me.

    But honestly? Those were very minor complaints in an otherwise incredibly engaging read. I finished the book within 24 hours because once it gets moving, it’s hard to put down. The battle scenes are intense, the emotional moments land well, and the sentient NPCs completely stole my heart. I will always love stories where artificial beings blur the line between programming and personhood.

    And the revenge? Absolutely deserved. Vane got off far easier than I personally would have allowed. The ending leaves room for future books with a small cliffhanger that feels intriguing without being frustrating, and I would absolutely continue this series if the author expands the world further.

---

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG and VRMMO stories
• Full-immersion virtual reality worlds
• Disabled protagonists in fantasy/sci-fi
• Sentient NPCs and AI consciousness
• Cyberpunk corporations and conspiracies
• Emotional sci-fi adventures
• High-stakes coding and game mechanics
• Fast-paced action with emotional depth
• Ready Player One-style vibes
• Stories where virtual worlds truly matter

A fast-paced and emotionally grounded LitRPG that blends immersive VR gaming, corporate intrigue, and heartfelt character stakes into a genuinely compelling sci-fi adventure.

This book will be published June 1, 2026, but I do not yet have price points or if it will be available with Kindle Unlimited. I will update this page when I know more. 

Book Review: The Phantom Beast by K. B. Broas (The Seers Book 1)

 Genre: YA Sci-Fi Horror • Paranormal Thriller

Tropes: Teens with Powers, Hidden World, Small Town Horror, Psychic Abilities, Creatures in the Dark, Found Friendship, Cosmic Horror Vibes

Spice Level: None

Format: Paperback

Series: The Seers Book 1

    Jake is losing his mind. At least, that’s the only explanation that makes sense after watching his best friend literally fall from the sky and wake up buried in a golf course. Ever since surviving a cave collapse, Johnny has come back… different. He can see and manipulate mysterious forces he calls strands.

    Now Jake and Johnny's girlfriend are being pulled into a hidden reality where people can alter perception, manipulate emotions, and bend the world around them in terrifying ways. But Jake’s abilities are unlike the others. Instead of flying or controlling objects, he can make people feel disgusted —or force their attention to slide right past him entirely. And once you become aware of the strands, you also become visible to the things lurking in the dark. Especially the creatures hunting Johnny.

    I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from the author, and first off—the cover is absolutely gorgeous. It immediately caught my attention, and thankfully the story inside lived up to it.

    This is a fast-paced YA sci-fi horror novel that follows three teenagers as they uncover a hidden world tied to these mysterious “strands” and the terrifying entities connected to them. What starts as confusion and discovery quickly spirals into something much darker.

    I really enjoyed watching the characters go from ordinary high school students starting a new school year to kids trying desperately to survive forces they barely understand. Their shared connection to the strands initially brings them closer together, but the horrors stalking them slowly begin tearing those bonds apart. 

    The horror elements were easily my favorite part. The whistling creatures were deeply unsettling—especially the way they lure people into trancelike states—and the larger entity capable of tearing apart reality itself to reach Johnny added genuine tension and danger to the story. The deeper the group gets into this hidden world, the more oppressive and terrifying everything becomes.

    The pacing stays strong throughout, and the story constantly pushes you forward wanting to know what happens next. Even seemingly smaller moments, like dealing with school bullies, end up feeding directly into the larger horror unfolding around them.

    That turning point? Incredible. It’s the moment the darkness truly notices them, and from there there’s no going back. As soon as I finished the book, I handed it off to my high-school-aged niece, and she ended up loving it just as much as I did. This feels like the kind of YA sci-fi horror that could easily hook both teen and adult readers alike. I’d absolutely read more from this author in the future.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• YA sci-fi horror
• Teenagers discovering supernatural powers
• Hidden worlds and secret abilities
• Creepy creatures lurking in the dark
• Cosmic horror vibes
• Fast-paced paranormal thrillers
• Friendship dynamics under pressure
• Psychological horror mixed with action
• Stranger Things-style energy

A tense and imaginative YA horror story packed with eerie creatures, mysterious powers, and teenagers thrown into a terrifying hidden reality.

