Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Title: Ready Player One

Author: Ernest Cline

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: August 16, 2011 (Original)

Publication Date: Crown (Original)

Source: Blogging for Books

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This is actually a review of a reread.  See, I read it a few years ago on a recommendation...I think before the talk of a movie was even really happening.  But I had been wanting to reread it before the movie, and so when I saw it on Blogging for Books I thought it was the perfect opportunity.

And OMG you guys, I really forgot A LOT.  Definitely made the reread worth it.

Anyways...

The book is about a boy who lives in a dystopian type of world.  People are poor, they are hungry, the literally live in motor homes stacks upon each other to crazy high levels.  They also spend a lot of their time playing a video game.

See the video game in this world is better than reality.  They can do things in the digital world just like you can do in the real world.  Play sports, read books, play other video games, go to school, work, etc.  But the digital world lets them leave the real them behind and be whoever they want to be.  It changes reality and makes it better.

And then the creator, upon death, announced the ultimate challenge.  To find the hidden easter egg in his game.  For those who are not in the know, an easter egg is a hidden something that the developer of a game hides some where in it for people go discover.

And a lot of this story revolves around this hunt.  You have people wanting to find it and reap the amazing rewards.  And you have people wanting to find it to control the game and make more money off the already poor....that will do pretty much whatever it takes to keep themselves in the lead.

So a lot of the book, especially the beginning half contains quite a bit of world building.  So much so you might start finding yourself getting bored.  But it is kind of necessary.  The world is pretty detailed and works a special way.  And it is really kind of well done in the sense that you can easily imagine that our world has actually turned into the one that Ernest Cline created for this story.  It really isn't too much of a stretch.

Being a video game fan and a fan of the 80s will actually help you enjoy this book.  These are two things that are huge throughout the entire story.

Also, aside from world building and random 80s trivia, there is quite a bit of action.  It doesn't get too intense in my opinion, but it is definitely there.

Then there is character development.  You definitely see it in this book.  And you do find yourself caring about the characters.....  Personally I was smiling at one point.  It just filled me with happy.

Totally glad I did a reread of this book.  It was quite enjoyable.  I have no idea how it is going to be turned into a movie though.  Pretty sure a good bit is going to be changed.

My Rating

4.5 Stars

This review is based on a copy provided by the Blogging for Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.