Rating: 
Summary: Rich Story Not For The Tender Hearted
Review: I came into reading this book with high expectations. After all this is Anne Rice's son and you cannot help but think some of her rich story telling and characterization rubbed off onto him.I found this book to be a good first work. The serious problem I had is that the pace of the story moved too fast and that the reader was not given time to recover from some hard punches that the storyline deals the reader such as the explosion scene. Another problem is that the reader is often just given bits and pieces of the action and then the story line will jump leaving the reader to make assumptions at what happened without being directly told except in retrospect. The third major problem is the ending is kind of "blah". It ties the ends up but I personally felt that the good in the ending did not make up for the stuff and one is left thinking about the negative events in the book rather than the positives. Other than the aforementioed problems I found the characters to be completely likeable (or despisable in some cases) and one can latch onto them, esspecially Stephen. The imagery is good in a lot of places such as the explosion scene or some of the tender moments that Stephen has. Ths book is also a fast read, mainly do to the fast pace at which everything is thrown at the reader. The overall theme of the books seems to center around loss of a kind of innosence that only Stephen retains and those around him wish to rip from him even if it means his death. Although the story line and writing style were quite good, I will hesitate to re-read this book mainly because of the emotions it leaves. I am glad I read it but for now wish the numb the emotionalism of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Anne Rice Fans Will Love It
Review: This book blows.Hard.It has got to be the worst book I have ever,EVER read.Save your cash,save your time-skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Coming out of Anne Rice's Shadow
Review: It must be a daunting task for any young author to get published today, but imagine the expectations pinned on Christopher Rice! Not only does he surpass those expectations, (of happening to be related to Anne Rice) but he has achieved one of the most auspicious first-novel experiences that I have had the pleasure of reading. "A Density of Souls" is a tight, character-driven story of four teens growing up against a New Orleans backdrop. The plot, involving a murderous turn of events and the ensuing cover-up, pulses steadily throughout the book, at an engrossing clip. Sexy, bold, honest and at times achingly poetic, Christopher Rice can stand on his own literary feet. If the only reason you read this book is because of the Rice legacy, you will be blown away by his story-telling talent.
Rating:
Summary: So Many Souls, So Many Secrets
Review: I bought this book to see if good writing was inherited. I like Anne Rice and figured I'd give her son a shot. I'm really glad I did. This novel has just about everything you could imagine, from romance to suspence. I read the book in a little over a day, I couldn't put it down. Mr. Rice does an excellent job of portraying the lives and surroudings. You can feel yourself right there on the streets of New Orleans watching everything as it happens. I can't wait until his next novel comes out.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Quick, Entertaining, Thought-Provoking Read.
Review: Christopher Rice has entered the landscape of American Fiction with this deftly-written, stunning debut novel. Richly-drawn characters dance across the page, each making his or her mark in a gripping, absorbing tale. You will find it very difficult to put this book down once you begin, and despite a satisfying conclusion, you will be disappointed to have it end so soon. It is with great anticipation that I look forward to future work from this genuinely talented, crafty, humane writer.
Rating: 
Summary: A Noble Beginning
Review: Not bad for his first attempt. Rice tells a good story and he integrates some common social themes like classism, heterosexism, etc. A DENSITY OF SOULS is pretty light reading, but it is entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: I am Chris Rice's number one fan!
Review: This is a must read! I could not put this book down! Chris Rice definitely has his mother's talent and Poppy Z. Brite's ability to profoundly effect you mentally and emotionally. I felt every emotion possible while reading this book. I was horrified, depressed, sorrowful, absolutely drained emotionally thoughout this book; words cannot describe it. I simply cannot describe my emotions after finishing this book. I hate to think that Chris may have actually experienced this magnitude of pain in his personal life. Don't read this book on a dark and rainy day. I eagerly await...and dread... his next book and will purchase it the day it is released. I AM Chris Rice's number one fan!
Rating:
Summary: A fine, strong debut
Review: I had some hesitation when I began reading because I wasn't sure whether Rice had gotten published due to talent or his famous parents. Well, after finishing the book, I think it's mostly due to talent, although having famous parents may've been an asset, so. Although he doesn't really cover new ground plot- or storywise, Rice creates a fascinating web of intrigue among the various characters that speeds to its evocative ending. He definitely writes with that Louisiana-gothic feel, with an incredible emotional darkness that reminded me of Patrick Redmond and Scott Heim somewhat. This novel has an amazing texture that would lend itself nicely to a big budget movie. Christopher Rice has certainly proven himself with this book that he has inherited the talents of his parents.
Rating:
Summary: A Density of Plot
Review: I picked up this novel out of curiousity, putting aside biases and the fact Rice is the son of a bestselling author. Many reviews have glorified him, but knowing the behind-the-scenes in the publishing world, I didn't want them to have any affect on me. Thank God this book didn't have blurbs. A Density of Souls is the first book I have read in years where I trudged through the pages, bored, unimpressed, disappointed. I don't understand why his editor or agent didn't tell him to edit, edit, edit. The writing was intermediate. Remove the profanity and sex and you have a really long young adult novel. The book's backbone seems to consist of cliches and stereotypes. The characters (which there are too many of, and he introduces some prominent characters much too late in the novel) are so underdeveloped, I had trouble relating and caring for any of them. Many of the scenes were insignificant, had nothing to do with the plot (which was so convoluted, at times predictable, and extremely implausible), and seemed to be merely Rice's own sexual fantasies in print. Frankly, this book was a waste of time. I wasn't looking for a bestseller nor a Pulitzer Prize, just a good book to read over my vacation, but I didnt' even get that. Yeah, Rice is cute and young, but he is overrated. It is a good attempt at a first novel, but it only means one of two things: -if he can get this published, well, hey, then anyone can be a writer -must be nice being the son of a bestselling author
Rating: 
Summary: It was ok for a first book, but...
Review: For a first book, I think that the book was ok. It kept me interested through most of the book, such that I finished the book in 1 day. After reading some of the other reviews, I guess I wanted to put in my 2 cents on their comments. First off, I think some expectations may have been high, since he is Anne Rice's son. Having been friends with many gay people, most of whom were disowned by their parents and/or friends when they came out of the closet, I think it was an interesting book into a life of a homosexual boy in an environment where his sexual orientation is not acceptable, as it is not in most high school environments. As to the comment from the guy who is on a football team and knows of no such behavior-- having grown up in a middle to lower income neighborhood, I can say such unacceptance of those who are different and "non-jock" does so occur by not only the jocks but also by those who are or want to be popular. In my high school, we had kids get beaten up for just looking different, not even for being gay. I also think that the book does touch on the impression of society on kids-- that what society does not consider the norm scares kids when they realize that they may not be "normal" and most retaliate to the extreme-- by lashing out against those they fear they are like. I did have some problems with a few concepts in the book but they were pretty minor. Would I want to see this book made into a movie? Quite honestly, it wouldn't be worth it. The book is fine to read, but as another reviewer wrote, once the book is done, the story is forgotten. The story does not leave you afterward thinking much of anything except "ok, I guess I finished that one." It doesn't leave you thinking "hmmmm" about these people's lives or society or anything.
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