Customer Reviews

Uprising

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

The premise of this book really got my attention, however I felt somewhat disappointed when it was all over. Although I enjoyed the book, I felt like it was missing that certain something that would have made it great. I wish that there could have been more exploration of The Three Wisemen and an epilogue about what happened to everyone. Overall, a good read, but I wouldn't spend my last dollar on it.

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.

Boyd's style is very fluid and natural, a characterisitc which is sadly lacking in many current novelists' writing. This style, coupled with his engaging story-telling more than make up for any stretches of credibility in the story line. This story, which appears at times to be a roman a clef, is especially fun for Angelinos or those familiar with the Los Angeles scene. His references to clubs, streets, and other geographic features add to the reality of Boyd's story, helping to bring his story to life.

This book has a lot of everything, politics, sex, violence, moral dilemma and a whole bunch of suspense and intrigue. From the minute I brought it home, I could barely put it down until I finished it and found out what these three closeted celebrities were going to do. I kept saying to myself: wow, finally a book that challenges, inspires and entertains me in ways no book has done before. It's disturbing and sexy and thought-provoking all at the same time. And the gay pop star and straight FBI agent make a sizzling duo. I want to see more of them in a sequel!

A good fast paced novel, not so far fetched as to not be possibly a real story. Good paced action intertwined with realistic characters and places make this a sure fire hit.

I've never read a "gay" book before, but this one definitely had my attention. I was up till early one morning finishing it cause it was that suspenseful. Entertaining and it also makes you think, especially after the Matthew Shepard incident.

I also feel misled by the other reviews because this story is awful. The only reason I read to the end was to see if someone would redeem themselves enough to be the hero of the story. I wasted my time. There is no one to like in this book. The tag line asks "which side will you be on?" and the answer is neither. The gay celebrities fund radical militants who use violence to avenge the wrongs suffered by the gay community. And the straight FBI agent is a homophobic jerk. There is no love story here - in spite of what the editorial review from IN Los Angeles says. The whole thing is just depressing and unbelievable and the ending is both icky and ridiculous. The two characters involved - which I already disliked - manage to sink even lower. Don't waste your time on this book.

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?

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!