The Society of S

Not Worth It

This book struck me at first as captivating and interesting. HOWEVER once i started reading I was soundly proven otherwise. It was boring, plotless and i cannot believe i was excited to read this book. You'd be better off spending your money elsewhere

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

This book was surprisingly amazing!!!

I'm not going to lie, i was looking for a new book and the cover caught my attention saying that anyfan of the twilight series would love this book. I..er my dad bought it and while is was in the car i was expecting something completely juicy like romance and vampire like mystery [twilight series stuff] but instead i read the back to learn it's a family type 'coming of age' story :[ instinctive impression. oh crap! But like I started to read the book and at first i'm like 'wow, i'm an idiot, why did i buy this' it's incredibly monotonous and ridgedly boring. But then it hit this turning point where I just couldn't put it down. It's strange to admit but this is the first book that truly instilled fear in me. I was scared to look out the window at night for days. People don't give this book enough credit it was actually REALLY good. I can't say i would read the ENTIRE thing over again cause it was the element of surprise that set the whole thing up, but i would definitely recommend this book to ANYONE. I loved it.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

wonderful coming of age fantasy

In Saratoga Falls, New York Ariella Montero lives with her father, a scientist who limits her time to near zero with outsiders. The only people she encounters besides her dad are his research assistant Dennis, housekeeper Mrs. McGarritt and at times her thirteen year old daughter Kathleen. --- However, now turning thirteen, Ari learns the truth behind her home schooling and her mother Sara who vanishes after the afterbirth. Her dad explains that he became a vampire just prior to marrying her mother. The teen learns that she has been kept on a unique diet and home away from her peers to keep her safe until the moment of reckoning for her, which is now. She must choose between the life of a vampire like her dad and that of a mortal like her mom. Ari cannot decide until she learns more about her mother so she begins a quest to find the elusive S. --- Though growing up with a single dad, Ari¿s vampire heritage plays a secondary role in this wonderful coming of age tale of a girl's struggles with the end of the innocence while dealing with adolescence and being a mixed breed offspring. Much of the tale is Ari searching for her mom as she tussles with the seeming estrangement between her parents and the apparent abandonment of her mom. The poignant Ari makes this a strong character study with obvious societal connotations. --- Harriet Klausner

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A book of 3 parts

Written in first person narrative from Ariella's point of view, mostly in retrospect and diary format, starting as 13 year old with a HUGE dark family secret. Not only is the story told from her point of view but she takes on the persona of a third person narrator at times, giving insight into other peoples thoughts and feelings. It is sometimes difficult to understand this correctly as you constantly have to remember that she is only interpreting other peoples actions based on her own rather than having direct insight into their minds. I really enjoyed the way in which Ariella directly addresses the reader, it added a sense of involvement in the plot.

The book is split into 3 different sections relating to the different phases of the story. The 1st part shows Ariella as a child, sheltered from the real world by her father. This was my favourite part, the start was dramatic and full of tension. The descriptions were deliciously sensory. The vocabulary is lovely and gives me the satisfaction of gaining knowledge via osmosis :) The plot unravels slowly like a loose thread you pull that keeps unravelling until you are able to snap it off. Intriguing plot teasers dropped throughout the narrative.

The second part deals with Ariella's journey to find her mother and her developing awareness of different aspects of her personality. I couldn't fully grasp the changes in Ariella in this section and her actions didn't quite seem to fit with the picture I had already built up of her from the 1st section. I had to keep reminding myself that she is only supposed to be 13 at this point and couldn't quite weigh up her interactions and emotions with someone of that age. I adored the Poe quotes and the terrific literary analysis of Poe given within the narrative. Especially the use of italics to draw the readers eye to specific parts of the plot. I have always wanted to read Poe but am a bit concerned that it will frighten me, being of the squeamish variety and having a technicolor imagination :) There are also some very intriguing religious references adding another element to the story, all thoroughly researched and well developed points.

The last section finds Ariella reunited with her mother. Bringing back the Ariella I had imagined in the 1st section. In some respects she appears older and wiser than her years and at others, she appears younger and more naive, probably a conflict that occurs to anyone at that age. A little bit of the nature versus nurture debate comes into force as we are left to wonder what sort of person Ariella would be if she had lived with her mother during her childhood. The changes within Ariella during each section gives the book a different feel, like 3 different stories unfolding to a single conclusion. I particularly liked the imagery used to describe the gardens and animals in this section, it really brought it to life for me. Some major plot twists occur at the end; we are left with resolution to some aspects and a big mystery to others. There is a particular description of a man, I think we can assume is evil, that I found chilling.

On the whole, I am a bit torn with this one, I liked the general storyline but couldn't fully relate the story to a 13 year old. I think I am still going to have to read the next book just to find out if the mystery is solved :)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

OK not thrillig

Glad this was a bargain book! The plot had some twists but very few. I kept reading because I thought something More/Big was going to happen, but it did not. The book is written with the main character who says she sees words in colors like purple etc, then she asks ...is it the same for you? Anyways its good for an hour or two of reading.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Work of Detail

The summary had me intrigued so I had to read the book. I personally am tired of all the Twilight hype and was trying to find another vampire book that was different. I did, The Society of S is in many ways better then a lot of vampire books I¿ve read. The only down side? It¿s slow going and very detailed which can make the book drag on forever at times. My suggestion, if you¿re looking for a fast action jump into the plot read, leave this book be. If you¿re willing to put in the effort and read the book for all it¿s integrity go ahead and take a bite.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Slow from the get go

Okay, so I'm a HUGE Stephenie Meyer fan and in looking through the shelves of Barnes and Noble this book caught my eye. It said 'any Stephenie Meyer fan would love this book.' So, I bought it and read it. It was soooo slow all the way through except for the last 30 pages or so. I kept waiting for something to happen. Quite frankly I think the whole thing was dragged out an extra 100 pages than it needed to be. I did read the synopsis of the second book in the series and it sounds a little more interesting. I am going to read it. I'm hoping this book was a background story for a MUCH more invigorating series.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loved It!

Novel was beautifully, intelligently written. Those who read this and expect to find it like, or compare it to, Twilight is silly. Yes there are similarities in that both stories are about vampires; both are for young adults; both have vampires walking out in daylight. But that's as far as is goes. The story is subtle but compelling. I found Ari, for a 13 year old, quite mature. The author lets you witness Ari's discoveries and life lessons and you are reminded of your own discoveries through life as a young teen. There is quiet tension as we progress along the story and come to the conclusion of the mystery. My only complaint was in the end, I'm left wondering about the status of Ari's parents. The romantic in me hopes they reconcile for good. I guess I'll have to read the sequel! And I love all the literary references to Poe, Thorough, Shelley.

simply awful

Save your money. This book was shallow and boring. I kept hoping it would get better or get to some kind of plot point, but it never did. I think it is aimed for a very immature audience.

Exciting!

I got this book for Christmas, and finished reading it a couple of days ago. By far one of my new favorites and am really looking forward to reading the next two books that go along with this. Better than I expected, and if you love mystery, and fantasy this is a book for you.

Great Read!

Interesting and fun!

Very much worth the time.

Ms. Hubbard is a very creative author. Her plots and characters are unique. I find it very hard to put her books down at night when I need to get to sleep for work the next morning!

The Society of S

This was a great read for me. A read that every teenager should read. Ari finds out that she is half-human and half-vampire and her world is turing upside down she she runs away to search for her mom and learns she is to a vampire now. But learns a whole lot more especially since she left on her own and had to sort of grow up a little. But a story about growing up finding out who you are and about vampires.

Society of S

This was an interesting book yet nothing comparable to the Twilight Saga.
These vamps were more depiction of vampires (hunger for blood), some dark with evil intentions yet not all. It was okay yet the issue I didn't like at all about the book was the negativaty toward God and faith. It was all de-void of it to the point of being offensive. It leaves one without hope and the idea of any redemption for anyone. How sad is that?

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

S is for silly

This book is corney with a capital C. While it is true that I read the book because I was curious of the ending - otherwise it is a let down. Maybe this book would be better for younger girls as it is not gorey or sick in vampire terms.

S is for silly - better to go read Twilight or watch an old Bela Lugosi movie.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Worth it

The story was a little predictable, overall the writing and characters were interesting. I liked the audio book well enough to hold onto to it and listen to it again - I pass on books that don't appeal to me. This one I'll keep. When I finished listening to the book I immediately looked into getting the sequel.

Amazing!

Ari is your typical average pre-teen girl. She lives with her dad and their house crew while her mom has disspeared, never to be seen again. Ari sson discovers shes a vampire and so is her dad. Her mom, she has no idea. She starts to question her dad of her life and mother. She gets the answers she needs to head out to locate her. Her journey in discovery includes love, lust, revenge, lies, and family. This book is a must read!

Suprisingly Really Good

I got this book because the cover was mysteryious and it didn't tell what the plot was on the cover.(Plus it was on sale for only a dollar!) I read it in one day! The beginning was kind of slow but once I got past the first chapter or so I couldn't put it down. It had me reading under the covers with a flashlight! I loved the plot, it wasn't a traditional vampire book because the main focus wasn't that they were vampires. My only complaint was that things didn't end right between Michael and Ari. I can't wait to read the second book!


Nothing like Twilight which I used to love but I am not getting rather tired of hearing about!

Good for the Teens

Good book. Purchased on CD to listen to while traveling. 12 and 14 year old on the car were in to the book; however I found it a little predictable at times. Story did keep me engaged though, and the ending leaves the possibility for more to come.

Similar to others, yet completely original

I've read a few vampire books in my time, and some of them have had a similar plot of someone finding out they were a vampire and that they are parts of society. However, it was interesting to have the point of view of someone so young, as someone who didn't know and actually had the choice to be or not to be. Overall, great book, but it does share similar plot lines as others I have read.