It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved--that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in …
It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.
And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them.
For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved--that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.
And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.
Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt--among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life--and love--in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.
A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?
A great book for videogame enthusaists and those who love 80's culture.
5 stars
A great story regarding a late teen engaging in a video game quest with real-world impact. Set in a dystopian future, the tale gives you a blend of a virtual world learing to positive and meaningful real-life changes.
The story is told with enthusiasm and gives you a great insight into a late teen learning there is more to life than a virtual world. It also teaches you persistance, may lead to mindblowing results.
An enjoyable and quick read. Nostalgia is bound together by a fairly predictable plot line. I wanted to go back and create a playlist of all the music mentioned, but I borrowed the book from a co-worker and needed to return it.
To be honest it's been a while since I read the book so don't expect a full in depht review. Sorry.
I liked it, quite a lot indeed. I also enjoy playing video games and 90% of the action occours on a video game. I think that, as always, the book is quite superior compared to the movie.
In conclussion: I recomend it if you like cifi stuff.
Review of 'Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I had a difficult time picturing much of the book, since it is based on references to other media and not described directly to the reader.
That's a feature, not a bug, but I would recommend reading this one near a computer so that you can look up scenes. At a certain point, Eldon Tyrell's office from Blade Runner is mentioned--this image is impossible to understand unless you have seen it in the film or at least in a clip on YouTube.
Apart from that, it was a great little book. Digestible, too. I already read so much for school that I have a hard time picking up a huge book and slogging through it. This was a much better bite-size for me.
Review of 'Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This was a re-read. I have been meaning to read again but figured it wasn't that long ago that I read it... but nope 2013... time flies.
I loved this book, in fact, I found it much more enjoyable the second time around. Instead of diving deep into the plot, I got to listen and enjoy the 80s nostalgia. This time around, it was so much more fun. Can't wait for the film.
This was a fast read for me, very engaging. Riveting. Of course the 80's trivia was fun and nostalgic for me. I absolutely adored the ending, in more than one way.
One reason I have so much love for this novel is the good messages the four main characters help to illustrate. It is ironic that the these young people, who spend so much time plugged into OASIS because they feel like social misfits, would eventually forge such a strong bond--and they get to know each other before having the chance to be prejudiced by appearances or circumstance. (An avatar can be a good thing.) It is a virtual reality game that finally forces Aech, Parzival, Shoto, and Art3mis to become friends, outside of OASIS.
Some timely issues poke up, as well--greedy corporations, environmental devastation, an ever-growing chasm between ultra-rich and very poor, and even net neutrality.
This is good …
This was a fast read for me, very engaging. Riveting. Of course the 80's trivia was fun and nostalgic for me. I absolutely adored the ending, in more than one way.
One reason I have so much love for this novel is the good messages the four main characters help to illustrate. It is ironic that the these young people, who spend so much time plugged into OASIS because they feel like social misfits, would eventually forge such a strong bond--and they get to know each other before having the chance to be prejudiced by appearances or circumstance. (An avatar can be a good thing.) It is a virtual reality game that finally forces Aech, Parzival, Shoto, and Art3mis to become friends, outside of OASIS.
Some timely issues poke up, as well--greedy corporations, environmental devastation, an ever-growing chasm between ultra-rich and very poor, and even net neutrality.
Review of 'Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
The ultimate geek-out.
After a few so-so books in a row, decided to take some friends recommendations as give "RP1" a try.
While taking place in the future, with technologies we can only imagine today, RP1 is a throwback to the 1980s, this book is chalk full of references to the best and worst of the decade of my childhood: music, movies, TV shows, authors, fashion, and of course, video games. At the same time, it's a warning to us about taking care of our planet, about the power of corporations, and living in the real world - not just online.
Protip: If this book isn't geeky enough for you as it is, the audiobook on Audible is narrated by Wil Wheaton.
A book I couldn't wait to get back into every day. Second Life meets "Hey, Remember the 80s?" with completely entertaining results. To be honest, though, I have a hard time thinking anyone but Generation Xers wouldn't eventually grow weary of the continual references to a very specific and culturally isolated decade.
Also--a little bit of a deus ex machina addiction, but I personally enjoyed the book so much, I'll give it a pass.