Social Disease: A Book Review

Self-publishing sites such as Lulu are the back-cover copy for Social Disease, a book printed through Lulu. Below is my review.

Lulu has become very popular over the last few years. It's no wonder why. When you self publish, you retain complete control over your creation, at a minimal cost. But you're not in it alone. The company offers services from pre-pub, such as editorial and cover design, to post pub marketing, such as storefronts and press releases. Anything you need is right there at your fingertips. Of course, the total cost depends on which and how many services you utilize, but that is completely up to you.From the back cover reprinted with permission from the author:

Nicholas St. Vincent is disaffected by his endless trust fund, drugs, and easy sex offered by the alienated young women charmed by his looks and connections as they yearn for more than what their otherwise dull lives can offer through the Goth night he runs within his lavish nightclub. Content to control them through emotional blackmail and verbal abuse, Nicholas will find that he went too far when his girlfriend, an aspiring model willing to do anything to get to the top forms an unlikely alliance with his ex, a drug abusing DJ after they receive a letter warning them to get tested for STDs. Confused by her sexuality and falling hard for her new conspirator as she desperately tries to break the hold of prescription pills, she is forced to face fears masked by drugs and escapism.

My Review:

Whether or not you've ever stepped foot into a Goth club, if you have ever felt the need to be accepted, you'll want to read Social Disease by Lisa Cavalear. In her debut novel, Cavalear takes us into the dark and often seedy underground music scene, where young men and women struggle with their own identities and realities. While each character has a distinct personality, each has been carefully crafted from a basic stereotype. And rather than limit the readers' understanding this technique allows them to relate that character to someone they probably know maybe even themselves. Consequently the story becomes even more real and sucks you in deeper. I couldn't put the book down.

You don't have to dress in black and (to quote the author) "wear suicidal thoughts as an accessory" for Social Disease to hit home, you just have to have found yourself (at least once) in any type of social situation. I look forward to Lisa Cavalear's next project.