Utopia

by Lincoln Child

2003

Status

Checked out

Genres

Science Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

Standard Shelves

Publication

Fawcett (2003), 464 pages

Description

Fiction. Science Fiction. Suspense. Thriller. HTML:It's like nothing anyone has ever seen before. Utopia is the brand-new frontier of theme parks, a fantastic collection of Worlds each so authentic it takes the average visitor's breath away. Teeming with cutting-edge holographic and robotic technology, it has captured the nation's imagination. But it has also attracted a group of ruthless criminals. After infiltrating the park and its computer systems, their leader--calling himself John Doe--sets the parameters: If their shocking demands are met, none of the visitors to the park that day will be harmed; if not, then all hell will rain down. Dr. Andrew Warne, the brilliant engineer who designed much of the park's robotics, suddenly finds himself in a role he never imagined--trying to save the lives of thousands of innocent people . . . one of whom just happens to be his daughter. Praise for Lethal Velocity "A beautifully crafted scare-fest . . . heaven for techno-thriller fans."--People (Page-turner of the Week) "Terrific . . . a sensational piece of popular entertainment . . . [Lincoln] Child has created a fictional wonderland that is both high-tech and nostalgic. . . . If you are looking for intelligent fun, it doesn't get much better than this."--The Washington Post Book World "[A] whiz-bang plot . . . springs to life from the opening pages . . . Child does an outstanding job of depicting the workings of this fantastic playground."--San Francisco Chronicle "A riveting read . . . part mystery, part science-fiction, and all page-turner."--Roanoke Times Previously published as Utopia From the Paperback edition..… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member eduscapes

Having been a fan of Lincoln Child for a number of years, I knew Utopia would be a winner. I've always enjoyed exploring the world of theme parks so the setting immediately grabbed my interest. When you add the elements of robotics, a reluctant professor, and thousands of potential hostages, you

get an exciting page-turning suspense thriller.

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16 more

LibraryThing member Jarratt

I really, really enjoyed "Utopia." Because I've been to Disney World so many times, I was really able to "see" and appreciate the lengths the staff of Utopia took to build the Park's illusions. I thought the characters were solid and believable, the action and drama were well mixed, and the

technology was pretty cool! While I'd read "Deep Storm" a year or so ago, I didn't go right back to Child. (Not sure why.) But I so enjoyed "Utopia" that I picked up "Death Match" at the library and will start it tonight.

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LibraryThing member Boutabook

Utopia was my first Lincoln Child book. I have now added every one of his to my TBR (to be read) pile.

It was as if I was walking in the theme park. Loved his descriptions. I could have done without some of the technical stuff, but luckily there wasn't a lot of it.

LibraryThing member wdwilson3

I don’t often discard a book after reading it halfway through, but Utopia kept me hoping that something would catch my interest. I tired of this marriage of thriller and sci-fi, though. None of the characters was worth caring about, the science was uninteresting, and the plot just wasn’t strong

enough to invest more of my time. After the third plot turn at which I said to myself “why would they do that?” it went into my giveaway pile.

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LibraryThing member bookwormteri

I was really surprised by this book. Before I started it, I didn't think I would finish it, but wanted to give it a shot. 24 hours later, as I put the book down, I was really impressed. The tech talk is not so overwhelming that someone like me (not a science or techie at all) could understand the

gist of that aspect of the novel. The thriller part is very good and I so did not even care that I figured out who the inside man was way too early.

The theme park, Utopia, is someplace that I would love to visit and found the descriptions of it fascinating. I could not put this book down, nor did I really want to.

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LibraryThing member whiteknight50

I found this book very entertaining, and read it within just a few days, feeling like I wanted to know what happened next the entire way. I felt like the theme park was very well realized, and that the characters were engaging enough to carry my interest.

This book was good enough that I will

probably read other works by Licoln Child, as this was an author I had not yet read. Overall, it was a good read.

