The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. IN THE YEAR 2044, reality is an ugly place. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here Librarian's note: An alternate cover edition can be found here IN THE YEAR 2044, reality is an ugly place.