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ihateprozac's review
5.0
***TL;DR SPOILERY PLOT OVERVIEW***
The Stone & Grave pledges assumed they'd be automatic ins since Brigit's death, but instead things are kicking into overdrive! The Stone & Gravers eventually reveal themselves, with Lexa Greene being the president of the Atherton Pryce Hall chapter. Ariana receives a task to catch Palmer Liriano in a compromising position, and is convinced that Lexa created it out of jealousy. At the same time, suspicion is growing among the Stone & Grave committee about Lillian Oswald/Kaitlynn and her lack of family history.
Ariana lets Kaitlynn know that Lexa has hired a private investigator to look into Kaitlynn's past, which culminates in a showdown between Lexa and Kaitlynn. Ariana intervenes, saving Lexa and slashing Lillian's throat. Ariana and Lexa agree not to tell anyone, with the secret bringing them closer together. They soon part ways and Ariana bumps into a drunken Kiran Hayes (one of her ex-friends from Easton/the Private series!) and is finally able to let her guard down and just be Ariana. Ariana can't leave well enough alone though, and pushes Kiran off a bridge to die.
***END SPOILERY PLOT OVERVIEW***
Holy balls, I did NOT see that coming. I've been dying for Kaitlynn to get her comeuppance for three whole books but I didn't anticipate it happening anytime soon! I hated her with every fibre of my being and inwardly screamed everytime she foiled Ariana's plans, so to see her gone is an incredible relief. My only criticism is that she didn't receive a more bloody or drawn-out death, given the amount of crap she subjected Ariana to. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
I was also completely shocked and a little saddened by what Ariana did to Kiran. Even Ariana attempted to rationalise that the girl was so sloshed she wouldn't remember anything come morning, so it seemed like an unnecessary scene in the story. Kiran was one of my favourite characters from the Private books, and I have to wonder how Katie Brian is going to tie the two series' together and address her death in the Private saga.
I also have to wonder how the author is going to introduce conflict from this point forward, because Kaitlynn played such an integral role in each of the four books (though we were lead to believe she was innocent for the majority of the first one!) Ariana is at a truce with Lexa, is now comfortable going public with her boyfriend Palmer, and has cemented her spot in Stone & Grave. I suppose her and Lexa will have to contend with keeping the secret of Lillian Oswald, and Ariana did just push Kiran Hayes off a bridge, but who knows. I'm excited to see where the story goes now.
I don't really have that much to comment on about this book. It was a light, fun read like all the other Privilege and Private books. I didn't have any major gripes with the story, characters or pacing, apart from hating Kaitlynn with the fire of a thousand suns. The only thing I can think of is that the Private/Privilege stories can almost seem a little too short, because when you take a step back you realise that the events took place over a couple of weeks, if not days.
Overall: If you were waiting with baited breath for Kaitlynn to meet her demise, you'll love Sweet Deceit. We also get 2 for the price of 1 with a little additional murder thrown in to the mix! If you hated the Private series (and I wouldn't blame you, shit went dowwwwwnhill after a while) give the Privilege series a try. Because y'know, it's actually good.
The Stone & Grave pledges assumed they'd be automatic ins since Brigit's death, but instead things are kicking into overdrive! The Stone & Gravers eventually reveal themselves, with Lexa Greene being the president of the Atherton Pryce Hall chapter. Ariana receives a task to catch Palmer Liriano in a compromising position, and is convinced that Lexa created it out of jealousy. At the same time, suspicion is growing among the Stone & Grave committee about Lillian Oswald/Kaitlynn and her lack of family history.
Ariana lets Kaitlynn know that Lexa has hired a private investigator to look into Kaitlynn's past, which culminates in a showdown between Lexa and Kaitlynn. Ariana intervenes, saving Lexa and slashing Lillian's throat. Ariana and Lexa agree not to tell anyone, with the secret bringing them closer together. They soon part ways and Ariana bumps into a drunken Kiran Hayes (one of her ex-friends from Easton/the Private series!) and is finally able to let her guard down and just be Ariana. Ariana can't leave well enough alone though, and pushes Kiran off a bridge to die.
