What do you think?
Rate this book
The Circle: Taken
From USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon Charts Bestselling author and Goodreads Best Fiction Finalist Sejal Badani comes an exhilarating, Readers's Choice 2019 YA series.
Abandoned at eleven with no memory of her family, Alexia seeks her true identity. Under the new government's regime, sixteen year-olds are evaluated for their desire to harm others. Throughout the test, Alexia struggles to conceal her psychic ability to read the past and future of anyone she touches. When her secret is revealed, Alexia is taken to an island where other highly skilled agents and readers like her train to survive.
As Alexia gains more control over her abilities, she desperately tries to piece together her elusive past. In her quest for the truth, Alexia's loyalties are tested when forced to make an impossible choice between those she loves and the family she can't remember.
A spell-binding adventure of friendship, love, unforeseen twists and learning that our most dangerous enemies are often the people we trust the most. A captivating novel filled with forbidden romance and shocking betrayals that demands the question - Can One Decision Determine Your Destiny?
Abandoned at eleven with no memory of her family, Alexia seeks her true identity. Under the new government's regime, sixteen year-olds are evaluated for their desire to harm others. Throughout the test, Alexia struggles to conceal her psychic ability to read the past and future of anyone she touches. When her secret is revealed, Alexia is taken to an island where other highly skilled agents and readers like her train to survive.
As Alexia gains more control over her abilities, she desperately tries to piece together her elusive past. In her quest for the truth, Alexia's loyalties are tested when forced to make an impossible choice between those she loves and the family she can't remember.
A spell-binding adventure of friendship, love, unforeseen twists and learning that our most dangerous enemies are often the people we trust the most. A captivating novel filled with forbidden romance and shocking betrayals that demands the question - Can One Decision Determine Your Destiny?
484 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2019
22 people are currently reading
5380 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 8, 2019
Upon first seeing the cover for The Circle: Taken I thought of the book Divergent. Though the two covers are not the same, they are similar, which is what first grabbed my attention. Say what you like, but books are often judged by their covers, and I will say I had high hopes.
After reading the book summary, I was absolutely hooked! I love sci-fi, dystopian style genre books, whether they are YA or otherwise. I will say that if they are YA I generally hope they don’t turn into a romantic soap opera, some have and that’s typically when I set the book down. I’m not saying there can’t be any romance, but I want a sci-fi book to be more sci-fi based.
That being said, The Circle: Taken was absolutely AMAZING!!!! It was unique enough that it couldn’t be branded a cookie cutter book, but it still stuck to the basics of a dystopian based book, which for me is a good thing.
The book captures your attention from the beginning and just doesn’t let up. The Circle: Taken is one of those books you only start if you have the time because you aren’t going to want to put it down.
Here’s a quick list of things I loved about the book:
• The characters are well developed and mostly likable
• The strong relationships formed through the book
• The excitement and twists and turns of the book
• The writing style -
The Circle: Taken may be a YA book, but I would recommend it to any adult that enjoys sci-fi.
After reading the book summary, I was absolutely hooked! I love sci-fi, dystopian style genre books, whether they are YA or otherwise. I will say that if they are YA I generally hope they don’t turn into a romantic soap opera, some have and that’s typically when I set the book down. I’m not saying there can’t be any romance, but I want a sci-fi book to be more sci-fi based.
That being said, The Circle: Taken was absolutely AMAZING!!!! It was unique enough that it couldn’t be branded a cookie cutter book, but it still stuck to the basics of a dystopian based book, which for me is a good thing.
The book captures your attention from the beginning and just doesn’t let up. The Circle: Taken is one of those books you only start if you have the time because you aren’t going to want to put it down.
Here’s a quick list of things I loved about the book:
• The characters are well developed and mostly likable
• The strong relationships formed through the book
• The excitement and twists and turns of the book
• The writing style -
The Circle: Taken may be a YA book, but I would recommend it to any adult that enjoys sci-fi.
