Tomes of Shadowstalking

Welcome to the land of shadows, where evil is the greatest power, where nightfall marks the birth of terror, where your very soul is at risk. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with black magic and dark souls and encounter the monsters rule these wicked places.

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Black John, the scoundrel who sixteen years before manipulated the young people of Crowhaven Road into exploring the arts of witchcraft, died in a stand-off against the strongest of his former followers, who died with him. Now, however, he's back and ready to take over the coven he created...the one made up of his former followers' offspring. Only Cassandra Blake has a hope of stopping him--so says her grandmother--but now, as they search frantically for a way to defeat the resurrected witch, Cassie and her friends are beset by problems. Faye, the coven's leader, has apparently defected to Black John's side. Black John has the crystal skull that was one of the original coven's greatest tools. He's steadily turning the townspeople against the Club. A hurricane's bearing down on New Salem. And somehow, Black John knows everything about what's going on with them. Can even the discovery of the Master Tools help Cassie and the Club survive the catastrophe they're all plunging towards?

As much as I enjoy L.J. Smith's books, The Secret Circle--The Power must certainly be the best written of them all. Finally we get to see Faye put in her place, although the loss of her secrets doesn't stop her from striving for new power. Finally we get to see an actual conflict between the witches of the Club and witch hunters. There are certain comic elements that aren't really comic--such as the boy sitting in the stocks--that nonetheless add a touch of grim humor to the already tense tale. It's especially enjoyable to watch as the Club, struggling against Black John's manipulations and machinations, turn his own policies (he's now the principal of their high school) against him to protect themselves.

This time around we get to see a bit more witchcraft, and a bit more obviously than before. Earlier examples were mostly subtle and invisible--excepting Faye's exhibition in the first book. Of course, this time we don't really see explosions of fire and lightning slicing across the sky, but we do get to see a pillar of flame, the shattering of an amethyst, and peaceful dream visions brought along by a moonstone. And, of course, the end scene isn't to be missed!

Although a YA novel, The Secret Circle--The Power and the other two books in the trilogy are sure to be enjoyable and interesting to older readers as well. There are things in it--history, culture, geography, etc.--that are both informative and enjoyable. Just get the book and start reading and you'll know what I mean.

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