Review: Fun fantasy for all
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 1, 2014
Please note, this item was purchased through Amazon.com.auSam, Cassie, Sebastian, Maya and Ryan are five ordinary young kids who become somewhat extraordinary, due to a freak lightning storm which affects every single one of them while they are all together in after-school detention.Thus begins Jan Raymond’s ‘Circle of Five (Book 1)’, the first in what will be a trilogy.From this point on, the Circle of Five themselves, this group of youngsters who have various ties to one another, be they siblings or the fact that they share classes together, must undergo an assortment of trials and tribulations under the watchful eye of one Mister Harris, who seems to be a little more than a mere school teacher. As they experience more of the unusual powers that have been bestowed upon them on this fateful day in detention, things get decidedly interesting.Though the target audience of this is primarily young adults, Circle of Five is something that will have broad appeal to these readers and adults alike especially those who enjoy fantasy, and as well as being a great story full of life lessons, it has some pretty good underlying themes that people of all ages can certainly take a thing or two away from.The author has that special knack of making the reader care about what happens to her characters; they are likeable, nicely developed and just about all of us should be able to empathise with at least one of the chief protagonists.Circle of Five is thoroughly engaging, well written with an easy reading style and rather than being one of those blink and it’s over stories, has a great length to it, ensuring you can immerse yourself in the adventures of Sam and his friends without fearing it is going to be over before it has started.On its own merits it is an excellent fantasy voyage with wide appeal, and as the first book in a trilogy it definitely whets the appetite and keeps one enthused for the next installment.