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Maya Brown Missions #2
Breaking the Circle
Maya Brown is very excited to be back in London after her time in Derbyshire and her adventures in Leeds following her mother's kidnapping last summer. But her return to the city is quickly marred by her discovery of the plight of an illegal immigrant — Kay — and that many of her friends are becoming involved with drugs. But what is the connection between the two? And is Maya over-reacting or is there something she can do to save Kay and make her friends realise the danger they are in?
As Maya becomes immersed in the dark side of London life she finds herself making important discoveries about her own past too. This exciting follow-up to Circle of Fire takes readers on another thrilling adventure with the headstrong heroine, Maya. Again, Sylvia Hall delves deeper into important issues such as drug abuse, human trafficking and the plight of refugees, while maintaining a fast-paced and entertaining plot.
As Maya becomes immersed in the dark side of London life she finds herself making important discoveries about her own past too. This exciting follow-up to Circle of Fire takes readers on another thrilling adventure with the headstrong heroine, Maya. Again, Sylvia Hall delves deeper into important issues such as drug abuse, human trafficking and the plight of refugees, while maintaining a fast-paced and entertaining plot.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
4 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Hall
10 books3 followersSylvia Hall has a track record of powerful and exciting fiction for young adults, and Circle of Fire confirms her reputation.
As well as writing for teens, S. M. HALL is a journalist whose work included a column for the Guardian when she was living in the States. She has taught speech and drama and was recently involved in staging a musical in Qatar. Her husband, who was in the rock business, is custodian of John Lennon's childhood home in Liverpool. They also have a house in Derbyshire.
As well as writing for teens, S. M. HALL is a journalist whose work included a column for the Guardian when she was living in the States. She has taught speech and drama and was recently involved in staging a musical in Qatar. Her husband, who was in the rock business, is custodian of John Lennon's childhood home in Liverpool. They also have a house in Derbyshire.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 22, 2012
BREAKING THE CIRCLE is the second book of The Maya Brown Missions and an improvement over CIRCLE OF FIRE. It can stand on its own, so you can go ahead and start the series here if you're sufficiently intrigued by my review.
Maya Brown is a fifteen-year-old Muslim teenager raised by an intelligence agent who rescued her from the fire that killed her family in Kosovo. She's a proactive young woman who doesn't like to sit and wait for problems to be solved. If she sees a chance to act, she's going to take it, whether the police or Drug Unit or whoever is ready - which isn't always the best plan.
BREAKING THE CIRCLE begins when Maya is robbed by a young woman named Kay and a boy named Gerard. When she runs into Kay later, she learns that Kay is an illegal immigrant working as a prostitute for the men who brought her into the country and Gerard is a drug dealer. Maya gets revved up to save Kay and get Gerard arrested. But she quickly learns that Gerard is but a small cog in a large cartel and that it's very hard to save a drug addict, because the thing they care about most in the world is their next fix.
The Maya Brown Missions have a more realistic feel than many other kid spy books I've read, such as the Alex Rider series. Maya's not working for an organization or armed with cool gadgets. She's bumbling around on her own. While her plans are often terrible, she is good at thinking on her feet and managing to keep her cool in tough situations.
BREAKING THE CIRCLE is written a little simpler than it needs to be. To me, it read like a middle grade novel, but I feel like sex slavery is more of a young adult topic. (Appropriately to a younger age group, Maya slips pretty easily out of any danger of being violated herself. Which I am thankful for, because I don't want to read about a plucky fifteen-year-old heroine being raped.) I just feel like the book's subject matter calls for slightly more complex writing.
But BREAKING THE CIRCLE is pretty fun, with lots of action, and it's nice to have a book series featuring a girl spy. This series isn't my favorite, but there's definitely an audience for it.
Maya Brown is a fifteen-year-old Muslim teenager raised by an intelligence agent who rescued her from the fire that killed her family in Kosovo. She's a proactive young woman who doesn't like to sit and wait for problems to be solved. If she sees a chance to act, she's going to take it, whether the police or Drug Unit or whoever is ready - which isn't always the best plan.
