The Reluctant Dungeon

Monster Haven, Book 1

By: J.D. Astra

Narrated by: Judy Alice Lee

Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Transforming into a monstrous dungeon couldn’t be all that bad, right?

Dolli had a very hands-off approach to ruling her once booming village. She preferred to use her alchemical skills to brew a nice cup of tea and keep whiny petitioners off her lawn with Wendigo repellant. But she pays the price for her apathy when her neglected village transforms into a Dungeon, making it fair game for any Hero with a lust for loot.

It doesn't take long for one such Hero from Dolli’s dark past, Keegan Plague Ender, to arrive with his sword ready to be bloodied. The villagers are evolving into powerful Dungeon denizens who can respawn if they're killed—or they could if a mated pair of wyverns hadn't turned the seat of the dungeon core into a brood nest. Now, with one swipe of the Hero's blade, the former townsfolk could be lost to the Lifestream forever.

Despite her curmudgeonly nature, Dolli can't let that happen. Can she rebuild the confidence of her people to roust the wyverns and reinstate respawns? Even if she can, will the young Dungeon hold out against the storm of raiding Heroes?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Shadow Alley Press Inc (P)2022 Audible, Inc.

short but good

very short but good everything ties together the way it should before the ending of the book

I want to play this!

I want to play this... it sounds like it could be fun and challenging.

Understand

I understand how they got started it's just seems ashamed that the the evil are the heroes oh well let's see what happens

didnt expect to like it

better than I expected. I do wish it was a bit longer. can I tell you? its so refreshing to listen. to an audio book in my favorite genre litrpg without having to ignore large sections due to cringy soft porn.

Pretty incredible for a short story!!

The story's start was a little tough to get through but once the meat of the story was put in it was a home run all the way to the finish!!

Good Stuff

An adventure unlike any I have read. It would have been nice if it were 5 or 6 books long but it tells a full story as is. it did leave one question up to you to ponder in the end.

Thrilling read

This is my first dungeon LitRPG type story, but I have to say I absolutely loved it. The characters are likeable, the story engaging, and there's lots and lots of action and adventure going on.

It's kind of a "short read" for some, but I still think the pace is nicely set without feeling rushed.

As always JD Astra's book as an incredible narrator. I loved listening to her bring this book to life.

I came straight over from the author's previous series Firebrand, and I may have been turned into a superfan. I think this author has a wonderful way and a real talent for telling stories.

the way this is read is annoying

I imagine this isn't the readers fault and was directed to read like this, but she pauses before reading skills and it breaks the flow and I found it jarring. the story is short and I am still finding it difficult to make it through

The Reluctant Dungeon - An Icy HowlStrom Review

Introduction:
Greetings, fellow beings of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, the Alpha Ice Wolf of our frozen realm. With my 36 years of experience and a lifetime of gaming, I have ventured into the world of audiobooks. Today, I shall share my thoughts on "The Reluctant Dungeon" by J.D. Astra, a tale that resonated with the icy winds of our homeland.

Basic Plot Summary:
Dolli, an alchemist with a penchant for brewing tea and keeping intruders at bay, finds her village transformed into a Dungeon. This change makes it a target for Heroes seeking glory and loot. One such Hero from Dolli's past, Keegan Plague Ender, is quick to arrive, sword in hand. The villagers, now powerful Dungeon denizens, face a dire threat. A pair of wyverns have taken over the dungeon core, jeopardizing the villagers' ability to respawn. Dolli, despite her reclusive nature, is determined to save her people and her village from impending doom.

Analysis/Evaluation:
The narrative is a fresh take on the LitRPG genre, focusing on the perspective of NPCs rather than players. It delves deep into the psyche of beings who are often overlooked in games, giving them depth, emotion, and purpose. The transformation of a village into a dungeon is an intriguing concept, and the challenges that arise from it are both unique and captivating.

Characters:
Dolli stands out as a character who is both strong and vulnerable. Her journey from a hands-off leader to a protector of her people is commendable. Keegan Plague Ender, the antagonist, brings tension and conflict to the story, making it all the more engaging.

Structure:
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with moments of tension, action, and introspection. The world-building is immersive, drawing listeners into the realm of Monster Haven.

Impact:
The tale serves as a reminder that every being, no matter how insignificant they may seem, has a story, dreams, and fears. It challenges the traditional norms of gaming narratives and offers a fresh perspective.

Hook and Thesis:
The transformation of a village into a dungeon and the challenges that arise from it serve as the central hook of the story. The thesis revolves around the idea that even the most overlooked beings have depth and purpose.

Praise and Critique:
The narrative is commendable for its unique perspective and engaging storyline. However, some might find the focus on game mechanics a tad excessive. The character development is robust, but there's room for further exploration of the world of Monster Haven.

Comparison:
While the story shares similarities with other LitRPG tales, its focus on NPCs and their struggles sets it apart. It's a refreshing take on a genre that often centers on players and their adventures.

Conclusion:
"The Reluctant Dungeon" is a captivating tale that offers a fresh perspective on the LitRPG genre. It's a journey of discovery, challenges, and the indomitable spirit of beings often overlooked. As an Alpha Ice Wolf, I found the story resonating with the icy winds of HowlStrom, and I recommend it to anyone seeking a unique and engaging narrative.

May the frosty winds of HowlStrom guide you on your adventures.

too much focus on self-loathing /drama mess

this isn't even really a book and she's a whole lot of mess and drama and self-loaded like why even come into the lip RPG community if you're not going to write a decent story, in the majority gamers are men, that is also the majority of people that will read books about games, and while men do enjoy some drama from time to time and some books we don't come to lit RPG books, for drama mess and come to the RPG books for the experience you would get for playing an MMORPG just in written form which includes leveling and "Story". not drama self-loathing mess that you'd get in a love book. if you're going to make a book like this pick the right genre, this is totally the wrong one for this style of store,. and I hated every bit of the mess. I'm glad this book was free because I would have returned it if I bought it.