Carmen’s review of Armada > Likes and Comments
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Hah, oh dear. I definitely had my fill of this stuff after reading RP1. It would be nice if Cline branched out a bit!
Great review, Carmen. I've had this book on my to read list for a while, but I never attempted to read it after hearing so many bad things about it. I really enjoyed Ready Player One. I felt those characters had grown by the end of that book. This book sounds awful. Is it saying that global warming and everything that led to it is A-okay since it prepared people for some bigger battle? That would be crazy thinking. Those excerpts with all the 80's references crammed in sounded ridiculous, too. I don't know how you got through this book. I think I'll remove it from my list.
Did this guy actually live through the 80s? Because my guess is he didn't. Most people I know who were boots-on-the-ground for that decade either A: wouldn't go back with a gun to their head or B: acknowledge that some goofy-but-cool shit did come out of it, but...well, see answer A. :D
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this sounds obnoxious. I haven't read any of Cline's writing but he appears in the documentary Game Over and he came off like an insufferable wanker. I don't know if that's him, or Cline has people egging him on to act like the nerds on Big Bang Theory. Ugh.
It's hard to believe the rights holders to The Last Starfighter haven't served Cline with a court summons yet. I am with you, Carmen, on what a wank-off this book sounds like but as a card-carrying member of Generation X, disagree that the 1980s was some golden era for filmmaking.
Take a look at the movies that were given a lot of Academy Awards in the '80s and compare that to the last truly great era for American film, which was the '90s. The 1980s were a cultural wasteland in comparison and not a period to worship the way Cline does.
I love this review, Carmen. Not my genre but I know to avoid this if I ever feel like something a little different. Being stuck in the 80s sounds horrible!
Lily wrote: "Hah, oh dear. I definitely had my fill of this stuff after reading RP1. It would be nice if Cline branched out a bit!"
Thank you! Yes, it sure would be nice, wouldn't it, Lily!
Donna wrote: "Great review, Carmen. I've had this book on my to read list for a while, but I never attempted to read it after hearing so many bad things about it. I really enjoyed Ready Player One. I felt those ..."
Is it saying that global warming and everything that led to it is A-okay since it prepared people for some bigger battle?
I KNOW. *headdesk* I found this to be the most offensive of everything. OMGosh. So furious.
Yes, I would advise you skip this one, Donna. Unless you really, really want to revel in '80s nostalgia for a while longer. I also enjoyed RP1 and I found nothing enjoyable here.
Thank you!
Eric wrote: "Did this guy actually live through the 80s? Because my guess is he didn't. Most people I know who were boots-on-the-ground for that decade either A: wouldn't go back with a gun to their head or B: ..."
He's 43, Eric. I just don't understand it. I mean, the '80s were fine - I guess - and everyone enjoys a little nostalgia, but COME ON. This guy is really pushing the limits, here. I'm actually a little worried about him. I mean, one book was enough, but two?!?!? o.O
Joe wrote: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this sounds obnoxious. I haven't read any of Cline's writing but he appears in the documentary Game Over and he came off like an insufferable wanker. I don't know if that's ..."
Yes, it was SO obnoxious, guapo.
I'm in complete agreement with you about Last Starfighter. The worst thing is, he talks about that movie non-stop in his book. I don't know how he got away with so blatantly ripping them off. Even if it isn't technically illegal - it's lame, lazy and just poor writing.
I wasn't talking about the '80s being a golden age of filmmaking in any sense the Academy would recognize, Joseph. I was more talking about films that people still love and talk about today but aren't going to be nominated for any awards. Films like Die Hard, Terminator, Return of the Jedi, Predator, Lethal Weapon, E.T., Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, Beverly Hills Cop, Aliens, Dirty Dancing, Karate Kid, Flashdance, etc. etc. etc. I have to agree with him that in this sense, the 1980s were a golden age of film.
Thank you!
Debbie wrote: "I love this review, Carmen. Not my genre but I know to avoid this if I ever feel like something a little different. Being stuck in the 80s sounds horrible!"
