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Secret Society Girl #3
Rites of Spring (Break)
From “witty and endearing” to “impossible to put down,” the critics have given elite marks to Diana Peterfreund’s
Secret Society Girl
and
Under the Rose
. Now, in a wildly captivating new novel, Amy “Bugaboo” Haskel and her fellow Rose & Grave knights are trading cold, gray, hyperintellectual New Haven for an annual rite of spring (well, early March) in Florida.
For Amy, a week of R&R on her secret society’s private island should be all fun in the sun–and an escape from an on-campus feud with a rival society that’s turned disturbingly personal. But along with her SPF 30 and a bikini, Amy is bringing a suitcase full of issues to remote Cavador Key. Graduation from Eli University looms, not to mention buckets of unfinished business with a former flame and–most pressing of all–the sudden, startling transformation of a mysterious Rose & Grave patriarch from sheerly evil to utterly … appealing?
Just when Amy thinks Spring Break can’t get any less relaxing, a wacky “accident” puts everyone on edge. And that’s only the beginning, as Amy starts to suspect that someone has infiltrated the island. With some major Rose & Grave secrets to be exposed, and the potential fallout enough to take down one of America’s most loathsome figureheads, what she can’t know is that the party crasher is deadly serious about making sure “Bugaboo” doesn’t get back to Eli alive…
For Amy, a week of R&R on her secret society’s private island should be all fun in the sun–and an escape from an on-campus feud with a rival society that’s turned disturbingly personal. But along with her SPF 30 and a bikini, Amy is bringing a suitcase full of issues to remote Cavador Key. Graduation from Eli University looms, not to mention buckets of unfinished business with a former flame and–most pressing of all–the sudden, startling transformation of a mysterious Rose & Grave patriarch from sheerly evil to utterly … appealing?
Just when Amy thinks Spring Break can’t get any less relaxing, a wacky “accident” puts everyone on edge. And that’s only the beginning, as Amy starts to suspect that someone has infiltrated the island. With some major Rose & Grave secrets to be exposed, and the potential fallout enough to take down one of America’s most loathsome figureheads, what she can’t know is that the party crasher is deadly serious about making sure “Bugaboo” doesn’t get back to Eli alive…
357 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
18 people are currently reading
1090 people want to read
About the author
Diana Peterfreund
54 books2,053 followersDiana Peterfreund has been a costume designer, a cover model, and a food critic. Her travels have taken her from the cloud forests of Costa Rica to the underground caverns of New Zealand (and as far as she’s concerned, she’s just getting started). Diana graduated from Yale University in 2001 with dual degrees in Literature and Geology, which her family claimed would only come in handy if she wrote books about rocks. Now, this Florida girl lives with her husband and their puppy in Washington D.C., and writes books that rock
Her first novel, Secret Society Girl (2006), was described as “witty and endearing” by The New York Observer and was placed on the New York Public LIbrary’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list. The follow-up, Under the Rose (2007) was deemed “impossible to put down” by Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist called the third book, Rites of Spring (Break) (2008), “an ideal summer read.” The final book in the series, Tap & Gown, will be released in 2009. All titles are available from Bantam Dell.
She also contributed to the non-fiction anthologies, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell (Pocket Books, 2007), The World of the Golden Compass, edited by Scott Westerfeld (BenBella Books, 2007), and Through the Wardrobe, edited by Herbie Brennan (BenBella Books, 2008).
Her first young adult novel, Rampant, an adventure fantasy about killer unicorns and the virgin descendents of Alexander the Great who hunt them, will be released by Harper Collins in 2009. When she’s not writing, Diana volunteers at the National Zoo, adds movies she has no intention of watching to her Netflix queue, and plays with her puppy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rio.
Her first novel, Secret Society Girl (2006), was described as “witty and endearing” by The New York Observer and was placed on the New York Public LIbrary’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list. The follow-up, Under the Rose (2007) was deemed “impossible to put down” by Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist called the third book, Rites of Spring (Break) (2008), “an ideal summer read.” The final book in the series, Tap & Gown, will be released in 2009. All titles are available from Bantam Dell.
She also contributed to the non-fiction anthologies, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, edited by Jennifer O’Connell (Pocket Books, 2007), The World of the Golden Compass, edited by Scott Westerfeld (BenBella Books, 2007), and Through the Wardrobe, edited by Herbie Brennan (BenBella Books, 2008).
