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The Witches Circle #1
Silent Circle
alternate cover for B00MY75DHM
“Most teens get a car for their birthday. Me? I get inducted into a freaky coven of witches.”
When Emerson wakes up on her eighteenth birthday, she has no idea that her life will change forever. After her mother’s inexplicable suicide three years ago, she’s gotten used to the scorn and sideways looks of her classmates. She knows that everyone believes her mother was crazy, and that it’s only a matter of time before Emerson cracks herself. So when Emerson starts seeing auras and hearing voices, she begins to think that the rest of the town may be right.
That is, until Caiden, an enigmatic boy from her class, tells her that she’s a witch, just like her mother. With the truth revealed, a whole new world opens up to Emerson, a world she soon discovers holds its own dangers.
Caiden agrees to help Emerson navigate this secret world, training her to control her newfound abilities. But Caiden isn’t the only witch in town. When a rival coven shows up to recruit Emerson, she has to decide whether to join Caiden’s coven, or risk facing these dangerous witches alone.
Silent Circle is the first novel in the young adult urban fantasy series, The Witches Circle.
“Most teens get a car for their birthday. Me? I get inducted into a freaky coven of witches.”
When Emerson wakes up on her eighteenth birthday, she has no idea that her life will change forever. After her mother’s inexplicable suicide three years ago, she’s gotten used to the scorn and sideways looks of her classmates. She knows that everyone believes her mother was crazy, and that it’s only a matter of time before Emerson cracks herself. So when Emerson starts seeing auras and hearing voices, she begins to think that the rest of the town may be right.
That is, until Caiden, an enigmatic boy from her class, tells her that she’s a witch, just like her mother. With the truth revealed, a whole new world opens up to Emerson, a world she soon discovers holds its own dangers.
Caiden agrees to help Emerson navigate this secret world, training her to control her newfound abilities. But Caiden isn’t the only witch in town. When a rival coven shows up to recruit Emerson, she has to decide whether to join Caiden’s coven, or risk facing these dangerous witches alone.
Silent Circle is the first novel in the young adult urban fantasy series, The Witches Circle.
Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 18, 2015
I quite liked the beginning of Silent Circle when Emerson is waking up on her seventeenth birthday and her day is about to get worse. She is entering into a world that she was previously unaware of, a world of witches, covens and werewolves. I found Silent Circle to be very well written, with realistic dialogue between Emerson and her school friends, as well as her conversations with various supernatural characters. Some of these characters prove to be friendly and seek to protect her while she advances her magical powers, but others only cause to harm Emerson. While there were good descriptive passages in the first few pages, when Emerson first appears causing me to turn the pages for more, later the pace slows down a little when there were a few long conversations. This became necessary as a sinister situation concerning Emerson’s deceased mother required constant explanation, bit by bit. Enough said as I want to avoid any hint of a spoiler.
The story is about witchcraft and the training of novices and occasionally there are long stretches before we see magic but when it is done it is vivid and exciting. There are complicated and dysfunctional relationships with conflict that the author describes skilfully and well. I feel certain that younger readers could probably identify with some of the schoolroom situations that the main character has to endure. The tale is told in the first person and Cassandra Larsen does really well to allow the reader to get inside this bubbly but troubled, typical teenager’s head. Her emotions and reactions around boys and rival girls had even this oldie rooting for her right to the end! We have a thrilling encounter with werewolves – sinister, threatening and particularly well done.
The story is about witchcraft and the training of novices and occasionally there are long stretches before we see magic but when it is done it is vivid and exciting. There are complicated and dysfunctional relationships with conflict that the author describes skilfully and well. I feel certain that younger readers could probably identify with some of the schoolroom situations that the main character has to endure. The tale is told in the first person and Cassandra Larsen does really well to allow the reader to get inside this bubbly but troubled, typical teenager’s head. Her emotions and reactions around boys and rival girls had even this oldie rooting for her right to the end! We have a thrilling encounter with werewolves – sinister, threatening and particularly well done.
January 18, 2016
A solid 4.5!
