This review originally posted at Christa's Hooked on Books 
 t's the year 2044 and the world is obsessed with OASIS. OASIS is the ultimate virtual experience. It's a whole other reality where you can interact with others, go to school, shop, or just completely re-invent yourself. And if that wasn't enough, when the creator, James Halladay, dies, he gives even more to the users of OASIS. He creates a game within the system. An Easter egg hunt. Using his favourite movies, games, music and books as clues, users can race to solve the puzzles and win his entire fortune and the keys to OASIS itself. For a young boy named Wade, this is it - this is his life's calling. It's a way out of the misery and drudgery that is his life. But as the competition steepens he realizes it's not just his virtual life that's on the line. 
 This book was like candy for my ultra dorky soul. There were so many references to things I love - video games, cheesy tv, John Hughes movies...you name it, it was probably in this book. At one point they re-enact Ferris Bueller's Day Off! I loved it. It was like one big nerd party as you followed Wade along on his adventure through the OASIS. I think that's what kept this from being yet another "root for the underdog" sci-fi novel. There was so many different ways it could make a personal connection with you. Whether you loved Pac Man, lived off Cap'n Crunch, have seen Bladerunner a million and a half times or dreamed of having a DeLorean of your very own, this book will find a way to bring up some of your fondest memories. 
 These references are the novels greatest strength, but they are also its greatest weaknesses. It is most definitely targeted at a very specific demographic. If you are too young (or too old) or if you are just not the giant nerd I am, this novel could easily lose all it's charm. You don't need to get all the referenced to enjoy the story and the adventure but knowing at least some of them will definitely enhance your reading experience. 
 For me this novel was an incredible trip to both the future and the past. I loved every minute of it and was constantly sharing scenes with the people around me. At times it made me laugh, at times it had me on the edge of my seat. If you consider yourself a nerd/geek or just a plain old fashion dork I think you'll love it just as much as I did.