Dungeon Crawler Carl is arguably the literary success story of the decade. Matt Dinniman’s wildly popular LitRPG series has become a phenomenon, with Carl and Princess Donut, transcending the page to appear on merchandise, clothing, web comics, board games, and in their own upcoming animated series. Given the books’ reputation, its iconic core duo, and Dinniman’s heavy emphasis on video game mechanics, it’s unsurprising that scores of young readers are eager to experience Dungeon Crawler Carl for themselves.
Unfortunately, despite its premise being incredibly appealing to young literary fantasy fans who love gaming, Dungeon Crawler Carl isn’t suitable for kids. Dinniman’s books contain graphic violence, sexual content, and considerable profanity. However, parents and guardians seeking alternatives have plenty of options. There are numerous kid-friendly LitRPGs and books like Dungeon Crawler Carl for children that deliver the same combination of fantastical adventures, video game mechanics, and entertaining characters without being quite so adult-oriented.
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The Ruins Of Majesta Series By Taj McCoy El (2018-2019)
A Fantasy Adventure Starring A Kid Genius For Readers Aged 12 And Up
For young teen readers who find the idea of the fantasy exploration aspect of Dungeon Crawler Carl more appealing than its promise of edgy humor, The Ruins of Majesta is a great alternative. The series takes place in a rich VR role-play game that’s considerably easier to enter than it is to leave. Central protagonist Mayah, an 11-year-old genius who goes by the gamer tag Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff, must navigate a world governed by game-like rules DDC‘s World Dungeon, but without the mature content.
Just like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Taj McCoy El’s The Ruins of Majesta novels have a healthy balance between appealing to gamers and delivering solid storytelling. What’s more, it has suitability built in, as Majesta’s virtual world includes filters for gore and profanity (and this aspect of the setting becomes integral to several jokes). For tweens and teenagers seeking something with Dungeon Crawler Carl‘s gaming DNA but with a less adult tone, picking up the first Ruins of Majesta book, 2018’s Blood and Cupcakes, is a great step in the right direction.
You can purchase Taj McCoy El’s Blood and Cupcakes, the first The Ruins of Majesta novel, here.
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The Crystal Shards Online Series By Rick Scott (2017-2022)
A Post-Apocalyptic LitRPG Geared Towards Readers Aged 12+
Starting with the 2017 novel Dodge Tank, Rick Scott’s Crystal Shards Online series takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, 200 years after a nuclear war forced humanity to retreat into underground cities. Ryan lives in one such city, and his struggles are amplified by a neurological disorder that severely affects his legs. His only escape from his difficult existence is Crystal Shards Online, an enormous virtual-reality MMORPG. Ryan earns money mining resources in the game, hoping to afford the medical treatment his seriously ill mother desperately needs. However, everything changes when he discovers a rare item that allows him to dodge virtually any attack.
The premise of surviving inside an MMORPG gives Crystal Shards Online instant similarities to Matt Dinniman’s series when it comes to the series’ LitRPG mechanics. What’s more, Ryan’s journey has incredible emotional depth, with his goals more complex than simply leveling up. While it’s not as mature as Dungeon Crawler Carl, the Crystal Shards Online novels do feature violence and darker survival elements. It’s better suited to teenagers than younger children, delivering an edgy style of humor and content that’s not quite adult enough to make the books aimed at mature readers, but also rules out suitability for kids younger than 12-13.
You can purchase Rick Scott’s Dodge Tank, the first Crystal Shards Online novel, here.
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The Chrysalis Series By RinoZ (2022-2026)
A Teen LitRPG About A Boy Reincarnated As A Monster Ant
Being reincarnated into a fantasy world sounds exciting, but Anthony, the protagonist of RinoZ’s Chrysalis series, doesn’t exactly receive an enviable second life. Instead of becoming a powerful warrior or legendary wizard, he awakens in 2022’s The Antventure Begins as a lowly monster ant in a dangerous underground Dungeon. From there, Anthony must learn to survive among creatures considerably more powerful than himself, gradually evolving his insect body to become strong enough to survive long-term. His adventures soon expand beyond simple survival, with the Dungeon’s ant colonies and wider monster ecosystem becoming serious obstacles to overcome.
