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Rating: Summary: Wooden Characters and Clumsy Writing Review: I would have given this book one star but the premise of the story was interesting enough to rate the second star despite the very poor writing. This novel was a reminder for me not to purchase a book just because it has a gay theme and is written by a gay author. The characterization was so wooden that it was almost humorous. The reviews I read must have been written by the author's friends or someone who has a lot of copies in inventory. I normally wouldn't dream of doing this, but I actually threw the thing in the trash after forcing myself to finish it. I don't mean to be nasty, but I felt a little betrayed by the reviews. It's hard to imagine very many readers giving this 4 stars.
Rating: Summary: This book made me think! Review: I'm a pacifist and Uprising made me very uncomfortable, but in a good way. It made me think about my views and was extremily entertaining. I'm not sure I've ever read anything like it. It's great to finally see black gay characters like Othello, the pop singer, in the lead role. The sexual tension between him and Raider, the straight white FBI agent was HOT!
Rating: Summary: Entertaining, but requires much suspension of incredulity Review: Unlike other amazon reviewers, I liked the last part of the book (more than "the ending") the best. I have had some of the fantasies that propel the action of the book. The convergence of the three "Wise Men" stretches disblief, but what gave me the most difficulty was believing that the FBI would send someone undercover with as little "basic training" (like, say vocabulary drill) or backgrounding as Raider has, and that anyone could cover up such ignorance.
Some of the characters (Freedom, Deon) were developed; others (Jasper, Bruce, and the way-too-unsuspicious Othello) were insufficiently developed (with Raider somewhere in between). The book was sufficiently interesting to keep me reading.
Rating: Summary: Entertaining, but requires much suspension of incredulity Review: Unlike other amazon reviewers, I liked the last part of the book (more than "the ending") the best. I have had some of the fantasies that propel the action of the book. The convergence of the three "Wise Men" stretches disblief, but what gave me the most difficulty was believing that the FBI would send someone undercover with as little "basic training" (like, say vocabulary drill) or backgrounding as Raider has, and that anyone could cover up such ignorance.
Some of the characters (Freedom, Deon) were developed; others (Jasper, Bruce, and the way-too-unsuspicious Othello) were insufficiently developed (with Raider somewhere in between). The book was sufficiently interesting to keep me reading.
Rating: Summary: AN INVENTIVE GAY THRILLER Review: UPRISING by Randy Boyd is that rare creature, a gay political thriller. This kind of story is most often found in the work of Michael Crichton and John Gresham, not on the gay fiction shelves. I can actually only think of one other book like this one, Felice Picano's totally engrossing THE LURE. Both books deal with undercover espionage within gay political groups and both entertain their readers as well, if not better, than their straight counter parts. UPRISING features Othello, one of the biggest music stars on the planet, and a closeted homosexual. After finding out that he is HIV positive, Othello has a burning need to help jump start a gay revolution. To this end he enlists two other high profile closet cases, one a media mogul (think Ted Turner) the other, Americas greatest basketball player (think Michael Jordan). Together these three become the "Wise men" anonymously funding gay charity work and covertly funding gay counter-bashing across the country. Into the picture steps Raider Kincaid, an undercover FBI agent and the walking epitome of everything Othello has ever wanted in a boyfriend. He is a former lacrosse star and blonde Adonis out to bust this gay conspiracy. He is a man's man, but is he as straight as he thinks he is? It is my sincere wish that more novels like this were available in the gay market. Randy Boyd has truly created an exciting piece of fiction here, full of breath taking close calls and heart pounding bravado. At the same time we the reader care about the characters in this novel. All are three dimensional and beautifully thought out. Some might argue that the entire premise is too far fetched to be believed, but isn't that what a political thriller is all about? Does anyone really think THE FIRM was viable? NO...but that didn't stop it from selling a gazillion copies. If the story is riveting, and this one certainly is, we are able to suspend our disbelief and dive right in to the churning narrative pool. I could not stop eagerly swimming through this book until I reached the highly dramatic conclusion, and what more could work from this genre ask for?
Rating: Summary: A good read, but could be better Review: Uprising had me going till the very last page. I didn't know what was gonna happen. My only regret is that senator... well, I guess I won't give it away. Good book!
Rating: Summary: tantalizing Review: wonderful book! could not put it down.I really got attached to the characters.
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