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1)

 Genre: LitRPG • Sci-Fi Fantasy • Apocalypse Adventure

Tropes: Dungeon Crawl, Alien Invasion, Survival Game, Talking Animal Companion, Dark Humor, Reality TV Apocalypse, Leveling System, Found Family

Spice Level: None

Format: Audiobook

Series: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 1

    When The Flattening happened, Carl was outside in nothing but boxers, a jacket, and his girlfriend’s too-small Crocs trying to coax her prize-winning cat out of a tree during the coldest night of the year. Then every building on Earth vanished. Aliens have arrived, civilization has collapsed, and the only chance humanity has to survive is entering massive underground dungeons scattered around the globe. If humanity can clear every level, they get to keep Earth.

    Simple, right? Now Carl and Princess Donut—yes, the cat—must descend floor by floor through a televised apocalypse filled with monsters, traps, insanity, and an AI host that may be having entirely too much fun watching humanity suffer-and a weird fetish.

    Welcome to the dungeon, crawler.

    I absolutely love LitRPGs, and this series had been floating around my book group forever before I finally gave in and started it. My husband had technically started it first but never finished… until I bullied him into continuing because I needed someone else to witness the chaos. And chaos is truly the best word for this book.

    Princess Donut Queen Anne Chonk, Best in Dungeon is hands-down one of the greatest characters I’ve ever encountered in a LitRPG. She starts off delightfully obnoxious, overly dramatic, and completely ridiculous—but somehow becomes impossible not to love almost immediately.

    Book one mainly establishes Carl, Donut, and Mordecai while throwing them headfirst into complete madness. Between murderous monsters, explosive combat, bizarre dungeon mechanics, and an AI obsessed with feet for reasons I genuinely do not want explained, the humor in this series is unmatched. The dark comedy absolutely lands.

    One minute you’re laughing at Donut demanding proper recognition and the next you’re witnessing horrifying dungeon brutality. Somehow the series balances absurdity and violence perfectly without losing momentum.

    I listened to this on audiobook and immediately started book two the second it ended. The narration is phenomenal. The narrator gives Carl this Kronk-esque energy that somehow works perfectly, and now I genuinely cannot imagine Carl sounding any other way. Donut’s voice is equally iconic.  And yes—Donut talks. A magical pet biscuit gives her sentience, and from that point onward the series becomes even more unhinged in the best possible way.

    This book ends with Carl and Donut descending to the next floor, already mildly traumatized and wildly underprepared for what’s coming next. Unfortunately for them—and fortunately for us—it only gets worse from there. The combination of nonstop action, dark humor, ridiculous dungeon mechanics, explosive violence, and genuinely lovable characters makes this one of the strongest LitRPG starters I’ve ever read. Add in the unusual detail of Carl being former Coast Guard instead of the typical overpowered military archetype, and the whole thing just feels fresh.

    At this point my ringtone, notification sound, and phone background are all Dungeon Crawler Carl themed, so I think it’s safe to say this series consumed my personality a little bit. No regrets. I don’t feel like I need to say that I will be reading on in this series, because who could possibly stop after book one? After all crawlers, we have to get out there are “Kill, Kill, Kill!” There isn’t a thing I would change about these books and will be sad when I run out of them. Side note. I MAY have a DCC tee shirt on that says "I AM YELLING, CARL" as I write this...

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG and dungeon crawl stories
• Dark humor mixed with brutal survival
• Talking animal companions
• Reality TV-style apocalypse settings
• Explosive action and nonstop chaos
• Alien invasion stories
• Video game leveling systems
• Audiobooks with incredible narration
• Found family dynamics
• Ridiculous humor alongside real emotional stakes

An absolutely chaotic LitRPG masterpiece full of explosions, monsters, dark comedy, and one unforgettable talking cat.

