Reviews

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

getbizzyreading's review against another edition

5.0

Easily my favorite book of 2011, and maybe even my favorite book of the last few years. It is INCREDIBLY nerdy - lots of video game references, etc - but that is where it shines. It's an amazingly creative story that invokes an exciting mixture of elements reminiscent of "The Matrix" and "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," carried out via old-school 80s pop culture trivia & video game culture.

I had the distinct privilege of listening to the audiobook version (gotta keep myself busy on my work commutes!), narrated by Wil Wheaton, aka Gordie from "Stand By Me". He was perfect for the book, and I would highly recommend listening to the audio version if the opportunity arises.

READ (OR LISTEN) TO THIS BOOK ASAP! I'm already in withdrawal.

deservingporcupine's review against another edition

4.0

Sean loved this book -- which I thought meant it would be too geeky for me. I was very wrong. I am, apparently, an incredibly geeky child of the 80s. Very fun to read, even though it made me feel old.

docpacey's review against another edition

5.0

Ultraman, Harry Tuttle and bad 80's music, all in a novelized John Hughes movie, complete with ending. Absolutely lives up to the hype.

brutic's review against another edition

1.0

Admittedly I did not give this book a whole lot of time to impress me, checking it out from the library allowed me to just stop reading and not feel bad.
The basic "hook" of the novel seems nothing more than "Hey you like video games? I can list off some names of video games! You also like the 80s? Here are some pop culture icons that existed in the 80s! Don't these things add such subtle flavor and subtext to the story?!"

empressofindia's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

ajsilver's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.5

charberrylatte's review against another edition

adventurous funny 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? Yes

4.5

eviehart's review against another edition

3.0

This book is good for what it is: a YA action novel. This is a book about escapism and a good read if you yourself are also trying to escape reality. It lacked depth compared to YA novels such as The Hunger Games. There were opportunities to make meaningful commentary about corrupt governments and companies, but the author missed the mark.

kwiltsie532's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

ecn's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Overall it was fine. Exactly what you’d expect. I’m knocking points off bc it’s not my style of book, but mostly bc of the handful of racist/homophobic/transphobic comments from the MCs. The situations where the comments were made were absolutely not called for to advance any plot or give any purpose to the story - they’re disgusting throwaway comments which… hmm wonder what that must say about the author 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Transphobia, and Racism