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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is one 'Inner Circle' you'll be clawing to get into!, August 30, 2007
When 15-year-old Reed Brennan earned a scholarship to the prestigious Easton Academy, she thought that it was finally her chance to escape the small town living of Croton, Pennsylvania; as well as her pill-popping, practically catatonic mother, and the drama that accompanied her. For once, she would have the ability to be around scholars, receive a good education, and, if all went well, rub elbows with the various fashion-forward celebutantes who called Easton their home for the high school years. While all of the above came true, however, during her sophomore year, Reed found herself more in a state of perpetual fear and mortification, as opposed to comfort. After being taken in by the "Billings Girls" - Noelle, Ariana, Kiran, and Taylor - Reed was under the impression that she would be able to coast through her high school career. After all, as a Billings Girl, you are entitled to privileges that many students - no matter how good their connections - only dream about. But after a year full of heartbreak, corruption, hazing, murder, and loss of friendships, Reed can't help but hope that her junior year at Easton will be, hopefully, a little less stressful. Unfortunately, at Easton, the former seems impossible.
After debating about whether or not to return to Easton after a killer year, Reed takes the plunge, and decides that she'll stick it out at the posh prep school, sans her murderous friends from last year. Returning to Billings, Reed is concentrating on passing her classes - with flying colors - and spending as much time with her boyfriend, Josh, whom she hasn't seen since the summer began. With her formers friends out of the picture, six places are left to be filled in Billings, and, for the first time in her life, Reed will have the chance to vote in who she thinks are the best candidates to take those spots. But her dreams are dashed when a new headmaster announces himself to the student body of the ivy-covered academy, and, with his debut, reveals that Billings is banned from holding the traditional, secretive initiation that has made them so coveted for the past eighty-years. Instead, six students - Constance, Missy, Astrid, Kiki, Lorna, and a new student named Sabine - have been chosen to fill the six coveted slots, without any say from the Billings Girls. While Reed feels cheated by the new revelation, she accepts the decision, and tries to concentrate on her personal life, which involves Noelle's old boyfriend, Dash. But Cheyenne Martin refuses to take this new rule lying down, feeling that the new rules are a mockery to Billings residents of the past. Cheyenne, as an outgoing senior, wants to make this year one for the record books; and she'll do anything to keep tradition alive, regardless of who, or what, stands in her way.
I have counted down the days until INNER CIRCLE's release since I turned the last page of CONFESSIONS, and I couldn't be more pleased. Kate Brian has, once again, penned another amazing installment to the PRIVATE collection, creating various twists and turns on each and every page that literally make you salivate to learn what will happen next; and introducing an array of new characters who keep the story flowing smoothly. As vicious as Noelle, Ariana, Kiran, and Taylor were, their presence was sorely missed with INNER CIRCLE. However, the introduction of island honey, Sabine, as well as an inside look at Cheyenne Martin more than made up for it. Reed, as always, is an irresistible character, whose good morals, and refusal to back down, even when forced to tango with creepy backstabbers makes her appealing from start to finish. Her romance with Josh is utterly adorable; while her welcoming nature, and attempt to take newcomer Sabine under her wing only makes you enjoy her presence even more. While Cheyenne Martin was introduced to the series in CONFESSIONS, she appeared as a fairly sweet individual. So is not the case. In INNER CIRCLE, Brian gives us the opportunity to meet the "real" Cheyenne. The one who will battle anyone - or anything - to get her way; and stops at nothing to make everyone's lives miserable. Sure, her fashion sense is fabulous, but her personality leaves much to be desired. However, her nastiness is a wonderful contrast to Reed's kindness, and only makes the little "catfights" between the two more interesting. Sabine is a fun new character. Her funky fashion, and ability to be as conniving as the next girl - even with minimal knowledge of Easton's ranks - is humorous, and makes you love her even more with each passing page. As always, Brian has woven a tight, classic tale that brings the hallowed halls of Easton back to life; and, with a killer cliffhanger, sets the series up for an amazing sequel. This is one INNER CIRCLE you'll be clawing to get into!
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Twist and Turns, August 24, 2007
I liked this book a lot, because it kept my wondering as to what was going to happen next. With the new girl Sabine as Reeds new friend and roomate in Billings, it puts a bug up Cheyennes craw, making her determined to get the new girls, who were not voted into Billings but put there by administration, kicked out. With six new spots in Billings taken up by six people who aren't neccesarily Billings material, it put Cheyenne on a mission to see those who aren't fit for Billings to leave. But things don't always go as planned when Reed stands up and fights for the girls, creating a split that will lead to many dangerous events. With Reed getting a blast from the past, a secret contact that makes her wonder what if? will her relationship with her maybe not so perfect boyfriend Josh last? find out, cause you have got to read the new phase in Reed's life. The ending is such a shocker, I don't think anyone really saw it coming. Trust me, if you enjoyed the other books, you're going to want to finish this book so fast, and the ending will have you begging for more to read. I'm already wishing the next one was out and on the stands.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SPECTACULAR.....of course, August 27, 2007
This book was great! It kept me wanting more until I hit the last page. Can't wait until Feb for the sixth book, Legacy!
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