The Initiation and The Captive Part 1

by L.J. Smith

Genres: Young Adult

421 pages, ebook

Published September 20, 2011

About the author

Smith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.

She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.

Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”

She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

L J Smith wrote The Secret Circle trilogy in 1992. It has since been reprinted into two volumes. Another author has added to the trilogy with three more books.

With this first half of the trilogy read I would say that I didn't like it as much as most of the author's Night World stories and The Forbidden Game, but better than the first Vampire Diaries book. I have not watched the TV series based on the story and I'm not sure I have the desire too, but I will finish the trilogy.

Some brief mature references, the Lord's name in vain used, and a couple of kisses, and a lot of witchy teen drama.

[Christine]

This was a quick read, and it's so different from the show (what else is new). Very early YA, but let's just be clear about one thing: making out with your soul mate who is with someone else is still cheating . I did have a giggle at the dramatic title, but all good fun. She's basically caught kissing someone she shouldn't, and has to make sure the person doesn't spill the beans. I really liked the setting, the secrecy, and the characters.