Thank you, Debbie! Definitely don't waste a rare trip into science-fiction with this one! Choose Nexus or vN as your sci-fi vacation! ;)
He's obsessed with the 80's like so many in my generation - and I'm looking at you, Mike, but with love hehe - are in love with the 60's. It's as if after 1969 - or pushing it '70 - nothing great ever happened. We (teenagers of the time) were pushing every conceivable boundary there was, including and especially sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.
Umm, get off that train, please. And the 80's? Oh come on. I was raising babies and getting laid off, rehired, laid off, rehired. Not my fav. decade.
Do I even have a fav. decade?
Welp. I'm glad I read your review Carmen. Now I can avoid this book. I loved Ready Player One, but I don't think I can take much more of his references. I'm 27, and even I think it's a bit much. :P
This review deserves a standing ovation from everyone who reads it.
Beth wrote: "Hollywood has run out of ideas. Have you heard they are remaking the Keanu Reeves/Patrick Swayze movie, Point Break?!?! It's a sad truth.
http://pointbreakmovie.com/videos"
Yes, I did hear that, Beth! I couldn't believe it!
Jennifer wrote: "Awesome review Carmen! I read Ready Player One. Liked it. But I have had no interest in this one."
Thank you, Jennifer! Yes, I liked RP1, too. But this is a dud.
Jaksen wrote: "He's obsessed with the 80's like so many in my generation - and I'm looking at you, Mike, but with love hehe - are in love with the 60's. It's as if after 1969 - or pushing it '70 - nothing great e..."
Thanks, Diane!
Yes, I see people who love the sixties. But usually they branch out. For instance, perhaps they like re-furbishing '60s cars, but they listen to all kind of music. Perhaps they only listen to '60s music, but they read books and watch movies from more recent decades. Cline's love seems so '80s-focused it's hard to remember that time kept marching on and kept going after the '80s. I feel the same no matter what decade you are stuck in - try to focus on whatever good stuff we have in the present! Just because you love a certain aspect of the past doesn't mean to have to obsessively focus on every aspect of the past and let it consume your life.
Thinking about all the extra hours he spent thinking of the '80s - on top of what he normally does! - in order to write and craft this book just gives me a headache. I can't live in the past like he does, and while I feel as if one book is a fun romp, two books is making me not only worry about him, but also is making me very hesitant to pick up a third book by him.
I don't have a 'favorite decade.' Whatever decade I'm living in is my favorite one.
Lupe wrote: "Welp. I'm glad I read your review Carmen. Now I can avoid this book. I loved Ready Player One, but I don't think I can take much more of his references. I'm 27, and even I think it's..."
Thank you, Lupe! Yes, it is a bit much. o.O How long is he going to keep this up?
Kemper wrote: "This review deserves a standing ovation from everyone who reads it."
Aw, thank you, Kemper! :)
I thought you were exaggerating in that update about the author never using one 80's reference when he could use 3 but after reading those quotes... God damn. I think you were being generous. For reals it's like he spent an extended period of time trawling through his memory for any pop culture reference even vaguely connected to the situation. I guess some readers might find that amusing but ffs I can't imagine reading a whole book like that.
Also nice review.
For reals it's like he spent an extended period of time trawling through his memory for any pop culture reference even vaguely connected to the situation.
That is EXACTLY what it is like.
I think you were being generous.
That could be true... I thought about one-starring this, but I just can't bring myself to for some reason.
Thanks, Conor! I love hearing from you.
"The author picture of him is him posing with his DeLorean."
Oh, my. That does kind of say it all, doesn't it? :|
I've seen so many bad reviews for this book. I only plan to read RPO.
Oh, my. That does kind of say it all, doesn't it? :|
I know, right? Exactly.
I've seen so many bad reviews for this book. I only plan to read RPO.
That is a good plan, Caroline. :)
Nice and ranty, well done!
Only one problem, you gave this more stars than Saga? For shame!
