The Circle Cast by Alex Epstein - Revision history

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Sue: Created page with '{{infobox |title=The Circle Cast |sort= Circle Cast |author=Alex Epstein |reviewer=John Lloyd |genre=Teens |summary=A strong approach to the Arthurian battles as a young girl gro…'

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Created page with '{{infobox |title=The Circle Cast |sort= Circle Cast |author=Alex Epstein |reviewer=John Lloyd |genre=Teens |summary=A strong approach to the Arthurian battles as a young girl gro…'

New review

{{infobox
|title=The Circle Cast
|sort= Circle Cast
|author=Alex Epstein
|reviewer=John Lloyd
|genre=Teens
|summary=A strong approach to the Arthurian battles as a young girl grows into the compelling figure of Morgan le Fay.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|paperback=1896580637
|hardback=
|audiobook=
|ebook=
|pages=240
|publisher=Tradewind
|date=February 2011
|isbn=978-1896580630
|website=
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1896580637</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1896580637</amazonus>
}}

Anna is just a girl of eleven, when her father is involved in protecting the British Isles from the Saxon invaders. But, when the warlord Uter Pendragon decides to claim her mother Ygraine as his, with lethal consequences, things change. Her locale - from southwestern England, to sanctuary in Ireland. Her standpoint - from proud young girl absorbing some passed-down military knowledge, to a young woman of magic, bent on vengeance. And her name - from Anna, to Morgan.

This is a book cleverly pitched for two camps. The adult reader may sigh of ennui at another rewrite of some strand of Arthurian legend, although of course the growth in the character of Morgan le Fay has not been too-often touched upon. Here, Merlin makes slight appearances, Uter is a uniter of the country with a debatably nasty mien and legacy, and Morgan is... well, read on.

And the young fantasy reader will be doing that without my behest. It's a subtle read, as the exiled girl forms a spiritual link with a Morrigan-style character, and grows in magical ability and arcane knowledge. The cut and thrust of primitive battle is initially absent in the favour of more personal, intimate events, leading to Morgan's romantic beginnings.

As a result this has an old-fashioned personality, with little to shine as a cinematic set-piece, but more a softer, more feminine edge. That's not to say it's exclusively for female teens, although this grown-up could quibble at the author's bluntly-given definitions of names lost in the mists of time as being not quite convincing enough.

But elsewhere there is enough authority, punch and conviction to the relevant chapter ends, and in scenes such as ones with a Christian missionary. The general sweep of Morgan's growth in power and experience push this beyond the edges of Arthurian fiction into a commendable teen fantasy. It doesn't have to continue on from the ending we get, but even on much more familiar ground as he would be, Mr Epstein could probably turn in something most compelling.

I must thank the publishers for my review copy.

This had a timeless fantasy quality, without chasing the obvious action, as the series begun with [[Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant|Blue Flame by K M Grant]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1896580637}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=sku}}

{{commenthead}}

@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 I must thank the publishers for my review copy.
-This had a timeless fantasy quality, without chasing the obvious action, as the series began with [[Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant|Blue Flame by K M Grant]].  We think you'll also enjoy [[We Are Blood And Thunder by Kesia Lupo]].
+This had a timeless fantasy quality, without chasing the obvious action, as the series began with [[Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant|Blue Flame by K M Grant]].  We think you'll also enjoy [[We Are Blood And Thunder by Kesia Lupo]].  You might also enjoy [[Song of the Current by Sarah Tolcser]].
 {{amazontext|amazon=1896580637}}

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 This is a book cleverly pitched for two camps.  The adult reader may sigh of ennui at another rewrite of some strand of Arthurian legend, although of course the growth in the character of Morgan le Fay has not been too-often touched upon.  Here, Merlin makes slight appearances, Uter is a uniter of the country with a debatably nasty mien and legacy, and Morgan is... well, read on.
-And the young fantasy reader will be doing that without my behest.  It's a subtle read, as the exiled girl forms a spiritual link with a Morrigan-style character, and grows in magical ability and arcane knowledge.  The cut and thrust of primitive battle is initially absent in the favour of more personal, intimate events, leading to Morgan's romantic beginnings.
+And the young fantasy reader will be doing that without my behest.  It's a subtle read, as the exiled girl forms a spiritual link with a Morrigan-style character, and grows in magical ability and arcane knowledge.  The cut and thrust of primitive battle are initially absent in the favour of more personal, intimate events, leading to Morgan's romantic beginnings.
-As a result this has an old-fashioned personality, with little to shine as a cinematic set-piece, but more a softer, more feminine edge.  That's not to say it's exclusively for female teens, although this grown-up could quibble at the author's bluntly-given definitions of names lost in the mists of time as being not quite convincing enough.
+As a result, this has an old-fashioned personality, with little to shine as a cinematic set-piece, but more a softer, more feminine edge.  That's not to say it's exclusively for female teens, although this grown-up could quibble at the author's bluntly-given definitions of names lost in the mists of time as being not quite convincing enough.
 But elsewhere there is enough authority, punch and conviction to the relevant chapter ends, and in scenes such as ones with a Christian missionary.  The general sweep of Morgan's growth in power and experience push this beyond the edges of Arthurian fiction into a commendable teen fantasy.  It doesn't have to continue on from the ending we get, but even on much more familiar ground as he would be, Mr Epstein could probably turn in something most compelling.
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 I must thank the publishers for my review copy.
-This had a timeless fantasy quality, without chasing the obvious action, as the series begun with [[Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant|Blue Flame by K M Grant]].
+This had a timeless fantasy quality, without chasing the obvious action, as the series began with [[Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant|Blue Flame by K M Grant]].  We think you'll also enjoy [[We Are Blood And Thunder by Kesia Lupo]].
 {{amazontext|amazon=1896580637}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{infobox
+{{infobox1
 |title=The Circle Cast
 |sort= Circle Cast
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 |date=February 2011
 |isbn=978-1896580630
-|website=
+|cover=1896580637
-|video=
+|aznuk=1896580637
-|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1896580637</amazonuk>
+|aznus=1896580637
 }}

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 |buy=Yes
 |borrow=Yes
 |pages=240
 |publisher=Tradewind
@@ Line 37: / Line 33: @@
 This had a timeless fantasy quality, without chasing the obvious action, as the series begun with [[Blue Flame (Perfect Fire Trilogy) by Katie Grant|Blue Flame by K M Grant]].
-{{amazontext|amazon=1896580637}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=sku}}
+{{amazontext|amazon=1896580637}}
 {{commenthead}}