The third entry in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. I really enjoy this series so far because of how lighthearted it is despite the circumstances. The way it's written makes it seem like a game but it's really a fight for survival. You get to see how different people think and interact with one another in extreme scenarios. I think that's Illuminating to how many diverse perspectives there are. This entry focuses more on Katia as a character and we also get some really interesting backstory on the different corporations within the Galaxy and their steak on the games as a whole. 

I like how the series slowly disseminates information across each book, hinting that there is more going on behind the scenes. When that curtain comes down, it exemplifies the horror of the situation. The residents of the universe look at this as nothing more than entertainment, but this is a fight for the human race (at least for Earth’s denizens). It's interesting to see that there are other humans in the universe, but they don't seem to see the kinship with the humans of Earth. I feel like this book doesn't do much other than providing more background information. This is not to say this entry is dull. It has some really entertaining moments, but it also has a lot of exposition and confusing geographical depictions. 

This floor of the dungeon focuses on a train system which is difficult to visualize in your head, however, Dinniman actually states in the beginning of the book that you don't need to pay attention to the rail line colors or station names until the end. He also provides an illustration of the dungeon to help visualize it, which I think is a really nice touch. It's a very confusing layout if you don't have an actual picture and he realized that, providing an actual solution for the reader. The disclaimer really helped me from getting lost as I ignored most of them until the end as suggested.

Carl, Donut, and Katia are constantly getting stronger throughout this entry. The creatures that they fight are horrifying to say the least. There’s a bunny creature that basically has no skin and only craves to eat flesh for example. Many of the other creatures in this entry have flesh craving tendencies (which I find horrifying). The dynamics of the mobs across the floor add some depth to it overall, but in the context of the series they don't do anything interesting. Some of them have an overall goal, but it's not too different from what we've already seen. I do like how creative the author is with the enemies that are in this series though. I think the focus was more on Katia this time around, so the reader could get attached to her as a member of Carl and Donut’s party. I believe he was successful in this regard. I really enjoy Katia as a team member and felt like I got to know her a lot better here. I like how Carl deals with the fact that he knows she's going to leave, and he still tries to make her as strong as she can be. It makes me really respect Carl as a human being as he and I think alike. Everyone should have an equitable opportunity for success in life. If they don’t have the resources they need, then assistance should be provided from those that are more well-off. Because of his investment in Katia, I felt a connection to her myself. She also has some really great moments and those gave me a newfound respect for her as well. I hope she gets to stay with Carl’s party until the end!

This entry mostly just progressed the story and fostered a relationship between the reader and Katia. Donut and Carl aren’t the focus here, but they still have some good moments. Seeing them grow as a group was enough for me and I hope by the end of the series, they can have some sense of closure.