5 Fictional Worlds In Which I Would Immediately Die

In my writing life, I create worlds with their own weather and governments and even magic systems. It got me wondering what worlds in my favorite stories I really loved, but would actually NEVER, EVER survive in.

Here are FIVE fictional worlds I would totally die in.

Number One...The Terra-forming Colony, LV-426 in Aliens.

Okay, so I love the dark, gritty, industrial feel of this world. The steam and biological growth on the walls...even the desolate landscape. The thing is I would die in like the first five minutes of being there. I am claustrophobic so I would not do well in the crawlspaces that Newt used to stay alive. I would freak out while hiding in an air shaft and become some alien's lunch in no time.

Number Two...The Gunslinger's Territory in The Dark Tower Series.

The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King is both fascinating and terrifying to me. The world is by its design incongruous and unpredictable. This is great as a setting for a novel, but not knowing if a village is going to be there when I arrive or may have simply vanished is unsettling to say the least.

Number Three...The Phantom Tollbooth...anywhere in that book, actually.

You may think I'm being a baby, but really, nothing in the world Norton Juster imagined feels safe. From the dangerously numbing Doldrums, where thinking and laughing are not allowed, to Digitopolis where you are served Subtraction Stew and the more you eat the hungrier you get. Let alone the fact that they banished both Rhyme and Reason from the land. You get the idea.

Number Four...The Matrix...all of them.

Don't get me wrong. I would LOVE to be able to download the ability to fly attack helicopters or perform that amazing scorpion kick of Trinity's without tearing something, but I think my lack of focus would get me killed.  Neo notices glitches because he's paying attention to his surroundings despite going into battle. I would just be sweating and trying to figure out how to download invisibility powers. I'd die in a heartbeat...dumb de ja vu cat!

Number Five...Scadrial of the Mistborn Series written by Brandon Sanderson.

The entire Final Empire, actually is scary and dangerous, but Scadrial specifically makes me nervous just thinking about it. This amazing series has so many things that frighten the heck out of me, the Inquisitors, for instance are menacing and horrifying. I just know I would not have any powers in that world and would no doubt die while simply crossing the road.

What about your favorite fantasy, scifi, or paranormal worlds? Which do you love, but would take a pass if offered a tour?

by +Raquel Byrnes