This book was just totally delightful. I'm not a big video game person and I am just a bit young for most of the pop culture references, but it didn't stop me at all from enjoying the story. If you've struggled with this book or if you're on the fence about reading it b/c you don't think you'll get all the gaming references, don't worry about it. If you go into the story just accepting all the gaming stuff for what it is - creative background, basically - then you'll get totally immersed in the story. Also, I listened to the audio book and Wil Wheaton is an amazing narrator.