Ready Player One

by Ernest Cline
Ready Player One cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99 CD-Audio • £20.00
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 4308
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781446493830
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-08-18
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

Set in a dystopian 2044, Ready Player One follows Wade Watts, a young man who, like most of humanity, escapes the harsh realities of a world plagued by environmental disaster and economic collapse by immersing himself in the OASIS, a sprawling virtual reality created by the late James Halliday. The OASIS offers users the ability to live, play, and fall in love in a utopian alternate reality, and Halliday's death sets off a frenzy as he leaves behind a challenge: solve his riddles hidden within the OASIS, and inherit his vast fortune and control of the virtual world. Wade, a poor and orphaned 'gunter' (egg hunter), stumbles upon the first clue, thrusting him into a desperate race against thousands of competitors, including ruthless corporate-backed players. As Wade navigates the challenges rooted in 1980s and 1990s pop culture, the stakes grow higher, blurring the lines between the virtual and real worlds. The novel is a thrilling blend of nostalgia, adventure, and social commentary, exploring themes of escapism, identity, and the impact of technology on society.

Reviews
The Narrative Craft · 2024-06-02
fun 4.25

The novel is well-written with likeable characters and an exciting plot. The first-person point of view adds to the immersive experience, making it a great deal of fun to be part of this virtual world.

The reviewer praises Ready Player One for its well-written narrative and likeable characters, which make the story engaging and enjoyable. They found the first-person point of view to be particularly effective in creating an immersive experience, allowing readers to feel deeply connected to the main character. The reviewer also appreciated the exciting plot and the way the story keeps readers engaged throughout. They noted that the virtual world of the OASIS is vividly brought to life, making it a great deal of fun to be part of this adventure.

Quick quotes

    This is a well-written novel, with likeable, realistic characters. The plot is exciting and interesting.

    The first person POV worked well as it was immersive, perfect for ...

    It was a great deal of fun to be immersed in this virtual world.

The Starving Artist · Devontre Varro Flaherty · 2023-10-10
exciting 4.00

The book is packed with nostalgic references and innovative concepts, making it a thrilling read for sci-fi and pop culture enthusiasts. The virtual world of the OASIS is vividly brought to life, offering an immersive experience.

The reviewer found Ready Player One to be a captivating blend of science fiction and 1980s pop culture, making it a unique and engaging read. The virtual reality world of the OASIS is described as immersive and well-crafted, with the reviewer particularly enjoying the nostalgic references that add depth to the story. They appreciated the fresh and exciting concepts that keep the narrative engaging throughout. However, they also noted that the book might feel a bit dated to some readers due to its heavy reliance on 1980s references.

Quick quotes

    Ready Player One was full of fresh and exciting concepts, was as close to home as sci-fi gets, and was saturated with geeky references to 1980s pop culture and ...

    The virtual world of the OASIS is vividly brought to life, offering an immersive experience.

    The book is packed with nostalgic references and innovative concepts, making it a thrilling read for sci-fi and pop culture enthusiasts.

Bong Bong Books · 2018-04-09
thrilling 4.50

The book is a thrilling adventure that successfully brings readers back to the joy of reading. The story is fast-paced and engaging, making it a perfect choice for those looking to reignite their love for books.

The reviewer describes Ready Player One as a thrilling adventure that successfully brings readers back to the joy of reading. They found the story to be fast-paced and engaging, making it a perfect choice for those looking to reignite their love for books. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the immersive world-building and the way the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats. They also appreciated the nostalgic elements that add a layer of depth to the narrative.

Quick quotes

    What a ride! This became the perfect book to bring me back to that rhythm of reading after my very long hiatus.

    The story is fast-paced and engaging, making it a perfect choice for those looking to reignite their love for books.

    The reviewer particularly enjoyed the immersive world-building and the way the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

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