aaronleventhal's review
adventurous
funny
fast-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
A top end light and playful sci-if classic with sprawling world building and a unique near future distopic vision. A must read for the genre.
celtic_canadian's review
5.0
One of my favorite reads of the last decade, if you are a child of the 80's and a gamer you must read this book!
lostlenore's review against another edition
2.0
This entire novel is a love letter to 80’s geek culture. It leans into the tropes instead of trying to circumvent them, and definitely comes from a genuine love of the era.
However, much of this was lost on me. Being born in the late 90’s and only generally knowledgeable about 80’s nerdom did not lend this novel the nostalgic haze that I feel supports much of the acclaim it has garnered. It’s a decent sci-fi novel, but not an excellent one.
The story is interesting enough to read but never really surprising, none of the characters stand out, and much of the novel’s attempts at profoundity feel forced and paperthin. Also, I found the attempts at diversity in the book was shoehorned and disappointing in their execution.
Definitely not a novel that will stick with me, but also not a waste of my time.
However, much of this was lost on me. Being born in the late 90’s and only generally knowledgeable about 80’s nerdom did not lend this novel the nostalgic haze that I feel supports much of the acclaim it has garnered. It’s a decent sci-fi novel, but not an excellent one.
The story is interesting enough to read but never really surprising, none of the characters stand out, and much of the novel’s attempts at profoundity feel forced and paperthin. Also, I found the attempts at diversity in the book was shoehorned and disappointing in their execution.
Definitely not a novel that will stick with me, but also not a waste of my time.
trentthompson's review against another edition
3.0
Came for the dystopia, and while I appreciated all the commentary on where society may be headed, you’ve got to be a pretty huge dork/80s-ophile to fully appreciate this one.
beckalette's review
5.0
Loved, loved, LOVED this book, and having Wil Wheaton reading it was the icing on the cake!
cpenny124's review
4.0
What a nerdy fantasy. This whole book was so fun to read, and got me thinking about how our world is going to develop as we're clutched tightly to technology.
The only reason I took off a star was because the romance was meh, I wish it was developed more before they were like "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, my love" like they were 18, had just met, and the guy was like "you're so hot mArrY mE" calm the hell down Wade, keep it in your pants.
The only reason I took off a star was because the romance was meh, I wish it was developed more before they were like "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, my love" like they were 18, had just met, and the guy was like "you're so hot mArrY mE" calm the hell down Wade, keep it in your pants.
mildnothing's review against another edition
3.0
*** Rating: 3.5/5 ***
The Story
The year is 2044. Ever since the death of the original founder of the OASIS, James Halliday, many so-called gunters are on the quest of finding an easter egg that Halliday himself had coded/planted somewhere in vast universe that is the OASIS. The instructions to finding the first of three keys is presented as a riddle. The one who finds the egg first will inherit the rights to the OASIS as well as all of the founder's riches. For years, nobody seems to get ahead in the quest so that the motivation to go on in the quest ebbs quickly. Until one day, a name appeared on the scoreboard dedicated to this adventure, announcing the first riddle had been solved.
The story includes many generic features: a poor, nerdy protagonist, an evil antagonist, an adventure and some romance and heartache on the side. Not quite generic is the setting: most of the story takes place in the OASIS–a virtual reality.
My Two Cents
It took me a while to get into the story and the frequent references to 80's pop culture (mostly movies and video games) ticked me off in the beginning. Overall this book felt like a young adult novel but for die hard 80's kids–i.e. ca. 40+ year olds now–or other people with a hardcore obsession for the gaming culture of that decade. Being neither of those, I just did not get many references and was also not interested enough to research.
I can see how this is going to be made into a movie, it had a very cinematic feel to it throughout the whole story. I'd say, it was okay and would probably recommend it to one or the other friend, but I'm quite sure I won't read it again.
The Story
The year is 2044. Ever since the death of the original founder of the OASIS, James Halliday, many so-called gunters are on the quest of finding an easter egg that Halliday himself had coded/planted somewhere in vast universe that is the OASIS. The instructions to finding the first of three keys is presented as a riddle. The one who finds the egg first will inherit the rights to the OASIS as well as all of the founder's riches. For years, nobody seems to get ahead in the quest so that the motivation to go on in the quest ebbs quickly. Until one day, a name appeared on the scoreboard dedicated to this adventure, announcing the first riddle had been solved.
The story includes many generic features: a poor, nerdy protagonist, an evil antagonist, an adventure and some romance and heartache on the side. Not quite generic is the setting: most of the story takes place in the OASIS–a virtual reality.
My Two Cents
It took me a while to get into the story and the frequent references to 80's pop culture (mostly movies and video games) ticked me off in the beginning. Overall this book felt like a young adult novel but for die hard 80's kids–i.e. ca. 40+ year olds now–or other people with a hardcore obsession for the gaming culture of that decade. Being neither of those, I just did not get many references and was also not interested enough to research.
I can see how this is going to be made into a movie, it had a very cinematic feel to it throughout the whole story. I'd say, it was okay and would probably recommend it to one or the other friend, but I'm quite sure I won't read it again.
lanebot's review
5.0
hell yeah! this felt like a dream i would have while doped up on melatonin as a kid. the romance that swung back around was unnecessary imo but i can see how it helped with the overall message. this was so fun to read. can’t wait to watch the movie tonight!