Steven C. (SteveTheDM) -
Helpful Score: 6
One of the other reviews I read for this book called it "Nostalgia Porn" and that seems like a hugely accurate descriptor. If you're actually in the set of people to whom that nostalgia resonates, this book is fantastic. If you're a young teen who likes hunt for treasure stories, you'll probably like it too.
This is the story of a hunt in virtual reality through 1980s video games and movies. A rather desperate hunt actually, in a fascinating virtual world and in a devastated real world. There are puzzles, which are fun (and which I was quite proud of solving faster than the protagonist), and there is a light touching of the deeper philosophical implications of a populace that spends most of it's time (both leisure and work) in a virtual landscape.
If you aren't a 1980s geek, this book may have very little for you. But if you played old text adventures between your Dungeons & Dragons games, you are smack dab in the middle of this book's target demographic and will probably have a great time. Those descriptor certainly describe me, and I absolutely did have a great time. (And for what it's worth, my teenage, treasure-hunting son loved it too.)
5 of 5 stars.
This is the story of a hunt in virtual reality through 1980s video games and movies. A rather desperate hunt actually, in a fascinating virtual world and in a devastated real world. There are puzzles, which are fun (and which I was quite proud of solving faster than the protagonist), and there is a light touching of the deeper philosophical implications of a populace that spends most of it's time (both leisure and work) in a virtual landscape.
If you aren't a 1980s geek, this book may have very little for you. But if you played old text adventures between your Dungeons & Dragons games, you are smack dab in the middle of this book's target demographic and will probably have a great time. Those descriptor certainly describe me, and I absolutely did have a great time. (And for what it's worth, my teenage, treasure-hunting son loved it too.)
5 of 5 stars.
Kristin K. (escapeartistk) -
Helpful Score: 5
This is a fun book if you like rooting for the underdog and if you recognize the 80s references (which you will if you lived through them: PacMan, Devo, etc). Its not particularly well written, but its not too techie either, so the lay-reader like myself can follow the plot easily.
Dawn B. (stargazingbookworm) -
Helpful Score: 3
This is a rip roaring ride - an Indiana Jones gauntlet of thrills.
If you are a nerd, geek, Trekkie, sci-fi junkie, bookworm, 80's (and 70's or before) movie, TV-show and music aficionado - than this book is for you. (Which is the reason I only gave it 4 1/2 stars - not everyone is...). Its the perfect book for summer reading.
Instead of living in the real world - which is awful and shows signs of what we are going through right now (2020) - everyone and I mean everyone lives in the OASIS - a virtual holo-deck of gaming where you are in the video games. Kids go to school in the OASIS (Online learning sound familiar?), people shop, its where all go to win instead of live. A place where anything that you might really have of any value gets sold to get more time in the game.
The creator, well one of them, dies and instead of bequeathing his vast fortune to his now ex-partner in the OASIS, he leaves a game - a winner takes all game - leaving hidden eggs and gates. If you are the last one standing then you are mega-rich and own the OASIS and control all of it. Throw in a few high school students that only know each other by their avatars, a rich cooperate company that owns everything else and also wants the OASIS and a bunch of geeky people trying to save it.
If you are a nerd, geek, Trekkie, sci-fi junkie, bookworm, 80's (and 70's or before) movie, TV-show and music aficionado - than this book is for you. (Which is the reason I only gave it 4 1/2 stars - not everyone is...). Its the perfect book for summer reading.
Instead of living in the real world - which is awful and shows signs of what we are going through right now (2020) - everyone and I mean everyone lives in the OASIS - a virtual holo-deck of gaming where you are in the video games. Kids go to school in the OASIS (Online learning sound familiar?), people shop, its where all go to win instead of live. A place where anything that you might really have of any value gets sold to get more time in the game.
The creator, well one of them, dies and instead of bequeathing his vast fortune to his now ex-partner in the OASIS, he leaves a game - a winner takes all game - leaving hidden eggs and gates. If you are the last one standing then you are mega-rich and own the OASIS and control all of it. Throw in a few high school students that only know each other by their avatars, a rich cooperate company that owns everything else and also wants the OASIS and a bunch of geeky people trying to save it.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
The year is 2044 and the world is not a nice place. Most of humanity avoids the real world and lives their lives in the virtual world of OASIS, created by Billionaire James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he leaves a message for the world. He has hidden an easter egg inside the OASIS. Anyone who can solve a series of intricate puzzles and find the easter egg will inherit Halliday's fortunate along with ownership of the OASIS. Teenager Wade Watts along with millions of other people spend their days and nights trying to solve these puzzles. He does research on the inventor of OASIS, knowing that Halliday's life and love of games and pop culture will surely be the key to the puzzles. When Wade, with his avatar Parzival, solves the first puzzle, everything changes.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton. It was 15.5 hours long and I have to say the first couple of hours were SLOW. Even though Wil Wheaton does a fantastic job with the story, there was way too much world building at the beginning of this book. I almost gave up on this one. I'm glad I didn't. After getting all of the background about the world in 2044, along with James Halliday's life and everything he ever invented or had his hands on, the story finally moved forward. Parzival (Wade) figures out the first clue using his knowledge of 80's trivia and pop culture to work his way through the various worlds in the OASIS. Parzival and his virtual friends, Aech, Art3mis, Daito, and Shoto are racing to find the next clue when a company named Innovative Online Industries (IOI) decides that they will do anything to be the first to solve the puzzles and rule the OASIS.
