Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
Whether it be a book or a movie, you never know what to expect from a sequel. The day Ready Player Two was released, my husband went out to snatch up a copy right away. He read it within a day. When I got the chance to start it, I ended up reading it a little bit faster than he did. One thing is certain, Ready Player Two does deliver, at least at our house.
This book is very similar in some respects to its predecessor, which has raised some upset from a few readers out there, but it has just enough differences to make it stand out on its own. Of course, there is another daunting quest at hand. The catalyst is an advanced technology that Wade Watts discovers thanks to his new role as heir to Halliday’s fortune. The story takes you on an adventure based on a decision made by the remaining High 5 co-owners of GSS that will affect both the OASIS and the real world. You’ll get hit with emotion, action, a few well-placed surprises, and a deeper understanding of what motivates the main characters all while being entertained by an onslaught of 80’s pop culture references.
Like the Ready Player One book, it took a chapter or so for me to really get my feet wet and go “all in” and get totally immersed in the story. There is some background information that needs to be laid out early on to reorient you to the environment as well as the returning characters. Ready Player One was released as a movie that didn’t follow the book precisely, so having seen the movie multiple times it took me a few minutes to remember some important details. Even though it slogged a tad, I appreciated the brief overview. I was then able to dive into the story, and I barely came up for air once the action started. You can read this as a stand alone book, but it is enhanced by the knowledge of the first, so I would recommend starting with Ready Player One.
I love the immense amount of 80’s pop culture that is littered throughout the book. It’s like a time capsule wedged between the front and back covers for people who grew up in that decade. I found myself sending my husband quick screen shots of different snippets involving some of my favorite comments pertaining to Star Trek TNG, Big Trouble in Little China, Star Wars, and Duran Duran. (Don’t worry, I won’t be dropping any spoilers. I’m keeping all of those delightful tidbits to myself!) While discussing the book with my teenage daughter, she was curious if not being alive in the 80’s would limit reading enjoyment. I’m of the opinion that you can still enjoy the book, but you might catch yourself needing to Google a few things on occasion for full understanding. I lived through the 80’s, and there were still a few songs or characters mentioned that I’d forgotten about until I did a quick search. The bonus of all the pop culture references is the amazing conversation that is sparked with family and friends who have also read the book.
Ernest Cline takes on a lot of big themes and subjects in Ready Player Two, more so than I recall in Ready Player One. The changes going on in our world today are referenced, with positive outlooks on sexual orientation, pronoun usage, sexual identity, and feminism as well as discussions of racial issues. You will feel a definite “walk a mile in my shoes” vibe throughout the story as well as a “money can’t solve all of your problems” lesson on both a personal and global scale.
On a nerdier note, having played my fair share of video games, I loved the lingo used in sections that made it feel like you were in the OASIS with the characters. It felt realistic, and there were times I wished I could have put on a headset and experienced what the characters were seeing or feeling for myself. Maybe we can have some Ready Player One & Two VR - I wouldn’t complain!
There was only one thing that bothered me throughout the book, and it was the time clock that is placed on the story line. I felt like it was a bit rushed and not feasible for the story, but the scenes, settings, and characters made me forget that my mind was at war with the time frame. It certainly didn’t stop me from turning the pages. I found myself annoyed when I had to take a break to make dinner, which in my opinion is always a thumbs up for a book. I caught myself wishing I could hide somewhere and read it undisturbed. This is the kind of book you can’t put down but later are sorry you read so fast. It’s a remorse that makes you want to go back and reread it to take in the subtle 80’s nuances you might have missed as well as simmer in the parts that made you smile as you read them. I have a feeling that might just happen.
