Rating: 
Summary: Great first novel
Review: Christopher Rice has written a story about a group of souls whose conflicts both internal and external lead to tragedy as well as redemption. There are numerous characters and lines to the plot that Rice maneuvers and integrates very well. He manages to maintain suspense without teasing the reader. One discovers halfway through the book who someone is. Rice chose to reveal this subtly rather than coyly keep the secret. Sometimes Rice's use of symbolism is a obvious. The Hurricane at the end does provide a context for the resolution. One thing, however, that does not seem played out is the falling out of the three male friends. There is an obvious reason, but going from their playing to the rejection of Stephen is not quite clear. One of the critical final scenes is somewhat blunted. One expects something more catastrophic. Yet this novel is a good read and keeps the reader's attention. It's not an easy book to lay down.
Rating: 
Summary: Stunning Debut!!
Review: This is one book everyone must read...At such a young age, Christopher Rice manages to conjure a tale so real - that it could have happened anywhere. Four friends...their lives, their secrets, New Orleans - the setting and the human condition. This novel was a rollercoaster ride for me. I finished it in one sitting and loved it to the core! This is like a double sundae!! Enjoy it!
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible waste
Review: It's a shame that this kind of thing gets published just because the author's mommy is talented and successful. It's a tragedy that this book, which is almost totally worthless, could get so much attention... all because of nepitism. Long live the culture of valuing the valueless!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Debut....
Review: What a tragic, hopeful, interesting tale told by Rice. I wasn't sure what to expect in this book, but was pleasantly surprised. The story line is sometimes a little choppy, but no matter. It's an incredible journey of youthful friends torn apart by fear, hate and unintelligence. I saw a reviewer remark on the need of openmindedness to the homosexual relationships contained in the story. I'm not gay, but was touched by those relationships, as I think anyone should be, regardless of sexual orientation. I was also appalled at the treatment given to the characters just because of their preferences. I recommend this book to anyone and can't wait to read more from Rice!
Rating:
Summary: Great story!
Review: A very compelling story. One of those that you won't be able to put down. A very good read.
Rating:
Summary: Finally!! A well-written story with gay main characters!!
Review: I have to give the ultimate praises for Christopher Rice's first published novel. It was very well written and very intriguing. I've read a few books here and there with gay men as the main characters, but they have all been stereotypical and weak in their stories. Christopher brings to life all the characters in this novel and you feel absorbed into the psyches of every one of them. The twists and turns throughout the story (up to the very end) kept me going, as well as the detailed visual descriptions (Rice is definitely a descriptive writer). One of my favorite (and most emotional) passages from the book is: "You told me about what you called the light in the darkness. About how life was neither good nor bad, but a combination of both and occasionally good things pop up in the middle of tragedy, but they still don't make tragedy go away. They can't protect you. They're just light. But what you didn't say is that sometimes, certain people can be a light in the darkness. There are some people in this world who are worth saving when other people decide they shine the wrong kind of light on the wrong kind of things. You have been and will always be my light in the darkness." I've already started on Rice's 2nd novel and hope to continue reading new ones for years and years to come!!
Rating:
Summary: Not what you'd expect from a first timer!!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was totally taken in by its storyline and characters, lots of twists and turns and unexpected occurances. Although I feel someone who is not open minded about homosexuality would not enjoy parts of this book, (mind you there is really nothing that graphic) if you take it for the storyline and the mystery of it all you will love it. Christopher Rice has proven that he can write a wonderful story, engage his reader and keep him guessing until the very last page.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it Down
Review: I read this book in one sitting and cried most of my way through it. I came to amazon to read what others had thought of it and was greatly disappointed. This is the very best account that I have ever read about growing up and losing friends because of sexuality. It takes a deep understanding of where Rice is coming from and the reasons behind writing this amazing story. I was completley intruiged all the way to the very last page of this book and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to broaden their prospectives. This is a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncooked Rice
Review: Having been a fan of his mother's novels, I was very much looking forward to Christopher Rice's debut novel, "A Density of Souls." Perhaps I had set my sights too high, as this was one of the most disappointing novels that I have read in recent memory. The premise of "Density" is a good one, but it fails in its execution. This novel would have been heavily scrutinized (and hopefully improved upon) by a simple review process in any type of a creative writing course. Perhaps, not unlike his mother, Rice has a phobia when it comes to editors. Much has been made of the many twists and turns in this novel, but I found them to be inconsistent, improbable, and often seemingly thrown in merely for "shock value." A final and pretty unsavory disclosure unveiled in the final paragraphs was a true groaner. Likewise, I found the characters and plot cliché-ridden - from the overly macho high school jocks to the sensitive, theater-involved gay protagonist to the big storm burrowing down on New Orleans as the backdrop to the novel's climax. Another issue is the characters' ability to flip their sexual preferences on and off (more on) like a light switch - with one of the partners in the ultimate gay "romance" utterly unconvincing. I am very open-minded and willing to suspend "reality" when reading a novel, but the sheer quantity of things to overcome in "Density" was just too overwhelming. As with any writer who gets published, I credit and respect Rice for getting this novel to print - although, and perhaps unfortunately, he will never be free of the onus of having a mother as a best-selling novelist. There is great potential in "Density," I just wish more care and time was taken to create a better end product. Rice is young enough and already seems to have an avid fan base (if the other reviews here are any indication) to have a successful career as a writer. I will probably give his recently published second novel a try, but will wait for memory of "Density" to fade a bit from my mind.
Rating:
Summary: Amateurish Mess
Review: I have never read a more tedious or amateurish "thriller." It's not even bad in a funny or enjoyable way. The "characters" in Rice's "novel" somehow manage to be both undefined (except by each's body type and taste in clothing) and preposterous. The "plot" somehow manages to be both implausible and predictable. If I could, I would award this stinker 0 stars.
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