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Private (novel series)
Encyclopedia
Private is a series of young-adult novel
s by American
author Kate Brian, beginning with 2006's inaugural entry of the same name. The books chronicle the rise of ambitious teenager Reed Brennan, the series' narrator, as she becomes a member of her new school's elite dorm—composed of a glamorous yet disparate group of teens known as the Billings Girls. As the series progresses, several matters surrounding mystery
, morality
, and romance arise.
Thematically, moral ambiguity is a prominent feature of Brian's work. Extreme cases of loyalty
and antagonism
are personified in characters such as Noelle Lange and Ivy Slade—to degrees that are sometimes questioned or denounced by the narrator. However, it is often only after the details of another character's background have been revealed that Brennan can understand what motivates them, which will occasionally leave her conflicted in her judgments. The series has companion works, set in the past and the future, which are dedicated to further exploring character. These novels include the Private prequel
collection, which focuses on various figures, and the spin-off
series Privilege, which follows the resourceful but disturbed Ariana Osgood.
To convey the story's tone, the series' art team was composed of select individuals with backgrounds in teenage popular culture and youth-oriented fashion. As a recurring visual theme, each cover from the central story depicts three young women on front, with a fourth featured a slight distance apart on the opposite side.
Debuts of Private novels have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list
. The publisher has also released e-book
editions of the series and its spin-off. As Simon & Schuster
, the series' distributor, is owned by CBS Corporation
(and thereby associated with CBS
and the youth-oriented CW Television Network
), fans of Private have campaigned for the series to be adapted into a television program. This has been noted by the author on a blog
. In May 2009, a Web series
based on the Private novels was announced.
Privilege, which takes place 1–2 years in the future; and the prequel
collection, which is set during various points of the past.
The original series begins with the introduction of Reed Brennan, a savvy and ambitious honors student who enters the prestigious Easton Academy private school. Coming from a shaken family and a mundane everyday life, she is eager to explore the brand new setting that awaits her in Connecticut
. Unexpectedly, the center of her fascination soon becomes a famed dorm known as Billings House and the posh girls who reside there—Noelle, Ariana, Kiran, and Taylor. In time, Reed pines to become a Billings Girl herself, and is faced with many tests and compromises along the way. As the series progresses, several additional characters and their histories are introduced and focused upon.
Simon & Schuster backed Private with book displays in Barnes & Noble
outlets and a promotional contest through CosmoGIRL!
magazine, in which 20 winners would receive free copies of book #1. Though it was officially released on June 27, 2006, the author reported that, to her surprise, several copies of the first book were shipped ahead of schedule by the publisher, which would also become a somewhat regular event with subsequent entries.
Brian has stated that the setting of the series was conceived by her editor at Simon & Schuster, while she herself chose a central focus. After a certain amount of consideration, the author decided that mystery would be the ideal center of her characters' environment.
The series' cover team was composed of individuals who have worked with teen idol
s and socialites. Graphic designer
Julian Peploe—who previously worked on CD
covers for the Pussycat Dolls
, The Veronicas
, and Brandy
—is largely credited for the signature cover image depicting supposed antipathy between one girl and three others. Series photographer Roger Moenks had worked with Joss Stone
prior to his being chosen to photograph the Private models. In addition, Mr. Moenks and co-photographer Laurent Alfieri had collaborated before working on Private, at some points taking photos of young businesswomen from around the world to illustrate a series of articles written by David Benaym for L'Officiel.
Stylist
Christina Havemeyer has stated that when deciding what the models will wear, "I look for obviously what I think is going to be something that a teenage girl is going to gravitate toward." She has noted the significance of color and variety. "Mixing and matching is very important. . .you can buy something from the store that's brand new and you can mix it with your grandma's necklace from 1959. So it creates kind of a luxe, but young, youthful look."
Since premiering, the series has been worked on by other noted artists, including Alloy Entertainment
's visual director, Andrea C. Uva.
Reed Brennan
Noelle Lange
Ariana Osgood
Josh Hollis
Kiran Hayes
Taylor Bell
Ivy Slade
-like environment, socially divided by lower-, middle-, and upper-class dormitories.
Billings House
At the end of Suspicion, when Noelle and Reed are arriving back at Easton after break, Billings House is gone.
Bradwell Hall
Ketlar House
Drake House
Pemberly Hall
Parker
Hull Hall
Gwendolyn Hall
matters such as conformity
and elitism
—particularly as they pertain to an outsider during the coming of age
period. As Reed strives to become a Billings Girl, she enters a world of moral ambiguity that raises questions concerning how far the characters will go in matters of ambition and loyalty.
on June 27, 2006, releases of the US
and Canadian editions have been simultaneous, generally followed by releases in the United Kingdom
.
