Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Society of S: A Novel
    The Society of S: A Novel
    The Society of S: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Society of S: A Novel

    Written by Susan Hubbard

    Narrated by Joyce Bean

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    What if everything you knew about your family was a lie: What if, when the lies began to crack, beneath them lay a truth so dark and deep, yet so compelling, that it pulled you inside?

    Ariella Montero is seeking the true identities of her mother and father-and of herself. She's been taught literature, philosophy, science, and history, but she knows almost nothing about the real world and its complexities. Her world is one wherein ghosts and vampires commune with humans; where Edgar Allan Poe and Jack Kerouac are role models; where every time a puzzle seems solved, its last piece changes the entire picture.

    When the last piece is murder, Ari goes on the road in search of her mother, who disappeared at the time of her birth. The hunt nearly costs Ari her life, and, in finding her mother, she loses her father. But gradually she uncovers the secrets that have kept the family apart, and she begins to come to terms with her own unique nature and her chances for survival.

    Set in upstate New York, England, and the American South, The Society of S explodes stereotypes-of the homeschooled, vampires, monkeys, FBI agents, and academics. In this strange new world, vegetarianism, environmentalism, biomedical research, and the ability to disappear are options for those who drink blood and face the prospect of eternal life.

    A taut, character-driven literary mystery, The Society of S is the future of vampirism, told in a voice that will haunt you-and make you think.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateMay 15, 2007
    ISBN9781400174263
    The Society of S: A Novel

    Related to The Society of S

    Related audiobooks

    Horror Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Pallbearers Club

      Jun 15, 2022

      The Pallbearers Club
      1 min read

    • Article

      Paul Tremblay

      Jun 17, 2020

      IT’S ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY BIGGEST FEARS that I would live to see the end of everything,” says Paul Tremblay, speaking to SFX from his Massachusetts home in the middle of lockdown. It’s a singularly peculiar time, and a peculiar interview for him to

      3 min read

    • Article

      Global Horror Market

      Feb 4, 2021

      US small press Silver Shamrock Publishing is open for submission of unagented original horror and dark fiction novels and novellas. Editor Ken McKinley is interested in seeing ‘unique spins on classic horror tropes’, ranging from ghost stories and ha

      1 min read

    • Article

      Stoker Winners

      Jul 1, 2021

      The Horror Writers Association has announced the winners of the 2020 Bram Stoker Awards. The winners were: Superior Achievement in a Novel: The Only Good Indians, Stephen Graham Jones; First Novel, The Fourth Whore, EV Knight; Young Adult Novel, Clow

      1 min read

    • Article

      Hide

      May 18, 2022

      RELEASED 24 MAY 256 pages | Hardback/ebook/audiobook Author Kiersten White Publisher Del Rey “The book you need after Squid Game!” yells the hype for Kiersten White’s latest. Well, sort of. In fact this well-written horror novel feels closer to The C

      1 min read

    • Article

      Diary of My Leg Hair

      Dec 8, 2022

      Diary of My Leg Hair
      21 min read

    • Article

      Daughters’ Bodies

      Dec 1, 2019

      WHEN I’M about to go away to college, my grandmother dies and my mother silently puts herself up for adoption. LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO ADOPT ME: Kind, lonely, beautiful woman in her 50s. Dead husband. No children. Cooks and cleans. 4’11 and 90 lbs. Gu

      20 min read

    • Article

      Little House

      Jun 5, 2023

      On Monday nights our mother made popcorn and served it to us in mugs with milk poured over. My younger sister and I carried our mugs into the family room and ate the popcorn with spoons, like cereal. We were five and seven. Until we were allowed to s

      21 min read

    • Article

      Who Was My Mother?

