petyayancheva9's review
3.0
What? That was my reaction throughout the book. It took me a good one hundred pages to get into the book and start enjoying it. It was so confusing in the begining and the moment I started to understand what I was reading , ten pages later I would wonder what was happening.
I found the plot really interesting and intriguing. The way the whole thing turned out, that it wasnt real... damn. Did not expect it to be Merc. It is so cool to think that you can imagine and build worlds and people and stuff.
Did not like the releationship between Halloween and Simone. Or whatever that was. I always thought it should be Fantasia. And to learn that Pandora likes him... what? Also didnt like that all of Hal's friends died, like, come on!
I really liked the character of Halloween. He was fun, cynical and just... ah!
When I learned that there are three books I was a little shocked because the ending is a perfectly good one for the book and I cant imagine what can be done without ruining the book.
Overall, I liked it but I dont think that I would be continuing the series.
I found the plot really interesting and intriguing. The way the whole thing turned out, that it wasnt real... damn. Did not expect it to be Merc. It is so cool to think that you can imagine and build worlds and people and stuff.
Did not like the releationship between Halloween and Simone. Or whatever that was. I always thought it should be Fantasia. And to learn that Pandora likes him... what? Also didnt like that all of Hal's friends died, like, come on!
I really liked the character of Halloween. He was fun, cynical and just... ah!
When I learned that there are three books I was a little shocked because the ending is a perfectly good one for the book and I cant imagine what can be done without ruining the book.
Overall, I liked it but I dont think that I would be continuing the series.
pixiejess8's review
2.0
Ok this is very Sci-Fi, so if thats not your thing then this , this is not your book. A lot of people seemed to have given this a good rating on Goodreads, me not so much.
I hate when a book makes me feel dumb, like I don't get the joke that they are still laughing about 2 pages later.The characters make reference to things that have not been covered in the book,I am sure that this is a tool the author used to show the comradery between the teens it sort of annoyed me.
It was like "Inception" if you've seen it(if not,get on it) at one point when very few people in the theater audience are clear on whats going on Juno(who is new to the group) says somthing like
"we will find him, okay. As soon as Arthur's music kicks in just use the defibrillator to revive, We can give him his own kick down below. as soon as music ends we blow up the hospital and we all ride the kick back up the layers."
And I'm like "Really Juno? thats all we have to do? Because WTF comes to mind" thats what "IdleWild" is like the whole time like the answer is elementry and then they start talkin shit that has not been covered in the book. Also IdleWild does not have Leo DeCaprio or Tom Hardy or banging effects so it cannot getaway with this stuff.
Very matrix-esque story with virtual reality and a bit of world domination mixed in for good measure.I will not be reading the other books in the series.
I hate when a book makes me feel dumb, like I don't get the joke that they are still laughing about 2 pages later.The characters make reference to things that have not been covered in the book,I am sure that this is a tool the author used to show the comradery between the teens it sort of annoyed me.
It was like "Inception" if you've seen it(if not,get on it) at one point when very few people in the theater audience are clear on whats going on Juno(who is new to the group) says somthing like
"we will find him, okay. As soon as Arthur's music kicks in just use the defibrillator to revive, We can give him his own kick down below. as soon as music ends we blow up the hospital and we all ride the kick back up the layers."
And I'm like "Really Juno? thats all we have to do? Because WTF comes to mind" thats what "IdleWild" is like the whole time like the answer is elementry and then they start talkin shit that has not been covered in the book. Also IdleWild does not have Leo DeCaprio or Tom Hardy or banging effects so it cannot getaway with this stuff.
Very matrix-esque story with virtual reality and a bit of world domination mixed in for good measure.I will not be reading the other books in the series.
leaton01's review
4.0
This review is of both the book and the audiobook. This review is of both the book and the audiobook. This is not your average Halloween—in fact, it’s not even a holiday, but a death-obsessed eighteen-year-old boy who awakes to find his memory has been rebooted and his body is immovable. While his thoughts are scrambled, he slowly regains some memories. Suddenly, he realizes that he was attacked and someone is out to get him. Halloween knows he cannot trust anyone, but with holes in his memory, he is hard-pressed to figure it all out on his own.
