The first review of the Secret Circle pilot comes from TV Line’s Matt Mitovitch, who is cautiously optimistic about the new CW drama.

Mitovitch, while not seeming overly enthused, notes that The Secret Circle will “stand a fighting chance” due to its Vampire Diaries lead-in. The Secret Circle is of course a series of books by the same author, and both series are spearheaded by Kevin Williamson, so Mitovitch predicts that the fan base will transfer. “You’re looking at one of the easiest programming calls around,” Mitovitch says.

He also expresses optimism about the casting:

Robertson is pretty darn perfect as Cassie, displaying sufficient amounts of disbelief about Chance Harbor’s secret circle, until Adam [played by Thomas Dekker] — in a beautifully shot, magical sequence — proves her power. Dekker, showing good chem with Robertson, is certain to cement heartthrob status among the CW fans.

Although Mitovitch does note that “resident bad girl” Faye, played by Phoebe Tomkin, “walks around with a permasmirk that, while befitting her character, at times reads as over-the-top.”

I suppose The Secret Circle will appeal more to teenagers, all things considered, but we can hope it’ll have the same edge and intrigue as its relative, The Vampire Diaries.

Read the full review here at TV Line.