This was a really interesting story and not quite what I was expecting. I think, even though it's a bit of fantasy and a little futuristic, that it wound up being very reflective of a direction I could easily see our society taking.

The year is 2044 and the future looks a bit grim. Majority of people are out of work and living in poverty or absolute squaller. Wade Watts is no different, except for the fact that he's determined to beat the system and change his life. In a virtual world, he's known as Parzival and he's on a mission to find a carefully hidden egg. However, so is the rest of the world. The winner receives a prize of absolute fortune.

Luckily, Wade has spent countless hours, days, and months studying puzzles and 1980s pop culture in order to pass each of the three gates in the challenge and win the game. He also befriended a group of fellow gamers from around the world who jump in to help when they can.

It's when Parzival and his crew pass the first challenge that another group of gamers wind up hot on their heels, and they're willing to kill in order to take the prized egg from those who deserve it most.

The cover of the book said it's a mix of Willy Wonka meets The Matrix. I could see there, but also, so much more. I imagined a bit of Tron and some other classic arcade games. Mix those elements with an unlikely romance (which I didn't think I'd get in this kind of story), and there's a lot going on from page to page.

I thought elements of this story were a little reflective of society today, which is scary and sad. However, with Wade and his friends fighting for the better, it gave a glimpse of hope in the wake of fear and an unknown future.

This story is a lot to take on just because of the jump back and forth between the real world and the virtual oasis. Throw in the character conflicts, and many pop culture references, and the cogs of your brain will be moving quickly to keep up, but you'll enjoy the adventure. I know I sure did!