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madmilliner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cwernsing's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
neruss8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
sharebooks1122's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not a gamer. And although I was born in the mid-eighties, I had to look up most of the references to that decade that weren't glaringly obvious. So my recommendation can either be taken as vote to how good this book was or possibly a warning to avoid it if you're an eighties-loving gamer.
Taking some cues from both Harry Potter and Ender's Game, this is David and Goliath tale about a teen out to save the world... the online world that is. I read some reviews that were upset about the points/awards/magic items that the main character receives, and which ultimately help him pass some serious hurdles, without having to work too hard for them. I didn't think that deterred from the story, but that may be due to my own haphazard and not terribly enlightened way of playing the one game I own, Tetris. I didn't think of it as cheating plot-wise, just a lucky day for the character.
I really enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. It was fast paced, funny, and full of interesting details about a world that was totally new to me.
Taking some cues from both Harry Potter and Ender's Game, this is David and Goliath tale about a teen out to save the world... the online world that is. I read some reviews that were upset about the points/awards/magic items that the main character receives, and which ultimately help him pass some serious hurdles, without having to work too hard for them. I didn't think that deterred from the story, but that may be due to my own haphazard and not terribly enlightened way of playing the one game I own, Tetris. I didn't think of it as cheating plot-wise, just a lucky day for the character.
I really enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. It was fast paced, funny, and full of interesting details about a world that was totally new to me.
tarasmart's review against another edition
2.0
I wish the author had written the book assuming his audience understood all the pop culture references. Instead he feels he has to explain where these references come from which leaves the story flat. Disappointing.
fitzfitty's review against another edition
5.0
This was great. From the characters to the story and everything in between, this was just what I wanted and needed.
kwest_books's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a fan of fantasy or video games, but my son recommended this book, so I decided to try it. I was intrigued from the first chapter. I didn't understand some of the technical jargon, but loved all the '80s references. The characters were well developed and the story was intriguing and well thought out.
dukeofmars's review against another edition
4.0
This book lived up to its hype. The formula: cyberpunk, 80s nostalgia, and every superintelligent underdog geek vs corrupt establishment trope you can think of. It works.
ksmanik's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars for simply making me proud to be a geek. This was such a fun read. I can imagine coming back to it over and over and over again.
erindoughty's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down. Having just finished the hunger games, this is thg for dorks! Loved all the 80s references and the relationships between the characters. Loved it!!