Anthony’s evolution makes for some great LitRPG reading, and is easily the biggest reason Chrysalis will appeal to younger readers who want a book like Dungeon Crawler Carl. His sarcastic personality also provides plenty of comedy, particularly when contrasted with the absurdity of having to learn to live life as an ant. What’s more, the progression is much less chaotic than in Dungeon Crawler Carl, with a focus more on unity and collaboration than rebellion against a system. There’s no serious profanity and zero focus on sex or romance too, and while there’s violence, it’s insect-based and isn’t anywhere near as graphic as DCC.
You can purchase RinoZ’s The Antventure Begins, the first Chrysalis novel, here.
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Thera the Mystic Turtle: A LitRPG Adventure By V.A. Lewis (2023)
A Magical Takes Center Stage In This Kid-Friendly LitRPG
Fantasy adventures don’t always need human protagonists, something author V.A. Lewis demonstrates with Thera the Mystic Turtle. The 2023 LitRPG novel follows Thera, a turtle whose existence in a magical fantasy world involves developing extraordinary abilities and navigating challenges just like a conventional adventurer. However, rather than approaching its fantasy setting from the perspective of a human warrior, Thera the Mystic Turtle explores progression through an unusual creature whose physical limitations and developing powers make her journey distinctive.
The central character being a talking turtle makes the book particularly appealing for those who enjoy animal heroes just as much as books inspired by video games. Like Princess Donut in Dungeon Crawler Carl, Thera demonstrates how an unconventional creature can become the most entertaining presence in a fantasy adventure. While not graphic, there is a lot of peril (as a turtle, Thera naturally has ocean predators to watch out for), though there’s no profanity or sexual content. It’s also somewhat gentler than Dungeon Crawler Carl, so is perfect for young readers intrigued by LitRPG mechanics more than the wilder elements of Carl and Donut’s adventures.
You can purchase Thera the Mystic Turtle: A LitRPG Adventure b y V.A. Lewis here.
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How To Defeat A Demon King In 10 Easy Steps By Andrew Rowe (2020)
A Zelda-Inspired Adventure For Teen And Tween Readers
In Andrew Rowe’s How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps, the world is threatened by a Demon King, but there’s a serious problem: the legendary hero destined to defeat him isn’t due to appear for another century. Unwilling to wait, an ordinary young woman named Yui decides to save the world herself. Unfortunately, she doesn’t possess the extraordinary abilities normally associated with legendary heroes. So, instead, Yui begins developing an unconventional strategy that involves exploiting the world’s RPG mechanics, including its character classes and progression systems, to overcome impossible obstacles usually faced by a classic high-fantasy Chosen One.
How To Defeat A Demon King In 10 Easy Steps’ playful treatment of familiar gaming tropes makes it one of the best alternatives to Dungeon Crawler Carl for younger readers. Its fantasy world draws heavily on games like The Legend of Zelda, while Yui’s creative approach to problem-solving provides a lot of humor. Its relatively short length also makes it accessible to those intimidated by sprawling fantasy series. Although it contains fantasy combat and some The Simpsons-level innuendo it’s perfectly suitable for kids (though is best suited for young teens).
You can purchase How To Defeat A Demon King In 10 Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe here.
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The Dungeon Core Online: Remastered Edition Series By Jonathan Smidt (2021-2025)
Lets Readers Aged 13 And Up Build Their Own Fantasy Dungeon
Most LitRPG adventures like Dungeon Crawler Carl involve entering dungeons, defeating monsters, and collecting treasure. Jonathan Smidt’s Dungeon Core Online series reverses that formula by following James, a gamer who takes on the role of a dungeon core in a virtual-reality game. Instead of playing as an adventurer, James must construct and develop his own dungeon, populating it with monsters, traps, and challenges designed to test other players. As his dungeon becomes increasingly elaborate, he must experiment with different strategies and develop its capabilities to overcome the challenges presented by the game’s systems.
There is some light profanity and PG-13 violence present in the series, but that’s about it as far as possibly unsuitable content is concerned. The dungeon-building mechanics are what make Dungeon Core Online an especially appealing recommendation for young readers that also enjoy RTS and building sim-style games. The LitRPG progression here focuses not on combat abilitiies, but on designing levels, creating elaborate defenses, and strategic resource management as James’s dungeon grows. It’s a fascinating alternative perspective on the kind of environments Carl explores in Dungeon Crawler Carl.
