missmoonshine's review
4.0
This concludes my reading of all LJ Smith's published books, which is very sad, considering the enjoyment they have given me over the years. Now just waiting, like so many people for the elusive Strange Fate. To anybody who had read LJ Smith before, aspects of the plot and characters will be very familiar; but familiar in a good way, like meeting up with an old friend and finding you still have lots in common. For new readers, I wouldn't want to give away the plot, so all I will say is READ IT!
gailpirl's review
3.0
This book was even better than the previous. Though she didn't close it well.
Finished: 2:35 AM.
Finished: 2:35 AM.
readingjohanna's review
4.0
Okey så den var bra, men jag tyckte nog att första var en aning bättre. Kan vara för att Nick var mer mystisk då och ja, man får egentligen inte lära känna honom i denna boken heller, men han visar andra sidor än han gjorde i första
whiteowl's review
4.0
I knew early on who black john was going to turn out to be.
Spoiler
I was disappointed with the end, Cassie and Adam ending up together. I hoped she'd fall for Nick.tammidesta's review
3.0
The Captive is the best book in The Secret Circle trilogy, so with it starting off this edition, I was totally getting what was good about this series. Unfortunately, The Power starts badly with this ridiculous love-fest for Cassie, which annoyed me to no end and put her firmly into Mary Sue territory (seriously, everybody declares how wonderful she is, even after they find out she's lied and betrayed them, and one character begs for 3 pages to be allowed to date her). Plot-wise, Black John comes back to town, although he was scarier when he remained a bogeyman. He's not used very well in the story - the gang only interact with him once before the final showdown. I think this is where the restricted narration is a hindrance, as everything is told from Cassie's POV. Faye joins forces with Black John and it would have been interesting to see their relationship. I imagine the two of them as being like Faith and the Major from Buffy, but we'll never know.
I did like the final battle and the ending in general, though. I'd guessed the big revelations already - the connection between Cassie and Black John and who the real traitor in the coven was - but I didn't guess at the way all the little details fitted together and it was pretty neat to see things that seemed inconsequential earlier in the trilogy become important. Smith did a similar thing in The Vampire Diaries: The Fury, when it was revealed how much that had happened was Katherine's doing.
So as I suspected, there is an entertaining yarn buried underneath the cliches and the bad-romance-novel writing. It's interesting to me, to go back and read teen books of yesteryear and see what was genuinely good and what was at best, a guilty pleasure. L. J. Smith's books definitely fall into the latter category.
I did like the final battle and the ending in general, though. I'd guessed the big revelations already - the connection between Cassie and Black John and who the real traitor in the coven was - but I didn't guess at the way all the little details fitted together and it was pretty neat to see things that seemed inconsequential earlier in the trilogy become important. Smith did a similar thing in The Vampire Diaries: The Fury, when it was revealed how much that had happened was Katherine's doing.
So as I suspected, there is an entertaining yarn buried underneath the cliches and the bad-romance-novel writing. It's interesting to me, to go back and read teen books of yesteryear and see what was genuinely good and what was at best, a guilty pleasure. L. J. Smith's books definitely fall into the latter category.
claire_1_'s review
5.0
I admit I was sceptical before I read this book; I love the vampire diaries series and was not convinced that this series would compare, but I might just go as far as to say that this may be better!
When I started reading it I couldn’t put it down, the story moves along quickly, the characters are well developed and varied.
The series is aimed at teens, I am not a teen (I’m in my 30's) and I loved it!
The books are very addictive; -I read both in 2 days. My only disappointment is that there are no more books in the series!
Now I’ll just have to wait for the TV series!
When I started reading it I couldn’t put it down, the story moves along quickly, the characters are well developed and varied.
The series is aimed at teens, I am not a teen (I’m in my 30's) and I loved it!
The books are very addictive; -I read both in 2 days. My only disappointment is that there are no more books in the series!
Now I’ll just have to wait for the TV series!
very_vero's review
3.0
When the first book left me wanting more I was glad to see that this one was as fastpassed and interesting. The story is beautiful and with a lot of action. I would like a little bit more witch fights, calling on the elements and stuff, a little bit more active magic and not so much of herbs and crystals. The ending was good but not so much fulfilling, it didn't left me wanting more or being extremely full, it just left me...
A good read for anyone, and I can't wait for the tv series this fall!
A good read for anyone, and I can't wait for the tv series this fall!
thatreadhead's review
4.0
This one took me a lot longer to read than expected. Almost a week, which frustrated me seeing as I let my team down for my team challenge. I hope not to need to do that again.
To be honest, the main character, Cassie, just really annoys me. She just whines allll the tiiiiime and says 'oh no, can't do that or it'll really hurt this person, so I just won't', and then she goes and contradicts herself by saying 'oh I can't keep it from her, I need to tell her', and then she doesn't! Gosh it just really bugs me! One thing I did like though was That was nice :) I didn't like how but I did like how I was surprised that but he did always seem weak. I'm glad I read this book, and plan to continue the series.
To be honest, the main character, Cassie, just really annoys me. She just whines allll the tiiiiime and says 'oh no, can't do that or it'll really hurt this person, so I just won't', and then she goes and contradicts herself by saying 'oh I can't keep it from her, I need to tell her', and then she doesn't! Gosh it just really bugs me! One thing I did like though was
Spoiler
how she gave Nick a chance for a while.Spoiler
Diana gave up Adam so easily at the end,Spoiler
all of the Circle came together at the end to get rid of Black John. I feel like he wasn't a proper threat at all, and that it wasn't drawn out enough, which sucked.Spoiler
Sean was the one betraying the Circle,
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