Review: Excellent start for a promising trilogy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 16, 2014
“Circle of Five” by Jan Raymond is an exquisite magical adventure story that should please young adults and adults alike. Five unlikely partners in crime find themselves as the circle of five from the title when an electric storm during their detention gives them superpowers.The dislikes and tensions between the five are really well written and are as good as Enid Blyton to me. I enjoyed their struggles and their ‘being stuck with each other’ very much, particularly the brother-sister team that have their own problems.The teacher from detention helps the youngsters develop their skills and how to use them.But there is the matter of the mystical beginning, a message, a death and its unknown consequences that carries a lingering promise of something bigger.To me, the biggest strength of the novel lies in the great characterisation of the circle as they learn to overcome their differences and become friends. You rarely find such heart-warming story telling any more. It is beautifully plotted and unfolds cleverly. The story stops at a good point but leaves enough to be continued.I look forward to the next part of the adventure. Highly recommended.