It’s the 22nd century, and Halloween and his classmates attend a high-tech school that prepares them to be the leaders of tomorrow. It is a physical school but much of the education and training transpires in a virtual reality simulation where the students use a myriad of resources that borderline on magic. The students rely heavily upon their virtual reality identities and return to the real world only when necessary or when attempting to avoid the caretaker of the virtual school. Hal and his friends are constantly finding ways to hack this system and manipulate the caretaker programs. While producing one of these glitches, Hal learns the true nature of his school and the legacy awaiting his fellow students. But with one student already missing, and his life in evident danger, Hal struggles to determine who among his friends and enemies has also learned of what awaits them after graduation.
The story maintains a decent level of mystery and suspense. Playing the part of the detective, Halloween even goes to the extent of having a gathering of all the students to flesh out the villain. Unfortunately, this party causes unforeseen events that only further Hal’s confusion and disillusion with his environment. Just as Hal was regaining his memories and understanding his situation, he is blown away by the knowledge that indeed his whole universe does not exist. He must determine what to do with his life when everything he knows is a lie.
Since the release of “The Matrix,” this idea of a reality within a reality has grown with popularity and one could say that “idlewild,” is just another copycat. However, it is much more than that. Nick Sagan combines aspects from “The Matrix,” but that is not his sole model. While it feels akin to such “what is reality” type stories, it carries its own distinction. Also, early in the story, he relies heavily upon H.P.Lovercraft and makes enough references to the famous writer to warrant looking up information on the genre writer. On the technological aspect of his writing, he seems to have been influenced by William Gibson.
Clayton Barclay Jones uses a soft and eloquent voice that perfectly coincides with this first person narrative. As the voice of Halloween, Jones is superb in fleshing out Halloween as a cool, calm, and collective being trying to rationalize his world. Even at times of excitement, the voice maintains gentleness quite appropriate for the protagonist. What does not work for this audiobook is Beth McDonald. At the beginning of each chapter, she reads off what sounds like a transmission record. This record appears to be a technical summation of what happens in the virtual world. While it is meant to feel very mechanical in its reading, it is too much for the listener. When reading the book, the reader has the ability to read and slowly digest what the readout is saying. McDonald delivers a fantastic computer voice but reads very quickly giving the listener no real chance for understanding.
“idlewild,” is a fantastic and thrilling novel about a young man’s fight for life and understanding of what living ultimately means. Enriched with a story line that has similarities to “Oryx and Crake,” “The Matrix,” “Neuromancer,” and several other contemporary books, the book keeps you guessing and maintains your interest until the very end.
It’s the 22nd century, and Halloween and his classmates attend a high-tech school that prepares them to be the leaders of tomorrow. It is a physical school but much of the education and training transpires in a virtual reality simulation where the students use a myriad of resources that borderline on magic. The students rely heavily upon their virtual reality identities and return to the real world only when necessary or when attempting to avoid the caretaker of the virtual school. Hal and his friends are constantly finding ways to hack this system and manipulate the caretaker programs. While producing one of these glitches, Hal learns the true nature of his school and the legacy awaiting his fellow students. But with one student already missing, and his life in evident danger, Hal struggles to determine who among his friends and enemies has also learned of what awaits them after graduation.
The story maintains a decent level of mystery and suspense. Playing the part of the detective, Halloween even goes to the extent of having a gathering of all the students to flesh out the villain. Unfortunately, this party causes unforeseen events that only further Hal’s confusion and disillusion with his environment. Just as Hal was regaining his memories and understanding his situation, he is blown away by the knowledge that indeed his whole universe does not exist. He must determine what to do with his life when everything he knows is a lie.
