Book Review: The Circle (Engelfors Trilogy #1) by Sara B Elfgren, Mats Strandberg

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: Paperback
Pages: 596
Published: 7th June 2012
Publisher: Hammer Books
Source:  Publisher for Review
Genre: YA Paranormal, Supernatural
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I BookDepoUK I BookDepoINT

Description:
One night, when a strange red moon fills the sky, six school girls find themselves in an abandoned theme park, drawn there by a mysterious force. A student has just been found dead. Everyone suspects suicide. Everyone - except them.

In that derelict fairground an ancient prophecy is revealed. They are The Chosen Ones, a group of witches, bound together by a power, one which could destroy them all. But they soon learn that despite their differences they need each other in order to master the forces that have been awakened within them.

High school is now a matter of life and death. Because the killing has only just begun.   


Review
Originally published in Sweden in April 2011, The Circle has finally been published in the UK. I have been coveting this novel since I first heard about it a few months ago. When the publisher asked me to review I jumped at the chance. However, even though overall it was a good book it was quite disappointing at times.

The Circle follows the life's of six school girls who are thrown together by an unknown supernatural force. Together they must find out who is trying to kill them, all the while each of them having to deal with so many different issues from there home life and school. At first I was intrigued by the storyline. It sounds excited and fresh. However, upon reading I found it to be a very slow burner. It doesn't really pick up until halfway through. A lot of it seems pointless to the storyline and I found that to be really distracting. So I couldn't really get into it as much as I hoped I would. However, when we do get some action, we get Action! There was so many scenes where I was sitting on the edge of seat, eagerly waiting to turn the page. The authors managed to keep me guessing all the way through. I have no idea who the killer was going to and I was sitting in complete shock. I just didn't expect it.

Now, the characters I have to admit drove me insane!! I didn't really like any of them. I found most of the selfish and very disrespectful towards their parents. I just want to give them a good slap. However, as a group they work. They are flawed but that makes them seem realistic in my eyes. I won't go into the details on the girls because I could be here all day. We see the characters develop through the highs and lows. However, and this a big however, the authors just couldn't make the POV changed flow. With six characters, we  have six voices and it gave me a headache. Too much chopping and changing it was very confusing.

Overall though, I still thought it was a good book. And an OK start for a new trilogy. I can only pray that the next books flow at a little better. If you like your YA witch stories with a difference then I suggest picking up a copy The Circle, the size is a bit scary but once you get into it you can read it pretty quick and will be excited for the next one. :)

If you have read this book what did you think? Please leave your thoughts, reviews link below in the comments. No Spoilers Please!




Rate: 3/5

7 comments :

  1. 6 voices..and brats to boot..LOL I am glad that you still managed to enjoy it. I love the cover and concept..but the headache I could do without..LOL

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  2. I love different POVs but 6? That's ALOT to take in. I don't know how you finished this. Although i still think it's interesting. Good to see that you still liked it. Gonna check this out now.

    Great review! :)

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  3. Hmm don't know if I could stand 6 different POVs. I know I've read and liked books with that many POVs but from reading your review I don't think Id like this one. Great review :)

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  4. It could have been done a lot easier in 2 POV. The authors should have went with the 2 main characters. Or put it in first person and being told from Minoo POV.

    Still looking forward to book 2 though.

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  5. I'm sorry that you couldn't love the story more, but a three star rating isn't all that bad :) Me? I devoured The Circle and I have high hopes for the sequel(which I do own a copy of, in Swedish)!

    My review can be found here if you would like to take a look.

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  6. It's not six different POV's. Yes there are six girls but you never get to read from Linnea and Ida's perspective.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry I'll change that when I have time. There was still too many though. I'm not a fan of books with more than 2 POVs

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