Great Audiobook.

This book had a very cool concept of having young adults stuck in a horrible situation tuning into a even more terrible situation due to their decisions. The quality of this audio book was fantastic. Having actors use different voices for different characters is what made me like the book more more. There's some parts in this book which I feel they could have changed a bit, but overall it told a compelling story via the interviews. I'd recommend getting this book if you liked World War Z. #Audible1

3 people found this helpful

An amazing listen, could not put it down.

I listened to this after reading Devolution and someone reccommended this audiobook as they had a similar format. This was a willd wild listen. The buildup at the beginning, all the way to watching everything turn to chaos was unlike anything I've read before. At times, it gets really dark so it might not be for everyone. I was thinking this was going to be some type of young adult fiction, but I was so wrong. It was violent and gory, but at the same time you just can't press pause.

The narrators are all incredible at what they do and I felt like their voices really add to the realism. The average Joe dad just sounds like your average dad, and then the young 'kids' sound so young and innocent so it's even more shocking to hear what they say. Overall I hope this gets more hype and praise, and I would even love to see it turned into a movie one day.

2 people found this helpful

Fun and Gory

First of all I want to say the narration is top notch.

Secondly, you'll enjoy this book of you don't take it too seriously. Especially the parts that say these early twenty something's turned barbaric because they didn't have their phones and couldn't post to facebook.

It's an interesting plot and the narrative is strung together well as a series of interviews, the only exception being the afterward which seemed out of place, very reductionist, and needlessly guilt...trippy.

Anyway it gets my recommendation

2 people found this helpful

Surprisingly good.

It takes a bit to get used to the style, a series of interviews, but it's done well and does pull you in. Worth a listen for sure if you like the premise.

1 person found this helpful

A true testament to don’t judge a book by its cover...

I was hesitant after reading about the interview style, but the premise sounded good so I gave it a shot. I loved it! Wished it was longer. The narration was great, the story was great and I’m so glad I gave it a chance!

1 person found this helpful

Similar style to WW:Z

I enjoy disaster stories so this was decently entertaining. However I felt some of the characters underdeveloped and the authors voice very present throughout. "If I find the person that did X.." or any comment about kids being dependant on their cell phones was pretty much reiterated by each character.

1 person found this helpful

AMAZING

THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!! I could not put down!!! it was definitely worth the read!!

1 person found this helpful

It's an okay tale.

Well written, well narrated but, really, the whole premise makes no sense because of the timeline. But, I ended up listening because I paid for the book not because it captivated me.

2 people found this helpful

A Clever Take On 'Post-Apocalyptic' Fiction

Comparisons to 'World War Z' aren't fair - other than the mode of storytelling and the scenario. 'Fantasticland' is a retrospective look at a collapse of Society and what happens afterwards - but it's in a limited setting (a Megapark due to a Katrina-like storm) instead of Worldwide after a Zombie Virus. It's also surprisingly satisfying.. but not of Max Brooks quality.
Mike Bockoven strings together interviews with officials, rescuers, and survivors to relate an incredible descent into anarchy among the staff trapped in the Park for six weeks. The scenario is laughably implausible, but Bockoven's narrative is undeniably gripping. The prose is realistic, the setting is established nicely, events are described very well (albeit manipulatively violent/gory), and the interviews include plenty of foreshadowing (e.g. "The Cannon"; "The Council Of Pieces"; "Elvis"; etc.). I was stimulated to keep listening just to hear what they're talking about.. although the technique is a little overdone.

The performances from Angela Dawe and Luke Daniels are peerless. Daniels, in particular, is able to make each interviewee sound like different people - but both succeed marvellously at bringing the story to life.
This book - made up of interviews - is *made for* the Audiobook format - it's set up to be better than a text version.. and it is. Using dozens of readers (as for WWZ) may have been a better choice from Brilliance Audio, but Dawe and Daniels are brilliant.

I was prepared to not like this book - reviews are pretty mixed - but it was offered as part of my membership as part of the 'Plus' catalogue, so I decided to download it. I'm happy that I did - it's worthy of 8.5 stars out of 10. Even were it not free, this audiobook would merit a Credit for fans of Zombie Fiction, 'I Am Legend', or even 'Lord Of The Flies'.

A great listen

A super gripping story that is performed very well. Hearing what happened from different perspectives was a very interesting way to learn the story. I'm definitely suggesting this title to my friends.