Okay so, the secret circle book trilogy, which a lot of people mistake as a series, is pretty great, but could be SOO much more. Granted I haven't read the final book but I have a feeling it will be like the other two. And honestly it should have been just one book, It's been proven that that age demographic can handle 800 page books, :) But it also should be a series, so that the books could have more development. Yes the protagonist is all full of righteous angst but you don't get anyone else displaying it. They just seem like filler characters necessary for premise of the book. I think readers do a lot of between the lines searching because it's just not there and still the story, the premise has the potential to resonate like the twilight books did.
So what is the Secret Circle, well it's a story about witches and good and evil so if the supernatural is your thing you will be reading between the lines to make more of what the story lacks. The author, L.J. Smith, who is famously known for the Vampire Diaries does a really great job with concept and the premise of the story. And even creates these great dynamic characters, they just never really get a chance to be dynamic. Cassie the protagonist moves to a new town, learns she's a witch and a descendent from a very powerful witch family and finds her place with the Circle, not without some initial difficulty.
There's that ever so epic forbidden love between Cassie and Adam which speak of greater destiny but is never written in the books that way (unless it's in the third). But Adam is already taken by Diana, a beautiful inside and out, kind soul who is the ONLY one to befriend Cassie and Cassie loves her. And so not wanting to hurt Diana both Cassie and Adam(who realizes he loves Cassie too) spend their time denying their attractions in the books. And this is one area that REALLY needs more explanation, more exploration because you can't set up a tortuous forbidden love that avoids each other.
The other characters are what makes the story progress in ways you do and don't want it too. Because you want to be immersed in this world L.J. Smith has created BUT you also feel like you're just skimming the top. The most under appreciated character thus far in these two books is Nick, the cool, elusive, and sometimes frigid guy. But he is mysterious and there are hints that he is much deeper and a lot more than what he projects. But in 600 pages you don't get anymore than that. But you want to. You imagine it yourself, but not is a satisfying way.
I could continue on but the rest of the characters are barely remarkable. And at times it feels like L.J. Smith is crossing off whether she's given enough back story to a character or at least given them a couple lines as it were.
Yet the fact I am writing the exhaustingly long post about these books is because I really loved them for all that they aren't and that frustrates me. I got to peek into a great but incomplete world. Cassie is instantly likable so it's not like suffering Bella from Twilight. And now there is a series on the CW loosely based on the books which is good because it would make for bad tv if they stuck to the books. I'm just not sure if I can use the show as the substitute for what I was missing in the books.
I am holding out a small hope, but albeit and unrealistic one that the third book I've yet to read will magically flush out these characters, make me feel that forbidden love, make me understand Nick's aloofness, maybe see the complexities to Faye's wicked character. She's the antagonist btw. But since it's only around 300 pages I'm sure it will be much of the same.
Anyway I encourage any supernatural lovers to read the books. And just book lovers in general. At least so I can have someone to talk to about it. :)
