"Matt Ruff is one of science fiction and fantasy's most consistently brilliant and innovative authors . . . . [88 Names] moves seamlessly through a series of beautifully rendered, imaginative virtual worlds, and a physical world that is recognizably our own future, while still being madcap in that unmistakably mattruffian way — boingboing.com

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 ...

“Unlike most stories involving VR, all-powerful corporations and the possibility of catfishing, 88 Names never verges into the cynical or dystopian. Instead, Ruff invites readers to play.” “ [A] fun, fast-paced novel… The many pop culture SF references make this adventure pure geek gold.

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.

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.