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Jenn
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 19, 2016 05:10PM
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Hello! I've read this earlier this year, so I hope I can just jump into the discussion without reading it again ...*Warning: possible spoilers, though it's mostly how I feel about the book / the subjects in the book ... no giveaways to what actually happens *
Anyway, I really enjoyed it! I didn't manage to get any of the references because I hadn't been alive in the '80s, but that in no way discouraged me from starting, or continuing, the story.
It was just as thrilling as I expected it. I managed to finish it in two days because it was that addicting .... It was the exciting journey and the need to know how everything comes together that makes this such a good read for me. It came across as part mystery, and I enjoy mysteries.
This didn't come with some caveats, though .... Science fiction isn't usually what I read, and even though this is an exception, it didn't encourage me to read more books in that genre. I was impressed with the protagonist's 'smartness' but I did find it (view spoiler).
As for the world - plausible. Dystopian, yet in some alternate universe (I suppose?) I could see us heading in that direction, though I don't think it'll happen, at least not quite as quickly. (The setting is 2044, if I remember correctly.) Technology is growing rrrapidly. To be honest, I'm quite scared as to what that could mean for our future. I mean ... I'm in awe of it but at the same time there's the threat of AI & etc. Then there's the other issue of the big, evil corporations ... unfortunately that's already a problem. Not quite to such an extent, but still...
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Jenn wrote: "Hi, Michelle! I haven't read your post yet (saw the "spoilers" warning), but welcome to the group!"Thanks! They're not really spoilers, but I marked it just in case!
I freaking loved this book! The 1980s references were awesome brought a lot of smiles to my face! I loved the suspense! And the character development was great! I need to find more books like this!!!!
My husband and I just finished this on audiobook last night and we both LOVED it. Spoilers below (although I'm sure my spellings are all wrong because, you know, audiobook.)From start to finish we tore through this book. I loved that Halliday had this Jekyl and Hyde thing going on in terms of his lovable/unlovableness. I loved that Og was in on it, like a quasi Slugworth from Willy Wonka. I loved that Artemis looked like her avatar, and that H turned out to be a black woman, which I totally did not see coming. Parzival's infiltration of IOI was unexpected as well.
Before I was even finished with this book, I was already recommending it to my friends and family! Five stars, loved it.
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**GR rating:5 due to the fact I'd be willing to reread it.
Characters learned, lost, and loved. (Sometimes in that very order, hehehe.) This debut novel from Ernest Cline had me in stitches and tears. I gobbled it down in a few days, reading late into the night. It's been a very long time since I've felt driven to reach the end... I must know what happened.
Things I liked::
1-Social Commentary. One of my favorite things about speculative fiction is that it gives a platform for a writer to talk about the world: the good, bad, and fugly. Although I don't think Cline took it to the dark degree that I wished he had, he did execute a consistent and accurate depiction of Wade's worlds. (Party on, Wade.) Plus, there were life and death consequences, and you know how I like those.
2-Characterizations. Cline did a solid job making the characters feel real. There are some nitpicky things, but overall, I felt like I knew them and pretty quickly too. Aech was one of my favorite characters, even though he didn't turn out to be who I thought (and who the story kinda makes you think he's gonna be) he'd be. Shoto was another favorite, though a little too flawless.
3-All the 80's references. As a child of the 80's, I loved all the little throwback moments. (Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about that!) I must admit, it felt nice to be part of the target audience, or target audience adjacent. Cline must currently still live there taking time out of his busy schedule to travel to our present judging by all of the nods.
4- The puzzles. I do love when there is something in a book to figure out. Characters, stages of the hunt, riddles, etc. It was fun to be a fly on the wall and watch Wade struggle to find his way to a saving place... and his love interest.
Things I didn't like::
1-All the 80's references. I still liked them, just less of them might have allowed for more development elsewhere or more adventures... more action.
2-Action scenes. By and large, they weren't my favorite part. They were often slow or glossed over. Perhaps they are simply not a strength for Cline or he doesn't have much interest in writing the.
3-Pacing. There were times when the level of detail or description was too much that it slowed down the pace for me.
This book was so obviously written by a former kid who grew up on the optimistic, tech filled movies that proliferated the 1980's. His love is what made this book the delightful read that it was... and hopefully an equally delightful reread in future.
Finally finished it! It too me some time to get into this book, mainly because I dislike video games and consider them a colossal waste of time. A society such as the one in which Wade lives is not one I want to live in. That being said, Wade was an enjoyable character as were the other main characters. The climax was reasonably exciting and the ending satisfying. I liked the big red button and I think Wade will push it. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
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Pern. :-)
