Kamppailu sydämestä

W.I.T.C.H. Adventures #1

by Lene Kaaberbøl, Marja Helanen-Ahtola (Translator)

Danny on hauskin poika, jonka Will on koskaan tavannut. Danny pyytää tytön kanssaan tivoliin, mutta kummitusjunassa hän yhtäkkiä katoaa Kandrakarin sydän mukanaan! Ilman amulettia noitajengi on pulassa, ja tytöt joutuvat pyytämään salaperäisen Oraakkelin apua. Seikkailu vie heidät toiseen maailmaan, salamanterimyrskyn keskelle. Mutta kuka tai mikä Danny oikeasti on? Saako Will salaperäisen amulettinsa takaisin?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Danish, Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Magic

112 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jeg kom til verden på Rigshospitalet i København d. 24.3.1960. Overlægen var i kjole og hvidt - han var blevet afbrudt midt i en gallamiddag - men min søster siger, at det er da ikke noget, hendes fødselslæge var i islandsk nationaldragt. Nogen vil mene at det således allerede fra starten var klart at jeg var et ganske særligt barn. Andre vil sikkert påstå at min mor bare var god til at skabe pludselige gynækologiske kriser.

Jeg blev altså født i København, men det må nok betragtes som en fejl, for min forældre er jyske, min opvækst foregik i Jylland (mestendels i Malling ved Århus), og jeg betragter mig i dag som eksil-jyde på Frederiksberg, på det mine jyske venner omtaler som Djævleøen (Sjælland).

Jeg har skrevet altid, eller i hvert fald lige siden jeg nåede ud over »Ole så en so«-stadiet. Som hestetosset teenager skrev jeg bøgerne om Tina og hestene (de to første udkom da jeg var femten, den fjerde og sidste da jeg var sytten). Som 18-årig opdagede jeg Tolkien og Ringenes herre, og derefter Ursula K. LeGuins trilogi om Jordhavet, og lige siden har mit bog-hjerte banket for eventyr og drageblod og verdener, der ligger mindst tre skridt til højre for regnbuen eller Mælkevejen, og under alle omstændigheder et pænt stykke fra den asfalterede danske virkelighed.

I dag, cirka 30 bøger senere, er jeg stadig lige så håbløst vild med at skrive som jeg altid har været. Og selv om jeg har været en lille smuttur i krimi-land og skrevet en kriminalroman for voksne - læs mere på ninaborg.dk hvis du har lyst - så er jeg bestemt stadig børnebogsforfatter og har stadig hang til magiske momenter!

Personal
Name Lene Kaaberbøl
Born 1960, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Education: Århus University, degree (English, drama). Hobbies and other interests: Playing pentanque.

Addresses
Office—Phabel & Plott ApS, Laksegade 12, St.th, DK-1063 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Career
Novelist. Formerly worked as a high school teacher, copy writer, publishing company editor, cleaning assistant, and riding teacher. Phabel & Plott ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark, owner and writer.

Honors Awards
Best Disney Novel Writer of the Year award, Disney Worldwide Artist Convention, 2001, for five "W.I.T.C.H." series novels.

Associated Names:
* Lene Kaaberbol (English)

Reviews

[tappkalina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Still not bad, but it clearly was written for kids. Thinking how obsessed I was with the w.i.t.c.h tv series and these books. And that Will was probably my first cruch... oh the memories.

[Kamila (a_book_in_a_library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As previously stated ✨witches✨

[Soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really liked this! I'm glad I read these as a child, I think they are very clever children's books, not at all condescending, just a really fun read for a 10-12 year old (maybe? I'm not sure about the age group).
Unfortunatley this book is not as funny as the TV show nor is it as serious + dramatic as the comic books could be, but it's not at all cringy like you would except a book with 13 year old characters written by a grown woman to be. My biggest complaint is that the characters don't really match their show counterparts, I feel like and also because of the shortness and focus on one character, we barely get any interactions between the girls.
Also I fel like this was surprisingly feminist? Will's mom is shown as a very capable, very good mom even though she's a single mom, and also Will mentioned that a lot of boys compliment her like "you are good at for a girl", and how she feels uncomfortable with that. I dig that.
Witch girl power ftw

[Once upon a Dream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lettura leggera e carina :) forse mi aspettavo leggermente più mistero

[Nina Miteva · Rating 4 out of 5]

compulsive reread.

Не мога да повярвам, че съм забравила, че в тази книга посещават свят, населен от овцехора. С рога и руна. Наелектрезирано руно!

