Review: Armada by Ernest Cline

Title:Armada
Author: Ernest Cline
Publisher/Publication Date: Crown Publishing, July 14, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction
Format/Source: Hardcover Review Copy, Blogging for Books

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

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...

My Thoughts:

“I was staring out the classroom window and daydreaming of adventure when I spotted the flying saucer…”

I have to admit that Ready Player One has been on my TBR list for a very long time—and I still want to read it—which is why I jumped at the chance to review Armada. And I have to say that I really liked this book. The story is told from Zack Lightman’s perspective and centers heavily on his reaction and life after he sees a flying saucer—soon after, things change drastically. As the story progressed I had some suspicions about the situation when things didn’t exactly add up. The technology, as always, was one of my favorite parts. And while the concept of alien invasion isn’t a new one I did enjoy Cline’s take on it. The ending was a little bittersweet but an entirely satisfying conclusion to the story.

Rating 4/5

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review, thank you! 

About the Author…

ERNEST CLINE is a novelist, screenwriter, father, and full-time geek. His first novel, Ready Player One, was a New York Times and USA Todaybestseller and appeared on numerous “best of the year” lists. Ernie lives in Austin, Texas, with his family, a time-traveling DeLorean, and a large collection of classic video games.