Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Circle Nine

by Anne Heltzel (Goodreads Author)

2.96 of 5 stars 2.96 · rating details · 265 ratings · 84 reviews

Who was Abby then? Who is Abby now? An unsettling psychological thriller, seen through a lost girl's eyes.

She knows only Sam, a mysterious teenage boy. He is her sole companion; her whole life. She was born, already a teenager, lying outside a burning building in soot-stained clothes, remembering nothing, not even her name. He showed her the necklace she had on, the one th...more

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published September 13th 2011 by Candlewick

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Vibrant Color

41st out of 53 books — 12 voters

Beneath the Surface SRC

23rd out of 38 books — 3 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,775)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jun 08, 2011 Wendy Darling rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: annoying-main-characters, boys-who-are-jerks, heroines-wimpy, icky-subjects, read-2011, realistic-fiction, young-adult, eye-bleeding, candlewick, 2011-publication

NO. Just no.

17 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2012 Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, tough-subjects, realistic-fiction, drama, contemporary, abusive-relationships, ya-realistic-fiction-challenge-2012, audiobooks, tbr-challenge

When I come across a book that deals with a subject matter that's so bleak, where the character has to walk a hard path towards redemption in an internally damaged mindset, it usually gets to me depending on how well its written. Many times, I may not like who a character is or the things they do, but if I can understand where they are physically, emotionally, and the surrounding aspects of their lives that contribute to the state of mind they're in, I can follow their story, sometimes even be m...more When I come across a book that deals with a subject matter that's so bleak, where the character has to walk a hard path towards redemption in an internally damaged mindset, it usually gets to me depending on how well its written. Many times, I may not like who a character is or the things they do, but if I can understand where they are physically, emotionally, and the surrounding aspects of their lives that contribute to the state of mind they're in, I can follow their story, sometimes even be moved by it. But being able to write well about a character so inherently damaged, especially through their direct perceptions, is a difficult thing. If done well, it can stay with a reader for days, leaving them to think about the trials and circumstances long after they've turned the final page, even consider the psychological underpinnings of their decisions, thoughts, and ideals. If done poorly, it can come across as offending, appalling, even offset the message the writer conveys.

Asking me whether I loved "Circle Nine" is probably akin to asking if I would like to have my wisdom teeth pulled willingly. For all intents and purposes, I probably should've hated this book. Heck, even considering the aftermath of it, there were things I did actively dislike about this book that I didn't agree with in portrayal, but I think it had something quite constructive to convey when considered as a whole.

I don't like reading about passive or submissive characters, I don't like reading about abuse and cognitive manipulation, and if I read about characters mentally and emotionally manipulating a psychologically damaged character, I rage quickly. This book features those elements and quite a bit more. Even thinking back over the scheme of events, readers will probably find the fact that the protagonist of this novel so willingly accepted the things around her (at first) that it seems unrealistic, but I'm going to play the devil's advocate with saying that it's horrifyingly accurate in portrayal. It's clear from the commencement of the work that Abby's a teenage girl who carries a lot of emotional baggage. She's young, though showing a lot of naiveté for one her age, but considering the trauma that's ultimately unveiled in this work, I thought it was convincing. The challenge of "Circle Nine" poses itself in trying to uncover Abby's identity through the lens of her damaged mind - not so much delving to answer the "what" as much as the "why". It doesn't shy away from shifting tones - from an active sense of deluded, whimsical contentment and jealousy, to guilt, horror, and numbness, in a kaleidoscope of various minds and perceptions Abby takes on as the pieces come together. Anne Heltzel writes the psychological undertones of this work spot on for the most part, but it takes a bit of wading through some frustrating turns to be able to see the fruit it has to bear. It's more or less what you're able to take from it.

The story commences when Abby wakes with no memory of who she is or any other facet of her identity, though she seems to recall basic knowledge (facts, figures and such) well. A boy her age, Sam, claims to know her, even after she's survived what seemed to have been a fire, judging from her sooty clothes and the burning building she's near. The two flee in the measure of creating a new life, living inside a cave, shielded from the outside world in what Sam describes as the dangerous "Circle Nine," an active allusion to Dante's Inferno. Abby accepts Sam's interpretation in almost a cult-like fashion, and the two have what could be the definition for a trainwreck relationship. Both are emotionally dependent on each other, and there are obvious cues that suggest that Sam is under the influence of drugs, infrequently tender towards Abby and mostly a raging, manipulative and needy jerk who keeps her around to exert power over her. But we only get a limited scope of what this relationship is really like through Abby's eyes in the beginning - she doesn't recognize it, but the reader does, and I think this disassociation is intentional. Abby does have the active perception that things are wrong in her world, but she seems unable to reach out and change them - whether by the limited scope of her being able to reach out of her dreamish mindset, or out of fear (or both) it can be challenging to say, but Heltzel makes it clear that there is something wrong with the perception Abby has - in Abby's own voice.

There's another added element to this relationship when a girl from Sam's past, Amanda, enters the picture. Ugh. This part of the book frustrated me because Abby takes on a mad jealous streak that doesn't make her endearing at all, but at the same time, Amanda really isn't much better, as she actively berates Abby - calling her stupid, crazy, any sorts of terms. But I think as time goes on, Amanda realizes the truth of the relationship between Abby and Sam, and it's noted to the reader how Amanda learns how horrifying the manipulation goes even when Abby is only partially aware of things. The events following in what happened to Amanda didn't surprise me, but it still made me consider a lot of things as to how far Sam would go to keep his relationship with Abby intact, as well as how far gone Sam was in his own mentality.

The second part of the book was a much stronger, constructive add to the story, as it shows Abby realizing the truth of what happened to cause her amnesia, and making more of an effort to get out of her abusive situation. It involves a sequence of memories surrounding her true identity, her family, her actions, and Sam being a small part in it. In truth, Abby doesn't know Sam as well as she thought she knew him, and the way she's found and the way her condition comes to light in her recovery is plausible. I probably felt more for Abby in this part of the book than the former because it shows how she cognitively deconstructs at her role in the tragedy, and the negative affirmations in her head are brutal, yet realistic. I think Heltzel handles the underlying psychological issues Abby has with sensitivity, and concludes the novel in a way that's appropriate - Abby herself wants to try to reclaim her life on her own terms, but it portrays her as having a long way to go, with a flawed mentality that doesn't suddenly revert itself immediately. It's somber, yet somewhat optimistic.

This is neither a dystopian work, romance, nor a fantasy - it's realistic fiction portraying a relationship of abuse, cognitive dysfunction, and the road to recovery for an emotionally damaged young woman. I wouldn't say this was a mystery either, at least not a strongly constructed one, because the elements in the novel make it obvious as to how certain events are, but you're not sure of the why in only a few measures. I'm hesitant to recommend it only because I think there will be a fair amount of readers who will think Abby is insufferable, the style of the storytelling is convoluted in a way that might be confusing to the reader. In my view, at least from what I was able to take from Heltzel's writing, Sam was never meant to be a romanticized character, but rather an idolization/dependency in Abby's mind, as she notes in the latter part of the book, who still seems to grip her even when she's removed from him.

This was a difficult book for me to read - despite being a work that immersed me enough to read (listen) to it twice in a 48 hour period - Heltzel's prose was vivid and smooth and I would check into her other works, personally to see if she could write something stronger than this. I understood where "Circle Nine" was coming from and took from it some of the constructive insights it had to offer. However, I still think it could've come across more than what it did to create a better connection to Abby's trauma in the reader's mind, and playing up some of the tensions in a smoother format that still manages to show the break in Abby's psyche and the eventual road to recovery.

Wonderful audiobook narration by Julia Whelan.

Overall score: 3/5(less)

7 likes · like · see review

May 28, 2011 Debbie (at) I Heart YA Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is not an easy review for me. When a story deals with abusive relationships, I normally don't read them. Books with sexual abuse or drug addiction usually a hard read for me. But this book was on my new release list, so I said I'd give it try. I'm so glad I did. I really did fall in love with the story between Sam and Abby. I would have liked to have known more of what happened to Sam, seen more of a resolution for him. Sam really grabbed a hold of my heart and I couldn't let him go. The ch...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 18, 2012 Lucille rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: messed-up, young-adult

This is one of those books where the blurb on the jacket is deceptive. A lot of this book is deceptive. If you're looking for dystopian or some sort of paranormal, go find something else.
Abby wakes up and doesn't know who she is. She is inside a cave palace with Sam, who tells her that they have always been together. He is her protector, her defender from the harshness of the outside world, her one and only true love. The only problem with her fantasy life- Sam is lying to her.
As Abby goes thr...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 02, 2012 Nicola rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reason for Reading: The plot intrigued me.