Her first young adult novel, Rampant, an adventure fantasy about killer unicorns and the virgin descendents of Alexander the Great who hunt them, will be released by Harper Collins in 2009. When she’s not writing, Diana volunteers at the National Zoo, adds movies she has no intention of watching to her Netflix queue, and plays with her puppy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Rio.
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August 27, 2022
Re-read September 2015
Pajamie! SHOWER SCENE!
Original Review
My favorite so far! The romance in this is just wonderful!
Pajamie! SHOWER SCENE!
Original Review
My favorite so far! The romance in this is just wonderful!
January 3, 2016
I hereby confess: I'm dying because of this series.
I DON'T THINK I CAN BREATHE RIGHT NOW.I'm smiling so hard,my mom just asked me if I'm okay.And the thing is...I'm sooo not okay,This series ruined my life,I swear.DIANA!I LOVE YOU!
I'm not even going to say anything,let these gifs show you how I feel after finishing this one.
Favourite quotes:
“P—Jamie!” I called.
He waded back toward me. “I’m starting to think my name is Pajamie.”
“Your name should be Pajerky. You said it wasn’t deep.”
“Pajerky?” He gave me a skeptical look. “That’s Pathetic.”
“We’ll see how smug you are once I’m on dry land.”
''But right then, one room away, there were people in love, and I’d never felt so alone in my life.''
“I really wish your boyfriend would stay out of my love life.”
“Funny. I bet Felicity wishes her boyfriend would stay out of it, too.”
“Do you...want to grab a slice of pizza or something?” I blurted out.
He hesitated. “You want to be seen in public with...” a microsecond pause, “...your face looking like that?” I cocked my head to the side.
“The real question is, do you want to be seen in public with a face like this?”
“I’d consider it.” He stood, his expression still wary.''
“I have a question for you, but it’s kind of...um, personal.”
“Yes, I’m gay.”
“You really are a fan of saying that, aren’t you?”
“Once you start, you just can’t stop.”
“So, fill me in, what’s been going on here?”
“All kinds of scandal,” Clarissa said. “Amy almost drowned, Demetria is going to beat up a patriarch’s wife, our room was trashed by conspiracy theorists, Dragon’s Head broke into the tomb in Connecticut, and Jenny has a crush on Harun.”
“Do not!” Jenny said.
“In other words,” said Demetria. “The usual.”
Odile laughed. “Man, I love this society.”
May 3, 2013
I basically read this book like this:
Basically.
This is what this series has turned me into. I can't believe there's only one more book.
Basically.
This is what this series has turned me into. I can't believe there's only one more book.
February 11, 2009
My favorite of the series. There is a scene, in the shower- and that's all I'm saying. When you read the scene in the shower, you'll stop breathing for about 10 minutes. More of those please!
December 5, 2016
Esse foi o meu favorito até o momento, mas achei que a Amy ficou um pouco estagnada como personagem. Ela tem momentos em que fica na dúvida sobre o que vai fazer da sua vida, mas o foco foi o mistério dos acontecimentos e o romance que está se desenvolvendo com um dos outros personagens.
Também vou reclamar um pouco que os outros personagens tem ficado um pouco de plano de fundo. Gostaria de ver mais deles e seus problemas.
Super rapidinho de ler! Amo isso em livros em série.
Também vou reclamar um pouco que os outros personagens tem ficado um pouco de plano de fundo. Gostaria de ver mais deles e seus problemas.
Super rapidinho de ler! Amo isso em livros em série.
March 6, 2021
Reread March 2021
That shower scene is still one of the best scenes I've ever read. And that's saying a lot!
Reread September 2015
THE SHOWER SCENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just that part deserves 5 stars but overall still an awesome book and my fav in the series.a
That shower scene is still one of the best scenes I've ever read. And that's saying a lot!
Reread September 2015
THE SHOWER SCENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just that part deserves 5 stars but overall still an awesome book and my fav in the series.a
July 29, 2008
In this third installment Amy has a pretty dismal beginning to her last semester of collage. She becomes the scapegoat in a society battle, and, more importantly, she's dealing with some pretty heart-wrenching confusion thanks to Brandon. Luckily, she has the chance to escape all of that(or so she hopes) when the Diggers go to Cavador Key over Spring Break. Where, of course, things don't exactly turn out as planned. (Nope not at all. Although, in one case, in particular, they turn out much, much better.)
This book is much more about Amy rather than the capers of Rose and Grave. And I, for one, couldn't be happier about that. Amy's whole situation with Brandon felt so very real to me. And Poe? How I love Poe. I love the swimming lessons, the fights, the stares. Hooray for the preview to the next book. I was so happy that it began right where the 3rd book left off.
