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Kingdom Keepers #1
Disney After Dark
In this fantastical novel, Disney's Magic Kingdom suddenly becomes a bit eerie. Finn Whitman and four other teens have been hired as Disney World guides, but with an odd twist: With cutting-edge technology, they have been transformed into hologram projections capable of leading guests around the park. What begins as an exciting theme park job turns into a virtual nightmare as Finn and his pals attempt to thwart an uprising by a menacing group of Disney villains.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 2004
2240 people are currently reading
20944 people want to read
About the author
Ridley Pearson
186 books2,098 followersRidley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,133 reviews
January 14, 2011
Where do I begin to describe my disappointment?
Living in Florida, I love Disney with a fierce passion. My best memories have been made there. I've seen this book every time I've gone in a store, and I figured it must be good.
How wrong I was.
Everything was so... bad, but let's break it down into elements.
Negative Elements:
The characters -
They were underdeveloped to say the least. You couldn't connect to anyone because the author simply didn't describe them. You didn't know what they liked, what they hated. There were surface-level perfect, spawns of Mary Sue and Marty Stu. I found myself uncaring if they lived or died (but I know they didn't die since this is an unfortunately continued series.) Not to mention, the bad guys did not seem bad. I could find no reason whatsoever to hate Maleficent other than the previously known fact that she tried to kill Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.
The dialogue -
It was forced and without meaning. I could have slapped the characters every time they asked some obvious, stupid question. I'm aware that this is a kid's book and that the dialogue needs to be slower/more obvious, but this would have insulted the intelligence of my 8-year-old sister.
The story -
It was probably one of the worst I've ever read. When you look at Disney, there is so much potential for a good story, and the back to this book seemed to capture that potential. However, once you got into it, it was horrible. The events surrounding the entire plot were completely unexplained. I'm still confused as to what the Stonecutter's Quill had to do with anything. I'm still confused as to how they even progressed through the book. Their circumstances and battles were conveniently (and impossibly, even for a fiction book) solved. Not to mention infrequent. Plus, any good parts were just not memorable. For example, I thought I would love the It's a Small World part with the demon dolls. But, the resolution to that conflict was so completely and utterly unintelligent I had to put the book down for a moment. I kept on asking, "Did that just happen?" However, it was not asked in the good way. Anyway, the conclusion of the plot was not good. I saw it from a mile away, but, for some reason, I thought I would be wrong.
The Unrealistic Situations -
Before you start yelling that this is a fiction book, I'm referring to the situations in Finn's personal life... where it was supposed to be realistic. I can't go too deep into this, but some of the things that happened in Finn's home were completely unrealistic. It just screamed obvious.
The abuse of Disney -
This book in no way captured that magical Disney. There was very few Disney characters in the book, and the one that it focused on (Maleficent) was not described property. Pearson didn't capture her true personality or evilness. For example, Pearson described the temperature dropping 50 degrees every time she steps in the room and objects freezing at her touch. Where the heck did he get that? If anything, Maleficent is a fire and therefore does the exact opposite. It seems like he didn't do his research. And why were there no good guys? Everyone who could have helped was mysteriously missing as the idiots ran through the park. Anyway, Pearson didn't capture that feeling you get as you travel the park at night. There was just nothing there. If you're going to do a book about Disney, put "capturing the Disney magic" on your priorities list.
The weird religious references -
I read this book to read about Disney, not the author strange view on religion (projected through little kids.) There were multiple, yet subtle, negative reference to religion with an emphasis on Christianity. I was quite literally shocked. What does Disney have to do with religion? Why the heck is Pearson wasting my time with his religious beliefs? Whether I am religious or not, I don't enjoy reading about any type of religion or an author's interpretation of it... especially in a kid's book about Disney.
The writing style -
I thought that Pearson, being the author of a variety of book, would at least have a good writing style... but no. It was dull and uninteresting. No freshness. The imagery stunk like a dirty diaper, and everything felt choppy. The action was near impossible to visualize because it wasn't described with any sort of depth. I will employ one of my previous metaphors. It felt like I was sliding down a cheap, plastic corkscrew slide, and I kept on getting stuck as soon as I gained any momentum.
Positive Elements:
The basis of the story -
The original basis and potential of this book soared. It had an awesome base that was just not expanded upon properly.
How the book made you want to finish it -
How do you describe it? Even though I didn't like it, I wanted to find out how the book really ended. It kept you slightly interested, just interested enough to make you stick with it till the end. However, like I hinted above, it never lived up to its potential. It's a shame.
With everything considered, it was not a good book. I'm glad I read it, now I won't have to wonder about the book every time I see it, but I really didn't like it.
I don't recommend it, but feel free to disagree.
Living in Florida, I love Disney with a fierce passion. My best memories have been made there. I've seen this book every time I've gone in a store, and I figured it must be good.
How wrong I was.
Everything was so... bad, but let's break it down into elements.
Negative Elements:
The characters -
They were underdeveloped to say the least. You couldn't connect to anyone because the author simply didn't describe them. You didn't know what they liked, what they hated. There were surface-level perfect, spawns of Mary Sue and Marty Stu. I found myself uncaring if they lived or died (but I know they didn't die since this is an unfortunately continued series.) Not to mention, the bad guys did not seem bad. I could find no reason whatsoever to hate Maleficent other than the previously known fact that she tried to kill Aurora in Sleeping Beauty.
The dialogue -
It was forced and without meaning. I could have slapped the characters every time they asked some obvious, stupid question. I'm aware that this is a kid's book and that the dialogue needs to be slower/more obvious, but this would have insulted the intelligence of my 8-year-old sister.
The story -
It was probably one of the worst I've ever read. When you look at Disney, there is so much potential for a good story, and the back to this book seemed to capture that potential. However, once you got into it, it was horrible. The events surrounding the entire plot were completely unexplained. I'm still confused as to what the Stonecutter's Quill had to do with anything. I'm still confused as to how they even progressed through the book. Their circumstances and battles were conveniently (and impossibly, even for a fiction book) solved. Not to mention infrequent. Plus, any good parts were just not memorable. For example, I thought I would love the It's a Small World part with the demon dolls. But, the resolution to that conflict was so completely and utterly unintelligent I had to put the book down for a moment. I kept on asking, "Did that just happen?" However, it was not asked in the good way. Anyway, the conclusion of the plot was not good. I saw it from a mile away, but, for some reason, I thought I would be wrong.
The Unrealistic Situations -
Before you start yelling that this is a fiction book, I'm referring to the situations in Finn's personal life... where it was supposed to be realistic. I can't go too deep into this, but some of the things that happened in Finn's home were completely unrealistic. It just screamed obvious.
