Dreamworld

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: I got this book for 50 cents, thinking it was going to be an easy, entertaining read but nothing more. It is an easy read, but pumped with vivid detail, evocative description and suspenseful plot twists, Dreamworld doesn't leave you yawning. I would pay full price for it if I knew in advance what a good read it would be!

Rating:
Summary: My new favorite mystery
Review: I love mysteries with a twist, and the idea of horrible things happening beneath the flawless exterior of a theme park intrigued me from the moment I read the blurb on the back of this book. The fact that the "Dreamworld" theme park is nearly a carbon copy of Disney World, from the costumed characters to the themed lands and resorts to the "It's a Small World"-like ride where the novel's climactic moments occur, adds a strange level of realism to the story-- as if you're reading a shameful secret exposé rather than a novel. It's not just the unique setting that makes this such a wonderful mystery novel, though. The characters are great, particularly the tough and witty star Sylvia Avery. The plot builds up quite a bit of suspense as pieces of the intricate puzzle are revealed one by one, and most of the twists were very surprising. I suppose it would be wishful thinking to hope for a sequel, but as a standalone novel "Dreamworld" stands above most other mysteries I've read.

Rating:
Summary: different from the other mtv books, in a GOOD way
Review: I purchased this book thinking it was somewhat of a behind the scenes look at the underside of Disney, but was pleasantly suprised when I realised it wasn't. It's actually a riveting mystery, involving a murder-suicide that takes place on the grounds of "ImagiNation," a Disney-esque themepark in Florida. The Dreamworld authorities are desperate to cover it up in order to maintain the utopian image of their empire, and Sylvia Avery (an ImagiNation law enforcement official) is torn between doing the morally right thing, and helping uphold the image of the place she's come to think of as home.

The beginning of the book moves rather slowly, and I initially had a hard time getting into it. I think that was partially due to Goldman's elaborate writing style, but her attention to detail pays off later in the story. Nonetheless, this book took me a couple days to get through, whereas I usually like to finish a novel in one sitting.

Aside from the sometimes slow-moving plot, I thought this book was excellent. It's filled with unexpected twists and turns, and I have to disagree with the reviewer who called the story "predictable." It has it's obvious parts, but the final outcome left me shocked. Goldman definitely researched this book carefully, and the result is a wonderfully crafted must read for fans of Disney lore, murder mysteries, or just plain exciting reading.

Rating:
Summary: art imitating life? goldman knows someone at disneyworld
Review: i read this book a few months ago and i still think it's my favorite... i don't ever have favorite books! i admit i bought it b/c MTV published it, so i expected it to be different. i got that and comedy, mystery, fiction, and realism all at once. besides that, it was very modern and unreserved, not some 50s slang from a senior author - in other words, F**K YEAH!

Rating:
Summary: Amusing, Behind-The-Scenes Mystery
Review: I was recently in Orlando and I took a day to walk through Disney World. I was almost instantly reminded of Dreamworld when I started noticing the doors marked "Cast Members Only" and seeing all the poor people dressed in what have to be insanely hot costumes.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for MTV as a publishing house, I must admit they've published a few decent books and this is one of them. It's a simple mystery with amusing characters and situations. That's it. Nothing deep here, just escapism. Well written and obviously well researched, Dreamworld is a fun read.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not great either
Review: If you are buying Dreamworld it is most likely because you have bought other MTV books and want to try this one. Be forewarned, however, this book is really nothing like any of the others, and it isn't as good either. The book is actually a murder/conspiracy mystery that is actually fairly predictable. The characters are pretty good, and the atmosphere is actually the best part, but the actual story is weak. For those of you who like theme parks Goldman's descriptions and inside info are fascinating, but if you truly like theme parks you will know all of the info anyway. Dreamworld, the florida amusement park where the book is set, is an almost exact copy of Walt Disney World, I could almost picture the author on It's a Small World and thinking of ideas for the book. All in all, however, the book is not bad, and you probably won't be dissapointed when you read it, but you won't be fullfilled either.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not great either
Review: If you are buying Dreamworld it is most likely because you have bought other MTV books and want to try this one. Be forewarned, however, this book is really nothing like any of the others, and it isn't as good either. The book is actually a murder/conspiracy mystery that is actually fairly predictable. The characters are pretty good, and the atmosphere is actually the best part, but the actual story is weak. For those of you who like theme parks Goldman's descriptions and inside info are fascinating, but if you truly like theme parks you will know all of the info anyway. Dreamworld, the florida amusement park where the book is set, is an almost exact copy of Walt Disney World, I could almost picture the author on It's a Small World and thinking of ideas for the book. All in all, however, the book is not bad, and you probably won't be dissapointed when you read it, but you won't be fullfilled either.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This book almost jumped off the shelf at the bookstore and into my arms. I immediately fell in love with the crazy adorable stuffed animal on the cover and knew this book had to join my collection. And I'm so glad it did.

Growing up in Southern California, we always heard rumors about underground tunnels to whisk the "bad people" away from Disneyland. At one point my brother tried convince me there was even a jail in the Magic Kingdom. I never believed him, until I read Dreamworld, that is!

"Dreamworld" exposes the underbelly of a huge theme park in Florida. Sylvia Avery's job at Dreamworld is to make sure that the public doesn't see any of the bad people, the drunks, disorderlies, etc. She simply whisks them away from sight! But when a suicide-murder takes place in the park, the reader is taken on a ride of a lifetime.

"Dreamworld" has murder, suspense, and plot twists. This book is hard to put down. I've already recommended it to many friends and will continue to do so.

Rating:
Summary: Bored me to death
Review: Two of my greatest loves are amusement parks and mystery novels. So I had rather high hopes for this novel. Unfortunately, it was not interesting enough for me to actually finish it. The mystery felt extremely empty, and there were far too many times when the writing felt akin to an annoying co-worker's incessant babbling. I wound up skimming through to the end to see what was going to happen. Once I'd done that, I gave the book to my sister.
It's not often that I am unable to finish a book. But I just couldn't do it with this one.

Rating:
Summary: Dreamworld: characters you wish you knew
Review: When I first bought the book, I must admit, it was only because it was an MTV book. But as soon as I had read the first chapter, I was hooked. Goldman's detailed descriptions of Avery, Trey,Hayes,Perdue, and all the other characters make you feel as if you really knew them. It's exciting,action-packed, a great mystery, has an amazing sex-appeal, and is suited for teenaged to adult readers. After I had finished it, my friends got in line to borrow it because it was an amazing read!