People like me who grew up in the 80's will enjoy the huge amount of 80's trivia and pop culture references. If you can wade through the first few hours of the book, I think you will enjoy this story. My rating: 4 Stars.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Wil Wheaton. It was 15.5 hours long and I have to say the first couple of hours were SLOW. Even though Wil Wheaton does a fantastic job with the story, there was way too much world building at the beginning of this book. I almost gave up on this one. I'm glad I didn't. After getting all of the background about the world in 2044, along with James Halliday's life and everything he ever invented or had his hands on, the story finally moved forward. Parzival (Wade) figures out the first clue using his knowledge of 80's trivia and pop culture to work his way through the various worlds in the OASIS. Parzival and his virtual friends, Aech, Art3mis, Daito, and Shoto are racing to find the next clue when a company named Innovative Online Industries (IOI) decides that they will do anything to be the first to solve the puzzles and rule the OASIS.
People like me who grew up in the 80's will enjoy the huge amount of 80's trivia and pop culture references. If you can wade through the first few hours of the book, I think you will enjoy this story. My rating: 4 Stars.
First the cover: Fascinating and intriguing. I like it.
Now for the story:
This is a wonderful premise, and a story so unique (to me at least) that I couldn't wait to get into it. This story starts strong, the reader being brought into the world at a smooth, steady pace. But for me that pace wasn't kept. The engine blew and it sputtered to the point that I lost interest. So much happens in the story and it's all so wonderful and new, but then (for me) it became a case of same ole same ole. It's as though the story reached the mountain top far before it was supposed to.
I enjoyed the first person. I got a thrill from the world created by Cline, I really did so I urge you to read the story for yourself. Maybe you'll reach the top of that mountain later than I do. I did buy the book, and even though I couldn't finish it, I will one day. I got to get my moneys worth after all. Now, I know you're thinking that I shouldn't review the book if I don't know how it ends. But you're wrong and the reason being is that I don't care how it ends. I reached the summit of my interest and I'm good. I'm comfortable.
Now for the story:
This is a wonderful premise, and a story so unique (to me at least) that I couldn't wait to get into it. This story starts strong, the reader being brought into the world at a smooth, steady pace. But for me that pace wasn't kept. The engine blew and it sputtered to the point that I lost interest. So much happens in the story and it's all so wonderful and new, but then (for me) it became a case of same ole same ole. It's as though the story reached the mountain top far before it was supposed to.
I enjoyed the first person. I got a thrill from the world created by Cline, I really did so I urge you to read the story for yourself. Maybe you'll reach the top of that mountain later than I do. I did buy the book, and even though I couldn't finish it, I will one day. I got to get my moneys worth after all. Now, I know you're thinking that I shouldn't review the book if I don't know how it ends. But you're wrong and the reason being is that I don't care how it ends. I reached the summit of my interest and I'm good. I'm comfortable.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
This is such a fun book! Quite unique. A dystopian future where our protagonist(and much of society) escapes into an amazing virtual reality world. When the billionaire creator of the virtual reality world wills his fortune and controlling interest to the winner of a game of his making, chaos ensues. There are so many fantastic elements and experiences in this book and the 80s references are great fun. There is suspense, intrigue, humor, and hope. A wonderful read!
I loved this book! After the first 50 or so pages (which is a lot of world-building), I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend for anyone who loves video games, the 80's, and just plain great books.
I recently finished reading a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had a perfect mix of suspense and action that kept me on the edge of my seat, always wondering what would happen next. While some readers may have struggled to understand the drama due to the 80s references, I found it to be filled with memories and nostalgia from movies and video games of my youth. Personally, I would give this book a five-star rating and can't wait to see how it translates to the big screen once the movie is released.
What a fun book to read! Gives one insight of what might happen with Meta. I do not play computer games, so lots of the terminology and acronyms I had to look up. The story had intrigue and moments where I would laugh. I really like it.
A great read in an interesting world. While Wade is not always the most likable protagonist his opposition is so bad you root for him anyway. He is supposed to be socially awkward and he behaves that way in his interactions improving once he has some actual interpersonal interactions beyond the Oasis.
Highly recommended especially in preparation for the upcoming film adaptation.
Highly recommended especially in preparation for the upcoming film adaptation.
