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Beautiful Disaster (Privilege #2)

4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 · rating details · 1,887 ratings · 82 reviews

She's Back....
After wasting away in a mental institution for a year and a half, Ariana Osgood is finally back where she belongs. She has a new look, a new name, and a new life -- all thanks to her former friend Briana Leigh Covington.
Now enrolled as a junior at the exclusive Atherton-Pryce boarding school just outside of D.C., Ariana sleeps in Frette sheets, flirts with th...more

Paperback, 278 pages

Published June 2nd 2009 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (first published May 14th 2009)

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Oct 09, 2010 Jessica Lawlor rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2009

I waited about a month on my library’s reserve list to get my hands on this little beauty. I adored the first book Privilege (see my review here) and I equally enjoyed Beautiful Disaster.

Beautiful Disaster by Kate Brian continues the story of Arianna Osgood and her escape from prison. After clearing the path and taking over the identity of Briana Leigh Covington, Ariana is ready to start her new life at Atherton-Pryce boarding school. She becomes friends with the most popular girls, flirts with...more

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Aug 27, 2009 Shonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2009

Ariana Osgood is settling in to Briana Leigh’s life. She’s now enrolled at a private school and is returning to the privileged life she’s accustomed to. She was one of the popular girls at Easton Academy and she’s determined to be the same at Atherton-Pryce Hall.

Things begin to quickly fall into place for Ariana, now known as “Ana”. She’s befriended the right clique and has tied up loose ends to her past. Or so she thinks. When her former crush and nemesis learns where she is, Ariana will stop a...more

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Jun 19, 2009 PurplyCookie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-series, bitch-lit, guilty-pleasure, young-adult, boarding-school, revenge

Ariana Osgood has come a long way: from the hallowed halls of Easton Academy, being confined to a mental institution, to lying, stealing and murdering in order to be where she willed herself to be.

Now she is Briana Leigh Covington, a sixteen-year-old brunette entering for the first time at Atherton-Pryce Hall, more exclusive than the Easton Academy, her former boarding school. She has to make a fresh start and undergo new and disconcerting experiences firsthand: now she's the new girl, the outs...more

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Jun 03, 2009 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved the first book in the Privilege series and was hoping this book would be just as good. Beautiful Disaster met my expectations in some areas, however, some parts were slow and you just wished something exciting actually happened. Unlike the first book, BD was not as suspenseful. The book is set in Arianna’s new school in which she assumes a brand new identity and look. Without revealing too much, I shall put it this way. There are moments where I want to skip everything and jump straight...more

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Jul 02, 2009 Tori rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: advisorybooksof-10

ARIANA OSGOOD IS BACK!! but this not time not as Ariana but as her former friend Briana Leigh Covington. Kate Brian is back with her exciting writing skills in the book Beautiful Disaster. For Ariana its not quite of a disaster as she is getting back to her life of privilege... well she almost is, and knowing Ariana, she will do anything to get her life to be PERFECT even if it means blood.

Reading through this book was captivating, i loved the story and the plot, i could never put down this boo...more

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Jun 14, 2009 Ella Perkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: summer-reading-2009

This book is about a girl named Ariana Osgood. But from what happened with her she had to be disguised as Briana Leigh Covington. Briana is a transfer, and is now at Atherton-Pryce boarding school. People call her Ana for short. When she meets Palmer she automatically falls in love. But when she sees that Lexa is in the why she try’s every possible way to get his attention.

I can make a text to world connection. There is a connection because people all over the world falls for a guy that has a...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Kelli rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 05, 2011 Reading, Eating & Dreaming rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars

Click here to read more YA reviews at READING, EATING & DREAMING

Below is my review for the entire Privilege series. This review doesn't contain any spoilers!!