Generally, I think this is going to be one of those books that you either love or hate. I loved it! Upon closing the book, I spoke quietly to the empty room, "Wow...that was something." and gave the book a gentle reassuring pat. This is the story of an episode in Abby's life and then is divided into the following 14 weeks and then the next 30 days. Therefore normal plot and character development is not followed which may annoy some readers. However becau...more Reason for Reading: The plot intrigued me.

Generally, I think this is going to be one of those books that you either love or hate. I loved it! Upon closing the book, I spoke quietly to the empty room, "Wow...that was something." and gave the book a gentle reassuring pat. This is the story of an episode in Abby's life and then is divided into the following 14 weeks and then the next 30 days. Therefore normal plot and character development is not followed which may annoy some readers. However because of the intense focus on this period in time the book's unusual development provokes deep thought in the reader and great suspense in plot.

Sixteen year old Abby wakes up. She is in pain, can smell smoke and a handsome young man is telling her to hurry up "they" will be here soon. So together they run fast and far to his glorious cave home. Here Abby realises she has no memory. She knows her name is Abby. Sam is calling her that, it sounds right and she is wearing a necklace with the name on it. She knows random bits of information, but she has no idea who she really is, where she came from, how she knows Sam, just that they love each other, or why she has nowhere else to be. Sam continuously reads to her from Dante's Inferno and calls the world outside their cave "Circle 9". It is a place that she should avoid and never go; it is a bad place and he will protect her. Abby is happy, safe and sound ... until memories start to come back. Short and small at first and with very painful headaches. Then she begins to realise that her world with Sam is distorted, not what it seems. Something is wrong, perhaps even sinister, and her reality begins to crack at the seams.

A brilliantly written novel. Incredibly suspenseful. The reader is as much in the dark as Abby and it is only through careful attention to the details that one notices that what Abby is relating is not necessarily what is real. That what Abby talks about happening to her is not so innocent as she takes it to be. The book starts with the incident, though we only see it from Abby's broken mind. Then the book is divided into two parts, written from Abbie's perspective. First, the fourteen weeks before she gets her memory back and then the thirty days after she regains her memory. A fascinating story, highly suspenseful as the truth is slowly revealed and one which creates a lot of pathos for the only two main characters in the book. I highly enjoyed this read! (less)

like · see review

Nov 18, 2011 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I don't generally read teen fiction, but I'm glad I read this one.

Reading through some prior reviews, I read at least one that mentioned the recent novel Room and its similar vibe. While that is true in some ways (both narrators are vastly unaware of what is actually happening to them), I think the things I liked most about this story were the ways that it is different.

The elements of psychology that come into Circle 9 were my favorite aspects. I loved that things weren't overly simplified and...more I don't generally read teen fiction, but I'm glad I read this one.

Reading through some prior reviews, I read at least one that mentioned the recent novel Room and its similar vibe. While that is true in some ways (both narrators are vastly unaware of what is actually happening to them), I think the things I liked most about this story were the ways that it is different.

The elements of psychology that come into Circle 9 were my favorite aspects. I loved that things weren't overly simplified and explained in the end when she is diagnosed. The therapist makes it clear what was wrong with her, but there is no exhausting play-by-play of each thing she saw one way that was actually another. It's so much more interesting to let them slowly wash over you once you're done with the book - her beautiful tea cup that she drank everything out of, her birthday cake, the wine they drank with dinner, shouting across their huge oak dining room table to be heard, and asking Amanda to get something out of the fridge. It really brings home the sickness of the situation, the length at which Sam would allow 'Abby' to live in her pretend world, how disturbing it must have been even for the highly disturbed Amanda to be a part of it for a while.

I think the other great strength of the book is the ending, as sad and even frustrating as it is. I so wanted her to embrace the offered help of the therapist. I wanted her to tell her story if only for the relief it would surely bring her to stop bottling it all up inside. But I think it's more sadly realistic that she does not. She's a 17 year old girl, heartbroken and terrified and destroyed by her past, and I think it's realistic that she decides to run for it instead. Probably the most heartbreaking part to me was when she said something like even the thought of getting help and eventually getting better seemed like more than she deserved after what she had done to her family.

