My ParenTime | Special Book Review: W.I.T.C.H. The Power of Five (Book 1)

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Special Book Review

"W.I.T.C.H. The Power of Five (Book 1)"
READ MORE ABOUT THIS ITEM When two new girls in the neighborhood make friends with three other girls, they discover the psychic powers within themselves. Together, they are joined by something powerful...yet not fully explained in the first volume of a fantasy series of books from Disney, titled, "W.I.T.C.H. The Power of Five."

In this book, five friends become guardians of the Veil, and each undergo a transformation. In addition, each hold special earthly powers, except for one, who is the Keeper of the Heart of Candracar. There are many questions the girls need answered, but for now the purpose of their special powers remain a mystery.

I have read that the original version of this book series was published in Europe as anime -- which I have not read. I usually have no trouble writing reviews, but this book offered me a challenge. I guess I'll begin with the positives... This series of books are from Disney, a well-trusted name :). Five girls make friends and discover they have special powers, but they don't know their exact purpose yet. They like clothes and boys, go to school, and have displayed their willingness to save each other from harm. There are many questions left unanswered in this first volume, which paves the way for greater detail in the following volumes (which have not yet been read or reviewed). There are a few pages of comics inserted in the beginning and end of the book, which help explain some of what is written. A collector card is also included with the book.

Now for the negatives... I first invited my 8½ yr old daughter to listen to me read the story aloud...I wanted to get her opinion as well as my own. She lost interest before I finished the first half of the book, so I finished it on my own. I have read many children's books and I was quite surprised at my own reaction to this book. The story didn't flow well, especially in the first half of the book. I noticed an overuse of adjectives, almost like the author was trying way to hard to over-describe things. Then on page 4, I was surprised to read the following line: "But this one was a skinny girl with half a dozen cowlicks in her red hair and a chest that was almost as flat at (sp?) Taranee's." Maybe it's just me, but I believe 9 yr old girls do not need to be reading a negative comment such as this. Something else that bothered me...why do the "friends" have to be mean to each other? I was surprised at the serious tone of the story, and through all of the chapters, I struggled to find something to grab my attention. I even gave it a second read.

MyParenTime.com would recommend this first book in the W.I.T.C.H. series, but not to preteens. Since this review stems from personal opinions, this does not mean that other readers will not find this book enjoyable. This first book definitely offers mysteries and questions... I can only hope that the other volumes follow with more mystery, adventures and answers...combined in an interesting story.

~My ParenTime July 2004

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