Kate Brian’s Privilege series is a nail-biting spin-off of the Private series. This series is built around Ariana Osgood, who in the Private series murdered her ex-boyfriend (Thomas Pearson) for falling for another girl (Reed Brennan). Subsequently, Ariana attempts, but fails, to kill Reed Brennan, landing her in the Brenda T. Trumbull...more

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Dec 19, 2011 A_B_B_Y rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 7th-grade-books

I loved this book so much!!! It was amazing!! Kate Brian writes these genius cliffhangers not only at the end of each chapter, but also at the end of each book which makes you want to read the next book in the series. I really hate Kaitlyn Nottingham for all of the pressure and horrible things she has put Ariana and Briana Leigh Covington through. I know that what Ariana did was wrong, but it was all Kaitlyn's fault!! She fed her those lies for the two years in the Brenda T. Correctional Facilit...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

So Arianna is back.... And so is Kaitlynn.

This second installment is as exciting as the first one. Kate Brian did not fail us with her twists and turns. At some points though I feel like the idea that "one can always get away with wrong doings" is being blatantly implied. I have not seen a good side of Ariana yet (or am I just simply missing it?). I find that when she finally does something that leads to "good" results, chances are she'd done it by compromising another person's feelings. Is he...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, family-issues, five-stars, friends, guilty-pleasure, psychological-issues, read-2011, romance, series, suspense-thriller

So, it's been a while since I've read a Private or Privilege book. I don't know what has been taking me so long! Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Once again, I got into the world of Ariana Osgood - or should I say Briana Leigh Covington - on her twisted, awesome journey after she escapes from jail.

While the storyline of this series seems totally far-fetched, Kate Brian does a wonderful job of making it seem so realistic. There's a bunch of action, adventure, and suspense...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-series

I love the Private series, but couldn't stand Ariana, so I was hesitant to read the Privilege series. However, I love Kate Brian, so I dove in. I am so glad I did! These books show you a different side to Ariana and I found myself liking her, rooting for her, and hoping she can figure it all out so she can come out better. I read this then the next two in the series within days. They were fast-paced and full of suspense and a little bit of romance. :) I can't wait to read the last couple books o...more

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Jul 24, 2010 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, seattle

Having safely assumed a new identity, Ariana is ready to start her new life at Atherton-Pryce Hall, the most prestigious boarding school on the east coast. She is faced with challenge after challenge as she attempts to fit in with the elite crowd, least of all being the reappearance of Kaitlynn Nottingham, her arch-nemesis and the only person who knows that Ariana is not who she claims to be. Creepy like the first book, though not as disturbing, this second in the series will appeal to those who...more

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Jul 29, 2009 Erica rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was an another amazing entry in the sick, twisted and glamorous world of Ariana Osgood. I could not put it down! Beautiful Disaster picks up where Privelege left off, and just got better the further I read. Ariana is such a great character. She can murder and eliminate any threats that threaten her, yet walk around and mingle in society easily. Ariana is so insane, but her story is just so interesting to read about.

Kate Brian does such a great job writing the Privelege books. The writing i...more

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Aug 13, 2011 Janelle Dazzlepants rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, chick-lit, secret-society

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I regret taking so long to finish this book, because I forgot how damn good this series is compared to its Private counterpart! It's awesome how a different protagonist can completely change a book. Reed is constantly at the mercy of other people, is very irrational, and the incessant murder attempts feel as if she's the only one not privy to an inside joke. Ariana is poised, calculated and usually she's the only one who is privy to the inside joke. Reed never figures out the identity of the kil...more I regret taking so long to finish this book, because I forgot how damn good this series is compared to its Private counterpart! It's awesome how a different protagonist can completely change a book. Reed is constantly at the mercy of other people, is very irrational, and the incessant murder attempts feel as if she's the only one not privy to an inside joke. Ariana is poised, calculated and usually she's the only one who is privy to the inside joke. Reed never figures out the identity of the killer until the last second, but Ariana is the killer.

Kate Brian is great at creating suspense and empathy with Ariana. I felt Ariana's rage, desperation and frustration every time Kaitlynn threatened to reveal her. After every encounter with Kaitlynn, my heart pounded as I expected police to be waiting for Ariana at Atherton Pryce Hall (APH). When Ariana wanted to shake Kaitlynn by the shoulders, I wanted to do the same to my Kindle! (As stupid as that sounds....) In the Private series I feel removed from Reed, rolling my eyes at her stupidity and inability to follow the clues. In the Privilege books I feel as if I'm one with Ariana, just chilling at the back of her mind while she works her magic.

In Beautiful Disaster, the serial killer side of Ariana takes a back seat. Despite a few murderous near-slips here and there, she puts her planning abilities to more productive use, like securing her spot in the APH hierarchy. We see the cogs whir in her mind as she weasels her way into a clique, secures her academic future and pits classmates against each other. I was fascinated by the meticulousness of her plans, and how she was so adept at people watching. Within minutes she can discern which nerves to tap, and manipulates her friends like pieces on a chessboard.

I'm really pleased with the supporting and peripheral characters Kate Brian has created here. I was initially worried that they'd be carbon copies of the Billings Girls, but they can stand on their own. I feared that Maria would be a Noelle clone, as she seems to be the leader of the clique. Fortunately she's more like Kiran, sans the alcoholism. Tahira is the closest to Noelle here, with her power trips and calculated moves. Brigit and Soomie both remind me of Taylor Bell: Brigit with her body issues and general insecurities, and Soomie with her academic ability and attention to detail.

I was also worried that Lexa would be a clone of Poppy Simon, because a) she was also fashionably late to the story, b) everyone also reassured Ariana she would love her, and c) she was also the girlfriend of Ariana's love interest. Fortunately Ariana wasn't instantly at loggerheads the way Reed was with Poppy, which was a huge relief. She's more like Ivy, after her and Reed become friends.

I also like the male characters and love interests thus far, or at least I don't want to throttle them. Palmer is like an amped up Josh Hollis with his morals and fair sportsmanship, but far less annoying. Landon vaguely reminds me of a PG Thomas Pearson and Gage.

And as much as I can't wait for the moment Kaitlynn Nottingham magically falls off a cliff, she's a fucking amazing villain. She's so evil she manages to make serial killer Ariana seem like a saint. I was so frustrated whenever she foiled Ariana's attempts at freedom, and I just about screamed over her becoming a student at APH. I can't wait to see how she torments Ariana in the next few books, but I also can't wait to see her meet her demise! I am bracing myself for severe headdesking.

I'm also really fucking excited to see this secret society business unfold. There were hints of it in the Private series that fascinated me to no end, but they were either never resolved or had shit endings *cough* magic *cough* I hope that this secret society is as nefarious as it's made out to be, and that the ties between Lexa, Tahira and Brigit are half as juicy as they seem. If it turns out to be private school kid orgies or a coven of witches, I just may cut someone :P

Overall: If you enjoyed Privilege, START READING BEAUTIFUL DISASTER RIGHT THIS SECOND. Seriously, you'll be kicking yourself if you don't. While Ariana's serial killer instincts take a backseat, we get to see the social ladder of a private school picked apart, manipulated and put back together again. We get original characters only vaguely inspired by the Billings Girls, and a mindblowingly amazing villain so evil that Ariana seems like a saint. (less)

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Dec 30, 2009 Dani rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-faves

Cross posted from my blog post right here.

My Review: Oh how my love grows for Kate Brian! Only she could make me love a serial killer, (well if were not counting Dexter.) The plot was so different from the previous, yet just as amazing, this book has confirmed that this series shall be deemed an official favorite of mine.
When Hooked. Immediately. Surprisingly, the previous novel didn't end with that "Kate Brian cliff-hanger" I'm accustomed too. Having said that, I was still just as eager to read...more Cross posted from my blog post right here.

My Review: Oh how my love grows for Kate Brian! Only she could make me love a serial killer, (well if were not counting Dexter.) The plot was so different from the previous, yet just as amazing, this book has confirmed that this series shall be deemed an official favorite of mine.
When Hooked. Immediately. Surprisingly, the previous novel didn't end with that "Kate Brian cliff-hanger" I'm accustomed too. Having said that, I was still just as eager to read it as if that cliff-hanger was in it, they are addicting, and have you hooked from the first page.
Hookability: (9.5/10) I was not released from the hook until I had read the very last word. And even then I was not actually let go of the hook because I am itching to get my hands on the next installment.
Writing: (9.5/10) Brian's writing is completely engrossing and addicting- I can't get enough! Everything flows together effortlessly, and totally engages you into it.
Characters: (9/10) I am still shocked at myself for liking Arielle so much, I absolutely hated her in the Private series. I do like her though, and root for her, and sympathesize with her. What is wrong with me? She's a serial killer!!! Everyone else is very confusing and I need one more book before I make my brutal assumptions about them.
Plot: (9/10) Like I said before, very different than the jail break plot of the previous book. I do like that Brain went back to her element of exclusive houses, and living among the pristige, I eat that stuff up!
Originality: (9/10) Brian has an excellent way of spinning things that may have been done before and making them her own. She has quite the talent, and even though some elements are along the same lines of the Private books, there is no denying she has created something not quite like anything else out there.
Romance: (---/10) Definitely has the promise for a nice little romance in the next book, but this one wasn't about romance, it was about how Arielle was adjusting, and so it would be unfair to count romance.
Ending: (9.5/10) Ahhhh, the Kate Brian cliff-hanger returns! I need the next book, what the flip is going to happen next?
Remembrable: (9/10) I have a feeling that eventually all the events will form one big timeline rather than being remembered which specific book an event took place. For the time being though, I definitely find the events of this book to be remembrable, they are essential, and just so juicy and mysterious you can't help but to remember.
Recommendability: (9.5/10) I recommend to all mid to older teen girls who are in need of a chick-lit esk book! Especially fans of Private! Going by those guidelines, this series won't dissapoint!
Any particular graphic/violence/inappropiate content? No, no and no. There might have been a couple implied references, but besides that it was totally clean! (10+)
Overall: (9.79/10) A great sequel of a series that will leave you begging for more! Time will pass very quickly from start to finish because it is so enthralling you just want to read it!
Cover Comments: While I was reading the first book I was imaging what Arielle's new makeover would look like, and this literally exactly how I imagined it to be! Kudos to you over at Simon & Schuster! (10/10)
Want More "Privilege"? There are currently 2 other books out in the series; (in order) Privilege, and Perfect Mistake. The 4th book Sweet Deceit, is set to June 8th, 2010.
(less)

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Nov 12, 2011 Lashonta rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I love this author she writes really well. So Ariana feels she has the life she always wanted she is know at the elite Atherton-Pryce and she is getting new friends , however there is one thing lurking katelynn her ex best friend the one she killed for Katelynn is demanding Ariana give her one million dollars for her to disappear to start her new life in Australia. Ariana has to find the money and she will do whatever it takes to keep her new life. This book was too good to put down a must read.

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May 19, 2011 Carol Tran rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: favorites

Darkly delicious.
Ariana surprises me with every twist and turn and every conflict that she faces. I adore her determination (no matter how creepy). This series is my new favorite. I've already bought the next 2 books and am now about to start the next one. APH is a perfect private school setting, Palmer is little Mr. I-Think-I'm-Perfect and Kaitlynn just intruiges me (although she does annoy me and Ariana). I'm just kind of sad Briana Leigh couldn't stick around for a little bit longer. :3

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Sep 12, 2012 Elizabeth Gravel rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was amazing. It had lots of drama and betrayal in it. It is perfect for anyone who likes dramatic shows like Pretty Little Liars & the Canterwood Crest series. It gives readers a perfect view of what the projection of a "perfect" life is, and it's flaws. Welcome to the world of Arianna Osgood at Atheron-Pyrce. She'll do anything to get a life of privilege - even steal someone's life- and their name.

project: posterboard

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Mar 13, 2013 Lady Entropy rated it 4 of 5 stars

The only problem I have with this series can be defined in one word: contrived: there is a ton of situations that happen out of coincidence, or plot necessity, and it comes to times that you just go "oh please!".

However, the upside to that is that there isn't a dull moment. The conflict here is AWESOME.

Especially since this is not my type of books at all.

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Jun 02, 2009 Virginia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another entry in the sick, twisted and glamorous adventures of Ariana as she attempts to ingratiate herself at a new boarding school, having taken on the identity of one of her victims. Kate Brian is a genius, this series is awesomely original and weird and I can't wait for the next book (all the way until October! Errgh!).

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Jun 07, 2010 Katerina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: advisory-2009-2010

OMGG!!!! This was such a great book! The first was better but it makes you love Ariana, hate her pity her and feel pain for her all in the first few chapters. It throws out twists out of nowhere that you would never expect and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. It's so captivating that you never want to put it down. It expresses one cold hearted girl will go to any extremes to live the life she wants not the life she deserves.This book is just like the first one, same emotions and even bigge...more

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Mar 09, 2012 Hikachi rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime-or-detective-work, kids-and-ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 20, 2011 Kjloga rated it 5 of 5 stars

Once again kate brian had me turning the pages until thhe end wanting more. She really made me feel for the characters. Its crazy how i like Ariana who is a crazy murder. But the way Kaste rights this she , makes Ariana seem like the sane one compared to kaitlyn. Definitely not a dissapointer

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Mar 26, 2010 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's a good book, too. It's just not as well-written as Privilege. There was even a mistake in the book that I had seen and I was disappointed. Instead of "Briana Leigh" she placed "Kaitlynn." Anyway everyone makes mistakes but it disappointed me that she didn't see it.

Four stars.

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Aug 30, 2009 Tiny Pants rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, series

I know, I know -- this is a big ratings drop from the first book in this series, which I downright devoured. But after all the breakouts, breakdowns, etc. of the first one, could it really go anywhere but down? Though it did pick up a bit about halfway through, most of this book is given over to describing in detail the other students at Ariana's new school, as well as all the completely unrealistic intricacies of the school itself. Luckily, things do get a bit more interesting, so the third boo...more

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Apr 24, 2011 Shannon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kate-brian, books-that-i-loved-reading

This book was really good. I loved the way that it had loads of excitement throughout the book and I loved the way that the author finished the book. It left me hanging and now I can't wait to find out what will happen in the next book. I also loved the way that the author kept coming up with surprises throughout the book. Charactors turned out to be different from what I thought they were e.g. an innocent girl who had "accidently" been put in jail turned out to be a murderer.

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Nov 25, 2012 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kate-brian

Continues the story of Ariana Osgood. Ariana is now living the life of Briana Leigh Covington, attending the super-exclusive Atherton-Pryce Hall boarding school outside of D.C. that Briana was set to attend, but pretending to be someone else 24/7 isn't as easy as Ariana hoped.

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Apr 12, 2013 Breanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is great, I am reading the third one as of this morning. I love the suspense, it keeps me on my toes from page to page. The author is very descriptive but not to the point were the book becomes boring like other books I have read.
5 out of 5!

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Aug 26, 2009 Lucy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesome-teenage-girl-reading

Big fan of this ridiculousness. Totally love it. This PRIVATE series spin-off is set in an even more 'exclusive' east coast prep school and has secret societies, murders, princesses, popstars, balls, and is a delightful guilty pleasure.

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About Kate Brian

Kate Brian is the prolific author of many books for teens including the Private series, the new Privilege series, and Sweet 16. She lives with her husband in New Jersey. She writes under the pseudonym Kate Brian, instead of using her real name: Kieran Scott.

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Beautiful Disaster (Privilege #2)

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