Initial Impressions: 4.5 stars, I think! 
 That was so much fun (and I'm also sad I finished this book THE DAY Ernest Cline is in town and I couldn't go)! I just love his writing and the book was fun from cover to cover. (Why does the swearing really just step the book up a notch? I think it's the male POV + just sounded genuine. Plus Wil Wheaton narrating is always excellent.) 
 The reason for 4.5 stars (maybe somewhere between 4.25 and 4.5) is that I felt like READY PLAYER ONE was really much more engaging and clever whereas ARMADA felt much more action-based. I guess RPO did have plenty of its own action, but it just had quite a different feel, possibly because the action was taking place in a virtual reality game instead of actually happening! I really enjoyed all of ARMADA and thankfully, even though we were dealing with aliens here, it wasn't something that bothered me. Sometimes I get picky about my sci-fi and I really don't like alien stories but there are always a few exceptions and ARMADA is one! 
 I loved the relationships in this book too. From friendships to mother-son to romance (very little but done very well), Ernest Cline masters it all. 
 I'm such a fan of his books and will always be excited for more! 
 Full review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 8/5/15: I'm going to be very honest for a second... I didn't really know what ARMADA was about until I started reading it! I absolutely loved Ernest Cline's previous book, READY PLAYER ONE, and hearing that Wil Wheaton was narrating another one of his audiobooks, I immediately pre-ordered the audio. By the time the book came out months later, I had almost entirely forgotten what the book was about but since I do like to go into books blind, it wasn't an issue with an author I trusted! 
 ARMADA was exactly what I expected and quite different all at the same time. I love that it's still a video game tie-in/base (like in READY PLAYER ONE) but it's used quite differently in this case! It really brought the same sort of feel -- along with overall tone and character personalities -- that READY PLAYER ONE had but didn't feel like a repeat of the same story at all. I actually didn't realize that the book revolved around an alien conflict (or totally forgot since I had read the synopsis so long ago) and I actually think that was a good thing! I'm very hesitant about alien stories and tend to steer clear so I'm actually glad that I didn't really realize that was the main plot of the book before I started! 
 ARMADA was really excellently written. Considering video games and aliens aren't really my "thing" at all, I was totally hooked and interested the whole time and Ernest Cline did a great job of really making me feel like all of this could actually happen! The balance of action, plot, and character development was so consistent and dynamic and I just found myself falling further an further into the book. I'm still a newbie to sci-fi sometimes (sometimes I have issues with really technical concepts or specific references) but the book does a great job of connecting with all audiences and on many different levels. 
 This is definitely a more plot and action-based book but I really appreciated the attention to characters and character relationships. I really enjoyed getting to know Zack and I especially loved his relationship with his mom. She was one of my favorite characters and I really appreciated how she was portrayed! Zack also had some really great friendships and I loved that they didn't suffer from friendship drama just to add another conflict in the story. The plot had enough going on by itself and I loved that his friends were there for him no matter what. 
 Whether you're a sci-fi fan or afraid of alien books like me, I think ARMADA is enjoyable for so many audiences! If we're comparing, READY PLAYER ONE is still my favorite of his, but ARMADA was so incredibly enjoyable as well. I think I personally connected more with the concept of READY PLAYER ONE so that gives it the extra push! 
 AUDIOBOOK IMPRESSIONS 
 I immediately pre-ordered this audio knowing Wil Wheaton narrated! He did an excellent job with READY PLAYER ONE and I loved listening to him narrate ARMADA as well! The voicing of Zack and his friends were excellent and Wil Wheaton just really embodies characters so well. He really just goes all out on the narration and I love how authentic it makes the books feel. They really just come alive!