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ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
Following Cheyenne's death, the stalking really kicks into high gear in Ambition, and it's fucking awesome. Reed is haunted by mementos from Cheyenne's life at every turn, from the black balls used in the Billings initiation vote, to items of Cheyenne's clothing, to Cheyenne's signature and sickening perfume. This is juxtaposed against an incredibly superficial background, with the Billings girls fundraising for Easton to save their house and compensate for burning down Gwendolyn Hall.
If you couldn't tell, I absolutely fucking loved the stalking. It was similar to Sara Shepard's [b:Pretty Little Liars|162085|Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars, #1)|Sara Shepard|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1284559818s/162085.jpg|2191061] series in that at first it seemed like Cheyenne was really haunting Reed from beyond the grave, but then it becomes much more sinister and grounded in reality. You realise that someone is really out for blood, and that person knows everything. I thought the black balls and items of clothing were creepy enough, but switching out Reed's perfume with Cheyenne's was genius - the sense of smell is the sense most closely linked with memory, so I was squirming along with Reed when Cheyenne's signature scent was suddenly everywhere.
I also really felt for Reed during the fundraiser when the video of her and Dash leaked, essentially making her an instant social pariah. I felt her complete and total humiliation, and wanted nothing more than to give her a big hug. She can be annoying as fuck at times, but that scene was just so powerful and well written. There was an overwhelming sense of loneliness, with nowhere to go, nobody to turn to, and nobody to blame it on. Noelle was always there for Reed, so losing Noelle was huge. There was a sense of finality, all I could think was "Okay, this is huge. Final. There is no coming back from this".
As if Reed becoming public enemy #1 wasn't dramatic enough, it's followed up with an epic shot of why-Ivy-really-hates-Billings. We find out the reasons for her falling out with Cheyenne, that she secretly has ties to Ariana and Noelle, and that she's going to take out Noelle when she has the chance. I can't say I believed that she was Cheyenne's killer and Reed's stalker, but it was OMGSOEXCITING nonetheless.
Speaking of Ivy, I pretty much wanted to slam my head against the wall when the author revealed that she was dating Josh 5 minutes after he'd dumped Reed. Ivy is evil and annoying as fuck, and Josh was such a little bitch in Legacy. They sound like they're destined for one another, but mostly they're just really fucking annoying. And I don't understand what Josh sees in Ivy - I'm sure she has a nice side and they both hate Billings, but surely he can see how malicious she is?! It's so hypocritical of him to yell at Reed about how she's become such a Billings girl, and then turn around and date Satan incarnate.
Overall: If I could describe Ambition in 3 words it would be "really fucking exciting". The stalking is turned up to 11 and Reed's relationships are in tatters, all effectively juxtaposed against a superficial private school backdrop. I'd already moved on and read [b:Revelation|2206960|Revelation (Private, #8)|Kate Brian|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255653465s/2206960.jpg|2212731] before writing this review, but I know I was so excited to find out who the second killer was when I finished this book.
If you couldn't tell, I absolutely fucking loved the stalking. It was similar to Sara Shepard's [b:Pretty Little Liars|162085|Pretty Little Liars (Pretty Little Liars, #1)|Sara Shepard|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1284559818s/162085.jpg|2191061] series in that at first it seemed like Cheyenne was really haunting Reed from beyond the grave, but then it becomes much more sinister and grounded in reality. You realise that someone is really out for blood, and that person knows everything. I thought the black balls and items of clothing were creepy enough, but switching out Reed's perfume with Cheyenne's was genius - the sense of smell is the sense most closely linked with memory, so I was squirming along with Reed when Cheyenne's signature scent was suddenly everywhere.
I also really felt for Reed during the fundraiser when the video of her and Dash leaked, essentially making her an instant social pariah. I felt her complete and total humiliation, and wanted nothing more than to give her a big hug. She can be annoying as fuck at times, but that scene was just so powerful and well written. There was an overwhelming sense of loneliness, with nowhere to go, nobody to turn to, and nobody to blame it on. Noelle was always there for Reed, so losing Noelle was huge. There was a sense of finality, all I could think was "Okay, this is huge. Final. There is no coming back from this".
As if Reed becoming public enemy #1 wasn't dramatic enough, it's followed up with an epic shot of why-Ivy-really-hates-Billings. We find out the reasons for her falling out with Cheyenne, that she secretly has ties to Ariana and Noelle, and that she's going to take out Noelle when she has the chance. I can't say I believed that she was Cheyenne's killer and Reed's stalker, but it was OMGSOEXCITING nonetheless.
Speaking of Ivy, I pretty much wanted to slam my head against the wall when the author revealed that she was dating Josh 5 minutes after he'd dumped Reed. Ivy is evil and annoying as fuck, and Josh was such a little bitch in Legacy. They sound like they're destined for one another, but mostly they're just really fucking annoying. And I don't understand what Josh sees in Ivy - I'm sure she has a nice side and they both hate Billings, but surely he can see how malicious she is?! It's so hypocritical of him to yell at Reed about how she's become such a Billings girl, and then turn around and date Satan incarnate.
Overall: If I could describe Ambition in 3 words it would be "really fucking exciting". The stalking is turned up to 11 and Reed's relationships are in tatters, all effectively juxtaposed against a superficial private school backdrop. I'd already moved on and read [b:Revelation|2206960|Revelation (Private, #8)|Kate Brian|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255653465s/2206960.jpg|2212731] before writing this review, but I know I was so excited to find out who the second killer was when I finished this book.
mintee's review against another edition
5.0
It's so simple but the entire series got me hooked and it's getting better and better
jaimeturek1981's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lifeofvicki's review against another edition
5.0
Love this series to death I instantly am starting on with the next book because the tangled web of the Billings girls is just too good! Although I am still rooting for a Reed/Josh/Dash triangle!!! :)
feyley's review against another edition
4.0
what in the holy hell did i just read??? these plot twists just keep getting more and more shocking. honestly i don’t blame reed for not trusting anyone at that school, though she makes some really poor decisions along the way.
jammeeaira's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bethanypaisley's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pnwtinap's review against another edition
5.0
Ok this one had some good twists and opens up her next issue at the end. Now to find the next book since my library doesn't have it.
accidiosav's review against another edition
4.0
E' la classica storia del "più in alto sali, più in basso rischi di cadere".
Lo struggimento come al solito è all'ordine del giorno, anche se Reed sembra essere più innamorata di Noelle che non di Josh.
Recensione completa della serie qui: http://www.accidiosav.com/2012/private-serie/
Lo struggimento come al solito è all'ordine del giorno, anche se Reed sembra essere più innamorata di Noelle che non di Josh.
Recensione completa della serie qui: http://www.accidiosav.com/2012/private-serie/
hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition
5.0
The storyline seemed pretty fucking lame compared to the previous novels, but there were actually so many things I loved about it. Another great novel. I’m obsessed with this series.