A dystopian, fun, rollicking, smart, articulate, thoughtful, action-packed sci-fi novel about a future that is nostalgic for the past. (The 1980s, to be exact.) All of the praise for Ernest Cline's debut novel is deserved. Don't be scared away by the setting - even though this takes place in a dystopian future, this is one of the most fun and hopeful novels I've read in a while. Fun for young aduls and grown-ups alike, although Gen Xers will find the most to love here.

Ready Player One is a fun, futuristic ride back to the 80s. While that sounds contradictory, Cline creates a future world that is crumbling from disasters – economic, political, and environmental. People turn from their dreary lives to take part in a computer generated alternative, an Oasis, built by a computer geek, guru, and billionaire from the 1980s. The deceased guru, James Halliday, has designed a computer game based on 1980s pop culture that requires the obtaining of three keys. Holder of the keys wins access to Halliday’s massive fortune. Keen intelligence for riddle solving and muscle and nerve for deadly battle are required to win the keys. Protagonist, Wade Watts stumbles upon the first key, and the game is on globally. Wade struggles through epic battles and confusing clues to seek the second and third keys. “Friends” in the Oasis “help” him in his quest.

I could not put this geeky novel down once I started reading. Being a gamer of the 90’s I missed the 80’s experience but this book felt like an engaging history on the early classics. I feel this will make an amazing movie.

I love this book from a pop-culture point of view but I also hate it for its lame literary standards. The writing is forced, especially when it comes to the ultra-corny dialogue. The simple narrative relies almost entirely on unbelievable conveniences --- seriously, what kind of person can go to school or have a job while doing the insane amount of miniscule research that these characters supposedly do? I honestly wondered if they all have undiagnosed cases of Asperger Syndrome. It’s also not entirely clear who constitutes this novel’s target audience. Is it geeks? If so, why does Cline feel the need to explain practically every game/book/comic/movie/music reference he makes? His relentless descriptions start border on pretentious. I would have much rather had some things go over my head than have every little detail explained to me like a fool. That said, this is also a page-turner with enough clever touches that you can ALMOST ignore the one-dimensional characters and totally contrived plot development. With another re-write (or two) it might have been absolutely brilliant.

Loved this fast paced read and all the 80's references! Fabulous read for gamers and 80's kids alike!

Great after the first 150 or so pages. Going to be a phenomenal movie.

Great book - very entertaining from beginning to end. It's funny with a lot of 80s references, fantasy, action and a little bit of mystery. If you're on the fence about this one, take a look at the author's photo in the back where he's posing with his Delorean. If that doesn't influence you in a positive direction, than you probably won't like this book.

I tried several times to become engaged in this book, but it never happened. The book was on the end-case at the library where the library staff places recommended books, so I picked it up. As much as I like dystopian plots, this one didn't do it for me.

Ernest Cline has written a thoroughly entertaining adventure story for geeks. And while it can clearly reach a far wider audience, it is targeted at geeks of a certain age. In a future where the earth is spiraling deeper and deeper into economic depression and environmental collapse, and the majority of the population spend most of their waking hours online in a life-enhancing virtual reality called OASIS, high-school aged Wade finds himself leading the world in the grandest contest/video adventure game ever conceived. Mining the depths of rich video game/dungeons & dragons/80's pop culture (and so much more), Cline is sure to capture the nostalgia as well as imagination of many thirtysomethings and beyond. Fortunately, it's a fun adventure tale for all ages and interests.

Favorite Book Ever. Great setting, and exhibits good traits in all teenagers. :)