With this book being my first introduction to Larsen, I just didn't know what to expect. I have to admit, I've never read an "urban fantasy" book and had no idea what that was, but I'm trying to broaden my romance addiction that I've found myself in lately. I was also nervous with this being an indie author. I sometimes feel like there are plot holes and gaps in story lines with independent publishing.
Dang...I was frigging wrong. Now I don't admit to being wrong often, but Larsen definitely made me suck it up. This book does not read like a new indie author. It's very well-structured, the plot and the arc moves at a nice pace. The characters are interesting even with the normal YA angst laced through the coming-of-age/witch story line. The main character did drive me crazy in the beginning. Her sarcasm was a bit biting and I wanted to shake her sometimes....but then I had to take an honest look at myself at a teenager and admit, I wish someone shook me. The author has a great voice for young adult and I'm really interested to see what she comes up with next!
With this book being my first introduction to Larsen, I just didn't know what to expect. I have to admit, I've never read an "urban fantasy" book and had no idea what that was, but I'm trying to broaden my romance addiction that I've found myself in lately. I was also nervous with this being an indie author. I sometimes feel like there are plot holes and gaps in story lines with independent publishing.
Dang...I was frigging wrong. Now I don't admit to being wrong often, but Larsen definitely made me suck it up. This book does not read like a new indie author. It's very well-structured, the plot and the arc moves at a nice pace. The characters are interesting even with the normal YA angst laced through the coming-of-age/witch story line. The main character did drive me crazy in the beginning. Her sarcasm was a bit biting and I wanted to shake her sometimes....but then I had to take an honest look at myself at a teenager and admit, I wish someone shook me. The author has a great voice for young adult and I'm really interested to see what she comes up with next!
January 4, 2016
Good book 4*
This book kept me interested right from the start. Original story that will keep you guessing.
I would definitely recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading the next.... Let's begin...
*An advanced copy of this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*
This book kept me interested right from the start. Original story that will keep you guessing.
I would definitely recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading the next.... Let's begin...
*An advanced copy of this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*
November 24, 2014
Emerson wakes on the morning of her seventeenth birthday recovering from a bad dream. Her day goes from bad to worse as strange things begin happening…
In “Silent Circle” Ms Larsen has created a world of witches and werewolves for the young adult audience. A short read, it leaves the reader hanging at the end with the promise of a sequel that I believe is now available.
Like so many of this genre, the protagonist is confused but is fortunate to have a nice-looking member of the opposite sex to help her. This causes conflict in other relationships.
“Silent Circle” is written competently in simple language. The arc of the story is interrupted by the sudden ending, so I assume it will carry over into the next instalment. It is told in the first person, present tense which I’m not a fan of, but is normal for the genre.
Ms Larsen can tell a story, albeit with high drama. The pacing of the action is good.
I highlighted a particular passage that created a nice visual image: “Glittering rain falls down around us, forming a perfect circle exactly six inches out from our bodies.”
I’m sure “Silent Circle” will be popular with young adults who enjoy the fantasy genre.
3 ½ stars.
In “Silent Circle” Ms Larsen has created a world of witches and werewolves for the young adult audience. A short read, it leaves the reader hanging at the end with the promise of a sequel that I believe is now available.
Like so many of this genre, the protagonist is confused but is fortunate to have a nice-looking member of the opposite sex to help her. This causes conflict in other relationships.
“Silent Circle” is written competently in simple language. The arc of the story is interrupted by the sudden ending, so I assume it will carry over into the next instalment. It is told in the first person, present tense which I’m not a fan of, but is normal for the genre.
Ms Larsen can tell a story, albeit with high drama. The pacing of the action is good.
I highlighted a particular passage that created a nice visual image: “Glittering rain falls down around us, forming a perfect circle exactly six inches out from our bodies.”
I’m sure “Silent Circle” will be popular with young adults who enjoy the fantasy genre.
3 ½ stars.
December 15, 2014
Love love love!
full review to come!
full review to come!