2008 saw the release of five books in the saga: three in the original series, the first prequel, and the first installment of the spin-off. Five novels were also announced for 2010: two in the original series, two in the spin-off series, and the second book in the Private prequel collection. In addition to release dates, the tables below account for New York Times Best Seller list
peak numbers.
stated that readers would "no doubt eagerly await the next installment," but also cited issues with characterization in the series opening. Comments in this regard have normally claimed that Reed is the only character who is initially well-developed, with Publishers Weekly remarking that "the Billings Girls themselves are stereotypical, but Reed is more complex than most of this genre's narrators." This matter remained under scrutiny as the series moved on, with a review from School Library Journal
being generally neutral, claiming that the continued series includes "characters and situations that are interesting yet familiar." Children's Literature praised Brian's writing style for presenting "a very easy read, broken up into small chapters that allow the quick pace to carry the reader through."
In a survey conducted via the Website polldaddy.com, readers of the Private series voted Reed Brennan their favorite Billings Girl. Conversely, a more critical review from School Library Journal claimed that in the first book, several elements of her personality were left underdeveloped, including her apparent lack of ability to "empathize at all with her mother's pain-killer addiction."
There has been controversy regarding Brian’s grasp of the characters' names and physical appearance. Throughout the beginning of the series, when the character of Kiki is first introduced, her last name is Rosen. However, as the series progresses, her name is switched to Kiki Thorpe. Also, one of the secondary characters, Josh Hollis, possesses green eyes in Private, Invitation Only, and Inner Circle, but has blue eyes in the following installments until Scandal, when he has green eyes again. A critic stated in a review for Amazon.com that the appearances of many of the secondary characters, with the exception of a few, changes "with each new installment." Another character, Thomas Pearson, is stated to have blue eyes in Private and Last Christmas, but at a later point in Private is described with big brown eyes. Additionally, the character of Ivy Slade was originally described as having icy blue eyes, but later it is stated that her eyes are coal-black.
Throughout the majority of 2008, Brian posted first-chapter previews on her MySpace
blog, which were regularly met with positive feedback. Beginning in December, the previews were moved to the series' official Website.
in 2007 to produce an Internet-released live-action trailer for the novel. Written, produced, and directed by John Paschall, the short film is archived on Simon & Schuster's Website.
for the series to be adapted into a television program
or feature-length film
. This appeal is bolstered by the fact that the series' distributor, Simon & Schuster, is owned by CBS Corporation
, and thereby associated with CBS
and the CW Television Network
. On June 10, 2008, Kate Brian posted a link on her MySpace blog directing readers to a fan-organized petition regarding a proposed TV series or motion picture. Following this author referral, activity on the petition saw a fast and drastic increase.
based on the Private novels was announced, with a scheduled summer debut. A contest was also revealed, allowing female readers the chance to audition for the role of Kiran Hayes. Additionally, it was announced that the series would adapt the first four books via 20 episodes, each with a standard length of four to six minutes.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author Kate Brian, beginning with 2006's inaugural entry of the same name. The books chronicle the rise of ambitious teenager Reed Brennan, the series' narrator, as she becomes a member of her new school's elite dorm—composed of a glamorous yet disparate group of teens known as the Billings Girls. As the series progresses, several matters surrounding mystery
Mystery fiction
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction...
, morality
Morality
Morality is the differentiation among intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are good and bad . A moral code is a system of morality and a moral is any one practice or teaching within a moral code...
, and romance arise.
Thematically, moral ambiguity is a prominent feature of Brian's work. Extreme cases of loyalty
Loyalty
Loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause There are many aspects to...
and antagonism
Antagonism
Antagonism is hostility that results in active resistance, opposition, or contentiousness.Additionally, it may refer to:*Antagonism , where the involvement of multiple agents reduces their overall effect...
are personified in characters such as Noelle Lange and Ivy Slade—to degrees that are sometimes questioned or denounced by the narrator. However, it is often only after the details of another character's background have been revealed that Brennan can understand what motivates them, which will occasionally leave her conflicted in her judgments. The series has companion works, set in the past and the future, which are dedicated to further exploring character. These novels include the Private prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
collection, which focuses on various figures, and the spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
series Privilege, which follows the resourceful but disturbed Ariana Osgood.
To convey the story's tone, the series' art team was composed of select individuals with backgrounds in teenage popular culture and youth-oriented fashion. As a recurring visual theme, each cover from the central story depicts three young women on front, with a fourth featured a slight distance apart on the opposite side.
Debuts of Private novels have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list
New York Times Best Seller list
The New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication...
. The publisher has also released e-book
E-book
An electronic book is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital...
editions of the series and its spin-off. As Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster, Inc., a division of CBS Corporation, is a publisher founded in New York City in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. It is one of the four largest English-language publishers, alongside Random House, Penguin and HarperCollins...
