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thenthomwaslike's review against another edition
2.0
A little disjointed, a little derivative, but fun and full of personality nonetheless. Most characters are well realized and I can't understate how much I laughed at the bridge fight. I sometimes found myself rooting against Ashura and wish the world building had been better explored outside of the preface.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of Otaku through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Chris Kluwe's debut novel is an impressive feat, made all the more shocking and impressive given his previous career. Otaku is a science fiction novel, one that dives headfirst into the realm of virtual realities, and a fight against corruption.
Ashley Akachi, aka Ash, is famous for her gameplay within the Infinite Game. You'd think that'd earn her more slack, but really all it's done is make her a target. A target for those that hate women succeeding. A target for those that want to use her.
One thing is certain, in this complex world full of politics, schemes, corruption, and more, Ash is about to find herself in the middle of it all. And it will be her actions that decide the fate for not just herself, but everyone she has ever known or cared about.
“It takes a special type of mindset to run endgame encounters, the toughest challenges Infinite Game's developers can nightmare up. No one knows if they have that mindset or not until they do their first run. Most of them head back to Candyland, home of the omnipresent computer assist. I decided to stay, the darkness calling to something inside me, a thrill I can't find anywhere else.”
Warnings: Otaku covers a lot of intense and heavy subjects. You'll find everything from racism, sexism, assault, classism, and so (SO) much more covered within the pages. It's all clearly designed to make a point, but it's still very much present.
Otaku was a shocking and breathtaking read. I knew that it was being compared to a blend of Ready Player One and Ender's Game, but honestly? That description does not do it justice. This is a novel of social justice, a fight against corruption, and so much more, all wrapped into one. It's all set within a brilliant world full of virtual realities, but that just makes the darker points all the more stark.
Where to start with this review? Let's talk about the setting first. The virtual reality of this world, the Infinite Game, is not as big of an element as I expected. It is important to the plot? Absolutely. But it isn't the main setting for a good chunk of the story. But it does set the scene.
I actually kind of love that it set the scene, but then allowed the characters to move on from that world. I didn't expect that at all, and I'll admit that at first I was even disappointed. But once I saw where it was going, I got over that disappointment quickly.
Ash's character was a delight. She was crass, strong, independent, yet unafraid to love. She was intentionally off-putting, and very much a fighter. But all of that just made me like her all the more. After all, she's been put into a world that is alarmingly dark.
On that note, I absolutely adore that Kluwe didn't shy away from the darker elements in this novel. Humans were true and proper villains here, showing off the worst that people have to offer. His inclusion of this behavior was very much intentional, and I believe it was done to make a point. That the plot involved a good chunk of this was appreciated. It made the fight feel so much more real (sometimes too real). It was a nice touch, all things considered.
I am honestly quite blown away by what I found in Otaku. I'll be frank here: I don't follow sports. So I had no idea who Chris Kluwe was before this. But now? Now they're on my radar, and I'm so adding them to my watch list, because I want to read any sequel or future novel they come up with.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Chris Kluwe's debut novel is an impressive feat, made all the more shocking and impressive given his previous career. Otaku is a science fiction novel, one that dives headfirst into the realm of virtual realities, and a fight against corruption.
Ashley Akachi, aka Ash, is famous for her gameplay within the Infinite Game. You'd think that'd earn her more slack, but really all it's done is make her a target. A target for those that hate women succeeding. A target for those that want to use her.
One thing is certain, in this complex world full of politics, schemes, corruption, and more, Ash is about to find herself in the middle of it all. And it will be her actions that decide the fate for not just herself, but everyone she has ever known or cared about.
“It takes a special type of mindset to run endgame encounters, the toughest challenges Infinite Game's developers can nightmare up. No one knows if they have that mindset or not until they do their first run. Most of them head back to Candyland, home of the omnipresent computer assist. I decided to stay, the darkness calling to something inside me, a thrill I can't find anywhere else.”
Warnings: Otaku covers a lot of intense and heavy subjects. You'll find everything from racism, sexism, assault, classism, and so (SO) much more covered within the pages. It's all clearly designed to make a point, but it's still very much present.
Otaku was a shocking and breathtaking read. I knew that it was being compared to a blend of Ready Player One and Ender's Game, but honestly? That description does not do it justice. This is a novel of social justice, a fight against corruption, and so much more, all wrapped into one. It's all set within a brilliant world full of virtual realities, but that just makes the darker points all the more stark.