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2)

Dungeon Anarchists Cookbook (Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 3)

Book Review: Drone Ensign by Kyle Johnson (Drone Rising Book 1)

 Genre: Science Fiction / LitRPG / Space Opera

Tropes: Dystopian System Control, Leveling Up, False Memories, AI Companion, From Nothing to Captain, Willpower Awakening, Cliffhanger Ending

Spice Level:  None – Action-Focused

Format: Audiobook

Series: Book 1 

                Drone Benning Kidd serves very little purpose. She walks the tunnels, cleans mold, and walks on with her little ai assistant. She doesn’t think of anything or remember long term things. In fact, if she tries the system rewards her with a sharp dot of pain to curb her desire to further the pain by thinking. When she is offered 3 game credits to go on a second job for the day she doesn’t hesitate. 2 credits is rare, but 3 for 1 job is basically unheard of. When she arrives she is to be put into a chamber to be chosen for a Citizen to be respawned into. But, the system deems her willpower too high for a drone, moving her up to a Citizen herself. Now, with false memories in place Benning Kidd decides to take on her new life as a warrior and starship captain.

                I got this book with my audible credit of the month. I have been on a bit of a LitRPG kick recently and it seemed like a good idea. I haven’t read a lot of space opera’s but this one is decent. We have a character that was the lowest of the low, little more than a meat suit waiting for a Citizens respawning needs. She gains consciousness and her own Citizenship, but temporarily looses her memories in the process. With the system urging her to “move ever forward” and a new set of false memories to go with her desired plan for the future she is ready to become a starship captain and warrior.

                This is a very action packed book although the audiobook left much to be desired. If I hear km and m physically said instead of meters and kilometers one more time I may just go insane. I almost stopped reading the book entirely because of it and my husband asked me if this was an ai generated read since surely no human narrator could be simple enough to literally say the letters instead of the metric reading system. Except according to google it’s a decently popular narrator. Now, I get to start looking for that narrator’s name to avoid.

                The story ends on a cliff-hanger and I might get the eBook to read on, but no way am I going near the audiobook again. Ignoring the audiobook I enjoyed the story. I won’t hold the narrator’s poor performance against the author. It really isn’t their fault. I really enjoyed the non-stop action in this book as well as how Ensign Benning Kidd was able to manipulate both the system and those around her. It made for an enjoyable read that kept you wondering what she would do next. Also, the amount of petty revenge in this book is just wonderful.

                This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $6.99 by clicking here. (eBook- not audio)

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• LitRPG progression fantasy in space
• AI-controlled dystopian systems
• Strong female leads rising through ranks
• Starship captain arcs
• Non-stop action
• Strategic manipulation of rigid systems
• Cliffhangers that demand the sequel

A high-action sci-fi with a clever, evolving heroine—just maybe grab the eBook instead of the audiobook.

Book Review: I Got Abducted by Aliens and now I’m Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberling Lemming (Cosmic Chaos Book 1)

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance / Alien Romantasy / Erotic Comedy
Tropes: Alien Abduction, Reverse Harem (Why Choose), Wizard of Oz Retelling, Fated Bonds, Talking Animals, Found Family, Cliffhanger Ending, Dubious Consent
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
Format: Audiobook
Series: Cosmic Chaos Book 1 (Ends on a Cliffhanger; Main Arc Satisfied)

                Dorothy was filming the meerkats fierce battle when a lion ambushed her and ripped out her throat. As she lay dying a beam of light exploded around her and she watched in shock as she and the lion flew into the air. On a spaceship tiny owl creatures covered her in some kind of goop that ended up working as a translator. Once she and her new lion friend escaped she wanted nothing more than to get back to her wildlife. But, she and Toto aren’t in Kansas anymore…well the Savannah...

                I got this audiobook with my monthly audible credit and when I tell you I loved every single second of this book I mean it. The narration is amazing. The characters humor is amazing. I officially need to read everything by this author and need the rest of this series to happen immediately. Full disclosure this is SMUT. Like a lot of smut. Explicit scenes, outdoors, and tail play. Not the lion. Aliens. Which is much better. I will say that the consent was...dubious. Intern and his damnable darts....you'll see what I mean. 

