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cephas's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok. Definitely not as good as the first. But gave another interesting look into the world that Cline has created. The first third of the book seems to be told from the perspective of a flashback, and I'm just not a fan of that writing style.
The first book took place over the span of a longer period of time, this book had a lot crammed into a shorter period of time from the readers perspective. It didn't grab me as much.
That being said, the book isn't a waste of time, it is a story. It just doesn't have as much wow factor as the first book did.
The first book took place over the span of a longer period of time, this book had a lot crammed into a shorter period of time from the readers perspective. It didn't grab me as much.
That being said, the book isn't a waste of time, it is a story. It just doesn't have as much wow factor as the first book did.
kargopants's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Shouldn’t exist
alayna017's review against another edition
3.0
Wil Wheaton is so fun to listen to! He’s one of the main reasons I picked up this second installment. The plot was similar to the original, so it didn’t feel much different than the first one. If you love 80s pop culture, go for it!
maina_gio_ja's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
bmnayr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's relatively innocuous adventure stuff. It could function as a fun trivia / mystery challenge, but the author just hands you most pop-culture snippets in the form of recited lists. When the suspense is there for a "quest", the author is so heavy handed, it's hard not to solve the riddles pages and pages before the characters that are supposed to be experts. The stakes appeared to get significantly higher in the sequel, as the real world implications of actions in the Oasis become paramount... but the only main-ish character who dies is geriatric.
doods's review against another edition
1.0
Wade Watts hyper geek at a new low! This installment in the series has a real "oops all bad guys" vibe to it. Now a mega billionaire almost trillionaire Wade has decided to go full tech bro and do all the usual trappings of them.
Invading privacy of his users? check! In one scene in the book he offers a billion dollars to whoever can help him find the first shard. Once informed someone knows about it he joins their private chat invisible and listens in to their conversation. But thats the tip of the iceberg its also revealed later that his company can spy into the homes of every and all of their users. Ernest Cline does not delve into why this is wrong, only writing that it would be a legal issue if the public found out.
In another section of the book Wade talks about a punk rock band that made a song calling him "a sixer Filating punk" He then describes how he bankrupted each member of the band. At no point does the book highlight how that is an insane suppresion of free speach that Wade is knowingly taking part in.
Thats not the end of this new evil Wade! Wade also releases tech that further disconnects people from reality immersing them more in this digital world while their planet rots. While all his friends sans Sam go along with it. Sam is the only person who speaks out against these actions and trys to actually save the world. Wades lesser crimes include being a little baby. Teleporting himself to users that dont like him and killing them so they lose all their levels and characters.
Sadly at no point in this book does Ernest Cline want to actually talk about the issues he brings up. Hes far more interested in this new egg hunt which is BORING as hell. The only character who was redeemable-Sam- Decides she was wrong at the end and gives in to the new evil billionaire on the block Wade Watts.
The first book thrived in its refrences and criticism of mega rich assholes and this book forgets that in favor of filating the now mega rich Wade Watts and bringing up a ton of real issues Wades money could go to solve but he never does. Why bring them up if you dont want to talk about them Ernest?
In conclusion this book is shit ass billionaire propaganda.
Invading privacy of his users? check! In one scene in the book he offers a billion dollars to whoever can help him find the first shard. Once informed someone knows about it he joins their private chat invisible and listens in to their conversation. But thats the tip of the iceberg its also revealed later that his company can spy into the homes of every and all of their users. Ernest Cline does not delve into why this is wrong, only writing that it would be a legal issue if the public found out.
In another section of the book Wade talks about a punk rock band that made a song calling him "a sixer Filating punk" He then describes how he bankrupted each member of the band. At no point does the book highlight how that is an insane suppresion of free speach that Wade is knowingly taking part in.
Thats not the end of this new evil Wade! Wade also releases tech that further disconnects people from reality immersing them more in this digital world while their planet rots. While all his friends sans Sam go along with it. Sam is the only person who speaks out against these actions and trys to actually save the world. Wades lesser crimes include being a little baby. Teleporting himself to users that dont like him and killing them so they lose all their levels and characters.
Sadly at no point in this book does Ernest Cline want to actually talk about the issues he brings up. Hes far more interested in this new egg hunt which is BORING as hell. The only character who was redeemable-Sam- Decides she was wrong at the end and gives in to the new evil billionaire on the block Wade Watts.
The first book thrived in its refrences and criticism of mega rich assholes and this book forgets that in favor of filating the now mega rich Wade Watts and bringing up a ton of real issues Wades money could go to solve but he never does. Why bring them up if you dont want to talk about them Ernest?
In conclusion this book is shit ass billionaire propaganda.
kt2192's review against another edition
4.0
Ready player 2 manages succeed where most sequels/prequels that weren't originally planned fail - to become relevant whilst keeping up with the first book.
At first I felt like it wasn't necessary so I was a little relunctant about this sequel.
However, this does not feel like unnecessary plot - it gives the readers another challenge that doesn't feel forced but allows the characters to evolve further. Particularly interesting how it gives us that realistic view as to what happens when you suddenly win everything you dreamt of - and how flawed our hero actually is.
The book also approaches complex ethical problems without feeling overbaring or forcing any opinion on the readers, which is refreshing.
At times it could have improved by being a little less Hollywood - however, the quality of everything else definitely makes up for this.
You can tell how the writer is captivated by this world. He uses all his knowledge to get the details right and then with a well thought manner executes it so well it makes you believe the sequel was always to happen.
This is definitely not a sloppy sequel - the book makes itself relevant, essencial even.
At first I felt like it wasn't necessary so I was a little relunctant about this sequel.
However, this does not feel like unnecessary plot - it gives the readers another challenge that doesn't feel forced but allows the characters to evolve further. Particularly interesting how it gives us that realistic view as to what happens when you suddenly win everything you dreamt of - and how flawed our hero actually is.
The book also approaches complex ethical problems without feeling overbaring or forcing any opinion on the readers, which is refreshing.
At times it could have improved by being a little less Hollywood - however, the quality of everything else definitely makes up for this.
You can tell how the writer is captivated by this world. He uses all his knowledge to get the details right and then with a well thought manner executes it so well it makes you believe the sequel was always to happen.
This is definitely not a sloppy sequel - the book makes itself relevant, essencial even.
ssweizer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
kalkn's review against another edition
1.0
Ready Player Two is the Planes 2 of books. Unneeded and detrimental to the series.
What I Didn't Like About -
The language - Ernest Cline has learned how to curse since the last book. Unneeded and detracts from the story.
The Big Bang Theory as a book - the actual story of the book is maybe 20 pages long. And that story is just a rehash of RP1. The rest of the book is like watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory that won't end. It's nothing but reference to other, 'geeky' things. It's the author yelling "look at me, I know geek culture, so you should love this".
The writing - there are very few descriptions in the book. It mainly consists of the characters saying things along the lines of now we're in x movie or listening to y song. No descriptions, no growth. Just a play on nostalgia.
What I Didn't Like About -
The language - Ernest Cline has learned how to curse since the last book. Unneeded and detracts from the story.
The Big Bang Theory as a book - the actual story of the book is maybe 20 pages long. And that story is just a rehash of RP1. The rest of the book is like watching an episode of The Big Bang Theory that won't end. It's nothing but reference to other, 'geeky' things. It's the author yelling "look at me, I know geek culture, so you should love this".
The writing - there are very few descriptions in the book. It mainly consists of the characters saying things along the lines of now we're in x movie or listening to y song. No descriptions, no growth. Just a play on nostalgia.