A new fantastic treasure hunt. This time two worlds are at stake. Are you ready? After winning a contest announced by the founder of the free cyberspace Oasis, Wade Watts stumbles upon something that will once again stir up his fate and that of all mankind. The game will feature a new and final Easter egg with mysterious content that can take Oasis to a whole new level and make this virtual reality experience even more amazing – and much more addictive. Wade will have another opponent, incredibly strong and dangerous, who does not hesitate to sacrifice millions of lives to get what he wants…
One of the strengths of this book is Cline’s continued skill at world building and creating a fully realized virtual reality that is immersive and compelling. The 1980s pop culture references are still present, but expanded to include other periods and genres, making the book feel fresh and new. The story also deals with themes such as the possible dangers of overusing technology and the importance of human connection, is up-to-date and thought-provoking. Then there are the almost cinematic characters, well-drawn and complex, with their own unique motivations and human flaws.
Ready Player One: The Game Begins • The plot of the film by the legendary director Steven Spielberg is set in 2045, when the world finds itself on the brink of chaos and collapse. However, humans have found salvation in the OASIS, a vast virtual reality world created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). When Halliday dies, he will bequeath his vast fortune to the first person to find the Easter Egg hidden somewhere in the OASIS. | Vertical Ent.
However, the book also has shortcomings. The plot is somewhat repetitive and template-like, many of the same elements as in the first part return only in a slightly different form. In addition, the pace of the story may seem uneven to the reader, long stretches of exposition and dialogues slow down the plot. Avid readers may also feel that the book relies too heavily on nostalgia and pop culture references, with some pieces of the puzzle feeling forced or unnecessary at times. It also lacks the urgency and sense of stakes-of-everything tension that made its predecessor so engrossing.
But overall, Ready Player Two: The New Game Begins is a fun and engaging read, which will satisfy fans of the first book. Shadow doesn’t top the previous one in terms of originality or impact, but it’s still a well-crafted and enjoyable addition to the series.
Rating: 65%
Ernest Cline
Ready Player Two: The New Game Begins
Number of pages: 408
Publisher: Laser-books, 2023