Step into the glamorous yet treacherous world of the Private and Privilege series by Kate Brian, where elite boarding school Easton Academy is a battleground of ambition, secrets, and scandal. This young adult saga follows Reed Brennan and Ariana Osgood, two teenagers navigating wealth, power, and betrayal in a setting that’s equal parts alluring and dangerous. If you love drama-packed stories with a side of mystery, this series is your next obsession!
Blending the glitz of Gossip Girl with the intrigue of Pretty Little Liars, Private and Privilege hook readers with their fast-paced plots and morally complex characters. Whether you’re drawn to Reed’s quest for acceptance or Ariana’s ruthless pursuit of privilege, these books deliver a thrilling escape into a world where status comes at a steep price.
How Private/Privilege Began
Kate Brian, a pen name for Kieran Scott, launched the Private series in 2006 with its titular novel, introducing readers to Easton Academy through scholarship student Reed Brennan. Inspired by the allure of elite boarding schools and the social dynamics of wealth, Brian crafted a world where privilege masks dark secrets. The success of Private spawned the Privilege spin-off in 2008, focusing on the cunning Ariana Osgood, a fan-favorite from the original series. Published by Simon & Schuster, both series captivated young adult readers with their blend of chick-lit and suspense.
The Heart of Private/Privilege
The Private series kicks off with Private (2006), where Reed Brennan arrives at Easton Academy, desperate to join the exclusive Billings Girls. She soon learns their glamorous world hides dangerous secrets, from blackmail to murder. Invitation Only (2006) ramps up the stakes as Reed faces blackmail to uncover the Billings Girls’ darkest truths. In the Privilege series, Privilege (2008) follows Ariana Osgood, who, after being arrested for murder, plots her escape from a correctional facility to reclaim her elite life. Beautiful Disaster (2009) sees Ariana reinvent herself at a new school, but her past threatens to unravel everything.
Both series explore themes of ambition, identity, and the cost of privilege. Easton Academy’s caste-like hierarchy, with its elite Billings House, mirrors real-world social pressures, making Reed and Ariana’s struggles relatable despite their wealth. Brian’s writing style—sharp, dramatic, and laced with cliffhangers—keeps readers hooked, while the boarding school setting adds a claustrophobic intensity to the mysteries. Moral ambiguity is a standout, as characters like Ariana blur the line between villain and antihero, challenging readers to question loyalty and justice.
Why Private/Privilege Resonates
The Private and Privilege series struck a chord with young adult readers, landing on the New York Times Best Seller list and inspiring a dedicated fanbase. Their blend of escapist drama and relatable themes—like the desire to belong or reinvent oneself—made them a hit in the 2000s YA boom. Fans campaigned for TV or film adaptations, and a short-lived 2009 web series based on Private fueled their enthusiasm. Today, the series remains a nostalgic gem for those who crave high-stakes teen drama with a dark edge.
Though less prominent than juggernauts like Harry Potter, Private and Privilege carved a niche in YA fiction by embracing the complexities of privilege and power. Their enduring appeal lies in their ability to balance guilty-pleasure fun with thought-provoking questions about morality and identity.
- Publication Years: Private (2006–2011), Privilege (2008–2011)
- Number of Books: Private (14 books), Privilege (6 books)
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Chick-Lit
Ready to dive into the scandalous world of Easton Academy? Grab Private or Privilege and uncover the secrets of Reed and Ariana’s thrilling journeys!