The abuse of Disney -
This book in no way captured that magical Disney. There was very few Disney characters in the book, and the one that it focused on (Maleficent) was not described property. Pearson didn't capture her true personality or evilness. For example, Pearson described the temperature dropping 50 degrees every time she steps in the room and objects freezing at her touch. Where the heck did he get that? If anything, Maleficent is a fire and therefore does the exact opposite. It seems like he didn't do his research. And why were there no good guys? Everyone who could have helped was mysteriously missing as the idiots ran through the park. Anyway, Pearson didn't capture that feeling you get as you travel the park at night. There was just nothing there. If you're going to do a book about Disney, put "capturing the Disney magic" on your priorities list.
The weird religious references -
I read this book to read about Disney, not the author strange view on religion (projected through little kids.) There were multiple, yet subtle, negative reference to religion with an emphasis on Christianity. I was quite literally shocked. What does Disney have to do with religion? Why the heck is Pearson wasting my time with his religious beliefs? Whether I am religious or not, I don't enjoy reading about any type of religion or an author's interpretation of it... especially in a kid's book about Disney.
The writing style -
I thought that Pearson, being the author of a variety of book, would at least have a good writing style... but no. It was dull and uninteresting. No freshness. The imagery stunk like a dirty diaper, and everything felt choppy. The action was near impossible to visualize because it wasn't described with any sort of depth. I will employ one of my previous metaphors. It felt like I was sliding down a cheap, plastic corkscrew slide, and I kept on getting stuck as soon as I gained any momentum.
Positive Elements:
The basis of the story -
The original basis and potential of this book soared. It had an awesome base that was just not expanded upon properly.
How the book made you want to finish it -
How do you describe it? Even though I didn't like it, I wanted to find out how the book really ended. It kept you slightly interested, just interested enough to make you stick with it till the end. However, like I hinted above, it never lived up to its potential. It's a shame.
With everything considered, it was not a good book. I'm glad I read it, now I won't have to wonder about the book every time I see it, but I really didn't like it.
I don't recommend it, but feel free to disagree.
September 17, 2013
Soo...I guess if we're gonna bump into each other tonight in our dreams, we might want to decide when we're all going to sleep. Everyone has a 9 p.m. bedtime, right? Wait, what? You get to stay up til 10? No fair!
2.5 stars. While I was reading Disney After Dark, I kept comparing it in my head to a starter version of Ready Player One. Unfortunately, I kept wishing for this book to become as epic as RPO and it never quite got there.
The strange thing is, I can't find anything wrong with DaD (hah). Even as I browsed back through my notes, I didn't have anything negative to say other than some of the phrasing seemed a touch too outdated for today's kids (it happens sometimes when an adult writes kidfic). However, that wasn't even so much a complaint, but more of an observation over a few phrases which didn't sound very kid-like (can't think of any 13 year old boy who would use the phrase hip-huggers, for example).
Yet, while there was nothing wrong, I couldn't seem to find much that was right either. And by right, I mean in a "wow, we just hit that good point of the book" type of way. Disney would sort of ebb and flow, with a few brief mini-adventures, then some conversational downtime; rinse, repeat. But nothing ever peaked at a high-intensity level which got my blood pumping. All in all, there weren't a whole lot of "feels" happening. I was never excited, afraid, amused, anticipating, etc. I was just mildly interested in what would happen next. And sometimes I wasn't even all that interested. I never once felt the need to have to pick the book back up after putting it down.
The adventures/fight scenes/puzzle solving reminded me of a lower-key version of Percy Jackson, except without the large dose of humor and the fast-paced flow which keeps PJ fans hooked.
Sadly, I won't be picking up the next book in the series. There just wasn't enough to make me want to find out what happens next. However, I would watch this as a movie, if only to see the holograms and the Disney character battles at night after the park goes dark.
October 15, 2007
Okay, when I learned about what it was about, I thought that it would be REALLY, REALLY good. I just thought the idea was clever (it's about Disney characters gone bad at night in the park). But then I read it, and I realized I just didn't like the characters, or the way it was written...sorry. But I do think it's a worthwhile read.
November 28, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
Five young teens living in Florida get the opportunity of a lifetime--they're each going to be turned into a DHI, or a Disney Host Interactive, to guide visitors throughout the park. The five teens--Finn, Charlene, Willa, Philby, and Maybeck--are a varied assortment of ethnicities, and all attend different schools. As Maybeck states, they're "the Orlando assortment pack." When Philby points out that DHI also stands for Daylight Hologram Imaging, the kids get a little worried that maybe the people at Disney aren't telling them everything there is to know. And that turns out to be quite an understatement.
One night when Finn falls asleep, he finds himself in the park after closing-- in his DHI, or hologram, body. He meets an old man named Wayne, one of the original Disney Imagineers, who informs Finn that he and his other four DHI friends have been chosen for a mission. A mission to save the park from the Overtakers, a group of once-benign Park characters who have taken on power and are intent on spreading their power outside of the borders of Disney World.
What at first seems like a fantastical dream soon turns to reality, when the attractions at the Park begin coming to life when the DHIs cross over into the Magic Kingdom while sleeping. They're attacked by animatronic pirates from The Pirates of the Caribbean, the dolls from It's a Small World try to capsize their boat, a dinosaur fossil from the Thunder Mountain ride comes to life and starts chasing them. And then there's Maleficent, the witch from Sleeping Beauty, who appears to be all too real--and determined to stop the kids from solving The Stonecutter's Quill, the fable that Walt Disney passed along to save the Park from the Overtakers.
THE KINGDOM KEEPERS is definitely an imaginative read, full of action, adventure, and suspense. For anyone who has ever visited the Magic Kingdom, you'll recognize the settings immediately. Even if you're not a frequent visitor of Disney World, this is one book that will bring the magic--both good and bad--to very realistic life.
Five young teens living in Florida get the opportunity of a lifetime--they're each going to be turned into a DHI, or a Disney Host Interactive, to guide visitors throughout the park. The five teens--Finn, Charlene, Willa, Philby, and Maybeck--are a varied assortment of ethnicities, and all attend different schools. As Maybeck states, they're "the Orlando assortment pack." When Philby points out that DHI also stands for Daylight Hologram Imaging, the kids get a little worried that maybe the people at Disney aren't telling them everything there is to know. And that turns out to be quite an understatement.
One night when Finn falls asleep, he finds himself in the park after closing-- in his DHI, or hologram, body. He meets an old man named Wayne, one of the original Disney Imagineers, who informs Finn that he and his other four DHI friends have been chosen for a mission. A mission to save the park from the Overtakers, a group of once-benign Park characters who have taken on power and are intent on spreading their power outside of the borders of Disney World.
What at first seems like a fantastical dream soon turns to reality, when the attractions at the Park begin coming to life when the DHIs cross over into the Magic Kingdom while sleeping. They're attacked by animatronic pirates from The Pirates of the Caribbean, the dolls from It's a Small World try to capsize their boat, a dinosaur fossil from the Thunder Mountain ride comes to life and starts chasing them. And then there's Maleficent, the witch from Sleeping Beauty, who appears to be all too real--and determined to stop the kids from solving The Stonecutter's Quill, the fable that Walt Disney passed along to save the Park from the Overtakers.
THE KINGDOM KEEPERS is definitely an imaginative read, full of action, adventure, and suspense. For anyone who has ever visited the Magic Kingdom, you'll recognize the settings immediately. Even if you're not a frequent visitor of Disney World, this is one book that will bring the magic--both good and bad--to very realistic life.
December 5, 2008
I read this book a while back. My sister had read it before me and said she really liked it. So I thought I would give it a whirl. It was a little confusing at first because I didn't know what was going on, but It got a lot better!
I like how they based it at Disney World. It made me remember when I went to Disney World the year before. All the rides, and the cool things that are there in real life and the book. The author really did a great job with it.
I hope to be able to add it to my library so I can read it whenever I want!
It's a reall cool Book!
I like how they based it at Disney World. It made me remember when I went to Disney World the year before. All the rides, and the cool things that are there in real life and the book. The author really did a great job with it.
I hope to be able to add it to my library so I can read it whenever I want!
It's a reall cool Book!
August 5, 2010
The premise of the book sounded exciting enough. I mean, what doesn't sound fun about a book that takes place in the Magic Kingdom?
However, this book had many confusing scenes (and starts off with one of the most confusing) and a ton of things that are never explained. Plus, the author seemed to like to throw in references to attractions or locations in the park (perhaps just to geek people out).
Next, some very very weird stuff happens. It's easy enough to accept evil characters as being evil, but accepting characters that are generally seen as nice and friendly as flesh-eating monsters was just weird. Also, we are asked to accept that anything and everything that goes wrong at the park is just a cover up.
Finally, the worst part was the character development. Some characters were thrown in just for the sake of having them there. They added nothing, and I didn't really care if anything happened to them.
Great, intriguing premise, but poorly executed.
However, this book had many confusing scenes (and starts off with one of the most confusing) and a ton of things that are never explained. Plus, the author seemed to like to throw in references to attractions or locations in the park (perhaps just to geek people out).
Next, some very very weird stuff happens. It's easy enough to accept evil characters as being evil, but accepting characters that are generally seen as nice and friendly as flesh-eating monsters was just weird. Also, we are asked to accept that anything and everything that goes wrong at the park is just a cover up.
Finally, the worst part was the character development. Some characters were thrown in just for the sake of having them there. They added nothing, and I didn't really care if anything happened to them.
Great, intriguing premise, but poorly executed.
February 21, 2013
Don't let it fool you... The simplicity of this book should not eclipse its creative elements. For among that simple story structure is a quite clever premise easily discounted as childish.
Written for young adults, it unashamedly panders to fans of Disney Parks, most specifically THE MAGIC KINGDOM. If that Disney fan has expanded their horizons into backstage stories and the nuts and bolts of running the theme park, this book will be a great guilty pleasure, even for adults.
Author RIDLEY PEARSON weaves a simple story of good and evil - simple only to offset some complicated science fiction elements that permeate. For fans, that simple story is more than enough, especially since much of the story takes place within their beloved Magic Kingdom. Pearson does a great job of working his fantasy into the familiar. So much so, that story elements may come to you the next time you visit Disney's Magic Kingdom. Was that door always there? hmmm.
Pearson has taken this series out to seven books at this writing. While I am partial to his (and Dave Barry's) Starcatchers series, this is a fun piece of fiction.
Written for young adults, it unashamedly panders to fans of Disney Parks, most specifically THE MAGIC KINGDOM. If that Disney fan has expanded their horizons into backstage stories and the nuts and bolts of running the theme park, this book will be a great guilty pleasure, even for adults.
Author RIDLEY PEARSON weaves a simple story of good and evil - simple only to offset some complicated science fiction elements that permeate. For fans, that simple story is more than enough, especially since much of the story takes place within their beloved Magic Kingdom. Pearson does a great job of working his fantasy into the familiar. So much so, that story elements may come to you the next time you visit Disney's Magic Kingdom. Was that door always there? hmmm.
Pearson has taken this series out to seven books at this writing. While I am partial to his (and Dave Barry's) Starcatchers series, this is a fun piece of fiction.
July 30, 2011
Have you been to Disney World? Do you love the Magic Kingdom? As a huge Disney fan, this book was so fun to read! You meet Finn and 4 other Orlando teenagers who have been chosen to become DHI's, which are holographic images that are trained to be Magic Kingdom park guides. However, Finn and his friends start waking up in the middle of the night as their DHI's, in the Magic Kingdom park. They find out from Wayne, an old Imagineer (what Disney calls their engineers and inventors), that the park is under siege by a group of people called "The Overtakers". We find out that The Overtakers are lead by the evil villain, Maleficent and she has recruited other park villains to help. Finn and the others must find what Maleficent is after and stop her and the other Overtakers before it's too late. Disney aficionados will enjoy seeing some of the park audio animatronics come to life - for example the pirates from The Pirates of the Caribbean ride, fight Finn and the others while riding the cars from Buzz Lightyear's Space Adventure ride! Some of the more famous Magic Kingdom rides are spotlighted in this adventurous book - Splash Mountain, it's a small world!, Tom Sawyer's Island, The Haunted Mansion and even Cinderella's Castle makes an appearance!
July 31, 2015
Like others that I saw when I read the flap of this book I thought this was the coolest idea for a book. But like all good books it's how the idea is taken and written and then transformed. I don't know if its the author just isn't a good YA author that this is just not his style. Either way the writing is the worst, and I've read some pretty bad stuff.
I hated that we had to mention the virtual magic kingdom, the characters were so one dimensional that I could see through them. And at times I thought this kids were in 4th grade only to find out they are wandering around Orlando by themselves. They also are pretty stupid kids. Also why is that every book that the kids have the parents are three steps from being brain dead? EVERY adult was a moron.
There's more that I could go on and on about but really I wanted to like this book but just couldn't.
I hated that we had to mention the virtual magic kingdom, the characters were so one dimensional that I could see through them. And at times I thought this kids were in 4th grade only to find out they are wandering around Orlando by themselves. They also are pretty stupid kids. Also why is that every book that the kids have the parents are three steps from being brain dead? EVERY adult was a moron.
There's more that I could go on and on about but really I wanted to like this book but just couldn't.
May 29, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 well-deserved STARS
I am so glad to have to the chance to reread the Kingdom Keepers series. I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, the second time around. The changes/revisions that Ridley Pearson makes to the revised edition to Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark only add to the enjoyment of the book.
You do not have to visit the parks to appreciate the book, but it damn sure makes it a more thrilling read. 😉
Check it out for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
5 well-deserved STARS
I am so glad to have to the chance to reread the Kingdom Keepers series. I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, the second time around. The changes/revisions that Ridley Pearson makes to the revised edition to Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark only add to the enjoyment of the book.
You do not have to visit the parks to appreciate the book, but it damn sure makes it a more thrilling read. 😉
”’If you believe in something strongly enough, I think you can make it happen’”.
Check it out for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
December 6, 2020
YESSSSS! 1000/5 stars! I was impressed with how much action he packed into this book. I loved how real it felt! It was almost like I was another member, solving the clues and trying to fight off Maleficent with them! I just HAVE to start the second book soon! Ridley Pearson definitely left me wanting more! 🤩 This will always be a book I will recommend from now on!
August 10, 2022
A fun video-game-style adventure with plenty of action and intensity. The only thing that keeps it from getting a perfect score is the unfortunate--although only occasional--inclusion of disparaging remarks about the Christian faith.
March 13, 2017
This book does not deserve the paper it was written on. When middle school kids complain that they do not like to read, or that books are too hard to read, I wouldn't blame them if they were talking about this book.
As a brief illustration of how stupid this book was, behold this magnificent passage:
"Her hair was the color of laundry lint. Her eyelashes were so pale they were almost invisible, which left her eyelids looking like weird flesh-colored cups that blinked down over her eyes like a bird's."
"Like a bird's"? Like a bird's what? Like a bird's... flesh-colored cups? How did this line make it past an editor? Also, lint can be purple. It can be red. It can be green or pink or blue. Lint comes in every glorious shade of the rainbow. What then, pray tell, was the color of her hair?
All in all, this book stinks. If you are in middle school, I beg of you, read the Penderwicks or the Melendy books or something that will not discourage you from reading forever.
As a brief illustration of how stupid this book was, behold this magnificent passage:
"Her hair was the color of laundry lint. Her eyelashes were so pale they were almost invisible, which left her eyelids looking like weird flesh-colored cups that blinked down over her eyes like a bird's."
"Like a bird's"? Like a bird's what? Like a bird's... flesh-colored cups? How did this line make it past an editor? Also, lint can be purple. It can be red. It can be green or pink or blue. Lint comes in every glorious shade of the rainbow. What then, pray tell, was the color of her hair?
All in all, this book stinks. If you are in middle school, I beg of you, read the Penderwicks or the Melendy books or something that will not discourage you from reading forever.
August 16, 2014
A fun thriller for Disney fans! A group of kids who are being used as the models for holographic hosts at Walt Disney World discover that they are the only ones who can stop the Disney villains from taking over. I liked the kids, and the action, and the inside look at the Magic Kingdom. Pearson clearly had an all access pass, and knew about all the service tunnels and every twist and turn of the rides. I'm curious to see where the kids go next. I did think that the whole, "We're kinda here but not really, because we're kinda holograms" was unnecessary, and didn't add much other than distraction.
July 11, 2017
“There's a fine line between imagination and reality. An inventor dreams something up, and pretty soon, it's there on the table before him. A science-fiction writer envisions another world, and then some space probe finds it. If you believe in something strongly enough, I think you can make it happen.”
March 22, 2009
The Kingdom Keepers-The Forgotten Harry PotterOverall Rating: Wow I didn’t expect it to be this good Looking for a new fantasy book to read? Have you worn out and memorized the lines out of Harry Potter books? Or are you looking for something is both kid friendly and can be enjoyed by adults. Well in the bargain bin of a local Hasting I found this forgotten treasure that nobody seems to know anything about. It’s called The Kingdom Keepers Also know as Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark, this book is written by Ridly Pearson. And if the word Disney scarred you? Don’t let it. Despite how silly the book sounds, it is a really great imaginative novel that isn’t too silly for adults and just fun enough for kids. So here’s the concept of the book. The book focuses on a thirteen year old boy name Finn Whitmen. He has won a contest along with four other kids to have their selves replicated into electronic hologram hosts to help serve people in the Disney theme park. Basically there’s a hologram of each kid is created to help tourist and answer questions in Disney land. But once the holograms of each kid is made(the book calls them DHI) something happens to them. When Finn and the other kids go to bed for the night , they wake up in Disney Land after dark in the form of holograms. And at night time Disney Land comes alive. And right here I will tell you that it is not as happy go lucky as you would think it would be. It is actually kind of a dark kids tale. The witch from Sleeping Beauty is trying to take over the world beyond Disney Land. She already nearly has complete control over the ark. And the five kids must go on a quest to solve a riddle in order to find the one thing that can hurt any Disney character. Along the way they encounter psychotic animatronics dolls, dinosaur skeletons that came alive and the Pirates of the Caribbean as well. It had this kind feel the old West World movie very much applied to story. But it’s entertaining oddly enough telling a epic fantasy in a story set in a world that kids can completely relate to. Just one real complaint wit the book. Where the hell was this book when I was in elementary school? I love this book, and I would of loved it back then too. We had to read ninety minutes every day and all I had was the box car children and baby sitters club. And if they could of included more Disney villains. I think it would have been more entertaining. But it’s still a masterpiece. An this is not a new book either. It was book that no one even knows about. It was written back in 1999. And if your like me and t sounds fun. You’ll like it. If your kid is into reading, then get it. My rating ting is four stars. It’s the Harry Potter no one knew about. I just wonder one thing though. Was this book any of inspiration for that Disney Game Kingdom Hearts? But now I’m just think out loud.P.S. check out my book website Lelue’s Realm http://www.freewebs.com/lelue/
September 21, 2013
Yes I am an adult and yes I enjoyed this book. Looking at the not so stellar reviews of Disney After Dark, I agree with some of the comments - like the characters were under developed. True, but I believe that this didn't dampen my reading experience because I went in knowing that there are 4 other books to follow. I'm sure (or at least hoping) that there will be more character development to take place. The other oddity I found was Maleficent's ice powers - although, it didn't bother me as much as the other reviewers, I just found it odd that ice would be her persona when that wasn't the case in Sleeping Beauty. Nevertheless, the behind the theme park feel was intriguing and it made me want to go to Disney World so I can place some of the scenes from the book. All in all, I found the book fast paced, the dialogue current as far as preteen kids (or at least the respectful, well-behaved ones) go nowadays, and the characters interesting enough to want to know more about them (I'm definitely interested how Charlene is developed because she seemed like the weakest link of the bunch). It was an overall enjoyable, straight-forward, YA genre read. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
April 15, 2009
Wow, so I really did not like this book at all. The premise is super interesting, but the execution is beyond lame. It's so cliche that it borders on offensive. The one black kid is a tall, athletic, and angry male? The main girl is so mysterious with a secret and the main (average white) boy can't quite figure her out? The nerdy (white) boy has red hair and knows everything? The other two girls that are part of the team are completely useless, so much so that they disappear from the action at the end? There's a character named JEZEBEL who totally manipulates the black kid with her sexiness? I mean, SERIOUSLY? That is totally lame. I read the whole book because I wanted to figure out just where it was going, but I am so, so turned off by the lazy and lame characterization. Ugh.
January 30, 2020
Not good
I was almost immediately shut off when a bigger sized kid was described as “Having eaten enough for two kids and looked it.” Leaving fatphobic writing to the side, in general it’s a pretty uninteresting book to read despite the fantasy aspect I usually would enjoy.
I was almost immediately shut off when a bigger sized kid was described as “Having eaten enough for two kids and looked it.” Leaving fatphobic writing to the side, in general it’s a pretty uninteresting book to read despite the fantasy aspect I usually would enjoy.
July 6, 2017
Well, this was a bit disappointing. I first read this book when I was 12, so half my lifetime ago. I loved it, it was so amazing! I bought it at Walt Disney World, a place I've gone on holiday since I was 2. So to have a book actually set in the parks, about people my own age going into the parks at night and having adventures? That's just the best thing ever!
So fast forward to now. I haven't read this series in years and have only read the first 3 (I think). I'm actually just so surprised at how... I don't know, bad the writing seems? I understand that I'm an adult, and this is a book for children and early teens. But I read books that are meant for all ages. And I have read so many books for this age range that have been fantastic and I have enjoyed. I was just excited to reread a book I remember so fondly, only to think "...oh" after a few chapters.
There are a lot of mistakes about the attractions and just certain things about the way the park actually is. Which I understand to an extent. This book came out in 2005. YouTube was only starting, so no plethora of videos of walkthroughs of the parks, or videos going through the rides. But still, I'm pretty sure I remember reading about how Ridley Pearson had special access granted to him to aid writing this book.
And it's not just that. That isn't actually the main issue really. I found myself cringing so many times at the language used, and the things they would think and say, and just the plot. Which is so sad! Because I loved this book! It still has a place in my heart, purely for nostalgia. And I'm going to finish the series, just out of the hope it gets a bit better! But it would have to be a big improvement. And I've heard that for the last book he had kids take part in writing it? Which I'm sure was lots of fun for them, but doesn't fill me with excitement.
Random thoughts:
-The characters are so bland. I couldn't tell you anything specific or special about any of them really, that's how little an impression they leave.
-I just don't understand how he got the inside layout of Splash Mountain so wrong. If it's because he's never been on the ride, why not just ask someone else to go on and give him detailed notes?
-I know the characters are young, but the things they say, my god, they just come across so dumb! I understand they have to ask questions, but can they not be phrased better?
-It's taken me months to finish my reread, and the bit I was stopped at was a few chapters from the end, so there's probably so much more I could say if I had just read the whole book very recently.
I'm giving this 3 stars, but I feel like that 3rd star is just held there by nostalgia.
This review is so full of complaints, which is sad, but it does have its good parts. I just get the feeling that this has so much promise. It could have been amazing and wonderful things could have been done with the idea of Walt Disney World after dark, fighting the bad characters who are actually real. All the details of Disney parks complementing the story and adding the Disney magic to it. Like, just imagine how good that could be if done well.
So fast forward to now. I haven't read this series in years and have only read the first 3 (I think). I'm actually just so surprised at how... I don't know, bad the writing seems? I understand that I'm an adult, and this is a book for children and early teens. But I read books that are meant for all ages. And I have read so many books for this age range that have been fantastic and I have enjoyed. I was just excited to reread a book I remember so fondly, only to think "...oh" after a few chapters.
There are a lot of mistakes about the attractions and just certain things about the way the park actually is. Which I understand to an extent. This book came out in 2005. YouTube was only starting, so no plethora of videos of walkthroughs of the parks, or videos going through the rides. But still, I'm pretty sure I remember reading about how Ridley Pearson had special access granted to him to aid writing this book.
And it's not just that. That isn't actually the main issue really. I found myself cringing so many times at the language used, and the things they would think and say, and just the plot. Which is so sad! Because I loved this book! It still has a place in my heart, purely for nostalgia. And I'm going to finish the series, just out of the hope it gets a bit better! But it would have to be a big improvement. And I've heard that for the last book he had kids take part in writing it? Which I'm sure was lots of fun for them, but doesn't fill me with excitement.
Random thoughts:
-The characters are so bland. I couldn't tell you anything specific or special about any of them really, that's how little an impression they leave.
-I just don't understand how he got the inside layout of Splash Mountain so wrong. If it's because he's never been on the ride, why not just ask someone else to go on and give him detailed notes?
-I know the characters are young, but the things they say, my god, they just come across so dumb! I understand they have to ask questions, but can they not be phrased better?
-It's taken me months to finish my reread, and the bit I was stopped at was a few chapters from the end, so there's probably so much more I could say if I had just read the whole book very recently.
I'm giving this 3 stars, but I feel like that 3rd star is just held there by nostalgia.
This review is so full of complaints, which is sad, but it does have its good parts. I just get the feeling that this has so much promise. It could have been amazing and wonderful things could have been done with the idea of Walt Disney World after dark, fighting the bad characters who are actually real. All the details of Disney parks complementing the story and adding the Disney magic to it. Like, just imagine how good that could be if done well.