Just vaguely imagining what happened that firey night was enough for me to understand why her brain would go into self-preservation mode for a while. She was in hell, in Dante's Inferno, for quite a while without knowing it. I think I understood her carrying around Purgatorio, not able to read it yet. She was finally facing her hell with a clear head, and while she was still in it, she could not start to think about rising out of it yet. I believe she'll get there eventually, and she'll open that book. But not yet.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 25, 2011 Crystal (Elegantly Bound Books) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, reviewd

I had a really hard time reading most of this book because it was all just so confusing. The premise of the story is that Abby doesn't know who she is and she can't remember anything before a couple days ago. She knows only Sam because he was there when she woke up. She sees the cave they live in as a lavish palace with very expensive furnishings and everything she needs. Then Sam begins disappearing for long periods of time with another girl and she begins to doubt what he's been telling her: t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jun 20, 2011 Rachael rated it 4 of 5 stars

When she wakes up, Abby can’t remember anything. She doesn’t know where she is, why there’s a fire, or even what her name is. She doesn’t know who Sam is, but she thinks she can trust him. After all, he was the only other person around when she woke, and he says he’ll take care of her. Abby starts a new life with Sam, one filled with only nice and happy things—but one that is devoid of a past. Abby can’t live in ignorance forever. She can’t overlook the holes in her memory where she must have ha...more When she wakes up, Abby can’t remember anything. She doesn’t know where she is, why there’s a fire, or even what her name is. She doesn’t know who Sam is, but she thinks she can trust him. After all, he was the only other person around when she woke, and he says he’ll take care of her. Abby starts a new life with Sam, one filled with only nice and happy things—but one that is devoid of a past. Abby can’t live in ignorance forever. She can’t overlook the holes in her memory where she must have had a life before Sam. And when she begins to remember, her entire new world starts to unravel. Now Abby knows that there is something seriously wrong, with herself, with Sam, and with the entire situation she’s been living in. The question becomes not whether Abby will able to break free—but whether she’ll have the strength to live on her own.

Circle 9 is one of the more unusual psychological thrillers that I have read, and I mean this in a complimentary way. Heltzel writes from the perspective of protagonist Abby primarily in first person stream of consciousness with sporadic flashbacks. This gives incredible insight into Abby’s fragile mind and allows the reader to plainly see all her thoughts, wants, and, most of all, confusion. I just loved how I was just as much in the dark as to the realities of Abby’s situation as she was; this made the revelation of each new truth so savory to read about. What made Circle 9 really stand out to me from the other psychological thrillers that I’ve read is that the tone was slightly more contemplative rather than edge-of-your-seat suspenseful. There was much less urgency and action in the plot because the focus was more on Abby’s inner struggles. As a result, Heltzel’s crafting of Abby’s character really shined in this novel, leading to a thoughtful and subtly thrilling read.

Circle 9 will be enjoyed by fans of Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma. I greatly look forward to what debut author Heltzel will produce next.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com (less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 27, 2011 Danielle Ellison rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is a weird book. Seriously. It's effed up. Yet, I couldn't stop reading it.

I was so drawn in that I wanted to know what was happening. The whole time I'm reading I'm thinking this book is weird and I have no idea what's going on but I like it! Unfortunately it takes have the book to know and then you're so invested that you have to see how it plays out. It was really well written--and that kept me going.

There's a girl named Abby and she is 16, living with Sam in a cave-palace. To her ever...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 26, 2011 the golden witch. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley, first-reads-early-reviewers, ebook, 2011, net-galley, teenage-shennanigans

At first I thought that this was going to be some kind of hybrid scifi-fairy tale. I was right on only half of this: the fairy-tale part. A fairy-tale gone horribly wrong, but so beautifully written that it captures you right from the first page.

To say it was a shock to figure out what happened to Abby pre-amnesia is putting it lightly. Or rather, how the amnesia happened – the act itself that helped project her brain into nothingness. The events leading up to the final revelations about Abby’s...more At first I thought that this was going to be some kind of hybrid scifi-fairy tale. I was right on only half of this: the fairy-tale part. A fairy-tale gone horribly wrong, but so beautifully written that it captures you right from the first page.

To say it was a shock to figure out what happened to Abby pre-amnesia is putting it lightly. Or rather, how the amnesia happened – the act itself that helped project her brain into nothingness. The events leading up to the final revelations about Abby’s life in Circle Nine were not so surprising – the signs until Amanda showed up were pretty clear from the start. But the lyrical way that Heltzel writes it, it takes one’s brain a little longer to wrap around the fact that this cave is not a palace, and Sam is really not Abby’s prince but someone just profiting from her situation.

