Weave a Circle Round: A Novel

If I had come across this one when I was twelve, I expect I would have enjoyed it immensely; the blend of time travel and fantasy would have been just to my taste. As it is, it was still a fun read, though I don't think I'm quite the target audience anymore.The beginning is pretty classic children's literature, with a few modern flourishes - two mysterious strangers move into the strange old house next door to a family with three inquisitive kids and two parents who have effectively no role in the story. It's a blended family, and our protagonist's stepbrother is deaf, which ends up being a key plot point. Our protagonist, Freddy, does not get along too well with her stepbrother, which also ends up being a key plot point. One of the strangers, Josiah, appears to be a boy about Freddy's age; the other is an excessively eccentric woman, Cuerva Lachance. Josiah ends up in Freddy's class, disrupting her place in the high school hierarchy and sending her life into chaos - and that's before the two of them end up stepping through a portal into Viking-age Scandinavia.The temporal adventures that follow, as Freddy and Josiah are involuntarily yanked from one era to another were probably the part of the story I enjoyed most. As they travel through time, encountering other versions of Josiah and Cuerva along the way, Freddy grows up quite a bit, and starts to collect clues about the nature of the pair and their connection to her family. It's also Freddy who cleverly comes upon a way to end the time travel loop and return them to (more or less) her own time.I won't say too much about the last section, to prevent spoilers, but I will say that I found the ending a little harder to follow, as characters' reality-warping powers get a serious workout - after reading it, I know roughly *what* happened, but I'm a bit at a loss as to *how.* Still, if you (or a person you know) are looking for a high school adventure with some time travel, mystery, sign language, and tentacles, this might be the book for you.

I know teens can be annoying. I was one once. The thing is, I'm not anymore and I don't have the patience to read about a bunch of angsty teens whining about things over and over again for the course of a book while they make the wrong decisions because they're stubborn and won't listen to anybody. I disliked all of these characters and didn't really care about them. So even though the book had one of the more clever storytelling conceits that I'd read in awhile (though let's admit that it's been done before), I found myself pushing through it just to get to the end. I am relieved it's over with. That shouldn't really be how you feel about a book.

I enjoyed most of this book. Though I didn't connect with the main character of her family in the first section of the book, the mystery presented in the second section had me coming back to it every chance I got. I also enjoyed the way the author looped the time traveling, especially when it related to "present time." My sense of foreboding grew along with the main character, as the time travel played itself out. However, the ending of the book didn't deliver quite the punch I was expecting. I didn't follow some of it, and for the rest of it, I was a little out of my element regarding the fantasy elements. There was one moment that I really liked, that called back to the very beginning, but I can't say more than that. I appreciate Kari's mind toward continuity within a story.Overall, I'd say this book is worth a read, especially if you enjoy fantasy, fairy tales, and mythology.

A magical adventure that incorporates personal growth, learning to let go of the fear that accompanies navigating school social lines, and learning how to connect with people. Freddy is a believable and engaging protagonist. It was excellent watching her goals and priorities switch from being invisible to growing into her own power. Cuerva Lachance is a personal favorite character of mine. Loved watching how all the story's threads interwove and came together in the book's climax. Great start to my summer reading.

It's like if Hexwood and Archer's Goon had a baby with a dash of the poetry bit from Howl's Moving Castle. There are neglectful parents; ineffectual adults; prickly, angry siblings with complicated relationships; strange neighbors; myths and legends and poets and magic. What a great debut novel! I can't wait to see what she writes next!

A coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist. This would be great for young readers who enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, but I also enjoyed it as an adult. The two central supernatural characters were funny and fascinating, and the pieces came together at the end in a satisfying way.

Favorably reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones' Chrestomanci novels and Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me. Bits of whimsy and humor lighten the suspense. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Very reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones, a more sweeping, broader Eight Days of Luke. Also continues the trope of very neglectful parents and children left to cope largely on their own.

Maaren's novel is a transformative experience, a very special read full of characters that will linger with you long after you put it down. There's Freddy, the misanthropic heroine who doesn't make friends easily. There's her brilliant little sister Mel, and her awkward (and hearing-impaired) step brother Roland. But that's nothing compared to the new neighbours, insufferable Josiah and the erratic, magnificent, terrifying Cuerva LaChance. Some of the stakes may be familiar but Freddy's challenges are unlike anything I've read before, and take her (and us) through places and times and life lessons that will satisfy the adult in children and the child in adults alike.

I already have a copy of this book which I have read a few times now. Maaren displays an exceptional understanding and application of storytelling, fantasy, and history. This is an enchanting story for adults and young adults alike. We've purchased some extras to place in community library boxes in the area.

Time travel is tricky to write. This author does it beautifully. The characters are engaging and the story kept me guessing. I could NOT put it down. I have this author on my watch list (in the good way).

One of the most creative novels I have ever read in the good sense, of novel and different, not weird. Wonderful multi-dimensional characters, world building, and story. with plot twists right to the end. I inhaled this novel, and will read it again.

This book is so funny and original. I loved the story and recommend it without reservation