December 4, 2012
This was a fun book to read. Young teens and preteens will enjoy it. It is often difficult to find good, interesting books for young boys, but this is one. I imagine boys would get caught up in the characters of these boys (3 of the DHIs are boys) and project themselves into the book. Doing battle with pirates from Pirates of the Caribbean would be exciting. People who don’t care for It’s a Small World will like the battle that takes place after hours there. The fact that Kingdom Keepers is set in Disney World in Florida will make this story more appealing to our students. Most have been to the Magic Kingdom and are familiar with the attractions mentioned in the book. I was able to picture the two pirates playing a game of checkers, and the teepees on Tom Sawyer’s Island. As the author tells of the teens walking through Tomorrowland to go to Space Mountain or heading to Frontierland, they will be able to picture it all in their minds. The characters are all very real and students will easily identify with them. Mr. Pearson did an excellent job of making them seem like normal, everyday middle schoolers doing the same kinds of things the readers likely do.
August 24, 2012
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Go Keepers! Go Keepers!
This AWESOME book is the first in the Kingdom Keepers series. It takes place where Disneyworld is, Orlando, Florida!(A.k.a, Disney!) Compared to the other books in the series, I think that this one is second best(Fourth one is awesome-er or the one where Finn uses the sword).
I liked that this book took place at Disney and that it was with kids twelve years old instead of seventeen. Adventure was good, also, Maybeck's sarcastic comments keep you laughing.
The main struggle in this book is the Keepers trying to stop the Disney villain, Maleficent. Btw, She's going dooooooown!
The ending was a very well written and made me snatch the second book straight away(No seriously, I was begging!). I liked the ending because, 1.) it was well written, 2.) everybody lived, 3.) I'm going to stop listing because otherwise this will get too long.
I recommend this for kids between 7-15, Disney fans, maybe even adults!!!
Go Keepers! Go Keepers!
This AWESOME book is the first in the Kingdom Keepers series. It takes place where Disneyworld is, Orlando, Florida!(A.k.a, Disney!) Compared to the other books in the series, I think that this one is second best(Fourth one is awesome-er or the one where Finn uses the sword).
I liked that this book took place at Disney and that it was with kids twelve years old instead of seventeen. Adventure was good, also, Maybeck's sarcastic comments keep you laughing.
The main struggle in this book is the Keepers trying to stop the Disney villain, Maleficent. Btw, She's going dooooooown!
The ending was a very well written and made me snatch the second book straight away(No seriously, I was begging!). I liked the ending because, 1.) it was well written, 2.) everybody lived, 3.) I'm going to stop listing because otherwise this will get too long.
I recommend this for kids between 7-15, Disney fans, maybe even adults!!!
August 14, 2022
I had originally not planned on reading this book. Had I not received this book for Christmas of I think 2011, I would have missed out on a good deal.
I absolutely adore this book. I haven't read it a while, so I'm writing this review by memory.
This is the beginning of a series, which grows darker and darker.
I can't really think of anything bad about this book, other than how the characters are sort of flat. Granted, they are still in middle school at this time, but there could still be a bit more dimension. However, the characters grow in personality and gain more depth as the series continues.
I absolutely adore this book. I haven't read it a while, so I'm writing this review by memory.
This is the beginning of a series, which grows darker and darker.
I can't really think of anything bad about this book, other than how the characters are sort of flat. Granted, they are still in middle school at this time, but there could still be a bit more dimension. However, the characters grow in personality and gain more depth as the series continues.
July 1, 2015
I loved it! It drew me in and captivated me, I loved the characters and the setting! I never once put it down, I love that this book gets right to the point instead of droning on and on..... It is defiantly a series I would recommend.
June 16, 2015
I've heard about this series in the past, and leading up to our trip to Walt Disney World last month inspired me to finally pick them up.
I think the premise of these books is actually pretty interesting: A group of teenagers hired by Disney to be DHIs (Disney Host Interactives), life-like digital hologram versions of themselves who guide guests on tours through the Magic Kingdom, discover that things are not all a-okay at the World when they find themselves transferring to their digital counterparts after they fall asleep. A coot of an Imagineer informs them that some of the baddies from Disney attractions and movies are coming alive and trying to take over the park (for... some reason?) and the DHIs were unwittingly (and irresponsibly!) coerced into being part of an initiative to thwart their evil plans. It's a great excuse to have a lot of locations and characters from the well-loved and expansive world of the Disney parks, but unfortunately the execution falls terribly flat. The plot is weak, the characters jump to completely accurate conclusions way too easily, and loose ends are not tied up or resolved. The danger never feels real and the confrontations with the villains have pretty laughable resolutions and results. Some of the details about the parks and attractions are also painfully obvious in their inaccuracies ("Fantasmics"?? And don't get me started on the ride structure of Splash Mountain...), but were obviously altered to fit the structure of the story, which is a problem I find is kind of common in books that blur the lines between true and made-up events, which is why I generally take issue with historical fiction. It made a lot of pointless throwaway references to rides and attractions, and even a visit to the Utilidor (the underground tunnels that run below the entirety of the Magic Kingdom), but even those were underused and incorrect.
The characters are flat and boring, too numerous and not distinct. They are described as "one of every flavor" for the believably multi-culti cast of five DHIs, but they are all so boring and unpleasant that I didn't care about a single one of them. (Seriously, why does every YA book series have to have a group of snarky, whiny, bratty teenagers? Can't there be anyone funny or goofy or quirky? This book was in desperate need of a Luna Lovegood or a Merry and Pippin.) They couldn't possibly have been less likable, and they couldn't possibly have been given more absurd names (Finn, Maybeck, Charlene, Philby and Willa? Really? And don't let's forget Jezebel...). There are a lot of pointless cameos by Disney characters that never amount to anything, except for the baddies, who are also one-dimensional and uninspired. The idea of the Pirates of the Caribbean pirates or the dolls from it's a small world coming alive and attacking the kids is a great one, but the motivation, threat and resolution are insultingly juvenile, even for a younger reader. Also, and I really do feel strongly about this, it's fine to use Maleficent as your main villain in a book like this, even though her presence in the parks is pretty minimal. She's a great character and she has a history and personality all ready to go. But, if you do use her (or really, ANY character from a pre-existing film or book), GET THE DETAILS RIGHT. The raspy, hideous, ice-"witch" Maleficent described here is a far cry from the elegant, conniving, fiery, seductively malicious fairy of the classic film. You can't just take an existing character and recreate and rewrite it to fit your own story. She just was not Maleficent. The whole thing just comes across as a really second-rate fanfiction, which is pretty lazy writing and weak storytelling.
I gave this book a generous two stars because the Disney geek in me really liked reading some aspects of it, but in general it was a real wasted opportunity. It was SUCH a cool idea, Disney fans the world over have dreamed of being alone in the parks after dark. I really don't understand how this author can have written SO many books, especially for adults. There were typos and incredible inconsistencies of character, and there were plot holes you could drive a parade float through. What a shame.
