By Matt Dinniman

Carl and Donut have survived another level, and find themselves dealing with sponsors and the new top 10 list. But they also have to navigate the Iron Tangle – an overly complicated subway system made of parts and pieces from the subways of the whole world. The good news is that many of the crawlers are working together. But not all of them. Will the bounty on their heads lead crawlers to hunting Donut and Carl?

I thought the last book with its focus on one level and it challenges (as well as the LitRPG conventions of level and skill growth) showed Dinniman found a good rhythm. I thought he continues it here. I also think the confluence of different larger forces influence helping and fighting Carl and Donut make any Deus Ex Machina moments feel natural in the setting.

534 pages

4/5