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The Sidhe #1
The Circle
Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel shows up at his mother’s bookstore wearing a dark clan’s mark.
When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother—revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life.
When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother—revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
203 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Cipriano
44 books60 followersCindy Cipriano lives in North Carolina with her husband, son and their 27 pets.
Not really.
Just two dogs who think they are children and three cats who think they are raccoons. It only seems as if they make 27. When Cindy isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and the avoidance of cooking.
Please follow me on BookBub! Thank you! :)
Not really.
Just two dogs who think they are children and three cats who think they are raccoons. It only seems as if they make 27. When Cindy isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and the avoidance of cooking.
Please follow me on BookBub! Thank you! :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 21, 2021
The Irish know how to do ancestry and history right.
It is more than rainbows and pits if gold. It is fairies and magic and evil so bold.
It is a swirl of luck and a lot of green.
It is a mixture of time and what might have been.
It you can believe in your friends and family.
You can travel beyond your wildest dreams.
Or you can ignore the truth in the homily.
And get messed up in the evil schemes.
Just open your mind to allow the mind reading.
Be aware of what is a bit different.
Enjoy your life and share the wind pleading.
Your eyes will see more than what is in front.
Gaelic and other ancient languages.
Are being lost in dust books and tombs.
But if you look in the darkest baggages.
You will discover a hint or two looms.
It may be familiar. It may be a friend.
The pets want to go with you.
Or get fed again while you tend.
To great adventures in your mind and shoe.
So stay in the sunlight or shadows so dark.
This is not a time for your worries to spark.
The story continues to push you to park.
But you mind must continue on this fine lark.
Are you a fairy? Can you even fly?
With a magic wand or blink if an eye?
With glossamer wings and gentle touch.
The world you know is changing just so much.
It is more than rainbows and pits if gold. It is fairies and magic and evil so bold.
It is a swirl of luck and a lot of green.
It is a mixture of time and what might have been.
It you can believe in your friends and family.
You can travel beyond your wildest dreams.
Or you can ignore the truth in the homily.
And get messed up in the evil schemes.
Just open your mind to allow the mind reading.
Be aware of what is a bit different.
Enjoy your life and share the wind pleading.
Your eyes will see more than what is in front.
Gaelic and other ancient languages.
Are being lost in dust books and tombs.
But if you look in the darkest baggages.
You will discover a hint or two looms.
It may be familiar. It may be a friend.
The pets want to go with you.
Or get fed again while you tend.
To great adventures in your mind and shoe.
So stay in the sunlight or shadows so dark.
This is not a time for your worries to spark.
The story continues to push you to park.
But you mind must continue on this fine lark.
Are you a fairy? Can you even fly?
With a magic wand or blink if an eye?
With glossamer wings and gentle touch.
The world you know is changing just so much.
July 10, 2013
First, the Horribly Truncated Summary: Young Calum Ranson must convince himself that the new girl is NOT cute while he helps her search for her twin brother.
Middle-Grade delusions are fun!
I was given a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley, for continuing to indulge my crazy whims. Also, thank you Odyssey Books for using Netgalley.
Before I begin, I must confess that I had no clue this book was Primary/Middle-Grade Fiction when I originally selected it. If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. It’s not that early-reader books are a bad thing, it’s just been several (fifteen+) years since I’ve read in that category and I’m not familiar with the field. Unless we’re talking about Sailormoon manga.
We’re not talking about manga. How depressing.
Let’s get to the book! We start with Calum Ranson, a young boy about to go into the sixth grade. He is assured that his cousin is still alive, but in the meantime, he’s stuck working with his mother in their family bookstore. It’s not a difficult job, since Calum and his mother are both Sidhe and use their magical abilities when humans aren’t looking, but it is a boring waste of summer vacation.
We then meet Laurel, who comes to town when her father takes the job of Assistant Principal at Calum’s school. Laurel comes to get her summer reading books, but also gets a book on fairies for her spare time.
Aaaand I ran into my first problem. Laurel entered the store with her mother, then when her mom needs to meet with the real estate agent, she leaves the kid in the bookstore. That’s right, a mom left her 11 year old kid with strangers in a bookstore in a new town. It’s one of those things adults hate but kids never notice while reading. Doesn’t help that Calum’s mother uses “special” tea on her guests to get them to relax and buy more books.
Granted, this isn’t as neglectful as the parents in Erdrich’s The Round House, so it’s a small complaint.
Anyway, Calum and his mom find Laurel interesting because of her choice in books and the odd Sidhe pendant she wears around her neck. She doesn’t like the new town because her twin brother disappeared in their old town in Virginia and she believes she can still find him, the same way Calum believes he can still find his cousin.
Of course, there is a connection between the two disappearances. I’ll just stop there to annoy everyone. It’s what I do.
Tiny gripes aside (seriously, who drops a viola and DOESN’T get their hindside whipped for it?), this book had a great overarching story. I loved the camaraderie between Calum, Laurel, and Hagen (Calum’s cousin). There’s enough tension to make it seem like they’re good friends on a mission together. Also, Calum’s parents are intriguing in their own right. I love the name Kenzie for a woman. Calum’s family seems like any other normal family with magic heritage thrown in.
I had a few larger gripes, though. Any time we are in Calum’s school, the story dies. We have minor plot arcs that are never resolved. Calum’s friend Arlen never comes back for the book’s finale. Neal and his sister are dismissed without much thought. The school trickster plot doesn’t resolve itself (if it does, it’s not obvious). Basically, if we removed the school setting and placed the book over the summer break, it would have been a tighter story.
Also, while the school stuff is explained in agonizing detail, the magical stuff goes so quick that you are left rereading in order to figure out what just happened. Any time Calum left the normal world, I wasn’t clear on what happened or why it was important. I think the problem was an excess of dialogue where simple explanation would have sufficed.
There is a sequel to this book, but I can’t say I would return to find out what happened.
Middle-Grade delusions are fun!
I was given a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley, for continuing to indulge my crazy whims. Also, thank you Odyssey Books for using Netgalley.
Before I begin, I must confess that I had no clue this book was Primary/Middle-Grade Fiction when I originally selected it. If I had known, I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. It’s not that early-reader books are a bad thing, it’s just been several (fifteen+) years since I’ve read in that category and I’m not familiar with the field. Unless we’re talking about Sailormoon manga.
We’re not talking about manga. How depressing.
Let’s get to the book! We start with Calum Ranson, a young boy about to go into the sixth grade. He is assured that his cousin is still alive, but in the meantime, he’s stuck working with his mother in their family bookstore. It’s not a difficult job, since Calum and his mother are both Sidhe and use their magical abilities when humans aren’t looking, but it is a boring waste of summer vacation.
We then meet Laurel, who comes to town when her father takes the job of Assistant Principal at Calum’s school. Laurel comes to get her summer reading books, but also gets a book on fairies for her spare time.
Aaaand I ran into my first problem. Laurel entered the store with her mother, then when her mom needs to meet with the real estate agent, she leaves the kid in the bookstore. That’s right, a mom left her 11 year old kid with strangers in a bookstore in a new town. It’s one of those things adults hate but kids never notice while reading. Doesn’t help that Calum’s mother uses “special” tea on her guests to get them to relax and buy more books.
Granted, this isn’t as neglectful as the parents in Erdrich’s The Round House, so it’s a small complaint.
Anyway, Calum and his mom find Laurel interesting because of her choice in books and the odd Sidhe pendant she wears around her neck. She doesn’t like the new town because her twin brother disappeared in their old town in Virginia and she believes she can still find him, the same way Calum believes he can still find his cousin.
Of course, there is a connection between the two disappearances. I’ll just stop there to annoy everyone. It’s what I do.
Tiny gripes aside (seriously, who drops a viola and DOESN’T get their hindside whipped for it?), this book had a great overarching story. I loved the camaraderie between Calum, Laurel, and Hagen (Calum’s cousin). There’s enough tension to make it seem like they’re good friends on a mission together. Also, Calum’s parents are intriguing in their own right. I love the name Kenzie for a woman. Calum’s family seems like any other normal family with magic heritage thrown in.
I had a few larger gripes, though. Any time we are in Calum’s school, the story dies. We have minor plot arcs that are never resolved. Calum’s friend Arlen never comes back for the book’s finale. Neal and his sister are dismissed without much thought. The school trickster plot doesn’t resolve itself (if it does, it’s not obvious). Basically, if we removed the school setting and placed the book over the summer break, it would have been a tighter story.
Also, while the school stuff is explained in agonizing detail, the magical stuff goes so quick that you are left rereading in order to figure out what just happened. Any time Calum left the normal world, I wasn’t clear on what happened or why it was important. I think the problem was an excess of dialogue where simple explanation would have sufficed.
There is a sequel to this book, but I can’t say I would return to find out what happened.
May 14, 2013
There are many books out there about fairy’s, magic and such, but few that actually tie the traditional folklore with a story so well. From the very first page to the last period, the story pulled me in and held my interest. A middle school read that didn’t feel juvenile nor underdeveloped.
The story has numerous different characters in it, but the author weaves everything so well that you don’t get confused on who’s who. A mixture of different elements of the fairy world keep the reader riveted to the page and never bored. There is mystery, loss, discovery and hope all wrapped up together. Secrets galore, with not all revealed in this, the first book of The Sidhe.
As I stated, this book is geared more for the middle school reader, and the main characters themselves are going through 6th grade. This is where I have a small issue. They don’t act like typical 6th graders and I’m not talking about just the main characters. I could see them as high school freshman, but not starting off in middle school. They are all a bit too grown up for middle school, yes, they’ve all been through more than their peers, but not that much more.
Another nice thing about this book is the lack of romance. You have the mother/father figures, but other than that you don’t have your main characters all gushy over each other. A breathe of fresh air because lately it seems that everyone has to throw some kind of romance into their story, even if it could do well without. Having had numerous friends throughout my life, of the opposite sex, I know that you can be friends without romantic involvement and more young adults need to know that.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story involving fairy’s, the otherworld, magic, etc. It’s a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series. I’m very interested to see how a certain “loss” is “found.” Thank you to the author, Cindy Cipriano, for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I can also honestly tell you that I will be reading further into The Sidhe Series. I also suggest checking out the website for this series for more info, deleted scenes and even Sidhe recipes! www.TheSidheSeries.com
The story has numerous different characters in it, but the author weaves everything so well that you don’t get confused on who’s who. A mixture of different elements of the fairy world keep the reader riveted to the page and never bored. There is mystery, loss, discovery and hope all wrapped up together. Secrets galore, with not all revealed in this, the first book of The Sidhe.
As I stated, this book is geared more for the middle school reader, and the main characters themselves are going through 6th grade. This is where I have a small issue. They don’t act like typical 6th graders and I’m not talking about just the main characters. I could see them as high school freshman, but not starting off in middle school. They are all a bit too grown up for middle school, yes, they’ve all been through more than their peers, but not that much more.
Another nice thing about this book is the lack of romance. You have the mother/father figures, but other than that you don’t have your main characters all gushy over each other. A breathe of fresh air because lately it seems that everyone has to throw some kind of romance into their story, even if it could do well without. Having had numerous friends throughout my life, of the opposite sex, I know that you can be friends without romantic involvement and more young adults need to know that.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story involving fairy’s, the otherworld, magic, etc. It’s a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series. I’m very interested to see how a certain “loss” is “found.” Thank you to the author, Cindy Cipriano, for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I can also honestly tell you that I will be reading further into The Sidhe Series. I also suggest checking out the website for this series for more info, deleted scenes and even Sidhe recipes! www.TheSidheSeries.com
May 26, 2013
Fairies in a Book Store and Pluto is a Fairy Planet
It doesn't get much better than that, folks. OK so this is a Middle Grade book that I enjoy as a lighter read sometimes in between adult reads. I also like to find good books for my son, and this one fits the bill.
The Good
I've always enjoyed fairies or the Sidhe and this book has a different spin on them which I greatly like. I also really found the thought of children as fairies to be a new aspect that I haven't yet read in books. Mostly, I've read pretty dark stories with fairies in them and although this one had some bad fairies as well as good ones, the overall characters were good in nature.
The setting is a library which is familiar for me as a reader and fan of books. Calum works there with his mother during the summer vacation until he goes back to school. He meets a new girl, Laurel, who happens to believe in fairies and becomes fast friends with her even though she doesn't know his secret. There are missing children and other weird things happening in the background that keep the story going.
The writing was very well done and will keep anyone entertained no matter their age. There are quite a few characters to follow, but each have their own traits and are fun to learn about in their own right. The story itself is a new one and executed well with a few nice surprises.
The Bad
There were some details included in the story that really had absolutely no impact, but seemed to be important while reading. I'm wondering if they will come up in future books because I thought they would be going somewhere in the story line and they were dead-end points.
The Romance
As a middle grade book, there really is no romance to mention. Calum does get jealous of Laurel's apparent infatuation with his cousin Hagen, but they really acted more like best friends throughout the book than a crush of any kind. They had a nice friendship all in all though and it could lead somewhere in the future.
Conclusion
This is a magical, well-thought out and executed book about children doing all they can to save the ones they love surrounded by fairies and their own rules. If you enjoy light-hearted, fun reads then I would recommend you give this one a try. I also see children very much liking this one.
It doesn't get much better than that, folks. OK so this is a Middle Grade book that I enjoy as a lighter read sometimes in between adult reads. I also like to find good books for my son, and this one fits the bill.
The Good
I've always enjoyed fairies or the Sidhe and this book has a different spin on them which I greatly like. I also really found the thought of children as fairies to be a new aspect that I haven't yet read in books. Mostly, I've read pretty dark stories with fairies in them and although this one had some bad fairies as well as good ones, the overall characters were good in nature.
The setting is a library which is familiar for me as a reader and fan of books. Calum works there with his mother during the summer vacation until he goes back to school. He meets a new girl, Laurel, who happens to believe in fairies and becomes fast friends with her even though she doesn't know his secret. There are missing children and other weird things happening in the background that keep the story going.
The writing was very well done and will keep anyone entertained no matter their age. There are quite a few characters to follow, but each have their own traits and are fun to learn about in their own right. The story itself is a new one and executed well with a few nice surprises.
The Bad
There were some details included in the story that really had absolutely no impact, but seemed to be important while reading. I'm wondering if they will come up in future books because I thought they would be going somewhere in the story line and they were dead-end points.
The Romance
As a middle grade book, there really is no romance to mention. Calum does get jealous of Laurel's apparent infatuation with his cousin Hagen, but they really acted more like best friends throughout the book than a crush of any kind. They had a nice friendship all in all though and it could lead somewhere in the future.
Conclusion
This is a magical, well-thought out and executed book about children doing all they can to save the ones they love surrounded by fairies and their own rules. If you enjoy light-hearted, fun reads then I would recommend you give this one a try. I also see children very much liking this one.
September 16, 2013
Cindy Cipriano
I received this book as an e-Galley from Net Galley and I enjoyed it very much. This is a nice debut for Cindy Cipriano and a good opener for her Sidhe series. I like the original take on a familiar tale -- fairies stealing human children. I also enjoyed the characters: a half-fae boy, Calum, living in the human world with his fae mother and human father. I enjoyed the re-working of Celtic mythology and beliefs Cipriano used, as well as the refreshingly non-angsty family relations. Calum and his family display a strength and unity not often seen in YA, or even middle-grade books these days.
I don't want to spill the whole plot here for you, but I will say that missing family members pull a young hero into plenty of trouble and "interesting times." The disappearance of family members has kept Calum and his parents out of the fae world and living in the "real" world for a long time. Calum has strong family ties and interest in his mother's world, but has remained outside of it.
Although the book started a little slowly and took some time pulling me in, once things got moving, there was plenty of action and suspense. I greatly appreciated the family trees provided-- though I wished I had a paper copy to more easily flip back and forth to these -- since the connections and relationships among the fae were rather intricate and could be confusing. So many new characters were introduced, I did sometimes find myself referring back to make certain I was making the correct connections.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this to middle-grade readers and some of the younger YA readers in the library.
I received this book as an e-Galley from Net Galley and I enjoyed it very much. This is a nice debut for Cindy Cipriano and a good opener for her Sidhe series. I like the original take on a familiar tale -- fairies stealing human children. I also enjoyed the characters: a half-fae boy, Calum, living in the human world with his fae mother and human father. I enjoyed the re-working of Celtic mythology and beliefs Cipriano used, as well as the refreshingly non-angsty family relations. Calum and his family display a strength and unity not often seen in YA, or even middle-grade books these days.
I don't want to spill the whole plot here for you, but I will say that missing family members pull a young hero into plenty of trouble and "interesting times." The disappearance of family members has kept Calum and his parents out of the fae world and living in the "real" world for a long time. Calum has strong family ties and interest in his mother's world, but has remained outside of it.
Although the book started a little slowly and took some time pulling me in, once things got moving, there was plenty of action and suspense. I greatly appreciated the family trees provided-- though I wished I had a paper copy to more easily flip back and forth to these -- since the connections and relationships among the fae were rather intricate and could be confusing. So many new characters were introduced, I did sometimes find myself referring back to make certain I was making the correct connections.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this to middle-grade readers and some of the younger YA readers in the library.
January 14, 2020
This is not the first book I have read by Cindy Cipriano, having previously been introduced to her work by her YA Fading series, but this is the first that would technically be classed as "Middle Grade" for the purposes of marketing.
Let me start by saying that even though this is a story based around 6th graders, at no point does it feel like a "young" book. Remember Harry Potter? Well his first book is technically Middle Grade as well. If you want to buy a copy you will still have to venture into the children's section despite the worldwide adult appeal. The Circle has the same sort of feel, except with a lot of Fae mythology rather than "Wizard School".
The story is well constructed and it is definitely an easy read, and any time an author can work in new supernatural mythology which keeps me guessing, that always gets the thumbs up from me.
I like to keep my reviews non-spoilery so I will finish up by saying if you like anything to do with the supernatural, don't let the fact that this is a Middle-Grade book deter you. The story is intriguing, and although technically it doesn't end on a cliffhanger - there is a snippet from book 2 which definitely leaves you wanting more.
Overall I give this a solid 4 stars and will definitely be reading the next one!
Let me start by saying that even though this is a story based around 6th graders, at no point does it feel like a "young" book. Remember Harry Potter? Well his first book is technically Middle Grade as well. If you want to buy a copy you will still have to venture into the children's section despite the worldwide adult appeal. The Circle has the same sort of feel, except with a lot of Fae mythology rather than "Wizard School".
The story is well constructed and it is definitely an easy read, and any time an author can work in new supernatural mythology which keeps me guessing, that always gets the thumbs up from me.
I like to keep my reviews non-spoilery so I will finish up by saying if you like anything to do with the supernatural, don't let the fact that this is a Middle-Grade book deter you. The story is intriguing, and although technically it doesn't end on a cliffhanger - there is a snippet from book 2 which definitely leaves you wanting more.
Overall I give this a solid 4 stars and will definitely be reading the next one!
May 14, 2013
"He’d known there was something special about Laurel since the day she reached for the faerie book. Like it held the answer to some riddle. He’d known because he’d recognized the look of someone searching desperately for something lost"
If I, who I left behind long time ago the middle grade phase, I liked the book, surely many will love it, and the middle grades ones will certainly have a new series to dream of.
We are accustomed with the feelings and clashes of the 16-17 years old characters that must cope with their special living conditions. But we rarely find how their lives were so far, about the way they got to get used to these particularities. And if they should just get used to these gifts would have been very easy, but they must learn to control and hide them. The disclosure would have major effects not only on them but on those who would get knowledge of.
<<“We’ve been watching her for weeks. She seems to be nothing more than a normal girl,” said Kenzie.
“Well, don’t get too attached to her,” said Donnelly. “If she’s somehow figured out about us, or even our world, our next step won’t be a pleasant one.”
Calum glared at Donnelly, and felt a shiver down his spine when he saw the look in his uncle’s eyes.>>
But do not you think that the 10-12 years old characters are not able to support an engaging action.
Their story will catch you and you will want more and more. How is it to feel guilty about the disappearance (possibly death) of your cousin? How is it to want to do anything and everything possible to find out what happened to him and everyone to stop you because they don’t want you to become a victim also?
The adventures are based on curiosity, innocence and audacity of the three main characters: Calum, Lauren and Hagen. Bond by the suffered loss and their willingness to do anything to trace the lost ones, their destinies seem to be predestined to intertwine before they even meet.
There is suspense, there are dangers, assumed risks and unexpected failures. The fortuitous and human nature bitch up things and everything seems to be lost again and forever.
I liked how the author created the fairy world and how describe their lives infiltrate amidst humans. Folkloric elements are used harmoniously in relation to scientific truths.
<<“I’m talking about Pluto,” said Twicely, pointing to the small planet on one of the charts.
“Oh, yeah,” said Hagen. “The duine daonna don’t get it because they can’t stop arguing about whether or not Pluto is a planet. They don’t understand it belongs to an entirely different universe, our universe.>>
They are here get a new nuance that is as attractive as it is dangerous. Dangerous because, as we well know, there is not only the light but also the dark. And those who chosen the dark side have their own plans to fulfill.
<<“I think a tornado with no wind, no hail, and no damage is no tornado. You were right, Kenzie. I can feel it. Dark Sidhe have come to Emerald Lake.”>>
The aspects of the ordinary life and Sindhe life, the first steps to see a girl with "new eyes", the first shivers of jealousy and curiosity about all these feelings are naturally interwoven with the Sindhe characteristics and the action itself. They give flavor to the story and outline the characters.
"Not really angry, but what? Jealous. Calum was jealous of Hagen. The revelation took Calum by surprise. He hadn’t thought of Laurel as anything more than a good friend, so why should it bother him if she liked Hagen? It shouldn’t. But it did."
Aspects of the development of individual characters (main or secondary), the changes that people are suffering and character shaping are delicate and well placed. They are not only life lessons (perfectly valid at any age), but also sets the stage for what may follow. The most important lesson may be is that of the existence of free will: you are what you choose to be, not what is your destiny.
I recommend it and look forward to the next volume.
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/2013...
If I, who I left behind long time ago the middle grade phase, I liked the book, surely many will love it, and the middle grades ones will certainly have a new series to dream of.
We are accustomed with the feelings and clashes of the 16-17 years old characters that must cope with their special living conditions. But we rarely find how their lives were so far, about the way they got to get used to these particularities. And if they should just get used to these gifts would have been very easy, but they must learn to control and hide them. The disclosure would have major effects not only on them but on those who would get knowledge of.
<<“We’ve been watching her for weeks. She seems to be nothing more than a normal girl,” said Kenzie.
“Well, don’t get too attached to her,” said Donnelly. “If she’s somehow figured out about us, or even our world, our next step won’t be a pleasant one.”
Calum glared at Donnelly, and felt a shiver down his spine when he saw the look in his uncle’s eyes.>>
But do not you think that the 10-12 years old characters are not able to support an engaging action.
Their story will catch you and you will want more and more. How is it to feel guilty about the disappearance (possibly death) of your cousin? How is it to want to do anything and everything possible to find out what happened to him and everyone to stop you because they don’t want you to become a victim also?
The adventures are based on curiosity, innocence and audacity of the three main characters: Calum, Lauren and Hagen. Bond by the suffered loss and their willingness to do anything to trace the lost ones, their destinies seem to be predestined to intertwine before they even meet.
There is suspense, there are dangers, assumed risks and unexpected failures. The fortuitous and human nature bitch up things and everything seems to be lost again and forever.
I liked how the author created the fairy world and how describe their lives infiltrate amidst humans. Folkloric elements are used harmoniously in relation to scientific truths.
<<“I’m talking about Pluto,” said Twicely, pointing to the small planet on one of the charts.
“Oh, yeah,” said Hagen. “The duine daonna don’t get it because they can’t stop arguing about whether or not Pluto is a planet. They don’t understand it belongs to an entirely different universe, our universe.>>
They are here get a new nuance that is as attractive as it is dangerous. Dangerous because, as we well know, there is not only the light but also the dark. And those who chosen the dark side have their own plans to fulfill.
<<“I think a tornado with no wind, no hail, and no damage is no tornado. You were right, Kenzie. I can feel it. Dark Sidhe have come to Emerald Lake.”>>
The aspects of the ordinary life and Sindhe life, the first steps to see a girl with "new eyes", the first shivers of jealousy and curiosity about all these feelings are naturally interwoven with the Sindhe characteristics and the action itself. They give flavor to the story and outline the characters.
"Not really angry, but what? Jealous. Calum was jealous of Hagen. The revelation took Calum by surprise. He hadn’t thought of Laurel as anything more than a good friend, so why should it bother him if she liked Hagen? It shouldn’t. But it did."
Aspects of the development of individual characters (main or secondary), the changes that people are suffering and character shaping are delicate and well placed. They are not only life lessons (perfectly valid at any age), but also sets the stage for what may follow. The most important lesson may be is that of the existence of free will: you are what you choose to be, not what is your destiny.
I recommend it and look forward to the next volume.
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/2013...
June 13, 2013
Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Ariel
First of all, this was a great debut novel for Cindy Cipriano. The first few pages were a little slow, but by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. Cipriano introduces an amazing world of magic with the Sidhe and she keeps readers guessing as Calum tries to find out what happened to his cousin Finley.
One of the things that really intrigued me about the novel was the fact that it’s full of Irish phrases, which can be a little tricky at first but there is a pronunciation guide on the book’s website, www.thesidheseries.com. I always get fascinated whenever something European is involved, so this was a huge plus for me.
Something else that I found really interesting about the novel was the fact that there were different clans of Sidhe and each clan has their own token and their own verse, and I don’t think we’ve been introduced to all of the clans yet, so I am looking forward to the possibility of that in future books in the series.
The characters are fantastic, Calum is your typical 11 year old boy (aside from being a Sidhe of course) and he’s an extremely easy character to relate to. Apart from anything magical going on in the novel, Calum is, like a lot of children, nervous about middle school. He meets Laurel, a human girl, and is reluctant to be friends with her because she is a girl. His best friend is hanging out with other kids, bullies, and the two are drifting apart. It is an extremely real telling of this particular time in a kid’s life, Sidhe or otherwise.
That being said, the interactions between Calum and Laurel are really enjoyable, the awkward just getting to know someone new right before starting a new school situation is done really well. Hagen, Calum’s cousin, is a great character as well. He and Calum act more like brothers than they do cousins, and Hagen is just as dedicated to finding Finley as Calum is. There are family trees in the back of the book, which come in handy and I wish I would have checked the back of the book before I read the whole book because it can be a little difficult at times to keep track of who is related to who and how they are related.
