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In Circles We Go
Sixteen-year-old Mia is lonely, but she’s never truly alone; Ophelia Cordelia Desdemona—the name Mia has given to the intrusive thoughts from her OCD—is always with her. Ophelia is her oldest companion, her fiercest critic and her most loyal protector. All Ophelia wants in return are a few harmless count, tap, worry. Rinse, repeat. Then the dreams started—vivid, otherworldly glimpses into another life, one that’s worry free. Mia takes reprieve in these nightly breaks from Ophelia until Aydem, the magnetic star of these dreams, materializes at her doorstep. He seeks Mia’s help to find Liv, the twin sister that Mia never knew existed, in Alium, a country not on any maps. Teaming up with Aydem and Carra, Liv’s alluring best friend, Mia races against the clock to find Liv in the island nation under the watchful eye of an authoritarian regime, piecing together a life of forbidden magic and secrecy. When she saves Aydem’s life after an explosion, Mia is thrust into the national spotlight. Her newfound fame invites scrutiny and she’s forced to masquerade as Liv to take part in the Altum Exam–the treacherous entrance exam to the school where young Aliuminians go to hone their powers. While continuing to struggle against Ophelia’s hold over her, Mia must not only fight for her survival and the tenuous thread to her newfound family—but also grapple with her own identity, as she finds herself falling for both Aydem and Carra. In Circles We Go takes readers on an extraordinary journey through a world brimming with magic and peril while offering the possibility of family and first love. Join Mia as she navigates a treacherous path, where secrets and forbidden powers await, and discover a captivating mystery that will leave readers spellbound.
349 pages, Paperback
Published August 7, 2023
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Lila N. Phung
1 book5 followersLila N. Phung has lived in three continents and now calls the canal-laced city of Amsterdam home. She speaks two and a quarter languages (don’t ask her how her Dutch is coming along) and has been in love with books for as long as she can remember.
She loves constructing imaginative realms that are grounded in realism and mirror real world challenges. Her passion lies with crafting diverse characters with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who experience mental health challenges.
In Circles We Go, an Own Voices story, marks her debut novel, delving into themes that resonate deeply with her: the pursuit of belonging, self discovery, and the bonds of chosen family.
She loves constructing imaginative realms that are grounded in realism and mirror real world challenges. Her passion lies with crafting diverse characters with a focus on the LGBTQIA+ community, and those who experience mental health challenges.
In Circles We Go, an Own Voices story, marks her debut novel, delving into themes that resonate deeply with her: the pursuit of belonging, self discovery, and the bonds of chosen family.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 1, 2023
Looking for a book with OCD rep, bisexuality, and a fantastical world? In circles we go is definitely for you! Lately I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump with absolutely NO motivation, but picking up this book I just got sucked in and I have no regrets. Our main character grew up with out a stable family and place to explore her identity, throughout the book Mia gets to explore all the above and it’s such a wonderful experience because we do it WITH her. All the characters, including the side characters, are very well written making it easy to attach and follow them, this is one of those books that I feel is character AND plot driven! For fans of books like KOTLC this one is definitely for you!
-Shrey Shrey 🔥💧🌱🌬️
P.S I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
-Shrey Shrey 🔥💧🌱🌬️
P.S I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 15, 2023
This book kept me captivated from the first page. It has it all, suspense, romance, Hunger Games-type competition with an unexpected group of friends. The twists and turns left me wanting more.
August 12, 2024
I'm not great at writing reviews, but shit, this book was good. Mia and the story and Liv and all of it...
I mean, it definitely takes you on a ride. Nothing was really expected, and though you could make some like "ohh I see" with the characters, it isn't like slumming through while you wait for them to figure out or anything. I really, truly enjoyed it.
I won't lie, the start of the book was a little iffy. I think maybe it was me, since I just came out of a break from reading and didn't get into it. But, damn, when I got into it, I got INTO it. Look, I'm an easy crier, so it probably doesn't mean much, but when we figure out that Liv died and she was RIGHT THERE, so close to Mia in her moments. I mean, it felt a little bit like, what was all of the rest of that and the exam and all of that risk even for if she was already long dead for the last part of the book.
But no, it was a great book, I'm just stubborn and wanna see "oo, character live happy ever after". That being said, I do wish Mia and Liv at least had one proper meeting, but I understand why it went the way it did, and I think the ending hit just as hard.
I mean, it definitely takes you on a ride. Nothing was really expected, and though you could make some like "ohh I see" with the characters, it isn't like slumming through while you wait for them to figure out or anything. I really, truly enjoyed it.
I won't lie, the start of the book was a little iffy. I think maybe it was me, since I just came out of a break from reading and didn't get into it. But, damn, when I got into it, I got INTO it. Look, I'm an easy crier, so it probably doesn't mean much, but when we figure out that Liv died and she was RIGHT THERE, so close to Mia in her moments. I mean, it felt a little bit like, what was all of the rest of that and the exam and all of that risk even for if she was already long dead for the last part of the book.
But no, it was a great book, I'm just stubborn and wanna see "oo, character live happy ever after". That being said, I do wish Mia and Liv at least had one proper meeting, but I understand why it went the way it did, and I think the ending hit just as hard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2023
I gave In Circles We Go a try as someone who doesn't know much about OCD, and honestly I'm blown away by how the story seamlessly and organically incorporated the Ophelia persona/character. I've learnt so much on what people who have OCD deal with each day through the lens of Mia.
As an immigrant myself, the aspects of finding yourself and identity really resonated. It's hard to describe the feeling of being out of place, and I think this book does this well.
In terms of the core story, the narrative comes together well as Mia's powers develop and without spoilers, I'll say the end is really satisfying but it unfolded in a way I wasn't expecting. My one critique though is the first part of the book could have had a bit better pacing.
Overall, loved it! Great read.
As an immigrant myself, the aspects of finding yourself and identity really resonated. It's hard to describe the feeling of being out of place, and I think this book does this well.
In terms of the core story, the narrative comes together well as Mia's powers develop and without spoilers, I'll say the end is really satisfying but it unfolded in a way I wasn't expecting. My one critique though is the first part of the book could have had a bit better pacing.
Overall, loved it! Great read.
December 1, 2023
I loved this book so much, with how much OCD is talked about and revealed to someone like me who doesn't fully understand how it is and what it's like to live with it. Also, you follow the characters as they grow up, and become connected with the characters. This book helped me find a new purpose in reading again. I highly recommend!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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November 16, 2023Mental Health. Sexual Harassment. Xenophobia. Foster Care. Magical Realms. Manifesting Powers.
And that's in the first twenty pages.
The author has meticulously crafted an intricate fantasy world, which our heroine, Mia, belongs in. The power of the writing draws you in, and the immediacy of Mia's plight - as seen through her eyes in real time - is vivid and compelling. While this is definitely a YA novel, it has enough depth to entrance readers of any age.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And that's in the first twenty pages.
The author has meticulously crafted an intricate fantasy world, which our heroine, Mia, belongs in. The power of the writing draws you in, and the immediacy of Mia's plight - as seen through her eyes in real time - is vivid and compelling. While this is definitely a YA novel, it has enough depth to entrance readers of any age.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews