FantasticLand

A Novel

By: Mike Bockoven

Narrated by: Angela Dawe, Luke Daniels

Since the 1970s, FantasticLand has been the theme park where "Fun is Guaranteed!" But when a hurricane ravages the Florida coast and isolates the park, the employees find it anything but fun. Five weeks later, the authorities who rescue the survivors encounter a scene of horror. Photos soon emerge online of heads on spikes outside of rides and viscera and human bones littering the gift shops, breaking records for hits, views, likes, clicks, and shares. How could a group of survivors, mostly teenagers, commit such terrible acts?

Presented as a fact-finding investigation and a series of first-person interviews, FantasticLand pieces together the grisly series of events. Park policy was that the mostly college-aged employees surrender their electronic devices to preserve the authenticity of the FantasticLand experience. Cut off from the world and left on their own, the teenagers soon form rival tribes who viciously compete for food, medicine, social dominance, and even human flesh. This new social network divides the ravaged dreamland into territories ruled by the Pirates, the ShopGirls, the Freaks, and the Mole People. If meticulously curated online personas can replace private identities, what takes over when those constructs are lost?

FantasticLand is a modern take on Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale that probes the consequences of a social civilization built online.

©2016 Mike Bockoven (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Creepy/gruesome

I was looking for creepy Halloween read and this one was suggested by Audible. It was so perfect for a spook month listen.

Workers are stuck in an amusement park after a hurricane. The older folks take to hiding out safely while the teens try and fail at civilized behavior. They are on the bottom of the immediate rescue list because there is no shortage of food and shelter.

Great narration by Luke Daniels and Angela Dawe.

Surprising

When i first started this book I honestly didn't think I was going to get past the first few chapters. I gave it a chance and am glad I did. The way the story is told turns out to be quite enjoyable. It was a pretty unique book

World War Z meets Lord of the Flies

Fantastic read/listen. Disturbing idea of being trapped in an amusement park after a natural disaster. Couldn't stop listening to it!!

Four and One Half Stars

It’s like LOST minus the supernatural elements, or a modern take on “Lord of the Flies” with added commentary on our tragedy-obsessed culture. I really enjoyed this book, but (with one or two exceptions) the characters all kind of blend together. Still, it’s a very good story and the narrators are fantastic.

Why do I fear that this could happen???

This book was so powerful to listen to. The actors did such a great job giving a distinct voice to each character, and the writing felt like a real journalistic piece rather than fiction. But it was the concept - one that could happen an time - that left me disturbed and thoughtful about my own response to this kind of tragedy. Where would I go (would I be a Freak, Shopgirl, Deadpool, etc.)? Would I hide or show cowardice? Fight? Lead? Kill? Afterward, would I rationalize? Prepare to ask yourself those uncomfortable questions, because you will.

could this happen in real life??

Fantastic read, I really enjoyed this book. It tells the story of a group of people, primarily young adults and teens who get stranded in Fantastic Land after a flood event. They were stranded for weeks and survival instincts kicked in, including some really crazy stuff. The story is told through series a interviews from the people stranded in Fantastic Land. I found this a very effective way of telling the story. This books forces the reader to ask, could this happen in real life? I found the narrator to be pleasant and effective.

wow

I couldn't believe how good this book was. I have told everyone I know they need to read it or listen to this. I listen mostly on my way to and from work and it left me wishing my drive was longer so I could hear more. If you like disaster stories meets Lord of the flies you will love this.

WOW

l loved this book, very thought provoking. about the human condition. it's a good story.

Gripping

In the top three best books I've read this year... and I've read a lot of books.

Vantage point!

This is one interesting book! I really loved it! I was never bored or wanting it to end. It held my full attention from beginning to end. It makes you think what you would do in this situation. Would I die or survive! I loved all the interviews, hearing everyone’s stories. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys this genre of books.