BREAKING THE CIRCLE begins when Maya is robbed by a young woman named Kay and a boy named Gerard. When she runs into Kay later, she learns that Kay is an illegal immigrant working as a prostitute for the men who brought her into the country and Gerard is a drug dealer. Maya gets revved up to save Kay and get Gerard arrested. But she quickly learns that Gerard is but a small cog in a large cartel and that it's very hard to save a drug addict, because the thing they care about most in the world is their next fix.
The Maya Brown Missions have a more realistic feel than many other kid spy books I've read, such as the Alex Rider series. Maya's not working for an organization or armed with cool gadgets. She's bumbling around on her own. While her plans are often terrible, she is good at thinking on her feet and managing to keep her cool in tough situations.
BREAKING THE CIRCLE is written a little simpler than it needs to be. To me, it read like a middle grade novel, but I feel like sex slavery is more of a young adult topic. (Appropriately to a younger age group, Maya slips pretty easily out of any danger of being violated herself. Which I am thankful for, because I don't want to read about a plucky fifteen-year-old heroine being raped.) I just feel like the book's subject matter calls for slightly more complex writing.
But BREAKING THE CIRCLE is pretty fun, with lots of action, and it's nice to have a book series featuring a girl spy. This series isn't my favorite, but there's definitely an audience for it.
September 12, 2012
I received this book from Early Reviewers at LibraryThing.As this is book number two of the Maya Brown Missions, the publishers generously sent me book one as well.
I am not part of the demographic group that this book is aimed at, which is (in my opinion) girls 12+, but I was able to enjoy reading it nonetheless. I can see these books being part of a long series of adventures featuring Maya Brown, the heroine of the story. Maya Brown is, for the most part, a good role model, although I'd be worried if my daughter got involved in the way that Maya does!
Although this book could probably be read and enjoyed on its own, I'd recommend reading book one, Circle of Fire, first. It would help with understanding some of the characters, as well as what Maya went through in the first.
Breaking the Circle is a well-written book, by an established author, that moves along at a decent pace. It was hard, even for me, to put down once started. Maya was a refugee from Kosovo, who was adopted at a young age by her mother, Pam, who is a secret agent for British intelligence.
In this book Maya finds herself up against some nasty characters who turn out to be part of a large drug-smuggling and trafficking ring. The author, S.M. Hall, doesn't shy away from describing the sordid world of drugs and prostitution, but also does it in a way that is appropriate for the audience the book is aimed at. I am quite comfortable passing this one on to my 13 year old daughter, whom I think will really enjoy this series.
Time will tell as to where this series goes next, but there are hints at the end of the book as to where the next story might go. In the meantime, this book, as well as its predecessor, is a really good start. If you are looking for something exciting, with good morals and lessons to be learned (without being too 'preachy'), for your daughter (probably aged 12-15), or even for yourself, then this is worth picking up.
I am not part of the demographic group that this book is aimed at, which is (in my opinion) girls 12+, but I was able to enjoy reading it nonetheless. I can see these books being part of a long series of adventures featuring Maya Brown, the heroine of the story. Maya Brown is, for the most part, a good role model, although I'd be worried if my daughter got involved in the way that Maya does!
Although this book could probably be read and enjoyed on its own, I'd recommend reading book one, Circle of Fire, first. It would help with understanding some of the characters, as well as what Maya went through in the first.
Breaking the Circle is a well-written book, by an established author, that moves along at a decent pace. It was hard, even for me, to put down once started. Maya was a refugee from Kosovo, who was adopted at a young age by her mother, Pam, who is a secret agent for British intelligence.
In this book Maya finds herself up against some nasty characters who turn out to be part of a large drug-smuggling and trafficking ring. The author, S.M. Hall, doesn't shy away from describing the sordid world of drugs and prostitution, but also does it in a way that is appropriate for the audience the book is aimed at. I am quite comfortable passing this one on to my 13 year old daughter, whom I think will really enjoy this series.
