Review: Vengeance by Kate Brian

CONTEMPORARY TEEN FICTION

So hard to say goodbye...

Ever since arriving at Easton Academy, Reed Brennan has endured the worst: the death of her boyfriend, the destruction of Billings House, and threats on her own life. But she has also found true love in Josh Hollis, and sisters in the Billings Girls. Billings has meant everything to Reed--it's been her home away from home, and she is devastated that it's now just a heap of rubble on the Easton campus. But not for long.

Noelle and Reed are rebuilding Billings.

Not everyone wants Billings resurrected, and some will go to deadly lengths to stop it. Will Reed get the happy ending she and her friends so desperately need? Or will tragedy strike again?

I can't believe it. Honest to God, I really, truly can't believe it. Private is over. It's over! No more crying with Reed over Josh's hatred for Billings, no more rolling my eyes at Noelle's kickass comments, no more turning the pages knowing that thrilling mysterious, drama, and glamour will satisfy my every craving. It's...gone. Oh my God! It's definitely gone. Now what am I gonna do?

I want to cry, but let's be positive. 'Cause Vengeance was an awesome book, and for all of you are who are eagerly awaiting my review of the awesome conclusion to the bestselling Private series, listen up. I have to say, even with the amazing drama and suspense in Vengeance, I think this was the coziest, best feel-good book in the series. I was all warm and glowy and sappy inside after turning the last page, and I gotta admit, those are three words I never thought I'd be associating with the Private series. The satisfying ending was sweet, victorious for Reed, and a little bit sad all in one.

Now, the shock that I got in this one was fantastic! Okay, so Reed's rebuilding Billings, but someone out there wants to stop her. However, a mystery texter is assisting her. For example, at the awards banquet, someone was trying to kidnap her. But she'd received a message earlier saying not to go to the awards banquet, and it's creeping her out: who knows all this stuff? So when she asks the mystery texter to meet with her, he leads her to the house of the girl she thought died long ago. But what she finds inside scared the hell out of me...

Wow, wow, wow! Old characters were re-introduced, the plot was deliciously complex and twisted, and the stakes were raised as more people try to murder Reed even though she's a kickass main character who just deserves a freaking happy ending which she finally did get in Vengeance. Whoa. That was a super-long sentence, but I think y'all get my point. Vengeance had a bunch of drama, and even though it did, the ending was bittersweet, with all the graduating people leaving Easton, including Josh, but Reed finally getting the happiness she's deserved all along.

Now, onto the characters! I've talked enough about the superb plot, but I haven't really mentioned the characters at all so far. Reed, as always, was spectacular. She made some great choices by rebuilding Billings, and some not-so-great ones, like visiting the mystery texter, but in the end, she came out triumphant. I could feel her every emotion and thought like it was my own through this book, like I always have been able to. But in Vengeance, her relatability as a character was spectacular. I felt like Reed's been my best friend for life. Aside from Reed, Josh was an awesome character. Ever-supportive of Reed, he cared about his girlfriend and knew to 'fess up when Reed was worried about him. And then Noelle, Kiran, and Taylor. The true Billings Girls, the gals who've loved Reed like a sister and have been there throughout the whole series. Amazing, guys, really. These girls are popular, confident, intelligent, and beautiful. And while they don't let anyone forget that for a minute, they really do care for Reed. So I love the concept of friendship and sisterhood in this one.

Congratulations, y'all. Vengeance has received five stars--but y'all knew it would anyway. But most importantly, congratulations on undertaking Reed's perspective for about sixteen books. Congratulations on rooting for this gal right along with me. Congratulations on admiring this author's amazing writing! Seriously, I commend Kate Brian. And I'm actually about to go stalk her on the official Private website, which is privatenovels.com. I can't wait for the Privilege series, and I'm desperately hoping that this spinoff series featuring the psychotic Ariana is just as good as Private. Until next time, guys!