Dungeon in the Clouds

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at first. *Another* dungeon-core story? But *Dungeon in the Clouds* disarmed me within an hour—not just with its premise (a dungeon core in a *cloud*, which is as ridiculous as it sounds), but with how *earnestly* it commits to the bit. Kers isn’t some omnipotent villain-in-waiting; he’s a snarky, insecure entity who spends half the book panicking about his lack of walls. Justin Thomas James’ narration sells this perfectly, balancing Kers’ sarcasm with moments of genuine vulnerability. When Kers laments, *“I’m a dungeon with no dungeon,”* James delivers it like a man realizing he’s been stood up by fate itself. The multi-cast narration is a masterclass in audiobook production. Dorrie Sacks’ voice for the storm spirit, Zara, crackles with mischief, while Jeff Hays’ turn as the cursed scholar, Veyne, oozes weary charm. The pacing, however, stumbles in the middle—Weber’s worldbuilding is rich, but the LitRPG stat-dumps occasionally grind the momentum to a halt. And while the cloud setting is fresh, some of the “monster” designs feel underutilized (I wanted more from the sentient lightning bolts, dammit). Still, the final act’s emotional payoff—Kers’ makeshift family rallying around him—lands hard, thanks in no small part to Annie Ellicott’s tear-jerking performance as the cloud’s reluctant “heart.” If you love fantasy that’s weird, witty, and willing to ask *why* a dungeon core even exists, this is a sky-high winner. Just be ready to power through a few slower stretches for the gold at the end.