Privilege

Wonderfully wicked story of power, privilege and murder. Ariana Osgood is a sociopath who will stop at nothing to preserve her social standing among the upper echelon. She escapes from a mental health facility where she has been held since being convicted of murder by reason of insanity. Desperate to reclaim her old lifestyle she succeeds in escaping from prison and heads to Texas to find her cellmates' former best friend. The story really takes off after this point and is full of twists and turns which keep the reader guessing until the end. Great read, suspenseful with plenty of drama. I recommend this book to fans of Pretty Little Liars or Canterwood Crest

This book is one of the few (if any) of it's kind. How many teen books out there feature a murdering protagonist? One would wonder how this works, especially as those who've read the Private novels followed Reed Brennan's distress at her boyfriend's murder, only to find the murder was Ariana, the protagonist of Privilege. Why would people want to read a book from Ariana's point of view?

Surprisingly, it works. The murderer perspective is so new that it keeps things interesting. Somehow, one finds oneself sympathizing with Ariana sometimes. Based on Ariana's thoughts, we have to believe she can't help it. This doesn't mean we agree with what she's done...it's just an acknowledgement that she has major control issues, to a mentally show more unsound level.

The novel shows how far Ariana will go to get back the life of a socialite. I was frustrated with her for not seeing what was really going on the whole time. Then at the end, my adrenaline started pumping. Things get very intense.

I recommend this to those who've read the Private series first. It's not necessary, but it could be confusing to see names pop up without understanding the story that came before it, Ariana's life before this book. Privilege is a spinoff of the Private novels, after all.

I'm looking forward to reading the next one. Kate Brian's got talent for sure.

Be warned that the main character is a sociopath. If you like reading stories that paint the protagonist in a favorable light, shy away from this one. That's what I like about this book, though. I hate boring characters and Ariana is definitely NOT one; it's also annoying slugging through books written by authors who try to hard to make the character likeable. This book is a glimpse into the mind of the insane. If you think that would make you uncomfortable, again: stay away. show less

Ariana Osgood ruled exclusive Easton Academy -- until she was arrested for murdering Thomas Pearson. She has spent the past two years at the Brenda T. Trumbull Correctional Facility for Women plotting her escape and is determined to get a second chance at the glamorous life she left behind.

They say that most girls would die for a life of utmost privilege, but some, like Ariana, would be willing to kill for it. If you've ever rooted for the villain or sympathized with their motivations then you'll love Ariana. She's almost a little too smart for her age and that plays to her advantage as she attempts to manipulate Briana Leigh. It may be argued that she's lost the ability to read people but I think that's more because she's trying to show more read a whole new type of people -- that of her own ilk -- this time around.

This is a new spin-off series from the original "Private" book series about the dark world of wealth, secrets, and of course, of privilege; the focus being Ariana and the life she'll lead after leaving Easton Academy behind. Is Ariana a good person at heart, or is she the psycho so many people think she is? This book took me through so many twists and turns that I didn't know who to trust - the third person narrator, the other characters, or my own reactions. You will appreciate the simplicity and simultaneous complexities of Kate Brian's plots.

Book Details:

Title Privilege
Author Kate Brian
Reviewed By Purplycookie show less

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Most of us know all too well why Ariana Osgood landed herself in the Brenda T. Trumball Correctional Facility for Women. And for those who don't, it's simply because she murdered Thomas Pearce, the one she loved but who turned on her.

Ariana fully understands what she did was wrong, but she believes that spending the rest of her life in this correctional facility is a bit too much. Even though the Brenda T. is the best place to be put in, having a sadistic therapist there to remind her that she won't ever be leaving just pushes Ariana over the edge.

Of course, she knows something he does not - she will not be staying at the Brenda T. for long.

Already with a plan hatched show more in her mind, Ariana knows exactly what she will do first when she's back into the world flushed with designer goodies: find Briana Leigh Covington, the girl who framed her best friend, Kaitlynn, in the facility. A quick entrance into Briana's lifestyle and Ariana knows that she will once again have the good life, not only for her but also for Kaitlynn.

Ariana is used to getting what she wants, and getting her old lifestyle back is no exception. Enter the world of PRIVILEGE, where anything and everything is a game.

A gripping and intense beginning to the spin-off of the bestselling PRIVATE series, PRIVILEGE takes readers into a whole new world that we knew existed, but never in such great detail. Kate Brian once again works her charm and creates twisted and eccentric characters.

Fans of PRIVATE will want to get their hands on this first installment of the new series - but beware that it will become your next addiction! show less

I only read Kate Brian's books when I'm too tired to concentrate on anything else, so hardly expected "Privilege" to be high literature. Despite my low expectations, I found this book disappointing. Kate Brian's plot-lines grow increasingly ridiculous and implausible and, worst of all, there are some obvious repetitions and flaws that should have been corrected during the editing process, and weren't.

This book is directed at teen girls, and I am really not sure that it is necessary to subject young readers to such seediness and violence in their leisure reading.

Surprised Me

Privilege
By Kate Brian
Pub. Date: December 2008
4.5 out of 5 stars
R – Violence, Strong Profanity, and Sensuality
Recommended

20 years to life in prison is all Ariana has to “look forward” too. The conviction... murder. All she thinks about day in and day out is escape. After living for almost two years in Brenda T. Facility, she is just waiting for the right moment to put her plan into action. The plan relies fully on Briana Leigh Covington, her huge inheritance, and also her predictability. But when things don’t go according to plan, you must be willing to… improvise.

Privilege far surpassed my expectations. The writing and characters of this book stands out from other YA literature currently available. This was not show more the inappropriate Gossip Girl-esque book that I originally thought it would be. Its uniqueness and no graphic inappropriate sexual content was a nice surprise.

Ariana was a mentally unstable murderer. Yet I really liked her. She had many great qualities that all centered around her morals and guilt ridden conscience. She was a mind-boggling naughty main character who was trying her best to do what’s right. Sadly, she had little success, but thankfully she doesn’t plan on giving up.

Privilege followed through with a smooth plot that never seemed to stumble. I was always able to predict what was coming next, and yet when it happened I was shocked and surprised. It was all amazingly well formulated and wrought. It isn’t a speed read but while reading I was completely entertained.

Privilege was not the nasty, horrible, boring book I thought it was going to be. It was much better! Because of all the violence, profanity, and brief sensuality I feel most comfortable suggesting this book to people ages 14 and up.

Date Reviewed: February 13, 2009

For more book reviews and book information check out my blog at www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com show less

Ariana Osgood is first introduced in the Privates series by Kate Brian. I strongly recommend you read the first four books (Private, Invitation Only, Untouchable and Confessions) prior to reading this book.

In the Private series, Ms. Brian hints that Ariana is a bit, well. . .unstable. In Privilege, she shows the reader how true this really is. (I find it hard to write this review without giving anything away!) When the reader is allowed to see Ariana for who she really is, well it’s a bit scary.

Ariana wants to return to her life of privilege. The problem? She’s locked up in a correctional facility. So, naturally, there’s only one way for her to get what she wants. In order to do so, she must give up the life she knows in order to show more create the life that she thinks she’s entitled to.

My only regret was that I didn’t read Last Christmas, the prequel to the Private series, prior to reading Privilege. I believe certain characters and events are mentioned in this book that I was confused about while reading Privilege. Nevertheless, I was still able to follow the book. The ending had a shocking twist that left me wanting to immediately start reading Beautiful Disaster, book two. However, I will refrain until I read Last Christmas. show less