Ready Player One

Three hidden keys open three secret gates

Wherein the errant will be tested for worthy traits

And those with the skill to survive these straits

Will reach The End where the prize awaits

Do you like the 80s? The games, movies, even the music were good. OK, the games weren't that good compared to today's standards, admittedly, but they were among the first, and so deserve a special place. Well, if you do, I strongly urge you to read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

In the future, the Internet and multiplayer online games become one and the same through a system called OASIS. Upon his death, the creator of the OASIS, James Halliday, sent a message to the world. That message? Hidden within the OASIS, there are three keys. If someone were to find said keys and complete the challenges set forth by Halliday, then that person would not only inherit Halliday's vast fortune, but also supreme administrative rights to the OASIS itself.

Due to his extreme love of 80s culture, Halliday made it so this treasure hunt (quickly dubbed The Hunt) required an extensive knowledge of 80s video games, movies, books and music. Now, even though I was born in 90 and never actually lived in the 80s, I've always had a great appreciation of the products of the time period, especially the music. So, naturally, this book was like being a kid in a candy shop. 80s references EVERYWHERE.

The story itself was really well written. In fact, one of my friends who doesn't normally read books of this genre told me that it was one of the best books she had read. She was right. Mr. Cline has a way about his writing that just draws you as the reader in.

The fact that it is also one of the geekiest books I have ever laid eyes on helped out as well. But don't let that deter you. Even if you aren't a big geek, you should still enjoy this book, as there really is something for everyone here. Adventure, action, romance, thrills, geeky references... You name it, Ready Player One has it.

The characters were similarly well written. You really get to know the main characters. Even the side characters are fairly well fleshed out. It leaves me hopeful that the movie adaptation (yes, that is so happening) casts them well.

Keeping with the theme here, Mr. Cline also has an inane sense of detail. Everything that is referenced, whether it be an old arcade game cabinet, a scene from an old movie, or even something as simple as the location of the main character's house is described in painstaking detail. Enough that you can truly visualize it all. It really is a work of art in and of itself.

Going into this book, I didn't really know what it was about. The person who referred me to the book (coincidentally, the same person who told me it was one of the best books she had read) only told me that the book was nerdy and that I should read it. But once I got past the first chapter, I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down. And as a result, I definitely think the rereadability of this is high as well.

Ready Player One gets a rare 10/10 star rating

In short, this book is amazing. So amazing in fact that I decided to give it the highly coveted 10 star rating. There really is nothing wrong with this book in my opinion, other than the fact that I wanted it to keep going. I truly believe that everyone should give this book a read, at least once, especially considering the movie adaptation will be hitting theaters in December 2017.

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