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I diari delle streghe #4
The Power
Finally united with Diana, mistress of her coven, Cassie must sacrifice her love for Adam to save the Secret Circle and the town of New Salem. Reissue.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
65 people are currently reading
5,462 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Smith
301 books112k followersLisa Jane Smith was an American author of young adult fiction best known for her best-selling series The Vampire Diaries, which has been turned into a successful television show. Her books, particularly The Vampire Diaries and Night World, have been in the New York Times Best Seller list and have been nominated for five awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
July 14, 2010
The Power is the third and final book in The Secret Circle trilogy by L J Smith. In this story, the Circle are shattered by Faye's revelations at a time when they need to be at their strongest. Black John is back, and Cassie is horrified when it is revealed why she feels such a strong connection with him. He has returned to claim the Master Tools and become the leader of the coven of twelve that he had such a hand in creating - which means that one member of the Circle must die...
I think that L J Smith writes perfect teenage escapist fiction - as long as you suspend your disbelief and don't look for the plot holes. Although the first two books in the trilogy (The Initiation and The Captive) are pretty strong and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them, this third one did not captivate me in the same way.
My main problem was the sudden switch in focus between Nick and Adam, the two men that Cassie is attracted to. Because Adam is with Diana, and forbidden to Cassie, she looks to Nick for a relationship - and that relationship is written in a very sweet manner. Nick becomes a character that I really enjoyed reading about - the gradual unthawing of his cold manner and the way he becomes so protective of Cassie are extremely well-written. So it was a disappointment to discover the way that L J Smith chose to resolve the situation, and this coloured my reading experience.
I also didn't feel that there was enough book for the plot development that L J Smith added concerning the change in attitudes of the 'outsider' school children, and then the switch to something approaching truce. It all rattled through at a breakneck pace, which felt a little too fast. In the first two books the pace was balanced well with the plot development and the strong characterisations, but here it felt like Smith was trying to pack in too much.
As with The Initiation and The Power, I did love the way Smith wrote these characters. Over the course of all three books she has managed effectively to juggle twelve personalities, depicting their different attitudes, abilities and emotions with rare skill. There was never a moment when a name was mentioned and I thought 'Who is this one again?'
I read this trilogy with great nostalgia and fondness for characters that I first discovered in my teens, and I was pleasantly surprised to realise that the books stand up to both adult eyes and a second read. They give a lesson to any YA authors who wish to write strong female characters and genuinely gorgeous male characters. Recommended as a trilogy, despite the fact that the third book is not as strong.
I think that L J Smith writes perfect teenage escapist fiction - as long as you suspend your disbelief and don't look for the plot holes. Although the first two books in the trilogy (The Initiation and The Captive) are pretty strong and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them, this third one did not captivate me in the same way.
My main problem was the sudden switch in focus between Nick and Adam, the two men that Cassie is attracted to. Because Adam is with Diana, and forbidden to Cassie, she looks to Nick for a relationship - and that relationship is written in a very sweet manner. Nick becomes a character that I really enjoyed reading about - the gradual unthawing of his cold manner and the way he becomes so protective of Cassie are extremely well-written. So it was a disappointment to discover the way that L J Smith chose to resolve the situation, and this coloured my reading experience.
I also didn't feel that there was enough book for the plot development that L J Smith added concerning the change in attitudes of the 'outsider' school children, and then the switch to something approaching truce. It all rattled through at a breakneck pace, which felt a little too fast. In the first two books the pace was balanced well with the plot development and the strong characterisations, but here it felt like Smith was trying to pack in too much.
As with The Initiation and The Power, I did love the way Smith wrote these characters. Over the course of all three books she has managed effectively to juggle twelve personalities, depicting their different attitudes, abilities and emotions with rare skill. There was never a moment when a name was mentioned and I thought 'Who is this one again?'
I read this trilogy with great nostalgia and fondness for characters that I first discovered in my teens, and I was pleasantly surprised to realise that the books stand up to both adult eyes and a second read. They give a lesson to any YA authors who wish to write strong female characters and genuinely gorgeous male characters. Recommended as a trilogy, despite the fact that the third book is not as strong.
May 23, 2022
Kann Black John aufgehalten werden ?
In dem Buch Die Erlösung (Der magische Zirkel 3) von Lisa J. Smith, geht es um Cassie und die anderen Mitglieder des Zirkels. Gleichzeitig ist Black John, der Gründer des Hexenzirkels aufgetaucht plant den Zirkel zu kontrollieren und die anderen einzuschüchtern. Cassie muss lernen, das nur sie ihn aufhalten kann, aber Unterstützung erhält sie dabei trotzdem von den anderen Mitgliedern des Zirkels. Werden die Mitglieder Black John aufhalten ?
Meine Meinung:
Ich fand die Geschichte wieder spannend geschrieben und flüssig zu lesen. Auch der 3 Band der Reihe war wieder spannend und die Mitglieder des Zirkels konnten wieder einiges bewältigen, auch wenn es Komplikationen gab.
Fazit:
Ein spannender Band der Reihe.
In dem Buch Die Erlösung (Der magische Zirkel 3) von Lisa J. Smith, geht es um Cassie und die anderen Mitglieder des Zirkels. Gleichzeitig ist Black John, der Gründer des Hexenzirkels aufgetaucht plant den Zirkel zu kontrollieren und die anderen einzuschüchtern. Cassie muss lernen, das nur sie ihn aufhalten kann, aber Unterstützung erhält sie dabei trotzdem von den anderen Mitgliedern des Zirkels. Werden die Mitglieder Black John aufhalten ?
Meine Meinung:
Ich fand die Geschichte wieder spannend geschrieben und flüssig zu lesen. Auch der 3 Band der Reihe war wieder spannend und die Mitglieder des Zirkels konnten wieder einiges bewältigen, auch wenn es Komplikationen gab.
Fazit:
Ein spannender Band der Reihe.
January 29, 2015
Ήταν καλύτερο σε σχέση με τα προηγούμενα, είχε πολύ περισσότερη δράση και αγωνία. Δυστυχώς όμως όχι αρκετά για μένα ώστε να πω ότι αξίζει 4 αστεράκια, διότι οι ήρωες συνεχίζουν να συμπεριφέρονται ανώριμα και η γραφή να παραμένει υπερβολικά απλή και προφορική για βιβλίο.
