Privilege (series) by Kate Brian
Publication: 2008-2011 by Simon & Schuster
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Society, Romance
Ariana Osgood ruled exclusive Easton Academy -- until she was arrested for murdering her classmate, Thomas Pearson. Following that, she lived in a correctional from which she escaped. Assuming the persona of a teenage socialite, Ariana worked to getting back to a high position in society, resorting to all kinds of crime until her life hit a full stop.
Okay, six books condensed into one review because it is one continuous series without any gaps at all and one single great story. I've been delaying reviewing this, because after all, how do you review a series about a psychotic teenage serial killer and leave a final comment saying that you loved it? Kate Brian had herself said that she couldn't believe she had written the Privilege series based on the life and lies of Ariana Osgood, murderess. But don't let that turn you off - this is one absolutely addictive, absolutely heart-racing set of books.
I have to admit that I haven't read the Private series by Kate Brian, of which Privilege is a spin-off. Private is quite long and does not have as much of a great summary as Privilege. Even after I started, I didn't feel much of a need to read Private. Brian had that going for her: anyone can read anything, regardless of whether they've read previous books or not. At least, that's what I feel. I may be wrong.
(I won't be giving out spoilers in this review, so it won't be a very long one. Instead, I'm going to comment on what worked and what didn't.)
Firstly, Ariana was such a GOOD character. Yes, I know I'm talking about someone who's killed many in cold blood. But she's just so good! I can figure with her so well. Doesn't mean I'm going to kill anyone, but you know. Pshh. Her thoughts were realistic, and she became one of my guilty pleasure characters faster than you can say the ABC.
The other characters were great as well, no doubt. I found myself pissed with her first boyfriend right from the start (he's so insignificant to me that I actually forgot his name) but Jasper was very good. Ariana's school friends were some well-sketched characters, too. The villain for majority of the books was a very, very good villain - a pure tormentor rather than a perceived one.
I found that in the book, the portrayal of friendships was quite spot-on, and though the plotline for most part was quite unrealistic, there was small details like this that were very, very realistic and human. The writing is reminiscent of Cecily von Ziegesar, at least a bit and I can't say that's not expected because she was the original writer of privileged teen schools. Maybe a more serious outlook would have done and again, reminiscent of CvZ, there was detail provided to unnecessary (for me) things such as dresses and accessories. Maybe a little more tweaking and this series would have been a set of thrilling teenage satires.
There were a few continuity errors here and there, which I'm told were also the main flaws in the Private series. Kate Brian really should've gone through her previous books before starting her next, because such errors are really annoying and show inexperience on the part of the writer.
My favourite novel in this series was most probably number 4, Sweet Deceit. My least favourite... probably the one after that. Huh. Also, after I finished the last book, I really felt like killing Brian because I wanted Ariana and Jasper to be happy and for the series to have a different end than it did. I know, wrong-doers deserve to be punished, anti-heroines like Ariana included - but how many times have the criminals tricked the law enforcers into their own happily-ever-after? I've seen Special 26 and American Hustle; I know it happens tons of times. Kate Brian should've written a nice, happy ending for fans of Privilege and Ariana and not only Reed-fans from Private. I like to pretend that what happened at the end didn't and whatever Ariana had planned, did. Hmph.
This series is close to being my guilty pleasure, and I would recommend it to girls who don't mind Gossip Girl and the like and also don't mind murder.
Overall rating: Four out of five. (4/5)
Final comment: Six absolutely addictive reads.
Publication: 2008-2011 by Simon & Schuster
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Society, Romance
Ariana Osgood ruled exclusive Easton Academy -- until she was arrested for murdering her classmate, Thomas Pearson. Following that, she lived in a correctional from which she escaped. Assuming the persona of a teenage socialite, Ariana worked to getting back to a high position in society, resorting to all kinds of crime until her life hit a full stop.
Okay, six books condensed into one review because it is one continuous series without any gaps at all and one single great story. I've been delaying reviewing this, because after all, how do you review a series about a psychotic teenage serial killer and leave a final comment saying that you loved it? Kate Brian had herself said that she couldn't believe she had written the Privilege series based on the life and lies of Ariana Osgood, murderess. But don't let that turn you off - this is one absolutely addictive, absolutely heart-racing set of books.
I have to admit that I haven't read the Private series by Kate Brian, of which Privilege is a spin-off. Private is quite long and does not have as much of a great summary as Privilege. Even after I started, I didn't feel much of a need to read Private. Brian had that going for her: anyone can read anything, regardless of whether they've read previous books or not. At least, that's what I feel. I may be wrong.
(I won't be giving out spoilers in this review, so it won't be a very long one. Instead, I'm going to comment on what worked and what didn't.)
Firstly, Ariana was such a GOOD character. Yes, I know I'm talking about someone who's killed many in cold blood. But she's just so good! I can figure with her so well. Doesn't mean I'm going to kill anyone, but you know. Pshh. Her thoughts were realistic, and she became one of my guilty pleasure characters faster than you can say the ABC.
The other characters were great as well, no doubt. I found myself pissed with her first boyfriend right from the start (he's so insignificant to me that I actually forgot his name) but Jasper was very good. Ariana's school friends were some well-sketched characters, too. The villain for majority of the books was a very, very good villain - a pure tormentor rather than a perceived one.
I found that in the book, the portrayal of friendships was quite spot-on, and though the plotline for most part was quite unrealistic, there was small details like this that were very, very realistic and human. The writing is reminiscent of Cecily von Ziegesar, at least a bit and I can't say that's not expected because she was the original writer of privileged teen schools. Maybe a more serious outlook would have done and again, reminiscent of CvZ, there was detail provided to unnecessary (for me) things such as dresses and accessories. Maybe a little more tweaking and this series would have been a set of thrilling teenage satires.
There were a few continuity errors here and there, which I'm told were also the main flaws in the Private series. Kate Brian really should've gone through her previous books before starting her next, because such errors are really annoying and show inexperience on the part of the writer.
My favourite novel in this series was most probably number 4, Sweet Deceit. My least favourite... probably the one after that. Huh. Also, after I finished the last book, I really felt like killing Brian because I wanted Ariana and Jasper to be happy and for the series to have a different end than it did. I know, wrong-doers deserve to be punished, anti-heroines like Ariana included - but how many times have the criminals tricked the law enforcers into their own happily-ever-after? I've seen Special 26 and American Hustle; I know it happens tons of times. Kate Brian should've written a nice, happy ending for fans of Privilege and Ariana and not only Reed-fans from Private. I like to pretend that what happened at the end didn't and whatever Ariana had planned, did. Hmph.
This series is close to being my guilty pleasure, and I would recommend it to girls who don't mind Gossip Girl and the like and also don't mind murder.
Overall rating: Four out of five. (4/5)
Final comment: Six absolutely addictive reads.
Please continue writing your reviews. I really love them and want to know more about what you think of the recently released movies!
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