"The Secret Circle" Book Series by L.J. Smith
The Bottom Line
If you like witches and books written for young adults, this book series is a must read. L.J. Smith is a master of the young adult fantasy genre and these books are great for young adults as well as adults.
The books were originally released in 1992, but have become popular again thanks in part to L.J. Smith's popularity and the fact that the CW has picked up the series for a fall television show.
Based on what the CW has done with L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries series, I think it's a great idea!
The Story
Cassie is a 16-year-old high school student who doesn't fit in, but when her mom moves them to New Salem, an island town, to live with her mother, Cassie 's grandmother, Cassie finds a place among a coven of witches. Even though she has new friends and a place where she fits in, Cassie's life is anything but easy. She has to deal with the guilt of being in love with her best friend's boyfriend. And then, when people begin dying, Cassie and her coven go on a mission to save the town from evil.?
Pros
- Entertaining and fast-paced
- Easily identifiable characters
- Combines the stories of young love, fitting in, and fantastical witches
- Easy and fun to read
Cons:
- Occasional dated aspects (listening to a Walkman) can pull you out of the story
Description
- Author: L.J. Smith
- Books:
- The Initiation
- The Captive
- The Power
- Originally published in 1992
- Originally these were released as three books, but when they were updated with new covers, they were put into two books with The Captive being split between each book
- Republished in 2008 by HarperTeen
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Paperback: 400 pages
- ISBN-10: 0061671355
- ISBN-13: 978-0061671357
'The Secret Circle' Series Book Review
I began reading The Secret Circle books after falling in love with Vampire Diaries the TV series and reading those books. I plan to read all of L.J. Smith's books, but started with The Secret Circle because the CW is planning a TV series based on the books.
The story about a high school girl trying to find where she fits in is a timeless tale that works well in the backdrop of witches and ancient lore. The love story, friendship story, and action of good versus evil keeps the story moving at good pace and holds attention throughout the entire story.
I don't know about the TV series, but the books are appropriate for kids as young as 13 and entertaining for kids and adults.
The TV series is supposed to come out in October 2011. Watch a trailer: The Secret Circle Book Trailer.
More on 'The Secret Circle' TV Series