November 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and it held my attention. It was a little formulaic and cliche in places but the author made up for it with vivid writing and an interesting main character. I can't say I loved Emerson or the guys, but they had their own good and bad characteristics.
My only complaint is that there were some plot holes that I expected to be explained at some point, but was only left with more questions and wondering if she just missed a few spots to match up with the story. I read the last bit of book 2's preview, but when I bought book 2 to find out what happened, it seemed like a totally different story and had me very confused. That one was a dnf because it was a wtf.
Overall, for book 1, Silent Circle, it was a great debut for the indie author. As she grows as a writer, I am looking forward to seeing how her stories progress. She shows promise and this book was a good start. Four glittery stars.
My only complaint is that there were some plot holes that I expected to be explained at some point, but was only left with more questions and wondering if she just missed a few spots to match up with the story. I read the last bit of book 2's preview, but when I bought book 2 to find out what happened, it seemed like a totally different story and had me very confused. That one was a dnf because it was a wtf.
Overall, for book 1, Silent Circle, it was a great debut for the indie author. As she grows as a writer, I am looking forward to seeing how her stories progress. She shows promise and this book was a good start. Four glittery stars.
November 13, 2017
wow! wasnt sure what to think when i started to read this but soooooooo much happened that i was immediately hooked. Emerson turns 17 and starts seeing colours. she thinks she is going crazy just like her mom did 3 years ago when she died. Caiden, a fellow student notices that she isnt doing too well and informs Emerson that she is a witch. emerson thinks he is nuts but caiden helps her believe it. he takes her to his high priestess caroline who asks her to join their coven. emerson thinks this is all crazy but has interest when caroline says she knew her mother. She knows smtg doesnt add up with her moms death and wants answers. Also an outside coven wants emerson and will do what it takes to get her.
July 7, 2015
“We can‘t change what we are, but we can practice to get more control over what we do.” (Page 126)
Emerson is your average teenage girl. She’s got a hot boyfriend. She has a few good friends. She goes to the local high school, dressing like everyone else, partying like everyone else. On her seventeenth birthday, however, everything changes when she gains her powers. Em can’t believe that she’s a witch, but after some of her awesome abilities are revealed, she realizes there’s something going on that even her mother never told her about. That’s because her mom died when she was fourteen, before she had a chance to explain to Em who she really was. Em’s life is further complicated when her boyfriend Sebastian catches her with the local quiet boy Caiden, but hey, it’s not what you think!
I like how Em is portrayed as a very normal and down to earth teen girl, albeit with her own troubles and chips on her shoulder, but those make her interesting and mysterious. Em is part of her own ‘it’ crowd but not the most popular. She’s not the model student or the model popular. She’s interesting but not really different from the norm. She fits in, until her 17th birthday when everything changes.
Larsen keeps up the intrigue throughout the book, hinting and foreshadowing that greater things are afoot and will be revealed in time. Em has just found out she’s a witch and less than a week later is having to make choices she’d never thought she’d have to make and letting people help her when she’s decided that she is self-sufficient and independent. It’s difficult for her to learn to accept the help and community of being a part of something.
I like how Em already has a boyfriend and the entire book is not a sappy falling in love romance. It’s about Em and how she has to fight to figure out what she believes in and figure out what is the truth and how she fits into this new world of witches and powers beyond belief.
The teens are realistic to a fault. You grow to love them while at the same time despising them for acting like teenagers! Rowdy drinking, bad decisions, and forgetting how they affect other people. Definitely teenage behavior. They are snarky and sarcastic and blow up in anger over little things, but they will also surprise you with their fortitude and their willingness to try. Em may have anger issues, but she is motivated to learn to control herself. That is a character trait that is really one to look up to, how many of us can say that?
The hint of a relationship between Em and Caiden, like all the gossip wants to point out, is just barely there and I hope it develops more in book two, but alas we also like Sebastian and don’t want to see him drop off! I’m interested to see how Larsen will develop the relationships and romance in the second book.
