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When you are introduced to the iconic author via his most recent hit series, despite a track record of somewhere around 37 publications across multiple genres, you kind of wonder, “Why this one?” Operation Bounce House was my crash course answer to this question.

I opened Operation Bounce House expecting the same upstart as Dungeon Crawler Carl, complete with ground-leveling technology and goblin-smashing contraptions. Instead, I was met with a small-town group of farmers who get together to play in a mediocre band.

Oliver lives a humble life with his sister on their farm on the planet, New Sonora. As only the third generation of New Sonora inhabitants, they are witnesses to the opening of the transfer gate to Earth. But, what could’ve been a great advancement turns sour as Earth allows a mega corporation to gamble with their lives in the form of remotely piloted war-machines. Because when you have to eliminate an entire planet, why not make some money out of it?

Despite the interesting plot and the expectations of Dungeon Crawler Carl’s startling beginning, I am sad to report that I was not absorbed in this book until about 50% through.

Nevertheless, the second half of the book was a roller coaster ride of events in typical Dinniman fashion. I simply wish the last 50% of the book had been the tempo from the start.

What Worked:

• The World-building: Our story is not based on Earth, but rather on a colony adjacent. Plus, we have the political impacts of a planet removed. Dinniman delivers all this information in an impactful way.
• Relevant Topics: It’s clear that Dinniman has intentional meanings with the topics he approaches within this book. If you leave this book without asking yourself some questions about our current climate, you didn’t read the same book.

What Didn’t Work:

• Detailed Explanations: While I cherish the mini-Ted Talks of Dungeon Crawler Carl, there was simply not enough room in this book to deliver these detailed rants about small topics. I wish details had been sacrificed for the sake of progressing the novel.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman is expected to be published on February 10, 2026.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this novel for an honest review.