Not that that’s a bad thing – if anything, the roundabout way that Heltzel spins her tale just hits the reader home all the more powerfully in the end. It’s the effect of delay that really brings the horrors of what Abby endures with/under Sam in the abandoned mine/cave. The frenetic yet dreamy pace of events and how quickly things go downhill also adds to this feeling of delay that just suckerpunches the reader in the gut all the harder; Abby’s blind and pure trust and love of Sam combined with the events that send everything spiraling into ‘circle nine’ helped to make, at times, this book very difficult to continue reading, emotionally. It might trigger some readers who have gone through any kind of emotional and/or sexual abuse. It didn’t trigger me (I’ve had the former, not the latter, thankfully), but even so there were some points where I had to bookmark my place on the e-galley and take a day-long break to let everything settle. Doing so made this story all the more meaningful in the end.

Yes, this book is THAT powerful. Handle with care. One of the best of 2011 in the one-off novel category, most definitely. Not the feel good book of the year, but it’s something that should still be read nonetheless.

(crossposted to librarything and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)(less)

like · see review

Sep 17, 2011 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

CIRCLE NINE, by Anne Heltzel, starts the reader off in the dark and slowly unravels creepy and thrilling revelations that will keep you thinking long after the book is finished.

Initially, the cover of the book spoke to me as a dystopian novel. Since I pretty much always judge a book by the cover I started reading it without reading the summary. Silly me. I started the book and was immediately hooked. When it became apparent that it was not a dystopian, I was already too deep into the book to sto...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 28, 2011 Kwinks rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was kind of mesmorized by this novel. I just could not put it down. But, I am left kind of empty. Is this the story of Abby and Sam (an unhealthy relationship)? Or is this the story of Addison, and the effects of trauma on us? I am a bit confused. Heltzel has this talent for making the pages turn fast, fast, fast. I was glued to the story, especially when Abby sees her world one way, then blinks and catches a glimpse of "reality". I finished the story more than a little confused, was this a re...more

like · see review

Jul 26, 2011 Claire rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

The protagonist was maddeningly passive, and the final "big reveal" of what actually wiped her memory and brought her to this point seemed completely unrealistic. Her ability to imagine her surroundings as paradise never makes much sense, the relationship is icky but poorly developed, Sam is poorly developed, and there was a moment (page 149 of the galley, if you're curious) where race was used as shorthand in a way that I felt was facile and somewhat offensive -- a small moment, yes, but it wou...more

1 like · like · see review

Oct 26, 2012 Emily rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: never-will-read-again

This is a book about the darker side of life. Disturbing, haunting- it will leave you up at night wondering if your life is really your own. In this book Abby wakes up with no memory of who she is. The only thing she knows is that her memories are connected to the burning house to her right, and the boy named Sammy to her left. She follows him, believing she's in love. But what happens next- that's just the beginning of a waking nightmare.

This book was rather sad. The whole time I could tell wha...more

like · see review

Jun 29, 2011 Alexander Johns rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I opened this book, I knew it was not my genre and not my kind of story. When I closed the book, I had a new genre and a new kind of story. In order to appreciate Circle 9 fully, the reader should have an advanced capacity to mentally immerse themselves in a story. If so, you will be treated to a unique character development that leaves behind the pedestrian coming-of-age or YA-anxiety that satisfies many. This is because the (young protagonist) Abby's progression is layered within an abnor...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2011 Addie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, terrible-books, literary-contemporary

An advanced copy of this title was generously provided by Candlewick via NetGalley!

Anne Heltzel’s Circle Nine is difficult to classify - it centers around a romantic relationship, but isn’t a typical romance; it has elements of mystery, but doesn’t have the tight pace and consistent plot necessary to one; and while it makes allegorical references to the nine circles of hell from Dante’s Inferno, there are no real fantastical elements. It begins when a teenaged girl awakens outside of a burning h...more

like · see review

Apr 26, 2011 Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

I find it difficult to review and rate Circle Nine. But lets cover what the book is about first.

Abby lives with Sam in a cave, not knowing her past, not knowing what happened to her, not really knowing who Sam is. She knows she loves Sam, because he saved her and cares for her. But as times goes on Abby starts to remember and life with Sam doesn't seem as rosey as it used to.

Circle Nine was a depressing and difficult read for me. It's not light literature, something that can be read within a few...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 29, 2012 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found myself turning the pages quickly so that I could figure out the mystery and piece together the puzzle and then I found myself turning back the pages because I felt like I missed something in my haste. This book was fast paced and confusing, but that makes sense because the narrator, Abby, is very confused. This book was a bit uncomfortable to read because of the gritty brutal honesty of the storytelling. What I didn't like about Circle Nine is that it ended abruptly - I expected more of...more

like · see review

Sep 02, 2011 Mandi rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is beyond dark. Twisted. And, so captivating. The story itself is fascinating and easily sucks in the reader. The subject matter can be overwhelming, but I think this book is important because it can potentially create discourse for teens suffering from trauma, abusive relationships, and mental health issues.

If you're going to read this book, prepare yourself. It can leave you feeling emotionally drained once you become attached to the characters (and you will). In my opinion, that ki...more

like · see review

Jul 08, 2012 Matt marked it as not-gonna-read

Sounds creepy. I like creepy.

EDIT: Never mind, reviews suck

1 like · like · see review

Sep 19, 2011 Jayjay rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally posted on http://wefancybooks.blogspot.com soon :)

One Sentence Reaction
A world that is created with questions and doubt, it will keep your page turning and turning.

Blurb
She doesn’t know anybody, all she knows is Sam. The mysterious boy who she knows is her only hope in finding the truth. Who she really is, and why doesn’t she remember anything from the past, not even her name. With only a necklace named her Abby, the only thing she can do is trust Sam. With Sam bringing in a new girl...more Originally posted on http://wefancybooks.blogspot.com soon :)

One Sentence Reaction
A world that is created with questions and doubt, it will keep your page turning and turning.

Blurb
She doesn’t know anybody, all she knows is Sam. The mysterious boy who she knows is her only hope in finding the truth. Who she really is, and why doesn’t she remember anything from the past, not even her name. With only a necklace named her Abby, the only thing she can do is trust Sam. With Sam bringing in a new girl she started to question if Sam really loves her. With the glimpse of the past constantly reminding her that she knows her for a reason, Abby decided to look for the truth.

My Thoughts

Circle Nine is a very enjoyable read; I find the book really intriguing that’s why I kept turning the pages until I finished it. It follows the story of a girl who doesn’t know who she is, not even her name. All she knows is that her name is Abby basing on the necklace that she has. She met Sam on one and only person that she knows and only trust. Even if she doesn’t know Sam very well she trusted him with her life because it’s the only thing that she can do. Without knowing anyone who else can she trust? Sam has been a very kind person to Abby, everything she needs; Sam provides it for her. But then she started regaining memories of what has happened, she started asking questions which Sam doesn’t approve of. Whilst Sam is keeping secrets from her she decided to look for the truth on what really happened, why she doesn’t have the memory, who she really is. I like how the story revolves on how Abby tries to remember things; it gives the reader a point of view of someone who happens to have lost a memory, in a way I somehow imagine myself being like it. I may not say that it conveyed the proper emotions of but by just reading Abby’s point of view I think justice has been served right to the emotions that I’ve felt for Abby. The world building is really good, though I really wish that there is more emphasis on Circle Nine which is the title.

That characters as well as the book is very much confusing. I like the character of Abby. With saying I think she’s one of the book characters that I really admire. If I was in her place figuratively speaking I would die, or maybe yet go nuts forever. Abby showed how strong she really is which I really admire, despite Sam being protective of her she didn’t just stopped there. She tried to ask questions and by asking she wants the truth. Even if it hurts Sam and herself in the process she decided to look for answers. I like Sam for just being Sam himself, but of course minus the complications. I love how he looks out for Abby; I genuinely feel for Sam because I think he really loves Abby and just wanted her to be safe.

The cover is really good, I really like it. It shows how the book is really dark and with only a glimpse of the outside world is which is really good job on that but I really suggest a better cover art than this one.

Overall I like this book; I really enjoyed the story and the characters while reading it. One thing I suggest is that I would really like to hear the point of view of Sam. What’s his purpose not saying the truth to Abby, what’s his reason on protecting Abby, does she really loves Abby. So many questions to be asked but I think this book is a standalone so I guess I just have to ask the author. I suggest this to you if you like a dark, thrilling and shocking read. This is a very dark and exciting debut that I suggest you should not miss out. I believe it’s worth the read.
(less)

like · see review

Jul 17, 2011 Melissa (i swim for oceans) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-arcs, contemporary

Abby can't remember anything. When she wakes, she doesn't know where she is, who she is, or what is happening, but there is a fire, and she has to escape. The only person around to help her is Sam. She doesn't know who he is, but he says he can help her, and she feels as though she can trust him, so she does. The pair begin a life together in what Sam calls a cave-palace - a world central to the two of them alone, with the world outside called Circle Nine. Abby can't remember anything though, an...more Abby can't remember anything. When she wakes, she doesn't know where she is, who she is, or what is happening, but there is a fire, and she has to escape. The only person around to help her is Sam. She doesn't know who he is, but he says he can help her, and she feels as though she can trust him, so she does. The pair begin a life together in what Sam calls a cave-palace - a world central to the two of them alone, with the world outside called Circle Nine. Abby can't remember anything though, and her dark, blank past is edging into her deliriously simple life. When the fragments of memories begin flooding back, the darkness begins to consume her life, and she realizes that Sam, her life and all her surroundings are false...but is she strong enough to escape them, or will her past consume her future, too?

I rarely read a book that leaves me so completely speechless that I'm unable to post a review on the day I'd planned, but Circle Nine has presented that to me. Anne Heltzel has spun an equal-parts mesmerizing and horrific psychological thriller with Circle Nine that grips the reader with talon-like prose from start to finish. Calling such a book simply "horror" or "contemporary" would be a crime because Circle Nine manages to merge the genres into one potent, powerful and hard-hitting book that is sure to affect every reader in a different way. With a voice that's achingly raw and ravaged, Circle Nine still has me in its grip long after I've finished it.

I cannot say that I loved Circle Nine because to say I loved it would mean that I completely missed the story of Abby altogether. I loved the writing, I loved the power behind every word and I loved that every action and inaction in Circle Nine had a purpose. That said, there was so much about Circle Nine that made me angry, frightened and hollow, too. Abby's world was written in an almost dreamlike state from her first-person perspective, making it that much more tangible, so when it began to crumble around her in a world of sexual and emotional abuse, the reader is strung along as Abby endures and struggles to survive in a world that's ravaged and without a past. We don't watch her world crumble around her; we live it with her, and as it spirals into that ninth circle of hell, we long for relief, too. Sam was a character that I loathed (and for good reason), and yet from Abby's perspective, there was a part of me that wanted to find that child within him and set him free, too. That, and all the conflicting emotions I felt, is what made Circle Nine such a powerful and tumultuous read.

Circle Nine is not for the faint of heart, but if you want to read an incredibly powerful read, this is the book for you. The only thing that left me unsatisfied was the ending, but that's just my desire for a true sense of closure, and all I felt was an unsteady calm. I give this book a 4 out of 5, and I'd highly recommend it to fans of upper YA and adult books, especially those who enjoy dark contemporary fiction and psychological thrillers.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 11, 2011 Susan rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya_thriller, read_and_review

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Genesis Blue rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

I enjoyed this book, but it was a little odd. It may have been better if I'd skipped the first bit that gives you the ending of the story . . . but overall, it kept my interest to the end and I read it all in one night.

Abby can't remember who she is or where she came from. The only person she knows is Sam, who rescued her from Circle Nine, the terrifying world outside their little cave. In the cave, they are happy and have the perfect life, until Sam's medicine runs out and Abby starts rememberi...more

like · see review

Aug 22, 2012 Diana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, contemporary

3 out of 5 stars

“When your whole life has vanished and only one person knows who you are... don’t you have to believe him?”

Sounds awesome, right? This tag line got me hook, line, and sinker... unfortunately by the end I kind of wanted to spit it back out. I was expecting a psychological thriller. What I got was definitely psychological in nature, but a thriller... not so much.

So basically, this is how it goes: a girl wakes up outside of a burning building with no memories to speak of, not even h...more

like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Today I finished Circle Nine by Anne Heltzel. I started it last Thursday and I haven't read it since. I will admit that it was hard to put down. When I was ready for bed, I had to walk it out and put it on the kitchen table. I didn't want to be tempted to reach over, pick it off my nightstand, and begin reading once more. I needed my sleep! However, once put down, it proved hard to pick back up. I had trouble submerging myself in the story line and found it all quite unbelievable, even though th...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2012 Nicole Sobon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

"Circle Nine" tells the story of Abby, a teenager who has no recollection of her life before Sam - a mysterious boy she met before the fire. It's obvious from the beginning that the relationship between Sam and Abby is wrong. You know that he's hiding information from her, you know that he's hiding her from the world but you're never really quite sure why. Abby sees the cave, their home, as a palace. She doesn't see the mattress full of holes at first; she sees a king's bed. She doesn't see the...more "Circle Nine" tells the story of Abby, a teenager who has no recollection of her life before Sam - a mysterious boy she met before the fire. It's obvious from the beginning that the relationship between Sam and Abby is wrong. You know that he's hiding information from her, you know that he's hiding her from the world but you're never really quite sure why. Abby sees the cave, their home, as a palace. She doesn't see the mattress full of holes at first; she sees a king's bed. She doesn't see the roaches and the filth, she only sees the beauty. She doesn't really see who Sam is, not until Amanda shows up and forces her to start questioning things.

