Ready Player One

Brief Description: "It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them."--Provided by publisher. Review Quotes:"The science-fiction writer John Scalzi has aptly referred to READY PLAYER ONE as a "nerdgasm" [and] there can be no better one-word description of this ardent fantasy artifact about fantasy culture... But Mr. Cline is able to incorporate his favorite toys and games into a perfectly accessible narrative." --Janet Maslin, "The New York Times" "Triggers memories and emotions embedded in the psyche of a generation...[Cline crafts] a fresh and imaginative world from our old toy box, and finds significance in there among the collectibles."" --Entertainment Weekly ""A most excellent ride...the conceit is a smart one, and we happily root for [the heroes] on their quest...fully satisfying." --"Boston Globe" "Enchanting..."Willy Wonka" meets the "Matrix." This novel undoubtedly qualifies Cline as the hottest geek on the planet right now. [But] you don't have to be a geek to get it." --"USA Today " "Ridiculously fun and large-hearted, and you don't have to remember the Reagan administration to love it...[Cline] takes a far-out premise and engages the reader instantly... You'll wish you could make it go on and on." --NPR.org "A fun, funny and fabulously entertaining first novel... This novel's large dose of 1980s trivia is a delight...[but] even readers who need Google to identify Commodore 64 or Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde, will enjoy this memorabilian feast." --"Cleveland Plain Dealer""The grown-up's 'Harry Potter'...the mystery and fantasy in this novel weaves itself in the most delightful way, and the details that make up Mr. Cline's world are simply astounding. READY PLAYER ONE has it all." --"Huffington Post" "Incredibly entertaining... Drawing on everything from "Back to the Future" to Roald Dahl to Neal Stephenson's groundbreaking "Snow Crash," Cline has made READY PLAYER ONE a geek fantasia, '80s culture memoir and commentary on the future of online behavior all at once." --"Austin American-Statesman ""READYiReview Quotes: A" NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER "The science-fiction writer John Scalzi has aptly referred to READY PLAYER ONE as a 'nerdgasm' [and] there can be no better one-word description of this ardent fantasy artifact about fantasy culture... But Mr. Cline is able to incorporate his favorite toys and games into a perfectly accessible narrative." --Janet Maslin, "The New York Times" "Triggers memories and emotions embedded in the psyche of a generation...[Cline crafts] a fresh and imaginative world from our old toy box, and finds significance in there among the collectibles."" --Entertainment Weekly ""A most excellent ride...the conceit is a smart one, and we happily root for [the heroes] on their quest...fully satisfying." --"Boston Globe" "Enchanting..."Willy Wonka" meets the "Matrix." This novel undoubtedly qualifies Cline as the hottest geek on the planet right now. [But] you don't have to be a geek to get it." --"USA Today ""An addictive read...part intergalactic scavenger hunt, part romance and all heart." "--"CNN.com "An action-packed, highly entertaining, nostalgic thrill ride through the past combined with the danger and excitement of a not-too-distant future. It marries the fantastical world of Harry Potter with a touch of Orson Scott Card--where fantasy is reality, geeks are cool, and the possibilities are endless." --"New York Journal of Books""Ridiculously fun and large-hearted, and you don't have to remember the Reagan administration to love it...[Cline] takes a far-out premise and engages the reader instantly... You'll wish you could make it go on and on." --NPR.org "A delirious, crypto-nerd fantasia... Crammed with '80s nostalgia and sugar-high prose, it's ridiculous and addictive and full of toy surprises.""--Village Voice""A smart, funny thriller that both celebrates and critiques online culture... Layered with inside jokes and sly references.""--San Francisco Chronicle""A fun, funny and fabulously entertaining first novel... This novel's large dose of 1980s trivia is a delight...