'Epsilon Zeta' is a novel that chronicles the members of the Epsilon Zeta (EZ) fraternity over the course of a semester at fictionalized Northwest Florida University.

Readers are introduced to Zack Lawrence, the pledge trainer; Martin Pierce, the chapter's president, and Robert Rich, the relentlessly tormented pledge. We get to know each brother on a personal level, as one would living in the EZ house. We learn who they are, what kind of family they come from, their morals and values (or lack thereof).

An easy and conversational read, the plot of 'Epsilon Zeta' mainly focuses on the initiation of a new pledge class into the fraternity, and all the circumstances that surround it. At times, newbie author Jock Young uses esoteric fraternity and sorority jargon too complex to understand if you're not a part of Greek life. The book sometimes reads more like a TV pilot script rather than a novel, and is bogged down by extraneous details.

The overall explanation of such a Greek 'caste system,' however, as Young calls it, seems necessary as it dictates this fraternity at NFU. Terms like 'I-Week' and 'pledge trainer' may seem foreign to those readers who have never taken the plunge into Greek life, but are essential to the frat.

To struggle through his terminology, wordiness and run-ons, one is eventually rewarded with the unearthing of phrases and situations any college student can identify with.

Almost anyone will recognize the mentioned bleacher diving, Beer Olympics, and bars with special nights and dollar wells. Every college campus around the world can unite over the 'No Keg Policy' instated by their school as well as at NFU.

Fictionalized situations such as these relate to real college life. It will literally cause the reader to laugh out loud as they insert their own friends into the experience that also happened to them, thinking, 'remember that one time...'

There is an overkill of startling references to NFU's problems with coed m??nage a trois, binge drinking, grand felonies, homophobia, and multiple other situations. At times, the reader may find himself disgusted with some of the frat boys' antics, yet simultaneously and fervently turning each page to follow the characters whom the author has gone so into depth describing.

Jock Young himself was part of Greek life at Florida State in the 1980s.

As with most authors writing a book that toes the line between fact and fiction, author Young says the main character ensembles are fictionalized; the men are composites of characteristics rather than based on specific people.

'This novel isn't a forum or commentary for my personal opinions on anything,' Young said. 'I try to keep my judgments out of the narration as much as possible.'

Young insists that other media portrayals of fraternity life such as 'Animal House' and 'Old School' are a bit over the top:

'I've never seen anything that has realistically dealt with this social dynamic and how individuals naturally morph into the existent personality of the chapter,' said Young.

The novel ends on a bittersweet note, with events introduced in the first chapter coming full circle in its conclusion. Such irony leaves the reader with a sense of wonderment for what the future brings for the brothers of Epsilon Zeta.