“I created the OASIS because I never felt at home in the real world. I didn’t know how to connect with the people there. I was afraid, for all of my life, right up until I knew it was ending. That was when I realized, as terrifying and painful as reality can be, it’s also the only place where you can find true happiness. Because reality is real.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: vintage videogames, 80’s references, clues, hunts, cheaters, improbable friendships, stacks of trailers, easter eggs, the OASIS, and the “High Five”.

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade’s devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world’s digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator’s obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

This book was INCREDIBLE! It has been a while since I’ve read a book this good!

I was fully immersed in this book in a way that only readers could know. I had so much fun! The funny thing is I’m not even a science-fiction reader, but some dystopian books steal my heart once in a while and I just can’t resist their charm. And that’s exactly what happened with “Ready Player One”!

Ernest Cline created the most interesting world, full of retro videogames and 80’s references. The hunt made the story super interesting, the plot was captivating, the characters were great (I loved Wade as a main character) and the deep message behind this story is a very important one.

If you watched the movie adaptation, keep in mind that it’s very different from the book! Of course not everything is different and the gist of the plot – yes, not plot, but the gist of the plot – is the same, but the movie doesn’t do justice to the book. It would be almost impossible to recreate this book in a movie format because it’s very complex and there are so many cool elements that would be difficult to incorporate. Also, a big part of the movie plot is taken from the second book! So even if you watch the movie, I highly recommend you read this book, it’s so much better!

Unfortunately, the second book in the duology was not good and I wish I never read it, but I digress! My advice for you is to pick up this book, read it, love it (even reread it if you want to)… but after you finish it, don’t think about picking the second book. In my humble opinion, it destroys the awesomeness of the first book and you can’t look at it the same way after reading the second book. It’s not worth it!

After finishing “Ready Player One”,  I immediately knew I was going to reread this one day. I loved all the details, the complex hunt, the clues, the 80’s references, the videogames mentioned. It was such a complex, detailed, piece of art that can’t be read only once, but needs to be enjoyed more!

I had a wonderful time reading this, and I can’t recommend it enough!