Secret Society Girl: An Ivy League Novel (Ivy League Novels)
 

Secret Society Girl: An Ivy League Novel

by Diana Peterfreund

In a fabulous blend of the bestselling traditions of Prep and The Devil Wears Prada, Secret Society Girl takes us into the heart of the Ivy League’s ultraexclusive secret societies when a young woman is invited to join as one of their first female members.

Elite Eli University junior Amy Haskel never expected to be tapped into Rose & Grave, the country’s most... (read more)

Top tags: chick litfictionlibrary book2008adult (all tags)

 

Member Reviews

  • teenbookreview
    • Rated 5 stars

    Amy Haskel, a junior at fictional Ivy League school Eli University, thinks she’s sure to be tapped for Quill & Ink, a not-exactly-secret literary society. She can’t imagine that any more prestigious society would be after her. Especially Rose & Grave, the oldest and most notorious secret society in the country. After all, Rose & Grave doesn’t tap women. And even if they did, it wouldn’t be women like Amy. Right?

    Apparently, wrong. That year is the first that Rose & Grave taps women. Including Amy. But where does she fit in? She’s not a legacy, or a leader, or a genius. She’s just…Amy Maureen Haskel, from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Editor of the school’s lit magazine. Good student. But nothing special.

    Taking her the advice of her friend (with benefits) Brandon to not overthink something for once, she says yes. And before she knows it, she’s part of the most powerful secret society around. With the society name Bugaboo. But that’s just the start of it.

    I wish I’d picked up SECRET SOCIETY GIRL sooner! Once I did, I was hooked. The world Diana Peterfreund creates in this novel is totally different from mine, and maybe a little far-fetched, but still completely real once you start reading. Her characters all step right off the page—even the most minor background characters are three-dimensional. Peterfreund really breathes life into her protagonist, though! Amy’s voice is witty and funny and perfectly suited to the character that the (rather brilliant) author creates.

    I’ve been gushing about the characters so much this sounds like a character-driven book with no plot, but that would be the wrong impression. SECRET SOCIETY GIRL is nothing if not a suspenseful page-turner! There’s not a dull moment in this book. I couldn’t put it down! This smart, wickedly funny novel is a new favorite of mine.

    I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, UNDER THE ROSE. Diana Peterfreund’s promising debut novel can only be the tip of the iceberg where this incredibly talented writer is concerned.

    teenbookreview wrote this review Saturday, March 8 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • mdufer (www.mdufer.com)
    • Rated 3 stars

    Interesting read.

    mdufer (www.mdufer.com) wrote this review Tuesday, December 25 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • skrishna
    • Rated 1 stars

    I couldn't get through this book for some reason, I can't quite figure out why. It just really didn't appeal to me.

    skrishna wrote this review Monday, December 17 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Jessica H
    • Rated 2 stars

    It could have been better.

    Jessica H wrote this review Thursday, December 6 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Magickdawn
    • Rated 2 stars

    Wasn't what I expected. This is really about a college girl learning the ropes of life

    Magickdawn wrote this review Friday, November 2 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Patti
    • Rated 3 stars

    It was okay.

    Patti wrote this review Wednesday, October 24 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • hitch330
    • Rated 3 stars

    Fun, quick read. I found the story to be semi-believable although was disappointed with the latter half of the book. It was intriguing nonetheless!

    hitch330 wrote this review Saturday, September 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Jyl22075
    • Rated 5 stars

    One of the best books I've read in a long time. Be sure and check this one out. The sequel, Under the Rose is amazing as well.

    Jyl22075 wrote this review Monday, August 20 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • GeniusJen
    • Rated 5 stars

    Meet Amy Maureen Haskel, a junior at prestigious Eli University. As editor-in-chief of the campus literary newspaper, Amy's a shoe-in to be tapped for Quill & Ink, the literary senior society, home to writers and scribblers of any and all degree. After all, it's a part of her master plan: get tapped into Quill & Ink, do her summer internship at Horton, make it through the Russian Novel class, decide what to do with her "friend with benefits," Brandon, and, basically, enjoy a fulfilling life as a literary genius.

    Except things don't quite work out that way. Amy is tapped to join a society all right, but she learns pretty quickly (all the guys in black robes hidden in shadow give her a clue) that it isn't Quill & Ink who is interested in her. No, she's been tapped by Rose & Grave, the mother of all secret societies on Eli's campus. Except that doesn't make sense either, as Rose & Grave is a society of men only.

    The fact that Rose & Grave has decided to allow women into their society is just the beginning of Amy's junior year. She's heard so many rumors about the "Diggers" over the years that she doesn't know what is fact and what is fiction. Does Rose & Grave really run the country? Is every presidential candidate a member? Do they control the media? Is Rose & Grave funded with unlimited money from the world's biggest CEO's and business founders? Are you really supposed to leave the room if someone so much as utters the words Rose & Grave, and yet wear a Rose & Grave pin on your person at all times? It's all very confusing for Amy, and it only gets more so after her initiation.

    Given the ultra-cool (not) name of Bugaboo, Amy is now in a secret society, which is great. Except she can't tell anyone that she's a member of Rose & Grave, never mind what she does during their meetings. There are some members of the Diggers who aren't thrilled to have women in their ranks, and that spells major trouble for not only Amy and the other members of class D177, but possibly for the entire Rose & Grave society.

    SECRET SOCIETY GIRL is a blast! Fun and witty, with an engaging theme, heartfelt situations, intriguing dialogue, and a cast of characters that you'll be cheering for, it's a story you won't want to put down. Thankfully, there's another book coming in this series, so I have something to look forward to. As it is, though, I can't wait for another look into the lives of not only Bugaboo, but some of my other favorite characters--Angel, Little Demon, and Puck. Not to mention being able to catch up on the lives of the graduating class members such as Poe and Lancelot. You won't go wrong picking up a copy of
    this clever, imaginative story.

    Originally posted on www.teensreadtoo.com

    GeniusJen wrote this review Wednesday, July 25 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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