Emerson is your average teenage girl. She’s got a hot boyfriend. She has a few good friends. She goes to the local high school, dressing like everyone else, partying like everyone else. On her seventeenth birthday, however, everything changes when she gains her powers. Em can’t believe that she’s a witch, but after some of her awesome abilities are revealed, she realizes there’s something going on that even her mother never told her about. That’s because her mom died when she was fourteen, before she had a chance to explain to Em who she really was. Em’s life is further complicated when her boyfriend Sebastian catches her with the local quiet boy Caiden, but hey, it’s not what you think!
I like how Em is portrayed as a very normal and down to earth teen girl, albeit with her own troubles and chips on her shoulder, but those make her interesting and mysterious. Em is part of her own ‘it’ crowd but not the most popular. She’s not the model student or the model popular. She’s interesting but not really different from the norm. She fits in, until her 17th birthday when everything changes.
Larsen keeps up the intrigue throughout the book, hinting and foreshadowing that greater things are afoot and will be revealed in time. Em has just found out she’s a witch and less than a week later is having to make choices she’d never thought she’d have to make and letting people help her when she’s decided that she is self-sufficient and independent. It’s difficult for her to learn to accept the help and community of being a part of something.
I like how Em already has a boyfriend and the entire book is not a sappy falling in love romance. It’s about Em and how she has to fight to figure out what she believes in and figure out what is the truth and how she fits into this new world of witches and powers beyond belief.
The teens are realistic to a fault. You grow to love them while at the same time despising them for acting like teenagers! Rowdy drinking, bad decisions, and forgetting how they affect other people. Definitely teenage behavior. They are snarky and sarcastic and blow up in anger over little things, but they will also surprise you with their fortitude and their willingness to try. Em may have anger issues, but she is motivated to learn to control herself. That is a character trait that is really one to look up to, how many of us can say that?
The hint of a relationship between Em and Caiden, like all the gossip wants to point out, is just barely there and I hope it develops more in book two, but alas we also like Sebastian and don’t want to see him drop off! I’m interested to see how Larsen will develop the relationships and romance in the second book.
July 5, 2016
Before I even began reading the book, I immediately began talking to Cassandra about her book covers. I mean, aren't they gorgeous?! As a fellow photographer, I know how hard photography can be and even if you can get everything to cooperate, the editing can be difficult too. So, I had to give her props for her covers.
To be honest, I don't have too many notes for this book. Usually, I write stuff down in the "notes" app on my iPhone, but I was so interested in the book that I barely wrote anything down! That says a lot about Cassandra's writing! As a reader, a writer, and an editor, I usually have a lot to say about sentence structure, plot lines, and more, but this book is the exception!
The first thing that I noted was how much I liked the hook in the first chapter. I was drawn in by the descriptions and I immediately wanted to read further. I knew that I needed to pace myself so I wouldn't get a migraine, but I ended up finishing the book in just four sittings. Cassandra does a great job keeping the reader interested and changing things up!
I also really liked her main character. I found her very easy to relate to and I wanted to know more about her. Cassandra has a way with descriptions, so readers can really feel like they know the characters in the book. Even when I didn't learn much about someone, I was still able to visualize a character based on her descriptions.
I'd also like to give Cassandra props for her use of vocabulary. As a writer, I'm always looking for great words to replace one's that are overused. My favorites from Silent Circle are sashay, skitters, and saunters. They sound pretty basic, but they can really spice up a scene!
Silent Circle was not only interesting, but it was also informative. Over the last year, I have really gotten into the meanings of stones, herbs, and oils. I haven't mastered them or anything, but I found those sections of the book to be my favorite. After reading Cassandra's author bio, I learned that she has practiced Wicca for nearly a decade. Not only that, but she's even written non-fiction books on the subject! Her knowledge on the topic shows greatly in her writing. I definitely think it added a special touch to the book, that simple research wouldn't have added!
Overall, I would 100% recommend this book! I loved everything about it! Cassandra, of course, set it up to continue the series and I am more than interested in finishing it! I honestly can't wait to start reading the next one and I'll definitely be sharing a review with you guys! Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on the third book soon too!
To be honest, I don't have too many notes for this book. Usually, I write stuff down in the "notes" app on my iPhone, but I was so interested in the book that I barely wrote anything down! That says a lot about Cassandra's writing! As a reader, a writer, and an editor, I usually have a lot to say about sentence structure, plot lines, and more, but this book is the exception!
The first thing that I noted was how much I liked the hook in the first chapter. I was drawn in by the descriptions and I immediately wanted to read further. I knew that I needed to pace myself so I wouldn't get a migraine, but I ended up finishing the book in just four sittings. Cassandra does a great job keeping the reader interested and changing things up!
I also really liked her main character. I found her very easy to relate to and I wanted to know more about her. Cassandra has a way with descriptions, so readers can really feel like they know the characters in the book. Even when I didn't learn much about someone, I was still able to visualize a character based on her descriptions.
I'd also like to give Cassandra props for her use of vocabulary. As a writer, I'm always looking for great words to replace one's that are overused. My favorites from Silent Circle are sashay, skitters, and saunters. They sound pretty basic, but they can really spice up a scene!
Silent Circle was not only interesting, but it was also informative. Over the last year, I have really gotten into the meanings of stones, herbs, and oils. I haven't mastered them or anything, but I found those sections of the book to be my favorite. After reading Cassandra's author bio, I learned that she has practiced Wicca for nearly a decade. Not only that, but she's even written non-fiction books on the subject! Her knowledge on the topic shows greatly in her writing. I definitely think it added a special touch to the book, that simple research wouldn't have added!
Overall, I would 100% recommend this book! I loved everything about it! Cassandra, of course, set it up to continue the series and I am more than interested in finishing it! I honestly can't wait to start reading the next one and I'll definitely be sharing a review with you guys! Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on the third book soon too!
July 17, 2015
Silent Circle. Cassandra Larsen.
This is a story of the awakening of a young witch, apparently unaware of her powers until her seventeenth birthday. The action occurs over a few days following her birthday somewhere in small town USA. This is a generic, much repeated and often replicated story concerning the dawning of a witch. You could insert many different words in place of witch; shifter, vampire, werewolf, wizard, elf, demon, and many others. You have probably read this book in other forms by other authors and you would be advised to be selective when it comes to the genre; there are just so many out there trying to emulate the best of them, sadly this fails in many respects. The tried and tested formula of introducing the disbelieving young lead who has powers of which she is unaware has been done a thousand times before and will probably be done a thousand times more. If there had been one redeeming feature of the alcoholic teenager once she had realized she was indeed, a witch, then I could have forgiven her some or all of her earlier behavior. Unfortunately, she has almost no redeeming features.
I wanted to like this book more than I did but the main problem was the lead character, Emerson. Spoilt, petulant, stubborn, argumentative, irrational, paranoid, defensive, narrow-minded, selfish, unkind, spiteful, resentful, and jealous and a drunk at seventeen does not make Emerson an attractive heroine.
The author describes the anti-hero, Caiden, as being emotionless but later attributes him with being reflective, sensitive and anxious. By the way, he has green eyes; a feature we are reminded of six times throughout the book. Once is enough, surely. The other male lead, Sebastian, is simply an unbelievably stupid youth who sees violence as the solution to everything. Having a boyfriend who exhibited his odd behavior would simply tell the rest of the world that you are unable to make a rational choice when it comes to your friends. I would avoid Emerson too.
There are a few grammatical errors, but we all do that. There is also an odd use of stars to indicate silent communication; italics would be enough for me. This is evidently the first of a series. The ending leaves a lot of open threads and was hardly worthy of a true finale.
This is a story of the awakening of a young witch, apparently unaware of her powers until her seventeenth birthday. The action occurs over a few days following her birthday somewhere in small town USA. This is a generic, much repeated and often replicated story concerning the dawning of a witch. You could insert many different words in place of witch; shifter, vampire, werewolf, wizard, elf, demon, and many others. You have probably read this book in other forms by other authors and you would be advised to be selective when it comes to the genre; there are just so many out there trying to emulate the best of them, sadly this fails in many respects. The tried and tested formula of introducing the disbelieving young lead who has powers of which she is unaware has been done a thousand times before and will probably be done a thousand times more. If there had been one redeeming feature of the alcoholic teenager once she had realized she was indeed, a witch, then I could have forgiven her some or all of her earlier behavior. Unfortunately, she has almost no redeeming features.
I wanted to like this book more than I did but the main problem was the lead character, Emerson. Spoilt, petulant, stubborn, argumentative, irrational, paranoid, defensive, narrow-minded, selfish, unkind, spiteful, resentful, and jealous and a drunk at seventeen does not make Emerson an attractive heroine.
The author describes the anti-hero, Caiden, as being emotionless but later attributes him with being reflective, sensitive and anxious. By the way, he has green eyes; a feature we are reminded of six times throughout the book. Once is enough, surely. The other male lead, Sebastian, is simply an unbelievably stupid youth who sees violence as the solution to everything. Having a boyfriend who exhibited his odd behavior would simply tell the rest of the world that you are unable to make a rational choice when it comes to your friends. I would avoid Emerson too.
There are a few grammatical errors, but we all do that. There is also an odd use of stars to indicate silent communication; italics would be enough for me. This is evidently the first of a series. The ending leaves a lot of open threads and was hardly worthy of a true finale.
December 27, 2014
This is a particularly hard review for me to write because I kept going back and forth with myself on whether or not to do a 3 or 4-star. I wish there was at least a way to do the half star, it would've made it a bit easier. As it stands, I had to go with a 3 star, but would like to say that it would be a 3.5 star if there was the ability to do half star ratings.
Silent Circle starts off with Emerson waking up from a bad dream and watching her day spiral into worse as it progresses. It's her seventeenth birthday and she is just now coming into her powers as a witch. A world, up until then, she was unaware even existed. Within the week she is inducted into the local witch coven, becomes the focus of a werewolf pack from her mother's home town, as well as go through some pretty emotional personal hiccups every teenager is faced with (i.e. gossip, break-ups).
For me, the story was slow to start, but towards the end started becoming more action packed and involved. The biggest issue ended up being then, not the slow start to the story, but the abrupt end. It is clear that this book is a series. But, for this series, it is clear that there are many conflicts thrown at you within the short pages of Silent Circle and not one of them is truly answered or resolved. In some ways it may be a smart play on Ms. Larsen's part as in order to resolve any issues with Emerson you will be required to read the whole series. But in other ways, I myself prefer at least one of the conflicts to resolve in some sense, giving me the feeling of finality or accomplishment after reading a book.
That being said, I believe Silent Circle could be popular popular among the YA crowd.
Silent Circle starts off with Emerson waking up from a bad dream and watching her day spiral into worse as it progresses. It's her seventeenth birthday and she is just now coming into her powers as a witch. A world, up until then, she was unaware even existed. Within the week she is inducted into the local witch coven, becomes the focus of a werewolf pack from her mother's home town, as well as go through some pretty emotional personal hiccups every teenager is faced with (i.e. gossip, break-ups).
For me, the story was slow to start, but towards the end started becoming more action packed and involved. The biggest issue ended up being then, not the slow start to the story, but the abrupt end. It is clear that this book is a series. But, for this series, it is clear that there are many conflicts thrown at you within the short pages of Silent Circle and not one of them is truly answered or resolved. In some ways it may be a smart play on Ms. Larsen's part as in order to resolve any issues with Emerson you will be required to read the whole series. But in other ways, I myself prefer at least one of the conflicts to resolve in some sense, giving me the feeling of finality or accomplishment after reading a book.
That being said, I believe Silent Circle could be popular popular among the YA crowd.
February 9, 2015
The Silent Circle is hard to review. It is difficult primarily because it isn't finished. There is a difference between a cliffhanger and an incomplete work. Books should stand alone. There should be an arc to the story. This work does not have that. From what is presented there is the beginning of a decent story. I believe Ms. Larsen may have been told this before since at the end of this book she gives the first two chapters of the second book in the series. But even then we don't resolve anything from the first work.
