Private/Privilege Books in Order

How to Read the Private and Privilege Series

Written by Kate Brian (a pen name for author Kieran Scott), the Private and Privilege books defined a generation of dark, drama-filled young adult literature. Set in the exclusive, gothic confines of Easton Academy, the books follow scholarship student Reed Brennan as she tries to infiltrate the Billings Girls—an elite clique harboring deadly secrets. The spin-off series, Privilege, follows the brilliant but highly unstable Ariana Osgood as she escapes incarceration and seeks to reclaim her high-society life under a stolen identity.

Because these series are tightly intertwined, diving in without a plan can lead to major spoilers. Below, we break down the two best ways to experience the secrets of Easton Academy: the recommended series-by-series path and the parallel publication order.

Path 1: The Recommended Reading Path (Series-by-Series)

For most readers, the cleanest way to enjoy the story is to read the entire main Private series first, followed by the Privilege spin-off. This prevents you from jumping back and forth between two completely different storylines and keeps the tension high. Under this path, you will follow Reed Brennan's journey to its conclusion before witnessing Ariana's post-Easton exploits.

1. Private (2006)
2. Invitation Only (2006)
3. Untouchable (2006)
4. Inner Circle (2007)
5. Confessions (2007)
6. Legacy (2008)
7. Ambition (2008)
8. Revelation (2008)
9. Last Christmas (Prequel, 2008)
10. Paradise Lost (2009)
11. Suspicion (2009)
12. Scandal (2010)
13. Vanished (2010)
14. The Book of Spells (Prequel, 2010)
15. Ominous (2011)
16. Vengeance (2011)
17. Privilege (2008)
18. Beautiful Disaster (2009)
19. Perfect Mistake (2009)
20. Sweet Deceit (2010)
21. Pure Sin (2010)
22. Cruel Love (2011)

Path 2: The Parallel Publication Order

If you prefer to experience the drama exactly as it unfolded for original readers, you can read the books in parallel based on their publication years. Because the Privilege spin-off begins immediately after the events of Revelation (Book 8 of the main series), reading the spin-off alongside the later Private books highlights the contrasting journeys of Reed and Ariana.

Crucial Spoiler Warning: You must never start the Privilege series before completing Revelation (Book 8 of the main series). Doing so will immediately spoil the central mysteries, crimes, and character fates of the first eight Private books.

• Read Private Books 1 through 8 (Private to Revelation).
• Read the first book of the spin-off, Privilege (2008).
• Read Last Christmas (Prequel, 2008) and Paradise Lost (Private Book 10, 2009).
• Read Beautiful Disaster (Privilege Book 2, 2009) and Perfect Mistake (Privilege Book 3, 2009).
• Read Suspicion (Private Book 11, 2009) and Scandal (Private Book 12, 2010).
• Read Sweet Deceit (Privilege Book 4, 2010) and Pure Sin (Privilege Book 5, 2010).
• Read Vanished (Private Book 13, 2010), The Book of Spells (Prequel, 2010), and Ominous (Private Book 15, 2011).
• Conclude with the final books: Cruel Love (Privilege Book 6, 2011) and Vengeance (Private Book 16, 2011).

The Prequel Conundrum: Last Christmas and The Book of Spells

Kate Brian wrote two prequel novels to expand the lore of Easton Academy and the Billings Girls clique. While chronologically they take place earlier, their placement in reading orders is often debated.

Last Christmas (2008): Set during the winter break before Reed Brennan first arrives at Easton Academy. This story focuses on the Billings clique—specifically Ariana, Noelle, Taylor, and Kiran—during a holiday getaway. While it is chronologically the first story involving these characters, it contains details that are more satisfying to read after you have established familiarity with them in the first few books.

The Book of Spells (2010): This prequel takes readers back to 1915, long before Reed Brennan arrives. It details the origins of Easton Academy, the founding of the Billings House, and the dark history of the curse involving the Billings and Williams families. Because it contains historical lore, it can be read at any point in your journey, though reading it in publication order (after Vanished) gives a nice break before the final showdown.

The Main Private Series: Reed's Descent into Billings House

The main series consists of 14 core novels and 2 prequels (16 books total in publishing lists). Reed Brennan is a scholarship student who wants nothing more than to escape her troubled home life and fit in at the prestigious Easton Academy. Her ticket to social acceptance is the Billings House, the most exclusive dorm on campus, ruled by a group of wealthy, beautiful, and ruthless girls.

As Reed gets drawn deeper into their inner circle, she realizes that the glamorous lifestyle is built on a foundation of blackmail, lies, and murder. From the mysterious death of Thomas Pearson in the first book to the high-stakes conspiracies of the later volumes, the series is a fast-paced thriller that details how far teens will go to protect their secrets.

The Privilege Spin-off: Ariana Osgood's Stolen Life

The 6-book Privilege spin-off shifts the perspective to Ariana Osgood, one of the most complex and dangerous characters from the original series. After her conviction for murder, Ariana is sent to the Brenda T. Trumbull Correctional Facility for Women. Refusing to let her elite life go, she spends two years planning a daring escape.

Once free, Ariana alters her appearance, assumes the identity of a wealthy socialite named Briana Leigh Covington, and enrolls in a new prestigious academy. The spin-off is a dark, psychological thriller where Ariana tries to maintain her stolen life of privilege, showing no remorse as she eliminates anyone who threatens to expose her true identity.

What to Know Before You Start

Before stepping foot onto the Easton Academy campus, there are a few things to keep in mind to enhance your reading experience:

• The Vibe: The books are best described as a darker, more dangerous crossover between Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. Expect plenty of fashion, high society drama, and toxic relationships mixed with murder mysteries.
• The Adaptations: In 2009, the series was adapted into a popular promotional web series by Alloy Entertainment, starring Kelsey Sanders as Reed Brennan. While it only covered the events of the early books, it remains a nostalgic favorite for fans.
• Co-Authorship: Though published under the pen name Kate Brian, the series was created and written by Kieran Scott, who has written several other YA novels under her real name.