[Comparison] The Secret Circle: The Book Series vs TV-Show

 

The Secret Circle novel series much like its predecessor The Vampire Diaries book series--also penned by author L.J. Smith received a television adaptation on the CW. And since I read the initial trilogy of books and watched the television show, I figured I should see how the two compared.

First and foremost, I want to preface this comparison by saying like I mentioned beforehand, this comparison will only cover the television show and the first three novels of The Secret Circle book series: The Initiation, The Captive, and The Power. Throughout this comparison, I will cover and highlight the major key differences which stood out to me or grabbed my attention. This comparison is not comprehensive by any means. Lastly, there will be spoilers.

• In the books, the Circle had 12 members while the television show Circle only had 6 members. The Circle members notably absent from the TV-show are--Deborah Armstrong, Suzan Whittier, Christopher and Douglas Henderson, Sean Dulany, Melanie Glaser, and Laurel Quincey.
• Kori Henderson who was the sister of Christopher and Douglas Henderson was the previous candidate who was going to initially complete the Circle before she was murdered by Sean Dulany under Black John's influence.
• Melissa Glaser and Jake Armstrong who is Nick Armstrong's older brother are new characters who were created for the television show. Although, Melissa's character possesses some character traits of Circle members who did not appear in the show.
• Nick didn't have a sibling in the books like he does in the TV-show. However, instead, Deborah Armstrong was his cousin.
• The book versions of Faye Chamberlain and Diana Meade are cousins their televisions counterparts are not. Instead, Diana is Cassie's half-sister. Moreover, in the books, Diana served as Cassie's surrogate sister.
• During the books, Nick and Cassie entered into a brief romantic relationship. On the television show, Nick doesn't date Cassie at all and instead dates Melissa Glaser. Jake, his brother, on the other hand, did have a romantic attraction/interest in Cassie. 
• Cassie's mother is killed off in the television adaptation, but not in the books.
• Cassie's hair is blonde on the TV-show, but she's a brunette in the books. In a similar reversal, Diana's hair in the books is blonde but she's a brunette on the show.
• Faye's mother is alive on the television show but deceased in the books.
• On the TV-show, the parents who are still alive from the previous generation Circle play prominent roles while their book counterparts essentially take a backseat, especially in terms of action and importance. 
• There's a difference in Cassie's characterization in the books and on the television show. 
• The books present Cassie as an outsider at first. However, in the television show, the other Circle members were expecting and waiting for her arrival beforehand.
• In terms of the setting, the books take place in New Salem located on a small island in the Boston Harbor. All of the Circle's coven lived in houses on Crowheaven Road. The TV-show takes place in Chance Harbor, Washington and all of the Circle's members do not live on the same street.
• The search for the "Master Tools" (powerful magical artifacts that belonged to the original coven who settled in New Salem) was of the utmost importance. Also, there were more "Master Tools" displayed in the book besides the Crystal Skull. The television show only showcased the Crystal Skull.
• The battle in the book between Black John(Cassie's father) was somewhat anti-climatic. The television adaption version had much higher stakes and overall was executed better.
• Black John/John Blackwell's character motivations were somewhat different as well. The book version of him wanted to use the power of the Master Tools to lead the most powerful Circle to ever be created under his influence. Meanwhile, his television counterpart wanted to form a Circle made of up only individuals who had Balcoin blood(essentially his bloodline) and full of dark magic.    

Without a doubt, The Secret Circle TV-show was canceled prematurely and season two would have been an exciting, entertaining, and wild ride.