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wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
So far, doesn't appear as tightly introduced as the first book in the series, but that may simply be because the first book was so concerned with meticulous construction of world.
mschlat's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely not a great reading experience for many reasons, and here's the big one. In the prequel ([b:Dream Park|357922|Dream Park (Dream Park, #1)|Larry Niven|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309200983l/357922._SY75_.jpg|1775372]), we are introduced to the eponymous amusement park featuring live role playing games in totally immersive environments. The first book features (mostly) experienced gamers acting out (mostly) traditional classes (Warrior, Magic User, Engineer, ...) in an event run by an International Fantasy Gaming Association. It's a big deal to everyone involved.
In contrast, the game featured in this book is a "Fat Ripper" --- an immersive experience designed to help the players lose pounds and change eating habits. (The latter is often accomplished by psychological effects, such as having your food talk to you during a meal or honoring the spirits of the animals you are eating.) So, we have a regular adventure in Dream Park (based in Inuit culture) combined with... attitude adjustment? And the effects are threefold:
1) There's a strange combination of fat-shaming (particularly at the beginning of the book) with some heavily gender-based body positivity. At the least, we've got men who are overweight (but it covers a lot of muscle) and women who are overweight (but the book sure wants us to know how sexy they are). So, it's as if the book wants to approach the issue of weight loss and can't really decide on a tone.
2) Unlike the prequel, our adventurers aren't broken into classes, and they're all there for mainly one purpose (the "Fat Ripper"). So, the cast isn't that differentiated, and - for the first half of the book - I had troubles connecting names with characters. That issue did diminish by the second half, but it was enough of an issue that I looked forward to the chapters featuring Dream Park personnel over in-game chapters.
3) As mentioned above, there's a LOT of psychological manipulation in this book. What's surprising is seeing it both inside and outside the game, including some performed on a character with severe mental trauma. By the end of the novel, Niven and Barnes provide some "you don't watch to see the sausage being made" speeches, but the result is a layer of darkness a couple of times heavier than the first book and a less appealing setting.
There are other issues. Just like in the prequel, the game story involves Europeans rescuing an indigenous culture. And the title of the book refers to an almost unconnected plot point (the parent company of Dream Park wants to spearhead colonization of Mars) that seems to be little more than an excuse to feature space elevator porn (that is, expositional pieces on the benefits and drawbacks of different types of space elevators, not sex in a space elevator).
And yet... the second half of the book is much better, with some good callbacks to the first book and nice pieces of actions. I will probably drop this out of my collection, but I had some fun rereading it.
In contrast, the game featured in this book is a "Fat Ripper" --- an immersive experience designed to help the players lose pounds and change eating habits. (The latter is often accomplished by psychological effects, such as having your food talk to you during a meal or honoring the spirits of the animals you are eating.) So, we have a regular adventure in Dream Park (based in Inuit culture) combined with... attitude adjustment? And the effects are threefold:
1) There's a strange combination of fat-shaming (particularly at the beginning of the book) with some heavily gender-based body positivity. At the least, we've got men who are overweight (but it covers a lot of muscle) and women who are overweight (but the book sure wants us to know how sexy they are). So, it's as if the book wants to approach the issue of weight loss and can't really decide on a tone.
2) Unlike the prequel, our adventurers aren't broken into classes, and they're all there for mainly one purpose (the "Fat Ripper"). So, the cast isn't that differentiated, and - for the first half of the book - I had troubles connecting names with characters. That issue did diminish by the second half, but it was enough of an issue that I looked forward to the chapters featuring Dream Park personnel over in-game chapters.
3) As mentioned above, there's a LOT of psychological manipulation in this book. What's surprising is seeing it both inside and outside the game, including some performed on a character with severe mental trauma. By the end of the novel, Niven and Barnes provide some "you don't watch to see the sausage being made" speeches, but the result is a layer of darkness a couple of times heavier than the first book and a less appealing setting.
There are other issues. Just like in the prequel, the game story involves Europeans rescuing an indigenous culture. And the title of the book refers to an almost unconnected plot point (the parent company of Dream Park wants to spearhead colonization of Mars) that seems to be little more than an excuse to feature space elevator porn (that is, expositional pieces on the benefits and drawbacks of different types of space elevators, not sex in a space elevator).
And yet... the second half of the book is much better, with some good callbacks to the first book and nice pieces of actions. I will probably drop this out of my collection, but I had some fun rereading it.
wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
So far, doesn't appear as tightly introduced as the first book in the series, but that may simply be because the first book was so concerned with meticulous construction of world.
danielmbensen's review against another edition
4.0
The Barsoom Project by Larry Niven and Steve Barnes - It's great to be re-reading the Dream Park books. They're always a delight, richly layered under a deceptively simple adventure story. In this one, the authors (mostly Barnes according to the authors' note) had some things to say about mental and physical health. What's really keeping you from losing weight, and what can a story do to dig up those reasons and suggest solutions? Also, the story has Inuit gods and the sunken city of R'lyeh, powered by a radioactive Soviet satellite. The book talked about some heavy things, occasionally heavier than the authors could lift, but they got there.
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
This second book in what is now a series of four was written six years after the first. In this double mystery are elements of the game, the park workings, and an in-park presentation being made to pitch "The Barsoom Project", a Mars colonization effort.
Read this one originally in or shortly after college. Star Trek TNG debuted while this was being written, and I wonder if their holodeck influenced the authors. The mystery and characters are good, and we see humor from the players of the game, one of whom is a comedian. An afterword talks about sources for the legends and science, and also the IFGS, a real-life society founded to try and create a real Dream Park sometime in the future.
This book references the original novel, but could almost stand alone. Purchased the third book also, but not sure whether I read it at the time. That mystery will be solved this year, when I attempt to finish off this series.
Read this one originally in or shortly after college. Star Trek TNG debuted while this was being written, and I wonder if their holodeck influenced the authors. The mystery and characters are good, and we see humor from the players of the game, one of whom is a comedian. An afterword talks about sources for the legends and science, and also the IFGS, a real-life society founded to try and create a real Dream Park sometime in the future.
This book references the original novel, but could almost stand alone. Purchased the third book also, but not sure whether I read it at the time. That mystery will be solved this year, when I attempt to finish off this series.
rouver's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite as good as Dream Park, but still enjoyable. So, if you read the first & have some extra time on your hands, you can pick up the second....aaand, I see there's a third. I'm off to see if the library has it. :)
rdpulfer's review against another edition
3.0
It's more virtual reality theme park shenanigans, this time at a weight loss program called the Fat Ripper. Once again, something sinister is afoot and Dream Park security Alex Griffin must investigates. Beyond the similarities, there is a lot to like with this book - the characters feel stronger, and the emphasis on weight loss makes the band of gamers feel more relatable. Unfortunately, the book feels a bit torn between several POV characters - it almost feels like the book would have been stronger if it was a standalone story with just a few links to the first book. Still, it's a fun read by two great sci-fi legends.
kevinhock's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
js_warren's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely not as good as the first book in the series, but it was a'ight. #LazyReview