Time will tell as to where this series goes next, but there are hints at the end of the book as to where the next story might go. In the meantime, this book, as well as its predecessor, is a really good start. If you are looking for something exciting, with good morals and lessons to be learned (without being too 'preachy'), for your daughter (probably aged 12-15), or even for yourself, then this is worth picking up.
August 5, 2018
My Rating : 3.5🌟
'A lot of boys she knew were so guarded, so worried about saying the wrong thing, or then there was the opposite type, who thought everything they said was world news.'
Oh how easily i can relate to the above line! This book follows our main character Maya Brown, who is the daughter of a secret agent, and everything she gets involved in ends up in a dangerous adventure. This book definitely gave me some nostalgic Nancy Drew feels, and i was really glad to pick this up.
I didn't know it was the second book in a series, but once i dived into it, i realized they were just companions and this book deals with the incidents few months after where the first book ends.
Trigger Alert : The story line deals with a Abusive relationships, drug addicts, human trafficking, illegal immigrants and drug lords. If you are easily triggered/offended by these, please don't pick this book up!
The character of Maya was developed well, and the relationship she has with her family and friends were all added bonus. It definitely teaches the young readers the importance of trusting your family, being smart and selective about friends and who you open up-to, and most importantly to stand up against wrong things (But be smart about the outcome in real life situations). It is not a simple story-line, and a lot of things let me wondering, 'If this happened in real life, you would definitely end up dead'. Though its fiction, this book was a mix of some unrealistic story flow along with some real life needs.
This book was by no means a let down. I enjoyed the time with it, and i would have enjoyed it even more if i had read it a few years back when i was in my Nancy Drew phase. If you are looking for an inspiring teen girl adventure books teaching you about the importance of friendship,similar to Nancy Drew, pick this up and enjoy!
'A lot of boys she knew were so guarded, so worried about saying the wrong thing, or then there was the opposite type, who thought everything they said was world news.'
Oh how easily i can relate to the above line! This book follows our main character Maya Brown, who is the daughter of a secret agent, and everything she gets involved in ends up in a dangerous adventure. This book definitely gave me some nostalgic Nancy Drew feels, and i was really glad to pick this up.
I didn't know it was the second book in a series, but once i dived into it, i realized they were just companions and this book deals with the incidents few months after where the first book ends.
Trigger Alert : The story line deals with a Abusive relationships, drug addicts, human trafficking, illegal immigrants and drug lords. If you are easily triggered/offended by these, please don't pick this book up!
The character of Maya was developed well, and the relationship she has with her family and friends were all added bonus. It definitely teaches the young readers the importance of trusting your family, being smart and selective about friends and who you open up-to, and most importantly to stand up against wrong things (But be smart about the outcome in real life situations). It is not a simple story-line, and a lot of things let me wondering, 'If this happened in real life, you would definitely end up dead'. Though its fiction, this book was a mix of some unrealistic story flow along with some real life needs.
This book was by no means a let down. I enjoyed the time with it, and i would have enjoyed it even more if i had read it a few years back when i was in my Nancy Drew phase. If you are looking for an inspiring teen girl adventure books teaching you about the importance of friendship,similar to Nancy Drew, pick this up and enjoy!
September 15, 2019
No story is perfect. But this book is on a different level. The level being much lower than a standard book. I am sorry but its just a waste of time.
November 1, 2012
In breaking the circle the second book in the Maya brown mission’s series. The author takes more chances. Maya’s mother is suddenly is called away on a mission. Maya feels left behind and restless after the adventure and danger in the previous months. While walking home one day she is mugged by a boy and his girlfriend. The girls she soon learns is a drug addict called Kay and the boy, is a drug seller named Gerard.
Gerard later turns up at a one of Maya’s friend’s parties and starts offering them drugs. But the drugs Gerard sells them are laced with a deadly substance. Unable to stand around and allow her friends to fall victim, Maya goes head to head with a gang that not only markets drugs, but also is involved in the human trafficking of girls from foreign countries. To save Kay and the other girls and take down a drug empire that threatens to destroy England’s youth, Maya goes undercover and infiltrates the group of girls. While undercover she confronts her past and gets a startling glimpse at what she could have become.
Breaking the circle, surpasses the first book in the Maya Brown’s Mission series by leaps and bounds. The action is fresh and exciting, the characters are more developed. And rather than taking tentative steps with her rating, the author isn’t afraid to plunge right into the story no matter how deep she must wade. She enriches Maya Brown’s character by slowly fleshing out her past and allowing her to grow.
The story has a few flaws though. The scenario at times can be unbelievable. While Maya Brown may be resourceful and highly intelligent, the believability is stretched with the number of times the 15-year-old manages to extricate herself from deadly situations. Also it’s hard to believe that she would managed to evade a highly trained agent to sneak away.
In the end the flaws don’t significantly detract from the book. Breaking the circle is a thrilling addition to the teenage action adventure genre .The Maya Brown Mission’s series can be likened to a, lighter version of the Alex Rider series, starring a female. Readers that enjoy action adventure, and a exhilarating read will enjoy breaking the circle.
Age Group: 13+
Content: A teen drinks alcohol, references to alcohol , a teen is described taking drugs, one character hangs herself. Use of the sh—word several times. Many characters are killed. References to prostitutes and young girl’s being kidnapped. An attempted sexual assault. A character is mugged.
Gerard later turns up at a one of Maya’s friend’s parties and starts offering them drugs. But the drugs Gerard sells them are laced with a deadly substance. Unable to stand around and allow her friends to fall victim, Maya goes head to head with a gang that not only markets drugs, but also is involved in the human trafficking of girls from foreign countries. To save Kay and the other girls and take down a drug empire that threatens to destroy England’s youth, Maya goes undercover and infiltrates the group of girls. While undercover she confronts her past and gets a startling glimpse at what she could have become.
Breaking the circle, surpasses the first book in the Maya Brown’s Mission series by leaps and bounds. The action is fresh and exciting, the characters are more developed. And rather than taking tentative steps with her rating, the author isn’t afraid to plunge right into the story no matter how deep she must wade. She enriches Maya Brown’s character by slowly fleshing out her past and allowing her to grow.
The story has a few flaws though. The scenario at times can be unbelievable. While Maya Brown may be resourceful and highly intelligent, the believability is stretched with the number of times the 15-year-old manages to extricate herself from deadly situations. Also it’s hard to believe that she would managed to evade a highly trained agent to sneak away.
In the end the flaws don’t significantly detract from the book. Breaking the circle is a thrilling addition to the teenage action adventure genre .The Maya Brown Mission’s series can be likened to a, lighter version of the Alex Rider series, starring a female. Readers that enjoy action adventure, and a exhilarating read will enjoy breaking the circle.
Age Group: 13+
Content: A teen drinks alcohol, references to alcohol , a teen is described taking drugs, one character hangs herself. Use of the sh—word several times. Many characters are killed. References to prostitutes and young girl’s being kidnapped. An attempted sexual assault. A character is mugged.
September 27, 2012
I won this book of goodreads. this is a great book for reader of 12+...as i found the book very entertaining i recommend you also read the 1st book Circle of Fire.
Breaking the Circle is a well-written book, by an established author, that moves along at a decent pace. It was hard, even for me, to put down once started. Maya was a refugee from Kosovo, who was adopted at a young age by her mother, Pam, who is a secret agent for British intelligence.
In this book Maya finds herself up against some nasty characters who turn out to be part of a large drug-smuggling and trafficking ring. How the Author describe the violence that is out in the world; its a eye opener hopeful for kids now of days
Breaking the Circle is a well-written book, by an established author, that moves along at a decent pace. It was hard, even for me, to put down once started. Maya was a refugee from Kosovo, who was adopted at a young age by her mother, Pam, who is a secret agent for British intelligence.
In this book Maya finds herself up against some nasty characters who turn out to be part of a large drug-smuggling and trafficking ring. How the Author describe the violence that is out in the world; its a eye opener hopeful for kids now of days
dearly-departed
March 21, 2014Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Review to come.
November 30, 2012
i loved both of the books i hope that you can make a 3rd one as well or wright more books S.M.hall
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews