Existentially Challenged

The DEDA Files, Book 2

By: Yahtzee Croshaw

Narrated by: Yahtzee Croshaw

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

With magic declassified in the UK, the fake psychics and fraudulent healers are running amok, and it's up to the Department of Extradimensional Affairs' newly appointed Skepticism Officers to crack down. But when they set their sights on Modern Miracle, a highly suspicious and fast-growing faith healing cult with remarkably good social media presence, even their skepticism is put to the test.

Is Modern Miracle on the level? Is Miracle Meg’s healing magic real? Why do dead bodies keep showing up on their doorstep? And just what is Miracle Dad's preferred flavour of crisp?

In Existentially Challenged, the sequel to Differently Morphous, the men and women of the Department of Extradimensional Affairs continue their struggle to uncover the motives of the Ancients under the ever-present threat of death, insanity, and sensitivity training.

©2021 Yahtzee Croshaw (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Yahtz does it again

Loved it. Gives enough info to make the audience feel clever for figuring certain things out before the characters, but doesn't give so much away that the mystery is ruined. Good exploration of the characters beyond their mostly "professional" roles in the first book. Can't wait for the third entry :-) Thanks Yahtz!

Excellent mystery and characters, with a big issue

I've read all of Yahtzee Crosshaw's books, from the more humble beginnings of Mogworld and Jam to the more excellent books like Differently Morphous and Will Save the Galaxy for Food, and even for those works I've not enjoyed as much, there is definite quality to the writing. An author narrating their own work is often hit and miss, but Yahtzee does a decent job.

Now, what is great about this book? The mystery. Excellent crafting of intrigue and solveable before the end without being too easy. The expanding world lore is also exceptionally well crafted, giving off excellent Lovecraftian vibes while not sabotaging the humor.

What is not so great is the satire. While well handled in other books, Yahtzee feels ham handed here, pressing personal opinion over his more well balanced approach in Differently Morphous. Full disclosure, I am a Christian, but I am also quite familiar with Yahtzee's work and I am no stranger to authors that scorn my beliefs, I've read all of Terry Pratchett's books and he's still one of my favorite authors. The difference here is in how Yahtzee has approached the issue, demonstrating a clear lack of understanding when presenting the Christian side of things. Admittedly, he does throw the church a bone in that one of the main representions is identifiably meant to represent the Westboro Baptist church, a sect most Christians want nothing to do with, and adequate attention is drawn to this to clarify that he doesn't think all Christians are like this. I feel if there had been a bit more of an informed depiction, it would seem far less strawman than it already is.

Overall, I am glad to have read this book and I do look forward to more, but I am a little disappointed by clumsy representation.

A good follow up

Yahtzee Croshaw plays tongue in cheek with murder mystery, the church and British spy novels while throwing in a dig at superheroes just because.

A follow up to Differently Morphus, this one continues the story of Allison and the DEDA as they deal with new challenges while only lingering on the mysteries not solved in the last book, like how a sequel should be done. We see more sides to the characters we grew to like or at least tolerate and enjoy the satirical skull duggery of the hapless heroes.

Only getting better

Been following Yahztee's career since the begining, I've always enjoyed his books, and he's only been honing his craft, now with his newest sequel to Differently Morphous we are seeing his new height

Yahtzee is a master entertainer!

This book follows the same hilarious over the top writing style of his previous entry, building onto the real story of the precious book. I'm exited for the next book!

Oh boy the plot does the plot thickens!

If Yahtzee having time to write is from a bad game release year I'm torn on wanting more books or better/more games coming out, but after this one I'm leaning towards more books. I'm really keen on knowing what happens next!

vast improvement on the first one

the first book I found slow with only one saving grace, the doctor. this book improved drastically on the other character, it is faster pace, and rhe mystery is genuinely fun, intriguing, and gives you the very important, aha moment when you find out how it's done.

Praise El-Yetch!

A hilarious return to this universe with the same biting caliber of social commentary as its predecessor. Only thing missing was the original Shgshthx. 10/10

Absolutely Loved It!

I love this series. Yahtzee has a great ability to keep the humor going while also creating a great mystery book. The implications of this book have me salivating for the next in the series. Love it. Also, check out his other books if you get a chance. They all are extremely clever and funny while irreverently breaking rules of their respective genres. Another also, why didn't I get notified when this came out?!

I hate how much I love everything about this and have no witty nitpicks

I’m no good at writing reviews but let me say I recommend this book so highly that I would actually recommend buying a whole second book and get differently Morpheus first. It’s so good that reading it before the first book is doing yourself a disservice

Brilliant

Very well written and very well read eight more words to add sausage banana horse

Amazing background-building, painful end

"The DEDA Files" is honestly as good as the Rivers Of London series. Although Existentially Challenged is shorter than Differently Morphous, it somehow feels a bit tighter and yet squeezes even more in. The fact that there's no music this time doesn't matter, not when you've got Yahtzee's dulcet tones in your ears.

All the characters are memorable, even if not likeable. Hopefully not spoilers, but I found myself feeling sympathy for Victor (Who I never really liked) and am now crushing majorly on Adam (Who was always my favourite).

Loving that the LGBT and POC rep is even better than before and how almost everyone develops in surprising ways.
The Batman and Robin scene makes me laugh out loud every time and, even with how painful I found the end, there were several very funny moments too.

The world of The DEDA Files is now even richer than it already was, to the point I have headcanons and could very easily see it making a great TV series.
Liz Carr for Elizabeth, maybe Gemma Arterton for Alison?

The ending's "painful" because it made me feel really uneasy and makes it clear there's even more to this story than there already is. That said, I'm glad the ending happened how it did.

Lastly, the fact that Adam is shorter than Alison on the cover art? Awwwww! I love the cover art and want to follow the artist online.

A Great expansion on the first book

Yahtzee is a great narrator and takes the characters/plot in hilarious and interesting directions

Yes, just yes!

I adore cosmic horror and i adore satire. This series blends the two perfectly.

Can't wait for the next one!!!

love the world yathzee has created and I want to explore this creative and intriguing world even more

A solid sequel

A good sequel to differently morphus, diving in where that story left off.
Lacked some of the polish the previous book had (voice effects and intro music) but they are minor distractors from a fun plot that had me guessing until the end.

Another slice of gold

A fantastic book as are all the rest of his books I highly recommend it

A genuinely good experience

I can so easily see this ark being an excellent second season channel 4 cult hit show.

Essentially Unchallenged

Great writing, Great story, Great narration, Great expansion of created universe, Good Job Yahtzee ❤️

good sequel looking forward to the next one

Entertaining dialogues, consistent world rules for how magic works which help build to a decent twist and mystery