Oh yes, and I love the title of the book.
This book is much more about Amy rather than the capers of Rose and Grave. And I, for one, couldn't be happier about that. Amy's whole situation with Brandon felt so very real to me. And Poe? How I love Poe. I love the swimming lessons, the fights, the stares. Hooray for the preview to the next book. I was so happy that it began right where the 3rd book left off.
Oh yes, and I love the title of the book.
April 9, 2021
I swear this series is giving me life these days, I’m having so much fun!! Ok so the mystery was not really a mystery because from the start it was incredibly obvious what was going on, but everything else was brilliant. The Diggirls are back! And yes, they still have issues, but at the end of the day they love each other unconditionally and would do anything for each other. Also, the swimming lessons. And the shower scene. That’s all I can say.
Starting book 4 now!
Starting book 4 now!
September 24, 2019
STILL AMAZING. WILL ALWAYS BE AMAZING.
September 2019 reread: The shower scene is, and always will be, iconic.
September 2019 reread: The shower scene is, and always will be, iconic.
September 21, 2015
Reread September 21 2015
Reread August 28 2013
HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA SHOWER SCENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reread August 28 2013
HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA SHOWER SCENE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 5, 2016
I'm still totally immersed in Amy's world, and this, the penultimate volume of the series, was soooo good! After some past experiences with other authors I should be scared that vol. 4 could be a disappointment, but I'm not - so far, Diana Peterfreund (what a cool name, my etymology-obsessed brain rejoices) has absolutely delivered the goods. To stay spoiler-free, let me just say I'm so crushing on P./J.O., .and the romance thing is really nicely done without boring love triangles or stupid misunderstandings.
I don't even mind that I spotted the story's villain the minute he or she was introduced.
Bring on "Tap and Gown"! And the HEA, of course!!!
I don't even mind that I spotted the story's villain the minute he or she was introduced.
Bring on "Tap and Gown"! And the HEA, of course!!!
May 2, 2016
What can I say?!
Third book.
Great book.
Also great, lovely, relatable Amy.
Still love Diana Peterfreund's writing to the max.
Read previous books' reviews for more fangirling on the same.
Not brave enough to start the last volume in the series yet, I love this world so much and am not ready for the imminent farewell :(
Third book.
Great book.
Also great, lovely, relatable Amy.
Still love Diana Peterfreund's writing to the max.
Read previous books' reviews for more fangirling on the same.
Not brave enough to start the last volume in the series yet, I love this world so much and am not ready for the imminent farewell :(
September 21, 2015
HE TAUGHT HER HOW TO SWIM AND HAS BEEN IN LOVE WITH HER SINCE FOREVER. THIS IS FIIIIIINE.
June 30, 2008
In this third installment of the Ivy League Novels, Our Girl Amy finds herself sludging through the gloom that is New Haven in late winter/early spring, wondering who named her whipping girl in the latest intercollegiate secret society rumble. Meanwhile, her ex-friend-with-benefits makes a sudden reappearance in her life and the already nigh unto crippling confusion factor gets ratcheted up a dozen or so notches. Fortunately, the annual Rose & Grave spring break excursion to Cavador Key looms on the horizon and Amy is given a chance to escape and recoup. Her only problem now is avoiding getting in the water while living on an island for an entire week. Natch.
This book...how I loved this book. I loved the increasingly mature way Amy deals with her friends. Her experiences with Jenny in the previous volume have made her more sensitive, I think, to the delicate emotions and motivations at work among her fellow Diggers. Despite their rank, wealth, brains, looks, or attitude. I loved how the class of D177 coalesces in this book. They stand up for each other. They notice things. They're not so quick to judge. And I loved that Poe takes it upon himself to give Amy swimming lessons. Because the swimming lessons? They are top notch. And the sneak peak at the first chapter of the fourth and final Ivy League Novel? It is tinglingly good. If only it wasn't a year till it comes out. Ah, well. Either way, Diana Peterfreund is now on my automatic buy list.
I hereby confess: I find myself with a sudden craving for Life Savers.
This book...how I loved this book. I loved the increasingly mature way Amy deals with her friends. Her experiences with Jenny in the previous volume have made her more sensitive, I think, to the delicate emotions and motivations at work among her fellow Diggers. Despite their rank, wealth, brains, looks, or attitude. I loved how the class of D177 coalesces in this book. They stand up for each other. They notice things. They're not so quick to judge. And I loved that Poe takes it upon himself to give Amy swimming lessons. Because the swimming lessons? They are top notch. And the sneak peak at the first chapter of the fourth and final Ivy League Novel? It is tinglingly good. If only it wasn't a year till it comes out. Ah, well. Either way, Diana Peterfreund is now on my automatic buy list.
I hereby confess: I find myself with a sudden craving for Life Savers.
November 17, 2022
Re-read. Spoilers abound.
I loved this one. 4.5 stars for properly looking at the different facets of romance in a realistic college way, and for introducing the theme of violence and sexual assault in context and how it can get messy and complicated. An extra half star for the amazing romance that I've been waiting for - it doesn't get old even after multiple readings, and it's one of the only "bad boy" romances I approve of. ROS(B) is the book that made me completely fall in love with Diana Peterfreund's work, and I'm so glad it holds up after a re-read.
I loved this one. 4.5 stars for properly looking at the different facets of romance in a realistic college way, and for introducing the theme of violence and sexual assault in context and how it can get messy and complicated. An extra half star for the amazing romance that I've been waiting for - it doesn't get old even after multiple readings, and it's one of the only "bad boy" romances I approve of. ROS(B) is the book that made me completely fall in love with Diana Peterfreund's work, and I'm so glad it holds up after a re-read.
August 27, 2008
How I Came To Own This Book: I randomly picked up two books at Barnes & Noble last fall (November) in the series, and enjoyed them enough to order this third one.
The Plot: Amy Haskel and her fellow Diggers (that's the spoiler for you if you haven't read the first two) are off for a Spring Break vacation at the Rose & Grave's private island - Cavador Key. Of course, nothing is quite that simple as Amy juggles a variety of love quandaries, as well as the usual (and not so usual) society dramas including a feud with another rival society, a scandal that hits a big time patriarch hard, and a series of mysterious incidents on the island that get increasingly threatening for Amy and her friends.
The Good & The Bad: This book is definitely my fave in the Ivy League series to date (it'll end next summer and I'm actually a bit sad about it...). It balanced the elements of mystery, camaraderie, and girly love stories perfectly - something the previous two books struggled with. Some people might complain there wasn't enough 'secret society insight' going on here, but I thought it was just fine. I also liked the main character a bit more this book, her, and the author, both seemed like they weren't trying so damn hard to impress me with their intelligence. The other characters took a backseat in this book to Amy and her love plots, which made it harder to keep them all straight, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The Bottom Line: The best in the Ivy League series to date.
Anything Memorable?: I had gum surgery around the day I finished this book.
50-Book Challenge?: Book #39 in 2008.
The Plot: Amy Haskel and her fellow Diggers (that's the spoiler for you if you haven't read the first two) are off for a Spring Break vacation at the Rose & Grave's private island - Cavador Key. Of course, nothing is quite that simple as Amy juggles a variety of love quandaries, as well as the usual (and not so usual) society dramas including a feud with another rival society, a scandal that hits a big time patriarch hard, and a series of mysterious incidents on the island that get increasingly threatening for Amy and her friends.
The Good & The Bad: This book is definitely my fave in the Ivy League series to date (it'll end next summer and I'm actually a bit sad about it...). It balanced the elements of mystery, camaraderie, and girly love stories perfectly - something the previous two books struggled with. Some people might complain there wasn't enough 'secret society insight' going on here, but I thought it was just fine. I also liked the main character a bit more this book, her, and the author, both seemed like they weren't trying so damn hard to impress me with their intelligence. The other characters took a backseat in this book to Amy and her love plots, which made it harder to keep them all straight, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The Bottom Line: The best in the Ivy League series to date.
Anything Memorable?: I had gum surgery around the day I finished this book.
50-Book Challenge?: Book #39 in 2008.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2008
I confess: I think she’s terrific.
The ’she’ I refer to could be applied to both the author of Rites of Spring (Break), the phenomenal Diana Peterfreund, and to her lead character, Amy “Bugaboo” Haskell. In the third installment of the Ivy League Novels, RoS(b) continues to dish out the intrigue, the developing romance, and a side helping of humor to make a rather satisfying read.
The first two novels in the series, Secret Society Girl and Under the Rose, were both masterfully written and plotted. Diana’s writing style grips the reader from page one, and refuses to lessen it’s grip until you’ve reached the conclusion. One of her strengths is her voice. She plants you in Amy’s head, and you feel like you’re running alongside her as each new experience comes.
In RoS(b), Amy confronts her inner demons about an earlier relationship and attempts to figure out her own emotions on the matter while balancing out her life attempting to protect herself from a rival society’s pranks. When she goes in search of some escape during Spring Break on Rose & Grave’s exclusive island, she finds that pranks follow her and the other Diggirls. As others attempt to unravel the secrets of who’s responsible for the attacks against D177, Amy starts to keep some of her own secrets.
Not to give anything away or anything, but I was totally rooting for the ‘hero’… since book one.
I’d recommend the series to anyone who loves stories filled with secrets and intrigue. And anyone who’s a member of a secret society, fraternity, or sorority. The bond between brothers (or sisters, as it were) can never be broken.
I should know - and so should my sisters. *wink*
The ’she’ I refer to could be applied to both the author of Rites of Spring (Break), the phenomenal Diana Peterfreund, and to her lead character, Amy “Bugaboo” Haskell. In the third installment of the Ivy League Novels, RoS(b) continues to dish out the intrigue, the developing romance, and a side helping of humor to make a rather satisfying read.
The first two novels in the series, Secret Society Girl and Under the Rose, were both masterfully written and plotted. Diana’s writing style grips the reader from page one, and refuses to lessen it’s grip until you’ve reached the conclusion. One of her strengths is her voice. She plants you in Amy’s head, and you feel like you’re running alongside her as each new experience comes.
In RoS(b), Amy confronts her inner demons about an earlier relationship and attempts to figure out her own emotions on the matter while balancing out her life attempting to protect herself from a rival society’s pranks. When she goes in search of some escape during Spring Break on Rose & Grave’s exclusive island, she finds that pranks follow her and the other Diggirls. As others attempt to unravel the secrets of who’s responsible for the attacks against D177, Amy starts to keep some of her own secrets.
Not to give anything away or anything, but I was totally rooting for the ‘hero’… since book one.
I’d recommend the series to anyone who loves stories filled with secrets and intrigue. And anyone who’s a member of a secret society, fraternity, or sorority. The bond between brothers (or sisters, as it were) can never be broken.
I should know - and so should my sisters. *wink*
December 31, 2008
I kind of love the Secret Society Girl series (the other one being Under the Rose). The story is about the first class of female taps in fictional Eli University (a thinly-veiled Yale)'s fictional secret society Rose & Grave (a thinly-veiled Skull & Bones). I keep referring to the series as my "trashy YA secret society books," but they're actually neither trashy nor YA. I just can't quite explain why I like them so much, and I've been getting no end of weird looks due to my plot descriptions and the unfortunate decapitated girl covers.
The series has been described by others as "The Da Vinci Code meets Bridget Jones," which might be an apt description if The Da Vinci Code didn't suck and Bridget were less obsessed about... well, everything except men. Romance! Intrigue! Term papers! The writing's great (there are some shaky bits in the first book, but the others are much smoother), the characters are quirky, the plots aren't especially deep but they don't have gaping holes and they do occasionally offer up food for thought. I think the real reason I love the books so much is that they're just so much fun, which is a hard thing to articulate, especially if you're intellectual and over-analytical about everything (cough, cough).
If this series sounds remotely like something you'd be interested in, go forth and read.
The series has been described by others as "The Da Vinci Code meets Bridget Jones," which might be an apt description if The Da Vinci Code didn't suck and Bridget were less obsessed about... well, everything except men. Romance! Intrigue! Term papers! The writing's great (there are some shaky bits in the first book, but the others are much smoother), the characters are quirky, the plots aren't especially deep but they don't have gaping holes and they do occasionally offer up food for thought. I think the real reason I love the books so much is that they're just so much fun, which is a hard thing to articulate, especially if you're intellectual and over-analytical about everything (cough, cough).
If this series sounds remotely like something you'd be interested in, go forth and read.
June 15, 2016
I HAVE THINGS I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK SO REVIEW FORTHCOMING. I'm going to review the entire series at the end but as this one is a) my favorite in the series so far, and b) the one I think I have the most to talk about, I'm going to do a review for this one by itself, and then an overall series review once I finish Tap & Gown. :D
April 8, 2020
A re-read, because I wanted to entangle my brain with something purely enjoyable and not think about my Hemingway and Faulkner exam coming up. A mental palate cleanser, if you will.
June 6, 2013
XFJKBGSDFJKLCM, BSDKLFUGJHSDLKGSDGM,NSDHIUSDG, MSDGKLSDHGIUDHYTRJKSD VFSDMAI JUST FORGET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 11, 2013
Oh man I just read it in one sitting, all I can say is I am so happy.
June 12, 2020
Rating: 3.5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to my friend Erica for giving me this book a few months ago!!
Going into this book i thought it'd be good cause i loved Book 1 and i dont know if its cause i havent read Book 2 BUT this book was not for me!!
The beginning was slow til Chapter 6 than picked up some but than seemed confusing toward the end with too many relationships going on, an adult married couple etc PLUS ALL the College students seems very stuck up to their so called "friends"
I will read more by this author even to this book was not very good in my opinion!!
Review:
Thank you to my friend Erica for giving me this book a few months ago!!
Going into this book i thought it'd be good cause i loved Book 1 and i dont know if its cause i havent read Book 2 BUT this book was not for me!!
The beginning was slow til Chapter 6 than picked up some but than seemed confusing toward the end with too many relationships going on, an adult married couple etc PLUS ALL the College students seems very stuck up to their so called "friends"
I will read more by this author even to this book was not very good in my opinion!!
April 23, 2013
Life is never quite for a Digger, especially Amy Haskel. Amy, or Bugaboo, as her brothers call her is up to her usually antics, getting in trouble with guys and being the new target for the pranks of a rival secret society. When spring break comes around, Amy is ecstatic to escape from Eli campus and go to a private island off the coast of Florida occupied only by fellow Diggers and their families. However, life does not calm down in the slightest when she arrives on Cavador Key. Instead it gets more excited as unaccidental accidents keep happening and once again, Amy is the target. Put this together with what may be a new romance with a guy Amy had always hated until she didn't (though I totally predicted it-just look at my review of Under the Rose) and this vacation is bound to be Amy's most exciting adventure yet.
This book was INCREDIBLE!!!! You know a series is good when the middle books are just as good as the first and last books (like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson) and strangely enough, Secret Society Girl is like that too. I loved this book so much that I ordered Tap and Gown a second after I finished it because my library doesn't have it. Just thinking about this book is getting my thoughts to give little girlish squeaks.
This book was INCREDIBLE!!!! You know a series is good when the middle books are just as good as the first and last books (like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson) and strangely enough, Secret Society Girl is like that too. I loved this book so much that I ordered Tap and Gown a second after I finished it because my library doesn't have it. Just thinking about this book is getting my thoughts to give little girlish squeaks.
August 28, 2011
This review is for the whole series.
I’ve never been a particularly social person. My college years passed me by without my ever joining a club or entering a sorority, and I largely preferred it that way. Thus, though I had heard nothing but positive reviews about Diana Peterfreund’s Secret Society Girl series, I doubted it would be something I could relate to. After finishing the first book, Secret Society Girl, I still had my doubts, as I had a hard time connecting with protagonist Amy. Though Amy is billed as being impressive in looks, brains, and social skills, I wasn’t sold. Sure, she has three guys vying for her (who doesn’t?), but the decisions she makes regarding school, friends, and men are usually misguided and often immature. Also, while she is a literature major and editor of the literary magazine who can supposedly out-reference the best of them, more often than not her inner monologue sounds like that of a middle schooler.
Still, I decided to read on, and while Amy manages to mature a little bit as the series goes on, I never completely embraced her as someone I could identify with. Which only increased my surprise in how voraciously I devoured the remaining three books in the series. I’ve never been in anything remotely like Rose and Grave, nor do I really wish to, and yet I found myself engrossed in the accounts of the trials that the club endures. I think this was mainly due to the friendships that are forged among the club members as the series progresses. While none of the Diggers would naturally have befriended each other if left to their own devices, and in fact struggle to harmonize their oft-clashing temperaments, the necessity of working together makes them into a family by the end. While I have no desire to run out and join a secret society
any time soon, I can’t help but be a tad bit jealous of the dynamic that the characters share by Tap & Gown‘s conclusion.
And of course, one of the most rewarding aspects of reading the series was to watch Amy’s gradual change in feelings toward a fellow Digger alum. With two such diverging personalities and so much water under the bridge between them, Amy and Poe have to fight merely to act cordially half the time. Nothing is picture perfect in their relationship, which is what makes them perfect for each other. They force the other not to change, but to grow.
This series came as a huge surprise to me, shoving its way onto my favorites shelf in merely two days. Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, give it a try.
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I’ve never been a particularly social person. My college years passed me by without my ever joining a club or entering a sorority, and I largely preferred it that way. Thus, though I had heard nothing but positive reviews about Diana Peterfreund’s Secret Society Girl series, I doubted it would be something I could relate to. After finishing the first book, Secret Society Girl, I still had my doubts, as I had a hard time connecting with protagonist Amy. Though Amy is billed as being impressive in looks, brains, and social skills, I wasn’t sold. Sure, she has three guys vying for her (who doesn’t?), but the decisions she makes regarding school, friends, and men are usually misguided and often immature. Also, while she is a literature major and editor of the literary magazine who can supposedly out-reference the best of them, more often than not her inner monologue sounds like that of a middle schooler.
Still, I decided to read on, and while Amy manages to mature a little bit as the series goes on, I never completely embraced her as someone I could identify with. Which only increased my surprise in how voraciously I devoured the remaining three books in the series. I’ve never been in anything remotely like Rose and Grave, nor do I really wish to, and yet I found myself engrossed in the accounts of the trials that the club endures. I think this was mainly due to the friendships that are forged among the club members as the series progresses. While none of the Diggers would naturally have befriended each other if left to their own devices, and in fact struggle to harmonize their oft-clashing temperaments, the necessity of working together makes them into a family by the end. While I have no desire to run out and join a secret society
any time soon, I can’t help but be a tad bit jealous of the dynamic that the characters share by Tap & Gown‘s conclusion.
And of course, one of the most rewarding aspects of reading the series was to watch Amy’s gradual change in feelings toward a fellow Digger alum. With two such diverging personalities and so much water under the bridge between them, Amy and Poe have to fight merely to act cordially half the time. Nothing is picture perfect in their relationship, which is what makes them perfect for each other. They force the other not to change, but to grow.
This series came as a huge surprise to me, shoving its way onto my favorites shelf in merely two days. Even if it’s outside your comfort zone, give it a try.
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December 13, 2009
What Amy Haskel thought would be her best (and last) year at prestigious Eli University has been crazier than she could have ever imagined. After being tapped into the uber-secret Rose & Grave secret society she's dealt with:
1. disgruntled patriarchs who think adding girls to the society will be it's downfall
2. fellow society brothers who have no qualms about publishing society secrets; breaking several oaths in the process
So Amy hasn't exactly had much breathing room or time to work on her thesis for that matter. By the time Spring Break rolls around, Amy is more than ready for some R&R at the private Rose & Grave island, Cavador Key. Only she's not about to escape the ever-present R&G intrigue including threats of exposure even as she's eyeballing a particular patriarch who is looking less annoying and suddenly ever more appealing. *rubs hands together*
I don’t know why it took me so long to return to the Secret Society Girl series. Sure, I enjoyed reading about Amy’s escapades with her Rose & Grave brothers in Secret Society Girl and Under the Rose, but the previous two books just didn’t grab me in an unforgettable way. I could also attribute my reticence for continuing on the fact that the cover of Rites of Spring (Break) looks suspiciously like a fluffy gossip girl read and I was less than inclined to pick it up on that base alone. Shame on me for judging by the cover and all that nonsense.
And now? Well, after reading about 20 pages of Amy’s story, my backside was so sore from kicking myself that I don’t think I can sit down for a week. Natch. I had forgotten just how intelligent, how layered, and ultimately just how much fun Amy and the crew are. Not to mention the genius inclusion of numerous lists, charts, and footnotes (of all things) right in the middle of the book that, if anything, were enough to make my inner OCD organizer fall madly in love. Who else but Diana Peterfreund could break up one of the hottest scenes(!!) I've read in a long time with Amy's list on why she shouldn't be in said situation and not have me completely put out but actually loving every bit of it? No one else, that's who. So why has it taken me so long to return to Amy, the Diggers and the all-encompassing drama of Eli? I have no idea. But return I did and I couldn’t have been more pleased. And, I hereby confess it will not take me half as long to pick up Tap & Gown.
1. disgruntled patriarchs who think adding girls to the society will be it's downfall
2. fellow society brothers who have no qualms about publishing society secrets; breaking several oaths in the process
So Amy hasn't exactly had much breathing room or time to work on her thesis for that matter. By the time Spring Break rolls around, Amy is more than ready for some R&R at the private Rose & Grave island, Cavador Key. Only she's not about to escape the ever-present R&G intrigue including threats of exposure even as she's eyeballing a particular patriarch who is looking less annoying and suddenly ever more appealing. *rubs hands together*
I don’t know why it took me so long to return to the Secret Society Girl series. Sure, I enjoyed reading about Amy’s escapades with her Rose & Grave brothers in Secret Society Girl and Under the Rose, but the previous two books just didn’t grab me in an unforgettable way. I could also attribute my reticence for continuing on the fact that the cover of Rites of Spring (Break) looks suspiciously like a fluffy gossip girl read and I was less than inclined to pick it up on that base alone. Shame on me for judging by the cover and all that nonsense.
