Rating: 
Summary: Silly Fun, Silly Read.
Review: As a national officer of Alpha Epsilon Pi, the last remaining Jewish fraternity, I picked up this book on a lark. Hazing is still a large issue in today's fraternity world, much to the dismay of most responsible participants.This is obviously a work of fiction. There are horrendous cases of hazing but nothing like the sadistic brand written about here. Also, while I recognize this was fiction, the absolute stretches made in this book, strained my ability to believe in the characters and the story. Yes, there are other flaws (how many people can be killed, bought off, etc. without anyone raising an eyebrow) and why isn't a Sigma on the board of directors if they donate so much and dominate the campus? But, it was a fun book that was a little escapist, a little scary and more than a litte silly.
Rating: 
Summary: More Matter; Less Art
Review: Seldom do I not finish a book, even a bad one, but this novel was more than I could take after 100 pages. The author, a genuinely nice guy I heard in an interview, fancies himself a writer, but I found little in the story beyond stereotypes and cliches. I am astonished that the book was not edited more tightly. I am even more astonished that Kean received a $1 million contract for this book, a second, and movie rights. All the best to him, for in matters of taste, we are all experts. What a country!
Rating:
Summary: A Bowdoin Alumna
Review: I enjoyed The Pledge, although I thought the author was trying a bit too hard to be "literary" - too many flowery descriptions, etc. As a Bowdoin graduate, though, it was fun to read the book and hear some of the phrases and nicknames for things that I haven't heard in 10+ years. I think that Rob Kean has a future in the Baldacci/Grisham genre of writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Sensational and well written
Review: Rob Kean is a master of suspense. Even the most minute details will keep you spellbound as the author does not divulge anything without having you read more. This was one of the best books I've read in awhile. I even took the book to school, gave my kids an assignment, and continued to read. I'm not usually enamored with books about collegiate shenanigans, being long past that age myself, but this book kept me riveted. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about mystery, abuse of power, and a fast paced - can't put it down story line.
Rating:
Summary: Unrealistic to the extreme
Review: Which of Bowdoin's fraternities kicked Rob Kean out? And why did he leave Bowdoin before he graduated? (The jacket copy says he "attended.") My husband, a Bowdoin alumnus, refused to read this book beyond the first chapter saying that it bore absolutely no resemblance to his experience. People have commented about the unrealistic characters of Mark and Shawn. How long would a college of the stature of "Simsbury" put up with a dean like Templeton or a befuddled president? Also, if Sigma were indeed the all-powerful, brothers-to-the-end, world-controlling fraternity it is made out to be, why was it that NONE of the Simsbury College trustees was a Sigma?
Rating: 
Summary: TREEEmendous work of fiction
Review: I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats. An excellent and fast-paced novel, I couldn't put it down. Bravo Throbber!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I couldn't put this book down! It kept me so intrigued until the very end. Rob is as charming in person, as his writing is chilling and believable. Who doesn't like a book that brings you back to college days? Keep writing!
Rating: 
Summary: Kind of a disappointment
Review: I'd heard this book was really hot ... And I'll admit, there were some good "hazing" scenes, but overall, I found Kean's writing pretty tame. Not nearly as good as Alan Dickson's _The Greek Way_ or Michael Nambla's _Barely Brothers_.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining!
Review: Who says great writing has to be realistic? Yeah this storyline is far-fetched, but at the same time, it could happen. Anyway, I found it hard to put this book down and couldn't wait to get back to it when I did. Mark Jessy became my hero from the start and I was hooked 'til the end. This is a very entertaining novel and I'd love to see the movie!
Rating:
Summary: Wordy, Disappointing, Elitist Rhetoric
Review: Like a movie of the week, this one droned on and on never really managing to break the surface of what was behind all the hatred. (Someone give Kean a hug.) This book is far too jaded for someone with so much promise (as the book jacket claims). How many times can a reader tolerate phrases such as "partying like rock stars" without it sounding hackneyed?
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