Dungeon Runners
Part of the collectionDungeon Runners→Best for newly independent readers who want proper fantasy adventure with monsters, trials and teamwork, but still need a lot of illustration and pace.
- Books4
- Arcs1
- Span2023–2024
- StatusOngoing
The series
At a glance.
Dungeon Runners is a highly illustrated adventure series written by Kieran Larwood and illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton. The books follow Kit, Sandy and Thorn as they enter dangerous fantasy trials where teamwork matters as much as bravery. The setup gives children the pleasures of role-play fantasy, classes, monsters, tests, arenas, traps and quests, while keeping the reading experience friendly: short chapters, large clear font, black-and-white illustrations and plenty of humour. It is ideal for children who want adventure to feel thrilling but not too dense.
Best for newly independent readers who want proper fantasy adventure with monsters, trials and teamwork, but still need a lot of illustration and pace.
Primary themes
Overall tone
- Funny
- Exciting
- Adventurous
- Suspenseful
Read in publication order. The adventures are individually accessible, but the team dynamic and dungeon-running setup build from the first book.
One arc
The shape of the series.
- INarrative arcBooks 1–4 · 2023–2024Moderate sensitivity
Kit, Sandy and Thorn enter the dungeon
Four highly illustrated fantasy adventures built around dungeon trials, teamwork and comic peril.
The current Dungeon Runners run works as one continuing team-adventure arc. Hero Trial establishes the core trio and the challenge-based fantasy setup; Sky Battles, Ocean Chase and Fang Attack move the same energy through air, sea and creature-heavy danger. The books have enough threat to feel exciting — monsters, traps, battles and survival tests — but the large type, illustrations and humour keep them within a safe middle-grade adventure envelope. This is a very strong bridge for readers who love the idea of fantasy quests but are not yet ready for denser prose series.
Fit check
Right for your reader?
Where the series lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- 15
- 17
- 19
- Best fit · 7–9
- Read aloud · 6–9
- Independent · 7–9
Reluctant-reader friendliness
Very high
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Adult crossover
High
Grows with the reader
Designed to
Sensitivity envelope
Moderate overall, and consistent.
Where it sits
In conversation with other series.
Similar in feel
Different shelves, same wavelength.
Read this after…
Series that pick up where Dungeon Runners leaves off.
- How to Train Your Dragon →
- Podkin One-Ear →
About the author