***END SPOILERY PLOT OVERVIEW***
Holy balls, I did NOT see that coming. I've been dying for Kaitlynn to get her comeuppance for three whole books but I didn't anticipate it happening anytime soon! I hated her with every fibre of my being and inwardly screamed everytime she foiled Ariana's plans, so to see her gone is an incredible relief. My only criticism is that she didn't receive a more bloody or drawn-out death, given the amount of crap she subjected Ariana to. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
I was also completely shocked and a little saddened by what Ariana did to Kiran. Even Ariana attempted to rationalise that the girl was so sloshed she wouldn't remember anything come morning, so it seemed like an unnecessary scene in the story. Kiran was one of my favourite characters from the Private books, and I have to wonder how Katie Brian is going to tie the two series' together and address her death in the Private saga.
I also have to wonder how the author is going to introduce conflict from this point forward, because Kaitlynn played such an integral role in each of the four books (though we were lead to believe she was innocent for the majority of the first one!) Ariana is at a truce with Lexa, is now comfortable going public with her boyfriend Palmer, and has cemented her spot in Stone & Grave. I suppose her and Lexa will have to contend with keeping the secret of Lillian Oswald, and Ariana did just push Kiran Hayes off a bridge, but who knows. I'm excited to see where the story goes now.
I don't really have that much to comment on about this book. It was a light, fun read like all the other Privilege and Private books. I didn't have any major gripes with the story, characters or pacing, apart from hating Kaitlynn with the fire of a thousand suns. The only thing I can think of is that the Private/Privilege stories can almost seem a little too short, because when you take a step back you realise that the events took place over a couple of weeks, if not days.
Overall: If you were waiting with baited breath for Kaitlynn to meet her demise, you'll love Sweet Deceit. We also get 2 for the price of 1 with a little additional murder thrown in to the mix! If you hated the Private series (and I wouldn't blame you, shit went dowwwwwnhill after a while) give the Privilege series a try. Because y'know, it's actually good.
bpacker22's review
5.0
OMG! Kate Brian never fails to keep me in suspense. AMAZING! WELL DONE! I am speechless. I cant believe it is that easy and Kiran gahh cant wait for that to tie in with Private.
This one is my favourite of the series because Kate put one of my ideas in it and it makes me feel special every time i remember. :)
This one is my favourite of the series because Kate put one of my ideas in it and it makes me feel special every time i remember. :)
lifeofvicki's review
4.0
Ding dong the witch is dead! Exactly which witch I won't say so that I won't ruin all the fun! Also there is another death which highly impacts the girls in the Private series.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review
5.0
Ariana & Kaitlynn are still total psychopaths. The difference between the two: You root for Ariana and you want her to succeed, while you wish for Kaitlyn to trip up and fall flat on her fucking face.
Side note: Adam is a badass mother fucker.
Side note: Adam is a badass mother fucker.
krystlekouture's review
2.0
Getting a bit far fetched for me in part of 4 of the series, but I will finish it.
khaleesi987's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow wow wow!!!! Kate Brian does it again! I've read all of the Private series and the books in the Privilege series that come before this one and OMG this one caught me off guard! These books are a 10/10 and IDK WHY THEY DON'T HAVE A TV SHOW YET! Once the strike is over someone needs to make these the next PLL. 10/10 would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Bullying and Self harm
impybelle's review
4.0
So. Any bets on how crazy Lexa actually is? If there's anything Private and its spinoff has taught me, it's that the crazy you know is always better than the crazy you don't... and without Kaitlyn around, we're in a void of proper crazy.
Also. The end. DUDE.
Also. The end. DUDE.
mrsjkamp's review
3.0
Another intense volume in this private high school series. Ariana just gets herself through everything, doesn't she? Just when you think it's over, Ariana figures it out. Goodness. I've been sucked into this world for a while now, so I can't wait for the next one!
thisistrashpsyd's review
4.0
Seriously, these books are a hoot and such a quick read. I love that every one ends with a cliffhanger. How is Ariana going to get screwed next book...? Can't wait to find out.