, the series' distributor, is owned by CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
(and thereby associated with CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and the youth-oriented CW Television Network
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
), fans of Private have campaigned for the series to be adapted into a television program. This has been noted by the author on a blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
. In May 2009, a Web series
Private (Web series)
Private is an American Web series produced by Alloy Entertainment based on the novels of the same name by Kate Brian.The series was announced in May 2009, beginning with a contest allowing female readers the chance to audition for the role of Kiran Hayes...
based on the Private novels was announced.
Overview
The Private continuity is divided into three sets of novels: The original series, which covers present events; the spin-offSpin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
Privilege, which takes place 1–2 years in the future; and the prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
collection, which is set during various points of the past.
The original series begins with the introduction of Reed Brennan, a savvy and ambitious honors student who enters the prestigious Easton Academy private school. Coming from a shaken family and a mundane everyday life, she is eager to explore the brand new setting that awaits her in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. Unexpectedly, the center of her fascination soon becomes a famed dorm known as Billings House and the posh girls who reside there—Noelle, Ariana, Kiran, and Taylor. In time, Reed pines to become a Billings Girl herself, and is faced with many tests and compromises along the way. As the series progresses, several additional characters and their histories are introduced and focused upon.
Conception
The series began with the creators intending it to run for at least four books, guaranteeing that the tale's first arc—which encompasses Reed's first year at Easton Academy—would see completion.Simon & Schuster backed Private with book displays in Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest book retailer in the United States, operating mainly through its Barnes & Noble Booksellers chain of bookstores headquartered at 122 Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District in Manhattan in New York City. Barnes & Noble also operated the chain of small B. Dalton...
outlets and a promotional contest through CosmoGIRL!
CosmoGIRL!
CosmoGirl was an American magazine based in New York City, published from 1999 until 2008. The teenage spin-off of Cosmopolitan magazine, it targeted teenage girls and featured fashion and celebrities. It was published ten times a year and reached approximately eight million readers before folding....
magazine, in which 20 winners would receive free copies of book #1. Though it was officially released on June 27, 2006, the author reported that, to her surprise, several copies of the first book were shipped ahead of schedule by the publisher, which would also become a somewhat regular event with subsequent entries.
Brian has stated that the setting of the series was conceived by her editor at Simon & Schuster, while she herself chose a central focus. After a certain amount of consideration, the author decided that mystery would be the ideal center of her characters' environment.
Art team
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
s and socialites. Graphic designer
Graphic designer
A graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures and...
Julian Peploe—who previously worked on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
covers for the Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
, The Veronicas
The Veronicas
The Veronicas are an Australian electrorock, pop-punk and rock band. Twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso formed the band in 1999 in Brisbane. They have their own line of clothing which was released in 2007....
, and Brandy
Brandy (entertainer)
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
—is largely credited for the signature cover image depicting supposed antipathy between one girl and three others. Series photographer Roger Moenks had worked with Joss Stone
Joss Stone
Jocelyn Eve Stoker , better known by her stage name Joss Stone, is an English soul singer-songwriter and actress. Stone rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions, which made the 2004 Mercury Prize shortlist...
prior to his being chosen to photograph the Private models. In addition, Mr. Moenks and co-photographer Laurent Alfieri had collaborated before working on Private, at some points taking photos of young businesswomen from around the world to illustrate a series of articles written by David Benaym for L'Officiel.
Stylist
Wardrobe stylist
A wardrobe stylist is the job title of someone who selects the clothing for published editorial features, print or television advertising campaigns, music videos, concert performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models or other public figures...
Christina Havemeyer has stated that when deciding what the models will wear, "I look for obviously what I think is going to be something that a teenage girl is going to gravitate toward." She has noted the significance of color and variety. "Mixing and matching is very important. . .you can buy something from the store that's brand new and you can mix it with your grandma's necklace from 1959. So it creates kind of a luxe, but young, youthful look."
Since premiering, the series has been worked on by other noted artists, including Alloy Entertainment
Alloy Entertainment
Alloy Entertainment is a book-packaging division of the Alloy Media + Marketing company—an American provider of media programs. Alloy is a leading producer of "chick lit"-style novels created for teenage and young adult audiences...
's visual director, Andrea C. Uva.
