Kirsten Reviews: The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone
The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone
For anyone who has ever geeked out about something and for fans of The Guild, New Girl, Scott Pilgrim, Big Bang Theory, Veronica Mars.
Meet Dahlia Moss, the reigning queen of unfortunate decision-making in the St. Louis area. She is unemployed, broke, and on her last bowl of ramen. But that's all about to change.
Before Dahlia can make her life any messier on her own she's offered a job. A job that she's woefully under-qualified for. A job that will lead her to a murder, an MMORPG, and possibly a fella (or two?).
The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone navigating the tenuous divide between the absurd and the hilarious, and manages quite well.
The odds of Dahlia successfully navigating adulthood are 3,720 to 1. But never tell her the odds.
Meet Dahlia Moss, the reigning queen of unfortunate decision-making in the St. Louis area. Unemployed broke, and on her last bowl of ramen, she's not living her best life. But that's all about to change.
Before Dahlia can make her life any messier on her own she's offered a job. A job that she's woefully under-qualified for. A job that will lead her to a murder, an MMORPG, and possibly a fella (or two?).
Turns out unfortunate decisions abound, and she's just the girl to deal with them.
Dahlia Moss is broke and unemployed, one might even say chronically. Her social life is likewise abysmal. Her roommate, Charice, is a buggy, (no, really, there's unexpected surveillance), and sometimes ridiculous force of nature prone to scheming and basking in any sort of attention. However, one thing Dahlia does have going for her is she knows her way around video games.
Of note is the fact that she's not a detective. Not a licensed detective, this is an important distinction, but not one that will stop her from getting her spear. Yes, there's a spear to be found, a murder to be solved, and is essential. The police are not amused by any of this, and perhaps most of all, Dahlia's interference. However, some of these same cops can’t recognize the insidious power of Candy Crush, so their contempt should be taken with a drop or three of invisibility oil.
Something else Dahlia has in spades is a low-level of embarrassment at her lack of accomplishments - she's distanced herself from college friends because of her lack of a good career, and that sort of determination most millennials will recognized. We may not know how something is going to turn out, but we'll figure out a way to get to our destination, be it Zoth or the Land of Secure Employment and Retirement. Maybe it can be unlocked after reaching level 30 in Kingdoms of Zoth.
Readers who are any type of geek will enjoy the many pop culture references, the story’s use of, and respect for gaming culture, which can be presented as zany, but is never denigrated, and a heroine who finds her footing, even in costume and while juggling a lyre.
(Received a copy from the publisher)
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