Secret Society Girl

June 1, 2006
Yale grad Peterfreund sets her debut novel at the fictional Ivy League school of Eli University. Literary magazine editor Amy Haskel, a junior at Eli, expects to get tapped for a middle-of-the-road campus society, which would fill out her ré sumé nicely. Instead, abducted by mysterious men in black-hooded cloaks, she joins the most elite society, Rose & Grave, a.k.a. Diggers. Conflict arises because not everyone wants women to join the once men-only society. The opening pages suggest intrigue, but the book is more of a coming-of-age story as Amy learns to appreciate herself and find sisterhood with her fellow Diggers. Perhaps because it is the first installment in the -Secret Society Girl - series (the second is due in summer 2007), the novel feels more like an introduction to the characters than a finished narrative. With much of the book devoted to college hijinks such as drinking and hooking up, it is likely to have more appeal for twentysomething readers. Appropriate for large popular fiction collections, especially those serving college populations. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 3/1/06.]" -Lisa Davis-Craig, Canton P.L., MI"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2006
The exploits of Ivy League secret societies have provided healthy fodder for writers. Peterfruend is the latest to go inside the exclusive clubs, albeit with a romantic twist to her plot. Amy Haskel is a junior at prestigious Eli University, the unassuming editor of the literary magazine and a self-described commitment-phobe. When she's "tapped" by the most elite and mysterious society on campus, Rose & Grave, life takes a turn for the bizarre. Soon she's swilling champagne with the sons of senators and CEOs, and keeping secrets from her roommate and her not-quite boyfriend. This is the first in a planned Secret Society Girl series, and Peterfreund leaves some loose ends to entice readers to pick up her next installment. The story is frivolous but fun to read--full of quirky characters and situations. It's bound to appeal to readers looking for entertaining escape and college humor.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)