Today's book club discussion was on "Ready Player One" which we all found to be enjoyable for a "dystopic" near future. Perhaps this was due to the deep down geeks in each of us and the amazing amount of 80's trivia the author used to move the story along. There was much to laugh about and many similarities to today's youth lost in their online game-playing obsessions. Most of us were not familiar with gaming past the age of Pac-Man but found the story telling compelling and a fairly quick read. The protagonist lived a mundane life until he discovers a little game where his natural abilities excel and his need to open up to partners creates a new and valuable reality. The author ERNEST CLINE has an active website http://readyplayerone.com/ and resides in Austin, Texas.
* * * *. Fiction. 30 years in the future, the inventor of a successful virtual game dies. Childless, he had always hinted that clues to the location of his vast wealth were buried deep in his own invented world, a recreation of anything and everything referencing pop culture of the 1980s. For years, players of this world attempted time and again, to no avail, to find this well guarded fortune.
At his passing, word spreads instantaneously, and now the race is on.
Until a lonely shy player deciphers the first clue. Now the stakes are high in this dystopian future as Wade discovers the extremes some are willing to go to beat him, even if it involves murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The landscape and characters are well drawn out and believable. Whether in the 'real' world or the 'virtual' world the plot still manages to move and the pages fly by.
Add a star * if you are child of the 80s because you will definitely enjoy all the well researched 80s references.
At his passing, word spreads instantaneously, and now the race is on.
Until a lonely shy player deciphers the first clue. Now the stakes are high in this dystopian future as Wade discovers the extremes some are willing to go to beat him, even if it involves murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The landscape and characters are well drawn out and believable. Whether in the 'real' world or the 'virtual' world the plot still manages to move and the pages fly by.
Add a star * if you are child of the 80s because you will definitely enjoy all the well researched 80s references.
Great stand-alone novel that pays homage to the 80s, gaming and geeks alike. It was a quick read I thoroughly enjoyed. And I've added some 80s movies that were defences to my must-watch list.
A really fun read.
Wow, this was some terrible writing. Sloppy and lazy world building, unending exposition, non-stop internal contradictions. You expect awkward dialog from a 15-year protagonist, but this is pages and pages and pages and pages of unending cringe-worthy chat logs that does nothing to advance the plot or character development. Could not finish this stinker.
It was ok, was not expecting to be a young readers book though
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines-puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win-and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
My Review
This was a very fun read with lots of reference to the 80's pop culture. I don't typically read sci-fi but I was totally engaged in this book. It is a book full of adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat from the first page until the last. I found it to be a great story with unique characters and plot. I'm looking forward to reading another book by Ernest Cline in the future and hopefully, I will like it as much as I liked this one. If you've got an interest in video games and 80s pop culture, you'll love this book.
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines-puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win-and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
My Review
This was a very fun read with lots of reference to the 80's pop culture. I don't typically read sci-fi but I was totally engaged in this book. It is a book full of adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat from the first page until the last. I found it to be a great story with unique characters and plot. I'm looking forward to reading another book by Ernest Cline in the future and hopefully, I will like it as much as I liked this one. If you've got an interest in video games and 80s pop culture, you'll love this book.
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
What a awesome book! It deserves all the praises it has received. This is not a typical mainstream book, and maybe not one I would have set out to read if I had not won it in a swap.
This futuristic, yes dystopian, novel is a masterpiece. It is well written. I am a child of the 80s, and still didnt know most of the fun trivia and pop culture info. I also didnt know enough about some of the robots or video games, I wasnt even sure if all or most of them mentioned were real. But I didnt need to know if it was fact or fiction because the story was amazing.
The story has adventure, and hope, and love and friendship, all battling the evil government power system. The book was named one of the best books of 2011 by many sources. This was the author's first book, I wonder what he will write next.
This futuristic, yes dystopian, novel is a masterpiece. It is well written. I am a child of the 80s, and still didnt know most of the fun trivia and pop culture info. I also didnt know enough about some of the robots or video games, I wasnt even sure if all or most of them mentioned were real. But I didnt need to know if it was fact or fiction because the story was amazing.
The story has adventure, and hope, and love and friendship, all battling the evil government power system. The book was named one of the best books of 2011 by many sources. This was the author's first book, I wonder what he will write next.
Love it! It was a great read with my kids.
I can't describe how much I hated this book... It's nothing more than "counterfeit nostalgia", written by someone who never lived in the 80s and feel they know the decade by watching YouTube videos and choosing all the standard issue pop culture elements.
But what really makes this book crap is the fact that it actually encourages its audience to take shelter in a virtual reality and avoid the real world at all costs... If this is what millennials this then I weep for our future.
But what really makes this book crap is the fact that it actually encourages its audience to take shelter in a virtual reality and avoid the real world at all costs... If this is what millennials this then I weep for our future.