I didn't want to turn your book review into a rant complete with footnotes against the '80s and how the '90s were so much greater in terms of movies. In general terms, I think the '80s were on an "up" and films with darker or more pessimistic themes like The Thing and Blade Runner really struggled with audiences. Directors like Martin Scorsese and Robert Altman struggled to find work. Even Cline's favorite movie of all time, Back to the Future, embraces consumerism in the end; Crispin Glover tried telling the director it was the wrong ending to have Marty return home to be rewarded with a 4x4 and his parents happy because they had money, because they were Yuppies. They should've been happy because they had each other as a family. George Lucas understood that much; all the toys and technology aren't going to save you without a spiritual evolution. By the '80s, the message changed to: "You are what you own." I say, leave the '80s where they are. Some of my favorite films are from that era but I disagree with the rose colored nostalgia that says this was a golden age of filmmaking we should live in forever and ever and ever.
Excellent review! Ranty Carmen is my favorite Carmen : )
Great and honest review, Carmen. Now I'm really staying away from this book.
Dᴀɴ 2.☢ wrote: "Nice and ranty, well done!
Only one problem, you gave this more stars than Saga? For shame!"
Thank you, Dan! In re: Saga: *hangs head*
Joe wrote: "I didn't want to turn your book review into a rant complete with footnotes against the '80s and how the '90s were so much greater in terms of movies. In general terms, I think the '80s were on an "..."
I agree with you, Joseph. I agree with you that the original THING was great, and I agree with you about the materialistic ending of BTTF (a trilogy I adore, BTW). And I agree with you that it's dangerous to look with rose-colored glasses at any era. Well said.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Excellent review! Ranty Carmen is my favorite Carmen : )"
Thanks, Kelly! Grrrrr! <--- growly Carmen
Pearl wrote: "Great and honest review, Carmen. Now I'm really staying away from this book."
Thank you so much, Pearl! Yes, I would advise people to avoid this.
And Cline never puts just ONE '80s reference into an explanation when he can fit in three.
OMG! I'm only 59 pages in, but this is SO TRUE!!
I really like Ready Player One but I never considered reading this one when I read the synopsis. "One trick pony" as you said.
"The characters do not have feelings that belong to themselves, only to other pop-culture fictional characters."
Brilliant observation, Cline should be ashamed of himself. He probably has potential to write more good books, if only he would try harder.
I do love the 80s though, I even like that awful film Rock of Ages!
I don't know Rock of Ages.
And thanks! Yeah, this book was such a disappointment. Such a disappointment. :(
Carmen, I couldn't agree more with your review of this book. I actually met Ernest Cline at a Q & A last year and asked him this (and I quote):
"As a writer, would you ever tackle the challenge of writing a pop culture reference-free novel?"
His response: "Well...you know, for me..that would be like writing a novel without any cultural references. If you think about it, the term pop culture is derivative but if it's not pop culture, what is it? Unpopular culture?"
Later on, he thanked me for asking that question. It wasn't the typical kiss ass inquiry that most authors get. And I believe he appreciated that. Even though he was a bit shook by my directness.
I was lukewarm on RP1. Good to know I can cross this off my ever-growing TBR list. :)
I am.just going to start following you around because this is the second recent book I have unfortunately read without consulting you review, which would have saved me some grief. While I enjoyed Ready Player One a bit, Armada was simply a jarring piece of 80s claptrap, devoid of anything resembling originality. I would have gotten the same story playing Atari games and watching 80s sci-fi movies instead. it was a version of VH1S "This is the 80s" without the comedy.
From here on out my new motto is, WWCNR or "What would Carmen not Read"
Carmen, I couldn't agree more with your review of this book. I actually met Ernest Cline at a Q & A last year and asked him this (and I quote):
"As a writer, would you ever tackle the challenge of writing a pop culture reference-free novel?"
His response: "Well...you know, for me..that would be like writing a novel without any cultural references. If you think about it, the term pop culture is derivative but if it's not pop culture, what is it? Unpopular culture?"
Later on, he thanked me for asking that question. It wasn't the typical kiss ass inquiry that most authors get. And I believe he appreciated that. Even though he was a bit shook by my directness.
I have serious doubts he can get off this train, Noah.
Sarenna wrote: "I was lukewarm on RP1. Good to know I can cross this off my ever-growing TBR list. :)"
Yes, it's a complete waste of time, Sarenna!
I am.just going to start following you around because this is the second recent book I have unfortunately read without consulting you review, which would have saved me some grief. While I enjoyed Ready Player One a bit, Armada was simply a jarring piece of 80s claptrap, devoid of anything resembling originality. I would have gotten the same story playing Atari games and watching 80s sci-fi movies instead. it was a version of VH1S "This is the 80s" without the comedy.
From here on out my new motto is, WWCNR or "What would Carmen not Read"
Aw, thank you so much, Jeff! I'm happy that I was able to help you.
Audrey wrote: "great review"
Thank you so much, Audrey!
Haha Carmen, this review is just too good! I agree wholly with your point. I mean, what is the big thing in just repeating the same old pop-cultural references and then making more references out of the same by drawing them up to compare actions, thoughts and feelings? Sure, Ernest Cline might love the 80s; I wish I was born in the 60s myself but even if I had to write a love-letter to that era disguised as a book, I would not spend every single page of it just telling that 'I love the 60s' and stuff and instead I would use the references ingeniously in my plot. I am really keen on watching 'Ready Player One', more out of a reverence of Spielberg than Cline, but this book sounds like a redux version of the same. Well done!
Haha Carmen, this review is just too good! I agree wholly with your point. I mean, what is the big thing in just repeating the same old pop-cultural references and then making more references out of the same by drawing them up to compare actions, thoughts and feelings? Sure, Ernest Cline might love the 80s; I wish I was born in the 60s myself but even if I had to write a love-letter to that era disguised as a book, I would not spend every single page of it just telling that 'I love the 60s' and stuff and instead I would use the references ingeniously in my plot. I am really keen on watching 'Ready Player One', more out of a reverence of Spielberg than Cline, but this book sounds like a redux version of the same. Well done!
Thank you so much, Zoeb! I'm afraid Cline is a one-trick pony. Not much else in his arsenal.
Great review. I liked the book more than you did, but your criticisms are all completely valid. And I’d definitely stay away from Ready Player Two if I were you. He does seem to be a one-trick pony at this point.
Blaine wrote: "Great review. I liked the book more than you did, but your criticisms are all completely valid. And I’d definitely stay away from Ready Player Two if I were you. He does seem to be a one-trick pony at this point..."
Blaine, thanks! As for your advice, I wasn't planning on picking anything up by him ever again. Two chances is enough.
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Lily
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Dec 16, 2015 09:38PM
Hah, oh dear. I definitely had my fill of this stuff after reading RP1. It would be nice if Cline branched out a bit!
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Great review, Carmen. I've had this book on my to read list for a while, but I never attempted to read it after hearing so many bad things about it. I really enjoyed Ready Player One. I felt those characters had grown by the end of that book. This book sounds awful. Is it saying that global warming and everything that led to it is A-okay since it prepared people for some bigger battle? That would be crazy thinking. Those excerpts with all the 80's references crammed in sounded ridiculous, too. I don't know how you got through this book. I think I'll remove it from my list.
Did this guy actually live through the 80s? Because my guess is he didn't. Most people I know who were boots-on-the-ground for that decade either A: wouldn't go back with a gun to their head or B: acknowledge that some goofy-but-cool shit did come out of it, but...well, see answer A. :D
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this sounds obnoxious. I haven't read any of Cline's writing but he appears in the documentary Game Over and he came off like an insufferable wanker. I don't know if that's him, or Cline has people egging him on to act like the nerds on Big Bang Theory. Ugh. It's hard to believe the rights holders to The Last Starfighter haven't served Cline with a court summons yet. I am with you, Carmen, on what a wank-off this book sounds like but as a card-carrying member of Generation X, disagree that the 1980s was some golden era for filmmaking.
Take a look at the movies that were given a lot of Academy Awards in the '80s and compare that to the last truly great era for American film, which was the '90s. The 1980s were a cultural wasteland in comparison and not a period to worship the way Cline does.
I love this review, Carmen. Not my genre but I know to avoid this if I ever feel like something a little different. Being stuck in the 80s sounds horrible!
Lily wrote: "Hah, oh dear. I definitely had my fill of this stuff after reading RP1. It would be nice if Cline branched out a bit!"Thank you! Yes, it sure would be nice, wouldn't it, Lily!
Donna wrote: "Great review, Carmen. I've had this book on my to read list for a while, but I never attempted to read it after hearing so many bad things about it. I really enjoyed Ready Player One. I felt those ..."Is it saying that global warming and everything that led to it is A-okay since it prepared people for some bigger battle?
I KNOW. *headdesk* I found this to be the most offensive of everything. OMGosh. So furious.
Yes, I would advise you skip this one, Donna. Unless you really, really want to revel in '80s nostalgia for a while longer. I also enjoyed RP1 and I found nothing enjoyable here.
Thank you!
Eric wrote: "Did this guy actually live through the 80s? Because my guess is he didn't. Most people I know who were boots-on-the-ground for that decade either A: wouldn't go back with a gun to their head or B: ..."He's 43, Eric. I just don't understand it. I mean, the '80s were fine - I guess - and everyone enjoys a little nostalgia, but COME ON. This guy is really pushing the limits, here. I'm actually a little worried about him. I mean, one book was enough, but two?!?!? o.O
Joe wrote: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, this sounds obnoxious. I haven't read any of Cline's writing but he appears in the documentary Game Over and he came off like an insufferable wanker. I don't know if that's ..."Yes, it was SO obnoxious, guapo.
I'm in complete agreement with you about Last Starfighter. The worst thing is, he talks about that movie non-stop in his book. I don't know how he got away with so blatantly ripping them off. Even if it isn't technically illegal - it's lame, lazy and just poor writing.
I wasn't talking about the '80s being a golden age of filmmaking in any sense the Academy would recognize, Joseph. I was more talking about films that people still love and talk about today but aren't going to be nominated for any awards. Films like Die Hard, Terminator, Return of the Jedi, Predator, Lethal Weapon, E.T., Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, Beverly Hills Cop, Aliens, Dirty Dancing, Karate Kid, Flashdance, etc. etc. etc. I have to agree with him that in this sense, the 1980s were a golden age of film.
Thank you!
Debbie wrote: "I love this review, Carmen. Not my genre but I know to avoid this if I ever feel like something a little different. Being stuck in the 80s sounds horrible!"Thank you, Debbie! Definitely don't waste a rare trip into science-fiction with this one! Choose Nexus or vN as your sci-fi vacation! ;)
He's obsessed with the 80's like so many in my generation - and I'm looking at you, Mike, but with love hehe - are in love with the 60's. It's as if after 1969 - or pushing it '70 - nothing great ever happened. We (teenagers of the time) were pushing every conceivable boundary there was, including and especially sex, drugs and rock 'n roll.Umm, get off that train, please. And the 80's? Oh come on. I was raising babies and getting laid off, rehired, laid off, rehired. Not my fav. decade.
Do I even have a fav. decade?
Welp. I'm glad I read your review Carmen. Now I can avoid this book. I loved Ready Player One, but I don't think I can take much more of his references. I'm 27, and even I think it's a bit much. :P
This review deserves a standing ovation from everyone who reads it.
Beth wrote: "Hollywood has run out of ideas. Have you heard they are remaking the Keanu Reeves/Patrick Swayze movie, Point Break?!?! It's a sad truth.http://pointbreakmovie.com/videos"
Yes, I did hear that, Beth! I couldn't believe it!
Jennifer wrote: "Awesome review Carmen! I read Ready Player One. Liked it. But I have had no interest in this one."Thank you, Jennifer! Yes, I liked RP1, too. But this is a dud.
Jaksen wrote: "He's obsessed with the 80's like so many in my generation - and I'm looking at you, Mike, but with love hehe - are in love with the 60's. It's as if after 1969 - or pushing it '70 - nothing great e..."Thanks, Diane!
Yes, I see people who love the sixties. But usually they branch out. For instance, perhaps they like re-furbishing '60s cars, but they listen to all kind of music. Perhaps they only listen to '60s music, but they read books and watch movies from more recent decades. Cline's love seems so '80s-focused it's hard to remember that time kept marching on and kept going after the '80s. I feel the same no matter what decade you are stuck in - try to focus on whatever good stuff we have in the present! Just because you love a certain aspect of the past doesn't mean to have to obsessively focus on every aspect of the past and let it consume your life.
Thinking about all the extra hours he spent thinking of the '80s - on top of what he normally does! - in order to write and craft this book just gives me a headache. I can't live in the past like he does, and while I feel as if one book is a fun romp, two books is making me not only worry about him, but also is making me very hesitant to pick up a third book by him.
