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Authors Jacob & H.P. Holo

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Dungeon Crawler Carl – Book Review

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I just finished listening to Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Y’ALL. If you have not experienced the audio version of this book specifically, you’re missing out on a treat. 

Dungeon Crawler Carl Audiobook Cover

Dungeon Crawler Carl is a LitRPG series-starter in which, in the blink of an eye, most of Earth’s population is obliterated and the planet is converted into a massive dungeon. Why? So the aliens about to claim its resources can watch, reality show style, as the last humans scramble for survival.

While it’s primarily an action-adventure novel, there’s a healthy dose of absurd comedy in it, too, and that balance of serious struggle and wacky humor is what makes it soar.

I knew this book was going to be a new favorite the moment I learned that Carl has a cat companion named Princess Donut. Who has better stats than him. And talks. With the accent of a pampered 19th Century British aristocrat. For that matter, the voice that narrator Matt Hays assigns to Carl’s inner monologue reminds me vaguely of Patrick Warburton – best known to me as Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove – and that alone was reason enough for me to start the book. 

What kept me listening, though, was how unexpectedly complex this book became. Sure, there’s plenty of crazy dungeon-crawling antics. But there’s also a fair amount of moral complexity to it, and an underlying question of how many terrible deeds a person can commit before they cease to be human (even if those deeds are necessary for survival).

And as the story goes on, you realize that there’s far more to the novel’s world than it first seems. Not all of the aliens helping to run the dungeon are there because they want to be. And Carl learns that his some of his actions in this dungeon might be influencing intergalactic politics whether he wants them to or not.

In every single one of my LitRPG Facebook groups, this book dominates recommendation discussions, and now that I’ve experienced it, I can say it deserves every single one of those recommendations. If you like LitRPG, or just a hilarious adventure with a surprising bit of depth, you should absolutely read Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Adventures in One-Eared Cats

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Welp, it’s been a bit since Nova’s initial cancer diagnosis. That and her initial surgery fell in the midst of the Monster Punk Horizon series’ launch, so there wasn’t too much time for blogging. 😮‍💨

But now that there is, I’m delighted to let you know that Nova’s surgery went well! 😄 Her vet reports that the cancer didn’t spread beyond her ear, and Nova’s so chill about it all that, frankly, I don’t even think she realizes she’s missing an ear. 🤣

At the very least, when I brought her home the day of surgery, she was interested in only one thing and that thing was food:

If you missed the news back in November, you can read the original post here, but the short version is that we found a weird “scab” that ended up being squamous cell carcinoma, and when that shows up on a cat’s ear, the treatment is a pinnectomy – that is, to remove the external part of the ear entirely.

It sounds dramatic, but according to our vet, it doesn’t affect the cat’s quality of life, and the only real downside is that the cat looks a little more … characterful. (As if Nova needs any more character. 🤣)

The surgery itself was back in early December and went as smoothly as it possibly could. (The whole vet’s office loves Nova, and she loves them. Sometimes she comes home with cute little neck-scarves from the vet, just because. 🥰)

The only real challenge thereafter came from the Cone of Shame that Nova had to wear for 10 days – though, given the designs printed on it, it’s probably more accurate to call it a Cone of Encouragement. 😊

Her first night home was amusing, partly because painkiller-high Nova is always amusing. She loses her depth perception, tries to jump on Jacob’s lap … and frequently misses the couch entirely. 🤣

Jacob and I were also serenaded to sleep that night by the relaxing sounds of Nova bumping into literally every single surface inside our house. 😐 Which was hilarious, but also ensured that none of us got to sleep at a reasonable hour.

The cone was primarily there to keep Nova from scratching her ear and thus tearing the stitches.

We thought she’d get frustrated by it fast – but we also neglected to remember just how endearingly manipulative this little cat can be. 😂

Within twelve hours of coming home, she figured out that if she dipped her head a certain way in Jacob’s presence and made a pitiful “prrt” noise, Jacob would scratch inside her cone in the places she couldn’t reach. Which meant that, for the next 9.5 days, she had personal scratchers-of-itches, which she exploited to great effect.

Of course, doting cat parents that we are, we didn’t mind being exploited – Jacob in particular. He pampered the heck out of this cat.

When the cone made it difficult for her to eat from her regular bowl, he just filled up a whole huge bowl with kibble and let her eat whenever she wanted. (We normally only feed her a small amount once a day because her appetite is as limitless as her charm, and in normal circumstances, she will eat ’til she barfs, then eat the barf. 😐)

Normally Jacob also brings out a special bed for Nova when we play Digimon (so she won’t lay on our card gaming mats) but she got to lay on the Digimon table that week, too.

She spent much of the week in general lurking under our bed, which is where she goes when she’s not feeling so well. (Luckily the cone could fit under there with no trouble.)

