daniele_quinn's review against another edition
4.0
A solid 4 star read! Had some issues with it in terms of logic, mostly. When the main character is questioning things, it’s gonna be tough for the reader to just throw that out the window and fully believe what’s happening anyway. There was also a little lack of attachment to most characters and quite a few of the references went over my head bc they weren’t even explained for the layman which I feel like Cline is normally pretty good at doing.
But I really liked the plot and descriptiveness of the action sequences. This story was thrilling and WILD.
I was worried how things would be wrapped up, but it worked well. Honestly a really good explanation given as the resolution, if not slightly delayed/rushed. Wish we could see what happens next.
But I really liked the plot and descriptiveness of the action sequences. This story was thrilling and WILD.
I was worried how things would be wrapped up, but it worked well. Honestly a really good explanation given as the resolution, if not slightly delayed/rushed. Wish we could see what happens next.
jessicaz's review against another edition
2.0
A lot like Ready Player One, minus all the things that gave RPO depth.
baileysir's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
siobhanward's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
2.0
I struggled with this book for the same reason a lot of other reviewers did - it was just too much. Everything had to be a pop culture reference, the main character felt very much like a self-insert and the plot felt like a short story that spanned 500 pages for some reason.
The pop culture references were cute at first, but got tiring quickly. In Ready Player One there were definitely elements of a self-insert character, but it was ok. Zack was like a nerd's ultimate dream. He was bullied and undervalued and then something changes and suddenly he's the hero that everyone needs and also girls are in love with him.
My biggest issue, however, was the plot. This would have been a fine short story - like the overall idea of the plot was good, but it felt like so much of the book was unnecessary filler, and when problems arose they were immediately solved without any real problems. It also felt like the book ended and then suddenly there were another 100 pages. I dunno. Just really not well done.
The pop culture references were cute at first, but got tiring quickly. In Ready Player One there were definitely elements of a self-insert character, but it was ok. Zack was like a nerd's ultimate dream. He was bullied and undervalued and then something changes and suddenly he's the hero that everyone needs and also girls are in love with him.
My biggest issue, however, was the plot. This would have been a fine short story - like the overall idea of the plot was good, but it felt like so much of the book was unnecessary filler, and when problems arose they were immediately solved without any real problems. It also felt like the book ended and then suddenly there were another 100 pages. I dunno. Just really not well done.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
Finished reading: November 16th 2017
"I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, comforted by my half-assed self-diagnosis. Nothing but a mild flare-up of inherited nuttiness, brought on by my lifelong dead-dad fixation and somewhat related self-instituted overexposure to science fiction."
Spoiler
Armada is another of those books that has been on my radar for a long time... I've actually been wanting to read both this one and Ready Player One ever since they first came out, but somehow I never did. Too many books, too little time sounds just about familiar right? Various fellow book lovers recommended reading Armada first, so when I was in the mood for science fiction I finally did so last November. When I first read the blurb I was 100% convinced I would absolutely love this book. I have a weak spot for geeky books and I'm a former gamer myself, so I thought Armada would be spot on for me. That's why I was so surprised I ended up having a different reaction instead. Don't get me wrong, I love LOVE the writing style and I can see why the right target group would absolutely love this story, but the whole war-alien gaming thing just wasn't for me. Especially in the beginning I had a hard time getting a proper feel for the story, which I found strange since I should have been able to relate at least to the gamer part of it all. Things did get better after the big plot twist bomb about halfway through, and I liked the second half considerably better. But still... I definitely feel this book has a specific target group and unfortunately I don't belong to that group. Definitely give Armada a go though if you think this story sounds like your cup of tea! The writing will blow your socks off.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. Not as great of Ready Player One, but still enjoyable. I suppose it helps that i was from this era - so i got all the references.
Wil Wheaton nails it AGAIN.
Looking forward to the next novel/narration.
Wil Wheaton nails it AGAIN.
Looking forward to the next novel/narration.
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
If you liked the "Last Starfighter" then you will like this book. Very similar big picture storyline. Fun read.
dili's review against another edition
2.0
Shockingly predictable. Anyone who read books would know where this is going after reading the first chapter.