The Secret Circle: The Initiation and The Captive Part I

L. J. Smith

Sep 2011 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

With love, witchcraft, and spellbinding drama, the Secret Circle series is perfect for fans of The Vampire Diaries.

This special collection contains the first book in the Secret Circle series, The Initiation, as well as part one of the second book in the series, The Captive; from L.J. Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of The Vampire Diaries.

When Cassie is forced to move from California all the way to the small New England town of New Salem, she’s miserable. And yet, she feels a powerful kinship to the town, and to a terrifyingly beautiful group of students who always seem to get their way. Charmed by the Secret Circle, Cassie is initiated into a coven of witches whose power has controlled New Salem for hundreds of years. But when she falls for the mysterious and intriguing Adam, she is faced with the most pressing danger of her life—and one wrong move could ultimately destroy her…

Ratings and reviews

For once, I thought it was acceptable to put spoilers, since we're going to watch it all on TV soon anyway ;) Review: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is furious when she is forced to move from sunny California to a dilapidated old house in the middle of nowhere – all for a grandmother she never has never known. After a week of humiliation by the school bully, she meets Diana, who introduces her to the group of friends that “rule” the school. She is drawn to Diana’s beauty and concern and they become fast friends. She often feels like she is part of their group, but is excluded from some secret, which turns out to be that they are all witches, even Cassie. Cassie is quickly initiated. In The Captive, the Circle is beset by dark forces-from the skull Adam dug out. The whole group must cooperate if they want to fight this powerful magic. Meanwhile, Adam and Cassie become very close, and they admit to their mutual love, but decide to keep quiet about it. In the third part of the Secret Circle series, Faye is enraptured by the power of the skull is determined to have it all to herself. She blackmails Cassie into getting it for her, while slowly influencing many of the members to side with her instead of Diana. She thus cheats her way to head of the Circle. With Faye as leader, the Circle breaks into chaos. The spirit in the skull is revealed to have enormous power, but by the end, shy, quiet Cassie leads the group to the defeat of Black Johm. Overall, I liked the first book well enough. It’s the kind of book you would read in one sitting. It definitely drew me in and held my interest, and I couldn’t wait to get the sequel, but I’d probably forget it pretty soon if it weren’t for the coming TV show. I was dissatisfied with a couple of things: 1) The tests to join the Circle are treated as if they were a big deal, but if I recall correctly, all Cassie had to do was not have fear in her heart (LOL!) and step into the Circle with the dagger to her throat. This was the proclaimed “tests”. Not that big a deal. Another thing that seemed incomprehensible is that these two (Adam and Cassie) are teenagers and together for no more than twenty minutes, and they’re in love? That’s a bit ridiculous, don’t you think, even with magic? I say it’s the raging hormones. Lol. I thought the characters were well-developed, but the physical characterization was a little too obvious. White for purity, and black for evil - it’s as if the author is punching you with a great big “DUH”. But it's all good because Faye (the evil one) redeems herself in the end. Woot! Lastly, I am a tiny bit disappointed that it is being made into a TV show. For one, scriptwriters take the book and do crazy things with just to keep it going, which usually degrades the actual thing. And secondly, if you wanted to start yet another paranormal TV show, why this one? Why not Richelle Mead’s series? Why not something by Lauren Kate, Amber Kizer, Melissa de la Cruz, or even Maggie Stiefvater? This book is perfectly average compared to other books of the same genre. Just because one series has produced a hit doesn’t mean you should jump on board with every series produced by that author.

Addicted! Loved the series & then found out it was a book. They are nothing alike really but they both are amazing. Couldn't put it down. I'm almost done with the 2nd book now, the captive. Wish the books were longer though. I really enjoy the truth behind the herbs they use and the crystals.

I originally brought this book because I loved the TV show. This book started extremely slow didn't really excite me until the last chapter then it ends on a Cliff hanger forcing me to buy the next book in this series to see what happens. Great marketing job LJ Smith.

About the author

L. J. Smith has written over two dozen books for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries, now a hit TV show. She has also written the bestselling Night World series and The Forbidden Game, as well as the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She loves to walk the trails and beaches in Point Reyes, California, daydreaming about her latest book.