So Mote It Be

In the first book of the series, Kate finds herself wishing that popular jock Scott would like a girl like her. After being assigned a project on the Witch Trials she accadentally lends a book at the library she didn't want, a book of spells. Feeling bored and with nothing to do she decides to try one out for a bit of fun, but the results aren't what she was expecting and she finds herself desperately looking for someone that will help her...

I enjoyed this book. It was a simple, fun read, nothing too surprising or anything though. Will I get through the other 10+ books? I don't know.
The character's were unique and all, but the book felt like it lacked something. Kate, as the narrator was good but she annoyed me. I think the spells show more should have been a little more life-threatening for me to be more ivterested, they were bland and not very well thought out... in fact one was ripped straight from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A good read if you like high school novels with a twist just don't expect anything too exciting. show less

This is the first book in the Circle of Three series. The books are young adult books, exploring the relationships and adventures of three rather different girls who begin exploring Wicca and witchcraft.

As with all first books in any series, this is the book where the characters get together, pushed by circumstance. They also begin to make breaks with their “old livesâ€? as they begin their explorations. Kate, the focus character of this book is the catalyst, after she casts a love spell that (of course) goes terribly wrong. She seeks out the studious Annie and the outlandish Cooper, who she thinks can help her reverse the effects of the spell.

The book is fairly standard young adult, though the inclusion of mentors – the show more owners of Crone's Corner, the local magic shop - is interesting. The characters aren't quite as cliched as some series, and it was a good enough read to prompt me to pick up another one in the series. show less

Kate casts a love spell with unforeseen results. Angst and teenage romance ensues. I'm not a particular fan of the romance genre, but being a Pagan, this book appealed to me. Surprisingly, it paints a technically correct (if a bit shallow) picture of Wicca, and explains the mechanics of spellcraft, which are the main plot element in the book. All in all, a cute, light-weight teen book.

In this book we are introduced to 3 girls who seem to have nothing in common. By the end of the story we have discovered that even if people appear to be different on the outside they can have a lot in common on the inside. Isobel Bird has done a great job of giving these girls unique characters which aids us in seeing the path to Wicca from thier different points of view.

I enjoyed reading this book and went out to get the rest in the series as soon as I finished it.

Interesting, simple read. YA, teenage girls playing with wiccan magic. First of a series of 2 or 3, not interested in the rest.

From the Witchy Books Network review blog.

Kate Morgan, a 16-year-old, popular basketball player, is assigned a term paper on the witch trials of the 17th century. Amongst the pile of books she checks out of the library, she finds an actual spellbook. Skeptical at first, she decides to try a love spell to attract the football-playing senior of her dreams. When the spell goes haywire -- earning her the attentions of every guy in school and the ire of all their girlfriends -- she begins wishing that magic wasn't real after all.

Out of desperation, she discovers who checked out the spellbook before her, revealing two unlikely allies -- science whiz Annie Crandall and punk rocker Cooper Rivers. As they work together to undo Kate's spell, show more Kate finds herself questioning everything about her world and is faced with a choice -- to leave magic behind completely, or to pursue this new path and see where it leads.

This book is a solid introduction to a wonderful series. Admittedly, on its own it has its flaws -- a lot of the secondary characters feel like stereotypical "high school students". However, the injection of Wicca and magic spices it up enough to keep the reader interested. By the end of the book, we se all three girls make small but cruicial steps towards growth and self-discovery that make the rest of the series worth reading.

Circle of Three is unique in that it's probably the most realistic series we'll review here. Isobel Bird wrote the books specifically to show the real world of Wicca. And while some of the books dip into the more explicitly supernatural (book 3 Second Sight, book 5 In the Dreaming, book 11 The House of Winter), it basically takes place wholly in the real world and showcases actual Wiccan practices.

Sadly, the series is out of print. However, the fansite Enter The Circle has a good rundown of all of your purchase options on their "Buy the Books" page. And you can read an excerpt on the HarperCollins website.

Book 1: * * * Series: * * * *

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Booktalk: Who do you have a crush on these days? Is it the kind of crush where the other person doesn’t know you exist? And are you thinking ‘what would it take for you to notice me please!’ What would YOU do to get that person to be interested in you? Just about anythig? Would you consider doing...witchcraft? That’s the predicament of Kate Morgan who’s been mooning over Scott Coogan of the football team. Yeah, it’s such a cliche, the sophomore girl falling for the senior football player. But Kate can’t help it. She’s got it bad for Scott Coogan but she’s not even a blip on his radar. ...books on persecuction of witches...including a book of spells...should have been careful...be careful of what you wish for, you just show more might get it...But at the time she doens’t know that, only that it wouldn’t hurt to try. And so she lights a circWith this ribbon I do bind/my heart to yours and yours to mine/love I call you, come to me/as is my will SO MOTE IT BE by Isobel Bird, book one in the Circle show less