#120 Ready Player Two

 Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline 

Well it finally happened, i got it and i read it even though i was very very afraid. Dont get me wrong i had my issues with it but i can see past those as i had so much fun reading it and it reminded me why the first book is my favourite book of all time and in 2020 (the shittest year that ever has been) i really needed that. Im isolating this week with my toddler as there was a positive case at her nursery so this book came as the most perfect time and i got so lost in the story.

Readey Player Two follows Wade after he won Hallidays contest and inherited his empire. Things arent all rainbows and unicorns for Wade even though he is the owner of the Oasis and has more money than he knows what to do with. His relationship with Samantha has broken down and they are no longer on speaking terms and his friendship with Ogden Morrow the co-creator of the Oasis has also broken down. 

After discovering one of Hallidays inventions that he never released Wade and the rest of the co-owners of the Oasis, Samantha, Aech and Shoto need to vote on whether to make it available to the public. The invention is a headset that allows the user to experience sensations such as touch, smell and taste inside the Oasis. When Samantha is out voted they mass release the headsets and change the way users experience the Oasis forever. When Wade discovered the headset and initially tried it out Halliday had built in software rules that a user can only use the headset for 12 hours and must have a 12 hour break until they can use it again. This is to prevent from any overload happening as the headset is connected directly to the brain.

At the beginning of the story Wade discovers another easter egg hunt left by Halliday. The mystery surrounds seven magical shards related to Kira Morrow that must be found. When years go by (much like the first hunt) without any users finding the first shard, Wade offers a monetary reward for tips that lead him to the first shard. He receives a useful tip that proves useful and is planning how to capture the first shard when suddenly the scoreboard changes and Og has managed to find the first shard. Wade discovers that Og has gone off the grid and fears the worse that something sinister has happened to him. Im not going to say much more than that as i like to keep my book reviews spoiler free but believe me the story really unfolds from there.

The book is jammed pack full of pop culture references even more so that the first book but if you like that sort of thing (which i do) then you'll love this book. All the themes from Ready Player One are prsent in its sequel, relatable yet flawed characters, quests and constant mysteries and above all else the story of friendship. I was dubious i will admit and i didnt like certain elements of it but this book really triggered the same emotions in me that the first book does. I really enjoyed this book and like everyone predicted gave it 5 stars. I dont really think it was needed but im glad it exists.