Since the release of “The Matrix,” this idea of a reality within a reality has grown with popularity and one could say that “idlewild,” is just another copycat. However, it is much more than that. Nick Sagan combines aspects from “The Matrix,” but that is not his sole model. While it feels akin to such “what is reality” type stories, it carries its own distinction. Also, early in the story, he relies heavily upon H.P.Lovercraft and makes enough references to the famous writer to warrant looking up information on the genre writer. On the technological aspect of his writing, he seems to have been influenced by William Gibson.
Clayton Barclay Jones uses a soft and eloquent voice that perfectly coincides with this first person narrative. As the voice of Halloween, Jones is superb in fleshing out Halloween as a cool, calm, and collective being trying to rationalize his world. Even at times of excitement, the voice maintains gentleness quite appropriate for the protagonist. What does not work for this audiobook is Beth McDonald. At the beginning of each chapter, she reads off what sounds like a transmission record. This record appears to be a technical summation of what happens in the virtual world. While it is meant to feel very mechanical in its reading, it is too much for the listener. When reading the book, the reader has the ability to read and slowly digest what the readout is saying. McDonald delivers a fantastic computer voice but reads very quickly giving the listener no real chance for understanding.
“idlewild,” is a fantastic and thrilling novel about a young man’s fight for life and understanding of what living ultimately means. Enriched with a story line that has similarities to “Oryx and Crake,” “The Matrix,” “Neuromancer,” and several other contemporary books, the book keeps you guessing and maintains your interest until the very end.
bex_montgomery's review
5.0
Great debut from the son of Carl Sagan. Can't wait to read the next two in the series. I like this book because I LEARNED a ton about everything from modern philosophy to ancient art and history to computer programming. Great sci-fi premise and very imaginative route for the characters to take. I couldn't put it down in the beginning because I had no clue what was going on...I couldn't get my bearings...which was fantastic because it was exactly where the main character was. I couldn't put it down in the end because there was a great central conflict and mystery and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. Smart, quirky, thought-provoking and action packed. Loved it.
matthewreece's review
4.0
Rich characters and surprising development points make this a quick and engaging read. I enjoyed catching the quick, seemingly offhand allusions that pepper the narrative, and I appreciate a well-placed joke that isn't immediately followed by an explanation. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
mochim's review
3.0
What? That was my reaction throughout the book. It took me a good one hundred pages to get into the book and start enjoying it. It was so confusing in the begining and the moment I started to understand what I was reading , ten pages later I would wonder what was happening.
I found the plot really interesting and intriguing. The way the whole thing turned out, that it wasnt real... damn. Did not expect it to be Merc. It is so cool to think that you can imagine and build worlds and people and stuff.
Did not like the releationship between Halloween and Simone. Or whatever that was. I always thought it should be Fantasia. And to learn that Pandora likes him... what? Also didnt like that all of Hal's friends died, like, come on!
I really liked the character of Halloween. He was fun, cynical and just... ah!
When I learned that there are three books I was a little shocked because the ending is a perfectly good one for the book and I cant imagine what can be done without ruining the book.
Overall, I liked it but I dont think that I would be continuing the series.
I found the plot really interesting and intriguing. The way the whole thing turned out, that it wasnt real... damn. Did not expect it to be Merc. It is so cool to think that you can imagine and build worlds and people and stuff.
Did not like the releationship between Halloween and Simone. Or whatever that was. I always thought it should be Fantasia. And to learn that Pandora likes him... what? Also didnt like that all of Hal's friends died, like, come on!
I really liked the character of Halloween. He was fun, cynical and just... ah!
When I learned that there are three books I was a little shocked because the ending is a perfectly good one for the book and I cant imagine what can be done without ruining the book.
Overall, I liked it but I dont think that I would be continuing the series.
zinful's review
3.0
Writing reminded me overwhelmingly of Zelazny's Amber books...after Merlin takes center stage. I'll try again later, but it was infernally pompous and obviously-paced for me right now.
jlfoxwell's review
5.0
wonderfully imaginative this novel blends dystopian and sci fi in a brillant way. couldn't put it down