Rating: 
Summary: awesome first novel
Review: I was just reading Jane Adams review of this novel and then I read through almost 30-35 of the online reader reviews and I think it's fair to say that Ms. Adams should find another job. In the 30-35 reader reviews (and my review included)the book received either 4 or 5 stars. I thought this was a brilliant story for a first time writer. There is an obvious distinction between Anne Rice and her son's writing, but both thoroughly enjoyable to read.For those of you who felt the story was based on Christopher Rice's own experiences, you may be correct to a certain degree. It you read the end of the book and the acknowledgements you will see that a friend of C.R. encouraged him to write this story based on a short story by another author. I have not read anything that outright tells me Christopher Rice is gay or bi-sexual, whatever.........but I can only imagine that in knowing the world we live in that most gay people have at some time or another dealt with the ignorance our society has towards gay individuals. I'm sure a lot of people, gay or otherwise who are different in society's eyes will relate to this story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for C.R.'s next novel, but I'll be too busy first reading his mom's new novel, Merrick first! The apple did not fall far from the tree in that family!
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: Christopher Rice's debut novel will leave you anticipating the next one. After a start that threatens to lose readers interest with too many ideas and images flowing at once, A Destiny of Souls quickly settles into a compelling story of coming of age, love, and friendship with a bonus of bone-chilling suspense. At the end of every chapter, I felt compelled to read on -- no matter how late it was. Like Tiger Woods, imagine how good he'll be once he REALLY knows what he's doing.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: A Density of Souls. I am not quite sure the effects of this book can properly be described in writing. From a 24-year old gay guy's point of few, this book hit on every emotion I possess: anger, admiration, fear, sympathy, comfort and shock, to name a few. When I started reading this book around 10:00 in the evening, I could not put it down until the last word was read at 3:00 a.m.! (I didn't make it to my 8:00 a.m. class, but the book was more than worth it) I'm only saddened that I've finished the book and that the story is over. I highly recommend this book to any gay male, as it will definately spark "too close to home" feelings and will, through the emotions listed above, allow you to believe, if only in your daydreams, that there is someone out there for you. :)
Rating:
Summary: Accurate portrayal of the gay elite High School experience.
Review: Never have I read anything that so accurately portrayed all the feelings associated with being gay in an elitist high school environment as A Density of Souls. After reading this novel, I now understand that there are others who shared the overwhelming feelings of abandonment, the oppressiveness of the "jocks," and the pain of repressed desire that was my high school experience. Rice's accurate descriptions of these feelings are what compelled me to finish his novel in one reading. The story line was captivating and the depiction of uptown New Orleans society was provocative. A bit melodramatic and unbelievable at times, but intentional I imagine. This was a beautifully written book and I look forward to the author's next release.
Rating:
Summary: Harsh Critics
Review: I thought this was a great book. I found the characters to be well described. I found that I felt for them. I think that for a first book it was a success. It may have been the thinnly veiled story of Chris' own experiences. This maybe true (because I don't know his personal history)but as a fellow writer I see how he would use personal experience to influence his book. It is hard for an author to get original ideas so they will use their own experience to make a story. Some have said that the book had too many plot twists, well I love a complex book with this many twists because it keeps you thinking. Another comment was that in almost every part the characters were drink some sort of alcoholic beverage. Take it from me, a resident of Louisiana, that everyone drinks all the time. It is almost impossible to find someone here that isn't drinking. Other points have been made about the improbability of the story, especially with Jordan. Thst can be seen as a part of Chris' story to fulfill what he or Stephen could never have had in real life. It was not meant to be seen as a fully possible action, but something that might happen. More to satisfy the author's and the reader's, especially mine, idea of a love that is needed and wanted by most, but almost is never achieved. The last point was that the very ending with Jordan was thrown in, but if you read the book thouroughly then you would have seen the hidden events that shed light upon the end. Who knows, that plot twist could be the plot of his next book. All in all this book was a wonder and I am anticipating the second book. I see promise in this young writer. He has created a story that seems to mirror mine, and ends it as I would hope to end it in my own life.
Rating:
Summary: "Don't live in search of yesterday"
Review: I often find myself clinging to my High School memories. After reading A Density of Souls I found myself reliving all the hardships and memories of life as a confused young man groing up in the graduating class of 1997. I was in High School around the same time as the characters in the Novel and I found it stunning how well Christopher Rice captured the time period. He defines how blind love is and gives the reader a glimpse of true love. Love that most people, unfortunately, will never experience.
Rating:
Summary: Rice the best new novelist I've seen for some time
Review: They say that writers write best about what they live and understand. Rice is no exception. An openly gay author (Source: The Advocate, August 29, 2000) Rice proves that he truly understands the pain of anti-gay taunting in the schools. But the book is not necessarily a gay book, nor is it limited to experiences in school. Indeed, it explores every facet of life, from garden club snobbery of rich old money society, growing up either straight or gay in a society that punishes people for their noncomformity, and religious tolerance and extremism. While reading this book, I laughed out loud at times when I hadn't expected to, and cried at others, especially when people go out of their way to hurt others - and in doing so, hide their own demons and secrets. I stayed up until after 3 am to finish this book. Very powerful.
Rating:
Summary: AN AMAZING READ!
Review: I read this book in one sitting! I admit I was curious because this is by the son of Anne Rice, but any comparisons to Mom disolve by chapter two. These characters are richly developed, well rounded and believable. Anyone who ever felt "different" and was mocked or scorned for it, will lose themselves in this book. I found my self shaking with anger, smiling at the tenderness of the romance, welling up with fear and dread, and gasping at the end! Here's hoping Christopher enjoys the longevity that his mother has found.
Rating:
Summary: To sleep or not to sleep
Review: There are very few books that draw you in so completely that you refuse to sleep so that you can finish them. A Density of souls is one of those books. The characters are mesmerizing, and the story phenomenal. It takes place in New Orleans like many of his mother's books, yet this book is very different. Readers will not find the supernatural here. Instead they will find the distant memories of high school, the anguish that went with them, and the redemption that occurs when that time is finally left in the past. Chris writes with a power beyond his years. When I finished the story, I felt as though I had known the characters all my life. Perhaps it's the depth of the characters he writes, perhaps it's the experiences all of us have shared with them. Regardless of what it is, Christopher Rice showcases a talent that is all his own. If you start reading this book after sunset, don't plan on sleeping till you've finished with it. You won't be able to put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Frustrating Read
Review: Maybe it's just me but I couldn't get into this book. I read some of the other customer reviews and thought maybe I was reading the wrong book. I checked the title and sure enough, it was the same novel. The author jumped around too much for me and never seemed to connect the dots. The story appeared to be written in a manner which took the reader on a journey of different "snippets' in the lives of different characters. I didn't feel that the characters were developed particularly well and felt that some of the emotions were somewhat out of place given what was occuring at the time. Essentially, although I am never one to shy away from an intellectual exercise, I found this novel to be much too much work. It just did not come together in a thoughtful, concise manner which made reading it a chore.
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