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Conquest
A novel of sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll…and survival. In a rock band breaking through to global fame, the bass player must fight the drummer to save the band…and the lives of his friends.
Unknown musician Reid Taylor is searching for his place in life. After his girlfriend dumps him, by a fluke he auditions for a new band, Conquest. Once Reid is on-board the band realize they have something special--and fame and fortune beckon.
But the moment Reid meets drummer Clay Hicks, he knows deep in his heart the guy is deadly dangerous--to himself and everyone around him. A reckless talent in the mold of Keith Moon and many other rockers who died far too young, Clay soon threatens to destroy the band just as they are becoming a massive success.
Reid vows to protect the band--while also struggling to stay close emotionally to Kristy, the love of his life, whom he must leave behind when the band goes on tour.
Can Reid keep the band together and become the person he is meant to be? As the band's success grows, Reid and Clay find themselves on a collision course that threatens everything and everyone Reid cares about.
From the creator of the hit TV show Early Edition, CONQUEST shines emotional insight comparable to that of J.D. Salinger (CATCHER IN THE RYE) on the intense and amazing world of rock 'n' roll.
Unknown musician Reid Taylor is searching for his place in life. After his girlfriend dumps him, by a fluke he auditions for a new band, Conquest. Once Reid is on-board the band realize they have something special--and fame and fortune beckon.
But the moment Reid meets drummer Clay Hicks, he knows deep in his heart the guy is deadly dangerous--to himself and everyone around him. A reckless talent in the mold of Keith Moon and many other rockers who died far too young, Clay soon threatens to destroy the band just as they are becoming a massive success.
Reid vows to protect the band--while also struggling to stay close emotionally to Kristy, the love of his life, whom he must leave behind when the band goes on tour.
Can Reid keep the band together and become the person he is meant to be? As the band's success grows, Reid and Clay find themselves on a collision course that threatens everything and everyone Reid cares about.
From the creator of the hit TV show Early Edition, CONQUEST shines emotional insight comparable to that of J.D. Salinger (CATCHER IN THE RYE) on the intense and amazing world of rock 'n' roll.
216 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 14, 2012
The tagline for Conquest, Vik Rubenfeld’s new novel, says it all: “The hardship and triumph of following your heart.” Told in a strong first-person voice by bass player Reid Taylor, Conquest is the story of a band’s rise from its stalled and humble beginnings to fame as live performers and recording artists. When the story opens, Reid’s girlfriend has just dumped him, and he tries to combat his anguish by going to an audition for a new band. By the end of the auditions, Reid is the new bass player, along with drummer Clay and guitarist Barry, who has enticed Reid with his powerful songwriting. The band soon finds a vocalist named Link who is up to the task of singing the complex songs, and the band is complete. Their journey to fame begins as they start playing small clubs, gain a fan base, and eventually get signed to a record deal and are asked to go on tour as support act for a band named Redwing. Their popularity on tour continues to increase, and when Conquest’s record comes out, fame and fortune seem certain for the band.
The road to fame, however, is a rocky one. Clay is self-serving and reckless, and he continually cheats on the girlfriend that he left behind at home. Barry is a brilliant song-writer and musician, but he doubts his own ability to succeed in the business. Link is one of the more interesting characters, a man who was homeless before he joined Conquest, and who never assumes that he won’t end up that way again someday. And our narrator Reid, who has met the supposed love of his life shortly before going on tour, is trying to do the right thing by not sleeping with all the women who follow the band. With this mix of personalities, there’s bound to be trouble. And it isn’t too long before things start falling apart.
I found the best parts of Conquest to be the evocative descriptions of the band creating and playing their music. Rubenfeld may or may not be a musician himself, but he clearly has an understanding of what it feels like to get lost in the act of creating. And choosing a bass player as the narrator was a good choice. As Reid says in the first chapter, “My bass was just like the anchor that kept the kite from flying off into the sky and getting lost.” He is the easy-going band member that tries to keep it all together, and for a while, he succeeds.
While the male characters are mostly convincing, however, the female characters are not. Although this is a story about guys in a band, unfortunately for the female reader there is nary an interesting female character in sight. Every girl here is either somebody’s girlfriend or even worse, a one-night stand. Reid’s girlfriend Kristy gamely stays faithful as Reid and the band hit the road, but Reid is clearly tempted at every turn by the groupies who show up at their shows. Although he claims to be in love with Kristy and even wants to marry her, he has a hard time saying “no” to these women, and eventually he gives in to peer pressure and starts sleeping with them. This scenario is probably true-to-life, but it made Reid less likeable for me. And even though Clay’s girlfriend Leah knows he is cheating on her while touring, she still reacts violently when he finally breaks up with her. Stronger and more believable female characters would have made a welcome change of pace from the stereotypical rock band typecasting.
Despite these flaws in characterization, and a rather far-fetched and violent ending, Conquest is an enjoyable read that gets to the heart of what music is all about: the joy of collaborating, the drive to keep going in a difficult industry, and the magic moments that happen to a group of musicians when everything comes together just right.
The road to fame, however, is a rocky one. Clay is self-serving and reckless, and he continually cheats on the girlfriend that he left behind at home. Barry is a brilliant song-writer and musician, but he doubts his own ability to succeed in the business. Link is one of the more interesting characters, a man who was homeless before he joined Conquest, and who never assumes that he won’t end up that way again someday. And our narrator Reid, who has met the supposed love of his life shortly before going on tour, is trying to do the right thing by not sleeping with all the women who follow the band. With this mix of personalities, there’s bound to be trouble. And it isn’t too long before things start falling apart.
I found the best parts of Conquest to be the evocative descriptions of the band creating and playing their music. Rubenfeld may or may not be a musician himself, but he clearly has an understanding of what it feels like to get lost in the act of creating. And choosing a bass player as the narrator was a good choice. As Reid says in the first chapter, “My bass was just like the anchor that kept the kite from flying off into the sky and getting lost.” He is the easy-going band member that tries to keep it all together, and for a while, he succeeds.
While the male characters are mostly convincing, however, the female characters are not. Although this is a story about guys in a band, unfortunately for the female reader there is nary an interesting female character in sight. Every girl here is either somebody’s girlfriend or even worse, a one-night stand. Reid’s girlfriend Kristy gamely stays faithful as Reid and the band hit the road, but Reid is clearly tempted at every turn by the groupies who show up at their shows. Although he claims to be in love with Kristy and even wants to marry her, he has a hard time saying “no” to these women, and eventually he gives in to peer pressure and starts sleeping with them. This scenario is probably true-to-life, but it made Reid less likeable for me. And even though Clay’s girlfriend Leah knows he is cheating on her while touring, she still reacts violently when he finally breaks up with her. Stronger and more believable female characters would have made a welcome change of pace from the stereotypical rock band typecasting.
Despite these flaws in characterization, and a rather far-fetched and violent ending, Conquest is an enjoyable read that gets to the heart of what music is all about: the joy of collaborating, the drive to keep going in a difficult industry, and the magic moments that happen to a group of musicians when everything comes together just right.
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December 23, 2012Originally posted on Nov 26 2012 at Butterfly-o-Meter Books:
I'm not a memoir passionate, that's the first thing I'll tell you. There was one memoir-like book I was ever tempted to read, and that was Steven Job's, but I never got around to actually reading one either. I've read some memoirs that I connected with, but not many. Like maybe two.
The make or break for me is character, I'm either going to connect with the main in the first five lines of the book or not at all. I've always been a 'first thirty pages' kinna girl, meaning I give any book those first thirty pages to draw me in and if it's no go by then, then it's a no go. I didn't connect with the character of this story and I gave up at around 15%.
The writing was light and fun, easy to read. If I would have connected with the story or character this might have gone a completely different way, but as it is it just didn't work out. You know how you go on a first date with someone, they're very nice, do and say all the right things, but the spark just isn't there? That's what happens for me with books, too. If there's no spark then we just have to move on, both of us.
If you're into band-life stories you might want to give it a try, it will surely work better for you.
I'm not a memoir passionate, that's the first thing I'll tell you. There was one memoir-like book I was ever tempted to read, and that was Steven Job's, but I never got around to actually reading one either. I've read some memoirs that I connected with, but not many. Like maybe two.
The make or break for me is character, I'm either going to connect with the main in the first five lines of the book or not at all. I've always been a 'first thirty pages' kinna girl, meaning I give any book those first thirty pages to draw me in and if it's no go by then, then it's a no go. I didn't connect with the character of this story and I gave up at around 15%.
The writing was light and fun, easy to read. If I would have connected with the story or character this might have gone a completely different way, but as it is it just didn't work out. You know how you go on a first date with someone, they're very nice, do and say all the right things, but the spark just isn't there? That's what happens for me with books, too. If there's no spark then we just have to move on, both of us.
If you're into band-life stories you might want to give it a try, it will surely work better for you.
November 13, 2014
Reviewed on Alexa Loves Books.
The novel was interesting, though it had a semi-unreliable narrator in Reid. Because everything was told solely from his point of view, we only see things as he saw them or as defined by his relationship with the other characters. Reid certainly had strong opinions and an interesting thought process though.
I liked reading about the life of a band - how things started, what dynamics might exist between the members, and what happened on tour. I feel like it would have been an extra bonus in the story’s favor if some of the band’s songs or even lyrics were included.
The author did a wonderful job of writing the story in the voice of his character, so it came across as a very personal account. It was confusing at times, with the abrupt change of events or wandering off in thoughts, but overall, it was a quick, easy read.
The novel was interesting, though it had a semi-unreliable narrator in Reid. Because everything was told solely from his point of view, we only see things as he saw them or as defined by his relationship with the other characters. Reid certainly had strong opinions and an interesting thought process though.
I liked reading about the life of a band - how things started, what dynamics might exist between the members, and what happened on tour. I feel like it would have been an extra bonus in the story’s favor if some of the band’s songs or even lyrics were included.
The author did a wonderful job of writing the story in the voice of his character, so it came across as a very personal account. It was confusing at times, with the abrupt change of events or wandering off in thoughts, but overall, it was a quick, easy read.
July 14, 2013
Conquest. If you only read one novel in a year, read Conquest, and read it now. Why?
Conquest on the surface is a simple rock-n-roll band story, but, fact of the matter is Vik Rubenfeld has added character and emotional depth (aka insight) to a simple "rock-n-roll makes it band" story.
I enjoy reading what is being said and what is not being said. I enjoy a good simple read, especially a story with depth. What pleasantly surprised me is Vik Rubenfeld accomplished depth, character, plot, and most of all insight.
Conquest taught me another area of life’s complicated and subtle emotions.
Reading Conquest was and is a real joy and pleasure, something a good novel is supposed to do! Conquest goes on my read again list,
Thank you Vik Rubenfeld.
Conquest on the surface is a simple rock-n-roll band story, but, fact of the matter is Vik Rubenfeld has added character and emotional depth (aka insight) to a simple "rock-n-roll makes it band" story.
I enjoy reading what is being said and what is not being said. I enjoy a good simple read, especially a story with depth. What pleasantly surprised me is Vik Rubenfeld accomplished depth, character, plot, and most of all insight.
Conquest taught me another area of life’s complicated and subtle emotions.
Reading Conquest was and is a real joy and pleasure, something a good novel is supposed to do! Conquest goes on my read again list,
Thank you Vik Rubenfeld.
October 25, 2013
A bands rise and fall. Story told by bass player Reid. Reid leaves girlfriend behind as he goes with a band he joins. Guitarist Barry is the songwriter. Falls in love with Risa. Takes her on the road with the group. Clay is the drummer. I f there is to be trouble it would be with him, he is not to be trusted. Link is the vocalist. He has no ties to anyone or thing, and wants it to stay that way. Along the way up they make a record and they rise to fame and fortune. With this mix of individuals things come a part. Clay and Reid have differences which threatens everyone and everything he cares about. Reid tries to keep it all together. The ending was a surprise, not what I expected. I enjoyed the book. A good read.
March 22, 2013
An interesting view from the eyes of a bass player who has just joined a band and all the steps leading up to a tour, album(can I still say that)release and first taste of success. I really liked the character Reid. He reminded me of many musicians that I have known in my lifetime all rolled into one. Those early struggling artist years...I know so well. I was able to relate but for a reader who has not gone down this particular path it is an honest insight. The story has a steady rhythm without a lot of highs and lows but I found I was still compelled to keep reading. An epilogue could have given more of a conclusive ending but otherwise I enjoyed it and give it a 3.5 stars.
April 8, 2012
The descriptions are very good and is something worth say. However, there was something, I'm not entirely sure why I simply stayed out of the story. The male characters stand out, have the force and that motivated me to keep reading. The ending was not what I expected yet I liked the story.
Did not finish
July 11, 2013Regretably, I can not get into this book. I may try against soon. We'll see.
December 8, 2013
This was not my favorite but it was enticing. I lived in the 80's with the sex drugs and rock and roll. It was interesting to review another side of this life style.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews