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cerise_floryn's review
5.0
I quite enjoy the depiction that Patrick Carman detailed in their continued rendition of this series! With this being the fifth book on the series, I admired the way I was carried along the book with beautifully detailed visuals tied together with character quirks and motions that made each character shine in their own unique way! Not to mention I loved the deep dive into the Holts family. I have to admit, I found myself loving their family dynamic and got to see them from a more "human" perspective. They felt less fictional and more dynamically familial than they have before.
Spoiler:
- I loved how Patrick created a cute friendship dynamic between Dan and the "Hammer". I found myself waiting for the cute moments between the two of them where each mission was sparking a friendship between the two of them. As well, I also ADORED the Holts' mother. She was a shining star in this book.
Spoiler:
- I loved how Patrick created a cute friendship dynamic between Dan and the "Hammer". I found myself waiting for the cute moments between the two of them where each mission was sparking a friendship between the two of them. As well, I also ADORED the Holts' mother. She was a shining star in this book.
jademelody's review
4.0
The intrigue in this book was great. The different places and missions Dan & Amy went on were interesting as well, plus the journey's of the other teams we heard of as well.
There were some character absences that I didn't mind, and actually made the focus on the plot much better. The addition of new characters was enjoyable as always. I'm surprised I'm able to follow it all.
The only thing that left me a little disappointed was the end message. It seemed to provide information we already knew, when typically it gives a clue to the reader as to where the next book will be set or some information about Grace. I missed it in this one.
There were some character absences that I didn't mind, and actually made the focus on the plot much better. The addition of new characters was enjoyable as always. I'm surprised I'm able to follow it all.
The only thing that left me a little disappointed was the end message. It seemed to provide information we already knew, when typically it gives a clue to the reader as to where the next book will be set or some information about Grace. I missed it in this one.
bookonarooftop's review
2.0
If you like clues, lots of history facts and plot which does not really end, you will like these series too. It started good, as I found first few books interesting but with more and more books it is becoming repetitive.
jscarpa14's review
5.0
When Amy and Dan receive an early morning telegram, they sneak away to the airport to find out just who exactly knows where they are and secrets about their past that only Grace would know. What they discover are two plane tickets, passports and disguises as well as a clue to discovering who send them and why. With a flight that leaves in an hour and a thirty six hour deadline to find clues in six different cities Amy and Dan head off to Russia leaving Nellie and Saladin behind. The task before them is impossible and they have no choice but to enlist help. With limited option they choose to put their trust in Hamilton Holt. The two teams split up passing information back and forth as they race to meet the deadline, but will they make it in time? Who is the mysterious N.R.R. – a friend helping them locate a clue or a foe leading them into a dangerous trap? And will the Holts double cross them as everyone else has?
Carman adds an extremely interesting installment to the 39 Clues series with The Black Circle. In this fast paced, well written novel readers are immersed in information about Rasputin, the Romanovs and multiple other notable Russian figures. The information for the most part follows with the rest of the series and I didn’t notice any discrepancies. If there are any they aren’t obvious. While the novel answers some questions from previous books, it also raises many others and you’re left wondering yet again just who can be trusted. You learn more about the Madrigals, but still don’t exactly understand who they are or what their purpose is. You’re brought back into Lucian territory with Lucian leaders and suspicion is cast on different characters. The book is written mostly in a close third person offering a variety of point of views. It’s educational, exciting and thrilling from beginning to end.
The characters stay for the most part true to form. We have some decent scenes in both Amy and Dan’s points of view in which their characters continue to grow and flesh out. Characterization also continues with Hamilton and Irina. We also see a little bit of Ian with a follow through of him actually feeling something for Amy, but ignoring it because of his values I guess you’d say. We’re finally getting the picture that these characters are not all good or evil, more their lives have shaped them into what they are.
Overall an excellent installment from Carmen, can’t wait to read more
Carman adds an extremely interesting installment to the 39 Clues series with The Black Circle. In this fast paced, well written novel readers are immersed in information about Rasputin, the Romanovs and multiple other notable Russian figures. The information for the most part follows with the rest of the series and I didn’t notice any discrepancies. If there are any they aren’t obvious. While the novel answers some questions from previous books, it also raises many others and you’re left wondering yet again just who can be trusted. You learn more about the Madrigals, but still don’t exactly understand who they are or what their purpose is. You’re brought back into Lucian territory with Lucian leaders and suspicion is cast on different characters. The book is written mostly in a close third person offering a variety of point of views. It’s educational, exciting and thrilling from beginning to end.
The characters stay for the most part true to form. We have some decent scenes in both Amy and Dan’s points of view in which their characters continue to grow and flesh out. Characterization also continues with Hamilton and Irina. We also see a little bit of Ian with a follow through of him actually feeling something for Amy, but ignoring it because of his values I guess you’d say. We’re finally getting the picture that these characters are not all good or evil, more their lives have shaped them into what they are.
Overall an excellent installment from Carmen, can’t wait to read more
rara2018's review against another edition
2.0
Ok so I really enjoyed the Holt x Cahill sleuthing bond, but I could not STAND the Kabra plot line this time around. Irina’s story is interesting, but still feels a little half assed, and, once again, Nellie has been removed from the plot. I did like that there was some more interpersonal drama unfolding here and NRR was a fun character that I really enjoyed. I will say, though, that making the Cahill’s royalist a was a lame thing to do. Like please grow up and develop critical thinking and stop being a boot licking conspirator. The book was fine, and I’m slowly getting more into the series, but the inconsistent characterizations is just boring and frustrating.
librarylisa614's review
4.0
Really enjoyed the info about how Rasputin died. Very interesting. As were the conspiracy theories that almost painted Rasputin in a good light (odd, since I always assumed he was the "bad guy" in the story, thank you Anastasia).
ali_kindberg101's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
djinnia's review
3.0
A mysterious person has the Amy and Dan on the next flight to Russia. They find the Holts but make a deal with one of them to help each other.
They delve into Romanov history. Rasputin is made out to be not so bad. Uh, nope, thinking that's a BIG fallacy.
It wasn't a bad book, but there was a what if that was so illogical that it was a bit much for me.
They delve into Romanov history. Rasputin is made out to be not so bad. Uh, nope, thinking that's a BIG fallacy.
It wasn't a bad book, but there was a what if that was so illogical that it was a bit much for me.