I ended up not reading the book, but everyone’s opinions confirmed what I expected I’d think of it it sounds like. I think Cline is a hack, personally.

I recently watched Stranger Things on Netflix, which is the perfect example of how to properly homage things vs referencing things. That show opens up with what is effectively the same opening scene as ET (kids playing D&D, leaving in the night, creepy thing creeping around in a woodshed), but it re-contextualizes it in a way that builds on that foundation; Ernest Cline would have somebody watching E.T. in a ghostbusters shirt saying “E.T. is such a good movie, am i right?”

I literally bought this book to get a ticket to meet Ernest Cline and get my copy of Ready Player One signed

I got both copies signed had a few minutes to ask him any questions I had so I just asked about his film fanboys and enjoyed a quick banter. He seemed to be pretty laid back in my opinion and just a fun dude to be around

I died a little inside with this book. all the traits in ready player one that I thought was exceptable, movie quotes and 80s name drops, were just out of place and not believable in this story.
in both books he really wants to emphasize that a nerdy out of shape person with mo real world talents can really make a difference.
good points
1: how he pointed out that drone fighting was better to have in space and good a keeping casualties low. (until the enemy finds a hugh huddle of operators)
2: how ED presented the threat to all new recruits
3: the main character and others like him are picked up one day in a futuristic plane in plain view of anyone watching.
4: lastly the books potential.
there are too many problems that i dont want to get into. read at your own risk.

on the latest book club episode, there was a mortal combat film book for adults. there were thousands of fighters brought in to fight. the “taste of whats to come” had both scorpion and subzero fight a person (can’t remember what kind) and johnny cage fought goro with a chain are the only differences i can recall.
sadly i didnt read that audiobook by Galdapt, mores the pitty