88 Names

A Novel

By: Matt Ruff

Narrated by: Ewan Chung

The critically acclaimed author of Lovecraft Country returns with a thrilling and immersive virtual reality epic - part cyberthriller, part twisted romantic comedy - that transports you to a world where identity is fluid and nothing can be taken at face value.

John Chu is a “sherpa” - a paid guide to online role-playing games like the popular Call to Wizardry. For a fee, he and his crew will provide you with a top-flight character equipped with the best weapons and armor, and take you dragon-slaying in the Realms of Asgarth, hunting rogue starships in the Alpha Sector, or battling hordes of undead in the zombie apocalypse.

Chu’s new client, the pseudonymous Mr. Jones, claims to be a “wealthy, famous person” with powerful enemies, and he’s offering a ridiculous amount of money for a comprehensive tour of the world of virtual-reality gaming. For Chu, this is a dream assignment, but as the tour gets underway, he begins to suspect that Mr. Jones is really North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, whose interest in VR gaming has more to do with power than entertainment. As if that weren’t enough to deal with, Chu also has to worry about “Ms. Pang”, who may or may not be an agent of the People’s Republic of China, and his angry ex-girlfriend, Darla Jean Covington, who isn’t the type to let an international intrigue get in the way of her own plans for revenge.

What begins as a whirlwind online adventure soon spills over into the real world. Now Chu must use every trick and resource at his disposal to stay one step ahead - because in real life, there is no reset button.

©2020 Matt Ruff (P)2020 HarperAudio

This book is perfect for video game nerds like me!

I couldn't stop listening! A great mystery! there's a lot of deus ex machina. But it doesn't take away from the story. great twist ending. But it does dull down the tension that was building all the way up until then.

super fun

oh my super fun sci fi from matt ruff i enjoyed the multiple layers hope to find more like this style

Not the best litrpg. Not the worst.

I found this book on a best of list and do not think it deserved to be on such lists. Having read other litrpg novels such as “ready player one” and “ascend online” I can say that “88 names” is not at the peak of its genre. At the same time I did enjoy the listen and would recommend if if you already enjoy the genre.

WoWed by a thrilling, mind bending tale

88 Names by Matt Ruff is a thrilling and captivating journey that effortlessly bridges the gap between the virtual and real worlds. This ingenious novel will leave you questioning the nature of reality and pondering the limitless possibilities that technology can offer.

Ruff's storytelling prowess is evident from the very beginning as he introduces us to John Chu, a "sherpa" who helps clients navigate the complex world of virtual reality gaming. With a diverse cast of characters and an enthralling plot, 88 Names is a true page-turner that is nearly impossible to put down.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this novel is Ruff's world-building. He has created an intricate and immersive virtual landscape, complete with its own unique culture, rules, and consequences. As you dive deeper into the story, you can't help but become invested in the lives of the characters and the rich, multifaceted world they inhabit.

Moreover, 88 Names is also an insightful commentary on the impact of technology on our lives and relationships. The novel delves into the ethical and moral implications of virtual reality, while exploring themes of identity, trust, and the true nature of connection. Ruff's ability to weave these thought-provoking themes into an exhilarating narrative is nothing short of masterful.

In summary, 88 Names is a triumph of both imagination and storytelling. Matt Ruff has crafted an unforgettable tale that will resonate with fans of science fiction and virtual reality enthusiasts alike. If you're looking for a novel that will challenge your perceptions and keep you entertained from start to finish, look no further than this mind-expanding masterpiece.

I love this author... didn’t love this book.

I love Matt Ruff - “Bad Monkeys” is a wonderful, twisty psychological thriller, and “Lovecraft Country” is one of the smartest and most sensitive genre works of the last decade.

This one however felt undercooked, and a bit derivative. “Ready Player One” is a strong influence here (even mentioned by name in the text), but the charm didn’t fully carry over.

That said, Ruff can ably write characters and drama, so you won’t be bored. I was definitely engaged from start to finish, but I felt robbed of a payoff by the end.

The performance was good, but didn’t substantially add to the experience. Compared to the excellent performance on the “Bad Monkeys” re-release, and the sublime performance on “Lovecraft Country,” I found this one wanting.

All in all, not my favorite Matt Ruff work. I was happy to buy it on day one though to support an extremely talented author.

A little esoteric but totally enjoyable

I thought it was very clever! Though, like most of Matt Ruff’s stories it jumps around a little, so you have to pay attention. It may also be helpful to have a basic understanding of computer technology and mmorpg, though the book does a pretty great job of explaining the lingo.

Was a fun story, but...

Starts out great, but has a fairly weak ending. To be clear: the ending was good but felt forced, and made the story feel pointless.

Kinda dull

Not nearly as good as Lovecraft County but few things are. A mediocre techno thriller at best. I really wanted to love this and it was just OK.

Can’t believe how predictable that was….

I would say a lot of this book was enjoyable, not the best, but pretty good. It’s a shame the author couldn’t come up with anything more than this terribly predictable, and obvious ending.

Oh well.