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Meta #3
Rise of The Circle
As metahumans emerge throughout the world, some greet them as saviors while others see them as a threat to humanity itself. A group of elite soldiers come into possession of the most powerful metabands seen yet, with the ability to destroy what was thought to be indestructible: the metabands themselves.
With the destruction of the Silver Island Metahuman Detention Facility, Bay View City goes into total lockdown. Alpha Team impose their protection, but at a price: the complete and total ban of metahumans within the city. Refusal to follow is punishable by execution.
Forced to leave the city he calls home, Connor is given a second chance at an elite prep school across the bay, one with a very big secret.
Rise of The Circle is the third book in the breakout hit series that started with Meta and The Second Wave.
With the destruction of the Silver Island Metahuman Detention Facility, Bay View City goes into total lockdown. Alpha Team impose their protection, but at a price: the complete and total ban of metahumans within the city. Refusal to follow is punishable by execution.
Forced to leave the city he calls home, Connor is given a second chance at an elite prep school across the bay, one with a very big secret.
Rise of The Circle is the third book in the breakout hit series that started with Meta and The Second Wave.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2015
252 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 12, 2020
Loved the story!
However, I didn't like how the characters were written. It was almost like if you weren't the main character then you didn't matter. I liked the main character and all, but I would have definitely benefited from more well thought out characters.
Overall, great story. Awesome main character. And Derrick = ❤!
However, I didn't like how the characters were written. It was almost like if you weren't the main character then you didn't matter. I liked the main character and all, but I would have definitely benefited from more well thought out characters.
Overall, great story. Awesome main character. And Derrick = ❤!
March 7, 2023
5 stars for the big reveal....i just....wow
September 10, 2023
What a fantastic end to the series, even though I wish it was longer!! I really enjoyed this book and the other 2 as well. It was really hard to put it down, it's one of those books that just peak your interest and keep you searching for what is going to happen next. I almost went to the end a couple of times to find out how it was going to end, but I withheld myself and made it without cheating. I think this is a great story that the average person can relate to for the most part. The Character Conner is easy to relate to and quick whited, which keeps it light hearted and funny yet still allowing for a great adventure. I think the ending was really well done because it wrapped up the series well and left it open for future books based on this universe, which I think he leaves a lot to explore and open. So many possibilities! I literally can't wait for the Tom's next books! Fantastic writing style and a lot of fun! Thanks Tom!
December 13, 2015
A good read for YA
I read this series because I heard about it one of my favorite podcasts, The Complete Guide To Everything. I totally enjoyed the books, and expect I would've given this five stars if I were still a young adult.
I read this series because I heard about it one of my favorite podcasts, The Complete Guide To Everything. I totally enjoyed the books, and expect I would've given this five stars if I were still a young adult.
December 13, 2015
Wow! This book was super good, that's all I have to express.
December 17, 2015
After the oddness of the last book's ending, I had no idea what to expect this time. Thankfully, I got what I believe to be the best book yet.
December 5, 2015
Best one of the three
I really enjoyed this one. It did get a bit slow in the middle but added to the ending. Fun to see how the story keeps getting new places to go.
I really enjoyed this one. It did get a bit slow in the middle but added to the ending. Fun to see how the story keeps getting new places to go.
June 17, 2022
I pointed out that the second book of this series had a twist that was too much of a coincidence and one of the problems with the main character is that he's too damn whiny, even for a teenager. Throughout the 3rd book I could see what was going to happen set up because the author was too desperate to make him do exactly what he did. The author tries to couch what happened in a "I have no choice" moment. Now before this "move the story forward in the worse way possible" moment, the main tried to save a fellow super. That was one thing. it built off of what happened in the 2nd book, so I accepted the why. Even how the main character didn't face consequences for that for. . .reasons. Okay. That happens with white people every day. Then the next instance of impulsive and abject stupidity happens. The decision the main character made was so eye-rolling stupid for even a toddler I could not get past this part of the book. Early in the book there was a major question about the bad guys, and even though the main character clearly witnessed the answer at the end of the 2nd book, even though the main character is walking proof of the answer, the main character acted like he didn't know. No one would simply forget that after such major events. That was one kind of "why is he being written to be such an idiot" moment you could brush off as a nitpick. But then, in order to move the story forward in the most stupid way possible, the author made the main character do the most idiotic brain-dead thing possible. One of those "I know exactly where THIS is going" moments. I mean HYPER-STUPID. Beyond human understanding stupid. And that's when I put the book down, said "TO HELL WITH THIS STORY" because what the character did was just beyond the pale of dumb. It was "can we do a really late stage abortion because this guy is just too stupid to be breathing" dumb. It made absolutely no sense other then the author couldn't figure out of more clever way to move the story forward - and there were a 1000 clever ways. Not "Character just become to stupid to believe." So that's it. I'm done. I will not finish this book and I absolutely do not recommend it. I cannot read or root for a character written this incredibly stupid. (And by the way, one could have useD a car accident for more villain development, or have the character grow up realizing how tough choices are. But NOPE, let's give the character a complete author's lobotomy, pretend it's actually heroic when it was actually. . what's the word I'm looking for? Oh yeah STUPID.)
