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W.I.T.C.H. Chapter Books #17
The Darkest Dream
Nerissa is invading the Guardians' dreams - can they fight her in their nightmares? Nerissa's powers continue to grow stronger and Willa, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin are concerned. After learning Caleb is the Herald of Candracar, Nerissa is determined to capture him and use him against the Guardians.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
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December 26, 2024The Darkest Dream
It’s the end of Will’s vacation with her friends. Now she’ll be riding back with Cornellia to go on another vacation with her mother. Taranee is going to the mountains to a place called Sesamo. While, Mr. Hale puts on an opera CD, Will thinks of Matt and their first date and if they’ll ever be boyfriend and girlfriend. She thinks of how Cornelia and Caleb’s relationship and how it feel apart. What if Matt finds out about her other identity and gets in the way of her duties? Then she thinks of Nerissa who use to be a Guardian and keeper of the heart. The heart corrupted her and she ended up killing the other guardian, Cassidy. She was sealed up in a stone, exiled, and sent to Thantos.
She knows W.I.T.C.H can handle Nerissa, but she has her doubts about using Irma’s astral drop plan. Will knows she has to tell someone about Nerissa and decides to tell Cornelia. She tells her she’s hearing a voice (a creepy whisper) when she’s half-asleep. She thinks it’s Nerissa. She keeps threatening her and trying to get the heart of Kandrakar. Cornelia tells her she’s playing into her hands. Will agrees but says she’s getting tired. She says she doesn’t want to hear her voice anymore. Cornelia tells her to think of something else... like Matt. Will says he’s probably forgotten her already. Then she starts thinking of all the things she loves about Matt.
They agree that whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder didn’t know what they were talking about. Then Cornelia gets emotional. Will can relate now more to what Cornelia is going through and scolds herself for making the mistake of bringing up love. Will asks Cornelia for her hand. If she holds it maybe she’ll be able to close her eyes. Meanwhile, Nerissa has been waiting for her revenge. The tomb that held her now has been blown open and she works on her plan. She’s planting her seeds in the new keeper’s mind and learning about her.
She’s transformed an assistant Khor-that was once a dog-. She shows him what the Guardians have shown her in her dreams. She tells him how she’s explored their thoughts. She saw in them the Oracle and the Elders. She views the trial of Luba and of the Guardians. She thinks of how she’ll owe her life to Caleb. The Oracle says that once all the powers resided in one person she’d be freed. She’ll be free and she’ll also bring down the destruction of Kandrakar. She says Khor’s mission is to take her to Caleb but he’ll also need “Pain” “Desperation” and “Hate” and she conjures them from ice, magma, and the dog’s previous owner.
Cornelia drifts off and starts to feel like her heads being vacuumed but Will suddenly wakes her up and she’s sweating. Will knows she had a nightmare. Cornelia thinks how ironic it is now that she and Will have gotten so close. Will’s mom is waiting for her when they get to her apartment. Will and Cornelia promise to keep in touch and use Irma’s plan if necessary. When Cornelia gets home, there’s a woman named Sandra Doubtman that says she’s a “college friend” of her mothers. Only Cornelia’s never heard of her. She finds out Napolean (their cat) has been on edge since Sandra’s been there. She finds out the bad news that she’ll be joining them on their trip to Riddlescott
While Mr. Collins is over, Will gets a visit from Caleb who tells her Cornelia’s in danger. He tells her the friend of Cornelia’s mom is Luba. She got away. He was supposed to capture her. Will creates an astral drop so she can stay there with her mom and the real her can go with Caleb. Only, Matt calls and Mr. Collins tells him she’s gone off with a boy on a motorcycle. Mr. Collins notices the strain in Matt’s voice and hopes he hasn’t said the wrong thing, but by then Matt’s hung up. Susan freaks out, but then see’s Will who tells them to keep it down. She’s watching tv.
Will and Caleb end up taking a bus, but after he displays the power to transport an annoying kid, she asks why he didn’t just use his powers. He says he doesn’t know her world and he has to “see” where he’s transporting them. Will asks can she do the same and he says she should be able too, but by then they’ve reached Riddlescott. Her cell phone tells her about the unknown caller that called from a pay phone. She tells Caleb who comments it’s not easy to be separated from the people you care about. He also tells her sometimes that what fate unites life divides.
When they get to Riddlescott, Mr. Kinkle (the owner of the house and town) tells them that Riddlescott is the home of the Lochness monster. He invites them to a festival by the lake and before leaving tells Lilian to bring her camera. She might spot something. Cornelia goes out with Napolean and finds Sandra has followed her. Napolean takes off. Cornelia then starts to get the sense this woman is creepy and she’ll have to keep her eyes open. Cornelia tells “Sandra” the cat doesn’t care for her company and “Sandra” tells her to go after her. She worries for a minute that Cornelia’s figured it out. She follows her from a distance waiting for Caleb to show up.
Cornelia does catch him, but the cat sees “Sandra” and escapes again. Luba thinks of how she’ll take Caleb’s powers, use them against the Guardians, and then prove to the Oracle how unworthy W.I.T.C.H is. Will and Caleb run into the mayor disguised as a fisherman. He tells them he can show him where the Hale’s are. They say they’d rather surprise them. He tells them they’ll be at the festival. Irma, Hay Lin, and Taranee are at the bus station and end up getting transported-by Will-to Riddlescott. (Taranee’s been stopped at the bus station when she tries to buy a ticket for being underaged and traveling alone. Hay Lin and Irma have missed their bus and have to go back to get some money).
At the festival, Napolean escapes again and Cornelia runs into the forest after him. She hears him purring and steps into a clearing. In the clearing with him is Will who tells her to follow her. They have to get away. Cornelia wants to know how she got Napolean to come to her. She says she can communicate with animals. This is a new skill Cornelia isn’t aware of. She asks why she came to Riddlescott. She says don’t ask me. Ask him. Then she sees Caleb. They’re about to kiss but Caleb is zapped and he falls to the ground moaning.
Then she sees Luba who tells them Caleb is in her power. She then realizes Luba is Sandra and she followed her to get to Caleb. Then something zaps Luba and slashes her with fire and a lightning bolt. On her clock is the symbol of Nerissa. Then Will sees two figures in the sky. One of them is a woman and the other is her muscle-bound companion (holding a hatchet). The man says they should go for the heart. The woman says that’s not what they’re there for. They argue back and forth.
The man’s name is Tridor and the woman’s Ember. As they fight, the heart pops out of Will’s hand. Then it shows her a image of Caleb. Cornelia calls out for Will to help her keep them away from Caleb. Will understands that the heart is trying to tell her to transport her friends there and she does. In the end Nerissa’s creations take Caleb and the vactioners think the three monsters were all apart of the show. Luba is taken back to be put on trial.
My Thoughts:
I had the thought to read this with it’s graphic novel companion because after I finished Part 2 Nerissa’s Revenge and I hadn’t written anything on it, I’d just use the chapter books (which are shorter) to do the summary for the graphic novel and the chapter book. Then they would also give me another book to add (to my goal) in addition to the graphic novel.
I thought that Nerissa’s power of dream interception and manipulation was a pretty cool one to have for a villain. I’ve always been fascinated with dream interpretation and symbols. I think the best thing for me about this chapter book was that sometimes no matter how beautifully done the illustrations are in graphic novels some scenes (action ones in particular) can be a little hard to interpret. So, reading the scene were Shagon, and Pain showed up and took Caleb came across a look clearer in words. I can also appreciate it was a lot lighter read than the graphic novel.
Rating: 5
It’s the end of Will’s vacation with her friends. Now she’ll be riding back with Cornellia to go on another vacation with her mother. Taranee is going to the mountains to a place called Sesamo. While, Mr. Hale puts on an opera CD, Will thinks of Matt and their first date and if they’ll ever be boyfriend and girlfriend. She thinks of how Cornelia and Caleb’s relationship and how it feel apart. What if Matt finds out about her other identity and gets in the way of her duties? Then she thinks of Nerissa who use to be a Guardian and keeper of the heart. The heart corrupted her and she ended up killing the other guardian, Cassidy. She was sealed up in a stone, exiled, and sent to Thantos.
She knows W.I.T.C.H can handle Nerissa, but she has her doubts about using Irma’s astral drop plan. Will knows she has to tell someone about Nerissa and decides to tell Cornelia. She tells her she’s hearing a voice (a creepy whisper) when she’s half-asleep. She thinks it’s Nerissa. She keeps threatening her and trying to get the heart of Kandrakar. Cornelia tells her she’s playing into her hands. Will agrees but says she’s getting tired. She says she doesn’t want to hear her voice anymore. Cornelia tells her to think of something else... like Matt. Will says he’s probably forgotten her already. Then she starts thinking of all the things she loves about Matt.
They agree that whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder didn’t know what they were talking about. Then Cornelia gets emotional. Will can relate now more to what Cornelia is going through and scolds herself for making the mistake of bringing up love. Will asks Cornelia for her hand. If she holds it maybe she’ll be able to close her eyes. Meanwhile, Nerissa has been waiting for her revenge. The tomb that held her now has been blown open and she works on her plan. She’s planting her seeds in the new keeper’s mind and learning about her.
She’s transformed an assistant Khor-that was once a dog-. She shows him what the Guardians have shown her in her dreams. She tells him how she’s explored their thoughts. She saw in them the Oracle and the Elders. She views the trial of Luba and of the Guardians. She thinks of how she’ll owe her life to Caleb. The Oracle says that once all the powers resided in one person she’d be freed. She’ll be free and she’ll also bring down the destruction of Kandrakar. She says Khor’s mission is to take her to Caleb but he’ll also need “Pain” “Desperation” and “Hate” and she conjures them from ice, magma, and the dog’s previous owner.
Cornelia drifts off and starts to feel like her heads being vacuumed but Will suddenly wakes her up and she’s sweating. Will knows she had a nightmare. Cornelia thinks how ironic it is now that she and Will have gotten so close. Will’s mom is waiting for her when they get to her apartment. Will and Cornelia promise to keep in touch and use Irma’s plan if necessary. When Cornelia gets home, there’s a woman named Sandra Doubtman that says she’s a “college friend” of her mothers. Only Cornelia’s never heard of her. She finds out Napolean (their cat) has been on edge since Sandra’s been there. She finds out the bad news that she’ll be joining them on their trip to Riddlescott
While Mr. Collins is over, Will gets a visit from Caleb who tells her Cornelia’s in danger. He tells her the friend of Cornelia’s mom is Luba. She got away. He was supposed to capture her. Will creates an astral drop so she can stay there with her mom and the real her can go with Caleb. Only, Matt calls and Mr. Collins tells him she’s gone off with a boy on a motorcycle. Mr. Collins notices the strain in Matt’s voice and hopes he hasn’t said the wrong thing, but by then Matt’s hung up. Susan freaks out, but then see’s Will who tells them to keep it down. She’s watching tv.
Will and Caleb end up taking a bus, but after he displays the power to transport an annoying kid, she asks why he didn’t just use his powers. He says he doesn’t know her world and he has to “see” where he’s transporting them. Will asks can she do the same and he says she should be able too, but by then they’ve reached Riddlescott. Her cell phone tells her about the unknown caller that called from a pay phone. She tells Caleb who comments it’s not easy to be separated from the people you care about. He also tells her sometimes that what fate unites life divides.
When they get to Riddlescott, Mr. Kinkle (the owner of the house and town) tells them that Riddlescott is the home of the Lochness monster. He invites them to a festival by the lake and before leaving tells Lilian to bring her camera. She might spot something. Cornelia goes out with Napolean and finds Sandra has followed her. Napolean takes off. Cornelia then starts to get the sense this woman is creepy and she’ll have to keep her eyes open. Cornelia tells “Sandra” the cat doesn’t care for her company and “Sandra” tells her to go after her. She worries for a minute that Cornelia’s figured it out. She follows her from a distance waiting for Caleb to show up.
Cornelia does catch him, but the cat sees “Sandra” and escapes again. Luba thinks of how she’ll take Caleb’s powers, use them against the Guardians, and then prove to the Oracle how unworthy W.I.T.C.H is. Will and Caleb run into the mayor disguised as a fisherman. He tells them he can show him where the Hale’s are. They say they’d rather surprise them. He tells them they’ll be at the festival. Irma, Hay Lin, and Taranee are at the bus station and end up getting transported-by Will-to Riddlescott. (Taranee’s been stopped at the bus station when she tries to buy a ticket for being underaged and traveling alone. Hay Lin and Irma have missed their bus and have to go back to get some money).
At the festival, Napolean escapes again and Cornelia runs into the forest after him. She hears him purring and steps into a clearing. In the clearing with him is Will who tells her to follow her. They have to get away. Cornelia wants to know how she got Napolean to come to her. She says she can communicate with animals. This is a new skill Cornelia isn’t aware of. She asks why she came to Riddlescott. She says don’t ask me. Ask him. Then she sees Caleb. They’re about to kiss but Caleb is zapped and he falls to the ground moaning.
Then she sees Luba who tells them Caleb is in her power. She then realizes Luba is Sandra and she followed her to get to Caleb. Then something zaps Luba and slashes her with fire and a lightning bolt. On her clock is the symbol of Nerissa. Then Will sees two figures in the sky. One of them is a woman and the other is her muscle-bound companion (holding a hatchet). The man says they should go for the heart. The woman says that’s not what they’re there for. They argue back and forth.
The man’s name is Tridor and the woman’s Ember. As they fight, the heart pops out of Will’s hand. Then it shows her a image of Caleb. Cornelia calls out for Will to help her keep them away from Caleb. Will understands that the heart is trying to tell her to transport her friends there and she does. In the end Nerissa’s creations take Caleb and the vactioners think the three monsters were all apart of the show. Luba is taken back to be put on trial.
My Thoughts:
I had the thought to read this with it’s graphic novel companion because after I finished Part 2 Nerissa’s Revenge and I hadn’t written anything on it, I’d just use the chapter books (which are shorter) to do the summary for the graphic novel and the chapter book. Then they would also give me another book to add (to my goal) in addition to the graphic novel.
I thought that Nerissa’s power of dream interception and manipulation was a pretty cool one to have for a villain. I’ve always been fascinated with dream interpretation and symbols. I think the best thing for me about this chapter book was that sometimes no matter how beautifully done the illustrations are in graphic novels some scenes (action ones in particular) can be a little hard to interpret. So, reading the scene were Shagon, and Pain showed up and took Caleb came across a look clearer in words. I can also appreciate it was a lot lighter read than the graphic novel.
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2012
I shall open with the heartbreaking line of Caleb that resonates throughout this book: "What destiny reunites, life divides."
Will is being haunted by dreams Nerissa sends her. Cornelia tries to comfort her by holding her hand, unknowingly giving Nerissa access to her dreams. And her dreams show Caleb, her love, and how he has the copy of all five of their powers.
So Caleb becomes Nerissa's next target.
What can I say? Hmmm... other than the fact that I wish I have a Caleb of my own? This book was good. It was funny. The irony about the monster in the lake, the witty comments of Cornelia's dad (he's in my top five minor character favorites!) and Caleb's lameness when it comes to Earth things. It was sad. It was romantic (in a sense). For W.I.T.C.H. fans or romance fans in general, it's a recommended read! Although if you haven't read any book of the series yet I suggest you read the ones before first to get the drift...
Will is being haunted by dreams Nerissa sends her. Cornelia tries to comfort her by holding her hand, unknowingly giving Nerissa access to her dreams. And her dreams show Caleb, her love, and how he has the copy of all five of their powers.
So Caleb becomes Nerissa's next target.
What can I say? Hmmm... other than the fact that I wish I have a Caleb of my own? This book was good. It was funny. The irony about the monster in the lake, the witty comments of Cornelia's dad (he's in my top five minor character favorites!) and Caleb's lameness when it comes to Earth things. It was sad. It was romantic (in a sense). For W.I.T.C.H. fans or romance fans in general, it's a recommended read! Although if you haven't read any book of the series yet I suggest you read the ones before first to get the drift...
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 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.
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. ;)
June 2, 2020
Is this a tv show? It reminded me of mew mew power. Their outfits are whack the plot is okay. I agreed with luba ngl, they aren’t mature enough - the gifts should be given to others more mature. If Luba is catwoman why are cats scared of her or is that meant to be ironic. Casual read, I like tings where different people have different powers - that’s sickk to me
December 16, 2021
This was a great re-read, the girls are on their way to Cornelia, with Caleb. To save her from Luba, Nerissa made plans and she needs Caleb to go through with her plans. This was a brilliant story we see some of Will's new powers of Transportation and they have captured Luba, but Nerissa's minions have gotten ahold of Caleb. This was a fantastic re-read and very enjoyable.
September 1, 2018
I really love W.i.t.c.h :) <3
August 7, 2019
*Read aloud to Gemma*
July 27, 2020
These are some of my favourites. Art wise, plot wise. I also adore Caleb, best LI. And the Loch Ness thing is cool.
November 27, 2021
Brilliant Chapter book number 17 instalment in the 26 chapter series. The same lovable characters plus new ones and good plot and intrigue.
August 1, 2024
5/5 stars.
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.
May 6, 2013
I love this witich book with the idea that you can't get away from Nerissa with the dreams.
May 24, 2013
Will & Matt. Cornelia & Caleb. When we see them together, our hearts shine.
I hoped little Lilian could take a photo for the three monsters of the lake just as she planned.
I hoped little Lilian could take a photo for the three monsters of the lake just as she planned.
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