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 dead that asap!

The Circle is an interesting YA Dystopian read. A major part of the plot reminded me of The Hunger Games, but the story here is well-written and the characters were easy to understand. The story is quite fast paced and if the reader does not pay attention, it is easy to miss something important. 

Alexia, the protagonist, has no memory of who she is or about her family for more than 5 years. She lives at an orphanage and learns to just keep her head down and move forward. When her secret is discovered, she is sent to a secret place. Here she has to fight to prove herself, to train, all the while trying to figure out who she really is. As she navigates this world and discovers it's secrets, we are introduced to a group of people with a very specific way of thinking. 

The characters are well crafted and interesting, most in their teenage years. All of them seek to befriend Alexia for different reasons, but in the end they stand together as one group. This journey is wonderful to read about. As fast-paced as the story is, a lot happens in this book and it ends at a twist leaving the reader yearning for more. I enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next book, mainly to discover what happens to Alexia. The questions of how she deals with the truth behind her identity and the consequences of her decisions will hopefully be answered in the next book! This book is worth a read for fans of dystopian YA fiction.

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 Circle to be an enjoyable young adult, dystopian fantasy. The concept of the story reminded me a lot 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 have the qualities 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 more 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 stunted, superficial and insignificant.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading the sequel.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Intriguing. It's a dystopian novel, which quickly drew me in and left me scrambling to place it, compare it or make it fit.. against flashes of Kate Wilhelm's Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang, The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, The Culling Trials, or any number of other books. I wanted more depth, but I enjoyed the book. I wanted to read more not because it's a perfect book but because this author wove a tale with enough gut-wrenching humanity--foibles, frailty, and all--to make me care about this not-so-little girl, lost. Struggling with right-and-wrong, belonging, and a hunger for freedom, she is a rebel without a cause, devoid of all but a few bare flashes of memory as she desperately tries to make her way in a confusing and enigmatic secret world.

I was really a good book !

The story was interesting and well excecuted

At first it was hard to get into it because it was written from a first POV but I kept reading it and I was hooked !
The writting style was great.

I loved the characters especially Alexia.

I can't wait to read the sequel !

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 Circle: Taken by Sage SASK, 484 pages.
SBSK Corporation, 2019. $13.
Language: PG (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
With physical contact, Alexia can see the past and future of those she touches, but the one life she wants to know about alludes her -- her own. Alexia is captured by a group who know her secret and also have questions about her past. Depending on the answers they find, Alexia could be among enemies who want to kill her as easily as among friends who want to help.
The story was difficult to get into and follow because of the disjointed feel and an inadequate description of the powers Alexia has. After the first few chapters, the disjointed feeling faded as the story flowed through the main points. I found the story interesting, but I didn’t enjoy it -- I didn’t like the constant wavering between learning the “truth” just to find out that it wasn’t really the truth and something else is the real “truth,” which made being kept in the dark from the facts annoying instead of intriguing. However, after struggling to enjoy the book, I found that I loved the last several chapters -- if the first 400 pages hadn’t been so hard for me to get through, I would be looking forward to the sequel.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

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.

I found this book hooking. At 16, to have no recollection of your past, trying to survive must be hard. However, Alexia does this and you can feel the struggle. You can feel her knowing there is something off and that she cant quite put her finger on it, but its there at the back of her mind. To be different and try to not touch anyone. Alexia, already alone, must have felt so much more of that because she was constantly trying to limit all contact with other people to stop the visions.

This book is an amazing adventure. Not only does Alexia show us love, friendships and difficult choices but she also shows us that really she is us - only in another world. Everyone has their own battles, their own struggles, their own secrets.
I like that she has a destiny, but shes trying to change it.


I really recommend this book!!

Happy Reading!

This was a really interesting read. I liked it more than I initially thought I would. There's still a lot that's confusing as well, though. I want to know more about the Resistance's motivation. And I don't think the Circle is as good as they make themselves out to be. I hope there's a second book soon.

I was really excited to read this book. The plot was right up my alley and it was honestly everything I would want in a book. While I know this was an advanced copy I felt like there were parts of the storytelling itself that took me out of the story, One of the things I noticed was that there were parts where the sentence length was all about the same so it felt sort of choppy. I also wish that some parts went into more detail because I found myself getting confused about why some things were happening.

I honestly hope that these things were fixed in the final copy because I would've loved this book if it weren't for the things I mentioned before. The storyline was super interesting and an idea I would've really loved. Ultimately, that's why I chose not to review this one on my blog because it's a lot of things that bothered me and may not have bothered anyone else. So, I decided to leave my review open only to NetGalley as to not cloud anyone's judgment of this book one way or another.

If you are a fan of dystopian worlds, this book should be next of your TBR!

We fall into a world where on your 16th birthday, you are tested whether you may become a criminal or not, and if you are found to be the later, today becomes your death day.

So when the main character is about to be tested, her whole world comes into focus. But when a random woman saves her from a rebellion attack, maybe all she’s ever known isn’t as what it appears?

The book is filled with survival, friends, family, and a mission. The characters vibe well with the plot leaving you twisting and turning through special abilities, training, and tons of questions about her world and where she came from.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. The writing style was catchy and drew me in rather quickly leading me to finish it within a few sittings. There are some elements to the story that I found to be a little clique in YA, but it still presented with a unique twist that was fun to read.

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!

I had a hard time getting into the book at first, the last part it kicked in for me and I was hooked by the last sentence, I'm ready for book #2 now.

There were too many characters that I had to learn, and they weren't very well described,

I wasn't sure where the whole Ryan thing was going, it didn't feel like attraction like a love situation, I wondered if he could be a brother or something, the whole thing with him felt awkward, and I still am not sure why the author kept hinting jealousy or caring or why they cared so much, I just didn't follow that all, or feel that there was anything between them.

Aside from that I loved the world building and the imagination it took to create this world, and I am interested in follow the journey with book 2

#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!

This one was exciting! I love a good story that has lots of twists and turns.

Alexia was a great, complex character, which I always enjoy. Trying to figure out her past along with her was an interesting ride. This story asks a lot of questions about who to trust, who is right, who are the “good guys” and who are the “bad guys.” Should we trust the Circle? The Resistance? Neither? Within the Circle and the Resistance are individuals who are also very complex. Even if the Circle is supposed to be on the side of good, that doesn’t mean that its members are all on the up-and-up. There are lots of different shades of gray, which makes the characters feel much more real.

This story reminded me of several other great dystopian tales that I have read before, but still brought something fresh and new to the table. I definitely recommend it if you are a fan of the dystopian genre.

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.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, April 2019.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

Alright, let us start with our sometimes lovely main character Alexia, now she was a tough act to follow at first. But with me reading more about her she came across as a typical dystopian main character type of gal, which isn’t a bad trait just her thinking and actions reminded me of some of our very famous and well-loved heroines. I feel like sometimes I really did understand why she had a certain mindset with everything she has been through I just wish it wasn’t repetitive. Half the time is yes I get why she is the way she is but let’s have some character development and help her out of it! Which did overall happens throughout parts of the book so I appreciate the author giving her growth but also leaving some room to grow for the next book ( I believe there will be a second book but please don’t quote me)? I love how sarcastic Alexia is though like some of her comebacks I legit started laughing out loud too! I think that is one thing I love about dystopian main characters they go through so much that half the time they just laugh at there on pain just to lighten the mood. Also technically this book isn’t labeled as a dystopian but after reading the book and or synopsis you can totally tell! Now do I love Alexia? No not at all, not my favorite main character that I’ve read, but did I enjoy her story, her witty comments, and how badass she can be when she chooses to be, then yes I do love those qualities and aspects about this book and her as a whole. To keep this spoilery free all I will say is that I like her way more at the end and if there is a second book which I kinda hoping there is I feel like I will enjoy her more! I’m telling you character development is key and if the author writes her correctly for the next book Alexia will have a stamp of approval from me!

I am a person who never usually is at a lost for words but when it came to love interest and this book……. I truly don’t know how to explain who the heck Alexia is supposed to be with let alone my thoughts on if there is even love or any type of romantic interest in this book lol! What I’m saying is you can sorta see a potential love interest ( his name is Ryan) but the more I read through this book the relationship wasn’t really romantic half the time, as in half the time it felt more like a brother-sister bond or a girl and her protector. Than at little points like tiny areas, it felt like Alexia and Ryan should be together but then I would keep thinking about it and putting things together and it just never seemed like they should be one or even a unit. But right towards the middle like ten or fifteen chapters left the author tries to sneak in a love interest! I am usually well alert when it comes to love in any book since I am a helpless romantic, so if there was anything going with Alexia and said person ( I won’t say his name because I think it counts as a spoiler) I would’ve been caught on! So when the author slid that in I was like wait what when did this happen lol! I mean I don’t think it is a bad idea but I would’ve been more for it if the relationship had more substance and actual time to develop and not just like thrown in at a very awkward part ( like legit an awkward scene in the book it was hilarious though)! So as far as love and any type of relationship for Alexia I guess we just have to wait and see because I just don’t know guys.

At the end this book gave me nostalgia if I’m being honest it gave me a little bit of Shatter me by Tahera Mafi ( just the first book), along with a dash of Army of fire by Jennifer L Kelly, and just a bit of The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracker ( I only have seen the movie so I’m basing my opinion off of that)! all fantastic books and movies in my eyes! But overall I am giving this book 3.75 stars because there were some points that were very repetitive, I didn’t like how Alexia would just down herself even after she did a good thing, and like I said before the whole love interest thing just confused the life out of me! I will continue this series if it is one because the author managed to keep me curious and that only has me wondering certain questions that I will only get the answers to if I keep reading! Thank you again to Rockstar Book Tours for having me and also for me being the first review on the stop! All the links I mentioned will be down below as well as a little bit about the author :)! Have a great day and remember ❤ Always Love Your Books<3