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mystikwithak's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lotts_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
I know it’s a little early but this might be my favourite book of the year. I couldn’t put this down. I really felt like I was watching a movie or in the oasis instead of reading a book. I really enjoyed all of the video game and retro pop-culture references. Sections that could be considered slow to others regarding world or character building were actually some of my favourite parts as it added another layer to the experience. I “buddy read” this book with my husband and it was so nice to chat along the way about what we thought. We both flew through reading the book and then celebrated by watching the movie which I think felt more inspired by the book than an actual movie of the book.
fflur_jones's review against another edition
3.0
My feelings towards this book fluctuated throughout. I found the beginning a little slow, the world building a little clunky (understandable due to the scope of it) and the dialogue awkward to read at times. I think part of it was that I never really connected with Wade and so never truly cared whether he survived or not. Another thing that briefly threw me off at the beginning was the use of a slur (specifically one used towards members of the lgbtq+ community) for seemingly no reason. It was inserted as a sort of off-handed comment and was never relevant to the storyline so I wish the author had just not used the term at all.
Having said that, I powered through the book once I got over the first couple of chapters. It's fast paced, full of action and makes you want to keep reading all the way to the end. The latter half definitely made up for an underwhelming start.
Would recommend for most people looking for a fun read, especially if you happen to love videogames or are obsessed with the 80s.
Having said that, I powered through the book once I got over the first couple of chapters. It's fast paced, full of action and makes you want to keep reading all the way to the end. The latter half definitely made up for an underwhelming start.
Would recommend for most people looking for a fun read, especially if you happen to love videogames or are obsessed with the 80s.
maina_gio_ja's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
jessicabridgham's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
daniobsessivelyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fantastic! Could not put it down.
mayastimson's review against another edition
2.0
This book was NOT GOOD. I started off quite interested in the world building etc but over time got less and less interested. This read like some bloke’s 80s vanity project to prove his knowledge and also had major incel vibes, this man does NOT know how to write women. Way too much game description and a real missed opportunity to sort of discuss the morality of wealth hoarding when you’ve already built a world so bad that everyone has to escape online. It could have been an interesting dystopia. And Wade literally got dozens of people murdered and then just moved on with his life?!? Also YUCK why on earth did they have to include the sex doll detail and the hair removal detail???