May 23, 2019
#TheCircle #NetGalley
The Circle: Taken was an amazing book! I am so excited to read the next in the series. A lot of things were left open and not explained but the author did such a good job at the ending/next book entrance that you don't feel like it is a big cliffhanger. It has some resolution. The main character is likeable and has some issues, but she is a person you want to root for and see succeed.
Thank you to NetGalley and SBSK for the advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review!
The Circle: Taken was an amazing book! I am so excited to read the next in the series. A lot of things were left open and not explained but the author did such a good job at the ending/next book entrance that you don't feel like it is a big cliffhanger. It has some resolution. The main character is likeable and has some issues, but she is a person you want to root for and see succeed.
Thank you to NetGalley and SBSK for the advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review!
September 12, 2019
I found The Circle to be an enjoyable young adult, dystopian fantasy. The concept of the story reminded me of the Hunger Games which is very difficult, if not impossible to measure up to for me.
The world war resulted in the destruction of the world as we know it. In the aftermath the government divided civilians into zones and now govern with strict enforcement of the law (curfews, job allocation etc). The female protagonist Alexia was found washed up on a beach a few years ago without any recollection of her past. She is placed in an orphanage where she learns to survive in a world she does not know.
At the age of 16 all citizens must take a test to ascertain if they are suitable to remain as a member of society. No one knows what happens to those who fail. Alexia has a secret gift she fails to keep from the government during her test. Upon discovery of her secret Alexia is sent to The Circle, a secret government operation for the strong and gifted. Every year The Circle conduct an evaluation, a final test for recruits before becoming a fully fledged member. Alexia, who has not grown up training with the other recruits must also participate in the evaluation. The evaluation consists of two teams competing against each other in three stages. A test designed to eliminate the weak and showcase strength and leadership. Past evaluations have resulted in permanent injury and death of participants.
Not everyone agrees with the governments policy and laws. A group who call themselves 'The Resistance' are causing further destruction and fear in their attempts to overthrow the government.
Without any memories Alexia questions who she is and where she belongs. Alexia's character is flawed in a way that made her relatable and enjoyable to read about. I really enjoyed following Alexia on her journey. Yet, I did not feel the other characters were fleshed out enough. When Alexia first joins The Circle a lot of characters were introduced within short succession. Other than her love interest Ryan, I found Alexia's relationships and interactions with others to be mostly insignificant.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The world war resulted in the destruction of the world as we know it. In the aftermath the government divided civilians into zones and now govern with strict enforcement of the law (curfews, job allocation etc). The female protagonist Alexia was found washed up on a beach a few years ago without any recollection of her past. She is placed in an orphanage where she learns to survive in a world she does not know.
At the age of 16 all citizens must take a test to ascertain if they are suitable to remain as a member of society. No one knows what happens to those who fail. Alexia has a secret gift she fails to keep from the government during her test. Upon discovery of her secret Alexia is sent to The Circle, a secret government operation for the strong and gifted. Every year The Circle conduct an evaluation, a final test for recruits before becoming a fully fledged member. Alexia, who has not grown up training with the other recruits must also participate in the evaluation. The evaluation consists of two teams competing against each other in three stages. A test designed to eliminate the weak and showcase strength and leadership. Past evaluations have resulted in permanent injury and death of participants.
Not everyone agrees with the governments policy and laws. A group who call themselves 'The Resistance' are causing further destruction and fear in their attempts to overthrow the government.
Without any memories Alexia questions who she is and where she belongs. Alexia's character is flawed in a way that made her relatable and enjoyable to read about. I really enjoyed following Alexia on her journey. Yet, I did not feel the other characters were fleshed out enough. When Alexia first joins The Circle a lot of characters were introduced within short succession. Other than her love interest Ryan, I found Alexia's relationships and interactions with others to be mostly insignificant.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 29, 2019
I can’t even, that’s how I’m starting this review. YA is in my top 3 favorite genres to read and Circle: Taken pushed the boundaries to the limits. We see the struggle of someone coming into her own, alone, and up against many forces. She has to conceal a significant part of her identity and determine who around her is harmful, helpful, or just a hindrance. Honestly, this book had my heart racing in places, and in others, it was absolute heartbreak.
I loved that we see Alexia through good and bad light, that she’s not blindly a hero and in fact, her motives are really self-centered. That has such a driving impact with who she is and how her actions impact those around her.
Finally, the concept was amazing. It is a more mature setting, but it’s nothing inappropriate for maybe a 13 or 14-year-old. The concepts are complex and require a bit of “big-picture” thinking, and I think it’s something that any reader could enjoy.
I loved that we see Alexia through good and bad light, that she’s not blindly a hero and in fact, her motives are really self-centered. That has such a driving impact with who she is and how her actions impact those around her.
Finally, the concept was amazing. It is a more mature setting, but it’s nothing inappropriate for maybe a 13 or 14-year-old. The concepts are complex and require a bit of “big-picture” thinking, and I think it’s something that any reader could enjoy.
June 14, 2019
Amazing story with exciting twists along the journey
The circle taken is an amazing story. I found myself hooked from the first page when I began to read about an 11 year old girl training to be a warrior. Alexia has a secret past and at 16 must now take the test to decide her future. With her talents, she finds herself sent away and forced to train for survival. The story follows the 16 year old alexia as she trains and tried to recover the memories of the past. This is one of the best adventures I have read in awhile. I found the characters to be relatable and believable. I would recommend this one to everyone who likes adventure stories that focus on a female heroine. Check this one out folks it is a really good read.
The circle taken is an amazing story. I found myself hooked from the first page when I began to read about an 11 year old girl training to be a warrior. Alexia has a secret past and at 16 must now take the test to decide her future. With her talents, she finds herself sent away and forced to train for survival. The story follows the 16 year old alexia as she trains and tried to recover the memories of the past. This is one of the best adventures I have read in awhile. I found the characters to be relatable and believable. I would recommend this one to everyone who likes adventure stories that focus on a female heroine. Check this one out folks it is a really good read.
July 2, 2019
For people that think the YA genre can't produce hard-hitting thrillers with real tension and suspense, I point them toward The Circle: Taken.
Not only does the first installment of what looks to be a really gripping series have tons of action, tension, and conflict, the character development is truly top notch. You'll find that none of the characters really fit into a purely good/evil/black/white category. On the contrary, they all have a variety of different motivations that drive them and drive the plot, as they must decide which of those motivations will be their priority.
The sci-fi/fantasy angle, specifically the main character's psychic abilities, is handled very well. It feels believable, not cartoonish. Very immersive.
Not only does the first installment of what looks to be a really gripping series have tons of action, tension, and conflict, the character development is truly top notch. You'll find that none of the characters really fit into a purely good/evil/black/white category. On the contrary, they all have a variety of different motivations that drive them and drive the plot, as they must decide which of those motivations will be their priority.
The sci-fi/fantasy angle, specifically the main character's psychic abilities, is handled very well. It feels believable, not cartoonish. Very immersive.
May 30, 2019
This book is filled with intrigue and questions from the very beginning. Who is Alexia? Who is her family? When will her secret get out? This is definitely one of those books that is hard to put down once you begin. The story is an interesting and unique tale of survival and choices. Alexia is strong, talented, has no memory of where she came from. The dark world that author Sage Sask is well-built and creates a wonderful atmosphere for the entire story. I loved getting to follow Alexia on her adventures and hope to see more soon. This is a great YA read, and I would highly recommend it.
June 9, 2019
“The Circle: Taken” is an excellent YA novel that is sure to appeal to the masses of readers. The plot is truly gripping and will keep you guessing and wanting more with each and every turn of the page. The protagonist, Alexia, is a young girl who is struggling to find herself in the midst of chaotic and tumultuous times. This story really has it all: love, loss, strength, courage, chaos, and so much more. Regardless of what your favorite genre is, “The Circle” has something in store for everyone and will make you desperately want answers to all of Alexia’s questions.
June 10, 2019
A young girl trying to hide her true identity seems like a great start for an adventure, and it really keeps the pace throughout the whole book. We will find ourselves rooting for Alexia, asking ourselves what she will do next, and how will the story unfold in the next pages. It's an adventure filed with love, friendships, enemies, and many plot twists, that are there to keep us there, in Alexia's journey. The main question for me is who decides your destiny? Is it fixed or can you mold it?
September 16, 2019
Set along the same "bones" as Hunger Games, The Circle Taken finds a group of young adults forced to fight each other to prove their worth. The ruling community has dictated that they fight for their space among the population. There is a underground rebellious group which threatens the community's absolute rule.
The story diverges from the Hunger Games with the characters. Our heroine has no memory of her childhood. She has been given no training to be able to protect herself during the fight episodes. She must count on herself and her few friendly adversaries to live through this chapter of what I hope will be a great series. So far, this book is a winner! Great story line, great characters and smooth, engaging writing from Sage Sask.
The story diverges from the Hunger Games with the characters. Our heroine has no memory of her childhood. She has been given no training to be able to protect herself during the fight episodes. She must count on herself and her few friendly adversaries to live through this chapter of what I hope will be a great series. So far, this book is a winner! Great story line, great characters and smooth, engaging writing from Sage Sask.
September 27, 2019
Loved this! It is not an original concept when it comes to YA books but that is quite okay in my book as long as it's executed in a good manner. I could connect to the main character, understand her dilemma when it comes to choosing between a mother who abandoned Alexia for her own, still a bit unsure, goal and her new friends who gave her a home and sense of belonging missing until then. The action and adventures were exciting like you would hope and the plot slowly unravels. Personally I cannot wait until the sequel and will want to read that asap!
August 31, 2019
This dystopian novel is a must read!
I found the characters to be very engaging, especially Alexia, the main character. I enjoyed the other characters throughout the book as well. Some were not quite as dynamic as Alexia's growth through the novel, but they still made the story very interesting and hard to put down.
The pacing of the story felt cohesive and very easy to follow. The material is also clean and very young adult appropriate. I loved how there were great moral lessons throughout and how fiercely loyal most of the kids in the Circle are of each other.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait until the sequel comes out!!!
I found the characters to be very engaging, especially Alexia, the main character. I enjoyed the other characters throughout the book as well. Some were not quite as dynamic as Alexia's growth through the novel, but they still made the story very interesting and hard to put down.
The pacing of the story felt cohesive and very easy to follow. The material is also clean and very young adult appropriate. I loved how there were great moral lessons throughout and how fiercely loyal most of the kids in the Circle are of each other.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and can't wait until the sequel comes out!!!
April 22, 2019
Love This BOOK!! This is my first YA book and it was a very pleasant surprise!
The Circle is a book that will take you in a roller coaster of emotions and scenarios, that will keep you wanting to know more about each character and situation.. is a story of friendship, survival and right choices.. a story where the characters will have to think twice before completing their mission..
Alexa, a courageous heroine that is looking for her mother, she is alone and has been living in a secluded area, under terrible circumstances for a while, but life changed, now she has the opportunity to save her mother, herself and even all of those around if only she can recover her memory and her life purpose..
"She work up on the shore with no memory of her past."
life is not easy at the Circle, not when everybody doubts her and her intentions, everybody thinks she is a traitor, that she is here to hurt them all.. now is up to her to prove them wrong or to find the real reason she is there.. with no past, no memories Alexa feels lost but at the same time with a purpose to find her family and reasons to live.
"There is no right or wrong in war, only winners and losers. And you have shown your hand. No. She has shown her heart."
She doesn't know whom to trust, she constantly has to second guess their intentions, making it even harder to accomplish what needed to be done.. love, friendship, and emotions can change her plans if she doesn't remember her purpose.
Many great things to say about the secondary characters, I'm super intrigued about what is going to happen and if we get to meet more about them in the near future.. Tension, Love, and Hate so many moments felt that way between The Circle members.
Overall what I love about this book was that in a way it teaches the value of friendship, trust, and integrity.. life and circumstances put you in places that maybe will never be ideal but each character is presented with an opportunity to chose right or wrong.. to chose to save those you love or instead save yourself.
This was a great book, and I think a great start of a series, I don't know if there is going to be more books about it but I'm eager to know more about this wonderful characters and story..
looking forward to read more books by Sage Sask!
The Circle is a book that will take you in a roller coaster of emotions and scenarios, that will keep you wanting to know more about each character and situation.. is a story of friendship, survival and right choices.. a story where the characters will have to think twice before completing their mission..
Alexa, a courageous heroine that is looking for her mother, she is alone and has been living in a secluded area, under terrible circumstances for a while, but life changed, now she has the opportunity to save her mother, herself and even all of those around if only she can recover her memory and her life purpose..
"She work up on the shore with no memory of her past."
life is not easy at the Circle, not when everybody doubts her and her intentions, everybody thinks she is a traitor, that she is here to hurt them all.. now is up to her to prove them wrong or to find the real reason she is there.. with no past, no memories Alexa feels lost but at the same time with a purpose to find her family and reasons to live.
"There is no right or wrong in war, only winners and losers. And you have shown your hand. No. She has shown her heart."
She doesn't know whom to trust, she constantly has to second guess their intentions, making it even harder to accomplish what needed to be done.. love, friendship, and emotions can change her plans if she doesn't remember her purpose.
Many great things to say about the secondary characters, I'm super intrigued about what is going to happen and if we get to meet more about them in the near future.. Tension, Love, and Hate so many moments felt that way between The Circle members.
Overall what I love about this book was that in a way it teaches the value of friendship, trust, and integrity.. life and circumstances put you in places that maybe will never be ideal but each character is presented with an opportunity to chose right or wrong.. to chose to save those you love or instead save yourself.
This was a great book, and I think a great start of a series, I don't know if there is going to be more books about it but I'm eager to know more about this wonderful characters and story..
looking forward to read more books by Sage Sask!
June 17, 2019
This is my first time reading something by this author, and I’m very impressed by the writing style. It flows. It’s poetic. It has a rhythm. That’s not something I expect in a sci-fi novel. Interesting story, yes. Relatable characters, yes. Great writing, no. But this book has it all.
It’s also written in present tense from the first-person perspective. That’s a mechanic I enjoy because it does two things: it puts you in the character’s mind, and it presents the action as happening now. It’s more immersive because it doesn’t give away how the story will end. You can’t say, “Oh, well, obviously, they survive this because they lived to tell about it as if it happened in the past.
I’m even more intrigued by the “author,” though. The profile shows it as being a team of people, led by a primary author. That’s interesting in itself, and I say that if this team can keep producing high-quality work like this, good on ‘em.
It’s also written in present tense from the first-person perspective. That’s a mechanic I enjoy because it does two things: it puts you in the character’s mind, and it presents the action as happening now. It’s more immersive because it doesn’t give away how the story will end. You can’t say, “Oh, well, obviously, they survive this because they lived to tell about it as if it happened in the past.
I’m even more intrigued by the “author,” though. The profile shows it as being a team of people, led by a primary author. That’s interesting in itself, and I say that if this team can keep producing high-quality work like this, good on ‘em.
July 12, 2019
Absolutely an incredible read. I never once put it down until the last page and I’m ready for a sequel now. “The Circle: Taken” by Sage Sask is an amazingly well-written book about a girl named Alexia, a girl who can’t remember her past. She lives in a dystopian time where the government gets to decide who lives and who dies and controls the lives of those who live. When she turns sixteen, she is tested, like all other sixteen-year-olds, for her potential to harm others, or so the test is called. But Alexia has a secret: she has very strong psychic abilities, and they are discovered during the test. She is then shipped off against her will to an island to be trained to be a government agent. But throughout the plot twists, she learns her loyalties might not be justified, those that she thought were her enemies might just be her allies, and she may have to lose her future to find her past.
