Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Dungeon Born
- Author: Dakota Krout
- Narrator: Vikas Adam
- Length: 12:33:51
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 28/03/2017
- Publisher: Tantor Media
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I heard Vikas Adam’s voice bring Cal the Dungeon Core to life, I was hiking through the cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica. The way his narration made the dungeon’s stone walls seem to breathe around me reminded me of those Oaxacan evenings when Abuela Rosa would spin tales that made the very air shimmer with possibility. That’s the magic of “Dungeon Born” – it doesn’t just tell you a story; it builds a world around you, stone by magical stone.
Dakota Krout’s innovative take on the LitRPG genre feels like discovering an entirely new flavor in a familiar cuisine. Much like when I first tasted mole negro in its birthplace of Oaxaca, expecting chocolate but finding an entire universe of spices, “Dungeon Born” takes the dungeon crawler trope and transforms it into something rich and unexpected. The premise – a sentient dungeon core named Cal who must consume adventurers to survive – creates delicious moral complexity beneath its fantasy surface.
Vikas Adam’s narration is nothing short of alchemical. He gives Cal a voice that shifts perfectly from naive wonder to calculating intelligence as the dungeon core evolves. His handling of the sheep-herder turned noble Dale is equally masterful – I could practically smell the lanolin and hay in those early scenes. Adam’s greatest achievement might be his monster voices; when he voices the ‘fluffy bunny’ that’s actually a deadly predator, I nearly tripped on a tree root from laughing while hiking.
The audio production enhances Krout’s worldbuilding beautifully. There’s a tactile quality to how Adam voices the dungeon’s expansion – you can almost hear the stone grinding and reshaping. It reminded me of listening to Gabriel García Márquez while watching the Atacama’s shifting sands, where the landscape itself feels alive. The pacing (at just over 12 hours) allows the cultivation mechanics to breathe without slowing the adventure.
What makes this audiobook special is how it balances crunchy LitRPG elements with genuine heart. Cal’s relationship with his ‘energetic friend’ (no spoilers!) evolves in ways that reminded me of the profound connections I’ve witnessed in travels from Tibetan monasteries to Amazonian villages. Krout sneaks in surprisingly deep questions about consciousness and purpose between monster battles.
If I had one critique, it’s that some secondary characters could use more vocal distinction. There were moments when I needed to rewind to track who was speaking during crowded adventurer scenes. But this is minor compared to the overall achievement.
For fans of “Divine Dungeon” or “The Wandering Inn”, this is essential listening. The cultivation system has satisfying depth without overwhelming complexity – think Brandon Sanderson’s magic systems meets “Stardew Valley’s” progression joy. It’s particularly perfect for road trips or long hikes; I found myself taking extended routes just to keep listening.
As someone who’s documented oral storytelling traditions from Mongolia to Morocco, I can say Adam’s performance honors that ancient art while feeling completely fresh. The way he handles Krout’s humor – especially the dungeon’s deadpan internal monologue about ‘stupid adventurers’ – is masterclass timing.
May your journeys through real and imagined worlds be ever wondrous,
Marcus Rivera