Мистър Къдълфлийс <3

[Tereza · Rating 5 out of 5]

W.I.T.C.H. series - books of my childhood. I love it so much.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

gracias infinitas a mi bestie por regalarme esta saga y hacerme volver a mi infancia 💘🩷💕✨

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

In keeping with my magical girl glittery nostalgia rush, and collecting anything to do with my current obsession: alongside 'Winx Club', there is 'W.I.T.C.H.'.

'W.I.T.C.H.' is another European/Italian magical girl series I loved as a child, yet I had not read 'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes'. Well, now I don't think I'm too old or proud or "mature" for any media consumption, especially in reading, whether it's intended for kids or not, as quality should never differ depending on the age group of the target demographic.

So, in two hours tops I finished the 106-page 'W.I.T.C.H.' story, 'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes', and what do I think? I think it is entertaining and well written enough. I certainly wouldn't deter any 'W.I.T.C.H.' fan from reading it.

It is told from the Guardian leader Will Vandom's point of view, and it is about a mysterious boy, Danny Nova, her new neighbour and crush (Matt Olsen is present, but there is no real love triangle, thank goddesses), and the story involves the Heart of Candracar, at its, uh, heart. The Guardian girls of Heatherfield, Earth, also end up exploring a magical world other than Metamoor, and it is full of creativity, tests and hardships. It is about W.I.T.C.H. and their friendship, love and care for one another, and about Will as their leader, in her ultimate test of courage, perseverance and believing in herself, and remembering what the Heart of Candracar in of itself means - to her, and in general - and it's not only a magic amulet which transforms five young teen girls into magical girls with elemental powers, whose job is to save and bring balance to the universe. Will's power of energy has more than one meaning behind it.

It shows how obsessed with 'W.I.T.C.H.' I was in my childhood that I didn't need to doublecheck that I'm spelling any of the character, place and object names correctly. The terminology rests in my heart forever.

'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes' is short, yes, and it definitely could have been fleshed out more and paced better, especially in the first quarter. A few editing and proofreading jobs were needed, too. It is told from Will's perspective, so her day-to-day life, actions, thoughts, feelings, and development are focused on, which leaves the presence of the other four girls, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin, somewhat weightless, thin and underdeveloped. Although they do get a few good, funny lines in, and Taranee is the second strongest personality-wise of the Guardians, being Will's best friend and so the one she hangs out most often with. The book's highlight - just above Will's funny talking electrical home appliances, and her lovely, loving mother Susan - is its second half, where the girls enter a new magical world and dimension, which I wont spoil anything about. The story can get surprisingly dark, clever and introspective for a supposed silly commercial magical girl product.

Indeed, I remember the 'W.I.T.C.H.' comics and chapter books being a lot smarter, more thoughtful and character driven than you might expect, so it is fitting.

'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes' is for children - it is a school breaktime read - but I think 'W.I.T.C.H.' fans of any age can enjoy it. It is a nostalgic novella for me to be sure. Reading from Will's POV had captured and regained a lost feeling of me as a teenage girl (she is probably the most like me out of W.I.T.C.H.) - that alone makes it worth the price of admission. To buy and read the little book, that is.

What a nice, heartfelt, compassionate, friendly, and dramatic trip.

As always, GO W.I.T.C.H.!

For more of my 'W.I.T.C.H.' content and analyses, here is the link to my 'W.I.T.C.H.' Goodreads shelf. I've always been obsessed - in the franchise's early days, anyway - I admit it.

Final Score: 3.5/5

[Hezatown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of W.i.t.c.h. since childhood and I used to really love the novels, especially the ones by Lene Kaaberbøl. They added a lot of depth to the characters and were a beautiful expansion on the comics and the tv show.

I discovered that a lot of the out of print novels have been stored on this website:

https://witchbookarchive.wordpress.com/

So I immediately dove in to the books I never got the chance to read as a child. When Lightning Strikes is short - only around 100 pages - but a well crafted story that further expands on Will and her connection to the Heart of Kandrakar. It adds beauty, mystery, and layers to the world of the infinite dimensions. Highly recommend to all W.i.t.c.h. fans!

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the midst of numerous blackouts across Heatherfield, Will meets Danny Nova, a new neighbour that is eager to have her show him around - but when the Heart of Kandrakar is stolen, she and the girls must travel to a land of deadly storms before she and the thief are destroyed. Kaaberbol offers young readers and fans of W.I.T.C.H a decent mystery, keeping to the likability of the cast but unfortunately dull in its climax. Could the blackouts and the Heart's fate somehow be related?

[Marynchan Miku · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book feels like a W.I.T.C.H. fanfiction that was published officially. I like how each girls' character is just like in the official comic; no out of character feeling.