Cover models
In mid-2009, the series' Web site revealed alternative covers for several of the previously released US editions. Of the original covers, the models appearing on the first book—who grace the next three installments as well—portray the following characters according to Kate Brian: Noelle (center), Ariana (left), Taylor (right), and Kiran (back cover). The identities of other characters to appear have largely been left unverified.Characters
Private has an expansive cast and a regularly changing hierarchy. As conflicts ensue, the series is marked by exits, arrivals, and social ascensions. Consequently, characters who are on supporting status reach new heights, and characters who hold prominent positions are faced with a variety of descents, ranging from quiet to scandalous.Reed Brennan
- The collected, curious protagonist, Reed is a brown-haired girl from Pennsylvania who enters Easton Academy for her sophomore year on a scholarship at the beginning of the first book. Her troubled family background and otherwise placid past makes her overly ambitious and docile when presented with exciting opportunities. Though gifted both academically and athletically, her first major aspiration at Easton is to get into Billings House, which holds the allure of great social privileges and respect. She manages to get the attention of the Billings Girls, and a series of initiations to test her credibility follows. She initially dates a rebellious boy named Thomas Pearson, who disappears in the first novel and is revealed to have died in the second. Later, she begins a longer romantic relationship with a fellow student named Josh Hollis. As the series progresses, she experiences several physical perils, emotional challenges, and personal surprises, leading her to realize that appearances can be deceiving.
Noelle Lange
- Noelle is a brown-haired young woman who initially serves as 'leader' of the girls in Billings House. Fiercely loyal to her friends, she is the implied counterpart to Reed, being similarly skilled in lacrosse and soccer, and apparently coming from a shaken family of her own. However, her privileged upbringing tends to make her blunt and sometimes insensitive, as she enjoys intimidating other students as well as the Easton staff. She is shown to be overly self-confident to the point of arrogance, but very intelligent. According to some of her peers, she cannot live without drama in her life. Noelle possesses a mysterious long, red scar along her stomach, just above her hipbone. She has an unstable longtime romantic relationship with another senior named Dash McCafferty. As the series progresses, Noelle becomes Reed's best friend and ally. Later in the series, facts about Noelle's family are revealed and it is discovered that Noelle is Reed's paternal half-sister.
Ariana Osgood
- Ariana is the quietest member of the group, possessing blue eyes, ethereal white-blond hair, and a penetrating stare. She is known for always having her nose in a book, and is considered to be Reed's first friend in Billings, as it was Ariana who introduced Reed to the others. Beneath her exterior, Ariana is eventually revealed to have darker issues as the series progresses. She becomes the lead character of the first prequel, Last Christmas, and the spin-off, Privilege.
Josh Hollis
- Josh is a blond-curled Easton student who is known to be quiet and is also an artist who possesses keys to the frequented art cemetery. He soon becomes Reed's primary romantic interest. The two begin dating during Reed's first year at the school. However, Josh often shows his distaste towards the Billings Girls, and sometimes quarrels with Reed about her ties to Billings House. In Legacy Josh breaks up with Reed when he finds her with Dash. Then he starts to date Ivy Slade. In the beginning of Pardise Lost, he tells Reed that he loves her and that he was going to keep her posted on Ivy's recovery. But he never called, texted, or e-mailed. At the end of Suspicion, Reed runs into him with his arm around Ivy. In Scandal, he gets into a fight with Graham Hathaway and kisses Reed after telling her he loves her and not Ivy. By the end of Scandal, he and Reed are a couple again. However, halfway through "Vanished" Reed is forced to break up with Josh, because someone is holding Noelle hostage and is giving Reed tasks to win her life back. Josh is appalled at first, but then later realizes that is was the kidnappers doing and gets back together with Reed.
Kiran Hayes
- The most glamorous Billings Girl, Kiran is a model with brownish-gold eyes, brown hair, and tan skin. She has extremely good sense in fashion, and is capable of turning people into superstar lookalikes. She is also known to be shallow and 'bratty' to others. Beneath the surface, Kiran is troubled by alcoholism, which can lead to repercussions for herself and the others. She becomes a secondary character following the completion of the series' first arc. She makes an appearance in the Privilege series, during which Ariana pushes a drunken Kiran off a bridge.
Taylor Bell
- A brainy, sensitive member of the group who possesses messy dark blonde curls and blue eyes; Reed's first impression of her is of a "cherub." She claims to have a photographic memory, and possesses a sweeter and more innocent nature than that of her three friends, as she is often visibly sensitive to others' feelings. Like Kiran, Taylor becomes a secondary character following the completion of the series' first arc. In the third book, Taylor leaves Easton to go back to public school. It is later discovered in Paradise Lost that Taylor was intimidated into leaving Easton by Ariana.
Ivy Slade
- A prominent antiheroine, Ivy Slade is a sassy and intelligent girl introduced in the fifth novel. During the series' second arc (books 5–8), she reveals a firm hostility toward all things associated with Billings House. She is described as a match for the Billings Girls in terms of beauty and glamour. However, she is the only character known to have declined an invitation to join the dorm. Eventually, Ivy and Reed form a truce in the interests of a common goal, leading to a friendship between the two. She finally becomes a Billings Girl later in the series, at Reed's request.
Halls of residence
Easton Academy is unofficially distinguished by a casteEstates of the realm
The Estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe; they are sometimes distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners, and are often referred to by...
-like environment, socially divided by lower-, middle-, and upper-class dormitories.
- An upperclassmen dorm for girls, recognized as the most prestigious of all houses in the series. Acceptance into Billings is granted by invitation only. The building carries a mixed reputation throughout the books; members are typically depicted as being socially and academically privileged, but several of the Billings Girls are also shown to engage in varying illicit and snobbish practices. Most are known for their beautiful physical appearances and their reckless partying. Furthermore, some are not above resorting to methods such as bribery, blackmail, and treachery.
At the end of Suspicion, when Noelle and Reed are arriving back at Easton after break, Billings House is gone.
Bradwell Hall
- Bradwell is a dorm for freshmen and sophomore girls. In the first book, it is where Reed Brennan lives before being admitted into Billings Hall. It is also where Missy Thurber, Kiki Rosen, Lorna Gross, and Constance Talbot reside before their eventual move.
Ketlar House
- Ketlar is a dorm said to house several coveted boys throughout the series. It is the dormitory for senior and junior boys where Josh Hollis and Gage Coolidge reside, where Thomas Pearson lived in Private and Last Christmas, and also where Dash McCafferty lived in the first four books.
Drake House
- Drake is a dormitory for upperclassmen boys, nicknamed "Dreck" because it is supposedly where all the unsavory boys at Easton live. Kiran Hayes at one point has a fling with a boy from Drake House and Reed is forced to publicly break up with him (for Kiran) on instruction of the other Billings girls. Marc Alberro, whom Reed becomes friends with in Ambition, lives here.
Pemberly Hall
- Junior/Senior girls who fall short of reaching Billings reside in Pemberly. When Reed is kicked out of Billings in Revelation, she gets a single in Pemberly, right next to her former nemesis Ivy Slade.
Parker
- Dormitory for upperclassmen girls, where some former Billings House girls reside after the destruction of their old home.
Hull Hall
- Hull Hall is where members of staff reside. It is nicknamed "Hell Hall" by the students.
Gwendolyn Hall
- Gwendolyn Hall was the original class building at Easton. It is now a condemned building mainly used for hook-ups. In Private, Reed and Thomas often meet there. It is burned down at the end of Legacy by the Billings Girls and other students who used a tunnel in its basement to sneak out to the Legacy party.
Themes
The central themes in the Private series revolve around sociologicalSociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
matters such as conformity
Conformity
Conformity is the process by which an individual's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are influenced by other people.Conformity may also refer to:*Conformity: A Tale, a novel by Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna...
and elitism
Elitism
Elitism is the belief or attitude that some individuals, who form an elite — a select group of people with intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most...
—particularly as they pertain to an outsider during the coming of age
Coming of age
Coming of age is a young person's transition from childhood to adulthood. The age at which this transition takes place varies in society, as does the nature of the transition. It can be a simple legal convention or can be part of a ritual, as practiced by many societies...
period. As Reed strives to become a Billings Girl, she enters a world of moral ambiguity that raises questions concerning how far the characters will go in matters of ambition and loyalty.
Book releases
With the exception of the first Private novel, which debuted in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on June 27, 2006, releases of the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canadian editions have been simultaneous, generally followed by releases in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
2008 saw the release of five books in the saga: three in the original series, the first prequel, and the first installment of the spin-off. Five novels were also announced for 2010: two in the original series, two in the spin-off series, and the second book in the Private prequel collection. In addition to release dates, the tables below account for New York Times Best Seller list
New York Times Best Seller list
The New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication...
peak numbers.
