Wow! What a rush! Lincoln Child, who with Douglas Preston wrote one of my favorite adventure books ever, The Relic, really scores with a beautifully-conceived story of a theme park the reader can only dream of! The story revolves around a plot to obtain cutting edge technology known only to creators of Utopia, an absolutely fabulous theme park located near Las Vegas, Nevada. The characters, pro and con, are absolutely believable, and Child moves them through their rolls with nary a false step in what is more a techno-thriller than a horror book, although lots of horror is conjured up when the bad guys run amok and many people die. This is one book you'll probably stay up all night reading as I did--I put it down three times and tried to sleep, then gave it up and indulged myself in finding out what happened and how it occurred. As an author, Child clearly ranks right up there with Stephen King and Neal Stephenson, although without the slightly dorky edge King has fallen into or the quirky plot and characters Stephensen handles so adroitly in stories like Cryptonomicon. Try this book--you're going to enjoy it!Read full review
I received Utopia as a gift, I'm in love with all the books Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child have written together. If you want an amazing read pick up any of their Agent Pendergast series. As for this book, it takes place in an amazingly complex and technologically advanced theme park that would put Walt Disney and Universal Studios to shame. Unfortunately, there's trouble in paradise when the park is held by computer savvy terrorists, don't worry not giving anything away you can read this on the back jacket. If you've already read Agent Pendergast series you'd be pleasantly surprised to see a possible guest star in this book. The characters aren't well developed, only slightly more than the average book, but the action sequences definitely are. This book would make a decent action movie, say starring, Bill Pullman or Tom Hanks and having Kevin Spacey as the evil, yet refined, bad guy. Bottom line: This book is a great read when you don't want to think too hard or care about the characters at the end. It's full of intricate action sequences, only partly predictable twists, and the technical jargon doesn't try to leave you in the dust. Plus at 434 pages it won't take that long to read. Works well to give or get it as a gift. If you can, buy it used.Read full review
I can't help it, I'm a sucker for any book with Utopia in the title. As in the case of nearly all those books, the Utopia turns out to be a Dystopia, and this one is no exception. Reading the cover blurb made me think "Oh great, another Westworld. Like Crittendon hasn't worked that plot to death!" Thankfully, outside of the locations of modern amusement parks, the stories bear few similarities. This story has more to do with modern day terrorism and technologies' susceptibility to techno-terrorism. One of Child's(and fans') favorite heroes even pops in to help thwart the evildoers. Well worth the read and anyone who has a computer can take the storyline to heart.
Forget every ammusement/recreational park you have heard of -- UTOPIA is the park of your dreams. Absolute immersion into the world of your choice, historically accurate, high-tech precision, and totally believable. But what happens when someone wants what you have? Terrorism at its finest. Beware, the rides are dangerous. A Lincoln Child solo effort(co-writer with Douglas Preston of Relic, Reliquary, etc.). If you haven't read these authors and you like suspense and a taut, adventurous story, then I recommend you try this book.
I grew up next to a huge amusement park in Chicago, so this was a delight to read. The action is fact, and the twists are delightful. Read it in one day as I couldn't put it down.
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