Dreamscape – Paul Kidd
Kitsune Press, 2005
288 pages
RRP: US$22.50
ISBN: 978-1-84753-242-8

Reviewed by Kate Smith

Don’t read any review of this book that would give you any ideas about its plot!  Just read it and enjoy it for what it is and for how it unfolds.  And then go back and read it again.

However if you must know something ahead of time, Dreamscape is a fascinating story about the creation of universes, where and how these occur.  It is a refreshing view on the concepts of gods, souls and perspectives on both of these, a look at religion outside the realm of the monotheistic ideologies.  Dreamscape is not a simple story of the creation and near destruction of universes.  It asks questions about what gives a soul longevity and what people truly want and need.  It discusses how sorrow and pain can exist in a perfect world.  It even touches on the need for pain in the process of growing in spirit.  It is not a philosophical treatise and the reader should not expect that, but it is a story that asks questions.  Readers will get different things from the tale as they focus on different aspects that are of interest to them however every reader will need to concentrate to follow the plot, especially as hints of answers to the questions of the major character are given in passing and need to be pieced together.

The story of Dreamscape revolves around a young girl named Steel who lives her life, certain in what she is doing, while pondering where she came from and why her purpose is what it is.  She has friends that are the same as she is, Makers of Universes, and friends who were created by her in her universe.  Then newcomers begin to appear and with them a growing understanding by the Makers that there is an organisation sending people into their universes, people who consider these universes as game-stations to be enjoyed in whatever form they wish.  That form of enjoyment at times begins to damage the universe and angers the Makers.  When an accord cannot be reached between Makers and the Dreamscape Corporation a fight for control of the universes ensues.

Never having read any of Paul Kidd’s work previously, his style was new to me and very interesting to follow.  The lack of stereotyped plot devices made the story refreshing and interesting, trying to piece together the life of the major characters a source of great interest.  Dreamscape was thoroughly enjoyable and is a recommended read.