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.