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private | July 1, 2006 | February 5, 2007 | N/A | |
| Reed Brennan starts her sophomore year at Easton Academy. She meets Thomas Pearson and eventually the two start dating. She also observes the Billings Girls, the most popular girls on campus. Reed will do anything to fit in with them. The novel ends with Reed being initiated into Billings and Thomas' disappearance . | |||||
| 2 | Invitation Only | November 7, 2006 | July 2, 2007 | N/A | |
| The first continuation of the series, following Reed's ongoing journey as she discovers the fuller extent of what it means to be a Billings Girl, with the issue of blackmail entering the picture and secrecy becoming more prominent. Also, Reed finds out about an exclusive party called the Legacy and tries to find a way to get in. At the end, it is revealed that Thomas Pearson was murdered and his body has been found. | |||||
| 3 | Untouchable | December 26, 2006 | November 3, 2007 | N/A | |
| This edition focuses on the mystery surrounding the lost life of a major character. While dealing with the repercussions, Reed finds a new love interest, but is soon faced with an ethical dilemma as he becomes a suspect in the case. | |||||
| 4 | Confessions | April 24, 2007 | March 3, 2008 | 7 | |
| The fourth entry concludes Reed's first year at Easton, along with the series' first arc. Several revelations are presented surrounding the campus mystery of Thomas Pearson's murder. | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Inner Circle | August 28, 2007 | June 2, 2008 | 3 | |
| The fifth installment marked a new beginning for the series, following the initiation of Reed's second year at Easton and giving greater prominence to supporting characters—namely Constance, Astrid, Missy, Kiki, and Lorna. The ambitious Cheyenne Martin rises to new heights on the social scene, putting her at odds with Reed due to differences over the fate of Billings House. Cheyenne is later murdered. Additionally, a newcomer named Sabine arrives at Easton, joining the campus conflicts. | |||||
| 6 | Legacy | February 19, 2008 | August 3, 2009 | 2 | |
| As life changes rapidly, Reed is promoted to Billings president—leaving her to reap the benefits of her new position, while being simultaneously challenged by the various duties and expectations it brings. A central focus of the book concerns Reed's increasingly troubled relationship with Josh. This matter is fueled by a number of factors, including her growing commitment to her new position, the return of Noelle Lange, and the romantic advances of Dash McCafferty, who flirts with Reed via email and eventually in person. | |||||
| 7 | Ambition | May 5, 2008 | August 3, 2009 | 3 | |
| After the dramatic events of the previous book, Reed, president of Billings, is now tasked with preventing her dorm from being shut down. As part of a deal with Headmaster Cromwell, Reed soon learns that she must raise 5 million dollars in only one month. During that time, the Billings Girls attempt to find ideas for a grand fund raiser. Also, Reed begins to find things such as black marbles and Cheyenne's clothes in her dorm room, leading her to suspect Ivy Slade—Josh's new love interest—of planting these artifacts. | |||||
| 8 | Revelation | September 16, 2008 | October 29, 2009 | N/A | |
| After being exiled to Pemberley after a video of she and Dash was spread to the entire school, Reed must grapple with becoming an outcast, being Ivy Slade's new neighbor, and getting back into Noelle's good graces. Above all, she is faced with finding Cheyenne's murderer before they come after her, or anyone else who she loves. | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Paradise Lost | February 24, 2009 | October 29, 2009 | N/A | |
| Paradise Lost follows Billings Girls new and old on a vacation to St. Barth Saint Barthélemy Saint Barthélemy , officially the Territorial collectivity of Saint Barthélemy , is an overseas collectivity of France. Often abbreviated to Saint-Barth in French, or St. Barts in English, the indigenous people called the island Ouanalao... 's. The story briefly touches upon the love triangle Love triangle A love triangle is usually a romantic relationship involving three people. While it can refer to two people independently romantically linked with a third, it usually implies that each of the three people has some kind of relationship to the other two... between Reed, Josh, and Ivy—now complicated by Reed and Ivy's budding friendship. While on vacation, Reed meets a popular young man named Upton Giles, who becomes her newest love interest. However, Reed's closeness to Upton sparks jealousy, and she eventually becomes the target of several stunts, ranging from harmless to dangerous. |
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| 10 | Suspicion | September 8, 2009 | February 4, 2010 | N/A | |
| Suspicion picks up where Paradise Lost left off. Reed is eventually rescued by Sawyer, and decides to stay on the island, despite the numerous attempts on her life. She is eventually kidnapped and left on a deserted island, where she remains for six days until Upton and the police arrive. She later discovers that the mother of a girl named Paige had attempted to murder her because of previous sexual relations with Upton. The book ends with Reed parting ways with Upton on good terms, and arriving back at Easton to find Billings gone. | |||||
| 11 | Scandal | March 9, 2010 | May 27, 2010 | N/A | |
| Reed returns for a new semester at Easton with new friend, Ivy Slade, and newcomers to the school, Sawyer and Graham Hathaway. The Billings Girls come back to find their house demolished, splitting them up and making them regular Easton students. Reed goes back into her room to find a mysterious gift. The gift contains a book outlining the rules of the Billings Literary Society (BLS), a secret society the women of Billings created a long time ago. Reed recreates it with Ivy Slade. Playing by the rules, they only allow eleven of the fifteen Billings girls in, creating a divide. The book ends with Noelle missing and a mysterious text message. | |||||
| 12 | Vanished | August 31, 2010 | Sept. 2010 | TBA | |
| Noelle disappears, and to get her back, Reed must comply with the demands of Noelle's kidnappers. Strange revelations about Reed's family are unveiled in the process. | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Ominous | February 22, 2011 | March 2011 | TBA | |
| The Book of Spells is discovered by Noelle and Reed, and they begin unraveling the mysteries of magic with the rest of the Billings girls. Their lineage proves important as one by one, the Billings girls go missing, and Reed has strange dreams connecting the present with the past. | |||||
| 14 | Vengeance | August 30, 2011 | Sept. 2011 | N/A | |
| The final Private novel. | |||||
Prequels
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prequel | Last Christmas | October 7, 2008 | October 29, 2009 | N/A | |
| This prequel revisits Ariana Osgood during the events of her junior year, including her relationship with Thomas Pearson. Ariana is revealed to have issues with patience and insecurity. She also has a hard time controlling her anger. Ariana is also a bit obsessed with love, and kills Thomas's ex and another boy who had a crush on her after she mistakenly thought that he was stalking her. The book ends with the beginning of Private, when Ariana is eagerly awaiting the public announcement that she and Thomas are together. However, she is shocked and infuriated when Reed comes into the picture. It ends when Ariana wonders whether anybody would realize or care if Reed "suddenly disappeared." | |||||
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prequel | The Book of Spells | December 21, 2010 | February 3, 2011 | TBA | |
| Set in 1915, this prequel explores the history of Easton Academy and Billings House. Featuring fantasy Fantasy Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common... elements, the novel follows a group of Billings Girls who discover the titular book, and attempt to use witchcraft to their advantage at school. The events of this story are initially referenced in Scandal. |
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Spin-off
| Book # | Title | US release | UK release | New York Times peak | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Privilege | December 30, 2008 | Dec. 30, 2008 | 3 | |
| As with the first prequel, this spin-off also focuses on Ariana Osgood. The book follows her present life as she escapes from her mental institution and attempts to assume a new identity. Ariana goes after the wealthy Briana Leigh Covington, believing her to have killed her own father while framing Ariana's friend from the institution, Kaitlynn. After forming a friendship with Briana Leigh, she wavers on which of her friends she should remain loyal to. Ariana chooses Kaitlynn and kills Briana Leigh so she can assume the girl's identity. Kaitlynn later betrays Ariana after she frees her from the institution. Ariana feels guilty for what she did and fakes her own death using Briana Leigh's body. | |||||
| 2 | Beautiful Disaster | June 2, 2009 | June 2, 2009 | 8 | |
| Posing as Briana Leigh Covington, Ariana Osgood attends Atherton-Pryce Hall where she faces new conflicts such as fitting in with a new group of friends, competing in a school competition to win the right to live in the prestigious dorm, and fighting her attraction to Palmer, the boyfriend of her new clique leader Lexa. Kaitlynn Nottingham blackmails Ariana by threatening to reveal Ariana's true identity unless she pays her $1 million. Ariana manages to pay her with the money she steals from a school fundraiser. After cheating to win the school competition and inadvertently breaking up Palmer and Lexa, Ariana discovers that Kaitlynn created a new identity for herself so she could attend Atherton-Pryce Hall with her. | |||||
| 3 | Perfect Mistake | October 27, 2009 | Oct. 27, 2009 | N/A | |
| In the third book, Ariana, posing as Briana Leigh Covington, is shocked to find that her former cell-mate Kaitlynn is now posing as new student Lillian Oswald. Kaitlynn blackmails Ariana into getting invites to parties, secret clubs, and threatens to kill Ariana or one of her friends if she cannot complete her tasks. Ariana is determined to get rid of Kaitlynn, but cannot do it in fear of being found out. The book ends with Ariana failing to help Kaitlynn. And in return, Kaitlynn pushes Brigit down the stairs, killing her. | |||||
| 4 | Sweet Deceit | June 8, 2010 | June 8, 2010 | N/A | |
| In Sweet Deceit, Ariana, Kaitlynn, and a few of their friends are faced with tasks to complete while attempting to join a secret society. In a final confrontation, Ariana lures Kaitlynn into a trap and kills her, saving Lexa's life in the process. After the girls bury Kaitlynn's body, Ariana encounters a drunken Kiran Hayes, and pushes her off a bridge to protect her new identity. | |||||
| 5 | Pure Sin | October 5, 2010 | Oct. 5, 2010 | N/A | |
| Lexa becomes emotionally unstable while trying to keep the secret. Ariana receives Briana Leigh's inheritance, and enters a love triangle with Palmer and a fellow student named Jasper. The book ends with Lexa being hospitalized, while Ariana spots Reed Brennan in person. | |||||
| 6 | Cruel Love | June 7, 2011 | June 7, 2011 | N/A | |
| Ariana visits the hospital to check on her friend Lexa, where she finds Reed Brennan and decides to finally succeed in killing her. After Lexa decides to reveal the truth about their role in the murder of Kaitlynn Nottingham, Ariana kills Lexa. Due to this death, Ariana is nominated as president of her secret society. A counselor is brought in to talk to the students and help them through the tough time, who is Dr. Meloni, a man who knew Ariana in her former life. Ariana plots to kill him, while stalking Reed at Georgetown and deciding how to best kill her. When Ariana finally confronts Dr. Meloni and kills him, she is seriously injured and her blood is left at his murder scene. She tells her boyfriend Jasper that they must flee the country, and he plans to meet her at the airport. Ariana goes to Reed Brennan's dorm to kill her but fails and is instead shot by Reed in self-defense. Ariana is brought to the hospital where she cannot move, and sees Jasper, Noelle, and Reed. Jasper says he loves her, and Noelle chooses to side with Reed—holding Reed close until Ariana finally passes away. | |||||
