In fairytales, we often hear of dark, dank dungeons crawling with eerie monsters that we can scarcely imagine. But have you ever wondered how the monsters survive down there? Do they have their own ecosystem, and if so, does that mean we could survive down there too? Could we even go so far as to eat those monsters ourselves, and is it possible that they’d actually be really delicious?
These strange and hilarious questions are both asked and answered in “Delicious in Dungeon” by Ryoko Kui. The book begins at the height of an intense and dangerous battle, where the warrior Laios and the rest of his company are facing off against a fearsome red dragon. They’re well prepared with high quality armor, sharp and trusty weapons, and even magic spells at their disposal. There’s only one problem; they’re all hungry!
After a terrible defeat, these young explorers are forced to start their journey all over again from the entrance of the dungeon. With Laios’ sister, Falin, still trapped deep inside, the stakes have never been higher. Fame, treasure, and family await them if they can succeed, and this time, Laios and his friends are willing to try a new strategy. Instead of spending what little money and resources they have left on perishable rations, they’ll be munching on monsters as they go. With the help of a mysterious dwarf named Senshi, a new culinary adventure awaits them.
While I’ve only read the first few volumes of this manga series so far, it has offered a fun new twist to the fantasy genre. Manga, for those who might not be familiar with the term, refers to a specific style of Japanese graphic novels. As such, you can expect interesting influences from Japanese culture to appear throughout this story as well. This influence only added to this refreshing take on a classic “Dungeons and Dragons” narrative.
If you decide to read “Delicious in Dungeon” by Ryoko Kui, be prepared for a lot of zany humor and frequent laughter. You might even find yourself tempted by the tasty meals Laios and his company make together. After all, who wouldn’t want to try hot pot made of giant scorpions and beautiful tarts made from the fruits of parasitic plants? Only the group’s healer, an elf named Marcille, protests against these odd and unusual provisions. But even those protests don’t last long on an empty stomach!
So, if you’re looking for a completely unique and fantastical culinary crusade, I cannot recommend Ryoko Kui’s “Delicious in Dungeon” enough.
- Assistant Librarian, Quinn Shaffer
“Eating is the sole privilege of the living.”
– Laios, from Delicious in Dungeon