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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers):
The Earth is basically in ruins. Just about everyone on the planet escapes that reality by living in a massive online universe, called the OASIS. The inventor of the OASIS created an elaborate game that activated upon his demise, which will determine the future controlling person of the OASIS. Wade Watts is a Senior in High School, convinced he will win the challenge. Like most hugely popular stories, the movie appears that it will deviate heavily from the book in execution, but stay true to its basic principles (based on previews).

Category:
Sci Fi

Why I chose this book:
Very popular, especially with the movie coming

My personal opinion:
I can see a handful of points in this book that will get under the skin of various people. Tolerance of homosexuality is promoted; racial issues are pointed out frankly; sexual self gratification and pornography are condoned; atheism is upheld and Christianity is mocked; global warming has reached the point of ruining the planet; population overcrowding is rampant; indentured servitude has returned; etc. My thoughts on all of that: If you choose the see the author as a preacher of his doctrine, through this story, it might just make you mad. But if you choose to see the author as a storyteller, then all of those things are just fiction, part of the story, and you might enjoy it.
That said, I will not endorse this book. The language is entirely unnecessary, the story would have been just as amazing without it. If I could edit it for language, this would definitely be the best book I've read in about a year- excluding my core favorites that I've reread. The story was engaging, the characters believable, and the plot had just the right number and kind of twists. I do wish there had been a little less of the hero escaping peril through coincidence, but it's forgivable. While I am a child of the 80s, I did not connect with many of the references, but that doesn't affect my review. It's entirely due to the language and adult situations.

Warnings
Language: Large handful of the f-word; many uses of lesser swear words
Violence: Frequent fighting, but no gory detail
"Adult" situations: Masturbation is mentioned
Death: yes, including major character(s)

Movie rating equivalent:
R, for language

Protagonist description:
Wade is a High School kid, living in a slum, with no real family or support. But he refuses to let those circumstances define him.

Point of view of story:
First person, focused on Wade

Book length:
Medium-long to long

Story flow:
Excellent

Grammar and spelling issues:
None

Character connection (no spoilers):
I would definitely like more back story on the members of the High Five, and Og

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