Customer Reviews

Vanished (Private)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I had already thought that the Private series started going downhill, but this book is proof of that. I would not have paid full price on this book if I knew how bad it was. It was completely unrealistic. We all know that Reed Brennan is not your typical teenager, but NO ONE goes through something like this. Half of the story lines have already been used, but they were just changed up a bit. Overall, it was greatly disappointing. Very unrealistic and it just didn't make sense at times. All of the events that led to the end twist were just ridiculous. And the characters didn't act their age. Kate Brian really needs to get it together. I hate to use the word stupid to describe any type of book, but this was definitely borderline stupid.

Two stars because Kate Brian did manage to make it suspenseful, therefore making you want to keep reading.

good book. bought it on the kindle. interesting. definitely read the series. good teen girl book that will keep you interested in this as well as the entire series.

i loved the first books of this series. they were suspenseful, interesting, and just all around great. this wasnt the best book of the series... but it wasnt terrible- until the end. Throwing in somethimg like that near the end of a series is rediculous. if it was in the first two or three books it would be ok but now its just dumb. also i hated how the missing noelle thing ended that was dumb too. other than those two things, i think it was a good book.

You know the scenario -- 'Private' #12: Noelle vanishes and Reed begins a quest to save her.

LOW POINTS:

I'll just come out and say it: Noelle's never been a favourite character of mine. Without giving too much away, there comes a point in this, the 12th novel, when Reed says that she and Noelle seem like equals "For the first time ever."

And that pretty much sums up why their friendship has long felt false to me: True friends should always feel like equals.

Sure, you may have certain advantages over each other -- you're two different people, after all -- but overall, there's a sense of equality and respect. I've rarely felt that vibe of respect and equality when observing Reed and Noelle's relationship. Instead, Noelle has always come across as a snob with a nice side who's generally looked down on Reed -- prompting Reed to chastise but mostly adore her for some reason. I've never liked those interactions, but they're clearly a major focus of Ms. Brian's work -- so I'm going to hope for the best as the series wraps up.

As others have pointed out, there's a big revelation about Reed in this story, one that generally had me groaning in disbelief while reminding myself that I'm a fan of this author. Had this been written earlier in the series, I might have found it more believable. But when we "find out" this late, it feels like the writer threw it in largely out of personal fondness. In other words, it feels forced.

The quest itself was intriguing, but the ending felt a little silly.

Kate Brian is a very descriptive writer. Occasionally, however, I feel like I could do without all the details of a character's outfit, or their surroundings (especially when certain places, like the chapel, have been described before).

HIGH POINTS:

My favourite part of the 'Private' series has become the Reed/Ivy relationship. This is a fun little bond that's progressed from animosity, to a shaky truce, to an actual friendship. All the while, there's been some nice character development in Ivy as a result. She's a charming character with just the right blend of sass and maturity to keep her layered and unpredictable. She's the perfect 'partner' for Reed to match wits with in lighter moments, and rely on when things get serious. That's equality. That's friendship. And that's a bond that Kate Brian has written excellently.

'Vanished' doesn't have as many Reed/Ivy moments as the previous novel, but the ones we do get are quite nice. In realistic fashion, their relationship has its ups and downs, but the downs tend to strengthen things when all is said and done. This is the bond that I'll remember the series most for.

It was nice to see Reed and Josh together. While I've never been as into their relationship as some fans clearly are, Josh is a likeable character, and it's apparent that these two are right for each other. And like Reed's best relationships, they have occasional friction, but are bound by love and equality overall.

Finally, the quest, as mentioned, is rather intriguing to follow along with. It's interesting to get inside Reed's head as she faces and overcomes adversity, which is pretty much the hallmark of this series. If anything, when looking back on these books, I'll certainly remember that Reed's emotions were quite convincing and well-written.

My Summary (if you have not read the previous novel, please skip to "review" section): Noelle Lange has been kidnapped, and now the kidnapper's have a few tasks in mind for Reed to complete...or else Noelle is dead. From the highly illegal to completely mortifying, Reed makes her way from the first to the last task with a little luck and help to save Noelle. But there is more going on than a simple case of kidnapping, and Reed may not be ready for the answers she's seeking...

Review: Between Reed's excessive paranoia and the overall lost "spark" of the series, Vanished fails to live up to the excellence of the first four books in the Private series.

Reed Brennen truly has a life that no one really deserves. I honestly pity the poor girl, because her life really does suck. However, sometimes she brings it on herself. She's jumping to conclusions about who is messing with her and ruining relationships with her good friends because of it. It was really difficult for me to like Reed in this one. The plot moves quickly, it's easy to finish this novel in a few hours.

As this series continues, I've noticed that it has been taking a bit of a slippery downhill slope from book to book: the plots are getting more insane (some good, some bad, some recycled), characters that were once dynamic and intriguing have now become weaker versions of themselves, and the captivating quality that resided in the first four novels has slowly diminished in the subsequent books. The only thing that keeps me reading this series is the fact that I love Kate Brian's books for the most part (Hello, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys - such a fun book), and I keep hoping to see Reed's story come to a close or make a dramatic and positive turnaround.

I am looking forward to starting The Book of Spells, and hopefully it will be something fresh and new.

Highlights: There's a surprising reveal in the end that I didn't really see coming. Kate Brian sure knows how to pull off an intriguing twist. I was also intrigued by a relationship change that takes place in the novel, because it will be interesting to see these two characters on more equal footing.

Lowlights: The Private series seems to be losing (or have lost) its spark, that thing that made it truly amazing, which is disappointing. It would be nice to see the series (finally) end on a high note, and to have Brian move on to a fresh new project.

Don't get me wrong, I have LOVED the private series until now. However, this was by far the worst book i have read in a long time. It appears as if Kate Brian is completely out of ideas, but is still money hungry and wants to continue this dying series. The book is extremely boring and when the climax rolls around it is extremely predictable and unexciting. Do not pick up this book if you do not want to be disappointed by this once brilliant series.

I for one...loved this book, as I will admit that it is not the best of Kate Brian's, it certainly had quite a twist that I personally crave when I'm reading this series. Although she introduced some crazy weird things at the end, I'm actually looking forward to reading "The Book of Spells." Honestly, it just depends on how you personally feel about the book, some will like it, and some won't. I liked it.

First about the book: It was amazing !!! I can't stop myself untill it ends. The story really keeps you like the others books of the serie, you'll hold your beath untill the lost word of the last page.
And about the place where I bought : the_book_depository was perfect, I had some inssues with the brazilian mail and they help me, they were avaiable to send me another book wihout cost if my mail didn't find the books that were missing. They really belive in your word, for now I'll always buy on then. And the most important the books were in perfect condition and come all protect in a special box.

I was expecting another read as good as the other books in the Private series...boy was I wrong. Between the ridiculous dialogue that made the characters sound like they were 12 and the equally HORRIBLE ending...I can't believe I wasted $9 on this book. If you enjoyed the other books, take it from someone who knows and simply don't waste your time on this. Words cannot even describe how disappointed I am in Kate Brian.

Despite the many one-star ratings Vanished has gotten so far, I believe this book had a very interesting twist.

I have to admit, it's a refreshing change that Reed isn't the one kidnapped this time, but this "the whole world out to get Reed" plotline is gettinng quite boring.

When Private first came out, it was a nice change from the usual chick-lit and fantasy/parnormal books, but now? It's becoming repetitive. The ending is shocking and interesting, bound to open a flood of new plots, questions and relationships. Not to mention, is Josh still perfect for Reed, or will Sawyer fight for her heart?