Secret Society by Tom Dolby

Once you get in... you can never get out. Do you ever wonder how some people have it all? The best schools, the hottest parties, the priciest clothes, the easiest jobs? Maybe it's because they're part of a secret group. A secret society.
-Secret Society, back cover

I just finished reading an ARC of Tom Dolby's Secret Society. Set in New York City, it is the story of 4 students at one of Manhattan's most elite private schools. Nick is the son of one of the city's wealthiest families, hoping to amount to something of his own choosing- club promotion. Phoebe is a recent transplant from LA and an aspiring artist. Lauren is a teenage socialite whose interest in fashion is something more than the shallow amusement of her peers. Patch comes from a family of faded prominence and is hoping his filmmaking skills will get him some of the privileges sees his fellow students abuse.

When three of the four high school juniors are tapped as Initiates of the Society, everyones lives begin to change. First comes the privilege, as gifts and oppurtunities come their way effortlessly. Then comes fear, as they realize how much influence the Society has over their lives, and those of everyone around them. As the situation becomes fatal; Nick, Phoebe, Lauren and Patch have to decide who to rely on, and whether it is safe to cross the Society.

I've had an interest in secret societies for years, so when the oppurtunity came to get my hands on a book about them, I jumped on it. I began reading as soon as the book showed up at my door. The characters are a bit cliched, but the situation they are thrust into is unique and the way they deal with things is realistic. I would definitely reccommend this book looking for an entertaining read that isn't complete fluff.


*Contest: In Secret Society, the Society tattoos all Initiates with a small Ankh on the back of their necks. The Ankh is an Egyptian symbol for life. I'll be giving away an ARC of Tom Dolby's Secret Society, signed by the author. In order to be entered in the contest you must identify the following 3 symbols, their cultute of origin and their meaning. Comment with the answers to be entered.

1.

2.

3.

Congratulations contest winner writeinspired. Email me at bloggingya@gmail.com with your name and address so I can mail your ARC to you ASAP.

The correct answers were:

#1 Buddhist symbol Lotus means purity

#2 The asclepius wand, or asclepius rod is is an ancient Greek symbol associated with astrology and with healing the sick through medicine. The rod of Asclepius symbolizes the healing arts by combining the serpent, which in shedding its skin is a symbol of rebirth and fertility, with the staff, a symbol of authority befitting the god of Medicine. (ancientsymbols.com)

#3Udjat: The sound eye of Horus. Symbolizes healing and protection.

I Can't Write Book Reviews

This isn't a book review. Let's get that stated right off the bat. Book reviews require plot summaries and a semi-organized layout of different aspects of the book being reviewed. This is more off the cuff.

I just finished reading Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti. It came out earlier this month and has been on my Amazon Wishlist since I stumbled across her blog on LiveJournal a few months ago. Since this not a book review, I should let you know that more information on Waiting for You is available here.

I usually avoid books where the main character is suffering from some sort of mild or severe mental illness, be it depression, attention deficit disorder, anxiety disorder or any other thing that qualifies a person as "messed up." When I read books with these kinds of characters, I need the voice and the experience to be authentic. Maybe it's just the books I happen to have read, but there's always something that seems just slightly off.

Usually it's the amount of focus that's put on whatever disorder the character suffers from. A lot of characters seemed defined by what makes them messed up. They exhibit symptoms constantly and always have their medical problems on their minds. As far as my experience goes, this just isn't authentic.

The lack of focus on Marisa's anxiety disorder, is what makes her so relatable for me. She mentions her initial symptoms and past treatment at the begining of the novel. During the middle of the book there are a few brief mentions of things a therapist said and there are times when you can subtly see the anxiety cause her to do things that aren't typical. Everything creeps up slowly and stays in the background. Marisa is much more focused on issues with her boyfriend, changes in her friendship with Sterling and figuring out her relationship with Nash.

And Marisa does hit a low point with her anxiety. However, even as Marisa hit her "rock bottom" she is realizing what's going wrong and taking the actions to fix it. She doesn't wallow in any sort of self despair, and the reader doesn't have to muddle through any flowy, metaphor-ridden passages about how crappy Marisa is feeling.

In short, this is a book with a messed character, not a book about a character being messed up. I recommend Waiting for You to anyone who is looking for a book with a flawed character who is not defined by her flaws. I have read Colasanti's first novel, When it Happens which I enjoyed. I also have copy of her second novel, Take Me There sitting in my room. I will definitely be getting around to that book sooner.

*Side note: I love the cover's of all three of Susane Colasanti's books, with their hidden faces


What Do You Think?: What books do you think handle this kind of subject with well-developed characters? While also being good reads, of course.