I think the premise of these books is actually pretty interesting: A group of teenagers hired by Disney to be DHIs (Disney Host Interactives), life-like digital hologram versions of themselves who guide guests on tours through the Magic Kingdom, discover that things are not all a-okay at the World when they find themselves transferring to their digital counterparts after they fall asleep. A coot of an Imagineer informs them that some of the baddies from Disney attractions and movies are coming alive and trying to take over the park (for... some reason?) and the DHIs were unwittingly (and irresponsibly!) coerced into being part of an initiative to thwart their evil plans. It's a great excuse to have a lot of locations and characters from the well-loved and expansive world of the Disney parks, but unfortunately the execution falls terribly flat. The plot is weak, the characters jump to completely accurate conclusions way too easily, and loose ends are not tied up or resolved. The danger never feels real and the confrontations with the villains have pretty laughable resolutions and results. Some of the details about the parks and attractions are also painfully obvious in their inaccuracies ("Fantasmics"?? And don't get me started on the ride structure of Splash Mountain...), but were obviously altered to fit the structure of the story, which is a problem I find is kind of common in books that blur the lines between true and made-up events, which is why I generally take issue with historical fiction. It made a lot of pointless throwaway references to rides and attractions, and even a visit to the Utilidor (the underground tunnels that run below the entirety of the Magic Kingdom), but even those were underused and incorrect.
The characters are flat and boring, too numerous and not distinct. They are described as "one of every flavor" for the believably multi-culti cast of five DHIs, but they are all so boring and unpleasant that I didn't care about a single one of them. (Seriously, why does every YA book series have to have a group of snarky, whiny, bratty teenagers? Can't there be anyone funny or goofy or quirky? This book was in desperate need of a Luna Lovegood or a Merry and Pippin.) They couldn't possibly have been less likable, and they couldn't possibly have been given more absurd names (Finn, Maybeck, Charlene, Philby and Willa? Really? And don't let's forget Jezebel...). There are a lot of pointless cameos by Disney characters that never amount to anything, except for the baddies, who are also one-dimensional and uninspired. The idea of the Pirates of the Caribbean pirates or the dolls from it's a small world coming alive and attacking the kids is a great one, but the motivation, threat and resolution are insultingly juvenile, even for a younger reader. Also, and I really do feel strongly about this, it's fine to use Maleficent as your main villain in a book like this, even though her presence in the parks is pretty minimal. She's a great character and she has a history and personality all ready to go. But, if you do use her (or really, ANY character from a pre-existing film or book), GET THE DETAILS RIGHT. The raspy, hideous, ice-"witch" Maleficent described here is a far cry from the elegant, conniving, fiery, seductively malicious fairy of the classic film. You can't just take an existing character and recreate and rewrite it to fit your own story. She just was not Maleficent. The whole thing just comes across as a really second-rate fanfiction, which is pretty lazy writing and weak storytelling.
I gave this book a generous two stars because the Disney geek in me really liked reading some aspects of it, but in general it was a real wasted opportunity. It was SUCH a cool idea, Disney fans the world over have dreamed of being alone in the parks after dark. I really don't understand how this author can have written SO many books, especially for adults. There were typos and incredible inconsistencies of character, and there were plot holes you could drive a parade float through. What a shame.
March 5, 2024
2024 update
I literally reread this because I was in my feels about missing Disney lol. I read the updated version and I definitely enjoyed it more than the original. I also went into this knowing the author very much writes like a man and after having worked at WDW. It’s interesting to read this as a cast member.
2018
this.. was interesting. a good kind of interesting, i think. i went into this book with little to no background knowledge of the storyline. i’m not sure what i expected, but it wasn’t this. either way, i’m not disappointed.
i am a huge disney fanatic. i go every summer and occasionally in the winter months. it was so cool to be able to picture the rides and locations Pearson wrote about. i feel like this is what attributed to the majority of my entertainment. otherwise, i don’t believe i would given this the time of day.
the idea behind Disney Host Interactive is pretty creative—especially if you take into account what their actual purpose is for. it’s hard to explain what i mean without incorporating spoilers. just know that for being published in 2005, it left me Shook.
the main characters of Disney After Dark had little character development. however, this is a series. i’m not going to write off any of the characters as static until a few books in. the characters were pretty likable, even one that you shouldn’t have liked. Pearson did well when it came to giving each character their own personality. i only wish readers got to see the DHIs bond more than just the ‘we all shared the same traumatic experience, we’re now together for life’ bond.
the plot was pretty well done and allowed the book to read very fast. the introduction into the story didn’t bother me and usually they do! the final “battle” seemed... odd? i can’t say that i didn’t like it but it was something you would find in a younger teen book. the rest of the plot was in no way terrible, it was just... good. not much to hype up, but certainly nothing to tear down.
the only complaint i have about this book is Pearson’s writing. when describing the girls, there were a few times where i rolled my eyes and audibly said, “this was definitely written by a dude”. some parts were overdone while others needed more elaboration. also, i noticed several times where he would dedicate several lines to the characters reacting to something before explaining what was going on. sometimes it was a bit hard to follow because you didn’t know that was what he was doing until you continued to read. this might challenge younger readers.
all in all, this was a pretty good story and i’m definitely going to continue with the rest of the series. i would recommend this to any disney fan—even if you’re older. you’re brain doesn’t need to work as hard when reading this, so it is a pretty relaxing read.
I literally reread this because I was in my feels about missing Disney lol. I read the updated version and I definitely enjoyed it more than the original. I also went into this knowing the author very much writes like a man and after having worked at WDW. It’s interesting to read this as a cast member.
2018
this.. was interesting. a good kind of interesting, i think. i went into this book with little to no background knowledge of the storyline. i’m not sure what i expected, but it wasn’t this. either way, i’m not disappointed.
i am a huge disney fanatic. i go every summer and occasionally in the winter months. it was so cool to be able to picture the rides and locations Pearson wrote about. i feel like this is what attributed to the majority of my entertainment. otherwise, i don’t believe i would given this the time of day.
the idea behind Disney Host Interactive is pretty creative—especially if you take into account what their actual purpose is for. it’s hard to explain what i mean without incorporating spoilers. just know that for being published in 2005, it left me Shook.
the main characters of Disney After Dark had little character development. however, this is a series. i’m not going to write off any of the characters as static until a few books in. the characters were pretty likable, even one that you shouldn’t have liked. Pearson did well when it came to giving each character their own personality. i only wish readers got to see the DHIs bond more than just the ‘we all shared the same traumatic experience, we’re now together for life’ bond.
the plot was pretty well done and allowed the book to read very fast. the introduction into the story didn’t bother me and usually they do! the final “battle” seemed... odd? i can’t say that i didn’t like it but it was something you would find in a younger teen book. the rest of the plot was in no way terrible, it was just... good. not much to hype up, but certainly nothing to tear down.
the only complaint i have about this book is Pearson’s writing. when describing the girls, there were a few times where i rolled my eyes and audibly said, “this was definitely written by a dude”. some parts were overdone while others needed more elaboration. also, i noticed several times where he would dedicate several lines to the characters reacting to something before explaining what was going on. sometimes it was a bit hard to follow because you didn’t know that was what he was doing until you continued to read. this might challenge younger readers.
all in all, this was a pretty good story and i’m definitely going to continue with the rest of the series. i would recommend this to any disney fan—even if you’re older. you’re brain doesn’t need to work as hard when reading this, so it is a pretty relaxing read.