You can purchase the first The Dungeon Core Online: Remastered Edition novel by Jonathan Smidt here.
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The Trapped In A Video Game Series By Dustin Brady (2016-2019)
Two Friends Dive Into Dangerous Digital Worlds For Adventures Readers Aged 8-12 Will Love
Jesse Rigsby has never been particularly enthusiastic about video games, unlike his friend Eric. However, in Dustin Brady’s Trapped in a Video Game series, Jesse’s attitude changes dramatically when the boys find themselves transported into a video game called Full Blast. Suddenly, the digital enemies and dangerous environments they would normally encounter on a screen become very real threats. The friends must use their intelligence and understanding of gaming mechanics to survive.
Unlike most LitRPG’s, Trapped in a Video Game was written specifically for children, making it one of the safest recommendations for younger readers itching to dive into a series like Dungeon Crawler Carl. Its short chapters and accessible writing style are ideal for readers aged 8-12. Although it doesn’t feature traditional RPG statistics or extensive character progression, it delivers the excitement of exploring dangerous game worlds. Its emphasis on friendship, teamwork, and problem-solving also makes it an excellent choice for parents and guardians seeking an age-appropriate Dungeon Crawler Carl alternative.
You can purchase the first Trapped In A Video Game novel by Dustin Brady here.
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The Gamer Squad Trilogy By Kim Harrington (2017)
Kids Aged 8-12 Can Find Out What Happens When Video Game Monsters Invade The Real World
The protagonists of Kim Harrington’s Gamer Squad trilogy don’t need to enter a video game to experience a gaming adventure. Instead, the dangers of Bex, Charlie, and Willa’s favorite hobby begin spilling into reality. In the opening novel, Attack of the Not-So-Virtual Monsters, the group of young gamers discovers that creatures from a popular mobile game have begun appearing in the real world. The children must use their gaming knowledge to understand the monsters and find a way to stop them across an adventure-filled LitRPG trilogy.
The combination of familiar gaming concepts and real-world adventure makes Gamer Squad especially accessible to younger readers as far as LitRPG’s like Dungeon Crawler Carl go. Rather than requiring an understanding of complicated RPG statistics, Harrington uses commonplace video game tropes to create exciting scenarios that children can easily follow. The teamwork of Bex, Charlie, and Willa is another major attraction, emphasizing how different skills and approaches can help overcome seemingly impossible challenges. It’s a perfect gateway to the world of LitRPGs for those who definitely aren’t old enough for Carl and Donut’s adult adventures.
You can purchase Attack of the Not-So-Virtual Monsters, the first of Kim Harrington’s Gamer Squad novels, here.
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The Crafter Series By Dan Sugralinov (2023-2024)
A Crafting-Focused Fantasy Adventure Minecraft-Loving Teens And Pre-Teens Will Devour
The Crafter series approaches progression fantasy from a different perspective than the combat-heavy adventures of Dungeon Crawler Carl. Its focus is instead on crafting, resource management, and developing practical abilities within a fantasy environment governed by Minecraft-style mechanics. Rather than defeating monsters and accumulating experience, 11-year-old protagonist Kenny must master different skills and create increasingly sophisticated equipment to advance. There are monsters too, of course, but author Dan Sugralinov doesn’t make slaying them the central focus of the series.
While the emphasis on Minecraft-inspired crafting and building gives the Crafter series a different edge to Dungeon Crawler Carl, they share a spiritual LitRPG kinship. Watching Kenny gradually develop new abilities and discover how different systems interact provides the same satisfaction as Carl and Donut’s RPG-based progression. There’s a little violence, but it’s the same kind of family-friendly Mob-busting present in Minecraft rather than DCC’s hyper-visceral combat. Sex and swearing are non-existent, and as far as Dungeon Crawler Carl alternatives for kids go, few titles balance suitability and entertainment quite like Dan Sugralinov’s Crafter novels.
You can purchase The Mysterious Game, the first of Dan Sugralinov’s The Crafter novels, here.
- Publisher(s)
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Penguin Random House
- Publication Date
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September 21, 2020
- Number of Pages
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444
- ISBN#
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979-8688591507
- Author(s)
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Matt Dinniman
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