[Anna Kuchina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good companion book for a wonderful story. Childish, short and naif.

[Sarah Reffstrup · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transporttid er læsetid ❤️ Og den her var strengt taget en genlæsning så det gik ret hurtigt 😂👌

[Tessie Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will, moje nejoblíbenější čarodějka a její příběh. Doporučuji. ;)

[アンボー · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha entretenido muxo

[Klára · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moc milá a dojemná knížka. Hezký způsob i pro dospělé, jak si vpzomenout na někoho, kdo už tu není. A ty ilsutrace jsou kouzelné.

[Book Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5 bunnies

[cypher · Rating 5 out of 5]

read the 5-book series when i was young, i remember i liked them. the pictures were nice and the story was easy to follow.
fairy-witches, probably nice to give to a small child for Halloween.

[Marsí · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drobátko nostalgie ❤️

[Marlene Bentsen (Boggrippen) · Rating 3 out of 5]

W.I.T.C.H er en Disney franchise, der består af bøger, tegneserier, spil og tegnefilm.

Serien var på sit højeste i starten af 00’erne og nu bliver bøgerne genudgivet til nye læsere.

Den handler om fem piger, der har hver deres magiske kraft. Will er lederen og indehaver af smykket Krandakars hjerte, som forener alle naturens elementer til ren energi. Irmas element er vand, Taranee har ild, Cornelia har jord og Hay Lin kontrollerer luft. Tilsammen udgør de gruppen W.I.T.C.H. og de kæmper sammen mod diverse onde kræfter samtidig med, at de bøvler med diverse hverdagsproblemer som matematik, forældre og drenge.

Lene Kaaberbøl er forfatteren til de ialt otte bøger, der kommer. De første fem er udkommet - en om hver af pigerne og de kan læses selvstændigt.

Jeg kender ikke til universet, men jeg elsker Lene Kaaberbøls bøger, så jeg har glædet mig til at se, hvad W.I.T.C.H. er for noget.

Jeg har læst Salamanderens Hjerte, som er lederen Wills historie.

Byen Heatherfield er plaget af strømsvigt. Wills element er energi, så hun kan tale med elektroniske apparater og bl.a. køleskabet James og toasteren Frida er overordentligt bekymrede når strømsvigtene foregår i tide og utide. Will beslutter sig for at undersøge sagen sammen med resten af W.I.T.C.H.

Samtidig er der flyttet en ny dreng ind ved siden af. Han hedder Danny Nova og han har de vildeste elektriske blå øjne. Men hvem er han egentlig? Og hvor er hans forældre?

Det er en fin historie med masser af magi og pigeliv. Jeg havde dog håbet at kunne læse om, hvordan pigerne har fået deres kræfter. Men det er nok en historie, som allerede er fortalt et andet sted. Det er et lille minus ved at det er så stort et univers.

Man møder alle pigerne i Wills historie og man får lyst til også at lære de andre at kende, så det er fikst med en bog til hver pige😊

Bøgerne henvender sig til de ‘pigede’ piger, der synes drenge er lidt søde og helt sikkert også til læsere af Vildheks-serien.

📖Læseeksemplar lånt fra mit arbejde📖

[EvaLovesYA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also posted on Eva Lucias blog

Tak til Alvilda for anmeldereksemplaret!

Salamanderens hjerte (W.I.T.C.H. #1) af Lene Kaaberbøl var et dejligt gensyn med Witch-serien fra min barndom. Jeg havde abonnement på bladene, så hver måned var en fest, da det nye blad kom med posten. Derfor var det utrolig dejligt at få mulighed for at læse denne bog. Jeg skulle lige ind i universet igen med magien, de forskellige karakterer og deres evner, men hurtigt gik det som en leg at bladre sider.

Der sker en masse uforklarlige strømsvigt i Heatherfield, hvor de 5 piger bor. Samtidig flytter Danny en ved siden af Will. Han er anderledes med helt klare blå øjne. Han er alene og de har aldrig set hans forældre. Hvem er han? Det er underligt, at det netop falder sammen med strømsvigtene, så Witch-pigerne bliver hurtigt sat på arbejde.

Jeg synes bestemt, at det var god læsning og jeg er vild med hele universet, de 5 piger og at de alle sammen kan og indeholder noget forskelligt. Det var skønt at få mere af Will – hun er helt klart min favorit, både nu og dengang, da jeg var yngre.

Dog var det som om historien aldrig helt nåede sit højdepunkt. Den virkede lidt … flad, hvilket ærgrede mig en hel del. Måske var det bare mere magisk, da jeg var yngre? Hvem ved? Dog er det en rigtig fin historie med et medrivende plot og der er fart på, men jeg håber, at den næste bog i serien har lidt mere karakterindlevelse. Jeg synes, at vi manglede mere af dem, fordi de er så skønne. Men jeg vil i hvert fald glæde mig til at læse videre i serien!

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[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Lightning Strikes (WITCH Adventures) 1
PLOT: Heather field has been experiencing power surges. Too many to be a normal occurrence. During one of them, Will (the leader of WITCH) meets and falls for her new neigh boor Danny, who comes over to borrow candles. But Danny has a few shocking surprises up his sleeve. Will W I T C H be able to confront Danny and rescue the Heart of Candracar?

MY THOUGHTS
*I haven't finished all the chapter books yet so imagine my surprise to learn that they can now speak to the Oracle when in the other books they aren't even aware of his existence yet. I take it along the way this meeting takes place. Although I think these books are totally separate.
*Isn't that just like a guy not to notice until you've moved on to someone else?
*Here's my thought. Before the Heart of Candracar was given to Will by the grandmother they were already displaying signs of magical abilities. I thought the Heart only amplified what was already there. So shouldn't they not be completely handicapped without it? Shouldn't they possess power's within themselves anyway?
*I sympathize with Will. The male population sometimes have magical powers also of doing a glamour when they see fit.
*I really like the pictures that accompany the chapters for some reason.

RATE: 4 While the setting and the action were exciting and made for an interesting visual, and the plot was decent enough the ending was weak! I got the message that by taking something that doesn't belong to you might feel good about it (even powerful for a minute), but that feeling doesn't last and it destroys and hurts you (literally in Danny's case) but W.I.T.C.H books are known for their generally being some kind of fight. Danny Nova wasn't a very good villain. He gave in WAY to easily and W.I.T.C.H didn't have even have to transform. Thus leaving worrying about how to defeat him without their powers pointless. It was an ok read, but the ending could have been better.

[Olgaod96]

When Lightning Strikes is about the 5 W.I.T.C.H. friends meeting a salamander named Danny. A salamander is a magical creature that can change into different things, and special ones can change into light. Will befriends Danny, and he steals the Medallion, a 'necklace' that basically stores the girls' powers. The girls have to take back the medallion otherwise they are powerless. They travel to a different land, where the sky is red all the time, and the thunderstorms are about 100 times stronger than they are on Earth. They finally find Danny and they lead a courageous battle during a thunderstorm. Can they win?

I liked this book because it also has a lot of action. I especially liked the part of the battle and when they find out that Danny is gone because Will talked to the radio in Danny's apartment room. There were a lot of tense places in the book too. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes the W.I.T.C.H. series, and anyone who likes a good fantasy.

[Yuri Muniz]

I read this book from April 11 to 17.
It's about many women that have special powers and participate in an adventure. It is important because it creates an inspective about the novel. A good quote is "I could never stay angry at Irma for very long. She makes me laugh too much to be mad. I grinned." It means that she likes Irma and has a good relationship with her. For sure I would recommend the novel. Because it is a great adventure and especially to young guys.

[Bara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet childhood memories...As you can see I used to be obsessed with W.I.T.C.H. when I was small. I've grown up but I'm glad I read the books and the OEL (OEI since it's Italian probably) manga. It was the time of my first shippings and learning about the world of manga and anime both OEL and original as well. I just wish the made the animated series better.

[Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a kid I was in love with W.I.T.C.H. It was fun, the characters were sassy and "cool" and of course - magical. The main thing that stuck with me in this book is Will still trying to find herself and the crimson lightning. It's pretty rare to see it - atleast where I live - and when I do get the chance I instantly recall this book.

[Sella Malin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used to like these series. Now, I don't think they're so good anymore. I got up to number 12 or something like that, and they've gone up to #26 or something... and they're still coming out!! I'm not really interested into them anymore, but I used to be.

[Mitzi M. G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was around 11 when the first W.I.T.C.H comic magazine hit Denmark.
I thought it looked interesting, and fell in love with it. I later got this book as a gift from my Grandfather /along with Irma's story).
Growing up with this, it is hard not to like it.

[Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book's only 111 pages long, and it's basically like reading one of the magazines in bookform. It's really cute and all through reading it now when I'm older all I can say is; aww childhood memories~~
Will was always my favourite growing up, and I enjoy reading about her a lot.

[Eve Lumerto · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a kid, I remember thinking this book was a little weird, and I actually thought the same this time too. It's not necessarily bad weird and right now I don't have patience to figure out exactly why. :D But it was fun enough.