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Secret Society Girl #4
Escolhas de formatura - Sociedade secreta
Último livro da série Sociedade secreta cuja estreia, com toques de O código da Vinci, foi selecionada pela biblioteca Pública de Nova York como um dos melhores Livros para Jovens em 2007. Neste final, Amy Haskel e seus amigos Coveiros estão se preparando para enfrentar a vida fora dos muros privilegiados da universidade Eli. A contagem regressiva para o resto de sua vida começou e, subitamente, Amy parece ter perdido o controle de tudo. A monografia está empacada, os formulários para entrevistas de emprego, não preenchidos. Para piorar, ela tem de indicar alguém para seu lugar na Rosa & Túmulo — a sociedade secreta mais exclusiva e influente do campus... e do país. A série já vendeu mais de 10 mil exemplares no Brasil.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
15 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
About the author
Diana Peterfreund
53 books2,051 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 2, 2016
I was having a truly mediocre day. Nothing was going right. I couldn't snap out of it. And the whole thing was rapidly approaching a complete wash. In a last ditch attempt to jar my mood, I went out to check the mail. An ARC of TAP & GOWN was waiting for me and presto! Crappy day salvaged. Ironically, writing this review has been hard. Truth be told, I've actually been avoiding it. And it's not because I didn't love it. Because let me tell you, I loved this book like George Harrison Prescott loves women. No, I've been avoiding it for a much more cowardly reason. You see, I kept getting a lump in my throat every time I went to write it. Because writing it would mean it was really over. The book, the series, the whole Amy at Eli saga. And, yes, I know Rampant will be out soon and I am seriously looking forward to that. But this series will always hold a special place in my heart and it's hard to see it come to a close. Even the kind of close that leaves you with a big, ear-to-ear grin on your face.
Amy's made it to her last semester at Eli. Time is running out and she has a thesis to finish, a brand new boyfriend she'd like to spend some "quality" time with, and an appropriate replacement Digger to find who will supposedly take her place within the tomb of Rose & Grave. And though she's studiously avoided thinking about it up until now, she also has to deal with her own personal post-traumatic fallout from the events at the end of spring break. Feeling rundown, anxious, and like senior year is kicking her butt seven ways from Sunday, Amy finds herself the unexpected recipient of rather a lot of attention from a few very hopeful, very accomplished undergrads. Of course, in true Bugaboo fashion, when she does stumble across the perfect tap, her potential choice comes complete with the kind of baggage guaranteed to scandalize the venerable patriarchs of R&G. It seems she is once more surrounded by secrets, some of them harmless, and some of them poised to wreck everything she's worked so hard to achieve.
Amy is such a strong character. She's an everygirl and, as a result, it's just so dang easy to empathize with her, particularly when we've had the opportunity to follow her through four books and watch her progress from an uncertain, unwelcome, uncomfortable-in-her-own-skin fledgling Diggirl, to a confident lynchpin member of a whole new order of Rose & Grave. Perhaps most satisfactory of all, she becomes brave in her honesty. Even when it scares her. She learns to be careful with (and protective of) the relationships she formed in her time at Eli. She understands how she fits into the larger scheme of things and she knows what (and who) is important. Frankly, I was proud of the girl. I have to say, it is extremely gratifying to finish a series feeling like the characters would be people worth knowing, like it played out the way it was meant to, like the author knows the score. Diana Peterfreund delivers with TAP & GOWN.
I hereby confess: It was good for me.
Amy's made it to her last semester at Eli. Time is running out and she has a thesis to finish, a brand new boyfriend she'd like to spend some "quality" time with, and an appropriate replacement Digger to find who will supposedly take her place within the tomb of Rose & Grave. And though she's studiously avoided thinking about it up until now, she also has to deal with her own personal post-traumatic fallout from the events at the end of spring break. Feeling rundown, anxious, and like senior year is kicking her butt seven ways from Sunday, Amy finds herself the unexpected recipient of rather a lot of attention from a few very hopeful, very accomplished undergrads. Of course, in true Bugaboo fashion, when she does stumble across the perfect tap, her potential choice comes complete with the kind of baggage guaranteed to scandalize the venerable patriarchs of R&G. It seems she is once more surrounded by secrets, some of them harmless, and some of them poised to wreck everything she's worked so hard to achieve.
Amy is such a strong character. She's an everygirl and, as a result, it's just so dang easy to empathize with her, particularly when we've had the opportunity to follow her through four books and watch her progress from an uncertain, unwelcome, uncomfortable-in-her-own-skin fledgling Diggirl, to a confident lynchpin member of a whole new order of Rose & Grave. Perhaps most satisfactory of all, she becomes brave in her honesty. Even when it scares her. She learns to be careful with (and protective of) the relationships she formed in her time at Eli. She understands how she fits into the larger scheme of things and she knows what (and who) is important. Frankly, I was proud of the girl. I have to say, it is extremely gratifying to finish a series feeling like the characters would be people worth knowing, like it played out the way it was meant to, like the author knows the score. Diana Peterfreund delivers with TAP & GOWN.
I hereby confess: It was good for me.
April 8, 2021
This whole series is a success, the four books were great and never once was I bored or wanted to do anything else than read! Honestly, I'm this close to upgrade my ratings and give it 5 stars, because guys, I had a blast! It was fun, smart and captivating, I loved the characters and the plot and I wouldn't have minded to read more books about them!
It definitely deserves better than those lousy covers that screams cheap and dull. Because yes, it is a series about a college secret society, about boys and girls, about romance but it's much more than that.
It also approaches some important topics as the need to fight a misogynistic society and be ready to take some risk in order to do so because it's worth it.
It's about diversity and you'll be glad to know this series has POC and LGBT characters who are proud to fight for their rights (it's not the central topic but it's there in many ways).
It talks about blackmail and harrassment and the importance of not remaining silent about it, of the necessity to talk about it and the right of justice you have as a human being.
I got quite emotional about Michelle's story because fuck, your right to say "no" matters and nobody can take it away from you. And if they do, you bring them down. Because they're the monsters. Fight back and talk, don't let them win.
Another great surprise was...*drumrolls*... THE GIRL FRIENDSHIPS! YES! Girls are friends! They like and back up each others! Whoop whoop! I shouldn't be that excited about it but as you all know, it's still too rare to not be highlighted.
Anyway, I don't want to exaggerate and make this series look like something its not, as I said, it's not Shakespeare, but I don't want you to think it's only some silly romance with no depth at all.
It remained a very fun read and I recommand it anybody who wants to chill out without letting their brains on the doorstep.
Thanks again to Gelis for finding and letting me know about this unicorn, and for listening to my hysterical reactions by PM all along. You did a wonderful job of "being here but not saying a word because no spoilers"!
It definitely deserves better than those lousy covers that screams cheap and dull. Because yes, it is a series about a college secret society, about boys and girls, about romance but it's much more than that.
It also approaches some important topics as the need to fight a misogynistic society and be ready to take some risk in order to do so because it's worth it.
It's about diversity and you'll be glad to know this series has POC and LGBT characters who are proud to fight for their rights (it's not the central topic but it's there in many ways).
It talks about blackmail and harrassment and the importance of not remaining silent about it, of the necessity to talk about it and the right of justice you have as a human being.
I got quite emotional about Michelle's story because fuck, your right to say "no" matters and nobody can take it away from you. And if they do, you bring them down. Because they're the monsters. Fight back and talk, don't let them win.
Another great surprise was...*drumrolls*... THE GIRL FRIENDSHIPS! YES! Girls are friends! They like and back up each others! Whoop whoop! I shouldn't be that excited about it but as you all know, it's still too rare to not be highlighted.
Anyway, I don't want to exaggerate and make this series look like something its not, as I said, it's not Shakespeare, but I don't want you to think it's only some silly romance with no depth at all.
It remained a very fun read and I recommand it anybody who wants to chill out without letting their brains on the doorstep.
Thanks again to Gelis for finding and letting me know about this unicorn, and for listening to my hysterical reactions by PM all along. You did a wonderful job of "being here but not saying a word because no spoilers"!
February 16, 2017
August 18-19, 2012
Do I even need to say anything here? This book rocks. This series rocks. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? Go get them and read them! Definitely in order though... So start with Secret Society Girl! Seriously.
December 20-21, 2011
Poooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeee!
October 11-12, 2009
I just reread book 3, so I had to continue on with book 4!! *sigh* The ending was so great... and the middle.... and the beginning.... ;) Okay, I mostly just loved this book. Michelle was a fabulous new character!
May 18-19, 2009
I don't want to spoil anything, but I was really worried about half-way through the book that the book would end horribly... But by the time I finished that last page, I was happy with it. ... Yeah. Let's leave it at that.
EEEEEKKKK!! SO CRAZY!!!
Do I even need to say anything here? This book rocks. This series rocks. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? Go get them and read them! Definitely in order though... So start with Secret Society Girl! Seriously.
December 20-21, 2011
Poooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeee!
October 11-12, 2009
I just reread book 3, so I had to continue on with book 4!! *sigh* The ending was so great... and the middle.... and the beginning.... ;) Okay, I mostly just loved this book. Michelle was a fabulous new character!
