Penguin Random House India has announced the publication of Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, the second book in Matt Dinniman’s bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

The series belongs to the LitRPG genre, which blends fantasy and science-fiction storytelling with video-game mechanics such as quests, levels, challenges and rule-based worlds. In Dinniman’s version, these elements unfold inside a darkly comic apocalypse that is also being watched by an intergalactic reality-show audience.

The new book picks up after the events of Dungeon Crawler Carl. Carl and Princess Donut have now reached the third floor of the alien-controlled dungeon, where their struggle for survival has become increasingly popular with viewers across the galaxy.

This time, they find themselves in the Over City, a ruined metropolis shaped by a mysterious disaster. The seemingly deserted city is home to an undead circus, strange events in the sky and an ancient spell whose purpose is beginning to emerge.

As new quests, monsters and unpredictable dungeon mechanics intensify, Carl and Donut must navigate both the threats around them and the increasingly chaotic rules of Dungeon Crawler World.

The novel continues the series’ mix of dark science fiction, fantasy, survival adventure, video-game culture and comedy. It also expands the role of Princess Donut, Carl’s formidable feline companion, whose popularity and personality remain central to the story.

Following the success of the first book, Carl’s Doomsday Scenario raises the stakes with more dangerous enemies, stranger challenges and an even larger audience following Carl and Donut’s progress.

About the author

Matt Dinniman is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling writer and artist based in Gig Harbor, Washington. He is best known for the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and has also written several other books centred on apocalyptic themes. He also plays bass in two bands.