Book Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Fiction
Target Audience: Children of the 80′s and technology buffs.
Pages: 372 Pages
Time To Review (TTR): 122 Pages
Book Intro/Preface: Ready Player One takes place in the not-too-distant future where our protagonist, Wade Watts, is in search of an ‘Easter egg’ which could reward him a late billionaire’s estate. This all happens within a virtual world called the OASIS, which has become nearly a complete replacement for the shambled and distraught real world. Every man, woman and child wants to find the egg, but it will only be rewarded to those able to solve the late billionaires obscure riddles and mazes within the game itself.
Reading difficulty: The book uses a very simple and easy-to-read tone, and contain a lot of in depth or layered context. However, it does revolve around a lot of 80′s trivia and references, which can be lost on those unfamiliar with the decade.
Character Development: Ernest does a fantastic job developing the characters attributes, as well as personalities. Given that much of story takes place in a virtual world, he has taken the liberty to indulge the reader with details of the outfits chosen by the characters to actively attribute to their personalities in a way that is near impossible outside of the game. A large part of the opening chapters is building up the characters, which in connection with the setting puts the reader into the right set of mind to imagine the story line.
Setting: The setting of the story, both in the real world as well in the OASIS, are clearly laid out and described in detail by the author. The minute details given can easily be seen by the reader as our main character, Wade, lives in the contrast of the two worlds. This provides a thriving atmosphere for the story to flourish, and the reader to connect and empathize with the characters living in this environment.
Plot Advancement: The plot and story is wonderful. The story does advance quite slowly compared to main story of similar length, however given the situation and ‘set up’ needed for the rest of the novel to work it is absolutely excusable. The Prologue more than serves it’s purpose and I feel it is absolutely needed for the story to make any sense.
Originality: Though there are an ample number of books that can place in a distraught future, none I’ve read involve so much reference to pop culture of yesteryear. This makes it more enjoyable then the typical ‘the future will suck’ stories.
Wasted Time: About 20 Pages. I love details, but some of the details that went into the setting seems (at least at this point) a little much and weren’t needed to contribute.
Hooked Time: The remaining 102 pages read. It’s a great read, I just needed to get over the ‘is he still going on about this?’ part, and get back to the story.
Pros: It’s an easy read; believable; relatable; in-a-sense, desirable.
WOW-factor(s): I love the 80′s, and I love virtual realities. The combinations of the two would be put me into a blissful coma if they truly exists.
Can-be-Improved: Cut down on the initial details of the setting and focus more on the virtual reality. It’s easier to imagine a ruined trailer park (they exist), but putting more description about a about a virtual reality system good enough to replace real life? That could use a little more attention.
Continue/End Book: Hell Yes!
If yes, how long to continue? Until I’m out of quarters.
Rating: 5 = Go buy this book.
Summation: I’m loving this story, it’s right up my ally. Any book involving the future and technology that makes me want to squeal like a little girl at the though of having some thing that cool is a book I’ll read. My only fear is when I’m done the novel, I’m done. I’d like to see the author put more stories inside the OASIS. I’ll definitely be passing this along to a friend to read when I’m done.