I don't have a 'favorite decade.' Whatever decade I'm living in is my favorite one.
Lupe wrote: "Welp. I'm glad I read your review Carmen. Now I can avoid this book. I loved Ready Player One, but I don't think I can take much more of his references. I'm 27, and even I think it's..."Thank you, Lupe! Yes, it is a bit much. o.O How long is he going to keep this up?
Kemper wrote: "This review deserves a standing ovation from everyone who reads it."Aw, thank you, Kemper! :)
I thought you were exaggerating in that update about the author never using one 80's reference when he could use 3 but after reading those quotes... God damn. I think you were being generous. For reals it's like he spent an extended period of time trawling through his memory for any pop culture reference even vaguely connected to the situation. I guess some readers might find that amusing but ffs I can't imagine reading a whole book like that.Also nice review.
For reals it's like he spent an extended period of time trawling through his memory for any pop culture reference even vaguely connected to the situation.That is EXACTLY what it is like.
I think you were being generous.
That could be true... I thought about one-starring this, but I just can't bring myself to for some reason.
Thanks, Conor! I love hearing from you.
"The author picture of him is him posing with his DeLorean."Oh, my. That does kind of say it all, doesn't it? :|
I've seen so many bad reviews for this book. I only plan to read RPO.
Oh, my. That does kind of say it all, doesn't it? :|I know, right? Exactly.
I've seen so many bad reviews for this book. I only plan to read RPO.
That is a good plan, Caroline. :)
Nice and ranty, well done!Only one problem, you gave this more stars than Saga? For shame!
I didn't want to turn your book review into a rant complete with footnotes against the '80s and how the '90s were so much greater in terms of movies. In general terms, I think the '80s were on an "up" and films with darker or more pessimistic themes like The Thing and Blade Runner really struggled with audiences. Directors like Martin Scorsese and Robert Altman struggled to find work. Even Cline's favorite movie of all time, Back to the Future, embraces consumerism in the end; Crispin Glover tried telling the director it was the wrong ending to have Marty return home to be rewarded with a 4x4 and his parents happy because they had money, because they were Yuppies. They should've been happy because they had each other as a family. George Lucas understood that much; all the toys and technology aren't going to save you without a spiritual evolution. By the '80s, the message changed to: "You are what you own." I say, leave the '80s where they are. Some of my favorite films are from that era but I disagree with the rose colored nostalgia that says this was a golden age of filmmaking we should live in forever and ever and ever.
Excellent review! Ranty Carmen is my favorite Carmen : )
Great and honest review, Carmen. Now I'm really staying away from this book.
Dᴀɴ 2.☢ wrote: "Nice and ranty, well done!Only one problem, you gave this more stars than Saga? For shame!"
Thank you, Dan! In re: Saga: *hangs head*
Joe wrote: "I didn't want to turn your book review into a rant complete with footnotes against the '80s and how the '90s were so much greater in terms of movies. In general terms, I think the '80s were on an "..."I agree with you, Joseph. I agree with you that the original THING was great, and I agree with you about the materialistic ending of BTTF (a trilogy I adore, BTW). And I agree with you that it's dangerous to look with rose-colored glasses at any era. Well said.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Excellent review! Ranty Carmen is my favorite Carmen : )"Thanks, Kelly! Grrrrr! <--- growly Carmen
Pearl wrote: "Great and honest review, Carmen. Now I'm really staying away from this book."Thank you so much, Pearl! Yes, I would advise people to avoid this.
And Cline never puts just ONE '80s reference into an explanation when he can fit in three.OMG! I'm only 59 pages in, but this is SO TRUE!!
I really like Ready Player One but I never considered reading this one when I read the synopsis. "One trick pony" as you said."The characters do not have feelings that belong to themselves, only to other pop-culture fictional characters."
Brilliant observation, Cline should be ashamed of himself. He probably has potential to write more good books, if only he would try harder.
I do love the 80s though, I even like that awful film Rock of Ages!
