Book Review: Ready Player One

Title - Ready Player One

Author - Ernest Cline

Genre - SCI YA Dystopian

Published - August 16th 2011

Publisher - Random House NY

Format - Paperback

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

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. 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.

Review

Wade lives in the stacks a modern day trailer park that is a tower of trailers on top of each other because of so many people living in the city. His parents are gone forced to live with his aunt who treats him terrible he sleeps in the laundry room with only his computer to keep him company. With his computer he can access the OASIS a virtual world that that allows him to live in the fantasy world it has a form of currency that allows people to live better lives than the real world. When the quest of a lifetime suddenly pops up in the OASIS everyone is determined to find the Egg that will unlock riches. At the time everyone starts the search but quickly it becomes an urban legend.

After five years Wade finally figures out that clue to the first key which leads him to the first gate. Suddenly the long dead challenge is alive again everyone is searching for the key’s and Wade isn’t the only one to find the first gate. Soon Wade and his friends are in a race to find the three key’s and unlock all three gates to win it all against the Sixers a corporation that is willing to risk it all. As more keys are found and unlocked the game quickly turns deadly will Wade be able to find the last key before the Sixers can? Will he survive to make it to the last gate?

I liked Wade he’s an interesting character considering his whole life is plugged into the OASIS he reminds me a lot of many of the modern day techy people. He has a little online connection with a girl who he’s never met who happens to be the next one to find the key Art3mis. We also have his best friend Aech who’s been his 80’s buddy for years as well as Shoto who also found the key with his brother. They make an interesting group while they hunt for the final gate alone but sharing a companionship. I love that I was able to connect with Wade he is so easy to relate with you can’t help liking him.

I’ve had this one my TBR for a while but haven’t gotten around to it yet and when the chance came up my book club decided we should read it. I instantly loved Ready Player One after all it’s filled with 80’s video games and pop culture which happens to be one of my favorite time periods. I had way to much find reminiscing of old tv show’s, movies, video games to the point I think I need a 80’s movie marathon now that I’ve finished the book and think I’ll start with Bladerunner. Ready Player One does start a little slow because of the world building since it’s set in the future but if you give it a chance it’s easy to be sucked in the fast paced story. It’s really interesting because it’s set in the future it has me wondering if this might be the next step a for our future. I found Ready Player One a well written book it’s a captivating story that stole my heart. I loved the book it’s unique but exciting. I can’t wait to see how it’s going to play out on the big screen.