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Dreamland Chronicles #1
In the Net of Dreams
In Dreamland, you can experience your wildest fantasies come true.
But not all fantasies are meant to become reality…
Dreamland takes you out of your body and into computer-generated worlds where anything you can imagine is possible. People become avatars, battle dragons and wield swords, spells and their wits.
Ride the open prairie with Jessie James or Billy the Kid, in Frontierworld. Sprout gills and experience an undersea adventure in Oceanworld. Hunt dinosaurs and meet the missing link in Primalworld. Fight a dragon and rescue a fair damsel from the black knight in Fantasyworld, the oldest and most popular of the Dreamland programs.
In the first book of the Dreamland Chronicles , the reader is introduced to Michael Straeker and his virtual friends. When Dreamworld is doomed to oblivion and all the Gamers who dwell there are imperilled, former programmer Robert Ripley is sent in to rescue them and discover what has infected the system.
Written with a great deal of humour, suspense and wordplay, In the Net of Dreams is the first book of the gripping Dreamland Chronicles , an enthralling blend of science fiction and fantasy. For fans of Ernest Cline, this will be a perfect read.
“Frequently fun…” Publishers Weekly
“ In the Net of Dreams comes about as close as possible to translating the sheer experience of fantasy gaming into novel form.” Dragon
“…Simmons’ ability to mingle side-splitting humor with layers of depth makes him one of the most exciting new sf/f novelists to appear in years.” Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
“In the Net of Dreams by Wm. Mark Simmons is not the first fantasy novel to mix cyberspace and role-playing games, but is one of the best, and a highly impressive first novel.” Carolyn Cushman, LOCUS
“Simmons is a good storyteller who takes his work seriously, but isn’t afraid to have fun and to give his readers a good time.” Ledger Book Reviewer
“A nonstop romp through a complex and captivating world! Highly recommended!” K D Wentworth
“Recommended to those who enjoy gaming, computer programmers, and those who just like amusing fantasy.” M. R. Hildebrand
William Mark Simmons spent his formative years in Independence, Missouri, and pursued a double major in Theatre and Mass communications. He has worked as an actor, director, musician, and entertainer, hosting his own shows in both Television and Radio while winning awards as a journalist and copywriter. He is the author of seven novels; his first, In The Net of Dreams, was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award and made the Locus “Best” list in 1991.
But not all fantasies are meant to become reality…
Dreamland takes you out of your body and into computer-generated worlds where anything you can imagine is possible. People become avatars, battle dragons and wield swords, spells and their wits.
Ride the open prairie with Jessie James or Billy the Kid, in Frontierworld. Sprout gills and experience an undersea adventure in Oceanworld. Hunt dinosaurs and meet the missing link in Primalworld. Fight a dragon and rescue a fair damsel from the black knight in Fantasyworld, the oldest and most popular of the Dreamland programs.
In the first book of the Dreamland Chronicles , the reader is introduced to Michael Straeker and his virtual friends. When Dreamworld is doomed to oblivion and all the Gamers who dwell there are imperilled, former programmer Robert Ripley is sent in to rescue them and discover what has infected the system.
Written with a great deal of humour, suspense and wordplay, In the Net of Dreams is the first book of the gripping Dreamland Chronicles , an enthralling blend of science fiction and fantasy. For fans of Ernest Cline, this will be a perfect read.
“Frequently fun…” Publishers Weekly
“ In the Net of Dreams comes about as close as possible to translating the sheer experience of fantasy gaming into novel form.” Dragon
“…Simmons’ ability to mingle side-splitting humor with layers of depth makes him one of the most exciting new sf/f novelists to appear in years.” Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
“In the Net of Dreams by Wm. Mark Simmons is not the first fantasy novel to mix cyberspace and role-playing games, but is one of the best, and a highly impressive first novel.” Carolyn Cushman, LOCUS
“Simmons is a good storyteller who takes his work seriously, but isn’t afraid to have fun and to give his readers a good time.” Ledger Book Reviewer
“A nonstop romp through a complex and captivating world! Highly recommended!” K D Wentworth
“Recommended to those who enjoy gaming, computer programmers, and those who just like amusing fantasy.” M. R. Hildebrand
William Mark Simmons spent his formative years in Independence, Missouri, and pursued a double major in Theatre and Mass communications. He has worked as an actor, director, musician, and entertainer, hosting his own shows in both Television and Radio while winning awards as a journalist and copywriter. He is the author of seven novels; his first, In The Net of Dreams, was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award and made the Locus “Best” list in 1991.
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 17, 2016
Better now than ever!
Here's something for sci-fi/fantasy readers to celebrate: the new release by Endeavor Press of William Mark Simmons' epic virtual reality Dreamlands series on its twenty-fifth anniversary. In the author's foreword, Simmons admits that he has done a little tweaking to bring the story up to date, but that he has left "just about everything in its 'retro' state."
I say, don't mess with success. While the first book, In the Net of Dreams, works as a stand-alone, you'd be cheating yourself if you stopped there. When Dreams Collide, the second book, is just as wildly funny and imaginative as you would expect, and delves deeper into the immersive gaming technology which allows players to leave their bodies behind and enter into a world of their choosing, filled with live players and virtually undetectable AI characters. Puns abound, moral issues arise, and Dreamland actions begin to have real world consequences.
Grab your vanilla Dr. Pepper, slip into your tank and explore Fantasyworld with Robert Remington Ripley III and his alter-ego: Riplakish of Dyrinwall.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Here's something for sci-fi/fantasy readers to celebrate: the new release by Endeavor Press of William Mark Simmons' epic virtual reality Dreamlands series on its twenty-fifth anniversary. In the author's foreword, Simmons admits that he has done a little tweaking to bring the story up to date, but that he has left "just about everything in its 'retro' state."
I say, don't mess with success. While the first book, In the Net of Dreams, works as a stand-alone, you'd be cheating yourself if you stopped there. When Dreams Collide, the second book, is just as wildly funny and imaginative as you would expect, and delves deeper into the immersive gaming technology which allows players to leave their bodies behind and enter into a world of their choosing, filled with live players and virtually undetectable AI characters. Puns abound, moral issues arise, and Dreamland actions begin to have real world consequences.
Grab your vanilla Dr. Pepper, slip into your tank and explore Fantasyworld with Robert Remington Ripley III and his alter-ego: Riplakish of Dyrinwall.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2019
Wasn't that impressed tbh. It was lacking in substance. Seemed to be more about showcasing the fantasy virtual world than the plot, but there were a few funny scenes and references.
January 10, 2022
The story was quite interesting but the translation especially of the names wasn´t really good. Why would someone translate names? I-I dont get it T-T Also the cover isn´t the best but it gives me this old vibe of fantasy books so
October 2, 2017
Hilarious, and hasn't lost interest for current day readers even with advances in technology. Perhaps makes it even more interesting and engaging for the possibilities!
November 25, 2019
Very good, kept me interested to the end. Considering its age it held up well.
December 29, 2024
Good concept but story was hard to follow. I kept thinking what is happening going from one page to the next. Ended up DNF half way through
December 14, 2009
Epic fantasy all wrapped up in a computer game. This author pulls off an odd blend of fantasy story and a computer game run amok. A delightful page-turner that entertains you with every lively twist.
November 7, 2016
More Magic please
Enter the game with all the pun loving, wise cracking characters and mystery to solve. Good fun that will not mnemonic grin and sometimes a groan.
Enter the game with all the pun loving, wise cracking characters and mystery to solve. Good fun that will not mnemonic grin and sometimes a groan.
December 29, 2015
This book is published by Venture Press.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews