Armada by Ernest Cline

Synopsis:

Zack Lightman has spent his life dreaming. Dreaming that the real world could be a little more like the countless science-fiction books, movies, and videogames he’s spent his life consuming. Dreaming that one day, some fantastic, world-altering event will shatter the monotony of his humdrum existence and whisk him off on some grand space-faring adventure.

But hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism, right? After all, Zack tells himself, he knows the difference between fantasy and reality. He knows that here in the real world, aimless teenage gamers with anger issues don’t get chosen to save the universe.

And then he sees the flying saucer.

Even stranger, the alien ship he’s staring at is straight out of the videogame he plays every night, a hugely popular online flight simulator called Armada—in which gamers just happen to be protecting the earth from alien invaders.

No, Zack hasn’t lost his mind. As impossible as it seems, what he’s seeing is all too real. And his skills—as well as those of millions of gamers across the world—are going to be needed to save the earth from what’s about to befall it.

It’s Zack’s chance, at last, to play the hero. But even through the terror and exhilaration, he can’t help thinking back to all those science-fiction stories he grew up with, and wondering: Doesn’t something about this scenario seem a little…familiar?

Review:

Armada is a standalone science fiction novel by fanboy incarnate Author Ernest Cline, bringing to fruition every nerd’s dream: to be swept away from their mundane life for one of glory.

While sitting in class, Zack Lightman spots an alien spacecraft outside the window; but not just any spacecraft: one from his favorite virtual reality MMO video game Armada. Faced with the possibility he may be going insane, he doesn’t have long before his entire world is turned upside down and he’s faced with a choice every nerd, geek, and enthusiast has dreamed of: remain in his boring, uneventful life, or save the world.

There’s not much to say that can do this book justice. Just as his debut novel, Ready Player One, Author Ernest Cline brings on the culture references that only the inclined can understand. “Sci-Fi galore” is the best tagline to give this novel, as it gives references to a multitude of famous science fiction programs. Ernest Cline definitely knows his Sci-Fi by heart!

My only stipulation with this novel is the ending. Without giving away spoilers, I felt it was a bit too rushed. Things happened very quickly, and there wasn’t much of a chance to understand it all before it was over. I wish there’d been more to it than that. But, aside from that, I enjoyed the beginning and middle so much I nearly burst with excitement!

Filled with imploding action, witty dialogue, and marvelous descriptions of fantastical experiences, Armada is an absolute joyride unlike any other. Mr. Cline has once again showed off his writing chops with this one, and I am in dire need of another story from this amazing nerd hero!

Five out of Five stars!

Buy the book here!

Check out Ernest Cline’s website here!

Check out my review for Ready Player One here!