The California Voodoo Game: Amazon.ca: Larry Niven: Books

Product Description

Dream Park, the ultimate in amusement parks, was about to embark on the greatest Game ever: the California Voodoo Game. Across the world bets were being placed; fortunes and reputations hung in the balance. Gaming careers would be made--or destroyed. And the most advanced software package ever invented was going to be tested.
But one of the players was a murderer--and worse. Only Alex Griffin, head of Dream Park Security, and Game Master Tony McWhirter guessed the extent of the treachery tainting the Game. Somehow, they had to catch the killer--but above all, the Game must go on.... --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Ingram

Dream Park is the ultimate fantasy experience, where participants can play the California Voodoo Game, interacting with holographic images and virtual-reality technology, unaware that they are being used as subjects to test a Martian terraforming project. 35,000 first printing.

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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1.0 out of 5 stars What a waste!, April 5 2002

By A Customer

There was a time that I read every book that Larry Niven was involved in, until this book came out. I haven't read a single one of his books since. After reading Dream Park, I thought I'd give him one more chance. Then came this book, and I decided that if he was going to write such tedious books, I just wouldn't waste my time.
The book involves several teams of players in an imaginary game in which some things are real, and some are just kind of projected into that reality. Meanwhile, some people are trying to play the game, while some are trying to circumvent it. It was simply too much effort to keep track of what was real, what was projected, who was playing, who wasn't playing, and who was just pretending to play. Plus, when you find out, their motives are implausable.
The worst thing about this book is it serves no purpose. Science Fiction should provide the reader insight about science, human nature, possible worlds, or the direction of society. This was just a silly reason to tie some characters together and publish a book.

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4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Romp Through a Simulated Wonderland, Jan 15 2001

By	Kat K. Munro (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: California Voodoo Game (Mass Market Paperback)

When science fiction like this emerges, it brings a sense of wonder, a moment of shock. "This Isn't Far Away!". California Voodoo Game tip-toes the fine lines of modern technology to bring a tale that is intriguing and imaginative. When role-players of our present meet and adopt the virtual reality technology of the near-future, then the world of this novel isn't far away.

The cast of characters is vast, and often we don't get a very indepth vision of them. The Game, which takes on a life of its own for the players, is the most fully fleshed of the "characters". The Game, virtually painted over a huge and somewhat hazardous real-world, is made even more risky when some of the players are playing for higher stakes and breaking every rule.

Okay, so the plot and the writing wasn't the greatest in Sci Fi Fiction today. The characters won't glow in godly pop-culturdom for years to come. But--the technology, the fantasy of this not-so-distant future is so compelling, it makes this book a near perfect escape.

Gaming geeks of the world..rejoice! This one is for you. To the future of gaming..closer than we imagine.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Last and best so far, Dec 30 2000

By	B. M Purcell (Peoria, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: California Voodoo Game (Mass Market Paperback)

The ending uses the torque of the climactic fight scene brilliantly; the beginning uses the Kama Sutra Gaming Society just enough. I'd like to see Niven use 'The Theory and Practice of Instant Learning' in his Internet scenes: a teleoperated World Wide Dream Park?

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Last but definately least!
About a month ago I was told there was a third book about Dreampark that wasn't available in Europe. Of course, I had to buy it. Read more

Published on April 16 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of a good series
Dream Park was great, and California Voodoo Game even better. If the role-playing computer geeks ever conquer Disney World, it will be like this. Read more

Published on Jan 30 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the "Dream Park" novels
Once again, Larry Niven proves himself to be a master of storytelling, weaving fantasy and science into a stunning tale of swordplay and circuitry, fencing and foul play... Read more

Published on Dec 27 1996

5.0 out of 5 stars best of the lot/not to be missed
Starting with Dream Park, and ending with California Voodoo Game, Larry paints a fantastic picture of the future of entertainment and fantasy gaming, while keeping the action... Read more

Published on Oct 3 1996