Where to start with this review? Let's talk about the setting first. The virtual reality of this world, the Infinite Game, is not as big of an element as I expected. It is important to the plot? Absolutely. But it isn't the main setting for a good chunk of the story. But it does set the scene.
I actually kind of love that it set the scene, but then allowed the characters to move on from that world. I didn't expect that at all, and I'll admit that at first I was even disappointed. But once I saw where it was going, I got over that disappointment quickly.
Ash's character was a delight. She was crass, strong, independent, yet unafraid to love. She was intentionally off-putting, and very much a fighter. But all of that just made me like her all the more. After all, she's been put into a world that is alarmingly dark.
On that note, I absolutely adore that Kluwe didn't shy away from the darker elements in this novel. Humans were true and proper villains here, showing off the worst that people have to offer. His inclusion of this behavior was very much intentional, and I believe it was done to make a point. That the plot involved a good chunk of this was appreciated. It made the fight feel so much more real (sometimes too real). It was a nice touch, all things considered.
I am honestly quite blown away by what I found in Otaku. I'll be frank here: I don't follow sports. So I had no idea who Chris Kluwe was before this. But now? Now they're on my radar, and I'm so adding them to my watch list, because I want to read any sequel or future novel they come up with.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
alexanderpaez's review against another edition
1.0
Otro intento fallido de imitar la fórmula de Ready Player One. Carente de interés, soso y formulaico. No lo recomiendo.
oldsimoneaccount's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinion in this review is my unbiased opinion!
Honestly, I don't know what to think of this book. It reminded me of another book. I can't quite remember which book. But then again, it has its own unique features.
I did love Chris Kluwe's world and character building. While I didn't understand some of the cyber tech elements he used, I could still picture them due to his description. What surprised me is that he was able to write this book from the perspective of a black female. Occasionally, I thought that a young girl wouldn't react the way Ashley did in the book, but then reminded myself that this is a sort of post-apocalyptic, cyber-tech ruled world she lives in. I'm a GenXer and often don't understand the ideology of Millenials and GenZers lol. So who am I to judge a cyber-tech girl.
Overall a good book. I think I didn't read this quite at the right time in my life, but I still enjoyed the book.
Honestly, I don't know what to think of this book. It reminded me of another book. I can't quite remember which book. But then again, it has its own unique features.
I did love Chris Kluwe's world and character building. While I didn't understand some of the cyber tech elements he used, I could still picture them due to his description. What surprised me is that he was able to write this book from the perspective of a black female. Occasionally, I thought that a young girl wouldn't react the way Ashley did in the book, but then reminded myself that this is a sort of post-apocalyptic, cyber-tech ruled world she lives in. I'm a GenXer and often don't understand the ideology of Millenials and GenZers lol. So who am I to judge a cyber-tech girl.
Overall a good book. I think I didn't read this quite at the right time in my life, but I still enjoyed the book.
lainecid's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of a darker more class-war-ish version of ready Player 1 with less magic and more violence.
frasersimons's review against another edition
4.0
While not diverging too much from a frenetically paced cyberpunk action thriller, focusing on a black woman character, specifically in gaming is particularly bold, interesting, and new.
Essentially a group of women who are at the top of the main gaming platform, which uses 1-to-1 tech from player to character (meaning whatever they can physically do is translated to the game, so they have to be actually athletic and build real twitch reflexes, etc.), uncover a plan where a tech giant develop a headset that’ll takeover the gamer’s mind completely and weaponize them in the real while they think they’re just playing the game. They gotta save the world IRL by using the skills the developed in the game.
What really stood out was raising awareness in a no nonsense way regarding the bullying of women in gaming today, and how society as a whole perpetuates this particular kind of abuse. I think using cyberpunk for this is absolutely genius.
It mostly pulls off a fun plot; sometimes it’s a bit of an eye roll but the character work and personal relationships/history is better than expected all ‘round and the action sequences are pretty fun, I have to say. There’s a lot of jargon that might alienate people. Stuff from cyberpunk vernacular as well as various online gaming stuff and technology. As you might have guessed from the game there’s some problematic areas in the setting concerning orientalism. Kind of weird that Otaku, which I’ve only heard of in terms of like someone who watches a lot of anime, is applied to gamers? And there’s a bunch of other sort of typical CP setting stuff that can’t let go of Asian cultural elements that seem to be mostly aesthetic.
Exceeded expectations so 4 stars~
Essentially a group of women who are at the top of the main gaming platform, which uses 1-to-1 tech from player to character (meaning whatever they can physically do is translated to the game, so they have to be actually athletic and build real twitch reflexes, etc.), uncover a plan where a tech giant develop a headset that’ll takeover the gamer’s mind completely and weaponize them in the real while they think they’re just playing the game. They gotta save the world IRL by using the skills the developed in the game.
What really stood out was raising awareness in a no nonsense way regarding the bullying of women in gaming today, and how society as a whole perpetuates this particular kind of abuse. I think using cyberpunk for this is absolutely genius.
It mostly pulls off a fun plot; sometimes it’s a bit of an eye roll but the character work and personal relationships/history is better than expected all ‘round and the action sequences are pretty fun, I have to say. There’s a lot of jargon that might alienate people. Stuff from cyberpunk vernacular as well as various online gaming stuff and technology. As you might have guessed from the game there’s some problematic areas in the setting concerning orientalism. Kind of weird that Otaku, which I’ve only heard of in terms of like someone who watches a lot of anime, is applied to gamers? And there’s a bunch of other sort of typical CP setting stuff that can’t let go of Asian cultural elements that seem to be mostly aesthetic.
Exceeded expectations so 4 stars~
eire2011's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was quite the wild ride of a book and was not expecting some of those twists!
Full of adventure, intrigue, the power of friendship, and lots of gaming, it was well worth the read. I highly recommend checking out this book if you enjoy any of the themes that I've mentioned whether you are a gamer or not!
Trigger warnings: violence, death, death threats, attempted rape, bullying, racial slurs, religious discrimination
Full of adventure, intrigue, the power of friendship, and lots of gaming, it was well worth the read. I highly recommend checking out this book if you enjoy any of the themes that I've mentioned whether you are a gamer or not!
Trigger warnings: violence, death, death threats, attempted rape, bullying, racial slurs, religious discrimination
mirror_matt's review against another edition
4.0
I'd heard Otaku pitched as Ready Player One, but good and....... it is. Free of RPO's sickly sweet nostalgia, Otaku thrills in and out of its virtual worlds. Kluwe also has something to say. About the the toxicity of online fandoms. The relationship between video games and the military. Video games as escapism. He's smart to cast a black woman as his hero, but sometimes he stumbles writing Ashley in first person. It reads as tin eared but not outright offensive (to me another white man). Ash also has a queer subplot that is at best hack and doesn't go anywhere. All in all, it's engaging story with plenty of twists, clever ideas, and nuanced themes.
redbirdwings's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re looking for a mix of Ready Player One and badass WOC who save the world, then look no further than Otaku.
This reminded so much of Ready Player One, primarily because it is a LitRPG that centers around a global online community. The online community focuses on gaming and sponsorships that allow those beaten down by bigotry and misogynism can make enough to survive in the world. One of the topics heavily dealt with in the book is the harassment and threats of physical harm received by female gamers, which is highlighted by the fact it is considered illegal for any female to ignore or block harassing communications under threat of jail time. At the risk of sounding too pleased, let’s just say the scene on the bridge was not overly gruesome to read.
I highly recommend this for individuals who enjoy LitRPGs and want to see the heroines kick some serious butt.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This reminded so much of Ready Player One, primarily because it is a LitRPG that centers around a global online community. The online community focuses on gaming and sponsorships that allow those beaten down by bigotry and misogynism can make enough to survive in the world. One of the topics heavily dealt with in the book is the harassment and threats of physical harm received by female gamers, which is highlighted by the fact it is considered illegal for any female to ignore or block harassing communications under threat of jail time. At the risk of sounding too pleased, let’s just say the scene on the bridge was not overly gruesome to read.
I highly recommend this for individuals who enjoy LitRPGs and want to see the heroines kick some serious butt.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
concretefem's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting as a non gamer. While the premise of video games being harnessed for real world purposes was familiar (Ie. I’ve encountered it a few times now), the world building was thoughtful and inventive, and I loved the decision to center a black female protagonist and write her and her diverse cast of friends with specificity and intention.
For audiobook listeners, Shanya Small also delivered another memorable voice acting performance.
All in all there was a lot to like.
For audiobook listeners, Shanya Small also delivered another memorable voice acting performance.
All in all there was a lot to like.