Circle of Silence

Author: Carol M. Tanzman
Format: eARC
Print Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: July 24, 2012

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.

My Thoughts

Valerie Gaines is a gal with a mission, to win the much sought after Student Emmy Awards for her school’s TV news show Campus News.  She has the best crew for the job even with her ex-boyfriend, Jagger as a last minute addition. There is tension between Val and Jagger- although the reader does not find out why until at least half way into the book.  Val attempts to overlook the tension in order to get the story- who is the group MP and what is their agenda?  Ahhhh..  this is the mystery portion of the story. 

The great thing about this book is that at times the audience gets to see inside the leader of MPs head.  This is done through the MP log- although it is unclear as to if this log is on the internet or just on someone’s computer.   There is discourse with the group later on in the book, which is understandable given where the group ends up going with their pranks.

There was too little romance for my liking.  In fact it is due to the lack of romance that connecting with Valerie was a little difficult.  Being on her side against Jagger was hard- as he showed more emotion than her at times.  Ultimately, it was Marci that convinced me that Jagger was in the wrong instead of Valerie.   Even when someone close to her ends up getting hurt-it felt like she was watching it and not experiencing it.    

Had there been an emotional attachment to the main character I would have had trouble putting the book down.  The mystery part of the book rocked awesome sauce.  It was my inability to connect fully with the main character that caused this book to be rated 3 out of 5 stars.

My Rating 3 stars out of 5

Other Characters

Marci- Valerie’s best friend, often times the voice of reason for Val and the news crew

Jagger- ex-boyfriend, placed on her news crew

Bethany- Valerie’s loner sister

Raul- on Valerie’s news team, has a crush on her