Diana Peterfreund, Secret Society Girl

Secret Society Girl

Diana Peterfreund

Delacorte, Jul 2006, $23.00

ISBN: 0385340021

Literary magazine editor Amy Haskel is a junior attending the prestigious Ivy League school Eli University. Eli's literary society, Quill & Ink ask her to join, which the ambitious student knows is the perfect addition to her r sum . However, instead of the Quill & Ink members showing up to escort Amy to an inductee ceremony cloaked men "kidnap" her. She does not panic and soon is given the opportunity to join the most exclusive "club" on campus, the Rose & Grave better known by its memberships as Diggers. She accepts though Quill & Ink would be better for her r sum and future.

However, some alumni and current Diggers object to females in their once exclusive male ranks. They will do anything to drive the new females out, but had not counted on the seemingly timid and shy Amy obstinately remaining a member.

Though more of a teen coming of age tale rather than a thriller involving secret societies whose alumni run the country and much of the world, Diana Peterfreund's opening Ivy League tale is a fun lighthearted look at college. Amy initially seems to have her roadmap to success set up perfect until the abduction displays her anxiety and timidity, which seems real, but also takes away from the strength of the plot: being inducted into the secret society as she just does not appear ready for that step. Still this is a fine look at the goings on at school and hopefully by the next tale, the heroine wears rubber underwear and acts with poise and strength as she takes readers inside the secret society.

Harriet Klausner