May 18-19, 2009
I don't want to spoil anything, but I was really worried about half-way through the book that the book would end horribly... But by the time I finished that last page, I was happy with it. ... Yeah. Let's leave it at that.
EEEEEKKKK!! SO CRAZY!!!
September 24, 2019
My (very) minor complaint about this book is how quickly it goes by. Spring break to graduation feels like it take takes a nanosecond, which is actually very true to life but terrible when you want to savor a ship.
tl;dr
PAJAMIE AND AMY FOREVER.
September 2019: I JUST WANTED IT TO GO ON FOREVER AND EVER. It's sort of weird that Jamie and Amy are this incredibly great and important to me ship and they're together for like, a book and a half if you put it all together, and that sum total of time is a month and a half? It's really not long at all. AND YET.
tl;dr
PAJAMIE AND AMY FOREVER.
September 2019: I JUST WANTED IT TO GO ON FOREVER AND EVER. It's sort of weird that Jamie and Amy are this incredibly great and important to me ship and they're together for like, a book and a half if you put it all together, and that sum total of time is a month and a half? It's really not long at all. AND YET.
January 3, 2016
I hereby confess: I can't believe it's over.
If someone told me a month ago that I'll get so attached to a certain character in 2015,I wouldn't believe him.But here I am,at the end of this magnificent story that pretty much ruined my life,and all I can think about is how I would pretty much give my kidney to forget about it so that I can read this series all over again.These books gave me so much joy that I can't even express my gratitude to Diana freaking Peterfreund.I will miss my wonderful Amy,her adventures...and that special boy we all fell in love with so much.The whole story was amazing and so was the ending.I actually shed a few tears after finishing it.God,when did I get all sensitive and shit?But seriously now,I'm so proud to be a part of this phenomenal journey of my dear Diggers.
Favourite quotes:
“You want to know what’s even more troublesome?” I scooted up. “Our real names rhyme.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, they do. I never thought of that.”
“We’ve known each other for a while,” I said. “And our feelings just ... blossomed.”
“Like fungus off rotted meat?” Josh snarked.
''There’s nothing wrong with Plan B.Play it right, and no one will even know it wasn’t your first choice.”
“Pleasanter surprise,” he managed, backing us away from the threshold. There’s the idea. I pushed him gently against the wall and started tugging on his shirt.
“About to get even pleasanter,” I murmured against his neck as my fingers found the drawstring of his pants.Bad grammar is such a turn- on.''
“The last time I had sex,” I said, “was Halloween.”
He nodded slowly. “That was my birthday.”
I choked on my waffle. This was getting worse and worse. “No!”
“Why do you think they called me ‘Poe’?” I had always guessed it was because he was morose and taciturn and creepy.
“Um ... because ‘Hotstuff’ was taken?”
“You know what you remind me of,” Odile said to them as they scooted into the booth. “Those sneaky co-stars having an on-set affair who are always so careful not to let anyone photograph them together because they don’t want the paparazzi to have any material by which to draw inferences.”
“You know what you remind me of?” Jenny replied coolly. “The paparazzi.”
Odile: “Touché.”
“Topher?” Dude, how many oaths did this kid plan to break in his first month as a Digger?Who did he think he was?Me?''
“I mean being a knight,” she said.“Was it worth it?”
The drama, the heartache, the stress? The friendships, the conspiracies, the pranks, the bonding ... Was it worth it?Oh, yeah.But then her words sunk in. Was. Past tense. For I was no longer an active knight of Rose & Grave.I was a patriarch.''
''Hey, Mom and Dad, this is my “friend” Jamie. My boyfriend Jamie. We’re going to England together. Also, I met him in a secret society. We’re Diggers,folks. And Eli graduates. And in love.What do you think?''
December 7, 2016
3.5
Eu gostei desse último livro, mas confesso que não foi o desfecho que estava esperando. Achei que foram coladas diversas estórias uma na outra e não combinaram completamente. Principalmente o fato do conflito principal do livro surgir apenas pela metade e não ter nada a ver com a nossa personagem principal. Isso é algo que sempre me incomoda, pois faz dela uma observadora das situações a sua volta. Ou seja, não é emocionante para mim como leitora.
Também o "desaparecimento" de outro personagem relevante e o "ressurgimento" ao final ficou muito sem sentido. Apesar de vermos um pouco o quanto isso afeta a Amy, não entendi pq tinha que acontecer.
Gostei do livro, mas infelizmente me deixou com a sensação que faltou estória para contar nesse mundo.
Eu gostei desse último livro, mas confesso que não foi o desfecho que estava esperando. Achei que foram coladas diversas estórias uma na outra e não combinaram completamente. Principalmente o fato do conflito principal do livro surgir apenas pela metade e não ter nada a ver com a nossa personagem principal. Isso é algo que sempre me incomoda, pois faz dela uma observadora das situações a sua volta. Ou seja, não é emocionante para mim como leitora.
Também o "desaparecimento" de outro personagem relevante e o "ressurgimento" ao final ficou muito sem sentido. Apesar de vermos um pouco o quanto isso afeta a Amy, não entendi pq tinha que acontecer.
Gostei do livro, mas infelizmente me deixou com a sensação que faltou estória para contar nesse mundo.
May 6, 2013
This is what I needed to get through this book:
Lifesavers + a glass case of emotion.
Full review to come.
Lifesavers + a glass case of emotion.
Full review to come.
April 12, 2021
Insomnia nights suck big time, but they are brilliant for your reading challenge. On the down side, I can’t believe I am done with this series already…
Everything I said about the other books stands for this one too - honestly, even with the secret societies and the powerful politicians bent on making Amy's life hell, this is probably the most realistic NA I've ever read. For starters, Amy is cute, but not breathtakingly beautiful. She's smart, but she still screws up. She's questioning her career choices, she gets caught up in the little dramas of uni life, she feels like she's stretching too thin between tests, papers, friendships and relationships. She is, in one word, a regular twenty two year old girl . And she still is a total badass and I love her.
My favourite thing about this series is still the amazing portrayal of female friendships. Here the Diggirls (and even Amy and her barbarian bestie Lydia) are still dealing with the consequences of books 2 and 3, so things are not running exactly smoothly, but in the end they love and support each other no matter what, even if everyone here acts like an asshole at some point.
This book was maybe a bit messier than the previous ones because it was trying to cover so many things, but in the end I’d say it managed pretty well to solve everything in a satisfying manner. Michele’s story was brilliant and heartbreaking and added new depths to a series that was already heavy on the topics of misogyny and feminism. The new class was brilliant, and the ending was that perfect combination of bittersweet and comforting, I really couldn’t have asked for anything better. Surprisingly, my only “but” came from my ship and that very random, very out-of-the-blue job offer, but even that was ok for me in the end.
Farewell Diggers D177... I’m going to miss you.
Everything I said about the other books stands for this one too - honestly, even with the secret societies and the powerful politicians bent on making Amy's life hell, this is probably the most realistic NA I've ever read. For starters, Amy is cute, but not breathtakingly beautiful. She's smart, but she still screws up. She's questioning her career choices, she gets caught up in the little dramas of uni life, she feels like she's stretching too thin between tests, papers, friendships and relationships. She is, in one word, a regular twenty two year old girl . And she still is a total badass and I love her.
My favourite thing about this series is still the amazing portrayal of female friendships. Here the Diggirls (and even Amy and her barbarian bestie Lydia) are still dealing with the consequences of books 2 and 3, so things are not running exactly smoothly, but in the end they love and support each other no matter what, even if everyone here acts like an asshole at some point.
This book was maybe a bit messier than the previous ones because it was trying to cover so many things, but in the end I’d say it managed pretty well to solve everything in a satisfying manner. Michele’s story was brilliant and heartbreaking and added new depths to a series that was already heavy on the topics of misogyny and feminism. The new class was brilliant, and the ending was that perfect combination of bittersweet and comforting, I really couldn’t have asked for anything better. Surprisingly, my only “but” came from my ship and that very random, very out-of-the-blue job offer, but even that was ok for me in the end.
Farewell Diggers D177... I’m going to miss you.
May 25, 2015
4.5 stars. Re-read. Spoilers abound.
I stayed up until 5am RE-reading this a few nights ago, which tells you how I feel about it. I love pretty much everything about this book. Definitely the best in the series, where the themes of secrecy, love vs. everything else, and violence against women culminate. I honestly don't think I can put into words how amazing this book is, how much it crystallizes what women have to do to be heard, how much it matters, and how much this book captures those "final moments before I graduate" feelings.
Aside from that, a few things I noticed on my second read:
1) Josh knew about Jamie's ambitions (not for BigLaw) before Amy did - how did that happen? I want an explanation, Diana.
2) Amy really is incredibly terrible at relationships. She's definitely not a trusting person. Which makes it all the more amazing that she and Jamie were finally able to get together
3) In my headcanon, Amy and Jamie are now married, living in DC or Manhattan together.
That is all. If you haven't read this series, you have to. Go. Now. Go.
I stayed up until 5am RE-reading this a few nights ago, which tells you how I feel about it. I love pretty much everything about this book. Definitely the best in the series, where the themes of secrecy, love vs. everything else, and violence against women culminate. I honestly don't think I can put into words how amazing this book is, how much it crystallizes what women have to do to be heard, how much it matters, and how much this book captures those "final moments before I graduate" feelings.