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LibraryThing member Spiceca

What a fun ride (pun intended). I'm not going to say this was a work of brilliance or cataclysmic achievement, but it kept me up at night turning the pages. It is fast paced...once the basic plot has been formed and just speeds up from there. It had it's cliche' moments but I can forgive that

because it was well done. I am also sure there were plot holes and I did figure out one of the "whodunits" before it was revealed but this was the kind of book you shouldn't really focus too hard on the "science" and just go along with it. Recommended for those who enjoy the author and for those wanting a bit of mindless reading.

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LibraryThing member kimmy0ne

a techno thriller, very fast paced

LibraryThing member cayman

I was a little disappointed with this book hence the 2 star rating. I have been studiously reading my way through all the Preston/Child novels so thought I would dip into this as well. Maybe the standard of character development and script in the Pendergast series spoiled this one for me.
I found

the personal relationships between Dr Warne and his daughter and his ex-girlfriend very strained or forced.Something didn't ring true about his intuition regarding his daughter's peril. His inner dialogue about being a reluctant hero grated as well.
The ending seemed to come too quickly and left me feeling like justice hadn't been properly meted out to the 'bad guys'.

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LibraryThing member hchannell

Although this book had more technical info about the workings of an amusement park and robotics than I cared for, it was still better than most other Lincoln Child books that he wrote on his own that I've read. The story kept me reading.

LibraryThing member oel_3

A wonderful ride, how I wish to see gaslight for real!

LibraryThing member Olivermagnus

Outside Las Vegas, Nevada you'll find Utopia, the most advanced amusement park in the world. Built under a huge glass dome, the park is divided into four sections: Gaslight, Callisto, Camelot, and Boardwalk, all featuring the latest in robotics and holographic imaging along with some of the most

amazing roller coasters and thrill rides ever conceived. When the security system in one of the most popular rides in the park fails, the management of the park starts reviewing the system that control the park's operations. They call in Dr. Andrew Warne, the developer of the Metanet, which coordinates all the robotic activities, and demand he shut down the all robots. Unknown to Andrew there's a man calling himself John Doe who plans to kill the patrons unless the park director turns over the program used to run the parks, a revolutionary program that could be used militarily with great destruction in the wrong hands. Now Andrew and a small group of colleagues will have to stop the terrorists before it's too late.

Utopia is a fun and fast paced techno thriller. I liked the way the author gave some of the robots interesting backgrounds, especially one called Wingnut who acted like a dog. I really enjoyed reading it and wish it was an actual amusement park because it sounded like such a fascinating place to visit (on a terrorist-free day).

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LibraryThing member NickHowes

Another tasty adventure thriller from Lincoln Child. He has tapped the wellspring of writing that consistently produces a novel that grabs hold halfway through until you finish. Finest kind, Maine philosopher and physician Hawkeye (MASH) Pierce used to say. This one involves a mind-bogling theme

park targeted by criminals with an unfolding plot no one is ready for...but an onsite computer consultant may be able to help with.

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LibraryThing member susandennis

I love Lincoln Child. I am not a big fan of Utopia. I kept reading, trying to ignore the bits that insulted my intelligence and the bits that just offended me because I love Lincoln Child but I finally gave up. With about an eighth of the book left to go, I knew it was not going to get any better

and I really did not care what happened. This was more likely written by Lincoln Child's simple twin.

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LibraryThing member Andy_DiMartino

I believe this was Lincoln's best book by far. Loved it!!!!

LibraryThing member whitewavedarling

This is the most enjoyable thriller I've read in a while. With great writing, engaging characters, and a good, twisting story, it had everything I could have hoped for in a thriller. There was also a nice element of tech/science fiction that added the perfect amount of atmosphere without taking

things over the top or to where I felt like I was reading science fiction rather than suspense, or where I felt lost in the details. Instead, it felt like it was used masterfully to up the ante and atmosphere, making the most of the setting of a high-tech amusement park.

Absolutely recommended for folks who enjoy fast-moving suspense with just a bit of tech.

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LibraryThing member lbswiener

Utopia is an entire book that takes place during a thrilling nine hours in the latest and most technical theme park that is located outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. An insider has a thirst for money and power only to turn for help from a killer and his gang. It is a good story. Four stars were given

in this review.

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