      Sep 12, 2019

      Who Was My Mother?
      7 min read

    • Article

      A Father’s Touch

      Jan 30, 2021

      A Father’s Touch
      5 min read

    • Article

      Counter Waves

      Oct 23, 2020

      Counter Waves
      8 min read

    • Article

      Musings On My Father

      Aug 8, 2022

      Musings On My Father
      5 min read

    • Article

      Ribs, Muscle, Bone

      Jan 7, 2020

      Ribs, Muscle, Bone
      10 min read

    • Article

      Lies I Tell My Father

      Feb 10, 2024

      “How’s your job at the newspaper?” my father asks me. He is sitting on a couch, a plush throw blanket spread across his legs. “The newspaper’s fine,” I lie. I lie because it is simple. I lie because it is quick. I lie because it is easier than trying

      10 min read

    • Article

      Shanda

      Jan 1, 2024

      Shanda
      13 min read

    • Article

      The Portrait

      Mar 1, 2018

      I WAS BORN almost completely deaf, and by the time I was seven I had already become a prisoner to my education. In the morning, I had speech therapy and tutoring with Mr. Bishop. We sat at my family’s long dining-room table, which was always covered

      9 min read

    • Article

      The Space Between Us

      Oct 9, 2019

      The Space Between Us
      8 min read

    • Article

      The Workbench

      Dec 23, 2020

      The Workbench
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Problem with My Dachshund

      Dec 11, 2019

      The Problem with My Dachshund
      10 min read

    • Article

      In the Grass

      Jun 3, 2019

      In the Grass
      23 min read

    • Article

      Elena Ferrante Beautiful No More!

      Oct 7, 2020

      Elena Ferrante Beautiful No More!
      6 min read

    • Article

      Cat World

      Oct 2, 2020

      Cat World
      12 min read

    • Article

      Thirteen

      Jan 30, 2020

      Thirteen
      21 min read

    • Article

      Ferrante Elena Beautiful No More!

      Oct 7, 2020

      Ferrante Elena Beautiful No More!
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Society of S