Aside from that, a few things I noticed on my second read:
1) Josh knew about Jamie's ambitions (not for BigLaw) before Amy did - how did that happen? I want an explanation, Diana.
2) Amy really is incredibly terrible at relationships. She's definitely not a trusting person. Which makes it all the more amazing that she and Jamie were finally able to get together
3) In my headcanon, Amy and Jamie are now married, living in DC or Manhattan together.
That is all. If you haven't read this series, you have to. Go. Now. Go.
August 30, 2013
Every time she calls him Pajamie :((((((((((((((((((((((
May 10, 2016
Oh...ughhhhhhhh :((((
One of my favourite series is over! Cue sadness! Cue crying over the fact that Amy Haskel is a precious little cupcake and one of my fav ever characters and I won't get to read anything new about her!
(Unless I find a way to bribe Diana Peterfreund - ideas, anyone?)
Cue a possibly weird review that shouldn't have the audacity to call itself that.
Remember how in my review of book three I said I wouldn't read Tap & Gown for a while because I want to savour this world a bit longer?
Hah. That was last week. Monday or Tuesday.
Then Saturday came. (Or was it Friday? Whatever)
It was one of those days, where things are strange and there's this general notion of exasperated what is life in the air, so, naturally, I sought some comfort reading and Tap & Gown basically screamed at me from my nightstand to pick it up.
How could I refuse? So, please excuse me.
Anyway.
I'm still gushing over everything I mentioned in all three previous ramblings about this series.
Amy Haskel is gonna go down in NA history, my friends, at least in my books.
She's the best.
Diana Peterfreund had me giggling numerous times again, and I love how intelligently she writes and yet manages to keep a modern, young tone.
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic already for Eli and all things Rose and Grave, so I'll stop now before this turns into a sob-fest.
As always, for more similar musings, check out my other reviews for this series and FRIKKIN READ IT ALREADY.
One of my favourite series is over! Cue sadness! Cue crying over the fact that Amy Haskel is a precious little cupcake and one of my fav ever characters and I won't get to read anything new about her!
(Unless I find a way to bribe Diana Peterfreund - ideas, anyone?)
Cue a possibly weird review that shouldn't have the audacity to call itself that.
Remember how in my review of book three I said I wouldn't read Tap & Gown for a while because I want to savour this world a bit longer?
Hah. That was last week. Monday or Tuesday.
Then Saturday came. (Or was it Friday? Whatever)
It was one of those days, where things are strange and there's this general notion of exasperated what is life in the air, so, naturally, I sought some comfort reading and Tap & Gown basically screamed at me from my nightstand to pick it up.
How could I refuse? So, please excuse me.
Anyway.
I'm still gushing over everything I mentioned in all three previous ramblings about this series.
Amy Haskel is gonna go down in NA history, my friends, at least in my books.
She's the best.
Diana Peterfreund had me giggling numerous times again, and I love how intelligently she writes and yet manages to keep a modern, young tone.
I'm feeling a bit nostalgic already for Eli and all things Rose and Grave, so I'll stop now before this turns into a sob-fest.
As always, for more similar musings, check out my other reviews for this series and FRIKKIN READ IT ALREADY.
August 27, 2022
I guess I never reviewed this one!!! In some ways, this is my least favorite. But of course I love .
Two favorite things in this book:
Wonderful books. THE END
Two favorite things in this book:
Wonderful books. THE END
February 19, 2016
It's here! It's here! Just fished it out of the letterbox. So happy!!!!
--- And it didn't disappoint. Almost anything I could write here would be a spoiler, so let's just say the future is a reasonable and not unrealistic HEA for our favourite Diggers (if rather bittersweet for some), justice is set to have its course, even if not each and every answer is spelled out.
All in all I'm really grateful to D. P. for 4 volumes of enjoyment, not to forget the little extra stories on her blog, and a new literary crush - Jamie, of course!
--- And it didn't disappoint. Almost anything I could write here would be a spoiler, so let's just say the future is a reasonable and not unrealistic HEA for our favourite Diggers (if rather bittersweet for some), justice is set to have its course, even if not each and every answer is spelled out.
All in all I'm really grateful to D. P. for 4 volumes of enjoyment, not to forget the little extra stories on her blog, and a new literary crush - Jamie, of course!
June 26, 2020
I read this entire series in 6 days. What a delight
March 6, 2021
Reread March 2021
This book. IT'S SO GOOD. Pajamie might be the best thing ever! I really love the cumulation of the growth in Amy (and even Jamie) that we get. .
Also,
I seriously didn't want the book to end. I would have easily read a few hundred more pages.
Reread September 2015
Bumping it up to 5 stars because PAJAMIE/AMY AND ALL THE FEELINGS!!!!!
This book. IT'S SO GOOD. Pajamie might be the best thing ever! I really love the cumulation of the growth in Amy (and even Jamie) that we get. .
Also,
I seriously didn't want the book to end. I would have easily read a few hundred more pages.
Reread September 2015
Bumping it up to 5 stars because PAJAMIE/AMY AND ALL THE FEELINGS!!!!!
February 1, 2010
Loved loved loved this series. So sad to see it end. I fell in love with Jamie and Amy's torrential relationship. The thing I liked best about the whole series was that there was a substantial mystery included in the wonderful fluffy stuff. Most of the characters were so well developed and you were drawn to them (or not, as the case is with some of them), wanted the best for them, and wanted them to do certain things. The smut factor (and I say that in a good way) was just right, not too much, but enough to be interesting.
I wish there would be additional books in the series. I can imagine the capers Bugaboo would find herself into in the Real World.
I wish there would be additional books in the series. I can imagine the capers Bugaboo would find herself into in the Real World.
February 6, 2014
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER PLEASE I WANT MORE PLEAAAASE
April 8, 2020
Oh, Amy Haskel.
I bought it last night after I got off work, and I basically devoured this in 24 hours, helped along by the fact that I got up at 4:30am today to take my roommate to the airport and couldn't go back to sleep.
You know... I love these damn books. I really do. Considering my weakness for a) series, b) things set in ivy league or private schools, and c) intertextual references, well, it's right up my alley.
And this, the conclusion... well, it satisfied. Things for Amy never do go smoothly, and this is certainly no exception as she tries to navigate the end of her undergrad career and the tap process while entangled in the kind of feisty romance that exactly fits her.
A perfect summer novel. And one I bet money I reread before summer is over and I head back to the drudgery of obscure 16th century texts.
I bought it last night after I got off work, and I basically devoured this in 24 hours, helped along by the fact that I got up at 4:30am today to take my roommate to the airport and couldn't go back to sleep.
You know... I love these damn books. I really do. Considering my weakness for a) series, b) things set in ivy league or private schools, and c) intertextual references, well, it's right up my alley.
And this, the conclusion... well, it satisfied. Things for Amy never do go smoothly, and this is certainly no exception as she tries to navigate the end of her undergrad career and the tap process while entangled in the kind of feisty romance that exactly fits her.
A perfect summer novel. And one I bet money I reread before summer is over and I head back to the drudgery of obscure 16th century texts.
June 20, 2022
anos ansiando por ler
anos procurando
e terminei os 3 volumes faltantes em menos de uma semana.
valeu a pena!!
que leituras incríveis foram os 4 volumes da série! que narradora irreverente foi amy haskel!
acho que uma das coisas mais admiráveis aqui é como grande parte dos personagens, principalmente os mais mencionados, são repletos de erros, defeitos e outras coisas, acho que a autora tem um talento gigantesco para escrever personagens porque eu poderia facilmente vê-los andando por aí e existindo!
sociedade secreta entra para o top séries favoritas e com certeza são livros que eu voltaria a ler um milhão de vezes
por meio desta, eu confesso: vou sentir falta da C177 🥀🪦
anos procurando
e terminei os 3 volumes faltantes em menos de uma semana.
valeu a pena!!
que leituras incríveis foram os 4 volumes da série! que narradora irreverente foi amy haskel!
acho que uma das coisas mais admiráveis aqui é como grande parte dos personagens, principalmente os mais mencionados, são repletos de erros, defeitos e outras coisas, acho que a autora tem um talento gigantesco para escrever personagens porque eu poderia facilmente vê-los andando por aí e existindo!
sociedade secreta entra para o top séries favoritas e com certeza são livros que eu voltaria a ler um milhão de vezes
por meio desta, eu confesso: vou sentir falta da C177 🥀🪦
October 31, 2009
I did like this book, but I had a few things I would've changed as her editor. Here is the list:
1.) I REALLY wanted to hear the interviews with the taps, as hers from the first book, Secret Society Girl, were hilarious.
2.) While we did get a lot of Poe (Jamie) in this one, I wanted to know more about what he was thinking
3.) The ending REALLY dissatisfied me! I liked it, and it was happy, but there was just something about it...I don't know...
Otherwise, a read I would definitley reccomend!
1.) I REALLY wanted to hear the interviews with the taps, as hers from the first book, Secret Society Girl, were hilarious.
2.) While we did get a lot of Poe (Jamie) in this one, I wanted to know more about what he was thinking
3.) The ending REALLY dissatisfied me! I liked it, and it was happy, but there was just something about it...I don't know...
Otherwise, a read I would definitley reccomend!
May 23, 2009
I love this series. It's just the right mix of mystery, drama and silly. This is the last of 4 books and, even though all ended as it should, I really wish there were 4 more!
December 30, 2017
Que Série ❤️ Eu comprei essa série a anos atrás mas só fui iniciar e finalizar esse ano de 2017. Nem acredito que esperei tanto para ler mas foi super incrível pq li com as minhas amigas e foi super divertido poder falar sobre a história. Nesse livro vemos sobre as finalizações, do romance, do futuro dos personagens e claro nada foi fácil. Teve um problema pro meio até o final do livro que foi interessante mostrar o engajamento feminino mas a única coisa que não curti muito foi a forma que foi administrada pela universidade, achei meio irreal, fora isso, curti cada página e não queria que acabasse. Essa é uma das melhores época da vida e me fez lembrar muito desse período da minha vida. Amei essa série e vale muito a pena ler. 4,5!
January 15, 2020
amy, que saudade que eu tava de você, amo suas reflexoes e suas aventuras
August 23, 2018
I loved this series, I just wish there hadn't been more or less the exact same plot device in the last 3 books.
July 12, 2013
I am so sad it is over but still so glad it happened. I can shamelessly admit I grew attached to each and every Digger. I ended up viewing Amy as a strong & brilliant girl who I would be happy to call a friend. I admired all the strong female relationships in this series & felt even more proud when the boys evolved into men who I could respect. I initially didn't know what I could gain from reading a book about Ivy League secret societies.. To answer that I gained a lot of insight into a world I knew nothing about, truthfully. Amy & her friends taught me people grow and change, college is a learning experience to be embraced. I found Amy to be normal & headstrong & willing to let a wonderful guy walk out of her life even though she wanted him to stay. She wanted him to be happy, she was realistic & dealt so well with each new catastrophe. I fully believe she worked hard & deserved all the happiness in the world. Poe grew so much as a character he just captivated me & I was simply itching to see his name pop up on a new page. I even love his creepy Voldemort snake. He was so misunderstood even by Amy for the longest time. I was completely frustrated by it, he had a slow but meaningful development. While reading he made me so mad, but I had to hold out hope & it paid off thank God. Lydia, Jenny,Demetria,Clarissa,Michelle & even Mara at times made the book more welcoming & warm. I felt like I was a part of their close bond. Friendship is such a cool thing & it played such a pivotal role in this series, it made me love the books more. The mystery & romance is all good but the strong long lasting bond among the girls & all the Digger's made me smile. We may not understand it at times, but it was a lovely thing to experience. They all made mistakes & grew into worthwhile people, no one in the books came across as perfect they all had flaws. The flaws made them better at least in my eyes, the character development was magical. I can look back on what I read and see where they evolved. I did miss Malcolm in this book, if I had to complain. The rain/robe/buyyoupizza scene totally made up for anything I could find to whine about, it was genius.. I am still grinning ear to ear thinking about it. I am going to push this series on a lot of people for the rest of the summer, I can see it happening.
November 8, 2009
TAP AND GOWN is a satisfying conclusion to this addicting series about college-level secret societies, though it is not without its unsatisfying moments. Diana Peterfreund’s strength in writing interesting and well-rounded characters still shines through, although the introduction of new characters with their own problems is rather jarring and rushed, especially when they ultimately play such a large role in the book.
I have mixed feelings about the fact that this series about the inner workings and dramas of a secret society did not give more attention to the natural stresses of college. It seemed like the society members were constantly getting into one screwup after another and having their traditional “secrecy” compromised, without striking a good balance between normal academia and their society life. It’s for the sake of fiction, yes, I know, so I can’t really say more than that I hope future books set in college will actually deal with, you know, actual college life.
The pacing of TAP AND GOWN felt rushed to me because a whole drama involving the possible end of Rose & Grave was thrown into the last 50 pages with hardly a hint of warning beforehand, making it so that the climax of the story and its subsequent resolution felt unnatural. As far as story arc goes, this one’s is rather helter-skelter, but fans of Amy Haskel will still not be disappointed. There is still enough wit, drama, and romance to go around.
I have mixed feelings about the fact that this series about the inner workings and dramas of a secret society did not give more attention to the natural stresses of college. It seemed like the society members were constantly getting into one screwup after another and having their traditional “secrecy” compromised, without striking a good balance between normal academia and their society life. It’s for the sake of fiction, yes, I know, so I can’t really say more than that I hope future books set in college will actually deal with, you know, actual college life.
The pacing of TAP AND GOWN felt rushed to me because a whole drama involving the possible end of Rose & Grave was thrown into the last 50 pages with hardly a hint of warning beforehand, making it so that the climax of the story and its subsequent resolution felt unnatural. As far as story arc goes, this one’s is rather helter-skelter, but fans of Amy Haskel will still not be disappointed. There is still enough wit, drama, and romance to go around.
July 8, 2014
Honestly, I was disappointed in this book. I had great reviews for the previous three books and as the last in the series I had such high expectations, for which it fell short. I thought Amy’s character wasn’t as strong as she appeared in the other books. I also felt like there were unresolved storylines, such as the relationship with George. At the beginning and throughout the book you get glimpses of Amy’s thoughts leading you to believe she might still have feelings for him, and he might still care for her (I secretly hoping they’d end up together). But then at the end you are just left with, he has a girlfriend, the end. I also thought that her grad school applications, which were a theme through the previous books, was just suddenly dropped when she got invited to speak at the conference in England. Also, Malcolm was completely absent in the book, besides one brief mention that he came to initiation. Overall, I felt that this book lost some of the wit and sassiness that you come to enjoy over the previous three books. I felt that Amy’s character seemed to weaken from when you first meet her, and for being the final book I was disappointed in some storylines which where either dropped or not followed through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2009
Tap and Gown is the fourth and final book in Diana Peterfreund's fabulous Ivy League series. The series follows Amy Haskel as she is "tapped" and inducted into fictional Eli University's most prestigious secret society, the Rose and the Grave. In this last novel, Amy's tap class must come together before they graduate and decide who will be their successors in the society.
I am so sad to leave this series behind. The characters are so quirky and witty, and I have loved being a part of their lives for a short time. The clever dialog between the entertaining and original characters is Gilmore Girls-esque, which only adds to the reading experience. The storyline is captivating - I really enjoyed being on the "inside" of this society for all their intrigues and drama. The setting is incredibly evocative, bringing the campus to vivid life before the reader's eyes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the entire series. Tap and Gown is a little bittersweet for me, knowing that Amy's story is over, but Peterfreund has another novel coming out later this year, Rampant. It's a completely different genre, but I'll pick it up and probably will enjoy it just the same.
I am so sad to leave this series behind. The characters are so quirky and witty, and I have loved being a part of their lives for a short time. The clever dialog between the entertaining and original characters is Gilmore Girls-esque, which only adds to the reading experience. The storyline is captivating - I really enjoyed being on the "inside" of this society for all their intrigues and drama. The setting is incredibly evocative, bringing the campus to vivid life before the reader's eyes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the entire series. Tap and Gown is a little bittersweet for me, knowing that Amy's story is over, but Peterfreund has another novel coming out later this year, Rampant. It's a completely different genre, but I'll pick it up and probably will enjoy it just the same.
June 11, 2009
Tap & Gown is the best conclusion to a series that I've read in a long time. In this 4th and final edition of Diana Peterfreund's Secret Society Girl Series, Amy Haskell is faced with her imminent graduation. With a thesis to complete, post-graduation plans to solidify (ok, they are decidedly hazy), a new boyfriend (hooray for Poe), and next year's Rose and Grave members to tap Amy has plenty on her plate.
I loved everything about this book. I fell in love with the new characters. I loved Amy's growing relationship with Jamie, and her interactions with the other Diggers.
Diana Peterfreund concludes her series with the perfect combination of new story-line and loose end wrap-up, and I really appreciate that. There is nothing worse than a series finale that only ties up loose ends. I'll be keeping my eye on Diana Peterfreund.
I loved everything about this book. I fell in love with the new characters. I loved Amy's growing relationship with Jamie, and her interactions with the other Diggers.
Diana Peterfreund concludes her series with the perfect combination of new story-line and loose end wrap-up, and I really appreciate that. There is nothing worse than a series finale that only ties up loose ends. I'll be keeping my eye on Diana Peterfreund.
September 22, 2015
Peterfreund just ups the ante in the entire series and Tap & Gown highlighted a lot of what was recurring: relationships, as well as the shitty, emotionally/mentally abusive ones that at least 2 different girls found themselves and trying to figure them out as you begin to leave your significant other for grad school and life; the rampant misogyny and sexism, that happened ever since rose & grave let in girls and how they've had shit coming in from the patriarchs, from fellow secret societies and et al; then you got your conspiracies and plots that happen background that when it all comes together it's really like incredible. also jamie can give whatever excuse he can, he gave up being a super secret spy for amy and he's so IN LOVE WITH HER like god. this was such a delightful thing to come down to after going through so many paranormal books.
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