January 6, 2021, was a pivotal moment in United States history. Not only did some citizens try to overturn the results of a presidential election, but they did so under the guise of liberty and justice for all. Ron Luce attempts to make sense of the aftermath of such an event in Star Late Rising.

In the book, readers are given insight into the lives of three male actors. All three of them are searching for the essence of their lives while building careers as entertainers. Through dialogue, the reader learns how much the occurrence on January 6, 2021, has influenced the men and how the overall climate of the United States has deeply impacted their identities.

It is refreshing to come across an author who is unashamed to lean into creativity. Luce keeps the reader wondering exactly what he is crafting with words that sometimes come in prose and other times in the form of poetry. The over-arching theme of the men, who are actors, navigating the main stage of life becomes evident as Luce primarily formats the book as a play. It is pure brilliance to do so as offering the story as a play places the reader in the audience and opens the door for analysis and judgment. The reader is not merely learning about these men. The reader is showing up to work, experiencing the highs and lows, and ultimately figuring life out along with them.

In all, Luce has created a deeply meaningful story that deserves to be read by anyone willing to think outside of the box.  

"Challenging genre boundaries and questions of truth, lies, and hatred in contemporary American life, this thought-provoking novel blends fiction, theatrical drama, and pointed moral inquiry to explore a fractured nation through the lens of a poignant play. Acknowledging that fear “is spreading across the country that democracy itself is on the verge of collapse,” this searching, enigmatic narrative follows the point of view of the playwright, the actors, and the characters of a play entitled Dave's Place, set in an Ohio bar, the day after the events of January 6th, "the insurrection—attempted coup.” The play centers around Dave, the bar owner, several patrons, and a surprising confrontation with bullying Bill Hagerty, a customer who feels “the deck is stacked” against himself and other white men.Luce deftly weaves a layered story of friendship, aspirations, and the ingrained biases that cast a dark shadow over American culture. The play confronts schisms on human rights, equality, and homophobia while highlighting, in tense exchanges, the violence that rises from baseless hatred of other groups’ lifestyles and beliefs. The American Dream and the cost of fame is also explored through the gaze of the play’s actors, particularly Matt Connor, who portrays the bully. Connor is beloved by his cast mates, but his struggles with alcohol may push him out of a job—and cost him everything he holds dear.The result is innovative, perceptive, and upsetting, as Luce never downplays the terrible things men feel moved to call each other. In both novel and play, all of these men stand at a crossroads, with Luce making their choices—and the potential fallout—not just suspenseful but resonant, rooted in deep national pathologies. Bill especially faces hard questions about his embittered convictions, including “Do you like yourself? I mean deep down, do you like who you are?” Star Late Rising explores, with empathy and electric invention, the dark side of American masculinity.Takeaway: Boldy unconventional story exploring American hatred, anger, and violence."--The Booklife Prize