Imagine a world where you can do almost anything, with the scan of your retinas and a softly spoken pass key. In Ernest Cline’s “Ready Player One,” that is exactly what you get: a virtual reality world called OASIS.

The year is 2044, and the reader is introduced to Wade Watts, a teenager who lives in a run-down trailer park with his heartless aunt. Only through his schooling can he escape his daily struggles. However, when the creator of OASIS dies and makes a treasure hunt for his wealth within the game, Wade sees an escape from the trailer park and his aunt, and goes on to find the first key.

The book takes you on Wade’s journey out of poverty and into fame, with multiple 80s pop culture references and nerdy, teenage humor peppered throughout.

The references range from the 80s film “WarGames” to the cult-following film “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” Any reader who is a fan of what the 80s provided for music, film and games will be sure to catch references easily.

This science fiction-filled adventure will definitely keep any reader hooked, eyeing every clue and riddle the book throws at them over and over, all the way till the end.

Overall, the book is a great read; however, it does have places where the writing can drag on. For example, when talking about something to do with the OASIS, or some normal everyday thing, Cline bores the reader with excessive information.

Cline writes the book’s action scenes well and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with every single word. These action scenes made me want to read as fast as I possibly could, antsy to see what would happen next.

Truly capturing the struggles of being a teenager, Cline creates a whole new concept for the reader to imagine––a crazy immersive virtual reality. He shows the struggles of teenage romance, friendship and high school acceptance in an excellent way, implying that teenagers now and teenagers in the future have daily struggles, too.

Cline combines the nerdiness of Dungeons and Dragons with his multiple old game references with the adventure of Indiana Jones, with the quest for the fortune ahead.

This book could be so much better if there was less insanity in the writing. The plot would get to a point where there was so much going on that it was hard to follow. When Cline was explaining the technology required for OASIS, he would go so far into depth way too quick, and would just build confusion. However, it is definitely an amazing read for nerds and non-nerds alike––a solid 8/10.

For the “Ready Player One” movie review, click here