    3.5/5

    226 ratings36 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Intellectually provocative and absolutely addictive, Susan Hubbard's The Society of S is an intelligent work of fiction that entertains and stimulates the senses! A modern thriller that brilliantly combines an ingenious and intricately layered plot with a haunting portrait of a young girl faced with the realization that everything she knows about her family is a well fabricated lie.A beautiful, Victorian mansion, in the heart of Saratoga Spings, New York is home to Ariella Montero and her over-protective, eccentric father. Ariella had been content living in semi-seclusion until she was exposed to life outside the mansion by the housekeeper. As Arie's friendship with the housekeeper's daughter grows, so also do the questions about her life and her place in it. The deeper she delves into her family history she discovers everything she held as truth to be lies. Her father was a vampire, her mother, a mortal...what did this mean? Disappearing after Arie was born, her mother had taken the answers she so desperately needed with her and now Arie had to find her. We follow the young Arie as she journeys throughout the south trying to put this new information about the Society of S into perspective within the confines of her own life. These are not typical vampires, they are seamlessly integrated into mainstream life, day walkers, that are as comfortable with vitamin tonics as the historic counterparts were with sinking fangs into flesh. While twisting the plot into great knots of emotional complexity, Hubbard has crafted a perfect mix of fascinating detail and provocative dilemma. The lyrical voice utilized throughout adds an exceptional quality to this beautifully written, coming of age story that goes inside the questions that have plagued humanity since the dawn of the world. Hubbard explores these with a refreshing eye for detail and patiently allows the character to fulfill her destiny without rushing the story, nor dragging it out with unnecessary wording. Gorgeous settings immerse the reader in a three dimensional environment, populated by believable, well rounded characters that are filled with the emotion and passion that makes mythology so enticing. The indefinable quality within Hubbard's writing that gives it that extra special zing is simply the fluidity with which the characters interact and how easily the reader becomes a part of their world. Ariella's pursuit of knowledge captures the imagination on a basic human level and takes us on a riveting journey that remains in the heart and mind of the reader long after the book has been closed. This is a wonderful book, don't miss it! The characters and the story have been shaped with just enough mystery in the clues to allow for a sequel! I hope for at least one more installment from Hubbard revolving around these characters. Happy Reading! - RJ
    • 3/5
      Well let's start off with I thought it was a good book, but I think it definately should be in the YA section not in adults fiction. The book started off interesting, and then got even better. Though its ending had alot to be desired. This author left the book hanging at the end, will there be additional books after this or is it a one time only type book? The way it ended left it way open for another one, though the paticular idea of the story ended...it left you wanting more. So now what? If this author produces another title I would say it was a good book, if not then I do not like it nearly as much.
    • 2/5
      We have Ari, a lonely pre-teen girl with a broken family, living in Saratoga Springs, New York. I hate to spoil it for you, but she's a vampire (gasp!), as is her father, her only living family member that we get hear about in the first half because Ari's mother is gone. Gone, as in, she left them right after Ari was born. So as Ari grows up with an abandonment complex, pushing her to search for her long-lost mother, she develops a lonely-vampire one right alongside it, as she takes us through her world of teenage "angst."This seemed much more a coming-of-age novel than a spooky, or romantic vampire story. Ari reminded me so much - almost too much - of Bella in Twilight: I couldn't really connect with her. Ms. Hubbard does make an effort every now and again to draw the reader into the story through Ari's character, but I found her only technique in doing this was through cliches. What else do we have here? The plot - pretty predictable, event after event, not to mention the same old vampire lore you've read before. If you're not into the vampires at all, the story is probably not enough to take you in, either. The epilogue does take a shot at explaining the purpose of the novel, but fails in my opinion. Now for the good: Poe! Plenty of Poe references, which is that special thing that kept me reading, because I always need at least that one thing in a book that keeps me going until the end. In this book, that was pretty much it.
    • 4/5
      Ari lives a very sheltered life with her father, where she is home schooled and the only people she sees are the cook, and her fathers two assistants. Until the cook decides that her life is to sheltered and takes her home to meet her family. Then Ari begins making friends and having a some what normal life, aware that she is still very different. Until her best friend is murdered, then Ari's life begins to fall apart, and she decides to go searching for her mother. The fact that the characters are vampires in this book almost seems incidental, since the more important parts of the story revolve around Ari and her family and their coming together.
