The story is set in the near future on Earth and the Moon, as well as in a series of dream-words. A young genius called Tarot has combined bio-software, with artificial intelligence along with mapping of the brain, so as to provide the ultimate experience of virtual reality. It allows sleepers to experience their dreams as though they were awake and, furthermore, allows them to dream what they want, being in full control of what happens in the dream. "Dreamers" are even able to share their dreams with others in the manner of digital games.
Tarot wants to change the world for the better. He founds a company that becomes "The Dream Corporation", a monopoly provider of equipment and services that facilitates "dreaming". Tarot's guiding premise was to create an opportunity for people to be happy and fulfilled in their lives, while they are sleeping, in a manner which is impossible while they are awake. For those whose lives are particularly difficult, "dreaming provides an escape and also can be therapeutic. Unfortunately, it can also become addictive. Some people do not want to wake up from their dream-world and forcing them to wake up against their will, can cause serious neural damage. As a consequence, "Seekers" act like private detectives and psychologists tracking "dreamers" who are trapped, or hiding, in their dreams in order to bring them up to consciousness safely.
However, we learn that, after about two years of successful dreaming, aside from a short problem with a virus, things start going wrong. More people become trapped in dreams and the dreams themselves are "going dark". They have become dangerous. There are concerns that the virus may have returned in a stronger mutated form. Or, matters could be worse than that! We learn about Tarot and his invention, we meet Mark, who becomes lost in his dream, and we meet Freddy, the Seeker assigned to return Mark safely. We also meet Millie who is Freddy's God-daughter, and her friend Donna who is remarkable in many ways. The story follows their adventures as it does two beautiful blond twins whom Mark has met separately and whom he thinks initially are the creations of his own imagination. But Rio and Vanessa are as real as he is, but possess something that is remarkable and entirely unique.
By any standards, this is an unusual story. Rather than having a central character, it has a number of central characters meeting challenges in seemingly different times and places. Because the imagination is limitless, this story is able to engage with the fantastic, while remaining strictly within the realm of the scientifically possible, and, indeed plausible. Moreover, it works on a number of different levels. It is an adventure and a chase. It is a race against time. It is also like a surprising travelogue, taking the reader to exotic and unusual locations. We also explore the characters themselves, and their back stories in such a way that we really get to know them. Although it is science fiction, it draws heavily from some of the lesser known parts of our history. It is a philosophical mystery about the nature of dreams, our own DNA and essential nature, the purpose of life, and the nature of reality itself.
For all of that, it is not a heavy or difficult read. It is a thriller, and a chiller at times but there is fun and humour throughout, and although there is menace and danger from the outset, the story brings out the very best in human nature. Ultimately, we learn much more than about merely dream-worlds: we learn what reality is - and why it is. We come to understand more about ourselves.