                I loved all of the Wizard of Oz references in the book and kind of hate Intern. He is a deceitful little owlish that really needs plucked. I wonder how much better things would have gone for them had they just killed him from the beginning. This book ends on a cliff-hanger, but Dorothy, Lok, and Sol’s story seems to be finished. I hope they stay on as background characters.

                Also, did I mention there are dinosaurs? Like constantly. Loved that more than I can say. And a pink T Rex? Also wonderful. Although, I am not sure how much of it the owlish just pulled out of their feathers like the “human enrichment items”. You will be laughing all the time with this read and enjoying all the spice. Absolutely amazing read and can’t wait for more from this author.

                This book is available on Amazon for $6.99 by clicking here.

You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy:

• Alien reverse harem romance
• Campy, chaotic humor
• Wizard of Oz–inspired retellings
• Explicit, creative spice
• Talking animal companions
• Dinosaurs in space
• Audiobooks with stellar narration

This was wildly entertaining from start to finish. I need the rest of this series immediately—and I’ll absolutely be reading everything this author writes.

Book Review: Abducting Sarah by Brenna Sinclair (Planet Orhon Alien Romance Book 1)

Genre: Sci-Fi Romance / Paranormal Romance
Tropes: MMF Romance, Alien Abduction, Marriage of Convenience, Fated Mates Vibes, Ghost Communication, Royal Intrigue
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (explicit MF scenes; open-door throughout)
Format: eBook

Series: Planet Orhon Alien Romance Book 1

     Sarah has always seen things that aren’t there. Her fiancé has made sure to help her with this issue by making sure she takes her medications. Once she is stable they will finally have their wedding. When Sarah tells him that she feels she is being followed he causes her of stopping her medications, but her disappearance shortly thereafter means she was right…and maybe she wasn’t as crazy as thought. Jac and Deacon introduce her to this alien world, but Sarah isn’t convinced it is real. That being said, this hallucination has the best orgasms. 

    This is a MMF sci-fi romance complete with aliens, powers, ghosts, and so very much smut. That smut absolutely includes sword crossing, although that scene is not explicit unlike the MF scenes. We have a marriage of convenience, but the smut starts almost immediately. We go from Sarah being followed to her being taken care of almost immediately and since she is convinced it is all a hallucination she is okay with that. 

    This is an odd one only in that Deacon was engaged to Silence who was having an affair with his father. She got pregnant. Her father found out and killed his dad. Deacon didn't blame his dad and instead vowed to free Silence from the royal prison, take her to Halla where his dad's ghost lives, and let them live out their lives with his new consort there since she can also see and communicate with ghosts. What could possibly go wrong. 

    Although the premise was a bit odd I really enjoyed the book and all the scenes within. Be them sexual or action based. This book does end on a cliff-hanger that was a bit upsetting, especially for Sarah. I really hope they can get it all fixed and Silence can go do her own thing because absolutely not. I don't care how much honor and duty there is that is going to be a hard no. It really needs fixed immediately. Trying to be vague while venting frustrations here. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

🚀 You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• MMF sci-fi romance
• Alien abduction with a twist
• Unreliable narrators questioning reality
• Marriage of convenience tropes
• Ghost communication and supernatural powers
• Royal intrigue and messy political drama
• 🌶🌶🌶🌶 spice
• Cliffhangers that demand the sequel

If you’re looking for a smut-heavy sci-fi romance that blends alien worlds, ghostly powers, and chaotic relationship dynamics, this one definitely delivers.

Book Review: Daros by Dave Dobson

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction

Tropes: Space Opera, Crash Landing Survival, Hidden Cargo, Alien Invasion, Missing Parent, Sentient AI, Coming-of-Age

Spice Level: None

Format: Novel (Works as a standalone; potential series starter)

Series: Currently listed as standalone

         16 year old Brecca is on-board her father’s ship, Envy’s Price, and is heading to Daros to offload some cargo. Right before they land the planet goes under attack from space. Knowing the attack will shortly come to them as well, Brecca’s father hands her a small box letting her know this is a very important and expensive cargo and that she needs to take the escape pod and go topside. Once on the planet she needs to find any of the crew that may have survived the landing, her father, and their ship. 

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is a very fast paced YA Sci-if book that will keep you on your toes. We follow Brecca as she crash lands onto a planet under attack, hides from the invaders, meets some natives, and discovers what the invaders are after and why. 

    I really enjoyed this book, although it did have a bittersweet ending. I hope for more details on what happened with the memories going forward if this book is continued into a series. I am trying to keep that detail as vague as possible as it is an end of the book type thing. This book does not end on a club-hanger and works well as a stand alone. It may even be a stand-alone. I am not really sure. There isn’t anything on Amazon about there being a second book for this. 

    I think that the characters we well done, although the ship’s AI was…frustrating to say the least. She had a very condescending personality and I was annoyed with her quickly. That being said, I will absolutely be reading more by this author in the future. In fact, I have another of his physical books sitting on my shelf ready for me to start at some point. 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $3.99 by clicking here. 

Book Review: Neon Fever by Anna Mocikat (There’s No Murder in Paradise Book 3)

Genre: Crime Thriller / Detective Fiction (with Sci-Fi Elements)

Tropes: Detective Duo, Murder Investigation, Conspiracy, Corrupt Elite, Human Trafficking Themes, Futuristic Society, Moral Dilemmas

Spice Level: None

Format: eBook

Series: There's No Murder in Paradise Book 3

    Siro and Kate are handed what appears to be a straightforward case: a companion who seemingly jumped to her death. Open-and-shut suicide.

    Except Siro doesn’t believe it.

    The autopsy confirms his instincts—this was murder. What begins as a routine investigation quickly spirals into something darker, exposing a system that disguises exploitation as choice and power as protection. As Siro and Kate dig deeper, they uncover a web of corruption and control that reaches higher than anyone wants to admit.

    I received a copy of this eBook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

    I’ve loved every book I’ve read by this author, and this one is no exception. The investigative process is what really shines here—Siro and Kate relentlessly follow every lead, refusing to let power or influence shield the guilty. No stone is left unturned, no matter how dangerous it becomes.

    The central theme surrounding the “companion program” is complex and morally layered. The book raises difficult questions about autonomy, coercion, and systemic control. While I struggled at times with Siro’s rigid stance on the issue, I appreciated that the narrative didn’t treat it lightly. It forces readers to confront uncomfortable realities about exploitation disguised as opportunity.

    The ending didn’t surprise me—and that’s not a criticism. In a world where those in power often evade consequences, the resolution feels frustratingly realistic. The idea that entrenched systems protect their own mirrors real-world politics in unsettling ways.

    One noticeable shift in this installment: there’s no crossover mention of characters from the Behind Blue Eyes universe (such as Nephilim or Metatron), which was a departure from previous books.                

     Additionally, Siro’s earlier internal struggle with his cybernetic upgrades is largely absent here. It was surprising given how much space it occupied in prior installments, but I can understand why it wasn’t central to this particular storyline.

    Overall, this was another strong entry in the series—intense, thought-provoking, and morally complex. I’m absolutely hooked and will continue reading if more books are added to this world.

📚 Availability:

Available on Kindle Unlimited, or purchase on Amazon for $4.99 by clicking here. 

⭐ You’ll love this book if you enjoy:

• Detective duos with strong moral codes
• Crime thrillers involving systemic corruption
• Futuristic or cyber-enhanced investigative worlds
• Dark, layered conspiracies
• Realistic (and sometimes frustrating) endings

Books by this author: 

Shadow City (Shadow City Book 1)

Dark City (Shadow City Book 2)

Behind Blue Eyes (Behind Blue Eyes Book 1)

Fallen Angels (Behind Blue Eyes Book 2)

War Games (Behind Blue Eyes Book 3)

Last Stand (Behind Blue Eyes Book 4)

The Tigress (Behind Blue Eyes Book 5)

Level 1 (Cyber Squad Book 1)

Level 2 (Cyber Squad Book 2)

Level 3 (Cyber Squad Book 3)

Volume 1 (Nephilim Origins Volume 1)

Volume 2 (Nephilim Origins Volume 2)

Volume 3 (Nephilim Origins Volume 3)

Space Punks (Space Punks Book 1)

Nightingale's Song (Space Punks Book 2)

Shadows of the Past (Space Punks Book 3)

Nemesis (Space Punks Book 4)

Neon Nights (There's No Murder in Paradise Book 1)

Neon Dreams (There's No Murder in Paradise Book 2)

Book Review: Dawn by Cliff W Pettibone (The Brotherhood of Time Book 1)

Author: Cliff W. Pettibone

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Tropes: Historical Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, M/M Romance, Time Travel

Spice Level: 🌶 Low Spice (one explicit scene)

Format: Paperback

Series: The Brotherhood of Time — Book 1

    Rorthan has had a hard life from the very beginning. His mother died in childbirth, and his father—who has always blamed him for it—never even gave him a first name. As the King’s general, his father’s position comes with certain privileges, including elite tutoring, but warmth and affection are not among them.

    Everything changes when Rorthan cuts through the palace gardens one day and meets Prince Tomren. What begins as a chance encounter quickly turns into an unexpected adventure that forces Rorthan to confront secrets about his past—and his future.

    I received a physical copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Full disclosure: this is an M/M (male/male) romance. If that isn’t something you enjoy, you can either skip the single explicit scene or pass on the book entirely. Personally, I have absolutely no issues with it.

    This story blends historical fantasy with light sci-fi elements and a unique take on time travel. Much of the story takes place in the ancient past, and I really enjoyed how the time travel mechanics were handled, as well as the gradual unfolding of secrets along the way.

    While I hated what happened to Rorthan’s mentor, I was ultimately satisfied with how things played out—even though the book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the boys’ futures uncertain. The characters are teenagers, giving the story a slightly YA feel, but the presence of a sex scene means I’d recommend some discretion if considering it for younger readers.

    Overall, this was an engaging start to the series, and I’d absolutely be interested in reading more from this author.

⭐ You’ll like this book if you like:

• Historical fantasy with time travel twists
• M/M romance that’s character-driven rather than spice-heavy
• Stories about identity, hidden pasts, and destiny
• Fantasy that blends ancient settings with sci-fi concepts
• Slow reveals, secrets, and cliffhanger endings
• Royalty, palace intrigue, and unlikely friendships 

    This book is available on Kindle Unlimited or buy it on Amazon for $0.99 by clicking here. 

    

Book Review: Root of Hope by Ricardo Victoria (Tempest Blades Book 4)

   Victory has long been a forgone conclusion for Fionn, but recent events have changed things. Gaby has been hurt and he is trying to be there for her while dealing with it himself. There is still an apocalypse looming, so they may need to set aside their personal issues for the sake of everyone. 

    I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is book 4 in a series that must be read in order. I tried to keep the above vague in case you are new here. Please, go back and read books 1-3 before this review. 

    This book picks up shortly after book 3 ends and wraps up everything in the story nicely. All characters get a ending that suits them along with an exciting epilogue. What happens to Fionn sucks, but mostly works. 

    I enjoyed this book as much as the others, which isn't always the case in series. Oftentimes, they seem to fizzle out as the story-line progresses. We keep the same action and adventure that we have enjoyed up till now with more mature characters. You can really see how much the characters have grown and developed across the series. 

    ***Spoiler***This is a trigger warning and a spoiler. This book contains a miscarriage. If this is not something you are okay with reading about please be advised. 

    I would absolutely read more by this author in the future and look forward to what he writes next. This book is available for $7.99 by clicking here. 

Books by this author: 

The Withered King (Tempest Blades Book 1)

The Cursed Titans (Tempest Blades Book 2)

The Magick of Chaos (Tempest Blades Book 3)