So Mote It Be (Circle of Three)

I had planned to write reviews for each of the Circle of Three books as I read them, but I was just too bloody eager to jump into the next one each time to sit down and type. Therefore, this is really a review of the series as a whole. I think this is appropriate, because the books actually tell one story in 15 parts.I picked up "So Mote it Be" at the library because I'd been saying for years that there should be some Wiccan fiction for teens and young adults and figured that I should give this a shot. I was fully expecting to be as disappointed as I was by Silver Ravenwolf's "Witches' Night Out", but I was very pleasantly surprised.I am not a teen and have not been such for a few more years than I'll readily admit to in public. However, I was easily able to look past the slightly basic language and plotting. The characters seemed very alive to me almost from the beginning. I have known all these girls (even dated them all, in my younger days) and was amazed with how well the author portrayed the girls, their trials, their triumphs, and even their not always logical thought processes. Her characters were teen girls, not children nor adults, and they almost always rang true as such.As a Witch, however, what I was most pleased with was the presentation of Wicca. This is the Craft as it is really practiced. Perhaps, since it is so different from Witch to Witch, I should say "the way it COULD be practiced". This is not hollywood Wicca (as much as I love Buffy, the all female thing and the black-eyed thing always bug me a bit). This is so close to the true practice that an aspiring Witch could do much worse for source material. In fact, I really hope that the author decides to write a non-fiction book.The fifteen part story follows the girls from their first fledgling steps into Magick, through training in Wicca, and finally to initiation. I think that even the purists who will say that "we don't do it that way" will have to admit that one *could* do it that way, and be drawn into the story. Just let go your preconceptions about what YOUR path is, and have fun following the Circle of Three on theirs. You'll thank me. :)The circle is open, but never broken...

I really enjoyed this series (even at age 24) and so did my fiance.Kate did seem shallow in the first book, but having read the series, I was quite impressed by the way the character matured. The three characters--Kate, Cooper and Annie--are quite different from each other (the popular girl, the rebel rocker, and the bookworm) and so most people will find at least one character they can identify with.Although not 100% realistic, I'd say these are at least 90% realistic, and portray Wicca in an accurate and realistic light.If you're looking for supernatural horror, this isn't it. IF you're looking for a character-based series about real Wicca, you've found it.

Kate is your normal high schooler (isn't this how it always seems to start?). Well, she's shallow, insenstive, and way too worried about social class. She's on the basketball team, and in love with a senior football player, Scott (who is in love with Terri). Two of her best friends (Tara, Jessica) are on the team with her, and her other friend (Sherrie) is a cheerleader.Now, Kate starts off having a run of the mill bad day, then in history she gets assigned the Witch Trails for midterm. Not exactly thrilled she just picks up any books and leaves the library. And when she gets home she finds her parents are working late. She studies and finds she picked up a spell book, freaked out she goes and eats dinner, but comes back and finds a love spell. Not thinking it will really work, she does it. (stupid!) Kate not only manages to have Scott fall in love with her, but every other boy in the whole school! Scott dumps Terri after asking her to the dance only a day before, and takes Kate. To say the least, none of the girls in the school are impressed. Things get out of hand, so Kate finds out who checked out the book before her; Annie. Annie is bookish, sciencey, and not the type Kate would picture as a person interested in Wicca, but it couldn't hurt. When they fail to accomplish ending the spell, Kate and Annie are still becoming friends. But not without conflict. They only have one move to do, find out who checked out the book before Annie. They meet Cooper, loner, rock 'n' roll, and most people find scary. They become friends, after a lot happens.I'm tired of typing, read! Later!

I couldn't believe it when I found this series in a bookstore in an airport. I was just there to kill time waiting for my next flight, when I spotted the books. I bought one and was immediately swept off my feet. It's not great litterature, but it is great teen fiction. It is also a realistic portrayal of modern day witchcraft, not hollywood mumbo jumbo but reall day to day Wicca! I was flabberghasted by the accuracy and tenderness displayed in the novel. When my travels took me back to that airport, I made a B-line for that bookstore. I bought the first seven books (they did not have book 8 and I believe 9, 10, and 11 have not yet been published.) I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I highly recommend it for teen pagans (you aren't alone!) and their parents. Start a discussion with your parents today, give them this book before you come out of the broom closet.

Yes, this is a fun, quick read. But there is a lot of solid information in here for young people (or anyone) looking to learn about Wicca. As a practicing witch for many years, as well as a young adult librarian, I've read everything out there for this age group on witchcraft. The SWEEP series is fine--but it's fantasy. The SECRET CIRCLE books are, well, misleading. Only Isobel Bird's CIRCLE OF THREE presents magic in a realistic way without sensationalizing it. As for Kate being a poor choice for the POV character because she's shallow, that's the whole point of the book. She needs to change her life, and she will do that through magic. Witchcraft is about empowerment and about changing your life--not about hocus pocus and wand-waving. They're great reads, and invaluable if you want to find out what being involved in Wicca is really like. Save SWEEP and CHARMED and BUFFY for your fantasy time. Read CIRCLE OF THREE and get lost in the power of true magic.