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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Plot:
For the most part, I liked the plot. It was well paced. A few parts were predictable, though.
Setting:
I've always been fascinated by private school so I love this kind of setting. I would have loved to have the experience of attending one.
Characters:
The main character, Reed, seemed like someone I could connect with. I find it difficult to socialize, keep to myself, have had a troubled past with family. Reed has all of these things in common with me yet I just didn't care enough about her to connect. Half of the time she was basically a window showing how much more interesting everyone else around her was and the other half she got on my nerves.
While the Billings girls are very interesting, it's hard to imagine going after them so hard, especially when they try to take you down at every turn. I guess Reed has super low self-esteem, but I just couldn't find anything redeeming about her. She lacked personality, gave in to others way too easily, and let others treat her like crap.
My favorite Billings girl is Taylor. She had an interesting and sweet personality. I also liked Noelle, who reminded me of a brunette Regina George. The character you love to hate.
Besides the main Billings girls, I didn't care much for anyone else. I was mixed on Thomas until later on (another reason to dislike Reed).
This book would have been better with a more interesting protagonist.
Relationships:
I loved the relationships the Billings girls had with one another the best. Very interesting dynamics.
The relationship between Kiran and the geek was intriguing but sadly short lived.
The main romantic relationship was kinda meh for me. Thomas just seemed very needy and Reed's character didn't interest me much so it was hard to care about the relationship. Though I did shake my head when she forgave Thomas at the end.
Writing/Voice:
I really liked the writing. It gave the book a kind of ominous atmosphere.
Ending:
Didn't like the ending much at all. Seemed to end abruptly.
Overall, this one was okay and I am considering reading a few more later on. I just wish the main character had been less boring. I did like the mysterious Billings sisters and wonder what their secret is. I'm secretly hoping they are witches (how fun would that be? And would explain so much) but I'm probably dead wrong on that one, though that's the vibe I felt as I read. I guess I'll have to find out! 2.5 stars.
This book kept me intrigued and every day when I got the chance to read, it was as if I was right there at Easton Academy watching the drama unfold.
I absolutely LOVE this series! I read books 1-5 in high school. I wasn't able to finish the 15 book series because I rented them from my high school library and they only had the first 5 books. So I'm excited to read the entire series because it is drama, drama, drama. And it's not my own personal drama..that's the best kind, right? If you are a Pretty Little Liars fan, this book series is for you. There are so many secrets to be unfolded.
I absolutely LOVE this series! I read books 1-5 in high school. I wasn't able to finish the 15 book series because I rented them from my high school library and they only had the first 5 books. So I'm excited to read the entire series because it is drama, drama, drama. And it's not my own personal drama..that's the best kind, right? If you are a Pretty Little Liars fan, this book series is for you. There are so many secrets to be unfolded.
Boy I wish I had a Goodreads account when I read the Private series. It had me incredibly hooked, I was reading 2-3 of these a day - easily. Such a guilty pleasure reading about murder and mystery within the halls of private boarding school. There's nothing mind blowing about the writing - or really the characters- but the story and the twists it takes was juicier than anything I've read.
Boarding schools are one of my favourite tropes. I liked the book, the story flows really nicely and the 200 pages do not seem 200 but more like one big Chapter One. I’m definitely hooked and I’ll read the rest of the Private series.
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I think my rating is kind of misleading. Truth is, this is light-hearted and perfect for me now.
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I think my rating is kind of misleading. Truth is, this is light-hearted and perfect for me now.
What can I say? I'm a sucker for any ridiculously over-the-top YA series about privileged teenagers. (Murder) mysteries abound; an abundance of foe yay between the two leads; not actually boring hetero romance; and a series conclusion that completely loses control of itself. Easy, delicious reads.
While this was really good, I'm surprised that I enjoyed the prequel (Last Christmas) more than this first book. A lot of the tension in this book came from typical high school scenarios and only hinted at the darker issues that will come up later, and the book ended a bit suddenly. I did still enjoy this intro to the series though, and will absolutely be reading the rest of the series!
I love stories about the super rich and privileged and this was fun!