There are still some things that seem a little mysterious that I am looking forward potentially being explained in the rest of the series. Something still seems a little suspicious with Laurel to me (you’ll understand once you read the book) and of course, the book ends on a cliff hanger leaving lots of room for the next novel.
I’m giving The Circle 5/5 game controllers. It was a great read, something that I thoroughly enjoyed, and definitely would have enjoyed when I was younger. Fantastic debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more.
Rating: 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Ariel
First of all, this was a great debut novel for Cindy Cipriano. The first few pages were a little slow, but by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. Cipriano introduces an amazing world of magic with the Sidhe and she keeps readers guessing as Calum tries to find out what happened to his cousin Finley.
One of the things that really intrigued me about the novel was the fact that it’s full of Irish phrases, which can be a little tricky at first but there is a pronunciation guide on the book’s website, www.thesidheseries.com. I always get fascinated whenever something European is involved, so this was a huge plus for me.
Something else that I found really interesting about the novel was the fact that there were different clans of Sidhe and each clan has their own token and their own verse, and I don’t think we’ve been introduced to all of the clans yet, so I am looking forward to the possibility of that in future books in the series.
The characters are fantastic, Calum is your typical 11 year old boy (aside from being a Sidhe of course) and he’s an extremely easy character to relate to. Apart from anything magical going on in the novel, Calum is, like a lot of children, nervous about middle school. He meets Laurel, a human girl, and is reluctant to be friends with her because she is a girl. His best friend is hanging out with other kids, bullies, and the two are drifting apart. It is an extremely real telling of this particular time in a kid’s life, Sidhe or otherwise.
That being said, the interactions between Calum and Laurel are really enjoyable, the awkward just getting to know someone new right before starting a new school situation is done really well. Hagen, Calum’s cousin, is a great character as well. He and Calum act more like brothers than they do cousins, and Hagen is just as dedicated to finding Finley as Calum is. There are family trees in the back of the book, which come in handy and I wish I would have checked the back of the book before I read the whole book because it can be a little difficult at times to keep track of who is related to who and how they are related.
There are still some things that seem a little mysterious that I am looking forward potentially being explained in the rest of the series. Something still seems a little suspicious with Laurel to me (you’ll understand once you read the book) and of course, the book ends on a cliff hanger leaving lots of room for the next novel.
I’m giving The Circle 5/5 game controllers. It was a great read, something that I thoroughly enjoyed, and definitely would have enjoyed when I was younger. Fantastic debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more.
June 7, 2013
The Story-
Upcoming sixth-grader Callum is part Sidhe. He lives with his Sidhe mom and normal dad in the real world. His mom runs a boutique bookstore where Callum has been helping out during the summer. Just before school starts, a young girl named Laurel comes to town, but Callum notices she's wearing a token of the dark Sidhe.
As Callum gets to know Laurel, he discovers that her brother was kidnapped years ago, about the same time that his cousin Finley went missing. Together, they team up to find out what happened and how the dark Sidhe were involved.
My Thoughts-
I enjoyed the book, especially the tying together of the human world and the Sidhe world. It was fun to unravel the mystery of what happened to Laurel's brother, and then when it ties into Callum's own life, things got even more interesting. One of my favorite parts is when Callum gets to go to Sidhe school during break. I like the creative things the kids have to learn.
This book is also a complete story. We get the entire plot of Laurel and her brother wrapped up and over before moving on to the second book. Plus, the end leads to the natural plot line of what book 2 will be about- there is no guess work.
I do wish that the Sidhe world and its magic had been delved into more. I just crave those types of details. The story starts off in the mother's bookstore, and the first chapter is so amazing as it describes these wooden shelves and banisters with elven writing engraved in them. I was disappointed when the story never delved into the origins of the store or the reason the elven writing was there.
Another thing that hit me as odd, was that right up front you know that Callum's cousin Finley went missing. Callum thinks back on the great memories they made together. Then we have Laurel, who is upset about her missing brother. It seems like these events happened in the recent past, but halfway through the book I realized it happened 7 years ago when Callum and Laurel were 4. They were totally little, but previously the book made it feel like it had happened in the last year or so. I had to do a complete re-think.
There is a lot of potential here and I definitely want to read the second book.
Upcoming sixth-grader Callum is part Sidhe. He lives with his Sidhe mom and normal dad in the real world. His mom runs a boutique bookstore where Callum has been helping out during the summer. Just before school starts, a young girl named Laurel comes to town, but Callum notices she's wearing a token of the dark Sidhe.
As Callum gets to know Laurel, he discovers that her brother was kidnapped years ago, about the same time that his cousin Finley went missing. Together, they team up to find out what happened and how the dark Sidhe were involved.
My Thoughts-
I enjoyed the book, especially the tying together of the human world and the Sidhe world. It was fun to unravel the mystery of what happened to Laurel's brother, and then when it ties into Callum's own life, things got even more interesting. One of my favorite parts is when Callum gets to go to Sidhe school during break. I like the creative things the kids have to learn.
This book is also a complete story. We get the entire plot of Laurel and her brother wrapped up and over before moving on to the second book. Plus, the end leads to the natural plot line of what book 2 will be about- there is no guess work.
I do wish that the Sidhe world and its magic had been delved into more. I just crave those types of details. The story starts off in the mother's bookstore, and the first chapter is so amazing as it describes these wooden shelves and banisters with elven writing engraved in them. I was disappointed when the story never delved into the origins of the store or the reason the elven writing was there.
Another thing that hit me as odd, was that right up front you know that Callum's cousin Finley went missing. Callum thinks back on the great memories they made together. Then we have Laurel, who is upset about her missing brother. It seems like these events happened in the recent past, but halfway through the book I realized it happened 7 years ago when Callum and Laurel were 4. They were totally little, but previously the book made it feel like it had happened in the last year or so. I had to do a complete re-think.
There is a lot of potential here and I definitely want to read the second book.
August 21, 2013
"The Circle" book one of The Sidhe which I won from Goodreads Giveaways is an enchanting and magical story that begins in the Siopa Leabharr, the oldest and only bookstore in Wander County. As the story opens Calum Ranson has been thinking about the disappearance of his cousin Finley when he meets Laurel Werner whose brother Daniel has been missing for seven years. The only clue to Daniel's disappearance is the pendant that Laurel wears, a link to the dark and sinister Hobayeth clan. As Calum, his cousin Hagen as well as Laurel search for a way to rescue Daniel and discover the whereabouts of Finley, the three enter their sixth year at Inglewood Middle School which can be as trying as any adventure as they deal with an annoying fellow student, a no-nonsense teacher and a souring friendship.
This plot is imaginative and well-written although it holds elements of other folklore tales. The twists and turns of this story flow smoothly as Calum and his friends face one challenge after another. Both the Realm of Man and the Otherworld hold a charm; the one with magic ,the other with its own brand of appeal like a curious cat named Whisper , WRECKS a black dog with a sharply bent tail ,and sticks in a vase called Particulars that can predict the future.
The characters interact naturally and have multifaceted personalities as the adventure sweeps them between worlds; Calum's intelligent, curious and brave, fearful of losing his magical abilities. Laurel's determined and bold in finding her brother but insecure as she faces life in a new school. Hagen, grandson of the Sidhe King and Queen is self-assured and sometimes arrogant, but a true and loyal friend. Kenzie, Calum's mother is protective, friendly and a very astute business woman while her antithesis is Donnelly, Hagen's father who's acerbic, and angry and seemingly helpless at changing a clan filled with such darkness and abuse. All the characters and even the antagonist, the cruel and evil Brownshire lend an air of excitement to the quest.
The story is entertaining and filled with adventure as the mission takes the children through a portal into a magical faerie world where the mystery will be unravelled. I enjoyed it and recommend this series.
This plot is imaginative and well-written although it holds elements of other folklore tales. The twists and turns of this story flow smoothly as Calum and his friends face one challenge after another. Both the Realm of Man and the Otherworld hold a charm; the one with magic ,the other with its own brand of appeal like a curious cat named Whisper , WRECKS a black dog with a sharply bent tail ,and sticks in a vase called Particulars that can predict the future.
The characters interact naturally and have multifaceted personalities as the adventure sweeps them between worlds; Calum's intelligent, curious and brave, fearful of losing his magical abilities. Laurel's determined and bold in finding her brother but insecure as she faces life in a new school. Hagen, grandson of the Sidhe King and Queen is self-assured and sometimes arrogant, but a true and loyal friend. Kenzie, Calum's mother is protective, friendly and a very astute business woman while her antithesis is Donnelly, Hagen's father who's acerbic, and angry and seemingly helpless at changing a clan filled with such darkness and abuse. All the characters and even the antagonist, the cruel and evil Brownshire lend an air of excitement to the quest.