Amanda's presence upsets Abby's world. She feels as though she's trying to steal Sam away from her. They go out late at night together, always leaving Abby behind. Then one night, Amanda and Sam get into a fight and something happens to Amanda. She knows about Abby, she wants to take her away from there - from Sam - but he isn't going to let that happen.

As Abby begins to remember her life before Sam, as she begins to remember the fire, her parents, her sister, "Circle Nine" becomes impossible to put down. This isn't an easy book to read. Both Abby and Sam, although it's easy to hate him, are frail characters. They are broken, and for a while, they manage to complete each other...until the truth comes out.

At times its hard to follow along with the story, especially in those moments when Abby's perception of reality changes so quickly: one minute she's seeing the filth of the cave, of Sam, and the next minute she's seeing the `beauty' of their world. One sentence would state the ugly and the next would state the beauty she saw. Given that Abby's still grasping reality, I understand the purpose, but it changed too suddenly and sometimes it got to be confusing.

Overall, I liked "Circle Nine". It wasn't what I was expecting, but I had trouble tearing myself away from the story. Note: Sam and Abby's relationship is an abusive one and there is drug use within the story, so it's important to note that this story won't be for everyone. If you decide to read "Circle Nine", which you should, I'd suggest setting aside a few hours of free time to read it within a single sitting. I made the mistake of starting it late at night and staying up well into the morning hours because I needed to know what happened next. It's a difficult story to take in, and the ending leaves you with something to be desired, but it's a well written novel worthy of a read. (less)

like · see review

Jun 16, 2013 Cindy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

2.5 stars

"Having no history, I decide, is a blessing. I wouldn't want to be cursed with the memory of a lifetime of mistakes." -pg. 16

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

I liked the story, especially when I found out what happened That Night, but I loathed the characters. I'm sad to say there wasn't one tiny little thing I liked about them.

Abby wakes up on the street with her head throbbing and a strange boy looking down on her. She runs off with him.
Abby and Sam live in a cave in the woods, but in Abby's mind...more

like · see review

Dec 04, 2011 Tasha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, young-adult

Circle Nine.. Well, I will certainly be reading more of Anne Heltzel. Her writing is LOVELY! I really, really enjoyed this read.

In the beginning of the book there is a large house fire. A girl, our main character, wakes up with absolutely no memory of her past. She doesn't even know her name. There is a boy next to her, pleading for her to run with him away from the fire. The girl, Abby, sees only this boy's face. She feels that she has been re-born, detached from all previous memories. She run...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 16, 2011 H.Lee rated it 3 of 5 stars

More like 3.5 stars....

For once, I am at a loss for words! I am very conflicted as to how I feel about this book.

The writing style was very strange and I do not know if it is because I have an ARC copy or if the writer really wanted it to be this way, but the conversations all took place in italics instead of quotations. I did get used to it after a while, but then all conversation when the main character was having her memories, quotations were used? It made me think that none of the conversati...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 59 60 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (8)

More editions...

Genres

Young Adult

29 users

Mystery

10 users

Science Fiction > Dystopia

8 users

Romance

6 users

Contemporary

6 users

Realistic Fiction

5 users

Drama

3 users

Young Adult > Teen

3 users

Science Fiction

2 users

Fantasy

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Anne Heltzel

Anne Heltzel was born in Warren, Ohio. A Notre Dame graduate, she moved to NYC in 2006 to pursue an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School. In New York, she found lots of like-minded, creative types. It was home. It was a natural transition, then, to her first job in book publishing and later to a division of Penguin Group, where she was a fiction editor until September, 2012 (with a short sa...more

More about Anne Heltzel...

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Circle Nine

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Circle Nine

“Too much of something delicious becomes something poisonous.” — 8 people liked it

“Having no history, I decide, is a blessing. I wouldn’t want to be cursed with the memory of a lifetime of mistakes.” — 5 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Circle Nine
avg rating	preview: Circle Nine Goodreads rating: 2.96 (265 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://gr-assets.com/book/show/10734249-circle-nine?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320563492l/10734249.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://gr-assets.com/book/show/10734249-circle-nine?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Circle Nine by Anne Heltzel[/url]

Circle Nine

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website