Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Title: Secret Society

Series: Secret Society?

Author: Tom Dolby

Pages: 352

Publisher: HarperTeen

Reading Level: Young Adult

Spotlight: Plot

Rating:

"Secrets, secrets are no fun.

Secrets, secrets hurt someone..."

An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York’s wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.

They didn’t ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything. Even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown, and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they’re forced to get on the nape of their necks.

Once they’re part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It’s all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

Tom Dolby makes his teen fiction debut with this riveting novel about a dangerous Society so secret that once you get in, you can never get out.

Taschima:

This book caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting much, but I was expecting some sort of entertainment. This book delivered.

Phoebe, Nick, Lauren and Patch are special kids. And not because they go to Chadwick High School, one of the most prestigious high schools of New York, and not even because they have amazing talent, but because they have caught the eye of The Society. Which by now you should know it's secret (insert duh here).

A little background-

Phoebe is an artist, Lauren makes jewelry, Patch is an amateur filmmaker, and Nick... He makes good parties and is hella smart. Nick and Patch are best friends, and Phoebe is the new kid in town. Lauren is the socialite, I would say she is our Blare from Gossip Girl.

One night at a party (hosted by Nick) they receive this weird text message that says to meet in an address they don't even know, but only 3 of them get the txt. They go to the address while being completely unaware that their lives are just about to change drastically... Question is, is the change for the better?

One of the things I loved about this book was how much it entertained me. I was looking for something light and fun, and I so got it! Sure it isn't the kind of book you can take lightly, it's backbone is good and I expect the sequel to be even better.

Half of the book is secret society stuff, parties, ceremonies, secrets, you know the usual New York Scene. But the other half is about art. Which you could expect of Mr. Dolby because he has a BA in History of Art. So it wasn't such a shocker, but it was interesting to see the struggle of the artist.

The characters were interesting. Though I couldn't completely connect with them (I believe Phoebe is the one I could connect to the most). They are what you would expect for rich kids but at the same time they weren't. They want to work hard and earn what they get. Which is really good you know, I don't want to read about spoiled kids.

I think Ive rambled enough. The main point is read this book because it's worth it. The story could have been more than it was, BUT for that we have the sequel.

Thanks Tom Dolby for taking me out of my reading rut.

PS; What an amazing cover!

For an excerpt click here.

For more information about the author or the book click here.