    • 1/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: The book is about a young girl who tries to discover who she really is (cough, vampire.)Opening Sentence: I stood alone outside our house in deep blue twilight.The Review: The story of this girl is based on her trying to find her own identity because her father has sheltered her from so much throughout her life. She works on trying to ease as much information from her father that she possibly can. With the help of her friend Kathleen, Ari is pushed out of her shell and is given enough strength to get the truth from her father in little tidbits.But overall the plot of the book itself is very confusing from the beginning and as I started to read more I realized it was non-existent. When reading there was not much lead about what was going on. The book was simply about the life of a confused little girl who is slowly being exposed to the outside world.When first reading the book the syntax used by the author is also utterly confusing and definitely unnecessary. It seems as if she tries to write as a sophisticated young lady who has been raised reading Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. In this case, it would make sense with the personality Ari was given but in reality she falls extremely short and instead simply makes the book dull. However, it is quite interesting how the writing style changes. When speaking to her father, Ari speaks in a that sophisticated manner using a wide variety of advanced words. But when speaking with her friend Kathleen, Ari becomes more relaxed and she speaks like any other young teenager.Ari is the main character of the book but her intentions are not entirely well known. She is eager to discover who she is and enjoy life but the extent that she will go to achieve these goals are unknown.Kathleen McGarritt is Ari’s first true friend. She pushes Ari to do things she would not have otherwise done. She is daring and bold; just the kind of friend Ari needs to escape her ignorant life. Kathleen is indeed an enjoyable character.Raphael Montero is Ari’s father. He is the typical over protective father but with a cold breeze. He is unemotional with Ari and from a young age started to home school her himself. Being an extremely successful independent researcher, he teaches his very young daughter subjects only taught in college level courses. His treatment of her is what makes Ari such a mature and adultlike figure.Malcolm Lynch is a so called friend of Raphael Montero. Ari doesn’t know this man but soon he makes an appearance in her life to make things more complicated than they already are. He is a poised gentleman at first look but his dark interior motives are mostly unknown by many non vampires.The book itself is slow and without direction. The only interesting thing in the book is the change of writing style which shadows Ari’s changing personality. There really isn’t any lead that there would be not only a sequel but two books to follow this one. The ending is quite bland. I wouldn’t recommend to read this vampire book.Notable Scene: They moved through the alleyways of an imaginary city, picking up cards representing coins and special tools and weapons,feigning at fighting and biting while barely touching. In fact, all five of the boys struck me as shy by nature, overacting in their attempts to socialize. Besides me, Kathleen was the only other woman present,and she moved around the room aggressively, as if she owned it. At times the others tried to gang up on her, and she fended them off effortlessly. She knew the most spells, and apparently she had the most detailed notebook.Occasionally the players robbed one another and deposited their stolen coins in imaginary banks-ever the good capitalist, I thought. The game centered less on fantasy than on greed and domination.FTC Advisory: Simon & Schuster provided me with a copy of Society of S. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 1/5
      Interesting take on vampirism. . . this book had so much potential. The color analogy and the characters' small quirks. Such as a vampire with deslexia (had problems with patterns) and another that had an affinity with the letter "S" thinking it was lucky. The ending was also extremely cramped altogether it was a cute read but not worth my time. I'd would be interested to see what else the author wrote but i need a break from her for now.
    • 3/5
      It's more of a family story than a vampire story. The Society of S is basically about a girl named Ariella seeking for her mother. It's a heart warming novel but I didn't enjoy it much because I'm not a fan of those kind of stories.
    • 4/5
      This is an unusual book. On one hand its very well written with interesting characters and an interesting premise about vampires. On the other hand, its pretentious, with the main character(a 13 year old girl) able to critique Edgar Allan Poe and understand multiple languages. I liked the book. But, it almost felt like this was a book written to discuss destiny vs free will. Right from wrong, with big ideas that left the characters acting as caricatures, rather than actual people. One thing, read this if you like your vampires as humans with a problem rather than blood thirsty monsters.
    • 2/5
      I found this book in the adult horror section of my library but I think its far more a YA novel. I was torn with this book - there was something appealing about the slow pace - a sense of creeping discovery reminding me of horror stories written in the victorian age. It was a unique premise and far removed from the more common action/adventure vampire novels. That said it was a little too slow, Ari a little too flat and it doenst really build to anything much. So it was Ok but didn't capture my imagination.
    • 3/5
      Ariella Montero is a young girl growing up in a secretive household with her father, a cook and two friends of her father. She has no memories of her mother and knows nothing of the circumstances of her departure; or even whether she is living or dead. Ariella is home-schooled, cloistered from most contact with the outside world but intellectually precocious. Bit by bit, she begins to unravel some of the mystery that surrounds her and then, following the tragic death of her only friend, does a typically adolescent thing and runs away to search for her mother. This book is a story of a young girl's coming of age, packaged as a vampire novel. Hubbard does a very nice job of matter-of-factly presenting the particulars of Ariella's "condition" without melodrama. My only reservation about the book stemmed from the untidiness of many, many loose ends left lying about. There are, by the time the mystery is solved, at least as many unanswered questions as answered ones. Even allowing for a sequel, the frustration index here is very high. Still, this is a more intelligent selection for a youngster interested in reading a "vampire book" than most available right now.
    • 5/5
      One of the best books I've read this year! I honestly have no idea where to begin this review or how to describe the book and how much I loved it.I liked all of the characters, the plot and of course all of the Poe goodness. If you are like me and love Edgar Allan Poe, you will really enjoy how often he comes up. The nerd in me really enjoyed this book and like I said, I'm not exactly sure how to tell you why that is. You just need to read this book. I need to go read the next book right now.
    • 4/5
      Reminiscent of Kostova's The Historian, which I also enjoyed, this was a great read. The author makes vampires actually seem real, delving into the history of vampires, even scientific background and explanation.
    • 5/5
      I'm just going to jump in here and say that I have had severe issues with most vampire books I've read (granted I haven't read that many...). I absolutely loathed Twilight (and its craptastic sequel, New Moon. Haven't ventured further than that and don't ever plan to), I hated Companions of the Night, and thought I Am Legend was just "okay". I have read an anthology of classic Victorian vampire short stories and that was pretty good, but overall, my experience has been very "meh"-like. Hence why The Society of S has been falling further and further on Mount TBR. So, I finally said "Screw it!" and decided to read it. And surprisingly enough, I kind of sorta loved it. This is the first vampire novel that I've read that's actually intelligent. Most of the ones I read are just pure fluff (like the Sookie Stackhouse series which I like a bit, but don't love). Now there's absolutely nothing wrong with fluff (it's good for the soul, after all), but once in a while I like to read a smart book about monsters. I don't really care what kind. The Society of S deals heavily with science (in regards to how vampires are made and how they co-exist with us mere mortals) and also deals with the ethical dilemnas in being an "other". It wasn't all "I'm a vampire, so now what?", which I liked. Plus, the book compares Poe and in one instance Freud to the likes of the modern-day vampire, which was all types of awesome. The Society of S is narrated by a thirteen year old girl. Most of the time I have an issue with teenagers narrating books about vampires because usually they do it in such an annoying way that I spent the whole novel rolling my eyes at these girls who give teenagers and women in general a bad name. But I actually really liked Ariella. First off, she was smart (seriously, take notes Stephenie Meyer. Not all us women are incredibly shallow, naive, and just so anti-feminist), but most importantly, her emotions seemed so real that I found myself caring about her. I also absolutely loved the parents, especially her father. I'm a complete and total sucker for a man with a dry sense of humor. There's just nothing I can do about (not that I would want to, of course). The supporting characters were all more than adequate, except I really wanted to know more about the mysterious Root. Maybe in the next book in this series (which I'm so picking up really soon). One thing, though, was that the Big Bad wasn't really all that big. I mean, they were bad, but I didn't get the sense that Ariella was in too much danger at the beginning (or middle). Everything else was interesting enough, but I really missed the viciousness of the vampire a bit. So, I guess I want more Big Bad or a bigger Bad. So, anyway, I highly recommend The Society of S for those who want a unique twist on vampires, but don't want them to veer so off script that you want to cry because vampires so aren't supposed to sparkle... Also, if you want something deeper than the current batch of vampire novels, then this is definitely the one you need to pick up. My faith in vampires has been restored once more (or at least until I read another crappy one that makes me want to yell and not in the "this is totally creepy and I'm fearing for my life right this minute" kind of way).
    • 4/5
      I thought this book was going to be a typical vampire book, full of blood drinking, sex and all that jazz. (not that I don't enjoy a little sex and blood drinking!) What a pleasant surprise, when it turned out to be a wonderful coming of age story, about a young girl trying to answer the question- Who am I?Ariella, the main character, grew up not knowing her mother, and was raised by her father. He home schooled her and she ended up living the first 13 years of her life completely sheltered. I identified with her, because I was a very sheltered child, and I was also home schooled until age 13. Ariella was intelligent, smart, and I enjoyed watching her develop, as she discovered more about herself. I really liked the scientific approach to the life of the vampires in this book. Raphael, Ariella's father, was convinced that vampirism was an affliction, and that it could be treated like a disease. Overall, this book was awesome. Ariella's journey had me captivated and I definitely recommend this book!
    • 5/5
      A great read one that should be read by all teenagers since it does deal with entering young adulthood. But also what a ride one goes on from the beginning to the end. Reading and following Ari was a joy and look forward for her other journey's that she will go on.
    • 3/5
      This was a coming-of-age story. And it was about vampires. I found it on a bargain rack somewhere so I picked it up. It is a YA novel.It was pretty good. Nothing too great. I do believe it is a series, but I probably will not read any more. Not that they are not worth reading. I just have a lot of books to read. Any pre-teen/teen involved in the current vampire craze would like the book. Definately better writing than the Twilight series. It is not as sappy. Deals with loneliness.
    • 3/5
      Ariella lives with her father, she's homeschooled, and her life is quite regimented. When she's exposed to her housekeeper's family she discovers love and friendship and starts to question her life and lifestyle. Those questions bring up some issues that she is unsure if the answers aren't a bit out of whack.It's not a bad read but it really didn't capture my imagination. I would have believed it better if the character was older when she began her road trip to find her mother. Not a bad read but not really for me.
    • 4/5
      The Society of S follows the story of young Ariella Montero, who lives with her single father in New York. Ariella’s mother disappeared the day she was born, and many questions remain as to why. Ariella is unusually intelligent for her age, probably a result of having been homeschooled by her father.Ariella’s is prompted to take a journey to find her mother after a series of mysterious events. On her trip, she goes through many trials associated with coming of age, though the author took a creative liberty and added a supernatural spin on things. Ariella finds out that she is a vampire, and that she can choose to be mortal like her mother, or a vampire like her father. This decision, among many others, drives the action in the novel.Personally, I really enjoyed The Society of S. Even though the narrator is a young teenager, I feel like this book was written with more mature audiences in mind (not that younger readers wouldn’t enjoy it) because the writing wasn’t the typical super-romantic, angsty writing that usually accompanies teen characters (not that I don’t love that kind of writing!). I felt that the author’s tone voice was unique and had just the right amount of description and imagery. Overall, the book was well-written, and had enough suspense and mystery to keep me turning pages.As a sidenote, Hubbards has recently released a sequel to this book, called The Year of Disappearances. It’s on my reading list, and I’ll have a review of it once I’ve acquired the book and read it!
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book.Was a very different vampire story than Twilight.Even though the heroine is a young girl it doesn't have the teen angst which I found refreshing.Am definatly looking forward to the next book!
    • 4/5
      I found it quite enjoyable. The main character is a twelve-year-old, however she seems more like 20something. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that the child's father (who is also a vampire) uses Lupus as a medical excuse for his "differences". I have Lupus. I was highly entertained by this. :-) A good read. I intend to start the subsequent book soon.
    • 4/5
      Ari is a twelve year old girl telling the story of her strange and lonely life. Her mother disappeared the day she was born and she lives with her father and his "assistants".There is Dennis who has always been kind and protective, and a woman who isfrightening and unfriendly. Mrs. McG is a housekeeper who has several children of her own,who takes care of the homeschooled Ari, and makes her odd vegetarian meals. They are always unappealing. Thanks to Mrs. McG Ari is allowed, for the first time to visit another family, and she becomes friends with the children, particularly Kathleen who is her age. Michael is Kathleen's older brother and he and Ari soon become close as well. It doesn't take long for Kathleen to notice that Ari's family is unusual. She and Ari both begin to suspect that there is something that Ralph, Ari's dad is not telling. That is when things get interesting. This is an unusual coming of age novel, that all in all was entertaining and kept my interest. The characters were odd, but Ari herself was quite compelling. I am glad I read it, and will watch to see if a sequel is in the offing. If so I will read it. I do recommend this book for an entertaining read to while away a long afternoon. Especially if one enjoys a vampire story.
    • 3/5
      first line (of the preface): "On a cool spring night in Savannah, my mother is walking."first line (of the first chapter): "I stood alone outside our house in deep blue twilight."A book with classic literary themes: coming of age; mother-daughter relationships; vampires....I was disappointed with the ending until I learned that Hubbard's written a sequel, The Year of Disappearances. I enjoyed the first one, and its interesting take on vampirism, enough that I'll likely pick up the second sometime soon.I wonder whether this will be a trilogy or an ongoing series...?
    • 4/5
      Interesting take on vampires from 12 year old Ari's perspective who slowly discovers that her father isn't what he seems and perhaps nothing about her family is true. A bit slow, but a good book nonetheless.
    • 4/5
