I really liked this book when it started out. A historical fiction looking at new York during the aids crisis from the perspective of a young gay black kids. It had a ney York specific star studded cast with significant enemies and hero's of the gay and civil rights movements and Republicans represented. I loved the world building and the significant cruising spots, bath houses and gay/fetish clubs name dropped in it.

But there was so many downsides I often encounter with literature from a pretty left of center perspective on grassroots politics. There was icon and quotable lines, and a strong beginning third of the book but as they tried to represent struggle, non violence, political struggle and the gay agenda it really fell apart for me and had me almost hate reading until the end.

I wish I could rate this a 4 star and a 1 star at the same time because I felt like so conflicted about the book as a whole piece in the end.