Secret of the Sevens

April 1, 2015
It's been 18 years since the infamous Singer School murders, and once again, mysterious and sinister goings-on threaten to destroy the boarding school for kids from troubled homes. Talan Michaels, a senior unable to afford college and trying to come to grips with the fact that he will be homeless upon graduation, finds himself at the center of it all. While an unexpected invitation to join a newly resurrected secret society provides an appealing distraction from worries about his uncertain future, Talan and the six other members invited into the Society of Seven quickly learn that there is much more riding on their initiation than they could ever have imagined-that is, of course, if they can even survive it. Talan and his perfectionist house sister and crush Laney Shanahan anchor a diverse and compelling cast of characters. Their appeal will help readers overlook the society's somewhat convoluted and prolonged initiation process. This lengthy setup is a shame, because the book is at its best when the Sevens unite and join forces to save the school they love. At the end of the day, it's Talan and his endearing combination of bravado and vulnerability, coupled with the crackling chemistry he shares with Laney, that will keep readers turning the pages. A satisfying read for secret-society fanatics and romantics alike. (Mystery. 12-18)

August 1, 2015

Gr 10 Up-Twenty years ago, philanthropist and businessman William Singer was murdered by five of the students he hand-selected to join a secret society, the Sevens, at his boarding school for underprivileged youth. The school carried on his noble mission without him, but its future is now imperiled by the greedy new chairman of Singer Enterprises. Someone is resurrecting the Sevens, who were falsely accused, to protect the school and its students. Eighteen-year-old protagonist Talan is initially difficult to warm up to, with his player mentality causing him to refer to the girl he secretly likes, do-gooder Laney, as a "waste of a vagina," but his innate smarts and good nature soon shine through. After Laney and Talan are selected to be members of the new Sevens group, their banter blossoms with longing while they make frequent trips around campus in the dark, solving the clues and riddles left by their mysterious leader. As the mystery deepens and the stakes get even higher, the Seven's rivals, the corrupt Pillars group, resort to vandalism and then shockingly brutal violence and sexual misconduct accusations to accomplish their goals. The action, when it comes, is gripping, but frequent deviations from the main plot slow the story down. VERDICT Though its riddles and twists would appeal to fans of Trenton Lee Stewart's "The Mysterious Benedict Society" series (Little, Brown), mature content makes this title suitable for older teens.-Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla, Darien Library, CT

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