Rating: 
Summary: Open your heart and mind
Review: I was very impressed to see so many wonderful reviews A Density of Souls has received. I am an avid reader, yet lately I have been reading the same authors without much variation. I finally decided enough was enough, I needed a change. I cannot express how grateful I am to have come across this book in the book store. It was purely a chance happening, but one that will remain in my heart. This book touched me, deeply. I was extremely impressed, as it is Christopher Pike's first novel. I have told many people about the book and I am hopeful more people can have the opportunity to enjoy it as I did. I know many people will have a hard time with the homosexuality, not believing that such things happen, but the truth is that they do. In fact, a book like this is almost necessary in helping to open people's minds. Now let me make one point, I am not gay nor am I male (not that it would matter if I was.) I am a hederosexual female. Even though that shouldn't matter, I am hopeful other hederosexual's will read this review and understand that you do not have to be gay to enjoy it. It is a book about love, hate, cruelty, and most of all how to overcome great pain and challenges in one's life. I am avidly awaiting Christopher Rice's next novel, and someday I hope he receives great acclaim for writing with such passion on such a taboo subject.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Fascinating!
Review: It absolutely amazed me that a young writer could tackle such "taboo" subject matter with incredible truth and sincerety. New Orleans is a fascinating city with sultry history and Rice did an excellent job of describing its raw beauty and mystery. I sat down to read this book around 8pm and about eight hours later found myself in tears. The intensity and bitterness of all these intertwined relationships was overwhelming at times. One of the things that immediately pulled me in to the book is that Rice introduced the homosexual element in their childhood. You'll find no sugar coating in this book! Without giving too much of the book away, it brought tears to my eyes to discover their loses and pain along the way. Sexuality is a powerful subject and Rice brought into an enormous spotlight the fact that emotions and complications occur no matter our orientation. Denying our true self in the face of society is often our biggest downfall.
Rating: 
Summary: nepotism and minimum talent make this book
Review: First off i am gay. I am 22. I grew up in the rural south and know what it is like to face oppression for being slightly different, so I feel that it is safe to say that Christopher Rice's Book "A Density of Souls" is a fairly adequate but trite tale of what horrors high school can hold for EVERYBODY. His characters are shallow, Stephen is a whiny cry baby who suffers from mental anguish. (On that note not all gay teens are crazed drag queen protege looking to express their horrors of mental instability on the Jerry Springer show.) Meredith is high class trash who is tormented because of here indifference toward Stepehn during their years of high school. Brandon is a nut case who stepped right out of a overwrought and tiresome soap opera. I hope that one day Christopher will write a decent book. He does have the ability, his sense of style is lush without being overwhelming as is his sense of atmosphere.
Rating:
Summary: A Density of Souls
Review: I thought this was a great book. I really enjoy reading first novels and I think Christopher Rice did on outstanding job. Looking forward to his next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Was an ok book
Review: I gotta say I picked up this book in an airport because I had an 8 hour wait. While I enjoyed it, there were certain aspects of the characters and writing style that really bugged me. It was indeed a fast paced read and I honestly felt that I was bombarded throughout with emotion and sensory overload. Some of the plot twists seemed a bit predictable. As a gay man myself, and gay youth counselor I did empathize with the character Stephen, and cared about his characters development a great deal, but found more entertaining the storyline of the social society of New Orleans, and how the 4 families interacted, I would have liked to have seen the characters fleshed out a little more in that regard. I recommend the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty face, great lineage, dim talent
Review: Maybe if everyone's Mom sat at the helm of a literary cult following, we could all have book deals.... Christopher Rice's face has been all over -- the youthful pout and the famous last name make him extremely marketable -- but even a casual look at this book should show you that the lad does not have the goods to back it up. Uncharmingly implausible plot twists and trite characters make this much less than inspiring. Any comparisons to his mother are wholly unwarranted. Take a pass.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive Debut
Review: I was a little doubtful before I bought this book. As a son of one of the most famous gothic writers, I thought Chris Rice would have the same style and genre as his mother, Anne Rice. I was completlely wrong. The book was dark as an Anne Rice novel, but the book was more of a drama with a mix of mystery. The novel follows the story of four childhood friends who end up in discrimination, homosexuality, betrayal, hate, and abuse. The book has drops of mystery that makes the book a page-turner. I strongly recommend this book, in fact I have recommended it to a lot of my friends. Impressive debut, I can't wait for his next book.
Rating:
Summary: not my cup of tea
Review: if you are looking for a novel about homosexuality, alcoholism and insest this one is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: Unless of course you are a homophobe, then maybe you should pass. I enjoyed reading other reviews, the one calling for people to open their minds is true. I am a straight, married, Christian women who hated to put this book down. It really was good. So I'm adding my thoughts because I don't want straight people to feel like they couldn't relate. You don't have to relate, you can sit back and sink into New Orleans with Stephen, and really enjoy his storytelling. Good is good, straight or gay. I look forward to his next title.
Rating:
Summary: hide and seek...
Review: Christopher Rice - A Density of Souls I must admit I was a bit wary of how much this book would do for me. I was afraid of the Anne Rice's son factor, thinking "Well, it's probably a gothic tale in New Orleans." Or , a cliche gay teen story. It's not any of those things. This book is very intriguing in the way that the author tells the story, exposing several different characters at almost every turn of the page. This way, you get to know more and more about the characters and what their history is. It's a very well- thought out process as well, some things tend to jump out at you and seem a bit misplaced, but it's ok because the author impressively covers any potential flaws with his poetically dark lining. The prologue is especially powerful in the way that it disturbs yet sets up a billion possibilities. A beautifully disturbing scene. Christopher Rice seems to have been making the whole story ride out in a state of still Hide and Seek. years later, it seems as if they're still playing it. There is a sense of morbidity throughout the story, especially with tales of rats and rickety houses. Ghosts even pop up, but it is all very tasteful. I recommend the book for ages 18 - 25. It's probably sufficient for older but it seems targeted with those with high school still in their mind somewhere. I don't think it's safe to even say it's suitable for High School students. Homosexuality and suicide and alcoholism, murder and death all play parts in the very captivating plot. The writer should be very much applauded for the character of Elise Charbonnet. She's very well realised and very well written, probably the best character in the book for a sense of emotions. Although, all are very nicely done. If the film is put into a movie, I can bet that whoever plays Elise will get a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Oscars if she understands the character well enough. But yes, I do think the young author needs all the critical applause for a very nicely designed book that both intrigues and spellbinds. Very nice work.
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