This book is instantly recognizable as being by the same author as that other one (and vice versa), which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. It's obvious that both protagonists are stand-ins for the author, with the same nostalgic longing for 80's-centred "geek" culture. Now that that culture has mainstreamed, books like this have a ready audience, while serving as a touchstone for the OGs to say "I was immersed in this back when-".
As for myself, certainly I can recognize a lot of the callbacks in the story - and there are a lot! - but sometimes I get lost. And that gives rise to a familiar feeling within myself, of wondering where I fit in. I may have been other- and self-identified as a geek/nerd, but there was always the doubt that I even deserved the moniker. After all, how vast was my knowledge in the required areas? Probably not enough to banter with the likes of Zack Lightman and his close circle of friends. I could listen in and nod along at times when I got the reference, but my quips and quotes would not be as plenty.
So if you have any nostalgia for early nerd culture, specifically in the sci-fi and alien sub-genre, you will enjoy this story. Just make sure you have enough space for large servings coming in fast!
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