It’s hard to overstate the influence The Secret Circle had on me as a young reader. Long before witches were trending, this series pulled me into a world of secret societies, East Coast gothic vibes, and teenage girls discovering powers—and danger—they never expected. In this Secret Circle Book 1 (The Initiation) Review, I’m revisiting the novel to explore what made it so compelling then and why it still holds up for fans of YA fantasy and supernatural drama today.
Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5/5)
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Bookish Essentials
Genre: Young Adult / Romance / Magic / Coming-of-Age
Series: Book 1 of The Secret Circle (5 books)
Reading Age: 14+
Published: 1992
Pages: 320
Read The Secret Circle Book 1 Now or Eventually?
If you haven’t read The Secret Circle yet, drop everything and start it now. This book is a true YA classic. It captivated me as a younger reader and helped spark my love for the genre. With its moody coastal setting, irresistible magic, and just the right amount of ‘90s nostalgia, it still holds up today. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or diving back in for a reread, The Secret Circle is absolutely worth your time.
From the Jacket of The Secret Circle: The Initiation
With love, witchcraft, and spellbinding drama, the Secret Circle series is perfect for fans of The Vampire Diaries.
When Cassie is forced to move from California all the way to the small New England town of New Salem, she’s miserable. And yet, she feels a powerful kinship to the town, and to a terrifyingly beautiful group of students who always seem to get their way. Charmed by the Secret Circle, Cassie is initiated into a coven of witches whose power has controlled New Salem for hundreds of years. But when she falls for the mysterious and intriguing Adam, she is faced with the most pressing danger of her life—and one wrong move could ultimately destroy her…
Always Eventually Review
The Secret Circle: The Initiation is an absolute classic that has inspired countless YA readers and writers alike—and for good reason. It’s a foundational title in the genre, one that blends magic, mystery, and teenage angst with a pacing that keeps you wondering… but not for too long. The story knows when to build tension and when to deliver answers. Maybe it felt a bit slower this time around, but that’s probably the reread talking. Everything moves more deliberately when you already know what’s coming—and let’s not forget, this was written before the era of smartphones and TikTok attention spans.
The story begins with Cassie moving across the country to her mother’s hometown of New Salem. Things go sideways quickly. She meets the school’s stunning bully, Faye—whose cruelty is jarring—and her would-be savior, Diana, the ever-kind golden girl. On first read, their personalities feel extreme, but it’s actually clever foreshadowing. They’re two sides of the same coin, and once Cassie is initiated into the Secret Circle, the dynamics between these girls (and the rest of the group) start to make more sense.
It’s honestly hard not to love this book. Between Cassie’s internal struggles (hello, forbidden love), the atmospheric town of New Salem, and the rising tensions within the Circle, there’s a lot happening—in the best possible way. And did I mention there’s a mysterious murder, too?
There’s a full cast of characters introduced throughout the series, and most fans would agree: The Secret Circle only gets better as it goes. The more you learn about each character, the harder it is to put down.
If You Liked This, Try
- These Witches Don’t Burn, by Isabel Sterling
- Wicked Like a Wildfire, by Lana Popovic
- Born Wicked, by Jessica Spotswood
Disclaimer: Always Eventually participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. My opinions remain my own.
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Love stories with heart and magic? Check out my novel, Forgotten Cove, the first book in the Hailing Cove series by T.G. Elsher.
Elle Wildes was a normal teenage girl. Or at least she thought she was until her mother sent her to her grandma’s house in Hailing Cove. Anticipating a boring summer, Elle’s world is turned upside down when she realizes the sleepy coastal town holds its own mysteries and those from her past as well.
When Elle’s forgotten memories come back to haunt her, she discovers the secrets of her family’s lineage and the responsibilities that come with it. But with two dreamy guys vying for her attention, she is taken on a roller coaster ride of heartache and betrayal as she discovers her identity in an unknown magical town.
Reader Praise
What can I say about T.G. Elsher’s debut novel, Forgotten Cove? Elsher is a gifted storyteller who immerses readers in the enchanting world of Hailing Cove, where witchcraft and magic blend seamlessly with a cast of loveable, deeply human characters. Elle Wildes, the relatable protagonist, navigates her powers, friendships, and heartbreak with authenticity that pulls at your heartstrings. The book masterfully combines mystery, romance, and coming-of-age themes, keeping me hooked from the first page to the last. The emotional climax, written with breathtaking beauty, moved me to tears. T.G. Elsher may well be this generation’s L.J. Smith, creating stories that are both magical and profoundly moving. I truly couldn’t get enough!