And now? Well, after reading about 20 pages of Amy’s story, my backside was so sore from kicking myself that I don’t think I can sit down for a week. Natch. I had forgotten just how intelligent, how layered, and ultimately just how much fun Amy and the crew are. Not to mention the genius inclusion of numerous lists, charts, and footnotes (of all things) right in the middle of the book that, if anything, were enough to make my inner OCD organizer fall madly in love. Who else but Diana Peterfreund could break up one of the hottest scenes(!!) I've read in a long time with Amy's list on why she shouldn't be in said situation and not have me completely put out but actually loving every bit of it? No one else, that's who. So why has it taken me so long to return to Amy, the Diggers and the all-encompassing drama of Eli? I have no idea. But return I did and I couldn’t have been more pleased. And, I hereby confess it will not take me half as long to pick up Tap & Gown.
June 29, 2008
i hereby confess: it was better than i thought.
man, this was a great beach read. and i am terribly sad to find out the fourth and last installment isn't coming out until 2009.
these books are such fun and have actual literary merits that you don't have to feel quite so guilty.
back with amy "bugaboo" haskell and her D177 rose & grave members, this time we have feuding between societies, secret islands, crazy caretakers, and the return of some favorite characters. it's humorous, smart and funny, and you won't want to put it down. (i didn't. literally.) i have to go back and read the first two in the series again, but i think this was a nice development - we still see the friction between the patriarchs and amy's club, the gender dominance, the grudges, the loyalty, but we also see how living the secret society life-style can be hazardous to everyone's health.
and puck and malcolm return, (well, i suppose puck never left) which is always happy for me. i love malcolm.
everything you could want in a beach read - except that you'll want more. what will i do when she graduates???
man, this was a great beach read. and i am terribly sad to find out the fourth and last installment isn't coming out until 2009.
these books are such fun and have actual literary merits that you don't have to feel quite so guilty.
back with amy "bugaboo" haskell and her D177 rose & grave members, this time we have feuding between societies, secret islands, crazy caretakers, and the return of some favorite characters. it's humorous, smart and funny, and you won't want to put it down. (i didn't. literally.) i have to go back and read the first two in the series again, but i think this was a nice development - we still see the friction between the patriarchs and amy's club, the gender dominance, the grudges, the loyalty, but we also see how living the secret society life-style can be hazardous to everyone's health.
and puck and malcolm return, (well, i suppose puck never left) which is always happy for me. i love malcolm.
everything you could want in a beach read - except that you'll want more. what will i do when she graduates???
May 1, 2012
Ah, I SO KNEW IT. After reading the second book, there must have been something going on between Jamie and Amy! Awe, too cute. When Jamie was there for Amy, waiting for her, outside of the library. Haha. No, Jamie doesn't like Amy. He's freaking in love with her. ASDKLJ, I was just grinning like a weirdo, and saying over and over in my head: I so called it! And the whole mystery in the novel? HA, I so knew it. Darren, you're a sketchy lil' kid. When he was hanging outside of the girls' rooms, I sensed it was him.
And there are cute scenes with Jamie and Amy, when Amy's learning how to swim, etc. A cute ending! And Brandon? You're pretty much a jerk. Haha Felicity, what a fierce girl and name. Brandon, I thought you were supposedly good friends with Amy. I was sorta hoping for something to happen there, but nope. Darn. It's like BAM, here's Brandon. Okay. Done with that part. POOF! You're gone.
Haha, and I so knew it was the punch. Ah, classic! And when the plates broke? Ah, all I can say is: how much more can I guess?
And there are cute scenes with Jamie and Amy, when Amy's learning how to swim, etc. A cute ending! And Brandon? You're pretty much a jerk. Haha Felicity, what a fierce girl and name. Brandon, I thought you were supposedly good friends with Amy. I was sorta hoping for something to happen there, but nope. Darn. It's like BAM, here's Brandon. Okay. Done with that part. POOF! You're gone.
Haha, and I so knew it was the punch. Ah, classic! And when the plates broke? Ah, all I can say is: how much more can I guess?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2018
Reading
Rites of Spring (Break)
just proved my own point about sex scenes in my review of book 2 in this series: the slow-burn kissing in this book was WAY hotter than the explicit sex in the previous book. *squeeeee* I had a guess about the romantic interest that emerges in this installment, and I was so right. To my joy. Not much more can be said without giving away the plot, but I will add that this is my favorite of the series so far. And that I suspect Ms. Peterfreund is something of a Janeite.
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