November 1, 2015
Disney fan loving this Disney book. Love the behind the scenes action. I keep going back for more!
October 28, 2018
Hired by Disney to be the basis of holographic guides for the parks, Finn and his friends discover that the process entailed comes with a strange side effect - they show up in the park as holograms when they go to sleep at night. They then learn that the five of them were chosen for a special mission to save the parks from the "Overtakers" who are basically the villains of Disney come to life. They must solve a riddle left by Walt Disney himself, to be able to defeat the Overtakers.
I often read books for our K-8 school library and I'll likely recommend this one to the librarian if she doesn't already have the series. It was a cute read and appropriate for grades 5-8. The hormone level is barely at the crushes stage. There is no bad language, and really no violence. It's just a fun adventure/mystery. I listened to the audiobook version and will probably do so again with my kids over the holiday break coming up. I think they will enjoy it.
I often read books for our K-8 school library and I'll likely recommend this one to the librarian if she doesn't already have the series. It was a cute read and appropriate for grades 5-8. The hormone level is barely at the crushes stage. There is no bad language, and really no violence. It's just a fun adventure/mystery. I listened to the audiobook version and will probably do so again with my kids over the holiday break coming up. I think they will enjoy it.
May 27, 2013
I will admit the first time I seen this book was about two weeks ago during my mother's birthday vacation. For some reason, she wanted to go to Disney and trust me, I didn't complain. I *HEART* Disney and believe it to be one of the places I'd love to work at one of these days once I am done burning everything that is excess in my life to the ground. Some people don't believe me but hey, that's life and I live for the Lord.
Anyways, I first saw this book in one of the stores in the Magic Kingdom and was instantly intrigued by it. Having a Nook, I bought all six books in the series and started on the first immediately. This book was done in less than two days if that says anything. The story about what happens to Disney after the lights go off is very entertaining. I do like that a lot of hidden knowledge and truth aspects about Disney after it goes dark are true. It is true that the rides never shut down and it is true that the park only closes to the public. Believe it or not, Disney parks - actually all Orlando theme parks (major ones I mean) - stay open for night crews. That is when the most cleaning and ride maintenance gets done. I know...I worked on them before.
Adding a fantasy element to the situation of the parks at night and adding villainy and adventure makes this read even more entertaining. Certain hidden aspects and truths only the workers at Disney know are brought to light along with things I have no idea about. I didn't know about Escher's Staircase but I knew there was a city and network of tunnels under the park. I just didn't know what it was called until this book.
In the end, this is one of the best simplistic reads I have ever read for the past five years. I've been fairly okay with young adult novels but most of them are either based on werewolves, witchcraft, vampires, dystopian, or love stories. It is good to read a great young adult adventure that even a regular adult like me would enjoy. I will also admit this book is rated at its highest because it has been a LONG TIME since I read a young adult fantasy that isn't on the said aforementioned themes.
Anyways, I first saw this book in one of the stores in the Magic Kingdom and was instantly intrigued by it. Having a Nook, I bought all six books in the series and started on the first immediately. This book was done in less than two days if that says anything. The story about what happens to Disney after the lights go off is very entertaining. I do like that a lot of hidden knowledge and truth aspects about Disney after it goes dark are true. It is true that the rides never shut down and it is true that the park only closes to the public. Believe it or not, Disney parks - actually all Orlando theme parks (major ones I mean) - stay open for night crews. That is when the most cleaning and ride maintenance gets done. I know...I worked on them before.
Adding a fantasy element to the situation of the parks at night and adding villainy and adventure makes this read even more entertaining. Certain hidden aspects and truths only the workers at Disney know are brought to light along with things I have no idea about. I didn't know about Escher's Staircase but I knew there was a city and network of tunnels under the park. I just didn't know what it was called until this book.
In the end, this is one of the best simplistic reads I have ever read for the past five years. I've been fairly okay with young adult novels but most of them are either based on werewolves, witchcraft, vampires, dystopian, or love stories. It is good to read a great young adult adventure that even a regular adult like me would enjoy. I will also admit this book is rated at its highest because it has been a LONG TIME since I read a young adult fantasy that isn't on the said aforementioned themes.
January 1, 2015
Disney after Dark is the story of 5 teens hired by Disney to become holograms that walk around the park as guides. However things aren’t as they seem when Finn wakes up in a dream or at least he thinks it’s a dream in Disney confronted by Wayne. Wayne explains it’s up to Finn to get the other four DHI to meet at the same time before he is willing to explain everything. The kids are local celebrities so it should be easy to figure out who they are but Finn is going to need help.
With the help of his Amanda from school Finn is able to track down the other DHI kids who all go to different schools. They need to solve the Stonecutters Quill before the pirates and the overlord figure it out. While the teens are thrust into a magical world they learn that when they sleep they take on the abilities of their hologram counter parts. Thus allowing them to move around the park and solve the clues faster.
I liked Finn right from the start he’s a good kid who is willing to risk it all to save the park. The other characters each have a role in the story but Finn is clearly the main character but I think the way the supporting characters are woven into the story is really well done. I also really liked the way the overlord who’s our bad guy plays out in the story.
I picked up Disney after Dark as a kindle freebie a while back with the intention of starting it right away but never seemed to get around to it. My hubby is the Disney world nut so when he saw the book on his kindle he had to read it and it’s all I’ve heard about for months. I typically try to stick with older characters because some get to young I can’t connect with them. However the characters in the book don’t come off as young but very mature which made it easy to connect with them. I love the way the author took the Disney concept adding their own unique twists to the story. Disney after Dark is one of those fast packed action packed novels that you just can’t put down. I enjoyed it and plan to read the next one in the near future.
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