Gulliver Takes Five

By: Justin Luke Zirilli

Narrated by: Cole Ferguson

The high-octane drama, romance, and sexuality of New York’s gay scene snap to life in this compelling collection of five intersecting stories from the author of Gulliver Takes Manhattan. Your guides are hotheaded Brayden, spurned by his ex-boyfriend and carving a path of explosive revenge across the city; Marty, an aspiring actor whose unexpected shot at a breakthrough role could propel him straight to Broadway; go-go boy Chase, finally facing some hard truths about his life - and finding love in a hopeless place; bickering exes Servando and Rowan, for whom a subway breakdown ignites a powder keg of drama and discovery; and up-and-coming gay nightlife promoter Todd, whose job is turning out to be anything but envious. Over the course of one unforgettable night, these six men will grapple with love and heartbreak, sex and violence, success and failure, each struggling to come out on top and survive another wild night in Gay New York.

©2012 Justin Luke Zirilli (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A day in the life of New York Twenty-Somethings

I picked this up without realizing that it was the second book in the series. The beginning was very difficult. I do not like to waste time on books with characters that I fail to empathize nor tolerate. The first character story was half the book and had one of those characters. I almost didn't make it though that first story line.

The book has no HEA. It is just a saga of a day in the life of Twenty-Something New York gays. I am still unsure why I bought it. I have no interest in the New York gay clubbing, party, sexing life style of the young, beautiful and stupid. Maybe I was curious. I did get an earful that pretty much confirmed that I am not comfortable with that lifestyle. I guess I have never able to shake my Midwest up bringing.

The novel presents different stories of the same evening intermixed with view points of the various characters. It may have helped to have heard the first novel but I can't tell since this one seemed to stand alone well. I found myself curious about some of the characters but fell for only a couple: Todd and Christian. Now I find myself wanting to know more. Perhaps a little about some of the characters (not the destructive ones); but definitely about Todd. I see the author has a whole suite of this series. I would like to read more of the series to learn more about what happens to Todd trusting that he gets his HAE but that is probably part of the discovery process. I think if learn more about Christian it will only frustrate me more.

I see that the book has received many very high reviews. Since it a departure from my comfort zone I can't say it is one of the best books I have read but I sure learned a lot about New York Twenty-Somethings. Bottom line: I will pursue more of the series if nothing more to satisfy my curiosity. The author sure knew how to whet my appetite.

It's okay, but not brilliant.

Maybe it's me, but I didn't get into the story right away. I battled through the book, and then WHAM, the ending! Not a fan.