Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Hyde Park by David Korson follows teenager Max Sharp, who receives an invitation to a secretive Hyde-book-themed park. He is accompanied by a group of other fans, including Nate, Cadence, and Amelia, but soon realizes that things aren’t as they seem. At the park, they encounter actors who resemble characters from the books, but strange occurrences make Max suspicious. After witnessing unsettling behavior from the actors and finding cryptic notes, Max and his group discover that the park is controlled by shape-shifting monsters. These creatures, which were created by the park's owner, Winston T. Graham, have rebelled and now hunt the visitors. To save themselves, Max and the group hatch a plan to infiltrate the mansion housing the servers to send a distress signal, all while avoiding the deadly threats that pursue them.
David Korson’s Hyde Park is a spectacularly exhilarating and darkly immersive adventure. Korson does a great job with his expertly mixed facets of suspense, teamwork, and action, particularly in the construction of a dystopian park and the unique danger lurking within it. As a reader, there is a cool convergence of Jurassic Park meets Pinocchio's Pleasure Island, leaning into the latter in particular as we barrel toward the finale. Korson’s pacing is relentless, the writing is sharp, and as far as teen protagonists go, Max’s determination and problem-solving, alongside the complicated and diverse relationships between the characters, feel genuine. I love the way trust, survival, and even betrayal are pulled in. Without the slightest hint of a dull moment, this book is perfect for fans of thrilling, survival-driven stories. Very highly recommended.
























