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W.I.T.C.H. Chapter Books #18
Keeping Hope
With school starting, the girls are distracted by boys and are not thinking about their Guardian responsibilities, which could prove disastrous.
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2005
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December 30, 2024Keeping Hope
School has started back and Hay-Lin is telling her friends about her new crush. Hay-Lin was in the park rollerblading and on this day she was off-balance. She decided to go get an ice-cream cone and sit down and eat it. On the way to the bench, she crossed paths with a motorbike and her purse got caught up in it’s handles. The bike stops and Hay-Lin falls mortified. The rider asks is she ok. She says yes and ask if he wants to take another shot at her. She then says she doesn’t think anythings broken. He asks if there’s anything he can do. She says she’s ok and then she looks at him the first time. He has dark wavy hair and soft brown eyes. She’s captivated by his smile. She lets him pull her up and feels sparks.
Hay-Lin is so flustered she drops her ice-cream on him, but he just laughs. Hay-Lin gets out of there as quickly as she can. She knows her friends (Cornelia and Irma probably would have been more assertive (and asked his name and number). That night, she was working at the “Silver Dragon”-well reading a book since it wasn’t busy- and the cook starts telling her about all the shooting stars that will be out that night. Stars that make wishes come true. Hay-Lin wishes she could see the guy again. She drops some pennies and bends to pick them up. Then she ehars someone speaking in Chinese (that sounds familiar). It’s the boy in the park.
He asks her if she wants to go and count the shooting stars. She finds out his name is Eric Lyndon. Fang is impressed that he speaks Chinese. Cornelia asks if anything else happened but Hay-Lin says they’re “just friends”. Cornelia isn’t fooled. She knows Hay-Lin’s smitten. She tells them that she and Eric went to the observatory where Eric lives with his grandfather. Cornelia is thrilled for Hay-Lin and thinks of how this will make them closer. Hay-Lin continues to go on about the amazing stories Eric told her about the travels he’s been to with his parents.
Meanwhile, Yan-In is questioning the Oracle’s decision to wipe the Guardians memories before going up against Nerissa. The Oracle also hopes he made the right choice. He won’t let them go in without having every possible defense at their disposal. What he has in store for them is a secret he can’t share with the others. Luba is brought before the Oracle. He knows that her actions were wrong but her heart was in the right place. Meanwhile, Caleb is growing weak in a cave in a frozen wasteland. Possibly on Mountain Thanos. He’s wondering why W.I.T.C.H hasn’t showed up (Cornelia) and then decides he has to do this on his own. Then he thinks what if something happened to them?
Caleb is about to pass out from unconsciousness but sees a woman with stringy hair and leathery skin … (Nerissa). She tells him he needs the powers he now hold. He says he’ll get nothing from him. She says don’t be too sure. Nerissa knocks Caleb back with a blinding light. Then the ice underneath him cracks and he becomes aware of the lava underneath. Then she’s standing right next to him (in his face). Behind her are her monsters (Ember, Triton, and Shagone).
Matt arrives at Sheffield trying to decide what to say to Will. He decides to tell her he missed her because he’s been thinking about her something terrible. He thinks about how great it was between them all summer (exchanging texts) and then when he called her he was told she was getting on a bike with another guy (by Mr. Collins). They hadn’t gotten a chance to talk the rest of the summer because she was at a resort (bad cell reception). He decides to give her the benefit of the doubt but they need to talk. He then sees Will with her friends with another guy. The guy is holding Will’s hand (and not letting go). He must be the guy with the motorcycle.
When he walks up Will is saying it’s decided she’ll sit next to him. Matt is disgusted. What had this guy done that he hadn’t? Sent more text. Taken her to a better restaurant. Matt decides it’s fine. Will can count him out of her life and he’ll never believe anything another girl says. Will is having the same anxiety. Then her friends spot him. Only the “him” is Eric. Then she sees Matt coming toward her. Only Irma throws her arms around Matt. Matt speaks politely to Irma and asks Will if she’s going to introduce him to “her friend”. Hay-Lin says he’s in Cornelia and Will’s class. Matt doesn’t say anything and acts coldly to Will and Eric. Will is lost and looks at her friends for help. Finally, Martin breaks the tension. He comes over says what is this a funeral (irritating Irma), but he keeps on babbling. Irma goes after Matt and calls him a creep. Will wishes she wouldn’t and wants to just hide in the bathroom. Irma grabs her hand and pulls her some place private. Taranee says maybe there’s an explanation. Cornelia tells her it will be ok. Nerissa goes to Caleb again but he gives her the silent treatment. She knows she needs to get his powers but she wants him to give them to her willingly. Caleb asks for water. She obliges him but only gives him a chunk of ice. Her patience is wearing thin with him.
The Oracle thinks of Luba and if he could have done anything different. He then sees Caleb and tells him silently hang on that help is coming. Hay-Lin interrupts him and asks what they’re waiting for. She doesn’t get his hesitation. He has no answer but tells them they’ve already discussed it. She says nothing good can come of it, but he says his decession is final. He asks if she’s questioning his position. She apologizes for her insolence. Not an apology but acknowledging she was out of line. He says he needs all of the Elders behind him. He then shows her all of Kandracar and says they have to accept what is. He hopes there’s time for his plan to work.
Taranee is hanging out with her friends when she gets the feeling, she’s forgotten something important that happened over the summer. Will is staring out the window saying how dumb she is. The others try to encourage her. Cornelia and Irma start wrestling. Will starts to cry all of a sudden and says she hates Matt. Taranee says she’s sure there’s a reason. Matt’s not that kind of guy. She wants to tell Will to pick up the phone and call Marr but then she’s not even sure she’d do that. She gives Will her special handkerchief that her grandmother gave her.
Eric thinks about how great Hay-Lin is and her friends. They only one he didn’t connect with was Will (because she seemed distracted over Matt). He likes Martin’s eccentric and quirky personality. Since he lives in his neighborhood, Martin volunteers to show him a shortcut home and show him some local sights along the way. Martin asks where he lives. He tells him Scandinavia. His parents were working on a space project. Martin invites him to come with him to go to a “Happy Bears” meeting. He tells he’ll come if he can have a uniform like his. He says it has an amazing effect on girls. Eric guesses right and says girls like Irma. He says he just uses his charm. Plus she’s use to uniforms. Her dad’s a cop.
Martin invites him to come to the firework show and Martin says why not. It’s the day after tomorrow and Cobalt Blue will be playing. Eric puts two and two together and asks if it’s his friend’s band and he says yes. Martin confides in him he thinks something happened between Matt and Will. Eric is glad he’s not the only one that’s noticed. They run into Nigel (whose playing basketball) who invites Eric and Martin to play. Martin tries to persuade Eric to go see a historical site, but the invitation is too good to turn down. Eric feels bad for brushing him off but while Martin is strange, Nigel is the kind of guy he wants to be friends with. Martin tho isn’t so quick to let go off Eric because he thinks he’ll be the perfect member of the Happy Bears. So, he decides to stick around.
Then Matt shows up. Martin notices while Nigel looks happy to meet Eric, Matt doesn’t. Martin quickly puts the issue together that Matt is having with Eric. Eric tries to make small talk about Matt’s band but he only grunts. He’s oblivious tho and goes on about how maybe they can jam together. Martin tries to rescue him and ask questions. Eric says he learned from his grandfather and he’s not bad at basketball either (and to prove it makes an impressive shot). Matt cuts off his story about his grandfather saying he has to train an instrument. Matt asks him when he’s leaving and he says he’ll stick around he likes the people. He asks if he means Will. He says no Hay-Lin. Besides he has a feeling Will is into someone else. Eric then invites them to the Silver Dragon. Martin now knows why he was talking to the girls.
Nerissa asks her companions to give her back a little of the life she gave them and absorbs the powers of all the elements. She begins to transform back to her younger self. For a second, she thinks of Cassidy and feels regret (but just for a second) Nerissa commands Shaggone to bring him the Captain. He tells her Caleb has escaped. Nerrisa before blew him out into the ice. He runs into Luba and pleads with her to help him. Cornelia has a bad dream that someone needs help. WITCH goes to the Oracle demanding answers from the Oracle and he tells them they’ll get them soon. (They found out their memories were wiped). W.I.T,C.H shows up and Luba sacrifices herself to save Caleb.
My Thoughts
The good thing about this chapter book is also at the same time the bad thing. It gets more into their thoughts than the graphic novel but then it gets too into their thoughts and starts going backwards into the previous books.
I thought the shooting star date was cute. When I first read the graphic novel, I was a little suspicious of Eric. He just seemed to come out of no where and was good at all these things. The bad thing about this book is it dropped my opinion of him a little. When I read the graphic novel, I was thinking oh he doesn’t seem to be put off with Martin. That earned him points. However in the chapter book, we learn he’s no different and wants to drop Martin (and does) and soon as someone cooler (Nigel and Matt) come along. So, in other words he tolerates him as long as there’s no one better to hang with.
I liked the Oracle even less. I didn’t think he had ANY right to wipe the Guardians memories. I don’t care what his plan was. But then don’t they (as in all knowing beings) always have “a plan” that goes beyond our comprehension and aren’t quick to give any answers? I didn’t like Matt in this either. If he wanted to know who the guy was then instead of coping an attitude and walking off he should have just pulled her to the side and ASKED HER what was going on.
Rating: 6
School has started back and Hay-Lin is telling her friends about her new crush. Hay-Lin was in the park rollerblading and on this day she was off-balance. She decided to go get an ice-cream cone and sit down and eat it. On the way to the bench, she crossed paths with a motorbike and her purse got caught up in it’s handles. The bike stops and Hay-Lin falls mortified. The rider asks is she ok. She says yes and ask if he wants to take another shot at her. She then says she doesn’t think anythings broken. He asks if there’s anything he can do. She says she’s ok and then she looks at him the first time. He has dark wavy hair and soft brown eyes. She’s captivated by his smile. She lets him pull her up and feels sparks.
Hay-Lin is so flustered she drops her ice-cream on him, but he just laughs. Hay-Lin gets out of there as quickly as she can. She knows her friends (Cornelia and Irma probably would have been more assertive (and asked his name and number). That night, she was working at the “Silver Dragon”-well reading a book since it wasn’t busy- and the cook starts telling her about all the shooting stars that will be out that night. Stars that make wishes come true. Hay-Lin wishes she could see the guy again. She drops some pennies and bends to pick them up. Then she ehars someone speaking in Chinese (that sounds familiar). It’s the boy in the park.
He asks her if she wants to go and count the shooting stars. She finds out his name is Eric Lyndon. Fang is impressed that he speaks Chinese. Cornelia asks if anything else happened but Hay-Lin says they’re “just friends”. Cornelia isn’t fooled. She knows Hay-Lin’s smitten. She tells them that she and Eric went to the observatory where Eric lives with his grandfather. Cornelia is thrilled for Hay-Lin and thinks of how this will make them closer. Hay-Lin continues to go on about the amazing stories Eric told her about the travels he’s been to with his parents.
Meanwhile, Yan-In is questioning the Oracle’s decision to wipe the Guardians memories before going up against Nerissa. The Oracle also hopes he made the right choice. He won’t let them go in without having every possible defense at their disposal. What he has in store for them is a secret he can’t share with the others. Luba is brought before the Oracle. He knows that her actions were wrong but her heart was in the right place. Meanwhile, Caleb is growing weak in a cave in a frozen wasteland. Possibly on Mountain Thanos. He’s wondering why W.I.T.C.H hasn’t showed up (Cornelia) and then decides he has to do this on his own. Then he thinks what if something happened to them?
Caleb is about to pass out from unconsciousness but sees a woman with stringy hair and leathery skin … (Nerissa). She tells him he needs the powers he now hold. He says he’ll get nothing from him. She says don’t be too sure. Nerissa knocks Caleb back with a blinding light. Then the ice underneath him cracks and he becomes aware of the lava underneath. Then she’s standing right next to him (in his face). Behind her are her monsters (Ember, Triton, and Shagone).
Matt arrives at Sheffield trying to decide what to say to Will. He decides to tell her he missed her because he’s been thinking about her something terrible. He thinks about how great it was between them all summer (exchanging texts) and then when he called her he was told she was getting on a bike with another guy (by Mr. Collins). They hadn’t gotten a chance to talk the rest of the summer because she was at a resort (bad cell reception). He decides to give her the benefit of the doubt but they need to talk. He then sees Will with her friends with another guy. The guy is holding Will’s hand (and not letting go). He must be the guy with the motorcycle.
When he walks up Will is saying it’s decided she’ll sit next to him. Matt is disgusted. What had this guy done that he hadn’t? Sent more text. Taken her to a better restaurant. Matt decides it’s fine. Will can count him out of her life and he’ll never believe anything another girl says. Will is having the same anxiety. Then her friends spot him. Only the “him” is Eric. Then she sees Matt coming toward her. Only Irma throws her arms around Matt. Matt speaks politely to Irma and asks Will if she’s going to introduce him to “her friend”. Hay-Lin says he’s in Cornelia and Will’s class. Matt doesn’t say anything and acts coldly to Will and Eric. Will is lost and looks at her friends for help. Finally, Martin breaks the tension. He comes over says what is this a funeral (irritating Irma), but he keeps on babbling. Irma goes after Matt and calls him a creep. Will wishes she wouldn’t and wants to just hide in the bathroom. Irma grabs her hand and pulls her some place private. Taranee says maybe there’s an explanation. Cornelia tells her it will be ok. Nerissa goes to Caleb again but he gives her the silent treatment. She knows she needs to get his powers but she wants him to give them to her willingly. Caleb asks for water. She obliges him but only gives him a chunk of ice. Her patience is wearing thin with him.
The Oracle thinks of Luba and if he could have done anything different. He then sees Caleb and tells him silently hang on that help is coming. Hay-Lin interrupts him and asks what they’re waiting for. She doesn’t get his hesitation. He has no answer but tells them they’ve already discussed it. She says nothing good can come of it, but he says his decession is final. He asks if she’s questioning his position. She apologizes for her insolence. Not an apology but acknowledging she was out of line. He says he needs all of the Elders behind him. He then shows her all of Kandracar and says they have to accept what is. He hopes there’s time for his plan to work.
Taranee is hanging out with her friends when she gets the feeling, she’s forgotten something important that happened over the summer. Will is staring out the window saying how dumb she is. The others try to encourage her. Cornelia and Irma start wrestling. Will starts to cry all of a sudden and says she hates Matt. Taranee says she’s sure there’s a reason. Matt’s not that kind of guy. She wants to tell Will to pick up the phone and call Marr but then she’s not even sure she’d do that. She gives Will her special handkerchief that her grandmother gave her.
Eric thinks about how great Hay-Lin is and her friends. They only one he didn’t connect with was Will (because she seemed distracted over Matt). He likes Martin’s eccentric and quirky personality. Since he lives in his neighborhood, Martin volunteers to show him a shortcut home and show him some local sights along the way. Martin asks where he lives. He tells him Scandinavia. His parents were working on a space project. Martin invites him to come with him to go to a “Happy Bears” meeting. He tells he’ll come if he can have a uniform like his. He says it has an amazing effect on girls. Eric guesses right and says girls like Irma. He says he just uses his charm. Plus she’s use to uniforms. Her dad’s a cop.
Martin invites him to come to the firework show and Martin says why not. It’s the day after tomorrow and Cobalt Blue will be playing. Eric puts two and two together and asks if it’s his friend’s band and he says yes. Martin confides in him he thinks something happened between Matt and Will. Eric is glad he’s not the only one that’s noticed. They run into Nigel (whose playing basketball) who invites Eric and Martin to play. Martin tries to persuade Eric to go see a historical site, but the invitation is too good to turn down. Eric feels bad for brushing him off but while Martin is strange, Nigel is the kind of guy he wants to be friends with. Martin tho isn’t so quick to let go off Eric because he thinks he’ll be the perfect member of the Happy Bears. So, he decides to stick around.
Then Matt shows up. Martin notices while Nigel looks happy to meet Eric, Matt doesn’t. Martin quickly puts the issue together that Matt is having with Eric. Eric tries to make small talk about Matt’s band but he only grunts. He’s oblivious tho and goes on about how maybe they can jam together. Martin tries to rescue him and ask questions. Eric says he learned from his grandfather and he’s not bad at basketball either (and to prove it makes an impressive shot). Matt cuts off his story about his grandfather saying he has to train an instrument. Matt asks him when he’s leaving and he says he’ll stick around he likes the people. He asks if he means Will. He says no Hay-Lin. Besides he has a feeling Will is into someone else. Eric then invites them to the Silver Dragon. Martin now knows why he was talking to the girls.
Nerissa asks her companions to give her back a little of the life she gave them and absorbs the powers of all the elements. She begins to transform back to her younger self. For a second, she thinks of Cassidy and feels regret (but just for a second) Nerissa commands Shaggone to bring him the Captain. He tells her Caleb has escaped. Nerrisa before blew him out into the ice. He runs into Luba and pleads with her to help him. Cornelia has a bad dream that someone needs help. WITCH goes to the Oracle demanding answers from the Oracle and he tells them they’ll get them soon. (They found out their memories were wiped). W.I.T,C.H shows up and Luba sacrifices herself to save Caleb.
My Thoughts
The good thing about this chapter book is also at the same time the bad thing. It gets more into their thoughts than the graphic novel but then it gets too into their thoughts and starts going backwards into the previous books.
I thought the shooting star date was cute. When I first read the graphic novel, I was a little suspicious of Eric. He just seemed to come out of no where and was good at all these things. The bad thing about this book is it dropped my opinion of him a little. When I read the graphic novel, I was thinking oh he doesn’t seem to be put off with Martin. That earned him points. However in the chapter book, we learn he’s no different and wants to drop Martin (and does) and soon as someone cooler (Nigel and Matt) come along. So, in other words he tolerates him as long as there’s no one better to hang with.
I liked the Oracle even less. I didn’t think he had ANY right to wipe the Guardians memories. I don’t care what his plan was. But then don’t they (as in all knowing beings) always have “a plan” that goes beyond our comprehension and aren’t quick to give any answers? I didn’t like Matt in this either. If he wanted to know who the guy was then instead of coping an attitude and walking off he should have just pulled her to the side and ASKED HER what was going on.
Rating: 6
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2014
I bought this one years ago because I was interested in Hay Lin's romance with Eric Lyndon, which apparently didn't come out that often like Cornelia with Caleb, Irma with Martin, Will with Matt, and Taranee with Nigel.
A pretty sweet young love, I must say, and perhaps something that I might have wished for myself to happen if I were younger, back in my junior and senior high.
I really love Hay Lin and Eric. They were so good together, all lovey-dovey and a perfect match.
Though it is stated in later stories that Eric had to move again, leaving Hay Lin and eventually ending their relationship despite Hay Lin's desperate effort to maintain it; they were, and still are my favorite couple in the W.I.T.C.H series to date.
Such a shame that they couldn't be like Will and Matt, but then again, young love is just a small part of life that eventually we all have to move on, isn't it?
Our memory of it, though, will keep us company.
A pretty sweet young love, I must say, and perhaps something that I might have wished for myself to happen if I were younger, back in my junior and senior high.
I really love Hay Lin and Eric. They were so good together, all lovey-dovey and a perfect match.
Though it is stated in later stories that Eric had to move again, leaving Hay Lin and eventually ending their relationship despite Hay Lin's desperate effort to maintain it; they were, and still are my favorite couple in the W.I.T.C.H series to date.
Such a shame that they couldn't be like Will and Matt, but then again, young love is just a small part of life that eventually we all have to move on, isn't it?
Our memory of it, though, will keep us company.
September 14, 2015
Ah, W.I.T.C.H. So much of my childhood was spend obsessing over the series. The books. The comics. The cartoon. The merchandise. You name it I was into it.
So why only the three stars if I loved it so much?
Well as time went by, I grew disinterested in the series. I went along with it mainly to see how it ended. I simply wanted to know what the final outcome was.
Surely that is not enough to merit three stars? You loved it!
I did, but that was because I was a pre-teen with very low expectations. This came before my vampire-loving period, so you can imagine what my standard was like. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bad books – they’re simply not something I can go back to now that I’m older.
Thoroughly enjoyable at the time, but not quite so much now.
So why only the three stars if I loved it so much?
Well as time went by, I grew disinterested in the series. I went along with it mainly to see how it ended. I simply wanted to know what the final outcome was.
Surely that is not enough to merit three stars? You loved it!
I did, but that was because I was a pre-teen with very low expectations. This came before my vampire-loving period, so you can imagine what my standard was like. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not bad books – they’re simply not something I can go back to now that I’m older.
Thoroughly enjoyable at the time, but not quite so much now.
February 17, 2016
I loved this series! All of the different girls had their own individual personalities that made the series more enjoyable to read. Also, of course the cool magical powers was a plus. I loved the character relationships and adventures the girls got themselves into.
July 28, 2020
Matt is an idiot, Nerissa is a badasa, the prophet can go fuck himself. Also Eric can get ittt.
May 29, 2023
Moje dětství ve světě Witch. Na tyhle strážkyně nezapomenu, provázeli mě celým dětstvím a já jsem do nich byla úplně ''zažraná''. Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia a Hay Lin, všechny jsem je milovala.
Nesmím zapomenout ani na Elyon, i když udělala pár nesprávných rozhodnutí, samozřejmě i další důležité postavy : Věštce, Caleba, Joela, Orube, Cedrika, Matta, Luka, Erica, babičku Hay Lin....
Rozhodně to byla má nejoblíbenější dětská série, at už komixy nebo seriál. Doporučuji všem mladším slečnám. ;)
Nesmím zapomenout ani na Elyon, i když udělala pár nesprávných rozhodnutí, samozřejmě i další důležité postavy : Věštce, Caleba, Joela, Orube, Cedrika, Matta, Luka, Erica, babičku Hay Lin....
Rozhodně to byla má nejoblíbenější dětská série, at už komixy nebo seriál. Doporučuji všem mladším slečnám. ;)
December 16, 2021
This was a great part of the tale, the way the girls had to fight to remember what happened that summer. Was very interesting and to see some of the guys perspective was interesting and very different. The miss understanding between Will and Matt was heartbreaking and hopeful that Will and Matt would figure it out. The rescue of Caleb was interesting and sad. The girls are really coming into their powers and really learning. It is getting interesting. This re-read was very enjoyable.
September 4, 2019
*read aloud to Gemma*
December 7, 2021
Good continuing Short story Chapter book. Number 18 in the 26 Chapter books series. All about hope and sacrifice and past catching up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2016
I remember this series of books being my absolute favourite when I was a child. My first approach to it were the books and I have like five of them (1, 3, 8, 6, 18) because those were the ones I could manage to get my hands on back then. Later, I started reading the comics more because it was easier to read. Thus I was really excited with the animated series, which, looking back, wasn't a good adaptation and didn't do justice to the series.
The bottom of all is that, this books were with me most of my childhood and I treasure them a lot. I can quite remember every aspect of the plot but I'm sure it wont fail to entertain any kid who's in search for adventure, fantasy, school life and a bit of romance in a book.
I said kids but of course anyone can read it. However it's specially appealing to kids and preteens because the protagonists are in middle school and easy to relate . Other thing I like from the series it's that you don't even have to read them ALL to understand it because they change of arcs and each books works well on it's own if you get the general idea. Although I would recommend reading the first one anyways, cause it's the best one ;)
At the end, W.I.T.C.H. is a goos series of book for a young bookworm or an older one with young bookworm soul. So I'll guess I'll be posting this review on the first and eighteenth book (My favs). And... C'est fini! :D
April 3, 2015
So much childhood right here. So this is definitely my favorite of the W.i.t.c.h. books, I've read it like over and over again. I have a lady crush on Nerissa, she is pretty much the reason I like this one so much. She does some pretty great stuff in this one. Aside from Nerissa, I liked Haylin/Eric, that was super cute.
February 23, 2008
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.
December 9, 2009
This one wasn't so good. The author could have done better.
May 5, 2013
I think this is my favourite w.i.t.c.h. book of them all.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews