# The Dungeoneers

By Jeffery Russell · Dungeoneers, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-dungeoneers-cf0cc6ff/

A mistaken assignment sends city guard Durham along with a crew of dwarves who clear dungeons for a living. Their clients want dangerous artifacts safely recovered. Durham may have a destiny, which is an unwelcome complication for a team trying to get its work done.

## What makes it funny?

The dwarves regard Durham’s orphan status as a warning sign: orphans tend to come with destinies. Assaph Mehr’s review also singles out their determination to extract every possible bit of income from a dungeon.

### The comedy at work

Heroic adventure interferes with professional practice. The dwarves approach dungeon clearing as paid work requiring preparation, making an unexpected chosen hero a problem for the crew.

### Try this if…

Knowledge of fantasy role-playing games adds to the appeal of the trope jokes, though Mehr says it isn’t essential. The practical business of dungeon clearing gets as much attention as heroic expectations.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy
- On the shelf: Sword & sorcery
- Kind of humor: Parody · Situational comedy
- Story ingredients: Dungeon adventuring
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2015

## A few distinguishing details

- Dungeon clearing as a professional service
- A potential chosen hero the crew would rather avoid

## Sources & further reading

- Review: [Independent review by Assaph Mehr](https://egretia.com/2025/06/11/book-review-the-dungeoneers-by-jeffery-russell)
- Book information: [Bookseller paperback edition](https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dungeoneers-jeffery-russell/5cf93c75e08e2d45?ean=9781515211181)
- Book information: [Bibliography and series order](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/r/jeffery-russell/dungeoneers.htm)