Reception
The series has been mostly well-received among Brian's fanbase, while critical response has generally ranged from positive to mixed. After covering the first book, a review for Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
stated that readers would "no doubt eagerly await the next installment," but also cited issues with characterization in the series opening. Comments in this regard have normally claimed that Reed is the only character who is initially well-developed, with Publishers Weekly remarking that "the Billings Girls themselves are stereotypical, but Reed is more complex than most of this genre's narrators." This matter remained under scrutiny as the series moved on, with a review from School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
being generally neutral, claiming that the continued series includes "characters and situations that are interesting yet familiar." Children's Literature praised Brian's writing style for presenting "a very easy read, broken up into small chapters that allow the quick pace to carry the reader through."
In a survey conducted via the Website polldaddy.com, readers of the Private series voted Reed Brennan their favorite Billings Girl. Conversely, a more critical review from School Library Journal claimed that in the first book, several elements of her personality were left underdeveloped, including her apparent lack of ability to "empathize at all with her mother's pain-killer addiction."
There has been controversy regarding Brian’s grasp of the characters' names and physical appearance. Throughout the beginning of the series, when the character of Kiki is first introduced, her last name is Rosen. However, as the series progresses, her name is switched to Kiki Thorpe. Also, one of the secondary characters, Josh Hollis, possesses green eyes in Private, Invitation Only, and Inner Circle, but has blue eyes in the following installments until Scandal, when he has green eyes again. A critic stated in a review for Amazon.com that the appearances of many of the secondary characters, with the exception of a few, changes "with each new installment." Another character, Thomas Pearson, is stated to have blue eyes in Private and Last Christmas, but at a later point in Private is described with big brown eyes. Additionally, the character of Ivy Slade was originally described as having icy blue eyes, but later it is stated that her eyes are coal-black.
Throughout the majority of 2008, Brian posted first-chapter previews on her MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog, which were regularly met with positive feedback. Beginning in December, the previews were moved to the series' official Website.
Trailer
To promote the release of Inner Circle, Simon & Schuster teamed with the New York Film AcademyNew York Film Academy
New York Film Academy - School of Film and Acting is a film school andacting school based in New York City, Universal City, California, USA and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. NYFA offers short-term film-making and acting courses, as well as one- and two-year conservatory and Master of Fine Arts...
in 2007 to produce an Internet-released live-action trailer for the novel. Written, produced, and directed by John Paschall, the short film is archived on Simon & Schuster's Website.
Fan campaign
In 2008, fans of Private began campaigningInternet petition
An Internet petition is a form of petition posted on a website. Visitors to the website in question can add their email addresses or names, and after enough "signatures" have been collected, the resulting letter may be delivered to the subject of the petition, usually via e-mail.-Pros and cons:The...
for the series to be adapted into a television program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
or feature-length film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
. This appeal is bolstered by the fact that the series' distributor, Simon & Schuster, is owned by CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation
CBS Corporation is an American media conglomerate focused on commercial broadcasting, publishing, billboards and television production, with most of its operations in the United States. The President and CEO of the company is Leslie Moonves. Sumner Redstone, owner of National Amusements, is CBS's...
, and thereby associated with CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and the CW Television Network
The CW Television Network
The CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
. On June 10, 2008, Kate Brian posted a link on her MySpace blog directing readers to a fan-organized petition regarding a proposed TV series or motion picture. Following this author referral, activity on the petition saw a fast and drastic increase.
Web series
In May 2009, a live-action Web seriesWeb series
A web series is a series of episodes released on the Internet or also by mobile or cellular phone, and part of the newly emerging medium called web television. A single instance of a web series program is called an episode .While the popularity of web series is continuing to rise, the concept...
based on the Private novels was announced, with a scheduled summer debut. A contest was also revealed, allowing female readers the chance to audition for the role of Kiran Hayes. Additionally, it was announced that the series would adapt the first four books via 20 episodes, each with a standard length of four to six minutes.