Praiseworthy Pages

Reader Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (4/5 stars)

Since I’ve situated myself comfortably in my sci-fi era, I figured I’d give this book a read, considering it’s been around for ages, and I still didn’t know much about it. All I’d heard was a) the movie wasn’t as good as the book (and I hadn’t seen the movie either), and b) it had to do with virtual reality and video games, two things that I am really not known for being interested in.

But, I picked it up anyway. Let me just say, I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would! Despite the frequent foul language, random and gratuitous sexual…situations, I guess? and the fact that I knew so little about the games and films referenced throughout the novel, I had a great time reading. The plot stayed exciting, if a bit predictable. The characters interacted with the plot in interesting ways, and I loved the ways that Cline subverted some stereotypes. I definitely recommend this book to people who find video games, virtual reality, and 80s pop culture interesting, because this book is written for that audience. But I would give such readers the heads up that some of those sexual references come out of nowhere and seem to have absolutely no point whatsoever. So, if you’re going to give this a read, consider yourself warned!

Language: 4/10 (Frequent swearing/middle or high school hallway language).
Sex: 5/10 (Crude/dirty humor) Reviewer’s comment: What the heck was the masturbation section even for???
Violence and gore: 7.5/10 (Not detailed or extensive).

Plot: 7/10 (I loved the overall message despite the fact that I am admittedly not the book’s target audience. The book was vastly enjoyable but quite predictable).
Characters: 7/10 (Cline’s characters are fairly basic, but they play well with the overall plot. I loved Shoto).
Writing style: 7/10 (References to pop culture and pop fiction, specific video game references, and detailed minutiae flourished in this book. If you’re at all intrigued by and excited about that type of thing, this book will make your brain happy! However, a lot of that went over my head. Also, the fact that some explanations of characters’ actions were scrutinized unnecessarily while other crucial plot points were sometimes glossed over bothered me. Otherwise, the story was engaging, and I’m impressed by the elaborate, well-researched nature of the book’s details).

Genre: Adult literature, new adult literature, young adult literature, science fiction.
Potential triggers: Murder, loss of loved ones, etc.
Is this book part of a series? Yes.
I would recommend this book to readers aged 17+.