September 22, 2018
1.5 stars. It's readable and has a couple of cool bits (when they discuss crystals or other fictional or realistic witchcraft), but that's all it has going for it.
August 23, 2021
Things come to a head in this third book, and we see the resolution of the war with Black John, who is probably the most interesting character in the series so far. His appearance also solves a lot of mystery with the first two books that we didn't know were mysteries because the Club (which really isn't a Secret Circle at all, because everyone knows who they are) didn't really act on it at all, and adults in this book belong in the Snoopy domain in terms of competence and voice lines.
As resolutions go, this was actually fairly decent. But since I still hated everyone in the book except the big baddie, I was still reluctant to rate this book any higher. But it's still better than the first two books, and that's really something.
As resolutions go, this was actually fairly decent. But since I still hated everyone in the book except the big baddie, I was still reluctant to rate this book any higher. But it's still better than the first two books, and that's really something.
November 7, 2011
This is the final novel in the Secret Circle trilogy, which I read when it first came out, back when I was a kid. Do yourselves a favor and read it- infinitely more complex than the TV series, and it explains why Harry Potter felt like a bad cliche.
Rereading this trilogy was startling- I had forgotten how good it was, how well-developed the characters were, and how strikingly Cassie- the protagonist- goes from being a meek mouse to becoming a strong and capable leader, despite her own self-doubt (showing the multidimensional characterization).
These books also linked for me many different Fantasy interests- paganism, druidism, Greek gods and goddesses, reincarnation. More than 15 years later, I can actually say that I see how these books influenced me in my spiritual search and informed my love of nature and respect for the elements.
I sympathized deeply with Cassie- her feelings of being an outsider, of having to take on leadership despite being ill-prepared. She was and still is a wonderful role model, especially for younger readers. Highly recommended- I couldn't put down. My only complaints- plot is so addictive I blazed through the trilogy in 24 hours; and why weren't there any sequels?? I would have liked to see how everyone in the Circle ended up, especially Cassie's romantic life.
Rereading this trilogy was startling- I had forgotten how good it was, how well-developed the characters were, and how strikingly Cassie- the protagonist- goes from being a meek mouse to becoming a strong and capable leader, despite her own self-doubt (showing the multidimensional characterization).
These books also linked for me many different Fantasy interests- paganism, druidism, Greek gods and goddesses, reincarnation. More than 15 years later, I can actually say that I see how these books influenced me in my spiritual search and informed my love of nature and respect for the elements.
I sympathized deeply with Cassie- her feelings of being an outsider, of having to take on leadership despite being ill-prepared. She was and still is a wonderful role model, especially for younger readers. Highly recommended- I couldn't put down. My only complaints- plot is so addictive I blazed through the trilogy in 24 hours; and why weren't there any sequels?? I would have liked to see how everyone in the Circle ended up, especially Cassie's romantic life.
November 16, 2012
Read this whole series back when i was 13-14 and i was BLOWN away by it.... so much so i DESPERATELY wanted to be a witch... hmmm... maybe i just wanted Adam.... :)
January 11, 2010
OMG. What can I say this was a great to a trilogy. I could not have asked for more. It tied all the lose ends. The cliffhangers through out the series was amazing. I love the heroine Cassie and the love traingle that in the end worked out for the best. I admire Diana for here strength in not seeing things as a lost but as a gain in the benefit of the group. I really enjoyed the interaction between the characters and it made me feel a part of the story as an outside looking in from a window into a world of magic. Amazing.
February 24, 2022
What a wild ride
May 29, 2022
بازخونی این مجموعه رو تموم کردم. بچه بودم خیلی بیشتر دوستش داشتم:))
January 29, 2018
Wieder einmal hatte ich meine Probleme mit dieser unerträglichen Protagonistin. Cassie tut immer so tough und letztendlich ist sie doch nur ein manipulierbarer Schwächling, der nichts anderes tut, als nach einem Mann zu schmachten, den sie nicht haben kann und sich selbst zu bemitleiden.
Es kommt selten vor, aber auch die Dreiecksbeziehung war in diesem Fall in meinen Augen schlichtweg unnötig. Ich hatte zeitweise eine unendliche Wut auf Cassie, wegen ihres egoistischen, heuchlerischen Verhaltens.
Außerdem waren mir einige Schlussfolgerungen der Charaktere schlichtweg unverständlich. Als würden sie von dem Fußabdruck eines Chihuahua auf eine Dogge schließen.
Nichtsdestotrotz habe ich mich insgesamt unterhalten gefühlt und da man bekanntlich zu Beginn des Jahres noch etwas milder in seinen Bewertungen ist, bekommt das Buch von mir 3 Sterne. Ich hoffe die nächsten Bände werden wieder besser.
PS.: Ist sonst noch jemandem aufgefallen, dass die Mädchen auf den deutschen Covern keine Hälse haben?
Es kommt selten vor, aber auch die Dreiecksbeziehung war in diesem Fall in meinen Augen schlichtweg unnötig. Ich hatte zeitweise eine unendliche Wut auf Cassie, wegen ihres egoistischen, heuchlerischen Verhaltens.
Außerdem waren mir einige Schlussfolgerungen der Charaktere schlichtweg unverständlich. Als würden sie von dem Fußabdruck eines Chihuahua auf eine Dogge schließen.
Nichtsdestotrotz habe ich mich insgesamt unterhalten gefühlt und da man bekanntlich zu Beginn des Jahres noch etwas milder in seinen Bewertungen ist, bekommt das Buch von mir 3 Sterne. Ich hoffe die nächsten Bände werden wieder besser.
PS.: Ist sonst noch jemandem aufgefallen, dass die Mädchen auf den deutschen Covern keine Hälse haben?
April 9, 2011
Troisième et dernier tome de la trilogie, Le Pouvoir nous entraîne au cœur d'une bataille qui a vu le jour dans le précédent opus : la guerre entre le coven et Black John. Ce troisième roman est beaucoup plus porté sur l'action, sur l'affrontement et sur la recherches des Artéfacts Primordiaux. Bien que cela m'ait plu, le livre ne m'a pas autant séduit que ses prédécesseurs. Pourquoi ? Demandez donc à la traductrice.
Était-elle vraiment obligée de nous coller autant d'abréviations ? Je sais que ça peux paraître stupide de juger le roman en fonction de ça, mais quand même ! Quand on a sans cesse des "J'les ai pas", "Elle doit être dans l'lycée" ou que même des personnes âgées disent "Faut qu'vous vous serriez les coudes.", la lecture n'est pas aussi agréable que dans un roman "normalement" écrit.
Bon, maintenant que j'ai poussé mon petit coup de gueule, je peux vous parler de l'histoire en elle-même. L'intrigue suit directement celle du tome 2, et bien qu'on s'attende à quelques surprises, Lisa Jane Smith fait tout simplement ce qu'on attendait d'elle. J'ai été un peu déçu d'ailleurs, car il y a eu peu de rebondissements par rapport aux autres livres.
Bien sûr, la sorcellerie est toujours omniprésente, ce qui relève le niveau. J'ai adoré suivre l'évolution de cette foultitude de personnages pour la dernière fois. Leur pouvoir grandissent, s'améliorent et c'est vraiment prenant à découvrir. D'ailleurs en abordant le sujet des héros, ce point est également très intéressant à lire. Les masques tombent, on découvre les vrais visages des personnes que l'on suit depuis le début, et c'est passionnant !
L'intrigue se déroule dans un univers plus sombre que précédemment, on sent que c'est la fin, que l'apocalypse approche, le grand final. La tension monte rapidement dans les dernières pages, et le stress qui grimpe en nous en fait de même. Les mystères s'épaississent dans les ultimes pages, et c'est ce qui est regrettable. En fait, on est happé par l'histoire seulement à la fin ! Mais c'est au début qu'on aurait dû être ensorcelé ! Ce point m'a gêné. Beaucoup. J'avais vraiment apprécié les deux autres tomes, alors quand je me dis que je n'aime pas le dernier de la série, c'est plutôt frustrant.
Donc voilà, c'est un avis assez mitigé que je publie. Je ne sais pas trop quoi penser du livre finalement. La fin me suffit, mais tout ce qu'il y avant ne m'a spécialement convaincu. D'accord, on a des trahisons, de l'amour à revendre, des amitiés touchantes, mais ça ne va pas plus loin. En fait je crois que j'ai été déçu que l'intrigue n'aille pas plus en profondeur. Après, cette sensation ne vient peut-être que de moi... Peut-être en attendais-je trop ?
Pour finir, je pense que celles et ceux qui ont adoré les premiers opus aimeront celui-ci. Pour les autres, je ne sais pas s'ils vous plaira. Du coup ( comme à chaque que je publie un avis assez moyen ) j'aimerai savoir ce que vous en avez pensé ?!
Était-elle vraiment obligée de nous coller autant d'abréviations ? Je sais que ça peux paraître stupide de juger le roman en fonction de ça, mais quand même ! Quand on a sans cesse des "J'les ai pas", "Elle doit être dans l'lycée" ou que même des personnes âgées disent "Faut qu'vous vous serriez les coudes.", la lecture n'est pas aussi agréable que dans un roman "normalement" écrit.
Bon, maintenant que j'ai poussé mon petit coup de gueule, je peux vous parler de l'histoire en elle-même. L'intrigue suit directement celle du tome 2, et bien qu'on s'attende à quelques surprises, Lisa Jane Smith fait tout simplement ce qu'on attendait d'elle. J'ai été un peu déçu d'ailleurs, car il y a eu peu de rebondissements par rapport aux autres livres.
Bien sûr, la sorcellerie est toujours omniprésente, ce qui relève le niveau. J'ai adoré suivre l'évolution de cette foultitude de personnages pour la dernière fois. Leur pouvoir grandissent, s'améliorent et c'est vraiment prenant à découvrir. D'ailleurs en abordant le sujet des héros, ce point est également très intéressant à lire. Les masques tombent, on découvre les vrais visages des personnes que l'on suit depuis le début, et c'est passionnant !
L'intrigue se déroule dans un univers plus sombre que précédemment, on sent que c'est la fin, que l'apocalypse approche, le grand final. La tension monte rapidement dans les dernières pages, et le stress qui grimpe en nous en fait de même. Les mystères s'épaississent dans les ultimes pages, et c'est ce qui est regrettable. En fait, on est happé par l'histoire seulement à la fin ! Mais c'est au début qu'on aurait dû être ensorcelé ! Ce point m'a gêné. Beaucoup. J'avais vraiment apprécié les deux autres tomes, alors quand je me dis que je n'aime pas le dernier de la série, c'est plutôt frustrant.
Donc voilà, c'est un avis assez mitigé que je publie. Je ne sais pas trop quoi penser du livre finalement. La fin me suffit, mais tout ce qu'il y avant ne m'a spécialement convaincu. D'accord, on a des trahisons, de l'amour à revendre, des amitiés touchantes, mais ça ne va pas plus loin. En fait je crois que j'ai été déçu que l'intrigue n'aille pas plus en profondeur. Après, cette sensation ne vient peut-être que de moi... Peut-être en attendais-je trop ?
Pour finir, je pense que celles et ceux qui ont adoré les premiers opus aimeront celui-ci. Pour les autres, je ne sais pas s'ils vous plaira. Du coup ( comme à chaque que je publie un avis assez moyen ) j'aimerai savoir ce que vous en avez pensé ?!
March 31, 2011
I picked up this series because I’ve heard its going to be hopefully made into a tv show…I don’t know what I was expecting when I read this trilogy (which I got through in about three days) but I don’t think it was met…this book series just wasn’t very good…it was in no way bad….I’ve read bad, and this isn’t it…But its not very good either, its more “meh”, and bland as hell…
I could stand cassie most of the time, but she’s an utter a moron and a terrible mary-sue (actually all the characters are pretty dumb most of the time and all are more cardboard then fleshed out ), the plots see through and I predicted everything from the beginning of book one pretty much, and the writing was all around mediocre….