November 18, 2017
With the Alphas now controlling Bay View, and the remaining Meta’s either having surrendered or gone into hiding, Omni/Conner has moved and started at the new school, taking up his position as Student Conner by day and Superhero in Training by night. However, with the cracks to his Meta bands, he has fears that he might have lost some of his powers, most definitely Teleportation, possibly others. He must also suffer the abuse of others as they constantly criticise his role in the escape of the Meta’s from the prison and the loss to the Alphas, even though he was seriously overpowered, and on his own.
Again, the emotional intelligence shown by Reynolds is outstanding for this style of novel, and really brings you so much closer to the character, giving you such an inside depth to them that you don’t normally get with other stories. It not only allows you to really connect with the main character and the sub-characters, but it also brings the story to life in a way that you just don’t normally see and gives you a whole new appreciation for the characters.
As the story progresses, the threat of the Alpha’s becomes too much, and the ‘Circle’ rises, those Meta’s that decide to stand with Omni, against the Alpha’s and take them down, regardless of the cost, to free Bay View, and potentially the planet from their tyranny.
Needless to say, the end of this book has the most epic battle, but I am not saying anything else about it.
This was yet another exceptional Tom Reynolds book, and I will definitely be checking out anything else he has written. Make sure you read this series, you won’t be disappointed.
Again, the emotional intelligence shown by Reynolds is outstanding for this style of novel, and really brings you so much closer to the character, giving you such an inside depth to them that you don’t normally get with other stories. It not only allows you to really connect with the main character and the sub-characters, but it also brings the story to life in a way that you just don’t normally see and gives you a whole new appreciation for the characters.
As the story progresses, the threat of the Alpha’s becomes too much, and the ‘Circle’ rises, those Meta’s that decide to stand with Omni, against the Alpha’s and take them down, regardless of the cost, to free Bay View, and potentially the planet from their tyranny.
Needless to say, the end of this book has the most epic battle, but I am not saying anything else about it.
This was yet another exceptional Tom Reynolds book, and I will definitely be checking out anything else he has written. Make sure you read this series, you won’t be disappointed.
January 12, 2024
Without spoiling the story, I want to praise Reynold’s plotting and tension. The good part of this book is the narrative intensity that carries smoothly from the last book–high, original stakes and dangerous villains. Superman isn’t saving Lois for a third time here. The personal stakes arise naturally, and the main villains are legitimately terrifying.
But this is the weakest of the three books I've read so far for a few reasons, the biggest of which is all the explanation. There’s the new school, secret Meta training, lots of new people to meet, new teenage dynamics, and too much stuff to explain. We learn a lot in this book. Did we need all of it?
Another reason is the narrator tends to state the obvious. I could rephrase that as the author not trusting his readers. There’s a point in which the hero needs to hide, so he ducks out and allows others to cover for him. The bad guys come in and ask if anyone else is here. The following line, as I remember it, goes, “‘We’re the only ones here,’ he lied.” It’s just one word of explanation, but really? That scene sticks out to me because of all that came before it.
More than the other books, this story feels propelled by the hero’s need to do something. He can’t play it safe, and he knows doing something will likely get him killed, but this is a Very Bad Situation and someone must do something. A couple of these scenes of compelled response look like the characters have read the script, which is never good.
But this is the weakest of the three books I've read so far for a few reasons, the biggest of which is all the explanation. There’s the new school, secret Meta training, lots of new people to meet, new teenage dynamics, and too much stuff to explain. We learn a lot in this book. Did we need all of it?
Another reason is the narrator tends to state the obvious. I could rephrase that as the author not trusting his readers. There’s a point in which the hero needs to hide, so he ducks out and allows others to cover for him. The bad guys come in and ask if anyone else is here. The following line, as I remember it, goes, “‘We’re the only ones here,’ he lied.” It’s just one word of explanation, but really? That scene sticks out to me because of all that came before it.
More than the other books, this story feels propelled by the hero’s need to do something. He can’t play it safe, and he knows doing something will likely get him killed, but this is a Very Bad Situation and someone must do something. A couple of these scenes of compelled response look like the characters have read the script, which is never good.
September 19, 2022
On my first read of this book, it was in my mind (and still is, from an action sense) the height of the Omni series. It shows Connor struggle with responsibility, has great character progression, and the Desmond Keane breakout and end fight are both great plot points. Especially enjoyed the little clip of Connor meeting Jones in the white void.
However, upon a deeper consideration, I realized a really big flaw in Connor's character. In his naivety, he believes that he, and he alone, has to be the hero to save his city. Had he listened to Charlie and destroyed his meta bands, he would have not only saved countless lives being killed by the meta bands, but also neutralized the threat of Charlie as well, which would have allowed government regulated authorities to bring Charlie under the law. In a sense, Connor could have stopped the ultimatum, but failed to recognize that his own personal sacrifice at that point in time would have been for the greater good.
So, as opposed to Omni's fall, (check the review on that) this book had a great plot, but flawed character progression in a sense. Still, much respect to Tom Reynolds, as I could probably not do better myself, and much thanks to him for writing an enjoyable book.
However, upon a deeper consideration, I realized a really big flaw in Connor's character. In his naivety, he believes that he, and he alone, has to be the hero to save his city. Had he listened to Charlie and destroyed his meta bands, he would have not only saved countless lives being killed by the meta bands, but also neutralized the threat of Charlie as well, which would have allowed government regulated authorities to bring Charlie under the law. In a sense, Connor could have stopped the ultimatum, but failed to recognize that his own personal sacrifice at that point in time would have been for the greater good.
So, as opposed to Omni's fall, (check the review on that) this book had a great plot, but flawed character progression in a sense. Still, much respect to Tom Reynolds, as I could probably not do better myself, and much thanks to him for writing an enjoyable book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
So much unrealised promise.
This book genuinely frustrated me. Because it had tons of great ideas and themes... But none of it is actually realised.
Even character growths and key moments are completely glanced over. Characters who had extreme views conveniently change without any explanation.
So many opposing view points and conflicting opinions/ideas... But no one learns anything. Especially the heroes remain naive and there is doubt that creeps up in them, understand what the enemy stood for.
And especially the fact that books completely jumps to other stuff when literally story/character defining moments are teased as cliffhanger for a chapter. You literally get nothing out of it, and everything just seems to get resolved.
It is especially more frustrating because the teases are interesting. I want to know more. The writer is good at the aspect of writing. He has good ideas. But I don't think he knows how to write a story for a novel on its own. And it's a shame.
This book genuinely frustrated me. Because it had tons of great ideas and themes... But none of it is actually realised.
Even character growths and key moments are completely glanced over. Characters who had extreme views conveniently change without any explanation.
So many opposing view points and conflicting opinions/ideas... But no one learns anything. Especially the heroes remain naive and there is doubt that creeps up in them, understand what the enemy stood for.
And especially the fact that books completely jumps to other stuff when literally story/character defining moments are teased as cliffhanger for a chapter. You literally get nothing out of it, and everything just seems to get resolved.
It is especially more frustrating because the teases are interesting. I want to know more. The writer is good at the aspect of writing. He has good ideas. But I don't think he knows how to write a story for a novel on its own. And it's a shame.
November 18, 2022
The third book of this series is a lot like the first but in reverse. The story's middle is boring; however, the third act is fantastic. I like the idea of a school for training Metas. Even though we spent a lot of time with the Circle, I did not have a connection with the other characters during the third act. The Alphas were a great antagonist in the story. They are protecting the world for what they feel is right. I think it's a great way to show contract our heroes to the Alphas. The information we got for the Meta Bands was interesting. It builds up its world and lore, and I am a fan of it. I'm excited about the next book to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
Follows on from the first two in the series and in the same vein, so, why only 4 stars this time? I think it is because I have just realized that I do not like Connor, this book shows him to be self centered and a general pain in the ass thinking he knows better than everyone else while he is still too young to vote.
Still, a good story ans will read the next
Still, a good story ans will read the next
December 12, 2023
I enjoyed the new setting, and the expansion/development of the Meta universe. It was really cool to see Connor test out his capabilities, and it was nice to have some of those lower-stakes action scenes ramp up to the main conflict. Some of the dialogue could get pretty repetitive, but overall I this was a fun installment to the series. I enjoyed the audiobook by Kirby Heyborne.
May 2, 2024
Book #3, outstanding
As the series.progresses in book 3, questions get answers and the story evolves. With the changes and new challenges our hero face, both personal and as a hero, we see.him transform into a better person, better hero. A must read in this series of books from Tom Reynolds.
As the series.progresses in book 3, questions get answers and the story evolves. With the changes and new challenges our hero face, both personal and as a hero, we see.him transform into a better person, better hero. A must read in this series of books from Tom Reynolds.
May 15, 2018
Decent conclusion with some interesting reveals and character development, still there were some things left unresolved and I think some things should have been expanded upon more.
Still it was a fun enough read.
Still it was a fun enough read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2019
Very slow start
Compared to the two previous novels, this one took 75% of the book before anything interesting happened. It's a fair ending but rushed compared to the snooze fest one must endure to get to it.
