Reviews

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

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b00kh0arder's review against another edition

5.0

This cult-bestseller doesn't need much of a plot synopsis so I'll keep it brief: take USA Today's tagline on the cover: "...Willy Wonka meets the Matrix" add a tonne of -mainly 80s - references running the gamut of pop culture & put it all in a blender. Somehow more 80s than a book actually written in the 80s, but much more than just a checklist of references. Cline takes these pop culture obsessions and uses them to tell a story with real heart & great characters, in a future world that is disturbingly plausible and one we seriously need to try & avoid. Fully deserving of the praise it's received and I cannot wait for the film!

rachelbradley's review against another edition

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5.0

WOW. Just WOW.

I have not read a book I was this invested in for a long time and now I’m excitedly waiting the release of the second book. This is a must read!!

scfrederick33's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

emmj42's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

fellrnr's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

It’s a huge amount of fun, especially if you were a geeky teenager in the 80s. There’s a ray of pop culture references, all of them geeky. The plot moves along fairly quickly, and is always entertaining.

The downside is the book is quite shallow and lightweight. There’s no philosophical questions or deeper questions. Even the obvious issues of identity, and how public image differs from our real person are largely ignored.