I don't know Rock of Ages.And thanks! Yeah, this book was such a disappointment. Such a disappointment. :(
Carmen, I couldn't agree more with your review of this book. I actually met Ernest Cline at a Q & A last year and asked him this (and I quote):"As a writer, would you ever tackle the challenge of writing a pop culture reference-free novel?"
His response: "Well...you know, for me..that would be like writing a novel without any cultural references. If you think about it, the term pop culture is derivative but if it's not pop culture, what is it? Unpopular culture?"
Later on, he thanked me for asking that question. It wasn't the typical kiss ass inquiry that most authors get. And I believe he appreciated that. Even though he was a bit shook by my directness.
I was lukewarm on RP1. Good to know I can cross this off my ever-growing TBR list. :)
I am.just going to start following you around because this is the second recent book I have unfortunately read without consulting you review, which would have saved me some grief. While I enjoyed Ready Player One a bit, Armada was simply a jarring piece of 80s claptrap, devoid of anything resembling originality. I would have gotten the same story playing Atari games and watching 80s sci-fi movies instead. it was a version of VH1S "This is the 80s" without the comedy.From here on out my new motto is, WWCNR or "What would Carmen not Read"
Carmen, I couldn't agree more with your review of this book. I actually met Ernest Cline at a Q & A last year and asked him this (and I quote):"As a writer, would you ever tackle the challenge of writing a pop culture reference-free novel?"
His response: "Well...you know, for me..that would be like writing a novel without any cultural references. If you think about it, the term pop culture is derivative but if it's not pop culture, what is it? Unpopular culture?"
Later on, he thanked me for asking that question. It wasn't the typical kiss ass inquiry that most authors get. And I believe he appreciated that. Even though he was a bit shook by my directness.
I have serious doubts he can get off this train, Noah.
Sarenna wrote: "I was lukewarm on RP1. Good to know I can cross this off my ever-growing TBR list. :)"Yes, it's a complete waste of time, Sarenna!
I am.just going to start following you around because this is the second recent book I have unfortunately read without consulting you review, which would have saved me some grief. While I enjoyed Ready Player One a bit, Armada was simply a jarring piece of 80s claptrap, devoid of anything resembling originality. I would have gotten the same story playing Atari games and watching 80s sci-fi movies instead. it was a version of VH1S "This is the 80s" without the comedy.From here on out my new motto is, WWCNR or "What would Carmen not Read"
Aw, thank you so much, Jeff! I'm happy that I was able to help you.
Audrey wrote: "great review"Thank you so much, Audrey!
Haha Carmen, this review is just too good! I agree wholly with your point. I mean, what is the big thing in just repeating the same old pop-cultural references and then making more references out of the same by drawing them up to compare actions, thoughts and feelings? Sure, Ernest Cline might love the 80s; I wish I was born in the 60s myself but even if I had to write a love-letter to that era disguised as a book, I would not spend every single page of it just telling that 'I love the 60s' and stuff and instead I would use the references ingeniously in my plot. I am really keen on watching 'Ready Player One', more out of a reverence of Spielberg than Cline, but this book sounds like a redux version of the same. Well done!
Haha Carmen, this review is just too good! I agree wholly with your point. I mean, what is the big thing in just repeating the same old pop-cultural references and then making more references out of the same by drawing them up to compare actions, thoughts and feelings? Sure, Ernest Cline might love the 80s; I wish I was born in the 60s myself but even if I had to write a love-letter to that era disguised as a book, I would not spend every single page of it just telling that 'I love the 60s' and stuff and instead I would use the references ingeniously in my plot. I am really keen on watching 'Ready Player One', more out of a reverence of Spielberg than Cline, but this book sounds like a redux version of the same. Well done! Thank you so much, Zoeb! I'm afraid Cline is a one-trick pony. Not much else in his arsenal.
Great review. I liked the book more than you did, but your criticisms are all completely valid. And I’d definitely stay away from Ready Player Two if I were you. He does seem to be a one-trick pony at this point.
Blaine wrote: "Great review. I liked the book more than you did, but your criticisms are all completely valid. And I’d definitely stay away from Ready Player Two if I were you. He does seem to be a one-trick pony at this point..."Blaine, thanks! As for your advice, I wasn't planning on picking anything up by him ever again. Two chances is enough.