[but] even readers who need Google to identify Commodore 64 or Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde, will enjoy this memorabilian feast." --"Cleveland Plain Dealer""The grown-up's 'Harry Potter'...the mystery and fantasy in this novel weaves itself in the most delightful way, and the details that make up Mr. Cline's world are simply astounding. READY PLAYER ONE has it all." --"Huffington Post""If you identify yourself as a nerd, geek, gamer, 1980s history buff, a fan of science, fantasy, or dystopian fiction, otaku, 1980s movie fan, romantic, someone who grew up in the 1980s, or a human with emotions--you will enjoy "Ready Player One. "If you identify with two or more of the above, it's a guaranteed new favorite novel." --"Sacramento News & Review ""A modern-day fairy tale...so self-assured and enthralling that it's hard to believe this is his first novel."" --Long Island Press""Incredibly entertaining... Drawing on everything from "Back to the Future" to Roald Dahl to Neal Stephenson's groundbreaking "Snow Crash," Cline has made READY PLAYER ONE a geek fantasia, '80s culture memoir and commentary on the future of online behavior all at once." --"Austin American-Statesman ""An exhilerating, unpredictable trip... Part "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and part "The Da Vinci Code" with a healthy dose of "Tron.""" --Asbury Park Press""READY PLAYER ONE is the ultimate lottery ticket." --"New York Daily News""[Picture] the adventure comedy of Mike Judge's "Idiocracy "meets South Park's "Imaginationland" with a dash of Willy Wonka, except all of the cynicism has been replaced by sheer geeky love. Grade: A." --AVClub.com "A preposterously great read and a richly imagined science-fiction world that uses the very idea of nostalgia as a thematic jumping-off point... One of the true geek events of the year." --HitFix.com "This non-gamer loved every page of READY PLAYER ONE." --Charlaine Harris, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series "A treasure for anyone already nostalgic for the late 20th century. . . But it's also a great read for anyone who likes a good book." --Wired.com "A gunshot of fun with a wicked sense of timing and a cast of characters that you're pumping your fist in the air with whenever they succeed. I haven't been this much on the edge of my seat for an ending in years." --"Chicago Reader" "A rollicking, surprise-laden, potboiling, thrilling adventure story.... I loved every sentence of this book." --Mark Frauenfelder, "BoingBoing" "A 'frakking' good read [featuring] incredible creative detail... I grinned at the sheer audacity of Cline's imagination." --"Milwaukee Journal Sentinel""""[A] fantastic page-turner.... READY PLAYER ONE may be science fiction, but it's also written for people who have never picked up an SF novel in their lives..." --Annalee Newitz, io9.com "Intriguing and thrilling. Gamers and fans of '80s pop culture will find many familiar references throughout the story... Definitely an enjoyable read and one that can be appreciated by fans of many different genres." --Examiner.com "Gorgeously geeky, superbly entertaining, this really is a spectacularly successful debut." --"Daily Mail" (UK) "Fascinating and imaginative... It's non-stop action when gamers must navigate clever puzzles and outwit determined enemies in a virtual world in order to save a real one. Readers are in for a wild ride." --Terry Brooks, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Shannara series "I was blown away by this book... A book of ideas, a potboiler, a game-within-a-novel, a serious science-fiction epic, a comic pop culture mash-up-call this novel what you will, but READY PLAYER ONE will defy every label you try to put on it. Here, finally, is this generation's Neuromancer." --Will Lavender, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Dominance" "I really, really loved READY PLAYER ONE... Cline expertly mines a copious vein of 1980s pop culture, catapulting the reader on a light-speed adventure in an advanced but backward-looking future." --Daniel H. Wilson, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Robopocalypse " "A nerdgasm...imagine Dungeons and Dragons and an 80s video arcade made hot, sweet love, and their child was raised in Azeroth." --John Scalzi, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Old Man's War""Completely fricking awesome... This book pleased every geeky bone in my geeky body. I felt like it was written just for me." --Patrick Rothfuss, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Wise Man's Fear ""An exuberantly realized, exciting, and sweet-natured cyber-quest. Cline's imaginative and rollicking coming-of-age geek saga has a smash-hit vibe." --"Booklist ("starred review) "This adrenaline shot of uncut geekdom, a quest through a virtual world, is loaded with enough 1980s nostalgia to please even the most devoted John Hughes fans... sweet, self-deprecating Wade, whose universe is an odd mix of the real past and the virtual present, is the perfect lovable/unlikely hero." --"Publishers Weekly ("Pick of the Week) Review Quotes: A" NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER The science-fiction writer John Scalzi has aptly referred to READY PLAYER ONE as a 'nerdgasm' [and] there can be no better one-word description of this ardent fantasy artifact about fantasy culture But Mr. Cline is able to incorporate his favorite toys and games into a perfectly accessible narrative. Janet Maslin, "The New York Times" Triggers memories and emotions embedded in the psyche of a generation...[Cline crafts] a fresh and imaginative world from our old toy box, and finds significance in there among the collectibles." Entertainment Weekly " A most excellent ride the conceit is a smart one, and we happily root for [the heroes] on their quest fully satisfying. "Boston Globe" Enchanting "Willy Wonka" meets the "Matrix." This novel undoubtedly qualifies Cline as the hottest geek on the planet right now. [But] you don't have to be a geek to get it. "USA Today " An addictive read...part intergalactic scavenger hunt, part romance and all heart. " "CNN.com An action-packed, highly entertaining, nostalgic thrill ride through the past combined with the danger and excitement of a not-too-distant future. It marries the fantastical world of Harry Potter with a touch of Orson Scott Card where fantasy is reality, geeks are cool, and the possibilities are endless. "New York Journal of Books" Ridiculously fun and large-hearted, and you don't have to remember the Reagan administration to love it [Cline] takes a far-out premise and engages the reader instantly You'll wish you could make it go on and on. NPR.org A delirious, crypto-nerd fantasia... Crammed with 80s nostalgia and sugar-high prose, it's ridiculous and addictive and full of toy surprises. " Village Voice" A smart, funny thriller that both celebrates and critiques onlineculture... Layered with inside jokes and sly references. " San Francisco Chronicle" A fun, funny and fabulously entertaining first novel This novel's large dose of 1980s trivia is a delight [but] even readers who need Google to identify Commodore 64 or Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Clyde, will enjoy this memorabilian feast. "Cleveland Plain Dealer" The grown-up's 'Harry Potter the mystery and fantasy in this novel weaves itself in the most delightful way, and the details that make up Mr. Cline's world are simply astounding. READY PLAYER ONEhas it all. "Huffington Post" If you identify yourself as a nerd, geek, gamer, 1980s history buff, a fan of science, fantasy, or dystopian fiction, otaku, 1980s movie fan, romantic, someone who grew up in the 1980s, or a human with emotions you will enjoy"Ready Player One. "If you identify with two or more of the above, it s a guaranteed new favorite novel. "Sacramento News & Review " A modern-day fairy tale...so self-assured and enthralling that it s hard to believe this is his first novel. " Long Island Press" Incredibly entertaining Drawing on everything from "Back to the Future" to Roald Dahl to Neal Stephenson's groundbreaking "Snow Crash," Cline has madeREADY PLAYER ONEa geek fantasia, '80s culture memoir and commentary on the future of online behavior all at once. "Austin American-Statesman " An exhilerating, unpredictable trip... Part "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and part "The Da Vinci Code" with a healthy dose of "Tron." " Asbury Park Press" READY PLAYER ONEis the ultimate lottery ticket. "New York Daily News" [Picture] the adventure comedy ofMike Judge s"Idiocracy "meets South Park s"Imaginationland"with a dash ofWilly Wonka, except all of the cynicism has been replaced by sheer geeky love. Grade: A. AVClub.com A preposterously great read and a richly imaginedscience-fictionworld that uses the very idea of nostalgia as a thematic jumping-off point... One of the true geek events of the year. HitFix.com This non-gamer loved every page of READY PLAYER ONE. Charlaine Harris, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series A treasure for anyone already nostalgic for the late 20th century. . . But it s also a great read for anyone who likes a good book. Wired.com A gunshot of fun with a wicked sense of timing and a cast of characters that you're pumping your fist in the air with whenever they succeed. I haven't been this much on the edge of my seat for an ending in years. "Chicago Reader" A rollicking, surprise-laden, potboiling, thrilling adventure story . I loved every sentence of this book. Mark Frauenfelder, "BoingBoing" "A 'frakking' good read [featuring] incredible creative detail I grinned at the sheer audacity of Cline's imagination. "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel"" "[A] fantastic page-turner . READY PLAYER ONEmay be science fiction, but it's also written for people who have never picked up an SF novel in their lives Annalee Newitz, io9.com Intriguing and thrilling. Gamers and fans of '80s pop culture will find many familiar references throughout the story... Definitely an enjoyable read and one that can be appreciated by fans of many different genres. Examiner.com Gorgeously geeky, superbly entertaining, this really is a spectacularly successful debut. "Daily Mail" (UK) Fascinating and imaginative It's non-stop action when gamers must navigate clever puzzles and outwit determined enemies in a virtual world in order to save a real one. Readers are in for a wild ride. Terry Brooks, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Shannara series I was blown away by this book A book of ideas, a potboiler, a game-within-a-novel, a serious science-fiction epic, a comic pop culture mash-up call this novel what you will, but READY PLAYER ONE will defy every label you try to put on it. Here, finally, is this generation s Neuromancer. Will Lavender, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Dominance" I really, really loved READY PLAYER ONE Cline expertly mines a copious vein of 1980s pop culture, catapulting the reader on a light-speed adventure in an advanced but backward-looking future. Daniel H. Wilson, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Robopocalypse" A nerdgasm imagine Dungeons and Dragons and an 80s video arcade made hot, sweet love, and their child was raised in Azeroth. John Scalzi, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Old Man s War" Completely fricking awesome... This book pleased every geeky bone in my geeky body. I felt like it was written just for me. Patrick Rothfuss, #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Wise Man s Fear " An exuberantly realized, exciting, and sweet-natured cyber-quest. Cline s imaginative and rollicking coming-of-age geek saga has a smash-hit vibe. "Booklist ("starred review) This adrenaline shot of uncut geekdom, a quest through a virtual world, is loaded with enough 1980s nostalgia to please even the most devoted John Hughes fans sweet, self-deprecating Wade, whose universe is an odd mix of the real past and the virtual present, is the perfect lovable/unlikely hero. "Publishers Weekly ("Pick of the Week)"Biographical Note: ERNEST CLINE has worked as a short-order cook, fish gutter, plasma donor, elitist video store clerk, and tech support drone. His primary occupation, however, has always been geeking out, and he eventually threw aside those other promising career paths to express his love of pop culture fulltime as a spoken word artist and screenwriter. His 2009 film" Fanboys," much to his surprise, became a cult phenomenon. These days Ernie lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, their daughter, and a large collection of classic video games. READY PLAYER ONEis his first novel."Publisher Marketing: In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as theOASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape." Review Citations:

Entertainment Weekly 06/01/2012 pg. 85 (EAN 9780307887443, Paperback)

Wilson Fiction Catalog 01/01/2014 pg. 147 (EAN 9780307887443, Paperback)

Wilson Fiction Catalog 01/01/2014 pg. 147 (EAN 9780307887450, Hardcover)

Library Journal 03/01/2011 pg. 54 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Library Journal Prepub Alert 03/01/2011 pg. 54 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 04/25/2011 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Kirkus Reviews 05/01/2011 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Booklist 05/15/2011 pg. 28 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Entertainment Weekly 08/19/2011 pg. 108 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Shelf Awareness 08/16/2011 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Entertainment Weekly 11/25/2011 pg. 76 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Shelf Awareness 08/04/2011 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Entertainment Weekly 12/23/2011 pg. 111 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Booklist Ed Choice Adu Bk YA's 01/01/2012 pg. 10 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Wilson Fiction Catalog 01/01/2012 pg. 17 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

People Weekly 12/16/2013 pg. 59 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Wilson Fiction Catalog 01/01/2014 pg. 147 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Entertainment Weekly 07/31/2015 pg. 64 (EAN 9780307887436, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Cline, Ernest ERNEST CLINE has worked as a short-order cook, fish gutter, plasma donor, elitist video store clerk, and tech support drone. His primary occupation, however, has always been geeking out, and he eventually threw aside those other promising career paths to express his love of pop culture fulltime as a spoken word artist and screenwriter. His 2009 film Fanboys, much to his surprise, became a cult phenomenon. These days Ernie lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, their daughter, and a large collection of classic video games.