Eventually, though, she started chilling out in my paper trash again, which is her usual hangout.

And she was back to lurking beside me on her designated #bosscat pillow in no time.

Now that the surgery adventure’s over, all we have to do is be vigilant about protecting her thin-furred parts from sun exposure whenever she follows me outside on writing days – but fortunately, that’s easy to do with a bit of cat-friendly baby sunscreen. 😊

So closes another adventure in the nine lives of Nova!

Monster Punk Horizon is a #1 Best Seller! 😀

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Hey, Holo fans! 😀 I was doodling on Amazon at the ridiculous hours of last night when I came upon this delightful little screen:

Which is to say, as of Christmas night, Monster Punk Horizon is a #1 Best Seller on Amazon’s Steampunk Fiction booklist! 😮 It’s the dream of every author to see that bright orange tag next to their books – and this is the first time it’s ever happened to me – so I have to say, from the bottom of my weird, hyperactive author heart:

THANKS A BUNCH. 😊

Authors don’t become Best Sellers without the support of readers, and it’s because of you all that I was able to achieve one of my lifelong dreams.

And speaking of my new series … if you haven’t tried it out yet, this is the perfect week to do so! 😀

From now through Wednesday, December 29th, the Monster Punk Horizon eBook is just $.99 and Isekai Skies (#2) is just $1.99, so if you’ve been curious to check out this strange little product of an overactive imagination and too many video games, now’s your chance! 😀

Read Monster Punk Horizon Here for $.99
Read Isekai Skies Here for $1.99

It’s Excess’ Launch Week!

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Another month, another book launch! 🥳 We’re sending 2021 off with a bang, which is to say: the third book in the Monster Punk Horizon series, Excess 😀 – and a collaboration between both Jacob and H.P. – so if you’re a fan of our new GameLit fantasy adventure comedy, read on!

(Or, if you’re totally new to it, peruse our videos for Book 1 and Book 2 to see what it’s all about! 😄)

As always, we’re packing this week with a series of videos that provide a deeper look into Excess and the general world of Monster Punk Horizon, leading up to an official launch party on Thursday, December 23rd, complete with live chatter and prizes galore! Check out the schedule below to see what we have in store this time around, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch to receive notifications when our videos go live! 😀

And of course, don’t forget that you can preorder Excess now on Amazon – or read it starting Thursday on Kindle Unlimited!

Excess Launch Week Events

The Isekai Skies audiobook is out!

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Another month, another audiobook! 😀 Monster Punk Horizon #2: Isekai Skies is now out on Audible and ready for your enjoyment! 😄

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

Tess Irondale once again did a fabulous job bringing all of H.P.’s characters to auditory life, and we’re excited to continue sharing her work with you.

Especially since readers, thus far, seem to be enjoying Book 2 as much as – if not more than – the first one! 😄

Check out what some have had to say:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved the first book with all my heart and the second one has ear wormed right into my very being! Sometimes you worry that a sequel just won’t stand up to the first. Especially when the first book was as amazing as Monster Punk Horizon … but fear not. Isekai Skies has risen to the challenge and surpassed my hopes! New characters to love and new monsters to awaken our imaginations. Jaz, Pix and the Dragon Pig Pirates are kicking ass and taking names once again! Don’t miss an exciting moment! On to book 3!

Frances Cooper

Amazon Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WOW. This book is unlike any other I have ever read! Being the second book in a series, I was pretty nervous, because I feel like second books tend to be less spectacular than the first. But this sequel did not disappoint one bit! It was so enjoyable to read – there are few books that make me audibly laugh out loud, but I’m so glad that this is one of them!

The way the author ties in these classic nerdy elements is incredible and nostalgic. The character development is outstanding – the characters stay consistently themselves, so you still know and love them while reading, but they also have so much growth throughout the story as well.

I had no idea where the plot was going to go after the first book, and I definitely didn’t expect it to go the way it did, but I have zero qualms about it. And the magic systems and fantasy world building is so awesome – unlike anything I’ve ever read. Literally, just wow. Such a fun read – can’t wait to read the third book!

Melisa Longhurst

Amazon Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ … Imaginative, inventive and light-hearted …

Isekai Skies follows in the same vein as Monster Punk Horizon, where the two main protagonists Jaz and Pix become embroiled in more shenanigans. This time with the aid of Kaito, who has mysteriously been sucked through a portal from a future Earth. Kaito thinks he is in some sort of fantasy adventure, and it is up to Jaz and Pix to keep him in one piece.

I love [this] pair, they are such a refreshing change from the normal, run of the mill heroines. They are so good as a double act, and yet they are as different as chalk and cheese. I find the banter between them clever and full of humour. They are backed up with an array of terrific characters, friends and foes alike. Kaito’s initial naivety does make for interesting reading as he gets to grip with his new surroundings … Isekai Skies is more character-driven than anything, and it is not surprising, considering the talent on show. That does not mean the storyline is lacking because it isn’t. It is packed with action and adventure, and there is never a dull moment.

Isekai Skies is a thoroughly entertaining and engaging read, and I enjoyed every little bit.

John Derek

Goodreads Reviewer

We hope you enjoy it as much as these did! 😄

Adventures in Weird Cat Ears

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Here’s your occasional reminder to GET YA WEIRD SKIN SPOTS CHECKED, courtesy of Nova. (BTW, if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see these reminders more often, in addition to other stuff like more pics of Nova, plants, book updates, and whatever I’m eating/drinking that day, so if that’s your jam, DO IT.)

Follow H.P. on Instagram

Anyway, earlier this year, I’d noticed a weird scab on Nova’s right ear that didn’t seem associated with any injury and, moreover, never actually healed, so I had her vet take a look at it. (After my run-in with melanoma, we don’t mess with weird skin stuff in House Holo, even when it comes to our cat. 😤)

It’s a good thing I did, too, because it turns out that it was a spot of squamous cell carcinoma. 😮

Which is to say, cancer. 😟

However, the important and encouraging part is that we caught it at a very early stage. 😮‍💨 There are still some steps to be taken – a check of her lymph nodes to make sure it hasn’t spread, and essentially, the removal of that one ear to make sure they got all the cancer cells – but given how quickly we caught it, it looks like the worst that’s going to happen is Nova’s going to look a little more badass. (All the better for cracking the #catboss whip.)

It’s also worth knowing, though, that this is apparently pretty common to cats that have light-colored or thin-furred ears like Nova does. 😮 This particular type of skin cancer is largely caused by sun damage, so her vet told me to put baby sunscreen on her ears, nose, and bridge of her nose whenever she’s going to spend a lot of time outside ☀️ (i.e. when she follows me to the writing porch).

All this to say, if you have a cat with pale ears, be sure to protect those ears during their sun time, and either way, be vigilant about odd things that are happening on their skin. The earlier you can catch these sorts of problems, the better, and in these cases, a little time often makes all the difference.

ALSO: Nova herself is doing well, with no apparent symptoms other than the one scab we had punched out. She’s in good spirits and doesn’t understand why she’s suddenly getting more treats, but SHE’S HERE FOR IT. 🤣

UPDATE 2/1/22: Read the follow-up here!

Recipes on Top: H.P.’s Perfect Keto Grilled Cheese

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Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat a frying pan on medium-low heat. Plop 1/3 of the butter in to melt.
  2. Use the remaining butter to butter both pieces of bread.
  3. Plop one piece of bread in the pan butter-side-down, then sandwich the cheddar cheese between the mozzarella and put it on the bread to melt. Place the other piece of bread on top, butter-side-up.
  4. Let sandwich cook slowly until it reaches desired toastiness and meltiness. (Don’t cook it too fast/hot or the toastiness-to-meltiness ratio will be off.)

Babble:

Of all the random diets I’ve tried, Keto is my favorite because once my body adjusts to the kind of nutrients it’s taking in, it feels healthier and more energetic than it does on any other diet. Plus, you can eat, like, a ton of cheese on it, and I was pretty much made of coffee and cheese even before I started Keto.😋

However, while the body may generally feel great, sometimes the soul just wants a grilled cheese. 🍞🧀

And frankly most Keto breads I’ve tried don’t taste like bread so much as sadness and despair manifested in a tasteless, disturbingly-textured physical form. 🤢 I don’t like to waste food, so I can generally power my way through most foods I’m indifferent to, but the vast majority of Keto breads that I’ve tried end up flung straight in the trash with the kind of force most people reserve for books with bad endings.

Which was why, when a fateful conversation at my local comic shop told me about Sola Bread – a Keto bread that tastes like actual bread – I leapt at the chance to try it.

And Y’ALL.

Y’ALLLLL.

It’s amazing. It tastes more than edible. It really does taste like actual bread, and it has revolutionized my grilled cheese life. 😮 I eat one of these sandwiches every other day, which is a whole lot more grilled cheese than I expected to eat when I started Keto.

My favorite flavor of Sola Bread is Sweet and Buttery, but Sweet Oat is a close second, and there are a wide variety of others available on the brand’s website. (I link to Amazon elsewhere because, TBH, I have affiliate links and get paid every time someone buys stuff through them, but I generally find this bread in the freezer section of my local Publix.)

Obviously, you can make whatever kind of grilled cheese you want on this stuff – all grilled cheeses are equal and blessed – but I prefer to use mozzarella cheese for maximum stretchiness and sharp cheddar for a little tang. I also prefer Kerrygold butter because I don’t use that much butter in my day-to-day cooking, so when I do use it, I’m going to use The Good Stuff.

It’s Isekai Skies’ Launch Week!

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Monster Punk Horizon has been out in the wild a little over a month, which means that it’s almost time for Monster Punk Horizon #2: Isekai Skies to make its debut! 😀

Like last time, H.P. has planned a fun week of readings and chats to lead up to its release on Thursday, November 18th. Check out the schedule below to see what she has in store this time around, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch to receive notifications when her videos go live!

And of course, don’t forget that you can preorder Isekai Skies now on Amazon – or read it starting Thursday on Kindle Unlimited! 😄

Isekai Skies Launch Week Events

We’re back at cons! :D

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Last year’s dearth of conventions left us starving to get back to con life, and now, we’re pumped to announce our first convention appearances since The Before Times! 😄

Scroll on to see if we’re coming to a con near you (and click their names for more info)!

  • Upstate Pop Expo – November 13th – November 14th, 2022 – Greenville, SC
  • FantaSci – March 25th – 27th, 2022 – Durham, NC
  • LibertyCon – June 16th – June 20th, 2022 – Chattanooga, TN

The Monster Punk Horizon audiobook is out!

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Hey, Holo fans! 😀 You’ve been waiting patiently, and now we’re pleased to announce that the Monster Punk Horizon audiobook is now live and loose in the wild! 😄

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

I had such a blast working with Tess Irondale on the Time Reavers audiobook several years ago that there was no question of who I wanted to voice the Monster Punk Horizon series. She’s brought the antics of Pix, Jaz, and company alive with aplomb, and I’ve been eager to share it with you since the moment I heard the very first samples.

Speaking of which, here’s a glimpse:

I’m equally eager to hear what you all think of it! 😄 Reader reactions to the book thus far have been wonderful and wildly beyond what I expected, and it’s been a real delight to meet these new readers, whether through their reviews or on our Facebook Page. Here are some of my favorite responses:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So imagine your gaming console, anime collection, and your box of Steve Jackson’s Munchkin got together for a wild night after you went to bed, and months later gave birth to a book. That book would be called Monster Punk Horizon.

The first few chapters left my ADD-riddled brain scrambling, trying to come to grips with the world I was being presented, and the uber-threat that soon stomps into their world, but as I became comfortable with the knowledge I’d signed on for a wild ride, I just buckled in and got my popcorn ready. MPH is an irreverent good time, loaded with wild, funny and colorful characters.

If you are at all a fan of isekai anime, or Monster Hunter or just a redonkulous good time, pick up Monster Punk Horizon.

Philip K. Booker

Amazon Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ HILARIOUS FUN!!! … I haven’t read many books that make me audibly laugh out loud, so I’m very glad I gave this book a chance, because now I can add it to that list! SO. MANY. FUNNY. MOMENTS. As someone who enjoys nerdy, Dungeons-and-Dragons-inspired adventures, this was an absolute thrill to read. The content was very geared for nerdy fans, but the humor and relatable characters made it easy for any reader to understand and have a good time reading!

Melisa

Goodreads Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had to look twice when I spotted this book. I am a huge Monster Hunter fan. I’ve played for thousands of hours for well over a decade and a half. So to say I was excited to find a book about living that kind of life was an understatement!

This book was an adventure. It was exciting, suspenseful, and I loved the characters. The action kept me flipping those pages as fast as I could … This book brought so much nostalgia and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. 

Nina Diab

Amazon Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Monster Punk Horizon by H.P. Holo is by far the best book I’ve read all year. The writing is top notch with all the witty dialogue and narration. The whole setting is absolutely insane in the best of ways. All the characters are great as well as distinct. … I will definitely reread it again, I just freaking love it!

Read this book, you won’t regret it.

BookDragon

Goodreads Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a good story, silly in all the right places, and not shying away from the ridiculousness built into the worldbuilding of many games … Well done!

Sarah

Amazon Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this book. The interactions with the main characters, Jaz and Pix, were highly entertaining. Though this book has some flaws, it’s exactly what I wanted it to be. It’s a fun and fast paced read with a memorable cast and great world building. I recommend this to anyone looking for a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and wants a few laughs out of their books.

David Sherrer

Goodreads Reviewer

I’m delighted that so many have already enjoyed it so much, and look forward to sharing much, much more of the Monster Punk Horizon universe with all of you. 😊

Listen to H.P. chat Monster Punk Horizon on the Blasters and Blades Podcast!

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Hey, Holo fans! 😀 The Blasters and Blades Podcast invited me on to chat Monster Punk Horizon, and it was one of the most fun interviews I’ve ever done.

If you’d like a deeper look into the Monster Punk Horizon universe, or just a general good time, give it a listen! 😄

Also, if you enjoyed what you heard, make sure to follow them on Anchor.fm, Facebook, and Twitter, and if you really enjoyed what you heard, you can support the show here! 😄