I honestly adored this book. I haven’t seen the film, as apparently it is entirely different to the read and that is not my vibe, so this review will focus solely on the book, Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
The characters, the concept, and the way the book is so gripping, you’ll feel like you’re inside the OASIS.
The plot:
Ready Player One is set in the year 2044, where the real world is an ugly place: famine, poverty and disease are widespread. And that’s where the OASIS comes in…
The OASIS is a virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live, read all the books in the world, play, battle, and fall in love in any of the ten thousand planets (I’M SOLD!).
We follow the story of Wade Watts who is searching for the ultimate lottery ticket, left by James Halliday (who died with no heir), which is concealed within the OASIS through riddles and challenges. Will good or bad complete the quest? And what is really waiting behind every new challenge?
Oh boy, did this book supply a lot of nostalgia. Ready Player One strongly evolves around Halliday’s obsession with 80s pop culture, whether this be films, songs, books or games. For me, this aspect is what makes the book so special. Name-dropping which will make you want to grab your old game consoles right this second and play the (now) awfully old-fashioned pixelated games.
Ready Player One will always have a special place in my heart.
I’ve read a few reviews which says this book is for nerds alone – I totally disagree, but the mini-nerd in me was definitely trying to escape and invent a real life OASIS! There were even times when I was shouting “DO THIS”.
I really enjoyed the fact that, whilst we followed Wade’s adventure in this virtual utopia, we also follow him in his real life. Every chapter bought an exciting new adventure, and I am so happy a book like this has been made. But also gutted, because now I’m going to struggle finding something similar.
Absolutely loveable characters with an element of thrill, Ready Player One will always have a special place in my heart.
Ready Player One, Ernest Cline, RRP £8.99 (paperback); Book Depository
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