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13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 "Sorority" is solid Oct 08, 2004
By E. A Solinas
"ea_solinas"
To be honest, sororities have never appealed to me -- it seemed like an elite clique arrangement with too many regulations. So it was a bit of a surprise to see a totally different perspective in "Be My Sorority Sister: Under Pressure," a book that takes a look at the struggles and friendships of a well-known sorority.
Eva Perkins's mother and sister both were in Beta Gamma Psi Sorority, so when Eva enters Edwin Carver University, she's desperate to enter the mostly African-American sorority. After struggling in pre-pledging activites, Eva finds herself on line to become one of the girls -- but soon finds that the sorority can be a lot tougher than she thought.
The "older sisters" are rough to the point of being abusive on Eva and the other new girls, and there is internal strife among the older girls. One ex-pledgee even writes a scathing tell-all article. But the worst thing happens when a girl falls from a rooftop during a pledge ritual, and abrasive Connie lies to the police about what happened. But no one knows how far the lie will go -- or how it will threaten the existance of their sorority.
Dorrie Williams-Wheeler crafts an enjoyable light read for teens, maybe giving them something to look forward to in their college years. Not to mention a warning -- Williams-Wheeler doesn't skimp on the abusive hazing rituals, which aren't limited to physical abuse. She doesn't dip into paddling (despite the cover) and similar black'n'blue abuses, but she does mention them. But she also takes care to mention the friendships and bonding that come from the sorority's teamwork.
Her writing style is a bit bare and un-descriptive for my taste, but it moves along at a brisk clip. And the dialogue-heavy writing seems like listening in on the girls at the sorority; there are some spelling and grammatical errors, but nothing too major. She also has a talent for making the feel of the book grow tenser and more frightening -- the main flaw is that the final two chapters feel VERY rushed, packing too much into too few pages. Ms. Williams-Wheeler should have stretched it out for several more chapters.
Eva is an unusual lead character -- rather than making her a goody-two-shoes, Williams-Wheeler gives her flaws and internal conflict about the goings-on at the sorority. The supporting girls are pretty well-done, with individual quirks and flaws. And the older girls range from the nasty Connie to the likable Cassidy.
Even those who haven't yet tackled the subject of sororities might be interested in "Be My Sorority Sister: Under Pressure." It might give you a look at what to look forward to -- and avoid -- on a sorority.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Must Read For Greeks And Wannabees Dec 23, 2003
By Shemya Taylor
Be My Sorority Sister-Under Pressure is about one woman's quest to become join a fictional sorority named Beta Gamma PSi. The main character is named Eva Perkins. Eva's mother, sister, father and brother are all greek so when she goes away to college she basically becomes obsessed with joining Beta Gamma Psi, the sorority her mother and sister belong to. Written in first person, it is easy to become enthralled in Eva's journey. Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is a very detailed writer and she takes her readers along every step of Eva's journey. The book is quick paced and exciting. There are several unexpected twists and turns. Although there are several charcters the book is written very clearly and I had no trouble following the storyline. The reader gets to know sevreral of the pledges and the big sisters. Overall this was a very good read. It reminded me very much of the climate at my college. The only complaints I have are that it seemed to end rather abrubtly and that there was no clear resolution about the main characters family situation. This is one of the better greek books on the market. The author details the stress of going to rushes and hoping to hear something. This is a good book, a keeper. It is the best sorority fiction book that I have ever read.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Awesome Hometown Talent!!! Jun 04, 2004
I know that some of the reviews have said the same, but rightfully so-hats off to my fellow Chicagoan, Dorrie Williams-Wheeler for telling it like it is! This book gets dirty, revealing the ins and outs of how pledging an African-American sorority is. If you are interested in pledging, please get this book, read it cover to cover and follow the do's and NOT the do not's of Eva's road to Beta. I appreciate the honesty and forthright attitude from Mrs. Williams-Wheeler. She writes with such truth and refreshing candor that I sped through this novel and was sorry it was over. I know that the book is fiction, but I couldn't help but wonder which sorority the author belongs to? Please tell us, Dorrie! Your fans want to know!!!
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Couldn't Put This Book Down May 25, 2004
By Jasmine
I read this book in less than a day. This book is written in great detail about sorority life without telling too much. I am glad this book had both postive and negative outlook on greek life. Dorrie Williams-Wheeler proved a lot of people wrong. She really did a great job with this book. I haven't read Sparkledoll yet but I have read some previews and I can't wait to get it. I am looking forward to her future projects as well. I strongly suggest people interested in her books to go view her websites (www.bemysororitysister.com) She seems to put 100% in what she does. She does alot of other projects as well but she never forgets her fans. Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is a great author. She needs way more recognition than what she receives.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Inside Look At Struggles To Join A Sorority May 20, 2004
By Janet Stuart-Jones
Be My Sorority Sister-Under Pressure, where shall I begin. I learned about this book after I read an interview with the author in a magazine. The story is one that many young college women can identify with. Eva, the main character wants to join Beta Gamma Psi, an elite sorority on campus. She doesn't know how to go about joining so she tries to let the members know that she is interested the best that she can. She gets shafted, betrayed and finally has the opportunity to participate in intake. This book is gritty and has guts. Some sorority fiction books gloss over the process but Williams-Wheeler has written a book that will give readers and up close and personal look at what really goes down when monies and exchanged, papers are signed and when people actually "go on line." As a member of an African-American sorority I can say that the author got down with this book. My only complaint is that it ended, I wanted to see more and read more. The characters were so alive and vivid, I would love to see more of them, especially Ashley and Carmen and Troy, even if the sequel had nothing to do with sorority life.
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