July 11, 2019
At first glance, this book seems like another rerun of Hunger Games, or perhaps Lord of the Flies. But as the story progresses, you realize that it is so much more than that. In a world of the future, where life is hard two rival factions struggle, each in their own way, to make it better. In such a struggle, complicated by preternatural abilities, family ties, betrayed friendships and more, hardness is prized. It is only by being hard that you can survive, that your people, your friends, your family can survive. Or is it?
Beyond the competitions, the war games the pursuit of physical and mental prowess, could there be another motivating force?
This is a wonderful book for teens as it moves beyond simple answers and requires the reader to think about moral dilemmas.
Beyond the competitions, the war games the pursuit of physical and mental prowess, could there be another motivating force?
This is a wonderful book for teens as it moves beyond simple answers and requires the reader to think about moral dilemmas.
July 8, 2019
“The Circle: Taken” is a great Young Adult book that holds up even for adults. The story of Alexia’s struggle to find out who she is and what she can do. Sage Sask creates a wonderfully detailed world that morphs with Alexia as she comes closer to the truth. The story is well written and has enough suspense, action and personal conflicts to keep you turning pages until the end. Great read, I would recommend it to others.
June 4, 2019
Wow! What an incredible book! One of those you just can’t put down! Anxiously awaiting book two to see what happens!
July 12, 2019
The Circle Taken is written with intense creativity. Sage Sask has created a fantasy world many of my middle school students would have been glad to visit. Recommended reading for school and home.
August 18, 2019
Not really a new concept but it was executed very well because the writing style was great that I really enjoyed it a lot! I haven't read a first POV in a long time so this was a treat.
The story is about Alexia who doesn't remember anything when she woke up on the shore of the beach. She is taken to an orphanage and stays there until she has to pass a test run by the government. In this world, people live in Zones because the war destroyed almost everything and so the government decides everything from what to work and how to live your life. There is a group called The Resistance which makes things worse since they're like a terrorist group.
During the test, Alexia fails because of her secret and is sent to the Circle where the story really starts and gets more interesting as it goes.
What I enjoyed the most is the suspense whenever Alexia has to keep her secrets and the angst between her and Ryan. The story also focuses a lot on their interaction which I loved the most and because of that, they're the most fleshed out. The other characters were fine but not as fleshed out as Alexia and Ryan.
What I didn't like much was some scenes during the Evaluation since I felt like it was rushed. I didn't like Shane's comic relief either, it felt too superficial for my liking. The reasoning for the Evaluation wasn't good enough for me either but everything else was great.
Overall, the ending felt a bit rushed but I'm invested so much that I really want to know what happens next! The way it ended and how things will be different in the next book really excites me so I'm really looking forward to reading the next book!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
The story is about Alexia who doesn't remember anything when she woke up on the shore of the beach. She is taken to an orphanage and stays there until she has to pass a test run by the government. In this world, people live in Zones because the war destroyed almost everything and so the government decides everything from what to work and how to live your life. There is a group called The Resistance which makes things worse since they're like a terrorist group.
During the test, Alexia fails because of her secret and is sent to the Circle where the story really starts and gets more interesting as it goes.
What I enjoyed the most is the suspense whenever Alexia has to keep her secrets and the angst between her and Ryan. The story also focuses a lot on their interaction which I loved the most and because of that, they're the most fleshed out. The other characters were fine but not as fleshed out as Alexia and Ryan.
What I didn't like much was some scenes during the Evaluation since I felt like it was rushed. I didn't like Shane's comic relief either, it felt too superficial for my liking. The reasoning for the Evaluation wasn't good enough for me either but everything else was great.
Overall, the ending felt a bit rushed but I'm invested so much that I really want to know what happens next! The way it ended and how things will be different in the next book really excites me so I'm really looking forward to reading the next book!
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.
May 23, 2019
When a Young Adult book questions the integrity of the genre and puts a young character in a more mature setting and circumstance, what you will get is a rollercoaster of emotions and augh!
The heroine of this story, Alexa, finds herself in a very dicey situation whereby she has to go on a hot chase for her mother all by herself. Not only that, she must fight her way through all obstacles as she endeavors to save her mother and other people around her, clinging to her life purpose and memory.
Doubt and self-absorbance are the two main characteristics that run through the story. It is obviously tough for Alexa in such an environment where no one can be trusted and everyone seems to be living for themselves.
A sweet but emotional read.
The heroine of this story, Alexa, finds herself in a very dicey situation whereby she has to go on a hot chase for her mother all by herself. Not only that, she must fight her way through all obstacles as she endeavors to save her mother and other people around her, clinging to her life purpose and memory.
Doubt and self-absorbance are the two main characteristics that run through the story. It is obviously tough for Alexa in such an environment where no one can be trusted and everyone seems to be living for themselves.
A sweet but emotional read.
June 4, 2019
Wow! What an incredible story! This is one of those books that you just can’t put down! Anxiously awaiting the second book to see what happens!
May 6, 2019
Full review to come as part of the blog tour
April 29, 2019
Most of the time, I either like a main character with few or no reservations or I close the book early because I can’t make a connection with the protagonist. Alexia evoked altogether different feelings because of her complexity and because the author allowed her to have faults, very natural faults at that. Alexia appealed to me because she’s not the near-perfect being who rarely makes a misstep. In essence, she is in search of herself while she learns some very valuable life lessons.
Taken is in some ways a study of good versus evil and how difficult it can be to know the difference, who can be trusted. I especially enjoyed this arc of the story because it’s such an essential part of a person’s growth and watching Alexia learn these things made her seem quite real. The Circle itself is full of contradictions, a quagmire of choices and decisions she has to face…much like what we’re all faced with in growing up.
Most of all, I was intrigued by Alexia’s search for her past and for a path to connect with those around her. She’s a girl I hope to see more of in the future.
Taken is in some ways a study of good versus evil and how difficult it can be to know the difference, who can be trusted. I especially enjoyed this arc of the story because it’s such an essential part of a person’s growth and watching Alexia learn these things made her seem quite real. The Circle itself is full of contradictions, a quagmire of choices and decisions she has to face…much like what we’re all faced with in growing up.
Most of all, I was intrigued by Alexia’s search for her past and for a path to connect with those around her. She’s a girl I hope to see more of in the future.
June 19, 2019
“The Circle: Taken” is well written, exciting tale following Alexia, a young girl with psychic powers who was abandoned as a child. We follow her as she comes of age in a society where every teen is tested and determined if they are a danger to others. Sage Sask writing brings Alexia and the world around her to life and draws you into the struggles she is facing. This book kept me on the edge of my seat as Alexia tries to conceal her powers and as she is trying to find out more about who she is.
June 24, 2019
The Circle is a young adult novel with a basic theme of conflict of loyalties. A young girl has special powers and due to this, she is discovered by the Circle. Earlier she was only concerned with her survival, but now she learns many things such as friendship, loyalty, service to the people, and keeping others before self. The struggle is inherent and continuous as there is a conflict of loyalties. A well-written plot that was an exciting page-turner.
October 5, 2019
Reviewed by Ciara (age 12) for Reader Views Kids (10/19)
When I finished reading “The Circle: Taken,” by Sage Sask, my mind was still racing over the events leading to the suspenseful ending. I honestly can say, I did not see it turning out that way.
Alexia who is an amazing main character, goes through so much in this story. I cheered for her and was on the edge of my seat hoping she was going to make it! I liked how the author used so many descriptive words and how the characters interacted so perfectly, it was as if the reader was there in the same room listening to the dialogue between them. The action was not over the top, just a rush of nail-biting suspense as Alexia gets closer to finding out who and what she really is, and about the organization that has taken control of everything she does. While she was talking to the other characters in the story, you yourself are wondering, can this person be trusted? What are they trying to get out of Alexia? Is this when she finds out what is really going on?
I admit there were more than a few sad parts in the story and Alexia really took her fair share of bang ups, but it was thrilling, as each chapter brought you closer to finding out who Alexia was, about her mom, and why she was so important, that people were getting killed for it. While reading the story you get this feeling like time is running out, and at any moment something really bad is going to happen. I honestly think this would make a great T.V. series, there is so much action and suspense.
Alexia was by far my favorite character in the book. She went through so much, most of the time for self-preservation. Trying to conceal her abilities, not knowing who to trust, being careful she said just the right thing, so thrilling, like a roller coaster ride till the very end.
“The Circle: Taken”, by Sage Sask is a great YA + book. I am really looking forward to finding out what happens in book two!
When I finished reading “The Circle: Taken,” by Sage Sask, my mind was still racing over the events leading to the suspenseful ending. I honestly can say, I did not see it turning out that way.
Alexia who is an amazing main character, goes through so much in this story. I cheered for her and was on the edge of my seat hoping she was going to make it! I liked how the author used so many descriptive words and how the characters interacted so perfectly, it was as if the reader was there in the same room listening to the dialogue between them. The action was not over the top, just a rush of nail-biting suspense as Alexia gets closer to finding out who and what she really is, and about the organization that has taken control of everything she does. While she was talking to the other characters in the story, you yourself are wondering, can this person be trusted? What are they trying to get out of Alexia? Is this when she finds out what is really going on?
I admit there were more than a few sad parts in the story and Alexia really took her fair share of bang ups, but it was thrilling, as each chapter brought you closer to finding out who Alexia was, about her mom, and why she was so important, that people were getting killed for it. While reading the story you get this feeling like time is running out, and at any moment something really bad is going to happen. I honestly think this would make a great T.V. series, there is so much action and suspense.
Alexia was by far my favorite character in the book. She went through so much, most of the time for self-preservation. Trying to conceal her abilities, not knowing who to trust, being careful she said just the right thing, so thrilling, like a roller coaster ride till the very end.
“The Circle: Taken”, by Sage Sask is a great YA + book. I am really looking forward to finding out what happens in book two!
September 18, 2019
18/09/2019
thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced e-copy
4.5 stars
Wow, this was such a surprise! At first I was hesitant, because I did not realize that this was a dystopian (Did not read the description well enough I think). This book was so good?? It kept me on the edge of my seat, the friendships and betrayals were amazing, and the things people did actually made sense. There were no unneeded romances, and the ending was very well done.
I highly recommend!
thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced e-copy
4.5 stars
Wow, this was such a surprise! At first I was hesitant, because I did not realize that this was a dystopian (Did not read the description well enough I think). This book was so good?? It kept me on the edge of my seat, the friendships and betrayals were amazing, and the things people did actually made sense. There were no unneeded romances, and the ending was very well done.
I highly recommend!
August 27, 2019
Very interesting it was slow at times but really picked up can't wait for the next one to see what happens with alexia
June 29, 2019
This is a really good YA novel, plain and simple. I am not a target audience, but I can appreciate a good book when I see it and this is one. It has everything that a first book in the series needs. There is an intriguing main character in Alexia, who is special and different but you don't feel like she is perfect or invincible or "the chosen one". There is also a compeling plot that keeps you on your toes with surprises and not too far fetched twists. I was pleasantly surprised with the writing, especially when I read that this is actually written by a team of authors. I have no idea how that works or how they produced a coherent, unified novel like this, but it has worked and it doesn't feel disjointed at all. Since this is a YA novel set in a light sci-fi setting, it has a slightly darker feel than I usually encountered in books like this, but it fits very well. I must say that this is an excellent effort, if I were 10-15 years younger, I would talk about this book all day and every day. Very good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews