Cassie must confront a shattering challenge: an ordeal that could cost her life or gain her more than she's ever imagined...
Charmed by the Secret Circle, she's initiated into the mysterious "in crowd," a coven of young witches whose power has controlled New Salem for three hundred years.
Hopelessly in love with the coven leader's boyfriend, Cassie risks falling prey to dark powers in order to have him. But if she does, her endless love could destroy the coven, New Salem, and her!
It wasn't supposed to be this hot and humid on Cape Cod. Cassie had seen it in the guidebook; everything was supposed to be perfect here, like Camelot.
Except, the guidebook added absently, for the poison ivy, and ticks, and green flies, and toxic shellfish, and undercurrents in seemingly peaceful water.
The book had also warned against hiking out on narrow peninsulas because high tide could come along and strand you. But just at this moment Cassie would have given anything to be stranded on some peninsula jutting far out into the Atlantic Ocean — as long as Portia Bainbridge was on the other side.
Cassie had never been so miserable in her life.
"...and my other brother, the one on the MIT debate team, the one who went to the World Debate Tournament in Scotland two years ago . . ." Portia was saying. Cassie felt her eyes glaze over again and slipped back into her wretched trance. Both of Portia's brothers went to MIT and were frighteningly accomplished, not only at intellectual pursuits but also at athletics. Portia was frighteningly accomplished herself, even though she was only going to be a junior in high school this year, like Cassie. And since Portia's favorite subject was Portia, she'd spent most of the last month telling Cassie all about it.
"...and then after I placed fifth in extemporaneous speaking at the National Forensic League Championship last year, my boyfriend said, 'Well, of course you'll go All-American..."
Just one more week, Cassie told herself. Just one more week and I can go home. The very thought filled her with a longing so sharp that tears came to her eyes. Home, where her friendswere. Where she didn't feel like a stranger, and unaccomplished, and boring, and stupid just because she didn't know what a quahog was. Where she could laugh about all this: her wonderful vacation on the eastern seaboard.
"...so my father said, 'Why don't I just buy it for you?' But I said, 'No-well, maybe..."
Cassie stared out at the sea.
It wasn't that the Cape wasn't beautiful. The little cedar-shingled cottages, with white picket fences covered with roses and wicker rocking chairs on the porch and geraniums hanging from the rafters, were pretty as picture postcards. And the village greens and tall-steepled churches and old-fashioned schoolhouses made Cassie feel as if she'd stepped into a different time.
But every day there was Portia to deal with. And even though every night Cassie thought of some devastatingly witty remark to make to Portia, somehow she never got around to actually making any of them. And far worse than anything Portia could do was the plain raw feeling of not belonging. Of being a stranger here, stranded on the wrong coast, completely out of her own element. The tiny duplex back in California had started to seem like heaven to Cassie.
One more week, she thought. You've just got to stand it for one more week.
And then there was Mom, so pale lately and so quiet...A worried twinge went through Cassie, and she quickly pushed it away. Mom is fine, she told herself fiercely. She's probably just miserable here, the same way you are, even though this is her native state. She's probably counting the days until we can go home, just like you are.
Of course that was it, and that was why her mother looked so unhappy when Cassie talked about being homesick. Her mother felt guilty for bringing Cassie here, for making this place sound like a vacation paradise. Everything would be all right when they got back home, for both of them.
"Cassie! Are you listening to me? Or are you daydreaming again?"
"Oh, listening," Cassie said quickly.
"What did I just say?"
Cassie floundered. Boyfriends, she thought desperately, the debate team, college, the National Forensic League . . . People had sometimes called her a dreamer, but never as much as around here.
"I was saying they shouldn't let people like that on the beach," Portia said. "Especially not with dogs. I mean, I know this isn't Oyster Harbors, but atleast it's clean. And now look." Cassie looked, following the direction of Portia's gaze. All she could see was some guy walking down the beach. She looked back at Portia uncertainly.
"He works on a fishing boat," Portia said, her nostrils flared as if she smelled something had. "I saw him this morning on the fish pier, unloading. I don't think he's even changed his clothes. How unutterably scuzzy and vomitous."
He didn't look all that scuzzy to Cassie. He had dark red hair, and he was tall, and even at this distance she could see that he was smiling. There was a dog at his heels.
"We never talk to guys from the fishing boats. We don't even look at them," Portia said. And Cassie could see it was true. There were maybe a dozen other girls on the beach, in groups of two or three, a few with guys, most not. As the tall boy passed, the girls would look away, turning their heads to stare in the opposite direction. It wasn't a flirtatious sort of looking-away-andthen-back-and-giggling. It was disdainful rejection. As the guy got closer to her, Cassie could see that his smile was turning grim.
The two girls closest to Cassie and Portia were looking away now, almost sniffing. Cassie saw the boy shrug slightly, as if it were no more than he expected. She still didn't see anything so disgusting about him. He was wearing ragged cutoff shorts and a T-shirt that had seen better days, but lots of guys looked like that. And his dog trotted right behind him, tail waving, friendly and alert. It wasn't bothering anybody. Cassie glanced up at the boy's face, curious to see his eyes.
"Look down," Portia whispered. The guy was...
Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2005
What would you do if you found out you were part of a long line of witches? Would you run away? Or would you enter the intriguing, dangerous world of magic? Cassie, a normal girl in her mid-teens, has been facing this problem ever sense she and her mom moved in with her grandmother. She has odd dreams, spells keep popping up in her head, and she¿s even got a coven of witches her age who have asked her to become a part of their coven. But there¿s a problem. Not all of that coven is so inviting. Faye, a beautiful, yet enticingly horrible, witch has made it a point to twist and turn Cassie into her own little play thing! What is giving Faye this power over Cassie? Could is be the attractive Adam, the coven leaders Boy-Friend?!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 18, 2011
they're making a tv series now was gonna read this book but isn't a nook book yet so will have to wait o well
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Posted February 16, 2007
read these books years ago when they first came out and loved them I think they should be made into a major motion picture.
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Posted February 23, 2006
I love this book. I found it at my school library, with the Vampire Diaries series, and I loved it!! I think it's so cool how Cassie finds a place to fit in, and all of the coven members accept her.
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Posted June 15, 2005
I like the book but I can't help but hold it against Cassie seducing her friends b/friend and that's what got her into the whole mess with faye.
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Posted April 17, 2005
I read this series a long, LONG time ago (lol). I was around 14 at the time but I can remember not being able to put the book down. I was eagerly anticipating the next installment. I was impressed with the writing as well as the imagery. A young reader could put themselves in Cassie's shoes as she underwent her metamorphisis: From a shy and somewhat awkward girl, to a self-assured and self-possessed young lady with much inner strength.
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Posted March 29, 2005
I love this trilogy!!! My best friend lend them to me when we first met about 10 years ago...and we have kept them as a treasure. The best witchcraft story we have read, we love the romance, the magic, the natural way in wish the story took you in and didn't let you go. I didn't want it to end. Just last nite I finished reading the series for the 6th ime and I can't stop wanting to go back and read it all over again and again...Is magical!
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Posted November 29, 2001
I have had this trilogy since I was in the 8th grade (about 5 yrs ago), and I still enjoy reading them as a college freshman. The magikal world fascinates me, and this spellbinding tale of Cassie and her journey in becoming a powerful witch is one that I will always love and treasure. I love the way that it stays pretty much true to life, even though the dialogue at some times is a little corny and off, the storyline makes up for it. With a lot of twists and turns, it will surprise you a lot, and it's pretty easy reading so that younger audiences can enjoy them as well. Love it, love it, love it!
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Posted August 31, 2001
This was such a good series!! its basically about a girl named cassie that moved in with her grandmother because she was gettin older and her mom was worrying about her....or so cassie thought.Cassie learns about a special gift of witchcraft that she inherited.its also about adam a boy she met during the summer that she liked except theres only one problem....its her best friends boyfrind.I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read romance or books about witchcraft.it dosent give a lot of detail on it but it does give information on it.I would say to buy the whole series at once!cuz once you read the first one youll immediatley want to read the second one then the last one.E mail me if you want to talk about books and stuff
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Posted June 10, 2001
I love this Series of books because it feels like you are actually Cassie and the books are so suspenseful! Faye in my opinion is the best Char along with Diana. L.J. Smith is a great author!
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Posted July 21, 2001
The story itself it spellbinding *grin* and I love how she doesnt exploit witchcraft. She stays very close to the truth, that makes me happy. Not to mention that this woman is a fantastic writer. I recommend this book to everyone!!
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Posted March 15, 2001
This was the best book I've read in a while. I am still thinking about it. Well the captive and the power the books that follow this one. You should read all three of them. If you liked this book you should read Harry Potter.
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Posted March 9, 2001
Cassie Blake moved with her mother to New Salem. Her mother said they were moving in with Cassie's grandmother, at #12 Crowhaven Road, to take care of her. However, Cassie quickly learned that her mother and grandmother brought Cassie to New Salem for a different reason. <BR><BR> Everyone, adult or student, feared the eleven people who belonged to The Club, aka The Circle. All members of the Circle lived on Crowhaven Road. Some members were nice. Some members were almost evil. Kori was suppose to join the Circle on her fifteenth birthday. Instead, she died. Currently there were eleven members, but a Circle was worthless without 7 girls and 5 boys. One more female was needed, Cassie. <BR><BR> Cassie had no idea how dangerous being initiated into the Circle would be. Or how the evil ones in the Circle would snare her in a web of deceit and betrayal! <BR><BR> ***** A stunning beginning to the trilogy! Down right enthralling! *****
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Posted November 8, 2000
I loved this book. My frinds could get to do any thing till I was done with it. That did not tack loug becouse I had myself gloed to this book till the end of it. I was on the egd of my set all the time, and that made me want to read more to find out what happens. It was love storie, mystre, houre, and so much more all in one. I just got book2 and I all most made my mom drive back home. That how much I want to find out what happen. them so moch more I have to find out till.
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Posted October 13, 2000
If you have never read LJ Smith before you are in for a definite treat. Ms. Smith is a masterful story teller who weaves such an intricate web with her stories you forget that the stories are fiction, and sometimes you still find your self wondering if maybe they are true.
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Posted August 15, 2000
i read this during my exams and once i was done i rushed right to the store to buy the other 2 volumes. i highly recomend this amazing story.
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Posted July 3, 2000
I am an 11 year old girl who absoloutly loves books! Well last month on a driving trip to Texas my mom bought me this book called 'The Secret Circle: The Power' and at the time I did not know that it was a volume type book. I read it and thought it was outstanding! As soon as I was done reading it I saw the volumes 1&2 names. I went to a Barns & Nobles and found them, the last copies. I bought them and here I am. I am on the second one, but I will tell you one thing, it is a long book but it is defently worth the read! So go out and buy it or check it out from the libary. Also I loved how the author described everything, and how Cassie acted about everything Faye did, Diana did, and how L. J. Smith used 'the sliver coard' to describe how Cassie felt about Adam. I will tell you this I could not put the book down at all!
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Posted April 9, 2000
This is the best book i have ever read. The detail in this book is so good. In your mind you can just picture New Salem, Cassie, Diana, Adam, all the other charaters.New Salem sound like and old, normal country town but it has a town secret on its founding. The members in the secret circle Diana,(the temperary leader, beautiful and caring)Adam,(heart trob, is in a love trangle)Faye,(gothic,the bulley) Melaine, Laurel, the Henderson brothers (Chris and Doug),Deborah, Nick, Suzan,and Sean.They initiated Cassie because some one killed Kori. Kori was supossed to be initiated but since she was killed Cassie was next in line. They have one Master Tool (there are more) but it has evil in it. They use the tool and the evil excapes. They need to find Kori's killer and the evil. Adam, Diana, Cassie are in a love triangle that Diana doesn't know about. You are going to have to read the book to find out the rest!!
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Posted April 1, 2000
I have been waiting for these books to come out for months! I don't know about the rest of the fan of L.J Smith but i'm so relieved that it finally came out!.
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Posted February 14, 2000
When you are redaing these book you absoloutly forget that you are actually reading and not actually taking on Cassie Blake's role yourself. L.J. Smith did it again and I highly recomend these books. Please e-mail me with books you liked too. I knwo the e-mail address is stupid but I share with my younger sis's and bro.
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Overview
Cassie must confront a shattering challenge: an ordeal that could cost her life or gain her more than she's ever imagined...
Charmed by the Secret Circle, she's initiated into the mysterious "in crowd," a coven of young witches whose power has controlled New Salem for three hundred years.
Hopelessly...