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The Dungeon Slayer #5
The Dungeon Predator
Tad overcame the overwhelming power of Oblivion, saving both his brother and his mentor, but the world has never been in worse shape. With the sky still smothered, the Defector's plots advance ever closer to their fruition.
The warlord class trial looms ahead of our hero, will he be the match to the severity of what is to come, or will it break him entirely?
The warlord class trial looms ahead of our hero, will he be the match to the severity of what is to come, or will it break him entirely?
- GenresFantasy
526 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2022
477 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 25, 2022
Meh
All the books are basically the same. Main character gets into it with enemies that are more powerful, and then on the verge of defeat miraculously gains a bunch of power and wins.
All the books are basically the same. Main character gets into it with enemies that are more powerful, and then on the verge of defeat miraculously gains a bunch of power and wins.
December 31, 2022
Increasingly masochistic
The first few books were an above average interesting mix of semi-taoist ideas and litrpg systems, having the protagonist develop himself in multiple ways to break a fixed system.
Since book 4 it's increasingly devolved into the tired trope of having a MC who's sole claim to unlimited power is how much meaningless agony he can endure. As well as the strength of his negative emotions, but mostly meaningless pain.
I hope the author re examines his belief about earning love through enduring suffering 🥲
The first few books were an above average interesting mix of semi-taoist ideas and litrpg systems, having the protagonist develop himself in multiple ways to break a fixed system.
Since book 4 it's increasingly devolved into the tired trope of having a MC who's sole claim to unlimited power is how much meaningless agony he can endure. As well as the strength of his negative emotions, but mostly meaningless pain.
I hope the author re examines his belief about earning love through enduring suffering 🥲
December 25, 2022
I had rated the books in the series 3/4 stars. This one just left me ready to have the series end.
February 24, 2023
easily the worst book in the series
I understand the concept of a protagonist losing before winning but come on. This was just painful to read. Tad gets needed to all hell for absolutely no reason. Can’t become a creator, Liz is just straight up evil, people die, family captured, son killed. Nothing good happened in this book. And it felt like 50% of it was explanations that droned on for far too long. If the author continues this series he has a lot of redeeming to do with the next book because this one sucked. Even the author threw his own power system to the wind and just kept making crap up that made no sense. It felt like a fever dream. The Adam and Eve thing sucks and is lame. All the good things from the previous books were removed completely. Every book before this one was 5 stars. This one just fell so so short.
I understand the concept of a protagonist losing before winning but come on. This was just painful to read. Tad gets needed to all hell for absolutely no reason. Can’t become a creator, Liz is just straight up evil, people die, family captured, son killed. Nothing good happened in this book. And it felt like 50% of it was explanations that droned on for far too long. If the author continues this series he has a lot of redeeming to do with the next book because this one sucked. Even the author threw his own power system to the wind and just kept making crap up that made no sense. It felt like a fever dream. The Adam and Eve thing sucks and is lame. All the good things from the previous books were removed completely. Every book before this one was 5 stars. This one just fell so so short.
February 9, 2023
To infinity and over again.
This book marked the turning point of the series from one of narrative and growth into the usual power progression trop of my infinity is bigger than your infinity, earned through copious amounts of plot holes, pain and miraculous outcomes of the system.
I loved the plotnbuilding and the unique character in the earlier books but this one dragged through never ending escalating contrived threats and I cannot wait for this series to be over and explore new, fresher narratives and perspectives.
This book marked the turning point of the series from one of narrative and growth into the usual power progression trop of my infinity is bigger than your infinity, earned through copious amounts of plot holes, pain and miraculous outcomes of the system.
I loved the plotnbuilding and the unique character in the earlier books but this one dragged through never ending escalating contrived threats and I cannot wait for this series to be over and explore new, fresher narratives and perspectives.
December 25, 2022
worst book in the series
I’ve really enjoyed this series, but I didn’t enjoy this book. The author took the time over the course of the series to build a set of rules, but in this boo, he continuously discarded those rules. Also the plot was pretty weak. The author seemed to create one catastrophe after another no matter how unbelievable or inane in order to keep advancing the plot. By the end, I just didn’t care any more. I mean, how many times are you going to kidnap the MCs family. After the first time, it feels very contrived. The book was just not very believable.
I’ve really enjoyed this series, but I didn’t enjoy this book. The author took the time over the course of the series to build a set of rules, but in this boo, he continuously discarded those rules. Also the plot was pretty weak. The author seemed to create one catastrophe after another no matter how unbelievable or inane in order to keep advancing the plot. By the end, I just didn’t care any more. I mean, how many times are you going to kidnap the MCs family. After the first time, it feels very contrived. The book was just not very believable.
December 22, 2022
Book five
This book just wasn't for me. While I've enjoyed the series, this one felt like the MC was trapped in an illusion or a dream. I couldn't enjoy the story because of that feeling and ended up skipping large chunks.
Others will probably enjoy this one more than I did.
5/10 I'll be back for the next book.
This book just wasn't for me. While I've enjoyed the series, this one felt like the MC was trapped in an illusion or a dream. I couldn't enjoy the story because of that feeling and ended up skipping large chunks.
Others will probably enjoy this one more than I did.
5/10 I'll be back for the next book.
March 14, 2023
Tad gets emo
This book was a downward spiral of everything good being destroyed with doom and gloom all that remains.
So many spoilers below...
I don't know if I'll pick up the next (final?) volume.
This book was a downward spiral of everything good being destroyed with doom and gloom all that remains.
So many spoilers below...
I don't know if I'll pick up the next (final?) volume.
December 16, 2023
The Good: Well, I use the term well written a few times in my notes. And the Dungeon Predator can be well written. The prologue is fairly well done and catches the reader up on the previous four entries. Some of the side characters are cliched but interesting.
There are occasional glimpses of action and character growth. Hell, in one scene, two characters interact in a way that may be mistaken for a romantic love scene if you squint.
The Bad: The best character in the book is named Fat Jack. Now in a normal book, I would be all over criticizing Fat Jack with the author over doing the fat descriptions to the point of ridiculousness. Kind of like how Greig Beck went overboard for his hatred of Greenpeace in Fathomless. The voice actor Austin Rising doesn’t help things either, making every utterance sound like Jack’s next words will be suffering succotash like Sylvester the cat somehow mixed with Foghorn Leghorn.
To make matters worse, Fat Jack is a Deus ex machina. He does that Han Solo last minute save not once but twice within a few chapters of each other. His 600lb life special move is to eat his opponents like a Scottish Kirby, which he does at the most opportune times. He dies and comes back so often he should have been called fat Jesus.
The problem is that Jack is the most well-rounded character in the Dungeon Predator. In comparison, we have our protagonist Tad. Tad is such a whiney dullard. I understand the idea behind an everyman protagonist but with so many chapters being just him and his stat screens; it is a deadening grey.
I cannot describe how painful it is to read (or listen) to entire chapters of Tad going over his stat screens finding loopholes in a rule set that has not been established. Reading weapon and item descriptions of objects that will never enter the plot.
Okay, that is not completely fair. I can describe it. In my notes, I compared it to the Bataan Death March.
Then there is the dialogue… Well, at one point the author tells on himself claiming the Creator sounded like a cartoon villain think Skeletor. Konrad Ryan should be so lucky. The dialogue rarely rises to the level of He-man. How bad is it? Do you remember the first ten minutes of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the conversation between Dracula and Richter? “What is a man?! A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk; have at you!” This would have been an improvement.
Reading The Dungeon Predator was like sitting through a contracts class. Seriously. Again, well written but good lord, even if you are invested in the characters and universe, this is boring. I feel bad for all the self-published books I criticize for a lack of world building. No, that is not right. This is not even world building. This is watching a character do a house closing and instead of it being a paragraph, it is an overlong chapter.
The Ugly: The term aptronym is sometimes used in to describe a name that fits a character’s aspect. For example, “Mr. Talkative” and “Mr. Worldly Wiseman” in The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
Author Konrad Ryan doesn’t quite do that. Instead, many of the characters have stock names, such as Adam and Eve and Gabriel. There has to be a term for such a cliche. I could not find it, alas.
Nothing seems real in the book. Tad breaks the game so he has no limits. But the earth has been moved to the middle of the sun. And his girlfriend Liz is now a powerful dragon. His baby was killed by Mike Pence. And yet here we are watching Tad trying to manipulate a multiplier on a menu screen. And after a chapter of moving things from column A to column B, the result of the battle is a wizard did it. (Or presumed dead Fat Jack appearing in the sky)
In Conclusion: The Dungeon Predator is the most painful reading experience I have had this year and is the worst book I have read since Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff by Sean Penn. I wanted to give it some benefit of the doubt. I was coming in to a series on the fifth book. And while I have enjoyed some LitRPG’s I have not read many of them. Perhaps I was not used to this subgenre.
But no. Hints of talented writing aside, this is pretty dire. The author tortures us with endless rules, arguments and secret loopholes that are mind-numbing. After finishing the book, I still have only the slightest concept of how any of this works. This is not a rule set based on something one might have knowledge of as far as I can tell.
The Dungeon Predator is a well-written book and when the characterization sneaks through. It can be interesting and compelling, but the endless rules, arguments and secret loopholes are mind-numbing. I have listened to almost the entire book, but I still have only the slightest concept of how any of this works. This is not a rule set based on something one might have knowledge of as far as I can tell. It is not like all the characters are using a Dungeons & Dragons rule set or something. As a result, the tension is broken with endless talk about made up rules.
It is the equivalent of reading someone working on an Excel worksheet where you only have the vaguest idea of the purpose of the numbers and no knowledge of the equations involved. What few things slip in are often horrible cliches piled upon horrible cliches.
The Dungeon Predator is really unpleasant. The experience is equally agonizing for the reader and the dumb as a bunch of rocks protagonist.
There are occasional glimpses of action and character growth. Hell, in one scene, two characters interact in a way that may be mistaken for a romantic love scene if you squint.
The Bad: The best character in the book is named Fat Jack. Now in a normal book, I would be all over criticizing Fat Jack with the author over doing the fat descriptions to the point of ridiculousness. Kind of like how Greig Beck went overboard for his hatred of Greenpeace in Fathomless. The voice actor Austin Rising doesn’t help things either, making every utterance sound like Jack’s next words will be suffering succotash like Sylvester the cat somehow mixed with Foghorn Leghorn.
To make matters worse, Fat Jack is a Deus ex machina. He does that Han Solo last minute save not once but twice within a few chapters of each other. His 600lb life special move is to eat his opponents like a Scottish Kirby, which he does at the most opportune times. He dies and comes back so often he should have been called fat Jesus.
The problem is that Jack is the most well-rounded character in the Dungeon Predator. In comparison, we have our protagonist Tad. Tad is such a whiney dullard. I understand the idea behind an everyman protagonist but with so many chapters being just him and his stat screens; it is a deadening grey.
I cannot describe how painful it is to read (or listen) to entire chapters of Tad going over his stat screens finding loopholes in a rule set that has not been established. Reading weapon and item descriptions of objects that will never enter the plot.
Okay, that is not completely fair. I can describe it. In my notes, I compared it to the Bataan Death March.
Then there is the dialogue… Well, at one point the author tells on himself claiming the Creator sounded like a cartoon villain think Skeletor. Konrad Ryan should be so lucky. The dialogue rarely rises to the level of He-man. How bad is it? Do you remember the first ten minutes of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the conversation between Dracula and Richter? “What is a man?! A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk; have at you!” This would have been an improvement.
Reading The Dungeon Predator was like sitting through a contracts class. Seriously. Again, well written but good lord, even if you are invested in the characters and universe, this is boring. I feel bad for all the self-published books I criticize for a lack of world building. No, that is not right. This is not even world building. This is watching a character do a house closing and instead of it being a paragraph, it is an overlong chapter.
The Ugly: The term aptronym is sometimes used in to describe a name that fits a character’s aspect. For example, “Mr. Talkative” and “Mr. Worldly Wiseman” in The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
Author Konrad Ryan doesn’t quite do that. Instead, many of the characters have stock names, such as Adam and Eve and Gabriel. There has to be a term for such a cliche. I could not find it, alas.
Nothing seems real in the book. Tad breaks the game so he has no limits. But the earth has been moved to the middle of the sun. And his girlfriend Liz is now a powerful dragon. His baby was killed by Mike Pence. And yet here we are watching Tad trying to manipulate a multiplier on a menu screen. And after a chapter of moving things from column A to column B, the result of the battle is a wizard did it. (Or presumed dead Fat Jack appearing in the sky)
In Conclusion: The Dungeon Predator is the most painful reading experience I have had this year and is the worst book I have read since Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff by Sean Penn. I wanted to give it some benefit of the doubt. I was coming in to a series on the fifth book. And while I have enjoyed some LitRPG’s I have not read many of them. Perhaps I was not used to this subgenre.
But no. Hints of talented writing aside, this is pretty dire. The author tortures us with endless rules, arguments and secret loopholes that are mind-numbing. After finishing the book, I still have only the slightest concept of how any of this works. This is not a rule set based on something one might have knowledge of as far as I can tell.
The Dungeon Predator is a well-written book and when the characterization sneaks through. It can be interesting and compelling, but the endless rules, arguments and secret loopholes are mind-numbing. I have listened to almost the entire book, but I still have only the slightest concept of how any of this works. This is not a rule set based on something one might have knowledge of as far as I can tell. It is not like all the characters are using a Dungeons & Dragons rule set or something. As a result, the tension is broken with endless talk about made up rules.
It is the equivalent of reading someone working on an Excel worksheet where you only have the vaguest idea of the purpose of the numbers and no knowledge of the equations involved. What few things slip in are often horrible cliches piled upon horrible cliches.
The Dungeon Predator is really unpleasant. The experience is equally agonizing for the reader and the dumb as a bunch of rocks protagonist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2025
I’m still reading, but the quality slipped on this one.
I noted quite a few instances where the book could have used the power of a good editor. That wouldn’t have been enough for me to drop to three stars, normally.
What dropped it for me was the numerous places where the rules just changed all of a sudden. Usually, to the detriment of the MC. Maybe the intention was to make the plot twists extra surprising, but by the end I was thinking:
“Welcome to Whose Line is it Anyway?, the show where everything is made up and the points don’t matter.”
Finally, the tone of this book was just a lot darker than the previous ones. I know this is probably to make the dramatic conclusion all the better in the end. But, for now, I’m just bummed out by all the “bad” stuff that happens in this one.
I noted quite a few instances where the book could have used the power of a good editor. That wouldn’t have been enough for me to drop to three stars, normally.
What dropped it for me was the numerous places where the rules just changed all of a sudden. Usually, to the detriment of the MC. Maybe the intention was to make the plot twists extra surprising, but by the end I was thinking:
“Welcome to Whose Line is it Anyway?, the show where everything is made up and the points don’t matter.”
Finally, the tone of this book was just a lot darker than the previous ones. I know this is probably to make the dramatic conclusion all the better in the end. But, for now, I’m just bummed out by all the “bad” stuff that happens in this one.
January 1, 2023
I wish that less depended on luck in this book
I felt that the end of this book was confusing and inconsistent. There were too many times that things turned out a bit too serendipitously. Also, was Tad the predator? Or was it Liz? Or does the title mean that there is a predator in the dungeon, not that there is a predator of dungeons?
Tad has always been a unique void, but what made him so? Did I miss reading that? Or have I forgotten it from an earlier?
Tad has lost almost everything he has fought for this whole time. He’s fallen into despair, but will he be able to come back from that?
I felt that the end of this book was confusing and inconsistent. There were too many times that things turned out a bit too serendipitously. Also, was Tad the predator? Or was it Liz? Or does the title mean that there is a predator in the dungeon, not that there is a predator of dungeons?
Tad has always been a unique void, but what made him so? Did I miss reading that? Or have I forgotten it from an earlier?
Tad has lost almost everything he has fought for this whole time. He’s fallen into despair, but will he be able to come back from that?
January 4, 2023
Tad races to save humanity and save his newborn son Ethan from being sacrificed .
Tad tries to save his friends from creator Hawk known as the defector also he's been after Tad from the beginning because he's a void a negative person no skills shown at rebirth . Then two creators both corrupt with evil .One corrupts Liz after just having twins .Tad is torn about trying to save his brother, save Liz from herself from corruption an reunite with her two children newborns . Every corrupt creator is after Tad to stop him from saving his friends and mankind . recommend reading excellent series .
Tad tries to save his friends from creator Hawk known as the defector also he's been after Tad from the beginning because he's a void a negative person no skills shown at rebirth . Then two creators both corrupt with evil .One corrupts Liz after just having twins .Tad is torn about trying to save his brother, save Liz from herself from corruption an reunite with her two children newborns . Every corrupt creator is after Tad to stop him from saving his friends and mankind . recommend reading excellent series .
July 3, 2023
I entered into this book not expecting much as I was somewhat dejected at the end of the last one. I didn't think this one would do as well but it ended up picking up a lot of the parts I felt were slacking and much of the lingering holes I was tired of being teased about. I'm not quite sure where I think they'll go from here but I'm mostly excited for the next. Liz had some more fleshing out but was still a bit flat, more characters felt less like props.
if you enjoy the series so far: 4*
if you are meh in it 3*
Overall 3.5 rounded up
Performance by Austin 5*
if you enjoy the series so far: 4*
if you are meh in it 3*
Overall 3.5 rounded up
Performance by Austin 5*
January 28, 2023
"This is the fight that never ends, it just goes on and on my friends." Seriously. Too many way too long fights with the same villains, over and over again. It gets a 3 for annoying me and forcing me to skim a whole lot of it to get to the next forward movement.
The futility of it all allows me to understand Tad's actions near the end. The end seems set up for some sort of Gotterdammerung, so watch and shoot. (Army slang for "we'll see what happens")
The futility of it all allows me to understand Tad's actions near the end. The end seems set up for some sort of Gotterdammerung, so watch and shoot. (Army slang for "we'll see what happens")
January 27, 2023
Interesting
While I do not enjoy this book as much as the others, it still is interesting and makes me eager for the next. You feel sorry for all the junk Tad has been forced through in this book and at the end of this series I hope he gets a happy ending despite hiw hopeless that is becoming.
While I do not enjoy this book as much as the others, it still is interesting and makes me eager for the next. You feel sorry for all the junk Tad has been forced through in this book and at the end of this series I hope he gets a happy ending despite hiw hopeless that is becoming.
March 12, 2023
Series was very good but then this stinker came out. If this is the end of the series I'm going to have to make a not to never ever read a book by this author again. Everything you're supposed to care about is either destroyed or killed. The glossary at the end of the book kind of makes me think this was the last book of the series, I hope I'm wrong.
November 3, 2024
Jebus Crisps this was Brutal with a capital B! I was not expecting that particular death to happen because of all the innocence but damn... B-R-U-T-A-L! Part of me hopes Tad pulls off the impossible and somehow reverse what has occured and saves everyone and everything.
Oh my goodness... I must read the next one!
Oh my goodness... I must read the next one!
August 15, 2025
Disappointing
The story has degraded further and further since the second book. Goal posts moving constantly, personalities changing completely. The more you read, the more you realize nothing you read previously matters at all, leaving the reader with nothing but regret for the time they wasted on this.
The story has degraded further and further since the second book. Goal posts moving constantly, personalities changing completely. The more you read, the more you realize nothing you read previously matters at all, leaving the reader with nothing but regret for the time they wasted on this.
December 28, 2022
This book makes me upset
I had two emotions during this book being upset or confused, mostly both. Terms or lore I had forgotten since the last book and unsatisfying situations being the most prominent of issues.
4 stars
I had two emotions during this book being upset or confused, mostly both. Terms or lore I had forgotten since the last book and unsatisfying situations being the most prominent of issues.
4 stars
December 29, 2022
Good read
This book didn’t have quite as much story as the others in the series. Felt like a lot of it was just the MC powering up for his final showdowns in the next installment. Despite that was still a good read and looking forward to the next.
This book didn’t have quite as much story as the others in the series. Felt like a lot of it was just the MC powering up for his final showdowns in the next installment. Despite that was still a good read and looking forward to the next.
January 13, 2023
Mind blowing
Everything I've ever looked for or wanted in a LitRPG book and more, the sheer depth of the power system and creativity with the power growth is like nothing I've ever seen. Truly the best LitRPG series I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Everything I've ever looked for or wanted in a LitRPG book and more, the sheer depth of the power system and creativity with the power growth is like nothing I've ever seen. Truly the best LitRPG series I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
February 4, 2023
Action Packed
Couldn't put the book down! Tad is truly special. I love how he maintains his humanity despite being a void. Every void around him are greedy and selfish and yet he isn't. He is constantly being pushed. It's heartbreaking. I am looking forward to more!
Couldn't put the book down! Tad is truly special. I love how he maintains his humanity despite being a void. Every void around him are greedy and selfish and yet he isn't. He is constantly being pushed. It's heartbreaking. I am looking forward to more!
December 26, 2022
Buy the series
Very well written and a fantastic fun read. I've been waiting for this one to come out. I can't wait to pre-order the next book
Very well written and a fantastic fun read. I've been waiting for this one to come out. I can't wait to pre-order the next book
December 29, 2022
good
The story gets a little convoluted with very high level beings whose powers I don’t remember too clearly from previous books. I still like the story
The story gets a little convoluted with very high level beings whose powers I don’t remember too clearly from previous books. I still like the story
December 31, 2022
can’t wait for the next book
Can’t wait for the next book. The dungeon aspect will be interesting, those parts are typically the most intriguing and interesting.
Can’t wait for the next book. The dungeon aspect will be interesting, those parts are typically the most intriguing and interesting.
January 7, 2023
loved it
I’m praying there’s a book six, because reading the authors not after this INSANELY WILD ride scared me😂. Loved every second of it
I’m praying there’s a book six, because reading the authors not after this INSANELY WILD ride scared me😂. Loved every second of it
January 28, 2023
Good book
Good book. Review needs at least 20 words though so, yeah. Your day been good? Well, that should be 20.
Good book. Review needs at least 20 words though so, yeah. Your day been good? Well, that should be 20.
March 16, 2023
Over 9000
Reads like a bad anime script then finishes just at the climax. Way too over the top and should have just finished with this book, having another just seems like overkill.
Reads like a bad anime script then finishes just at the climax. Way too over the top and should have just finished with this book, having another just seems like overkill.
May 9, 2023
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
February 16, 2024
Good story
I liked it, but maybe too Shatner in some areas…glad we are finally heading to Titan.
There are some sad parts…fyi.
I liked it, but maybe too Shatner in some areas…glad we are finally heading to Titan.
There are some sad parts…fyi.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews