Earth has been destroyed!

Not to worry, the apocalypse is now a hit reality TV show for the rest of the galaxy. If you survived, then you get to be a part of it.

That is the hilarious, hyper-violent premise of the "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series, a phenomenon hatched by Gig Harbor's own Matt Dinniman.

The story follows Carl, an average guy, and Princess Donut, his spoiled, sentient, tiara-wearing cat, as they navigate an 18-level labyrinth of death built from the ruins of our world. Their every move is watched by billions of alien viewers, complete with stats, loot boxes, and a hilariously passive-aggressive System AI that delights in their suffering (and has a foot fetish).

You've got a masterful fusion of video game RPGs with dark, satirical humor and high-stakes survival. You've got a surprisingly endearing cast of characters and all the violence your little heart desires. And you've got seven (and counting!) ridiculously addictive, completely absorbing books.

It has been so fun putting this book in people's hands. A story that began as a self-published web serial as ascended to the heights of the traditional publishing world. Just goes to show that sometimes, the only way to survive the end of the world is to make a really, really entertaining show out of it.

Oh and yes, we will have Dungeon Crawler Carl stickers.

-Orion

The character writing for Sybil is complex and beautiful to say the least. Her character is hurting and, in that, learning how to be better than she was. As she follows this journey of pain, grief, heartbreak, and love, she meets others who see who she is outside of what her role in Aisling Cathedral. The gothic style of this romantic fantasy is something you absolutely cannot miss!

The plot and storytelling are rich in dark moody settings, thought provoking scenes, and beautiful relationships between friends and lovers. This story will haunt you in ways you didn’t know you needed! You don’t want to miss out on this best seller! And there is a talking gargoyle!

-Belle

Osric is an assassin with a terminal problem only a brilliant healer can solve. Aurienne is a brilliant healer in need of funding to cure a plague. Both are desperate to solve their problems, so desperate in fact that they choose to work together despite belonging to enemy Orders.

Each holds the key to solving the other's problem -- if they can resist the urge to kill each other long enough. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy is book one in a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romantasy duology set in alternate UK. This book has ALL of the witty banter my friends. It is a lovely tale for those of us who enjoy a touch of murder, skulldugery, interesting magic, and characters of questionable morals.

-Helena

Connors has spent decades looking for smoke, maintaining the lookout, reading books, and pecking away at the manual typewriter he lugs to the summit. In this followup, he returns to the mountain after taking a season off for the first time, to recover from multiple surgeries. He gets back into the rhythm of the place he loves so much and knows so well with an enhanced perspective.

I dove into this book right after a trip to the Dodger Point fire lookout, and the romance of contemplative isolation never felt so comforting. Connors has folded in a newfound interest in haiku into his already Gary Snyder-inspired distillations, and the work is perfect for consuming a little bit at a time or binge-ing all at once. While there isn't much innovation in this little book, that is kind of the point: it is enough to have Connors' earnest, wry voice reminding me that participating in and merely noticing nature is a timeless solace.

-Steven

This is a book about the importance of books and everyone should read it. It had all the feels.

My friend woke up the lady next to him on the plane because he was laughing so hard at this book.

-Erica