Secret Society

Publishers Weekly

There’s plenty of pomp, snootiness and closely guarded secrets to go around in this first book in a planned series, Dolby’s foray into YA writing. A group of 15 teens—plucked from the cream of New York’s Nat Sherman–smoking, Marc Jacobs bag-toting prep school elite—are given VIP passes to a glamorous underground world. Exclusive all-night parties in undisclosed locations are the norm, bottomless alcoholic beverages are supplied and unquestioning loyalty is expected. Following three chosen ones—fledgling club promoter Nick, wannabe artist Phoebe and jewelry designer/fashionista Lauren—as well as outsider Patch, the foreboding story has the feel of a hazing about to go awry, especially when the three slowly realize that the Society and its “benefits” aren’t what they seem (confirming what readers will suspect all along). While the somewhat interchangeable characters teeter into archetypal/stereotypical territory, readers are likely to be too caught up in the suspense to notice. Dolby covered similar ground—private school upbringings, influence peddling and the deceptive merits of the nouveau riche lifestyle—in his second novel for adults, The Sixth Form, but who’s complaining if the formula works? Ages 12–up. (Oct.)

Children's Literature - Myrna Dee Marler

Three rich kids, Pheobe, Nick, and Lauren attend an ultra-cool mega-party in New York City's meatpacking district and get invited to join a secret society which will open the doors to all their dreams because of all of the influential people who also belong. A fourth kid, Patch, friend to the other three but not so rich, is not invited to join the society. So, as a budding filmmaker, he sneaks in and videotapes the entire initiation ceremony. When Patch is offered an opportunity to create a reality show based on the exclusive Chadwick School, he is faced with a conundrum, whether to use his secret tape or not. The powerful forces that want to keep the society secret pressure him and his three friends to get rid of the evidence. Patch, his loyalties torn, resists. Deaths and other mysterious happenings result. Further, the career dreams that each character has are, in reality, less than they seem to be at first. If young adults like to read about wealthy New York City teens living on the Upper East Side and getting in "pickles" that are a little more than they can handle in spite of their surface sophistication, this book will be a good escape. The ending is ambiguous and seems to set up the book as the beginning of a series. No sex and not much profanity but lots of teenage drinking. Reviewer: Myrna Dee Marler

VOYA - Jennifer McConnel

Phoebe Dowling has just moved across the country, leaving her beloved and familiar Los Angeles behind to take up residence in the Big Apple. On the third day at her elite prep school, Phoebe receives an invitation to an upscale party being thrown by one of her classmates. The party turns out to be nothing extraordinary, but the text message that Phoebe, Nick, and Lauren each receive is another thing entirely. Sent from an unknown phone number, the message tells them to leave the party and report to a mysterious address. Lauren and Nick realize that they have just been tapped for The Society, a secret organization renowned for its power and wealth. Membership in The Society is highly selective, and some of the most powerful figures in American history supposedly have been members. Despite the glamour and the promise of fame and fortune that The Society holds, things are not as idyllic as they seem, and Phoebe, Lauren, and Nick soon find themselves in a dangerous world that offers no escape. This novel was an exciting read but offers nothing to distinguish it from the countless other tales of secret societies and rich prep school students. The characters are slightly two-dimensional, but the suspense and fear they feel are skillfully built and provide incentive for the reader to continue. The story ends awkwardly and without any answers, as if a sequel is forthcoming, but readers will be left unsatisfied and confused. Reviewer: Jennifer McConnel

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up—Three privileged Manhattan teens who attend an exclusive boarding school receive mysterious text messages with the same unfamiliar address. They arrive at the designated location, where they are ushered into a large room filled with people dressed in evening attire and wearing masks. Alcohol flows freely as they mingle among the glamorous partiers. But too much alcohol makes them woozy, and they are led to a secret room where they are tattooed and sworn in as Society Initiates. At first, they feel privileged to be part of such an exclusive group. But when the Society shows its sinister side by doing away with members who step out of line, the girls rethink their membership and fight to save their friends and, ultimately, themselves. Dolby does a nice job of creating suspense and tension in the story, but an awkward plot, flat characters, and stilted dialogue make it disappointing. Also, the purpose of the secret society ("preserving the life that your parents want you to live") seems too weak to warrant secret meetings and dire happenings. E. Lockhart's The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (Hyperion, 2008) is a better choice for readers interested in private schools and secret societies.—Kelley Siegrist, Farmington Community Library, MI

Kirkus Reviews

Already attending one of New York City's prestigious prep schools, Nick, Phoebe and Lauren are all invited to join The Society, an exclusive secret club that places its members on the fast track to power, success and wealth. As they become more involved, each must confront divided loyalties: Nick's best friend is preparing an expose, Lauren's new boyfriend is on a self-destructive path and Phoebe's artistic success is not fully her own. Pulling from the vast field of teen literature and pop culture, Dolby's attempted amalgamation of Gossip Girl, The Clique and Eyes Wide Shut never comes together. Half-formed relationships lead to forced character interactions, leaving readers overwhelmed by the author's guiding hand. Phoebe's early naivete is a grating plot device; how many teenagers actually believe the world is fair? Nick and Lauren are stereotypes of prep-school characters, and the author makes little effort to distinguish them from the other faceless students at their school. A broad ending leaves room for sequels, though this bland attempt at suspense needs no followup. (Fiction. YA)