At the start I was not fond of the main character Emerson. She was painfully self centered and whiny. But I kept reading and the character depth grew. There is a good bit of leading the reader or over explaining things. It got to the point where I actually started saying out loud, "Okay, I got it." Other things are left so completely unanswered a reader feels lost. A good content editor should have brought this up to the author. There are some proofreading hiccups as well.
I was frustrated by this because I think the writing is there. This has the potential of a great read. I would hate for Ms. Larson to lose her audience due to lack of the spit and polish.
The branches of plot that have yet to bear fruit are intriguing. The history of witches, and werewolves have good depth that can be plumbed. The relationships are beautifully complex and dysfunctional which lays the groundwork for truly well written conflict. The story itself is easy to read and when book two comes out I hope some of the why's left open in the first book get answered.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
At the start I was not fond of the main character Emerson. She was painfully self centered and whiny. But I kept reading and the character depth grew. There is a good bit of leading the reader or over explaining things. It got to the point where I actually started saying out loud, "Okay, I got it." Other things are left so completely unanswered a reader feels lost. A good content editor should have brought this up to the author. There are some proofreading hiccups as well.
I was frustrated by this because I think the writing is there. This has the potential of a great read. I would hate for Ms. Larson to lose her audience due to lack of the spit and polish.
The branches of plot that have yet to bear fruit are intriguing. The history of witches, and werewolves have good depth that can be plumbed. The relationships are beautifully complex and dysfunctional which lays the groundwork for truly well written conflict. The story itself is easy to read and when book two comes out I hope some of the why's left open in the first book get answered.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2018
Waking up on her seventeenth birthday, Emerson wakes up to discover that her life is changing more than she expected. Her not so simple, but fairly normal life is being turned on its head and she suddenly finds her self in a world where magic exists and being alone in it can be life threatening and dangerous. Luckily for her, Caiden, a boy from her school comes forward to help her navigate this new world and helps her to learn her powers and the fact that she’s not as alone as she thinks she is, and that there are witches everywhere and she never knew it.
To say I liked the book is probably an understatement. I couldn’t put the book down – and that’s not a cliched embellishment on my part. I started reading this book at like 1pm, and didn’t stop reading until 11:30pm when I finished it. The pacing is good, the characters and their relationships are believable. And the witch aspect is so deeply rooted in actual Wicca that it’s a refreshing change from other witch books where it’s all fantasy spells and waving a magic wand. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with those books either, I have more than a couple on my shelves. But having it based in Wicca is a nice change.
To say I liked the book is probably an understatement. I couldn’t put the book down – and that’s not a cliched embellishment on my part. I started reading this book at like 1pm, and didn’t stop reading until 11:30pm when I finished it. The pacing is good, the characters and their relationships are believable. And the witch aspect is so deeply rooted in actual Wicca that it’s a refreshing change from other witch books where it’s all fantasy spells and waving a magic wand. Not to say that there’s anything wrong with those books either, I have more than a couple on my shelves. But having it based in Wicca is a nice change.
April 4, 2016
Silent Circle was a good first novel is what is sure to be a series of books about a girl who discovers she is a witch. The characters were super vivid, and I think the author really captured teenage mindsets and mannerisms. It's a page-turner as well. I flew through it!
One downside - surprisingly little happens in terms of plot. Plenty of secrets are hinted at, but you don't get any answers. Not any. I'm sure they're addressed in the next book, but I would have liked a little more in the first installment. Also, there's a lot of underage drinking and sexual situations, so I would not recommend this book to younger teens.
With that said, it's a promising first installment. I'm definitely reading the next one!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a non-reciprocal review.
One downside - surprisingly little happens in terms of plot. Plenty of secrets are hinted at, but you don't get any answers. Not any. I'm sure they're addressed in the next book, but I would have liked a little more in the first installment. Also, there's a lot of underage drinking and sexual situations, so I would not recommend this book to younger teens.
