Dream Woods

De: Patrick Lacey

Narrado por: Joe Hempel

When Vince Carter takes a shortcut to work, he notices a billboard that nearly sends him into an oncoming van.

The ad is for Dream Woods, New England's answer to Disney World. It closed decades ago, but now that it's back in business, Vince is eager to take his whole family, hoping the magic he remembers will save his failing marriage.

His wife, Audra, isn't so sure. She's heard the rumors of why the place closed. Murder. Sacrifice. Torture. But those are just urban legends. Surely there's nothing evil about a family tourist attraction.

The Carters are about to discover that the park's employees aren't concerned with their guests' enjoyment. They're interested in something else. Something much more sinister.

©2016 Patrick Lacey (P)2016 Patrick Lacey

Amusement Park USA

Would you listen to Dream Woods again? Why?

I only listen to books once, so no, I wouldn't.

What did you like best about this story?

Creative
Scary
Unique

What does Joe Hempel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is one of the best narrators around, and he brings this rather gruesome and scary story to life! Well done!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would try!

Any additional comments?

I did receive this audiobook from Audioblast in exchange for this review. This is a unique, fun and actually at times creepy offering. It rocks along, has some good humor and some good horror, and is well worth a credit and the time to listen.
Recommended highly.

Very good horror novel

The horror novel is my favorite genre of books. I have read almost everything that Dean Koontz,John Saul, And of course the master Stephen King has ever written. If you are able to overlook a few minor inconsistencies this is a very creepy read and I found it to be very enjoyable. I was voluntarily provided this copy at no cost by the author publisher or narrator

Creepy amusement park

Dream Woods was definitely one of the creepiest books I have ever read about what should be fun an amusement park. The book is really descriptive and fast paced. The book deals with family dysfunction, fear, and learning from the past. I loved how the author broached these subjects. Dream Woods is creative and imaginative with a lot of intrigue. I was hooked and could not stop listening.
I highly recommend this book if you love twisted horror stories. I asked for and received this review audio book copy and I am leaving an honest review of my own volition.

Wild idea!

A really great idea for a novel; got my gears spinning. Good cast of characters. As usual, Joe Hempel put on a perfect performance. If you're looking for a unique bit of horror, check this one out!

This would be Disney if run by demons

Great for any theme park enthusiast. A wonderfully written macabre tale of theme parks gone horribly wrong. I loved every second of it and wished there was more to it. Great at restoring the nostalgia of childhood visits to theme parks and capturing the way life doesn't always work out as planned and the attempts to recapture that childhood feeling. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Horror in a theme park

Any additional comments?

I was offered a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

Vince Carter is an ex-punk working on a 9-5 job, whose wife is disenchanted with how her life has turned out. Mother of twins, being one of them diabetic, she longs for her lost rebel years and has it in for Vince. One day, driving to work, Vince stumbles upon an sign about Dream Woods, his favorite theme park when he was a child, and plans a trip for the whole family in hopes of fixing his marriage and having a good time with their kids. But there is a good reason for the park being closed for the last 30 years, and the Carter will soon discover it.

This has been a short and fresh horror novel. What I really liked from it was the character development. We often find underdeveloped characters in this kind of books, but the Carter family was very well portrayed, they motivations were understandable, and their problems and relationships felt real.

Something I would have liked to know is where the park and the creatures came from. It is clear that it was 'Elsewhere', and I understand that many horror stories benefit from the fear of the unknown, but I just can't help being curious and wanting to know why, how and where from. For the rest it has been startling and easy listen, with the right length to be able to devour it in one or two days.

The narration was perfect, as to be expected from Joe Hempel. All character voices where discernible an  he transmitted the right amount of emotions to each part of the book. Listening to a book narrated by Hempel is always a safe bet, because you know you will be getting a superior final product.

decent

decent story, better narration. I enjoyed it overall and would read more from him. word

Dream Woods

I liked this creepy, scary book. The narrator did a great job again and I loved how he may his voice a bit different for the characters. Dream Woods was a scary place once and some how it reopens to be scarier. The story made me think a little of Six Flags and Disney but a creepy one of each. I could see this as a horror movie in my mind if done correctly. "This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."

Narrator saves generic story

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Let me just start by saying that I am a huge Joe Hempel fan, and try to listen to what I can find with his name on it. That said, this story was well written, however there was senseless gore and sexuality in the oddest of places throughout the story.
Now, I love horror, but it just didn't flow all that well. Great story, it just seems that in editing the author just went through and peppered in adult content to keep it from being more along the lines of a young adult novel.

Interesting premise for a horror story.

When Vince Carter, former Punk Rocker and now cubicle drone passes by a billboard advertising that Dream Woods, an old New England knockoff of Disneyland, is back open, he gets very excited! He has great memories of visiting there as a child, and figures a family trip there will fix his ailing family, with a discontent wife, one son with Diabetes and the other resentful of his brother getting all the attention. All the wife knows about Dream Woods is the rumors that it was closed down due to murders in the park. So with that in mind, she is pretty reluctant to go, especially amid their marrital issues. Vince talks her into going, and they make the trek. As they arrive, the park is even better than Vince remembers from his childhood. The go to their hotel at the park, themed after the roaring 20s. They even get an upgrade, although Vince's wife is kind of creeped out by the hotel clerk, who just seems off.
They meet another couple at dinner that night, the husband having been to the park as a kid as well. Later that night, as they are in their beds, unbeknownst to them, evil lurks in the heart of the park, and has them in view. So starts a wild horror filled filled Nightmare, where the true purpose of the park comes to the surface, and the workers show their true nature. There is killing and running galore, with sanity stretched to the brink! The park has a much darker purpose, which is explained as the story unfolds and it is crazy. Everyone is at risk, and lives will be lost as reality comes crashing down on the park visitors!
The plot is fast paced and creative, the characters are interesting, and the setting is one of the better ones I've seen in the genre. My only issues with the book are with Vinces wife, who is so unlikable and you kind of wish she gets it from the park. The ending also felt a tad rushed, but that is just my opinion. All in all, a good story with a great setting.
As far as narration, wow! Joe Hempel does an absolutely outstanding job bringing this story to life. He especially rocked it with the two sons voices, and with the various park employees. Overall, a great job, and a book I would recommend!