The story is entertaining and filled with adventure as the mission takes the children through a portal into a magical faerie world where the mystery will be unravelled. I enjoyed it and recommend this series.
May 14, 2015
Visit my blog, Plethoric Thoughts, for the entire review (the shenanigans included).
I'd like to give a big thanks to Ms. Michelle Lovi, publisher from Odyssey Books, who was so kind to give me this a copy of the first installment of the Sidhe Series. Thank you!
I've known, even from reading book: The Choice prior to reading this book, that this series will be wonderful. And now that I've got my bearings to the series, I'm downright sure of it. Granted, I already know where the story was heading but that doesn't stop the tiny details from making me excited and engaged. It was these tiny details that made me so happy in getting to read the first book.
I loved how the pace of the story was moderate--not so fast, and not too slow. Although the development of the story were, at times, going on a quite slow pace the revelations and the climax of the story rose smoothly. One great thing about reading the second book first was that the foreshadowing of the events in the first book was clearer at first read. This showed to me immediately how smooth the entire plot was set out and written.
Most of all, I especially loved the emotional struggles of Calum Ranson. Despite being different from any other kid in town, he was enduring the same kind of struggles that every kid experiences. It was that point near the end when he broke down that I felt connected to him. That I so wanted tears to fall because I was so moved by him. Because, let's face it, at some point in our lives we have felt utterly responsible for a bad thing that happened. I know I did...a couple of times. And accepting that the world isn't our burden to carry alone was hard.
Having read the first book now, I'm planning on rereading The Choice. Not now, really, but soon. This series is starting to see the light for me and if I have read The Circle before The Choice, I would still say the same. I'm hoping for this series to get big (even if the small hipster-ish part of me doesn't want it to) because it has greater potential compared to the other YAs hitting the mainstream shelves nowadays. I know I'll be following this series.
I'd like to give a big thanks to Ms. Michelle Lovi, publisher from Odyssey Books, who was so kind to give me this a copy of the first installment of the Sidhe Series. Thank you!
I've known, even from reading book: The Choice prior to reading this book, that this series will be wonderful. And now that I've got my bearings to the series, I'm downright sure of it. Granted, I already know where the story was heading but that doesn't stop the tiny details from making me excited and engaged. It was these tiny details that made me so happy in getting to read the first book.
I loved how the pace of the story was moderate--not so fast, and not too slow. Although the development of the story were, at times, going on a quite slow pace the revelations and the climax of the story rose smoothly. One great thing about reading the second book first was that the foreshadowing of the events in the first book was clearer at first read. This showed to me immediately how smooth the entire plot was set out and written.
Most of all, I especially loved the emotional struggles of Calum Ranson. Despite being different from any other kid in town, he was enduring the same kind of struggles that every kid experiences. It was that point near the end when he broke down that I felt connected to him. That I so wanted tears to fall because I was so moved by him. Because, let's face it, at some point in our lives we have felt utterly responsible for a bad thing that happened. I know I did...a couple of times. And accepting that the world isn't our burden to carry alone was hard.
Having read the first book now, I'm planning on rereading The Choice. Not now, really, but soon. This series is starting to see the light for me and if I have read The Circle before The Choice, I would still say the same. I'm hoping for this series to get big (even if the small hipster-ish part of me doesn't want it to) because it has greater potential compared to the other YAs hitting the mainstream shelves nowadays. I know I'll be following this series.
July 29, 2013
STAR RATING IS REALLY A 3.5
Official Synopsis: Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel shows up at his mother’s bookstore wearing a dark clan’s mark.
When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother – revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life...
Length: 186 pages
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Publisher: Odyssey Books
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Publication Date: June 1st, 2013
This book had a lot of promise. It was decently written and I will say that I am not the target audience. The primary audience for this book would be the younger YA crowd. I imagine a middle grade group would certainly enjoy this book. As an adult there were plus and minuses. I love the idea of Finn and the use of the term Sidhe. So many authors forget there are actual names for the fae and there are tons of types and just stick to calling them fairy or that they live in fairyland. It can be aggravating. So, I would like to take a moment to say thank you for doing enough research to really grasp the entire concept for the fae culture and include that within your story.
The book was fast past but as an adult I noticed gaps and felt the rushing. For a younger group ... I honestly don't know if they would actually notice that. It is short enough to be what I would consider a full-length novel for a middle grade. But, for an adult it just wasn't as fleshed out as I hoped it would be. The ending is abrupt which lets me know there is obviously going to be a sequel. But, again, I think the target audience would be ravenous for this book.
I definitely wouldn't mind my younger nieces and nephews reading this book at all. In fact I've encouraged a couple of them to check it out.
Rating: B-
Official Synopsis: Calum Ranson is sure of three things: his cousin Finley is alive, Calum will find him, and no one knows Calum and his family are Sidhe. No one until Laurel shows up at his mother’s bookstore wearing a dark clan’s mark.
When Calum learns the details surrounding the disappearance of Laurel’s brother, he suspects the evil Hobayeth clan. Calum and Laurel work together in the Realm of Man and the Otherworld to rescue her brother – revealing a connection between Calum and Laurel that may cost Finley his life...
Length: 186 pages
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Publisher: Odyssey Books
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Publication Date: June 1st, 2013
This book had a lot of promise. It was decently written and I will say that I am not the target audience. The primary audience for this book would be the younger YA crowd. I imagine a middle grade group would certainly enjoy this book. As an adult there were plus and minuses. I love the idea of Finn and the use of the term Sidhe. So many authors forget there are actual names for the fae and there are tons of types and just stick to calling them fairy or that they live in fairyland. It can be aggravating. So, I would like to take a moment to say thank you for doing enough research to really grasp the entire concept for the fae culture and include that within your story.
The book was fast past but as an adult I noticed gaps and felt the rushing. For a younger group ... I honestly don't know if they would actually notice that. It is short enough to be what I would consider a full-length novel for a middle grade. But, for an adult it just wasn't as fleshed out as I hoped it would be. The ending is abrupt which lets me know there is obviously going to be a sequel. But, again, I think the target audience would be ravenous for this book.
I definitely wouldn't mind my younger nieces and nephews reading this book at all. In fact I've encouraged a couple of them to check it out.
Rating: B-
February 18, 2015
The Circle Book One of The Sidhe by Cindy Cipriano
ISBN 9781922200044
186 Pages
Odyssey Books
Children’s Fiction, Sci Fi & Fantasy
I enjoyed this book even though it is considered a children’s book. Calum and his family are Sidhe. Before the book begins Calum’s cousin, Finley, disappeared while they were out playing. He wants to find Finley and bring him home.
His mother owns and runs an old bookstore called Siopa Leabhar which is Gaelic for “shop of books.” The bookstore is unique in many ways. All along the book stacks are words written in Italian. Each saying is a faerie verse from the oldest Sidhe clans. One summer day he meets Laurel, a young girl wearing a necklace with another Sidhe clan symbol on it. Laurel’s family moved here because her brother went missing and they wanted to leave behind the pain in the old house.
Calum and Laurel soon become good friends and spend the summer hanging out in the bookstore and telling stories. Laurel tells Calum about the day her brother disappeared. She saw a faerie boy take her brother into a faerie hill but gave her a fairy stone. This is what she wears around her neck.
Before they return to school Calum’s other cousin, Hagan, returns home from visiting his Sidhe family. The three friends spend all their time together although there was tension because Laurel seems to be infatuated with Hagan. She knows they are Sidhe and no one knows what to do about it. She confides in them about the day her brother was taken and who took him. The two boys want to investigate and Laurel refuses to be left out. They go to a park they know is part of the Faerie Realm. It is dangerous but they make plans in case something happens. Calum and Hagan’s families find out what is going on and come to the rescue.
This is the first book in the series. The characters are well developed and filled with magic. The author does a good job spinning the story and leaves the reader hanging at the end. I look forward to the next book in the series.
ISBN 9781922200044
186 Pages
Odyssey Books
Children’s Fiction, Sci Fi & Fantasy
I enjoyed this book even though it is considered a children’s book. Calum and his family are Sidhe. Before the book begins Calum’s cousin, Finley, disappeared while they were out playing. He wants to find Finley and bring him home.
His mother owns and runs an old bookstore called Siopa Leabhar which is Gaelic for “shop of books.” The bookstore is unique in many ways. All along the book stacks are words written in Italian. Each saying is a faerie verse from the oldest Sidhe clans. One summer day he meets Laurel, a young girl wearing a necklace with another Sidhe clan symbol on it. Laurel’s family moved here because her brother went missing and they wanted to leave behind the pain in the old house.
Calum and Laurel soon become good friends and spend the summer hanging out in the bookstore and telling stories. Laurel tells Calum about the day her brother disappeared. She saw a faerie boy take her brother into a faerie hill but gave her a fairy stone. This is what she wears around her neck.
Before they return to school Calum’s other cousin, Hagan, returns home from visiting his Sidhe family. The three friends spend all their time together although there was tension because Laurel seems to be infatuated with Hagan. She knows they are Sidhe and no one knows what to do about it. She confides in them about the day her brother was taken and who took him. The two boys want to investigate and Laurel refuses to be left out. They go to a park they know is part of the Faerie Realm. It is dangerous but they make plans in case something happens. Calum and Hagan’s families find out what is going on and come to the rescue.
This is the first book in the series. The characters are well developed and filled with magic. The author does a good job spinning the story and leaves the reader hanging at the end. I look forward to the next book in the series.
December 20, 2015
A heartening tale that will sweep young readers into the adventurous world of the Sidhe and the importance of family.
The story opens with a poem, setting up the story perfectly and giving a 'feel' of mischievous play. There is something elfish or fairy-like about it.
Middle grade voices abound through distinct characters. Calum has the typical MG response to a girl of shyness yet intrigue. He's mature enough to face it head on, though. The friends Cipriano has created for Calum support his personality--both challenging and comforting him--as well as his mortal and otherlyworld. What is absolutely atypically about this story is the names. If you know anything about me then you know I'm a major name buff. Using unusual character names adds flavor and color to the world and mounds of the Sidhe; I found that so Harry Potter-like. Ingenious connections between the Otherworld and the Realm of Man are plausible.
Another aspect that caught my attention was the sweet, caring relationship Calum has with his mom. It builds trust and a strong foundation with the reader. His father is also involved, which is a nice change from a lot of books I've read lately. The family is fully intact; no absent parents here.
Young readers will enjoy piecing the scattered crumbs of mystery Cipriano strategically places throughout the story. As mystery one crumb builds on the next, posing questions as to where and from who Laurel--Calum's new friend--got the stone she wears, the reader is challenged to think and evaluate what he/she has already read. But then a strange reaction from Laurel to old friend/cousin Hagen suddenly turns the story awkward and very normal. When this happens, Calum senses something odd, but doesn't know what it is other than it seems he's crushing on Laurel. As you might have guessed ... well, you'll have to read the story to discover that.
The story opens with a poem, setting up the story perfectly and giving a 'feel' of mischievous play. There is something elfish or fairy-like about it.
Middle grade voices abound through distinct characters. Calum has the typical MG response to a girl of shyness yet intrigue. He's mature enough to face it head on, though. The friends Cipriano has created for Calum support his personality--both challenging and comforting him--as well as his mortal and otherlyworld. What is absolutely atypically about this story is the names. If you know anything about me then you know I'm a major name buff. Using unusual character names adds flavor and color to the world and mounds of the Sidhe; I found that so Harry Potter-like. Ingenious connections between the Otherworld and the Realm of Man are plausible.
Another aspect that caught my attention was the sweet, caring relationship Calum has with his mom. It builds trust and a strong foundation with the reader. His father is also involved, which is a nice change from a lot of books I've read lately. The family is fully intact; no absent parents here.
Young readers will enjoy piecing the scattered crumbs of mystery Cipriano strategically places throughout the story. As mystery one crumb builds on the next, posing questions as to where and from who Laurel--Calum's new friend--got the stone she wears, the reader is challenged to think and evaluate what he/she has already read. But then a strange reaction from Laurel to old friend/cousin Hagen suddenly turns the story awkward and very normal. When this happens, Calum senses something odd, but doesn't know what it is other than it seems he's crushing on Laurel. As you might have guessed ... well, you'll have to read the story to discover that.
May 23, 2013
Fairy tales are awesome.
Just thought I'd throw that out there before I tell you about this book and why I liked it. The Circle is more traditional lore than deviating to create it's own, but that doesn't mean it lacks twist and turns that will take you by surprise. The lore combined with all the tragedy, action and intensity make this book truly enjoyable.
There are so many characters that sometimes it's a little overwhelming to keep everyone's story straight. However, the three main characters Calum, Lauren and Hagen all have personalities that keep the story moving at a good pace, so you never have a chance to get stuck anywhere. Add to their personalities all the determination and spunk, you get the character depth you come to expect from extraordinary heroes and heroines. These characters don't lack ANYTHING, even though they've gone through some horrible things, and it seems they will have some obstacles in the future.
At times this story does feel a little young, but it is a middle grade story so in the end I felt like any age group could love this book, just at certain points you can tell it was aimed at someone much younger than I am. (stop laughing at me, I know I'm getting old) However, this does not detract from it, AT ALL. On the polar opposite side, there are times that the characters seem to act much older than they are, but it isn't a flaw. In fact, if I had to take a guess this is probably done on purpose. These kids have been through so much, they grew too fast. With experience comes maturity and that is definitely what these kids have.
I really enjoyed this book and would encourage anyone to read and share it with their kids too! There a lot of questions to be answered yet in this world, but that's what a series is for so I can't wait to read more from The Sidhe series!
Just thought I'd throw that out there before I tell you about this book and why I liked it. The Circle is more traditional lore than deviating to create it's own, but that doesn't mean it lacks twist and turns that will take you by surprise. The lore combined with all the tragedy, action and intensity make this book truly enjoyable.
There are so many characters that sometimes it's a little overwhelming to keep everyone's story straight. However, the three main characters Calum, Lauren and Hagen all have personalities that keep the story moving at a good pace, so you never have a chance to get stuck anywhere. Add to their personalities all the determination and spunk, you get the character depth you come to expect from extraordinary heroes and heroines. These characters don't lack ANYTHING, even though they've gone through some horrible things, and it seems they will have some obstacles in the future.
At times this story does feel a little young, but it is a middle grade story so in the end I felt like any age group could love this book, just at certain points you can tell it was aimed at someone much younger than I am. (stop laughing at me, I know I'm getting old) However, this does not detract from it, AT ALL. On the polar opposite side, there are times that the characters seem to act much older than they are, but it isn't a flaw. In fact, if I had to take a guess this is probably done on purpose. These kids have been through so much, they grew too fast. With experience comes maturity and that is definitely what these kids have.
I really enjoyed this book and would encourage anyone to read and share it with their kids too! There a lot of questions to be answered yet in this world, but that's what a series is for so I can't wait to read more from The Sidhe series!
January 18, 2014
The Circle by Cindy Cipriano is about a seemingly ordinary family from Emerald Lake, however there is more to them than meets the eye as they are not human, but are sidhe. ‘The Circle’ is the first book in ‘The Sidhe’ series and introduces the Ransom and Dunbar family who are sidhe. The story follows the adventures of Calum Ranson and Hagen Dunbar, who are cousins, and their new friend Laurel Werner who is human. As their friendship grows, it becomes harder for Calum to keep his secret of being sidhe from Laurel, so what happens when she finds out? And will Calum be able to find his cousin Finley, who went missing from the Otherworld, whilst helping Laurel reclaim her twin brother David, who disappeared right in front of her nearly seven years ago? And is the disappearance of the two somehow linked?
I really enjoyed reading ‘The Cirlce’ – the plot was absorbing and the characters were very likeable. We are first introduced to Calum and his mother who he calls by her first name Kenzie because it “strengthens the good ones (faeries), and weakens the bad ones”; they seem like ordinary humans at first in a normal world, like “something ordinary out of the ordinary”, but they are more than ordinary. Whilst the trio – Calum, Hagen and Laurel – return from their first adventure somewhat fruitfully, the first book ends with some intriguing questions yet to be answered: are Laurel and David really just humans? Are Neal and Riley sidhe as well? Did Neal and Arlen pass through a threshold to the Otherworld on Halloween? Is Riley responsible for the tricks and mishaps that have been occurring at Longwood Middle School? These questions remain to be answered, including the biggie: what happened to Finley? I look forward to finding out the next adventure in ‘The Sidhe’ series – ‘The Lost’.
I really enjoyed reading ‘The Cirlce’ – the plot was absorbing and the characters were very likeable. We are first introduced to Calum and his mother who he calls by her first name Kenzie because it “strengthens the good ones (faeries), and weakens the bad ones”; they seem like ordinary humans at first in a normal world, like “something ordinary out of the ordinary”, but they are more than ordinary. Whilst the trio – Calum, Hagen and Laurel – return from their first adventure somewhat fruitfully, the first book ends with some intriguing questions yet to be answered: are Laurel and David really just humans? Are Neal and Riley sidhe as well? Did Neal and Arlen pass through a threshold to the Otherworld on Halloween? Is Riley responsible for the tricks and mishaps that have been occurring at Longwood Middle School? These questions remain to be answered, including the biggie: what happened to Finley? I look forward to finding out the next adventure in ‘The Sidhe’ series – ‘The Lost’.
January 24, 2015
Calum and his family live between two worlds. The world of the Sidhe and the world known to the rest of us. So when a new girl arrives in town with a mark of a dark clan, they can’t help but wonder how she fits in. And does she have anything to do with the disappearance of Calum’s cousin?
I’m not the biggest reader of fantasy books, so I’m not always terribly knowledgeable about fantasy creatures and conventions. So, I have to admit that I found the first half of this book quite difficult to read – I felt like I was missing something (or a lot of somethings) which would make it understandable and all fall into place for me.It did eventually fall in to place for me, and I really enjoyed the second half of the book, but I wonder if young readers with similar lack of knowledge as myself would also have troubles.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the characters in the book. The children felt very real and the adults were present – something we don’t always see in fantasy books for children. At times I felt like the ‘school stuff’ was a little distracting from the story – I’m still on the fence about whether it told us more about the characters or was unnecessary.
The highlight of the book was the rush towards the end as Calum and his friends work towards solving the mystery. The pacing was just right and held my attention beautifully, and it never felt like the action was getting away from me as a reader. It was a wonderful set up for a follow up book too.
I can see a lot of young readers enjoying the book, and with the right book talk, it could do very well in a school or classroom library. When I was teaching, I once taught a unit about Fantasy books – this one would fit in absolutely perfect.
Originally reviewed at Subversive Reader
I’m not the biggest reader of fantasy books, so I’m not always terribly knowledgeable about fantasy creatures and conventions. So, I have to admit that I found the first half of this book quite difficult to read – I felt like I was missing something (or a lot of somethings) which would make it understandable and all fall into place for me.It did eventually fall in to place for me, and I really enjoyed the second half of the book, but I wonder if young readers with similar lack of knowledge as myself would also have troubles.
Apart from that, I really enjoyed the characters in the book. The children felt very real and the adults were present – something we don’t always see in fantasy books for children. At times I felt like the ‘school stuff’ was a little distracting from the story – I’m still on the fence about whether it told us more about the characters or was unnecessary.
The highlight of the book was the rush towards the end as Calum and his friends work towards solving the mystery. The pacing was just right and held my attention beautifully, and it never felt like the action was getting away from me as a reader. It was a wonderful set up for a follow up book too.
I can see a lot of young readers enjoying the book, and with the right book talk, it could do very well in a school or classroom library. When I was teaching, I once taught a unit about Fantasy books – this one would fit in absolutely perfect.
Originally reviewed at Subversive Reader
May 16, 2013
A young boy discovers a new friend during the summer before sixth grade and a key to a family mystery. Could the girl be tied to his missing cousin? Why does she know things about his people that no human should? There are too many questions for one boy to answer alone.
This was a very enjoyable read. The story moved along at a relatively fast pace with a plot that had many layers. You start out thinking that the story is about a boy in school, then his missing cousin, then the strange stone, then ... so many other incidents that don't add up until you get to the end.
The characters are well-done. They are complex as they deal with their own feelings, peer pressure, and family expectations. These are sixth graders mostly, and they have complicated lives just like adults. The author goes into all that. Sadly, I had too many memories of my sixth grade pop back up as she described their lives in school and the interactions with their classmates.
This is a paranormal story as the boy and his family are fairies and have magical abilities. They live in the human world but can travel to their own world whenever they like. The problem is that not all fairies get along.
I read this book in one sitting. Usually for this age group I don't get that involved, but this one had me wondering about the new girl, the stone, the many weird events. They kept coming at me at a steady and interesting pace. I just had to get to the end where I was very upset. I immediately wanted the next book. (This is payback for my own endings, I think.) All I can do is beg the author to get it released. I want to put it on my to-read list. :)
Note: This book was provided to be as part of a virtual book tour with no expectations of a positive review.
This was a very enjoyable read. The story moved along at a relatively fast pace with a plot that had many layers. You start out thinking that the story is about a boy in school, then his missing cousin, then the strange stone, then ... so many other incidents that don't add up until you get to the end.
The characters are well-done. They are complex as they deal with their own feelings, peer pressure, and family expectations. These are sixth graders mostly, and they have complicated lives just like adults. The author goes into all that. Sadly, I had too many memories of my sixth grade pop back up as she described their lives in school and the interactions with their classmates.
This is a paranormal story as the boy and his family are fairies and have magical abilities. They live in the human world but can travel to their own world whenever they like. The problem is that not all fairies get along.
I read this book in one sitting. Usually for this age group I don't get that involved, but this one had me wondering about the new girl, the stone, the many weird events. They kept coming at me at a steady and interesting pace. I just had to get to the end where I was very upset. I immediately wanted the next book. (This is payback for my own endings, I think.) All I can do is beg the author to get it released. I want to put it on my to-read list. :)
Note: This book was provided to be as part of a virtual book tour with no expectations of a positive review.
June 21, 2013
To the rest of the world Calum Ranson and his family looked like typical Americans living in a small town. Little did the others know Calum and his family were Sidhe fairies. Calum blamed himself for his cousin Finley's disappearance years before when they were visiting the fairy world. When Laurel, a new girl in town, shows up at Siopa Leabhar (Calum's mother's bookshop - pronounced: Shuppa Leb-har) wearing a necklace with the symbol of a notorious fairy clan - the Hobayeth clan (Calum and his family are Sidhe fairies of the Aessea clan and the Hobayeth fairies are a not so nice clan), Calum and his cousin Hagen are suspicious of why a normal human is wearing a fairy necklace. Months later, Laurel figures out that the Ranson family are actually fairies and she needs their help to find her missing brother. Calum and Hagen decide to help Laurel rescue her brother from the Hobayeth before it's too late!
I really love mystical creatures and fairies are close to the top of the list of my favorite kinds (I admit, I kinda like Tinkerbell... ;) ), and this book has furthered my interest in them. I like the "legend" of the Sidhe fairies. It is pretty interesting. Calum is a great character. He's kind and like a modern kid, PLUS his Mom owns a bookstore! The plot is very exciting and I think it is a unique plot for a magic story (really gets away from a "Harry Potter" theme). The first few pages of the story were a little slow, but it soon sucked me into reading page after page. I really like all of the action in the story! I like the idea of the fairy world too. Ms. Cipriano describes it very well.
**NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really love mystical creatures and fairies are close to the top of the list of my favorite kinds (I admit, I kinda like Tinkerbell... ;) ), and this book has furthered my interest in them. I like the "legend" of the Sidhe fairies. It is pretty interesting. Calum is a great character. He's kind and like a modern kid, PLUS his Mom owns a bookstore! The plot is very exciting and I think it is a unique plot for a magic story (really gets away from a "Harry Potter" theme). The first few pages of the story were a little slow, but it soon sucked me into reading page after page. I really like all of the action in the story! I like the idea of the fairy world too. Ms. Cipriano describes it very well.
**NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2013
This Book is FABULOUS for the Middle Graders! I have to say that the world creation is absolutely perfect for the story. I love how the Author used Fae. And I loved how the threat isn't like most paranormal stories where the "creature" worries that humans will discover they are different. Although that is an aspect of course it isn't the main threat, and I felt that was perfect in a paranormal story.
The Characters in this story are extremely well defined, and very realistic. Cindy Cipriano used such normal every day things in this story. Things that tweens deal with on an every day occurrence. Such as when Calum's best friend suddenly thinks he is too cool to be friends with Calum. The normal boy versus girl issue is here as well, where it just isn't cool for a boy to be friends with a girl. Such normal things that most kids will deal with and the author made it easy to see not only those issues, but how Calum dealt with them.
I give this book 5 stars and must applaud the author for world creation. The world she created is both normal and extraordinary. A world filled with magic and mystery. A world where Faeries do exist but are unlike anything you have ever imagined before. A world which will suck you in and leave you craving more. This is a wonderful addition to any Middle Grade Library. And since it is a series I truly believe it will keep the kids reading.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
The Characters in this story are extremely well defined, and very realistic. Cindy Cipriano used such normal every day things in this story. Things that tweens deal with on an every day occurrence. Such as when Calum's best friend suddenly thinks he is too cool to be friends with Calum. The normal boy versus girl issue is here as well, where it just isn't cool for a boy to be friends with a girl. Such normal things that most kids will deal with and the author made it easy to see not only those issues, but how Calum dealt with them.
I give this book 5 stars and must applaud the author for world creation. The world she created is both normal and extraordinary. A world filled with magic and mystery. A world where Faeries do exist but are unlike anything you have ever imagined before. A world which will suck you in and leave you craving more. This is a wonderful addition to any Middle Grade Library. And since it is a series I truly believe it will keep the kids reading.
Details/Disclaimer: Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
March 27, 2014
I read this after meeting Cindy Cipriano at our SCASL Conference this year and I was not disappointed. I read it in one evening because I did not want to put it down. I have always loved fairies and this is a great mixture of mystery, fairies, magic and friendship that I think all people can enjoy. Calum and Laurel are very believable as middle school students facing the problems they all face. Calum, in addition has the problem of having a family that is slightly different and having to keep secrets about that family. I loved the book store that his mom owns and would love to visit there. It is set in the mountains of western N.C. and is like the small town were I grew up. The story moves between the Realm of Man and the Otherworld (fairy world)very smoothly and I think there is plenty of action to satisfy the middle school boys. There are going to be 7 books in the series and book 2 is in the stage of going to the publisher. Hurry up Cindy and let us know what else happens to Calum, Laurel, Finley and all the rest of the characters in The Circle. A great book for middle school and adults as well.
Linda Estridge
Linda Estridge
April 18, 2013
The Circle by Cindy Cipriano is a fantasy steeped in faerie mythology. The faeries, in this case, are a couple of middle school boys and their families. They are living seemingly normal, quiet lives in the mountains of North Carolina, but their life with the faerie clans adds secrets and mysteries, including the sad disappearance of a beloved cousin/brother. Their secrets collide with the human world as they meet a new girl in town whose brother has also strangely disappeared. The story moves between the faerie and middle school worlds comfortably and with familiarity. I was delighted to find a fantasy for middle-grade readers that has relatable characters and situations appropriate for the younger end of the audience, yet has enough mystery and substance to pique the interest of older readers as well. I am looking forward to reading future books in this series as the mysteries unfold and we learn more about the faerie realm. I think this book would especially appeal to kids in grades 4-7.
June 26, 2013
Firstly, I love the combination of folklore and fantasy. I didn't know anything about the Sidhe prior to reading The Circle so I've learned something new from reading this book. The opening provides a sense of mystery with Finley's disappearance. I liked the talent of mind reading all adult Sidhe possessed and how Calum was yet to develop this ability.
Secondly, I like how they work together and the whole friendship and bonding that goes on throughout the book. I also like the good friends theme very much! I'm intrigued by the "legend" of the Sidhe fairies. I think weaving in a family secret, missing cousin, and the issue of trust brings a deeper storytelling to the readers.
I think this is a fantastic start to a fabulous series. I congratulate Cindy Cipriano for producing such a wonderful debut novel. I would recommend this book to middle school grade or even older readers who like folklore, fantasy and fairies. I enjoyed it! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Vacen Taylor
Secondly, I like how they work together and the whole friendship and bonding that goes on throughout the book. I also like the good friends theme very much! I'm intrigued by the "legend" of the Sidhe fairies. I think weaving in a family secret, missing cousin, and the issue of trust brings a deeper storytelling to the readers.
I think this is a fantastic start to a fabulous series. I congratulate Cindy Cipriano for producing such a wonderful debut novel. I would recommend this book to middle school grade or even older readers who like folklore, fantasy and fairies. I enjoyed it! I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Vacen Taylor
July 3, 2013
This is the first of a trilogy geared towards the young adult crowd. I have confidently passed this novel on to my 10 year old daughter to read.
The characters are easy to like and all seem to have a secret. The main character, Calum, has a strong tie to his family and their history. As a reader, it is refreshing to read a young adult novel with no family drama. The strength and unity that this family portrays is heartwarming. The whole family is a great cast of characters.
The Cipriano created Otherworld, a parallel world filled with all things Sidhe, is so perfectly described. The reader remembers every colorful detail and can't wait for the next visit, just like Calum, to explore and experience more.
The Circle is over all a fantastic fantasy filled read. I of course devoured this book in almost one sitting and quickly emailed Cipriano.... "When is book 2 available?" I emailed. The reply. "I am typing as fast as I can!".Keep typing Cindy and please let me know when I can continue on this adventure to the Sidhe Otherworld.
The characters are easy to like and all seem to have a secret. The main character, Calum, has a strong tie to his family and their history. As a reader, it is refreshing to read a young adult novel with no family drama. The strength and unity that this family portrays is heartwarming. The whole family is a great cast of characters.
The Cipriano created Otherworld, a parallel world filled with all things Sidhe, is so perfectly described. The reader remembers every colorful detail and can't wait for the next visit, just like Calum, to explore and experience more.
The Circle is over all a fantastic fantasy filled read. I of course devoured this book in almost one sitting and quickly emailed Cipriano.... "When is book 2 available?" I emailed. The reply. "I am typing as fast as I can!".Keep typing Cindy and please let me know when I can continue on this adventure to the Sidhe Otherworld.
June 25, 2013
This is a fun and rather unique approach to a middle grade fantasy. It is a light, quick read that I think most kids would enjoy. The characters are likable and generally easy to relate to.
I liked the way the human world and the magical world are separate, yet entwined. The ending was nice because it wrapped up without a cliffhanger, yet it wasn't completely resolved. The unresolved parts of the story will carry us into the next book in the series. I really hope to learn more about the Sidhe, their customs, and their verses as the series continues.
My only complaint about the book is that a lot of times, I felt like I was reading a sequel. I felt like I was missing a lot of vital information that all the characters knew, but I, the reader, did not.
All in all, it was a good read. Nice, clean, and full of magic and friendship.
My blog: Books for Kids
I liked the way the human world and the magical world are separate, yet entwined. The ending was nice because it wrapped up without a cliffhanger, yet it wasn't completely resolved. The unresolved parts of the story will carry us into the next book in the series. I really hope to learn more about the Sidhe, their customs, and their verses as the series continues.
My only complaint about the book is that a lot of times, I felt like I was reading a sequel. I felt like I was missing a lot of vital information that all the characters knew, but I, the reader, did not.
All in all, it was a good read. Nice, clean, and full of magic and friendship.
My blog: Books for Kids
October 17, 2013
This book was wonderfully magical. I picked it up as a possibility to present a new book for my students to read in their spare time. I was truly amazed at how much I didn't want to put this book down once I started reading it. The first chapter is set up which leads us into a journey of fairies, magic, mysteries, and secrets (everything and anything a young reader could really ask for). This was a quick and very satisfying read, I am confident that I will have no problem getting any of my students to read this book. Since most of the reviews are on the details of the book and I don't believe in being too much of a spoiler all I will say is that it is nice to see another well written and enticing book hit the market for young readers that doesn't involve anything vulgar or inappropriate in order to hold their attention. This book used simple mystery and imagination to captivate it's target audience. I look forward to the sequel and would definitely recommend it to any of my students.
May 16, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book about the fairies known as the Sidhe (pronounced "she"). I learned a lot about the mythology of the fae realm and I found that part quite interesting. The story was okay but I could have done with some more suspenseful pacing. I don't know if this is targeted at mid-grade readers or YA but it seemed a bit more mid-grade than YA in my opinion. I loved the interaction between the characters and the character selection was interesting and compelling. I wish that Riley gal would have had a bit more fire in her like Cordelia from Buffy does. But overall I found this book was great. I would have given this 3.5 stars but Goodreads doesn't do half stars so I rounded up and gave it four stars. I would buy the next book in the Sidhe series just so I can figure out what happened to Finley. Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for letting me review this literary offering.
April 6, 2015
Delightful book! I loved the magical world Cipriano created, and especially loved that it was integrated into the "real" world as a parallel-existing world. She does a great job of recreating the "feel" of a woodsy North Carolina town and adds magic to the everyday. The characters are fairly well developed, and likable. The middle school component was also well done- she got that awkward but not-really-as-bad-as-it-seems feel down perfectly. There were a few loose ends, but they may well be tied up in subsequent books in the series. There were also a few parts that didn't flow as well, and were a little hard to follow, but reading on helped sort it out and make sense of those parts. I am looking forward to reading more in the series and expect that already knowing the back story from this book will make the subsequent storylines that much better. Kudos to the author for creating a wonderful world of backyard magic, friendship, and family bonds.
April 2, 2015
This book follows the Ranson family - they run their own bookstore, the son calls his parents by their first names instead of mom & dad and oh yeah - they just happen to be Sidhe and have magical powers too! This was a fantastic read that was hard to put down once I started. I think the author did a great job of defining the characters and keeping you hooked with everything that's happening. The way that she weaves the storyline of Calum Ranson's missing cousin Finley with the tale of his new totally human best friend Laurel's missing brother Daniel was fantastic. You can't help but root for the kids working together and being brave trying to save the day. The relationship they share reminded me of Harry Potter and his friends - all for one and let's cross fingers we make it out of this alive! I think children and adults alike will really enjoy reading this book - the only bad thing is that now we have to wait for the next book to continue the story!
May 12, 2013
I enjoyed reading "The Circle". It deals with middle grade students who are dealing with fairy mischief or mayhem. Two of the boys are fairies whose cousin disappeared and the third child is a girl whose brother was taken by fairies. The children learn to work together and to trust the adults in their lives.
The book is written in a language that is just right for the middle grade reader. Cindy Cipriano uses enough description to interest, but not too much to confuse the younger reader. The book trots at a fairly quick pace.
I liked that the kids were able to reconcile their differences and come to a common understanding. The adults are in the background but provide a great supporting role for the children. They teach and are there to help when needed.
I think that kids will enjoy this book.
The book is written in a language that is just right for the middle grade reader. Cindy Cipriano uses enough description to interest, but not too much to confuse the younger reader. The book trots at a fairly quick pace.
I liked that the kids were able to reconcile their differences and come to a common understanding. The adults are in the background but provide a great supporting role for the children. They teach and are there to help when needed.
I think that kids will enjoy this book.
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