With that said, it's a promising first installment. I'm definitely reading the next one!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a non-reciprocal review.
January 4, 2015
This novel is a fair read. It has plenty of the high-school mainia as is the hallmark of many YA novels, with some of it's own creativity making it's stamp.
It's not badly written although there are plenty of editing hiccup, an example being 'seating' for 'setting'. For some reason beyond my ken, these errors appear frequently in independently authored novels. Nonetheless, I remain unreasonably infuriated by them.
What this story does do, is kick in with some new stuff further into the novel, and this definitely gives the story a good boost.
I'm finding this entertaining enough to jump on to the next novel.
It's not badly written although there are plenty of editing hiccup, an example being 'seating' for 'setting'. For some reason beyond my ken, these errors appear frequently in independently authored novels. Nonetheless, I remain unreasonably infuriated by them.
What this story does do, is kick in with some new stuff further into the novel, and this definitely gives the story a good boost.
I'm finding this entertaining enough to jump on to the next novel.
March 2, 2015
I had high hopes for this novel and guess what...it didn't let me down! I truly enjoyed this entertaining story from beginning to end. I've read many witchy books, but this one had fresh ideas, which I loved, and the plot was intriguing. However, the reason this book got 4 stars instead of 5 was because of the way it ended. I had questions at the end of the book that could've been answered strategically in the book and still left it on cliffhanger but now I will have to read the second novel, which is out now! But in all, this was a great novel that will have a place on my bookshelf.
*Disclaimer* I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
*Disclaimer* I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
June 29, 2015
Overall, the story is well written and it flows well. It opens with Emerson seeing strange light auras around people and horrible headaches. Emerson is a slacker/escapee on the outside while on the inside she is full of turmoil, pain and anger. All of her relationships are superficial until she meets Caiden. He is hard on her but, honestly, I feel as though that is what she deserves. She obviously needs that in her life. There are many questions started in this book, with only one being answered: Will she join a coven? Luckily, there are more books, 4 or 5, to come. I think it is definitely worth taking a chance on.
October 24, 2015
Rating: 3.5
I felt this was a slow introduction to this world of witches, but interesting. My curiosity is always peaked when I come across male witches as we usually only see female ones in the forefront.
This story is a coming-into-witch story for the main character, Emerson. It is a totally new world for her so we get to learn about it as she does.
Most of the story though is high school related drama that Emerson encounters when trying to juggle a boyfriend, girlfriends and the secret witch world she is getting into.
I felt this was a slow introduction to this world of witches, but interesting. My curiosity is always peaked when I come across male witches as we usually only see female ones in the forefront.
This story is a coming-into-witch story for the main character, Emerson. It is a totally new world for her so we get to learn about it as she does.
Most of the story though is high school related drama that Emerson encounters when trying to juggle a boyfriend, girlfriends and the secret witch world she is getting into.
February 27, 2016
What a fantastic book! There's danger, excitement and a bit of romance in this urban fantasy about a teenager who discovers that she is a witch. The reluctant witch (Emmerson) has to deal with her new powers while being perused by covens wanting to recruit her. Along with the usual boyfriend and school troubles every teen has, she's in for a rough ride as she tries to find answers about her mother's death while avoiding the sinister coven leader Gabrielle. A gripping read which was hard to put down!
June 28, 2015
A great deal of promise
I'm an adult, but I enjoyed this novel and found the characters believable. Indeed, in view of Emerson's background, her inability to trust made a great deal of sense. The story arc was somewhat predictable, but I liked that this novel came to a resolution though there is clearly room for development. I shall keep following the series. Emerson has the capacity to become quite a woman.
I'm an adult, but I enjoyed this novel and found the characters believable. Indeed, in view of Emerson's background, her inability to trust made a great deal of sense. The story arc was somewhat predictable, but I liked that this novel came to a resolution though there is clearly room for development. I shall keep following the series. Emerson has the capacity to become quite a woman.
March 6, 2015
Very disappointing ending. Full review to come.
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