Novelish

ISBN: 978-1416534570 Pages: 320 (hardcover)
Author: Susan Hubbard

Some novels have parts I love, but also contain things I’d do differently. Some novels make me think “Ugh, I can do better than this.” And some make me think “that was perfect, and I don’t think I can possibly write something so good, but if I do I’ll be happy forever.”

It’s that last type which makes me continue to search for new books despite having a To Read list that could last for years. There are far too few of them in the world, and I don’t often find one. But, for the most part, The Society of S meets all the requirements.

The Society of S is the story of thirteen-year-old Ariella, who narrates. It’s not a YA novel by any means, despite her youth, but I’m sure there are plenty of teens who would enjoy it. It feels like an adult book not so much due to any inappropriate content (there’s little if any) or length (it’s quite fast-paced) but because of its general, well, feeling.

Ariella lives with her father, his assistant Dennis, and their housekeeper Mrs McGarrit; she knows next to nothing of her mother, who vanished the same day she was born. Her father homeschools her, and she has little contact with the outside world prior to visiting Mrs McGarrit’s house and finding a friend in the housekeeper’s daughter.

It becomes evident over the next months that everything may not be as it seems, and Ariella starts to consider the possibility that her father may be a vampire. She diligently works to unravel the mysteries surrounding him, her missing mother, and - perhaps most of all - herself.

Forgetting the intricate plot for a moment, though, the writing was beautiful. In the majority of novels, I find at least several passages that just don’t sound right to my ear, like the flow of words is chunky or ungraceful somehow. Labyrinth, which I’m currently reading, has these bits in almost every chapter. But The Society of S is one of the few books that seemed perfect the whole way through.

The pacing was superb, too. More than any other book, this one showed me how engaging a story can be when you cut everything that’s not absolutely necessary, from one-line snippets of dialogue to whole scenes - uninteresting or unimportant events, or even conversations, were often summarized in a paragraph or two. At the same time, it manages to avoid feeling rushed.

I’d give this book 5 out of 5 stars, though you’ve probably guessed that by now. I’d give it more, if I could. Amazon reviewers agree with me so far - out of ten customer reviews, all ten gave it the highest possible rating.

Publisher’s Weekly wrote that “the novel’s open ending suggests inevitable sequels.” While the ending seemed plenty solid to me, I can only hope they know what they’re talking about.

EDIT: So, it would seem there will definitely be a sequel. From a recent interview with the author:

Yes, I’m beginning work on the sequel to The SOCIETY OF S now. Ariella’s voice still is with me, and the next book will be darker and more political, I think.

I can’t wait.

Edit #2: My signed copy of this arrived in the mail today. Click picture for larger version.

They’re still in stock at Mysterious Galaxy Books (as of June 9th 07) if you’d like one for yourself - just type “SIGNED” in the Ordering and Shipping Reminder box during the checkout process.

See also:

• Fantasy Book Critic review
• Bookshelves of Doom review
• Excerpt of The Society of S - note that though the actual book is done in first-person past-tense, the preface is first-person present-tense
• Susan Hubbard’s official site