Review: Circle of Silence by Carol M Tanzman

Circle of Silence 
Carol M. Tanzman
Series: WiHi, #2
Publication date: July 24th 2012
by Harlequin Teen

 

THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDS It's my turn to run a "Campus News" crew, and I've put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.

A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under "strange" circumstances.

I "will" blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt...or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don't trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is "not" important to this story.)

But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast...be sure to watch "Campus News" at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

*A copy was provided by Harlequin Teen for review purposes*

As an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, and after really enjoying Carol's other novel, Dancergirl --Circle of Silence's companion--, this one has been high on my anticipated reads of the year. Regardless of me giving it a 3-star rating, I did truly enjoy it, where it lost its flair on me is on a more individual standpoint which may not be of concern for most readers.

For one, I felt very distant from out protagonist, Valerie. The journalism aspect is interesting, but I felt like some of the decisions she makes are too high stake for a small school news report, as if she thought she was working for CBS and it was expected of her to put her own life on the line. I also found she missed a few clues that, to me at least, were incredibly evident. Consequently, I put this mystery together not far from the half way mark, which inadvertently made the rest of the clues even more obvious. So naturally, I wasn't kept as captivated by the suspense of the mystery as I was hoping, which, in the end, turned out to be anticlimactic for me. Nonetheless, it didn't make it uneventful. I was still intrigued by MP -- the secret society -- and what they were planning next. I was especially delighted to see them share their point-of-view; while keeping their identities hidden, we're given an inside look at their intentions and schemings inside chapters in their perspective. I also enjoyed the dark, dreary tone throughout that progressively got creepier, not to mention a heck of a lot more serious.

Although never the focal point, there's a fairly big romantic undertone in the story. We've got Valerie's ex who cheated and now trying to mend his broken relationship, and Valerie's not sure he can be trusted again. I liked how Jagger was portrayed; even though he's a cheater and I should hate him for it, he's not trying to justify his actions, but rather show that he's remorseful and made a mistake. Plus, it was fun to see Valerie make him work for it. I won't say that I got any butterflies, but it's a cute and sweet romance that gives a good distraction from the more sombre notes.

An entertaining mystery with a good amount of thrill and chill, despite my not getting blown-away, I would still definitely recommend it for fans of the genre. 

3 Hot Espressos

The WiHi series:

Note: these are companion novels and can be read as stand-alones or out of order

 Have a look at my review of Dancergirl here!

Circle of Silence Tour Stop

Today I have the fabulous Carol Tanzman over the blog for Circle of Seilence's Blog Tour. I previously enjoyed her other novel, dancergirl - find my review here - and stay tuned for my review of Circle of Silence later this week! For today's post, I have an interview with Carol, along with a pretty awesome giveaway ;)

Circle of Silence 
Carol M. Tanzman
Publication date: July 24th 2012
by Harlequin Teen

 

THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDS It's my turn to run a "Campus News" crew, and I've put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.

A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under "strange" circumstances.

I "will" blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt...or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don't trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is "not" important to this story.)

But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast...be sure to watch "Campus News" at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

Interview with Carol M. Tanzman

Hi Carol! Thanks so much for dropping by!
Q. Circle of Silence is stated as book 2 in the WiHi series, but it doesn't seem to be a sequel, can you tell us how it relates to dancergirl?

The books are, in essence, companion books. They’re stand-alones, they come to their own conclusions, and don’t have to be read in order. They are however, linked by setting; each book takes place in Brooklyn at the same high school, fictional Washington Irving High or WiHi, as the students call it. The main character in Circle of Silence makes a minor appearance in dancergirl and some of the characters from dancergirl make appearances in Circle of Silence. Since they are both contemporary YA thrillers, it was a way to write separate books while at the same time there’s something to unify them for the reader. 

Q. Circle of Silence deals with secret societies in a high school, did your high school have secret clubs or weird quirks, or was it pretty boring (like mine)?

If my high school had a secret society, it was so secret no one knew about it! Like almost all high schools, however, we had pretty distinct cliques. I was in the theatre clique. Part of what I’m writing about in Circle of Silence is identity and labels. I do think my high experience of being so identified with one group played a major part in the writing of the book.

Q. What was one of the best parts of writing this book?

I loved experimenting with two voices. I wasn’t sure that it would work at first, but the second “voice” ended up adding more tension and depth than I ever could have had with just a single first person point of view throughout. 

Q. What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished writing a quirky tween mystery with comedic touches. A bit of a departure for me but it was a lot of fun to write. I’m also starting another YA —but it’s too new to be able to talk about yet.

This or That:
- Bookmark or Dog eared? Dog eared. I wish I could say bookmark because I always feel bad dog-earring, but it’s the truth.  

- Paperback or Hardback? Paperback. It’s the economics of it as both reader and writer. Both Circle of Silence and dancergirl are published in paperback, which makes it very affordable. 

- Coffee or tea? Coffee, coffee, coffee. Cannot live without my caffeine fix! 

- Funny or scary? Scary. I love thrillers!

- Bad boy or good boy? Ah, well, I’ve always been attracted to the bad boy who, it turns out, has a good boy streak hidden inside!

- Simpsons or Family Guy? Simpsons. Been on so long, they’re like family.

- Hunger Games or Harry Potter? Hunger Games. Katniss is an amazing female character!

---

Thanks so much for having me a part of the tour, Carol! I'm happy that I got to know you! And not only because you love coffee so much :D

 

Carol's Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Carol M. Tanzman is an award-winning theatre director and nationally recognized arts educator. Her first YA novel, The Shadow Place, was on YALSA's Quick Pick List of Recommended Books, the National Council of Teachers of English ALAN List of Best Books, and the CA Collection for Middle & Senior High Schools. In addition to the current Harlequin Teen books dancergirl and Circle of Silence she is a contributing poet to the upcoming Dare to Dream…Change the World anthology.

This post is a part of:

Full tour schedule:
Monday, July 23rd - Alice Marvel's
Tuesday, July 24th Book Birthday - Evie Bookish
Wednesday, July 25th - The Book Cellar 
Friday, July 27th - Kindle Fever

Monday, July 30th - Xpresso Reads
Wednesday, August 1st - Reading Angel
Friday, August 3rd - Harlequin Blog

Monday, August 6th- Letters Inside Out
Wednesday, August 8th - Chapter by Chapter
Friday, August 10th - I Just wanna Sit here and Read 

Cover Reveal: Circle of Silence, Sapphire Blue, Shadowfell & Knee Deep

Circle of Silence
(WiHi series #2)
Carol M. Tanzman
Release date: August 2012
by Harlequin Teen

Add it to your Goodreads

THE BIGGEST STORY

OF MY LIFE

COULD BE HOW IT ENDS

It’s my turn to run a Campus News crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.

A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flag pole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda, or initiation secrets—until a student lands in the hospital under strange circumstances.

I will blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt…or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is not important to this story.)

But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch Campus News at 9:00 a.m. this Friday morning.

The WiHi series:

Sapphire Blue

(Edelstein Trilogie #2)

Kerstin Gier
Release date: October 30th, 2012
by Henry Holt and Co.

Add it to your Goodreads

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean. At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

The Edelstein series:

Shadowfell
Juliet Marillier
Release date: November 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers

Add it to your Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Neryn is alone in the land of Alban, where the oppressive king has ordered anyone with magical strengths captured and brought before him. Eager to hide her own canny skill--a uniquely powerful ability to communicate with the fairy-like Good Folk--Neryn sets out for the legendary Shadowfell, a home and training ground for a secret rebel group determined to overthrow the evil King Keldec.

During her dangerous journey, she receives aid from the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. She also finds help from a handsome young man, Flint, who rescues her from certain death--but whose motives in doing so remain unclear. Neryn struggles to trust her only allies. They both hint that she alone may be the key to Alban's release from Keldec's rule. Homeless, unsure of who to trust, and trapped in an empire determined to crush her, Neryn must make it to Shadowfell not only to save herself, but to save Alban.

Knee Deep

Jolene Perry

Release date: May 1st, 2012

by Tribute Books

Add it to your Goodreads

Shawn is the guy Ronnie Bird promised her life to at the age of fourteen. He's her soul mate. He's more uptight every day, but it's not his fault. His family life is stressful, and she's adding to it. She just needs to be more understanding, and he'll start to be the boy she fell in love with. She won’t give up on someone she’s loved for so long.

Luke is her best friend, and the guy she hangs with to watch girlie movies in her large blanketopias. He's the guy she can confide in before she even goes to her girlfriends, and the guy who she's playing opposite in Romeo and Juliet. Now her chest flutters every time he gets too close. This is new. Is Ronnie falling for him? Or is Juliet? The lines are getting blurry, but leaving one guy for another is not something that a girl like Ronnie does.

Shawn’s outbursts are starting to give her bruises, and Luke’s heart breaks as Ronnie remains torn. While her thoughts and feelings swirl around the lines between friendship and forever, she’s about to lose them both.

Other books by Jolene Perry:

Phew there is a lot of pretty on here! If you haven't heard of the WiHi series yet you can read my review on Dancergirl here. I find the covers are very fitting. I really love the deep colors in the Sapphire Blue cover. Shadowfell and Knee Deep are both very eye catching. They both sound like great reads too.

What do you think?

Review: dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman

dancergirl
Carol M. Tanzman
Release date: November 15th, 2011
by Harlequin Teen

Goodreads / Purchase

Ever feel like someone's watching you? Me, too. But lately it's been happening in my room.
When I'm alone.

A friend posted a video of me dancing online, and now I'm no longer Alicia Ruffino. I'm dancergirl. And suddenly it's like me against the world—everyone's got opinions.
My admirers want more, the haters hate, my best friend Jacy—even he's acting weird. And some stalker isn't content to just watch anymore.
Ali. Dancergirl. Whatever you know me as, however you've seen me online, I've trained my whole life to be the best dancer I can be. But if someone watching has their way, I could lose way more than just my love of dancing. I could lose my life.

 *A copy was provided by Harlequin for review purposes*

 

Oh wow! For a book that I had no expectations, I ended up really enjoying it! I love when that happens. The creepy premise is what made me want to read this. A girl being stalked because of an online video - count me in!

dancergirl (very hard to not put a capital D *twitch*) starts off smoothly and brings us into the life of Alicia - Ali - who is just a regular girl with a passion for dancing. Ali is your average high school girl who thrives on popularity. Which is why she's fine with the video that's been posted online by a classmate, of her dancing at a concert. What she doesn't expect, is when another video is uploaded of her dancing… in her room, alone. I really enjoyed Ali's personality. She wasn't perfect and she makes some bad decisions, but that's what makes her real. I did have a problem with her having no qualms about the first video getting online, though. Sure it was taken from a classmate she knows, but he never asked if it was ok to post it online, and she just shrugs it off, then agrees to do more! See what I mean about her bad decisions? Videos online = stalker magnet! Everyone knows this. This was, however, the only issue I had with her character.

As I'm sure you guessed, there is a lot of dancing in this story. Ali has a deep love for dance; her life revolves around it. I was never as much into it as Ali, but I love dance as well. I've taken classes for a few years and performed at a couple of shows. So I could really relate to the dancing and the rush of performing. I got stage fright right along with Ali - I could feel it! Those part were a lot of fun for me and added some lighthearted moments to the otherwise anxious mood of the book.

Now on to the best part - the stalker plot. All throughout the book I felt chills for Ali and feared for her. It's so incredibly easy to imagine all of this happening, that it got me very unsettled. Not knowing when someone's watching or what part of your privacy is being taken from you - that's incredibly discomforting. I didn't find it hard to guess who the stalker was. I do read and watch a lot of suspense stories like this though so it's hard to surprise me anymore. Regardless, I still thought it was a fantastic thriller with a realistic setting and gripping suspense. I'm curious what the rest of the series will entail since this one ends like a stand alone. But I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Carol is a great author and I absolutely recommend you give dancergirl *twitch* a try.

4 Hot Espressos