BOOK REVIEW: Circle of Five

Circle of Five by Jan Raymond

SYNOPSIS
Circle of Five is the first book in the Pha Yul trilogy.

After a sudden lightning storm, Sam, Cassie, Ryan, Maya and Seb find that they’ve acquired strange and amazing powers. Confused and scared, they turn to Mr. Harris, a teacher in their school, who offers to help them control their powers.

But is there more to Mr. Harris than meets the eye? His cryptic explanations about their powers, how and why they manifested, leaves the five kids with more questions than answers. Can they trust Mr. Harris? Is he telling them the truth, or does he have his own reasons for helping them? What is the truth behind the secret society that he belongs to? The children try to figure out the answers as they work towards gaining control over their powers.

Unknown to them, danger lingers near. They have to face the threat and put their lives at risk. They must learn to trust one another and combine their powers to survive…will they make it? Are their powers strong enough? And will they finally find the answers they seek?


MY REVIEW
Circle of Five begins a little choppy as it's bouncing you from character to character while only giving you a sliver of who they are, but don't worry. The perspectives of Sam, Sabastian, Ryan, Cassy and Maya, are expertly woven together as the story unfolds to give you an adventure that all starts with a Breakfast Club-like detention. Only, the new perceptions the students in Circle of Five gain also come along with special powers that first start appearing after a strange electrical storm. Their teacher Mr. Harris, also one with special powers, mentors them and helps them learn to control and harness their powers. Supernatural elements and mixed perfectly with the ordinary, everyday, teen experience to ground readers with the truth that these are just kids, who now bear a huge responsibility and must be forced to see the world differently. This was a fantastic and fun read.

MY RATING