Scan barcode
danny100's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
BOOK OF THE YEAR!!
Did I understand most of the references? No. Did I struggle to get into it at the beginning? Most definitely. But I am so glad I stuck through it because I can only dream to have a debut novel this damn good.
Please do not waste your time with the sorry excuse of the movie adaptation, it's a stain on Spielberg's career and a massive slap in the face to this author.
Did I understand most of the references? No. Did I struggle to get into it at the beginning? Most definitely. But I am so glad I stuck through it because I can only dream to have a debut novel this damn good.
Please do not waste your time with the sorry excuse of the movie adaptation, it's a stain on Spielberg's career and a massive slap in the face to this author.
wintrovia's review against another edition
4.0
It took me two attempts to read this book. The first time I read it I only got a couple of chapters in and gave up on it. I can’t remember exactly why but I think I thought it was all a bit silly and geeky. Having come back to it and read it again I have to say those criticisms are still valid but I hugely enjoyed reading this book regardless.
It’s the story set in a future where a global energy crisis has led to a kind of dystopia where millions live in stacked up caravans on the outskirts of run down cities. People find escape by accessing a virtual universe called the Oasis.
The story is about a young man’s quest to win a challenge within this virtual world which will lead to him winning a huge sum of money. The virtual world, and the challenge, are designed by an eccentric video game designer with an obsession with eighties era pop culture.
I really enjoyed the far-fetched but believable world the book is set in and the story feels a bit like a videogame, as the players progress through the challenges that meet them as they try to win the quest.
The characters aren’t the most fully formed you’ll come across but the book is full of action and little twists here and there. The story was a bit predictable at times but the energetic pace meant there was never time to dwell on the cheesier moments.
I enjoyed all the references to books, films and computer games from the eighties, having grown up around them myself. The vastness of the virtual world and weird mix of contents within it was also enjoyable to read about. So it’s a good book which I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in video games or eighties nostalgia.
As a sidenote, the book is currently down to be made into a film by Steven Spielberg due to be released in late 2017. I think this book is an excellent candidate to be converted into a film, provided the budget is there for all of the over the top special effects and licensing issues can be sorted out for the various songs, games and books which are vital parts of the story.
I’m not a big Spielberg fan, I think his films tend to be a bit middle of the road and can be a bit too sentimental. However, I think he’s a good choice for this project, as he’s hopefully got the clout and the vision to turn this book into a huge cinematic experience. Done badly the film could be pretty rubbish, but if the huge action sequences are done properly it could be one of the most impressive films ever made.
It’s the story set in a future where a global energy crisis has led to a kind of dystopia where millions live in stacked up caravans on the outskirts of run down cities. People find escape by accessing a virtual universe called the Oasis.
The story is about a young man’s quest to win a challenge within this virtual world which will lead to him winning a huge sum of money. The virtual world, and the challenge, are designed by an eccentric video game designer with an obsession with eighties era pop culture.
I really enjoyed the far-fetched but believable world the book is set in and the story feels a bit like a videogame, as the players progress through the challenges that meet them as they try to win the quest.
The characters aren’t the most fully formed you’ll come across but the book is full of action and little twists here and there. The story was a bit predictable at times but the energetic pace meant there was never time to dwell on the cheesier moments.
I enjoyed all the references to books, films and computer games from the eighties, having grown up around them myself. The vastness of the virtual world and weird mix of contents within it was also enjoyable to read about. So it’s a good book which I’d recommend to anyone with an interest in video games or eighties nostalgia.
As a sidenote, the book is currently down to be made into a film by Steven Spielberg due to be released in late 2017. I think this book is an excellent candidate to be converted into a film, provided the budget is there for all of the over the top special effects and licensing issues can be sorted out for the various songs, games and books which are vital parts of the story.
I’m not a big Spielberg fan, I think his films tend to be a bit middle of the road and can be a bit too sentimental. However, I think he’s a good choice for this project, as he’s hopefully got the clout and the vision to turn this book into a huge cinematic experience. Done badly the film could be pretty rubbish, but if the huge action sequences are done properly it could be one of the most impressive films ever made.
saskiajva's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kealynnc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
chasep's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
rlisaacs's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good!
I am sad to say that it was, in a great many ways, nothing like the movie. (And I saw the movie before I read the book. I know. I'm a monster.)
I still like both, but the book was definitely better. There was a lot less of Wade just stumbling randomly into figuring out clues, and more of him actually deciphering certain pieces because he's done the research on Halliday. Yes, he stumbles upon a few things by chance. (The first clue he figured out really was all by chance.) But everything after that fell into place because of his extensive knowledge as a gunter.
Wade's a lot cooler in the book too than he is in the movie. I mean, I'm sure we're kind of supposed to assume he's a nerd and a computer whiz type guy in the movie... but honestly, the movie makes it seem like everyone else aside from Wade has these really cool natural talents outside of just being a gunter, and then you have Wade who is the Halliday expert and nut. In the book, he's got way more smarts then just what he knows about Halliday. His brilliance as a hacker and computer tech whiz are what ultimately give them the opportunity to try and win the game.
Don't get me wrong. Like I said, I still like the movie. And when I had just watched the movie, Wade seemed pretty incredible, what with his nerdery for Halliday lore and facts, and his ability to figure out the finally pieces of clues and puzzles in the nick of time. But in the book, his ability to play the game, to progress forward in spite of where he had to start, is so much more impressive. In the movie, he's depicted as not having as much as other people. But in the book... you guys, he literally starts with practically nothing. And he's in school, for crying out loud! That's actually the only reason he's able to play the game at all. Because he's in school!
So again, separately, I like them both. But after having read the book, the movie almost feels kind of like a let down. The similarities between the two are... I mean, honestly, they're nonexistent. The basic concept of the book is taken, as well as the main characters, and used as inspiration for what the movie did. The most basic aspect of the plot is used. And after that, the details between the book and the movie diverge drastically.
There is only one difference between the book and the movie in which I am happier with the movie than the book. And that's just because... well, because I'm me. If you want to know about that, here is the spoiler below. But WARNING! It is a big spoiler for something that ends up happening in the book that didn't happen in the movie. Like... huge! I wasn't ready. So please, please, please, heed my words. If you don't want a massive bomb dropped, ignore the spoiler. If you don't care at all, feel free, but DO NOT say I didn't warn you.
In any case, as per usual, the book was better than the movie. Really glad I read it.
Now my only question is... how is there a sequel to this? After all of that, where the heck do you go from here?!
I have no idea. I'm honestly not sure I want to find out. We'll have to think on that for a while and see. But at the very least, this first book made me happy. And there's no cliffhanger or anything, so if I decide to just stop right here, I still have no regrets.
I am sad to say that it was, in a great many ways, nothing like the movie. (And I saw the movie before I read the book. I know. I'm a monster.)
I still like both, but the book was definitely better. There was a lot less of Wade just stumbling randomly into figuring out clues, and more of him actually deciphering certain pieces because he's done the research on Halliday. Yes, he stumbles upon a few things by chance. (The first clue he figured out really was all by chance.) But everything after that fell into place because of his extensive knowledge as a gunter.
Wade's a lot cooler in the book too than he is in the movie. I mean, I'm sure we're kind of supposed to assume he's a nerd and a computer whiz type guy in the movie... but honestly, the movie makes it seem like everyone else aside from Wade has these really cool natural talents outside of just being a gunter, and then you have Wade who is the Halliday expert and nut. In the book, he's got way more smarts then just what he knows about Halliday. His brilliance as a hacker and computer tech whiz are what ultimately give them the opportunity to try and win the game.
Don't get me wrong. Like I said, I still like the movie. And when I had just watched the movie, Wade seemed pretty incredible, what with his nerdery for Halliday lore and facts, and his ability to figure out the finally pieces of clues and puzzles in the nick of time. But in the book, his ability to play the game, to progress forward in spite of where he had to start, is so much more impressive. In the movie, he's depicted as not having as much as other people. But in the book... you guys, he literally starts with practically nothing. And he's in school, for crying out loud! That's actually the only reason he's able to play the game at all. Because he's in school!
So again, separately, I like them both. But after having read the book, the movie almost feels kind of like a let down. The similarities between the two are... I mean, honestly, they're nonexistent. The basic concept of the book is taken, as well as the main characters, and used as inspiration for what the movie did. The most basic aspect of the plot is used. And after that, the details between the book and the movie diverge drastically.
There is only one difference between the book and the movie in which I am happier with the movie than the book. And that's just because... well, because I'm me. If you want to know about that, here is the spoiler below. But WARNING! It is a big spoiler for something that ends up happening in the book that didn't happen in the movie. Like... huge! I wasn't ready. So please, please, please, heed my words. If you don't want a massive bomb dropped, ignore the spoiler. If you don't care at all, feel free, but DO NOT say I didn't warn you.
Spoiler
All of that to just mention Daito. That's the difference from the movie and the book in which I like the movie better. Because in the movie, Daito is awesome, just like the book. He's a samurai, just like in the book. But... in the book... he dies! He freaking dies! And I got to it and I was reading it and I was like... "Wait, what? Back up!" You guys! I was not prepared! At all! I had to put the book down for a minute because I was like, "No. No... No, that's not what happened! Take it back!"In any case, as per usual, the book was better than the movie. Really glad I read it.
Now my only question is... how is there a sequel to this? After all of that, where the heck do you go from here?!
I have no idea. I'm honestly not sure I want to find out. We'll have to think on that for a while and see. But at the very least, this first book made me happy. And there's no cliffhanger or anything, so if I decide to just stop right here, I still have no regrets.
edebo_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
libraryam's review against another edition
4.0
100% GenX #geekpr0n. Your mileage may vary.
Yes, there were a few forced scenes and I do have one *spoiler omitted* quibble, but overall it was great fun. I enjoyed this book immensely.
art8mis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
4.75