The Kari AnnAlysis

Posts Tagged ‘private series’

We finally know who killed Cheyenne Martin and it’s time to get a little R&R. So instead of going home for Christmas, where Noelle points out Reed will be mobbed by the media, they all are going Carribean. This is a Christmas tradition for Noelle and the gang, but Reed isn’t sure what to expect.

We see a lot of old faces on the island including Kiran and Taylor, Amberly and Tiffany. We also meet new, gorgeous ones including the Ryan twins, Sawyer, Poppy and the most beautiful man alive, Upton. Of course she does great with Kiran, Taylor and Noelle, but since she’s got the lead in the Upton Game, Poppy and her posse aren’t really fans.

And then the strange stuff starts to happen. Poppy disappears, Reed has two almost death experiences and someone is lurking in the shadows.

The beauty of the vacation spot in this book makes my mouth water. These are the kinds of places you see in your dreams and these girls are living it (well, through Kate’s writing). The weather is warming up here and I would love to be relaxed on a beach. I wouldn’t even need the designer gowns or Casino night.

While this book had the drama built into it, it didn’t leave me hanging as the last book did. I know they will still be on the island in the next one, but I don’t really know what to expect. My guess is that Reed ends up with Sawyer, just a hunch.

Now, I still have a hard time believing these girls are in high school. It still amazes me the things they know, see and do. I know that people with this much money do have the opportunity to live like this, we’ve all seen the reality shows, but I have a hard time fathoming going to St. Barth’s at Christmas my junior year in high school.

I give Paradise Lost 4 bookmarks.

Cheyenne Martin was murdered, there’s no doubt about it. And that’s jut the tip of the iceberg of the drama in Reed’s shoes. She’s been voted out of Billings, all the creepy Cheyenne stuff is happening again, and oh yeah, Reed murder suspect number 1.

To clear her name, Reed starts investigating the case herself.
List of suspects:
IVY SLADE
Missy
Lorna
Marc
Trey
S.O. –> Whomever that is

But she’s not the only one trying to solve this murder, and she’s not the only one who creepy things are happening to.

The murderer in Revelation will shock you, the eerily similar situation that unfolds will haunt you – and then it will all go to black with the pulling of the trigger.

I absolutely loved this book. Nancy Drew mixed with a private school. And I definitely didn’t know who the killer was and most certainly didn’t get the connection to the school. I know I am being vague, but if I give you an inch, you’ll get the whole kit and kaboodle and this one is too good to spoil.

This book kept me turning the pages. I started it Sunday afternoon and couldn’t go to bed Monday night until I was finished. And then because of the suspense, I had to start Paradise Lost to see who got shot!

I am glad I took a little break from the Private Series because this book was worth the wait. I give Revelation 5 bookmarks.

One of Easton’s oldest buildings has burnt down and it’s all on the shoulders of the Billings’ girls. Now, to make sure they get to keep their house, they have to host a benefit and raised $5 Million  for the school, in just a couple of weeks.

All the while, Noelle is stepping on Reed’s toes as president, strange things keep happening to Reed after Cheyenne’s death and Reed’s nemeis, Ivy, is now dating Reed’s ex, Josh. Oh, and Reed is still keeping a little secret at to why she and Josh broke up, but it may not be secret for much longer.

After this book, I am taking a little break from the Private series. I do this to myself every time I read a series. I read them all really close together and I get a little burnt out. I should’ve taken a breather after the last one since I didn’t like it as much as the others, but now I’m sure.

With all of the drama of the other books, this one was very tame. Yeah there’s a little cattyness but not much happened. At least nothing that wasn’t expected. We all kind of new that Ivy was going to bring drama, now we just know why. We also knew that what happened at the Legacy wouldn’t stay at the Legacy and Noelle was bound to find out.

I am giving Ambition 2 stars.

*This post contains spoilers if you have not read the Private series*

Cheyenne is dead and the Legacy is cancelled. Cheyenne’s family was supposed to be in charge of this year’s Legacy, but they decided against it in the wake of her death. Reed was unanimously voted the new prez of Billings and she will stop at nothing to make sure they get to do something similar to the Legacy (a ridiculous party filled with sex, drugs, alcohol, music that Legacies of the private schools attend each year).

They hear through the grapevine that the Legacy may still be on, but no one from Easton was invited. Now it’s up to Reed to make sure they get there.

She doesn’t have to do it alone though, a former Billings girl is back and they’ve definitely switched roles.

Not only is Reed dealing with all of the Legacy drama, she is also dealing with a bit of boy drama. She is still dating Josh, but a former Billings student, who also dated one of her best friends is interested in Reed. She loves Josh, but the other fella, who can turn him down? He’s gorgeous, smart, rich and an Ivy Leaguer.

I have to admit this was my least favorite book so far out of the Private series. I know that people can’t die in every book, but after so much drama in the rest of the series, this one kind of slacked.

I enjoyed the rituals in this book. Now that Reed is president, she is on top of the world. She has money, access to awesome clothes, contacts and a file with any info possible on her Billings family. I don’t know if this is how life really is for these people, but it’s what I imagine it to be. 

This book set up a little bit of drama for the future. When they finally found out who set up the Legacy, they also find out she has a connection to Cheyenne. I imagine this drama will continue to build.

I give Legacy 2 bookmarks.

Private Series:
1. Private
2. Invitation Only
3. Untouchable
4. Confessions
5. Inner Circle

*This contains spoilers if you haven’t read the rest of the series*

Oy Vey! A lot is a changin’ at Easton Academy. Noelle and the “Mean Girls” are gone. Inner Circle picks up at the beginning of Reed’s second year at Easton. The last we’d heard from her was winter break of her first year. And as I said, a lot has changed.

There’s a new headmaster, Reed has a new roommate and there’s a new Billings “Queen B”. Not to mention 6 open spots at Billings and 80 years of tradition that are being thrown out the door.

The “Mean Girls” may have treated Reed horribly, killed her beau and tried to kill her, but somehow, this year seems worse. She’s at wits end with a house mate, who seems very cozy with Josh (Yes, Reed and Josh are still together). It’s now up to Reed to put her housemates in their place and show them what it really means to be a Billings Girl, even if she is “blue collar”.

Oh yeah, one of the “Mean Girls” shows back up in Reeds life, but she may not have been too far from the beginning.

This book just didn’t do it for me like the rest of the series has. There was drama, yes, but compared to killing people, it seemed very tame. Now, there is a death in this book, I just didn’t really care about it. Oh Gosh, I’ve become hardened by the likes of Noelle This book was just too catty for me.

I do have high hopes for the rest of the series, especially with a mean one back in the picture and to learn more about this Ivy character who has come back to Easton. But, I am only giving Invitation Only 2 bookmarks.

Private Series:
1. Private
2. Invitation Only
3. Untouchable
4. Confessions