I did like the characters themselves, their descriptions, their vague personalities, etc. and I would have liked to actually know more about them, sadly nothing is really ever given…even of the main character Cassie, she’s especially dull in development …so dull the writer had to force cheesy dialogue between characters to make it seem like she’s something she’s not represented to be in any way…and the writer does this constantly, its eye rolling bad.
The most horrible of the three is the last book, which just felt heartless, the story was all around anticlimactic, every moment that could have been good was stolen by terrible storytelling and it just ended, like they were all standing around and that was that…I ended this book going “that was it? This is all there is? WTH?”
Spoiler below:
By the way, was I the only one who felt cassie was just as in love with diana as she was in love with adam…maybe more so? I mean why didn’t they just become a triangle? It would have much better and much more interesting then how it predictably ended.
I could stand cassie most of the time, but she’s an utter a moron and a terrible mary-sue (actually all the characters are pretty dumb most of the time and all are more cardboard then fleshed out ), the plots see through and I predicted everything from the beginning of book one pretty much, and the writing was all around mediocre….
I did like the characters themselves, their descriptions, their vague personalities, etc. and I would have liked to actually know more about them, sadly nothing is really ever given…even of the main character Cassie, she’s especially dull in development …so dull the writer had to force cheesy dialogue between characters to make it seem like she’s something she’s not represented to be in any way…and the writer does this constantly, its eye rolling bad.
The most horrible of the three is the last book, which just felt heartless, the story was all around anticlimactic, every moment that could have been good was stolen by terrible storytelling and it just ended, like they were all standing around and that was that…I ended this book going “that was it? This is all there is? WTH?”
Spoiler below:
By the way, was I the only one who felt cassie was just as in love with diana as she was in love with adam…maybe more so? I mean why didn’t they just become a triangle? It would have much better and much more interesting then how it predictably ended.
March 21, 2018
My line has the sight and the power, she thought. I want to use that power to stand up to him. To face him.
4.5 stars. No spoilers. I'm deducting .5 stars for Diana being a sweet cinnamon roll and suffering for it. She's either really into polyamory, or she's the biggest doormat who ever lived and everyone is okay with it. Either way, I don't like what happened to her.
Here are my final thoughts on this book:
* I want Diana and Nick to be together. SOOOO. DAMN. BADLY.
"But don't worry about it. Nick's a nice guy, and I know you won't hurt him. You know how special he is." Cassie nodded, but she was startled to hear her own words on Diana's lips.
She hadn't known Diana knew.
* I still think Cassie is a lesbian.
Laurel's eyes twinkled at Cassie from across the flames and Cassie let her own eyes twinkle back.
I'm joking.
* Using the beach as one giant magical crystal was genius.
* I'm still loving the mythology, crystal and herb references. And the additional past-life/soul-mate references.
* L.J. is doing a great job tying small details from her previous books into this one. The chalcedony rose, Portia and her brothers and character quirks.
* I wonder what's going to happen now after that showdown????
September 20, 2017
O trilogie frumoasă, potrivită pentru acele momente în care nu-ți dorești altceva decât pură relaxare, voie bună și o poveste ușoară care să nu te solicite prea mult.
Magie adevărată, secrete de sute de ani și obiecte cu puteri nebănuite sunt elemente ce au menirea de a te atrage în mrejele lor, pentru a deveni una cu povestea personajelor. Un „cerc secret” care poate săvârși dezastre sau poate aduce bunăstare vremii de care aparține. 12 tineri au puterea de a alege de care barieră să lupte împreună, însă conducătorul lor, care face parte dintre aceștia și pe care tot ei l-au votat, îi poate influența destul de mult spre calea pe care o vor alege în cele din urmă.
“– Aşadar, acum, că eşti vrăjitoare, ce vei face prima dată?
Cassie izbucni în râs, simţindu-se ca şi cum ar fi fost beată. Puterea, se gândi. E atât de multă Putere aici… iar acum pot s-o cuprind. Clătină din cap şi-şi ridică mâna în care nu ţinea ceaşca de ceai.
– Dar ce putem să facem? întrebă ea.“
Magie adevărată, secrete de sute de ani și obiecte cu puteri nebănuite sunt elemente ce au menirea de a te atrage în mrejele lor, pentru a deveni una cu povestea personajelor. Un „cerc secret” care poate săvârși dezastre sau poate aduce bunăstare vremii de care aparține. 12 tineri au puterea de a alege de care barieră să lupte împreună, însă conducătorul lor, care face parte dintre aceștia și pe care tot ei l-au votat, îi poate influența destul de mult spre calea pe care o vor alege în cele din urmă.
“– Aşadar, acum, că eşti vrăjitoare, ce vei face prima dată?
Cassie izbucni în râs, simţindu-se ca şi cum ar fi fost beată. Puterea, se gândi. E atât de multă Putere aici… iar acum pot s-o cuprind. Clătină din cap şi-şi ridică mâna în care nu ţinea ceaşca de ceai.
– Dar ce putem să facem? întrebă ea.“
October 31, 2011
Tuhle knížku jsem dočetla už před víkendem, ale musela jsem si to nechat trochu uležet, abych se rozhodla, jak tuhle knížku hodnotit. A došla jsem k tomu, že je svým způsobem nejlepší i nejhorší z celé trilogie... nejhorší tím, že mě točily některé situace a malinko i samotný závěr. Nejlepší proto, že mě dokázala zaujmout a překvapit, což bych u L. J. Smith ani nečekala... Moje hodocení je mezi 3,5 a 4 hvězdičkami, ale protože je to spíš nahoru, dávám tady čtyři. Pokud jste četli první dva díly, třetí vás určitě nezklame! :)
November 4, 2022
Still going strong on this not so strong series. If these kids were young adults, it would be a lot more believable but now it's just ridiculous. Also killing a family member is a lot more traumatic than this book makes it seem, not speaking out of experience tho.
Eye colours that were mentioned every other sentence:
Diana - emerald
Adam - grey blue
Henderson twins - grey green
Faye - golden
Nick - mahogany
Eye colours that were mentioned every other sentence:
Diana - emerald
Adam - grey blue
Henderson twins - grey green
Faye - golden
Nick - mahogany
July 8, 2014
What can i say about this book? I loved it. This booked showed me everything i wanted to see in all the characters and i'm glad i got to see the circle at it's best. The ending was perfect and this book had to offer so much even though it was quite short.
July 14, 2016
Σαφώς το καλύτερο μέχρι τώρα σε σχέση με τα προηγούμενα με έντονη δράση και αγωνία
May 23, 2019
a predictable mess!
April 25, 2020
Финалът е жесток🤩
August 2, 2020
Of the three original Secret Circle books, this one was definitely the silliest.
The "big bad," Black John's plan for fighting the Circle was installing himself as principal, creating a new list of rules (ex. no smoking or cutting class), and selecting student "hall monitors" to enforce these rules. The main characters all react to this with such over-the-top seriousness, complete with Nazi comparisons (yes, really), that it's hard not to giggle or shake your head a little during these scenes. Cassie being sent to the principal's office is written as if she were being shipped off to await the guillotine, with the rest of the Circle conspiring to spring her out.
Black John is a fairly enigmatic villain whom we never learn much about, beyond the big reveal regarding his relation to Cassie. I'm still not quite sure what his actual objective was, or how he managed to come back to life besides just "magic." I also wish we had gotten more backstory about how he swindled the last generation of witches in New Salem. At the same time, it was nice to see Cassie grow a backbone in confronting both him and Faye, whose presence in this book was arguably smaller than in the previous two.
The actual prose of The Secret Circle has been consistent throughout the entire trilogy: clear, concise, well-paced, and engaging. I don't think I'm the only person who believes that YA hasn't been as strong for the past few years overall, which makes this series by L.J. Smith--a writer-for-hire who was eventually replaced by a ghostwriter--so refreshing.
I do wish we were able to see more of the supporting characters in The Power; the heart of this story has always rested in Cassie, Diana, and Faye (who, in a clever twist, form a triumvirate to lead the Circle by the novel's conclusion), but I missed the bonus scenes with brilliant Melanie, coy Suzan, fiesty Deborah, and compassionate Laurel. Aside from one bonding scene between the seven girls--where we're treated to more of the excellent symbolism that is sprinkled throughout the trilogy--the story is largely overshadowed by treasure hunts and boy drama.
Nick is finally given more room to shine, but his role in The Power is largely limited to a short-lived romance with Cassie that neither expects to last, even though the two have much more chemistry than Cassie and Adam (although both pale in comparison to Cassie and Diana, which we'll get to in a bit). Nick handles rejection well, and Cassie is free to pine after Adam, who still hasn't been given any depth over the course of three books.
There's remarkably little spellcasting in The Secret Circle, but the third novel's climax is enough to make up for it. I loved how much thought was put into the mythology of the story, and how so much of it--the stones, the rituals, the paintings of goddesses--is used to symbolize each specific character. When the Circle casts their climatic spell, each contributes a line that reflects on their character (fire for Faye, ice for Nick, earth for Melanie, etc.), and it added a depth to an otherwise straight-forward story.
I was genuinely surprised by the reveal that one of the witches had unwittingly been assisting Black John all along, and I liked how everything tied together in the end. Smith left plenty of open room for later installments, such as the acknowledgement that different families could have an inclination for particular powers, and the possibility that Diana and Faye are each one-half of the reincarnation of a Puritan witch whose soul split in two (!). There was always an element of mystery and elitism to the Circle, who ruled the town through the sheer power of everyone else being intimidated by them. In The Power, we finally see the Circle reckon with their reputations, and agree that it is past time to make amends.
The weakest part of The Power for me was, as always, the romance between Cassie and Adam. As mentioned before, Adam is given remarkably little character development, and any person reading this series today would come away believing that Cassie was actually in love with Diana, not him. And while the teenagers of The Secret Circle have never been particularly realistic, Diana lovingly handing Adam off to Cassie in front of everyone else was just too unreal to be taken seriously.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and hope that it continues to find new fans in the years ahead. I look forward to reading the sequel trilogy and seeing how it compares to the original.
The "big bad," Black John's plan for fighting the Circle was installing himself as principal, creating a new list of rules (ex. no smoking or cutting class), and selecting student "hall monitors" to enforce these rules. The main characters all react to this with such over-the-top seriousness, complete with Nazi comparisons (yes, really), that it's hard not to giggle or shake your head a little during these scenes. Cassie being sent to the principal's office is written as if she were being shipped off to await the guillotine, with the rest of the Circle conspiring to spring her out.
Black John is a fairly enigmatic villain whom we never learn much about, beyond the big reveal regarding his relation to Cassie. I'm still not quite sure what his actual objective was, or how he managed to come back to life besides just "magic." I also wish we had gotten more backstory about how he swindled the last generation of witches in New Salem. At the same time, it was nice to see Cassie grow a backbone in confronting both him and Faye, whose presence in this book was arguably smaller than in the previous two.
The actual prose of The Secret Circle has been consistent throughout the entire trilogy: clear, concise, well-paced, and engaging. I don't think I'm the only person who believes that YA hasn't been as strong for the past few years overall, which makes this series by L.J. Smith--a writer-for-hire who was eventually replaced by a ghostwriter--so refreshing.
I do wish we were able to see more of the supporting characters in The Power; the heart of this story has always rested in Cassie, Diana, and Faye (who, in a clever twist, form a triumvirate to lead the Circle by the novel's conclusion), but I missed the bonus scenes with brilliant Melanie, coy Suzan, fiesty Deborah, and compassionate Laurel. Aside from one bonding scene between the seven girls--where we're treated to more of the excellent symbolism that is sprinkled throughout the trilogy--the story is largely overshadowed by treasure hunts and boy drama.
Nick is finally given more room to shine, but his role in The Power is largely limited to a short-lived romance with Cassie that neither expects to last, even though the two have much more chemistry than Cassie and Adam (although both pale in comparison to Cassie and Diana, which we'll get to in a bit). Nick handles rejection well, and Cassie is free to pine after Adam, who still hasn't been given any depth over the course of three books.
There's remarkably little spellcasting in The Secret Circle, but the third novel's climax is enough to make up for it. I loved how much thought was put into the mythology of the story, and how so much of it--the stones, the rituals, the paintings of goddesses--is used to symbolize each specific character. When the Circle casts their climatic spell, each contributes a line that reflects on their character (fire for Faye, ice for Nick, earth for Melanie, etc.), and it added a depth to an otherwise straight-forward story.
I was genuinely surprised by the reveal that one of the witches had unwittingly been assisting Black John all along, and I liked how everything tied together in the end. Smith left plenty of open room for later installments, such as the acknowledgement that different families could have an inclination for particular powers, and the possibility that Diana and Faye are each one-half of the reincarnation of a Puritan witch whose soul split in two (!). There was always an element of mystery and elitism to the Circle, who ruled the town through the sheer power of everyone else being intimidated by them. In The Power, we finally see the Circle reckon with their reputations, and agree that it is past time to make amends.
The weakest part of The Power for me was, as always, the romance between Cassie and Adam. As mentioned before, Adam is given remarkably little character development, and any person reading this series today would come away believing that Cassie was actually in love with Diana, not him. And while the teenagers of The Secret Circle have never been particularly realistic, Diana lovingly handing Adam off to Cassie in front of everyone else was just too unreal to be taken seriously.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this series, and hope that it continues to find new fans in the years ahead. I look forward to reading the sequel trilogy and seeing how it compares to the original.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2012
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This book starts right where the second book left. And boy what a cliff hanger the second book left at!
Cassie and the coven are finding it odd with Faye as the new coven leader. They're trying to do everything they can to defeat Black John and discover who was behind the murderers but with Cassie's grandmother gone and Cassie's mother incapacitated just who are they supposed to turn to for help? Their new principle is making it hard and who is it that Cassie see's has joined their school?
Will the coven finally figure out who murdered the innocent? Will they be able defeat Black John with Faye as their new leader?
*WARNING: This section contains spoilers for the first two books!*
I feel that Cassie was very strong in this book. She was able to stand up for herself and others and she wasn't shy anymore. She took a step up. It was nice to see Cassie change and grow.
I didn't like Faye in this book because I felt like she went against everything that she is. She's a strong character and goes out and gets what she wants, but because of the events in this book she decided to become second and follow someone. That was weird to see with Faye.
Diana is so understanding that I wonder how much pain she is really feeling inside. It's odd not to see her in charge, she's quiet in this book but with understanding not pain even though she's had nearly everything ripped out from under her. For her to be so understanding is rather painful to watch, even though you know she is completely genuine.
Whenever I think about the writing of these books or really the style in which they are written in I get all warm and fuzzy. That's weird to say but what I mean is that I loved these books, they kind of felt like home. They were comfortable and so enjoyable. I was always drawn in whenever I picked up the book to read, I was able to relate to nearly every character in some small way at least.
It wasn't amazing writing, I didn't put down these books thinking of how beautifully and poetically they were written. I put them down feeling sad that I wouldn't get to read more about the world L. J. Smith has created, more about Cassie or the coven, I put them down feeling satisfied and full. I think that's more important. I was able to connect with these books, I was able to leave reality and be completely drawn in to the world, I was able to fall in love with this series. At the end of the day that's what I love about books and the stories they tell.
I loved this series but I do have to say that the whole time I've been waiting for something huge to happen. Something that never quite made it there. I'm not sure what this feeling was and it didn't make me feel annoyed or disappointed in anyway. It was simply just there as I was reading the books.
I also felt like that the romance I was expecting to happen never really happened. I was hanging out the whole time waiting for it and then the last book finished and I felt cheated by the romance. I had wanted so much more!
These little things didn't knock down my opinion though, I was able to forgive these things because I feel so highly about this series.
Overall, I didn't love this book as much as the other two but I did still really like it and I think it was a great ending to the series. Ends were tied up, questions were answered and things were revealed. It was exciting and entertaining and I'm sad that this is the real end of The Secret Circle.
As for the series as a whole, I really, really liked it! It was the most enjoyable series I have read in a while, there were no nasty surprises and there was nothing so outrageous that you couldn't believe it. Everything was believable and likeable.
I loved all the characters in this book. There was something about them that just made you like them, even Faye who was pretty mean. I felt like I was able to relate to them in some small way if not any bigger. I really loved that, I think being able to relate to the characters is huge in books. Because if you're unable to relate to them then you feel disconnected and there is no emotional attachment to them.
The plot was interesting and entertaining, the lead up to the reveals were just the right amount of subtle. The readers hadn't guessed the reveal before Cassie and that was refreshing. I've been reading a lot of books lately where I know what the reveal is way before the main character does and that is beyond annoying.
The writing was good, subtle and entertaining. It was really easy to read, everything flowed and made sense and it was exactly what you would expect which I think is really good for this series.
I recommend giving this series a go if you need a light, fun read!
There are more books that are being written under this series but L. J. Smith is not the writer of these books. It is a ghost writer named Aubrey Clark . I've heard they're quite different to the original books in the way that the writers voice is very different (Obviously since it's a different writer), the characters just don't seem like themselves and the whole book doesn't feel like it relates to the original three at all. This is based off of other reviews I have read.
I really don't think I will be reading those books because I loved this series so much I know I will butcher my feelings for it if I read them and find I don't like hem, and I'm sure I will be biased and will hate them purely because it is not the original writer writing them. That is my opinion.
Miss J
x
----------------------------------------
This book starts right where the second book left. And boy what a cliff hanger the second book left at!
Cassie and the coven are finding it odd with Faye as the new coven leader. They're trying to do everything they can to defeat Black John and discover who was behind the murderers but with Cassie's grandmother gone and Cassie's mother incapacitated just who are they supposed to turn to for help? Their new principle is making it hard and who is it that Cassie see's has joined their school?
Will the coven finally figure out who murdered the innocent? Will they be able defeat Black John with Faye as their new leader?
*WARNING: This section contains spoilers for the first two books!*
I feel that Cassie was very strong in this book. She was able to stand up for herself and others and she wasn't shy anymore. She took a step up. It was nice to see Cassie change and grow.
I didn't like Faye in this book because I felt like she went against everything that she is. She's a strong character and goes out and gets what she wants, but because of the events in this book she decided to become second and follow someone. That was weird to see with Faye.
Diana is so understanding that I wonder how much pain she is really feeling inside. It's odd not to see her in charge, she's quiet in this book but with understanding not pain even though she's had nearly everything ripped out from under her. For her to be so understanding is rather painful to watch, even though you know she is completely genuine.
Whenever I think about the writing of these books or really the style in which they are written in I get all warm and fuzzy. That's weird to say but what I mean is that I loved these books, they kind of felt like home. They were comfortable and so enjoyable. I was always drawn in whenever I picked up the book to read, I was able to relate to nearly every character in some small way at least.
It wasn't amazing writing, I didn't put down these books thinking of how beautifully and poetically they were written. I put them down feeling sad that I wouldn't get to read more about the world L. J. Smith has created, more about Cassie or the coven, I put them down feeling satisfied and full. I think that's more important. I was able to connect with these books, I was able to leave reality and be completely drawn in to the world, I was able to fall in love with this series. At the end of the day that's what I love about books and the stories they tell.
I loved this series but I do have to say that the whole time I've been waiting for something huge to happen. Something that never quite made it there. I'm not sure what this feeling was and it didn't make me feel annoyed or disappointed in anyway. It was simply just there as I was reading the books.
I also felt like that the romance I was expecting to happen never really happened. I was hanging out the whole time waiting for it and then the last book finished and I felt cheated by the romance. I had wanted so much more!
These little things didn't knock down my opinion though, I was able to forgive these things because I feel so highly about this series.
Overall, I didn't love this book as much as the other two but I did still really like it and I think it was a great ending to the series. Ends were tied up, questions were answered and things were revealed. It was exciting and entertaining and I'm sad that this is the real end of The Secret Circle.
As for the series as a whole, I really, really liked it! It was the most enjoyable series I have read in a while, there were no nasty surprises and there was nothing so outrageous that you couldn't believe it. Everything was believable and likeable.
I loved all the characters in this book. There was something about them that just made you like them, even Faye who was pretty mean. I felt like I was able to relate to them in some small way if not any bigger. I really loved that, I think being able to relate to the characters is huge in books. Because if you're unable to relate to them then you feel disconnected and there is no emotional attachment to them.
The plot was interesting and entertaining, the lead up to the reveals were just the right amount of subtle. The readers hadn't guessed the reveal before Cassie and that was refreshing. I've been reading a lot of books lately where I know what the reveal is way before the main character does and that is beyond annoying.
The writing was good, subtle and entertaining. It was really easy to read, everything flowed and made sense and it was exactly what you would expect which I think is really good for this series.
I recommend giving this series a go if you need a light, fun read!
There are more books that are being written under this series but L. J. Smith is not the writer of these books. It is a ghost writer named Aubrey Clark . I've heard they're quite different to the original books in the way that the writers voice is very different (Obviously since it's a different writer), the characters just don't seem like themselves and the whole book doesn't feel like it relates to the original three at all. This is based off of other reviews I have read.
I really don't think I will be reading those books because I loved this series so much I know I will butcher my feelings for it if I read them and find I don't like hem, and I'm sure I will be biased and will hate them purely because it is not the original writer writing them. That is my opinion.
Miss J
x
September 24, 2019
RELEITURA 2019 | “Com sua visão interior, Cassie viu que o circulo fazia parte de algo maior, como uma espiral que tudo continha, eterna, tocando as estrelas.”
Esse é sem dúvidas o meu favorito dos três livros (eu desconsidero os outros três, se o livro não foi escrito pela autora não faz parte do canon, e nada além da minha opinião importa). O livro já começa com a revelação de que Cassie e Adam se envolveram e trocaram uns beijos as escondidas, é algo bem adolescente e bem bobo perto dos verdadeiros dramas que o círculo terá que enfrentar nas páginas seguintes. Eles descobrem que Black John retornou e se uniu a líder do Círculo, a interesseira Faye, e o homem não está querendo apenas vingança, ele quer que sua filha, no caso Cassie, passe para o seu lado e o apoie em todos os seus planos malucos. Essa parte da volta do Black John e da forma como ele faz pra voltar me remete sempre a Harry Potter e tudo que Voldermort fez para conseguir dividir sua alma e se manter vivo.
O ponto mais fraco desse livro é a curta estadia de Black John, ele é um vilão porco, os dois primeiros livros o criaram como um ser aterrorizante, mas a verdade é que ele sequer é uma ameaça verdadeira, culpa da autora é claro, que escreve os livros correndo e não dá chance de desenvolver seus personagens de forma coerente. Mas o que falta em desenvolvimento dos personagens, L.J compensa nos envolvendo nos rituais do Círculo, aqui nós vemos magia, poder e a força dos bruxos que não vimos nos livros anteriores, principalmente em um ritual especifico que é realizado apenas pelas garotas do Círculo.
A luta final é rápida, e até mesmo meio boba, mas apesar disso nos convence, afinal os jovens bruxos precisam matar um bruxo do mal, e impedir que um furacão destrua a cidade e mate todos os bruxos e os outros moradores, então estamos tão entretidos que aceitamos o que a autora nos dá de bom grado.
Eu fico bastante triste por o Nick, (o melhor personagem na minha opinião), não ser tão desenvolvido, como eu já sabia que ele e a Cassie não ficariam juntos para forçar o casal sem graça, ele poderia ser LGBT, de verdade o Nick tem tudo de um personagem LGBT, então no meu headcanon ele é viadinho e namora um dos gêmeos, é isso.
É um livro gostoso, e apesar de algumas baixas que poderiam ter sido evitadas ou melhoradas consegue finalizar a trilogia muito bem, nos dando respostas à todos os mistérios levantados nos livros anteriores.
Esse é sem dúvidas o meu favorito dos três livros (eu desconsidero os outros três, se o livro não foi escrito pela autora não faz parte do canon, e nada além da minha opinião importa). O livro já começa com a revelação de que Cassie e Adam se envolveram e trocaram uns beijos as escondidas, é algo bem adolescente e bem bobo perto dos verdadeiros dramas que o círculo terá que enfrentar nas páginas seguintes. Eles descobrem que Black John retornou e se uniu a líder do Círculo, a interesseira Faye, e o homem não está querendo apenas vingança, ele quer que sua filha, no caso Cassie, passe para o seu lado e o apoie em todos os seus planos malucos. Essa parte da volta do Black John e da forma como ele faz pra voltar me remete sempre a Harry Potter e tudo que Voldermort fez para conseguir dividir sua alma e se manter vivo.
O ponto mais fraco desse livro é a curta estadia de Black John, ele é um vilão porco, os dois primeiros livros o criaram como um ser aterrorizante, mas a verdade é que ele sequer é uma ameaça verdadeira, culpa da autora é claro, que escreve os livros correndo e não dá chance de desenvolver seus personagens de forma coerente. Mas o que falta em desenvolvimento dos personagens, L.J compensa nos envolvendo nos rituais do Círculo, aqui nós vemos magia, poder e a força dos bruxos que não vimos nos livros anteriores, principalmente em um ritual especifico que é realizado apenas pelas garotas do Círculo.
A luta final é rápida, e até mesmo meio boba, mas apesar disso nos convence, afinal os jovens bruxos precisam matar um bruxo do mal, e impedir que um furacão destrua a cidade e mate todos os bruxos e os outros moradores, então estamos tão entretidos que aceitamos o que a autora nos dá de bom grado.
Eu fico bastante triste por o Nick, (o melhor personagem na minha opinião), não ser tão desenvolvido, como eu já sabia que ele e a Cassie não ficariam juntos para forçar o casal sem graça, ele poderia ser LGBT, de verdade o Nick tem tudo de um personagem LGBT, então no meu headcanon ele é viadinho e namora um dos gêmeos, é isso.
É um livro gostoso, e apesar de algumas baixas que poderiam ter sido evitadas ou melhoradas consegue finalizar a trilogia muito bem, nos dando respostas à todos os mistérios levantados nos livros anteriores.
February 25, 2022
En okay bogserie, som var letlæst.
Der var en beskrivelse at krystaller jeg ikke var enig i, selv om stenene ellers er godt beskrevet til det her univers. Men når man er sten og kystalkender, så vil en krystal som ametyst være en af de nemmeste at finde oplysninger om og jo den høre også med til kvartsfamilien.
En ting mere der falder ud af tiden, er, at serien er skrevet tilbage i 1992 og det fortælles fint at en af personerne er en rigmandspige med stort tv og egen mobiltelefon, som jo ikke var allemandseje dengang. I denne bog står der pludselig en kort beskrivelse af at se noget som en bluray dvd. Øh hov. Dvd kom først på markedet i 1998 og først 10 år senere kom der bluray. Er det i oversættelsen den er gået gal eller hvad er der lige sket?
Der var en beskrivelse at krystaller jeg ikke var enig i, selv om stenene ellers er godt beskrevet til det her univers. Men når man er sten og kystalkender, så vil en krystal som ametyst være en af de nemmeste at finde oplysninger om og jo den høre også med til kvartsfamilien.
En ting mere der falder ud af tiden, er, at serien er skrevet tilbage i 1992 og det fortælles fint at en af personerne er en rigmandspige med stort tv og egen mobiltelefon, som jo ikke var allemandseje dengang. I denne bog står der pludselig en kort beskrivelse af at se noget som en bluray dvd. Øh hov. Dvd kom først på markedet i 1998 og først 10 år senere kom der bluray. Er det i oversættelsen den er gået gal eller hvad er der lige sket?
April 19, 2018
Oh my fire! I loved the book. This wraps up the story so beautifully. I have 0 complaints. I didn’t want for it to end, I felt such a connection with all the characters that I wish this would be like a never ending series, all the way till they’re older and the once they’re re born.
I love witchy stories and elemental magic. Sort of like Wicca. I grow up with a very religious grandma, but her kitchen always smelled of herbs because she will brew teas and remedies... just like a witch. Her family also comes from a village that people say was full of magic and witches “Izalco”. I think that’s why I feel some type of connection. I feel like writing fan fiction of some characters lol
I love witchy stories and elemental magic. Sort of like Wicca. I grow up with a very religious grandma, but her kitchen always smelled of herbs because she will brew teas and remedies... just like a witch. Her family also comes from a village that people say was full of magic and witches “Izalco”. I think that’s why I feel some type of connection. I feel like writing fan fiction of some characters lol
February 3, 2022
نقطه ی قوت این مجموعه اطلاعات هیجان انگیزی بود که در مورد خواص سنگ ها به آدم میداد وگرنه داستان به هر دری میزد که بار بیشتر قدرتش رو بذاره روی دوش نقش اصلی و بقیه ی شخصیت ها در حد حمایت عاطفی یا بخش سنگ انداز قضیه نقشی داشته باشن. تا جلد سوم رو خوندم و نمیدونستم سه جلد دیگه براش نوشتن. میذارمشون توی لیستم و امیدوارم واقعا پیشرفتی توی سه گانه ی دومش باشه. در حد تفریح و اوقات فراغت پر کن این مجموعه رو میدونم. اگه دلتون از این فانتزی های تینیجری آمریکایی میخواد.شاید یه نسخه ی کم ماجرا تر و ضعیف تر از ومپایر دایریز.
June 8, 2021
These are great short Audio reads...
The Storyline is good! The characters.... Apart from Cassie Faye Diana Adam Deborah, Susan the twins and Nick just seem like a blob too me..... Its book 3 the Author has written a circle of 12... I thought they could Have ben a little more Hacked out by now....
Cassie whines alot and sticks to Diana's bum like chewing Gum... But other than that the characters a likeable enough
The Storyline is good! The characters.... Apart from Cassie Faye Diana Adam Deborah, Susan the twins and Nick just seem like a blob too me..... Its book 3 the Author has written a circle of 12... I thought they could Have ben a little more Hacked out by now....
Cassie whines alot and sticks to Diana's bum like chewing Gum... But other than that the characters a likeable enough
September 20, 2018
The Secret Circle series by L.J. Smith was always my favorite series of hers so when I decided to read it again I was worried that it would be awful and ruin my fond memories. While I did find it to be less good than I remembered I still quite enjoyed the characters and story even if the writing style was not exactly to my liking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews