Secret Society

January 2, 2006
For Celess and her best friend, Tina, "runnin' game" on dudes with dollars is a full-time occupation. Somewhere just out of their teens, tricked out in Chanel, Chloé and D&G, the "flyest girls out there" hit the fights, the games and the clubs, looking for men who like to spend their cash. By page nine, Celess has a trio of men to meet her needs: "O was my hustler from Delaware. James was my baller from Philly. Tariq was my businessman from New Jersey." And by page 20, Celess reveals the secret of the title: she and Tina are men, too. Readers know from the preface that their story ends tragically—but which of their lovers, when he finds out the truth, will reach for his gun? Miasha's narrative has few developed scenes, and "We had a brief conversation about my outfit and how good I looked in it" is pretty much what passes for dialogue. But beneath the litany of shopping and screwing, lying and dodging, the tension bubbles—Tina and Celess know they're playing a dangerous game. As James bugs out, O gets killed and Tariq vanishes, Celess gets her nails into Darrell, who's married; Terry, who's white (and likes Celess's male parts); and Michael, who really loves her. But this isn't a fairy tale. Scandalous and engrossing, this debut from Miasha (just one name; she lives in the Atlanta suburbs with her spouse and child) shows her to be a writer to watch.

February 1, 2006
In New York, there is a secret society of women who prey on men for their upkeep. Tina and Celess are two beautiful women living that lifestyle. As much they are opposites in looks, they use the same trickery to lure men. Tina is dark skinned and voluptuous, with street smarts. Celess is thinner and fairer, and under Tina's tutelage she is becoming quite adept at the game of deception. The men that Celess is involved with keep her in designer clothes, expensive jewelry, a luxury automobile, and even a condominium. When Tina meets Derrek, a wealthy older man, she gives up her lifestyle to settle down. Becoming a married woman reinforces the protective feelings she has for Celess. Tina encourages Celess to give up the lifestyle and leave New York for Los Angeles. As they prepare to celebrate their last New Year's Eve in New York, a man from their past confronts them about their games and lies. Celess has to rely on all that she has learned to survive. An absorbing tale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)