      I admit it. I have a soft spot for vampire lore. Sadly, the Twilight books are not my cup of tea (the wolf boy sub-plot did not intrigue me), so I was extra pleased to find another coming of age vampire series: Susan Hubbard's Society of S. In Hubbard's world vampires live among us. They're sensitive to sun, but not necessarily flammable; they can't fly; crosses and holy water don't harm them, and a stake through the heart does not turn them to dust. Some have even divided into a sect of ecologically minded, morally obligated creatures -- synthesetes who see in color and communicate with animals.There are even warm, kind, and loving vamps. Who knew? Ari, the fourteen year old narrator, lives a secluded life with her father. She's a home schooled vegetarian with a missing mother and the suspicion her dad might be a creature of the night (how boring the book would be if her instincts were wrong!). It's creepy, sexy, fun (and fast)! The abrupt ending would have frustrated me to no end if the second book in the series wasn't already available. Now I just need to find a libray who carries it. Recommended to anyone who crushed on Lestat, Spike or Angel, and is still in touch with their inner reader.** **Your inner reader is the part of you who falls in love with books the way you did when you were a kid: largely oblivious to the pressures of a job, family, reality, or the books you're supposed to be reading as opposed to the ones you feel like reading. Your inner reader is also willing to read books you would have loved when you were younger, and embrace them for the love that could have been and kinda is.
    • 5/5
      "My mother disappeared after my birth and had not been seen by us since." Haunting words from a thirteen year-old girl who will soon come to a very transforming time in her life. Mariella Montero lives with her father Raphael in a large Victorian house in Saratoga Springs, NY. The morning hours are spent alone or with the housekeeper, the sweet natured Ms McGarritt. The afternoons are devoted to lessons taught by Raphael that entail wide ranging subjects of literature (Poe is a favorite), mathematics, physics, philosophy. Ari, as her father calls her, receives strong intellectual stimulation from her scholar/ scientist father. Most mornings he spends with his assistants in a basement laboratory. Nothing terribly sinister going on here, but it is mysterious. Ari knows instinctively not to invade that space.After so many years of deep curiosity Ari finally finds out some answers about her mother and the nature of her father. Ari is aware that she is the daughter of a vampire father and a mortal mother. Such a disturbing revelation raises other questions many of which her father cannot answer. What caused her mother's disappearance? Will Ari be human or vampire? In this regard Raphael believes she is more like him than her mother, but it is not yet clear. At some future time Ari herself must choose. And while trying to absorb this new found knowledge Ari suffers the loss of her only friend. Kathleen, the daughter of Mrs McGarritt, is murdered. There is severe blood loss and mutilation. The police and FBI investigate thoroughly but identify no suspects. Ari cannot help wondering if her father or either of his assistants might be involved. The thought horrifies her. Still it persists.Eventually she decides she must leave Raphael's house to find out things for herself. Her first task is to find out what happened to her mother. Ari sets out alone and without telling anyone.This is a brilliant novel, so poetically written. I hung on every word.In May, 2008 a sequel, The Year of Disappearances, was published. I haven't read it yet, but I will.
    • 4/5
      Great vacation reading!
    • 4/5
      I have never read a vampire book before, and I was a little nervous about reading this one, I am easily spooked. I loved this book though, it was such a great read. Ari, is trying to figure out who she is, her father has always done strange things, and cannot go outside in the daytime, but what about her? Up until now she has not been affected by these strange habits and is quite normal, in the Society of S she finds out who she really is and what that means for her future. Susan Hubbard does an incredible job of telling a tale in which vampires are trying to cope with life, and learn to live with humans. Interested in how that goes for them? Read it!! It is not a blood-sucking gore of a book, but one that develops the characters, lets you feel for them and allows room for wiggle, and in the case of Ari that gives way to hopes and dreams that she longs to reach for.I think I loved this book because it was so different than anything else I had read before. But also because Ari loves reading, education and is very mature for her age. It is well written, and just takes you in and asks you to have a seat (and stay for a long, long time!).
    • 4/5
      I really wasn't expecting too much from this book since it was a Bargain Priced book at Barnes and Noble however, I was quite surprised. This is a story of a girl who's whole world is turned upside down, nothing is as it seems and she is forced to question everything she knows. A good coming of age story revolving around a teenager, the narrator seemed much older than the age mentioned in the book though, it is an interesting twist on the typical vampire story.
    • 4/5
      Reminds me a bit of Special Topics in Calamity Physics, and I'm not 100% sure why. Yet, where Special Topics was way too proud of itself, The Society of S was interesting, entertaining and not pretentious at all. Plus, it had vampires. It was a suprisingly good read.
    • 4/5
      I must say I was reluctant to read this book. It was recommended by a fellow co worker. I was glad that I read it and I cant wait to get the second book, The Year of Disappearances.The Society of S, was beautifully written and the author really made you feel like you knew that characters personally. The way that they characters talked to you and asked you questions, which I normally don't like but they were well done. The self realization that the character went through to find her self, her mother and bring her family together was well done and kept me wanting to read the book even when I was at work!A great read for teens and adults!