**4.5**
A nice sequel to the first book that continues the conversation of the pros and cons of the influence of technology in our lives. I do think that this book in particular left me with more existential dread than the first story did, and I think it just based on the difference in stakes for this story. Additionally, the time in which this book came out and living through that creates even more reflection with the content of the story. The pop-culture references continue to be brilliant and well placed like the first. Overall a great read. ( )

read

Rounding up in GoodReads, but would get 2.5 stars from me.

Meh, it was fine. Wade Watts was certainly less likeable in this novel. The characters didn't feel as engaging or as tight. The quest had some interesting bits, but felt too "pushed". The antagonist was more annoying than evil. There were times I wanted to put it down and stop reading ... and times that it was engaging and time flew by. But not a super memorable read overall. ( )

Without a doubt this is one of the absolute worst sequels I have ever read, and, for me personally, the most disappointing release of 2020. I actually very much enjoyed the first novel, and while it isn't without problems, the treasure hunt-style plot and fast pacing made RPO a delight. Although RPT tries to channel those same feelings, Cline fails miserably in making this book anything but a weak shadow of its predecessor. It is bogged down with long, obscure infodumps (you'd better LOVE John Hughes movies, Prince, and really ancient Tolkien facts if you plan on liking this book) that make it seem like Cline just ran out of fresh ideas and began dumping his knowledge about these topics on the page.

The main characters are also hugely disappointing. Wade is a selfish, creepy, sulky boy, and although it's nice to see him come to his senses about blindly worshipping Halliday, the fact that he abused his power so badly (digging up private info about Skylar and watching Sam's every move) is never properly addressed and he just gets away with it. If Cline was trying to offer a commentary on Wade's behavior he didn't do so well; it would have been gratifying to see Wade learn from his mistakes, but that doesn't happen. Sam is nothing but the Love Interest and a plot device, and little more can be said for Aech and Shoto. I got excited about seeing more of Kira and hearing more about a woman in tech and games, but Cline did her SO dirty. It said time and time again that Halliday only saw Kira as a trophy even though she wasn't...and the Cline goes and makes Kira an almost literal trophy. The ONLY interesting character is Skylar, who, once introduced, is only seen again in sad snippets.

Cline also brings up topics such as the degraded environment, the suffering ecosystems, and overpopulation, but then drops them again and doesn't offer any more on the topic. The ending is also nothing less than an easy way out that reeks of bad writing and no imagination. When I say it's disappointing I mean it feels like all of 2020 was rolled up into one climax, drenched in a bunch of sci-fi tropes, and handed off to the reader like a pile of poo.

I'm racking my brain but other than Skylar and her own gang (who is barely seen) there is next to nothing that I liked or that I think was well done in Ready Player Two. I don't even think I'll be able to peacefully read the first book again knowing what Cline does in the future of the story. RPT is a "no" for me, and I absolutely don't recommend it. ( )

This one took longer than [b:Ready Player One|9969571|Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1)|Ernest Cline|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500930947l/9969571._SY75_.jpg|14863741] to really get cooking. But once it did, I was in. Also, not as good overall as RP1. Not as much 80s and 90s trivia being dropped. But well worth the time. ( )