Secret Society

October 5, 2009
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.

November 1, 2009
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"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2009
Grades 8-12 An anonymous text message to elite New York high-school students is the first indication that something is up. Well-connected Nick has a suspicion he is being tapped for a secret society, but artistic Phoebe, new to the city, doesnt have a clue. Lauren, an Upper East Side type, gets how important this can be. And she is rightwithin weeks of becoming members, each of them has some secret dream fulfilled: Phoebe, an art show; Lauren, a prestigious internship. Nicks best friend, the untapped Patch (all family, no money), wants to blow the lid on the Society, and being a videographer, he just may be able to do that. Dolby, who has the preppie scene down, is not quite as deft when it comes to shrouding plot twists. And though the teen characters have plenty of appeal, the adult Society members are right out of central casting. This is still creepy fun, though, with a cinematic feel that readers will adore. The book ends so abruptly that a sequel must be in the works. Otherwise, we wont know if they ever get off the (Societys) island.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Nick, Lauren, and Phoebe are upper-class, New York prep school teenagers (think Gossip Girl) selected as initiates into a secret organization. Thanks to the Society, they attend extravagant parties and effortlessly achieve success. But the teens, and their non-initiate classmate Patch, suspect something sinister behind the glamorous facade. Readers will be gratified as secrets are revealed, though many questions remain unanswered.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)