Compared to the two previous novels, this one took 75% of the book before anything interesting happened. It's a fair ending but rushed compared to the snooze fest one must endure to get to it.
February 16, 2021
Its a fun read, the book itself is not the best writing. Not knocking the author at all because the fun story more than makes up for it. The theater of the mind was very good for this if you love super heroes.
July 9, 2017
Good read
This is an excellent read from a writer coming into his skills. I expect that every book hereafter will continue to improve.
This is an excellent read from a writer coming into his skills. I expect that every book hereafter will continue to improve.
January 14, 2018
Fantastic close to the trilogy. Very good surprises written in and very few unanswered questions. I'd recommend the whole lot. On par with the Wool omnibus.
March 30, 2018
Starts slow. Middle meanders but has good character development and questions about what it is to be a hero. Ending is bad.
April 3, 2018
Good
Good stuff me like lots was fun read . . M . . B h h b h h j j
Good stuff me like lots was fun read . . M . . B h h b h h j j
June 30, 2018
The Meta books were thoroughly enjoyable. This third book delivered a lot of explanations along with a great story. I'd really love to see more books set in this world.
November 1, 2018
I won this book from a goodreads giveaway
Read
October 27, 2023Great series
Great books! I was hesitant at first but I'm loving the series now. I can't wait to read the next book.
Great books! I was hesitant at first but I'm loving the series now. I can't wait to read the next book.
July 6, 2024
I might have liked this when I was 11 or 12.
November 1, 2024
Eneven read. Feels like there are chapters missing. Origin story is disappointing.
September 13, 2025
Great books
This is a great series and I'm looking forward to the next book. Fun reads and They're not foo tropey.
This is a great series and I'm looking forward to the next book. Fun reads and They're not foo tropey.
December 10, 2022
While this is not my most favorite original superhero series, it is definitely coming in at third or fourth. I think that says a lot when the main protagonist is a teenager. Reynolds provides a good balance between Conner being young and his reader possibly not being so.
I thought this was the end of a trilogy and so I was going to say that the author did a great job of wrapping things up. I didn't think he'd be able to considering how many loose threads were flying about. I also thought I knew how it would end.
It is hard for me to believe that this is the author's first published series because everything is so solidly written. I had a hard time putting the books down for about a week and now I'm on the other side blinking my eyes going "how can this be over?" I mean, the only big thing I'd gripe about is the lack of diversity in the cast. I got the impression they are all white and only Conner's friend Jim (and Conner at the start of the book) feel lower middle class. It was actually kind of beautiful how Reynold's addressed the new class difference between Jim and Conner and how it changed their relationship on top of the superhero/non-superhero dynamic.
The book also survives an interlude into changing the setting when Conner attends secret superhero school. Parts of it are painful, but it all fits perfectly into the context of teenage life and changing schools and being lower middle class most of your life and suddenly not being so only you are still the person you were before your brother got stinking rich (ie you don't know how to fit in).
And finally since I haven't talked about it before and I usually do: all of the characters have their own agency and it drives so much of the plot. Pretty sure that's my number one favorite thing about this series. I look forward to more wonderful writing from a very skilled author.
--
Uff I gave such a glowing review only now it's been so long that I don't remember much. I think...I'm going to have to decide not to continue following this series. I already know it wasn't written for my age group anyway and I have the Don't Tell My Parents series that has stuck with me much more (and is also more diverse).
I thought this was the end of a trilogy and so I was going to say that the author did a great job of wrapping things up. I didn't think he'd be able to considering how many loose threads were flying about. I also thought I knew how it would end.
It is hard for me to believe that this is the author's first published series because everything is so solidly written. I had a hard time putting the books down for about a week and now I'm on the other side blinking my eyes going "how can this be over?" I mean, the only big thing I'd gripe about is the lack of diversity in the cast. I got the impression they are all white and only Conner's friend Jim (and Conner at the start of the book) feel lower middle class. It was actually kind of beautiful how Reynold's addressed the new class difference between Jim and Conner and how it changed their relationship on top of the superhero/non-superhero dynamic.
The book also survives an interlude into changing the setting when Conner attends secret superhero school. Parts of it are painful, but it all fits perfectly into the context of teenage life and changing schools and being lower middle class most of your life and suddenly not being so only you are still the person you were before your brother got stinking rich (ie you don't know how to fit in).
And finally since I haven't talked about it before and I usually do: all of the characters have their own agency and it drives so much of the plot. Pretty sure that's my number one favorite thing about this series. I look forward to more wonderful writing from a very skilled author.
--
Uff I gave such a glowing review only now it's been so long that I don't remember much. I think...I'm going to have to decide not to continue following this series. I already know it wasn't written for my age group anyway and I have the Don't Tell My Parents series that has stuck with me much more (and is also more diverse).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews