Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Vildheks #1

Ildprøven

Rate this book
Clara mener selv hun er en ganske almindelig pige. Lidt genert, måske, og gennemgående lidt for leverpostejsagtig. Men fra det øjeblik hun møder den sorte kat, er det sket med at være almindelig. Og hvis hun ikke passer på, er det også snart sket med at være i live ...Ildprøven er første bog i Lene Kaaberbøls serie om Clara, hendes kærlighed til dyr og hendes kamp for at overleve som vildheks i en verden hvor magi ikke ligefrem er barnemad.Serien fortsætter med flere bind. Med Illustrationer af Anders Walter Hansen.

168 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2010

35 people are currently reading
618 people want to read

About the author

Lene Kaaberbøl

78 books776 followers
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)

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
641 (25%)
4 stars
994 (39%)
3 stars
708 (28%)
2 stars
135 (5%)
1 star
32 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
Profile Image for Clara.
310 reviews
November 6, 2015
Yaaay, I finished a book in two days! I'm meeting the author tomorrow! I completed my reading challenge! All is well.

This was such a nice children's fantasy book, I wish it had been around when I was ten! My child-self would have related so much to Clara and been dying with excitement over her fire trials and envied her all her animal friends. It's not The Shamer's Daughter, but it's hard to compete with a childhood favourite. Lene Kaaberbøl has done a wonderful job with this book and I wish it would be translated into English so that more children could grow up with Clara's adventures as an apprentice wildling-witch!
Profile Image for The Captain.
1,521 reviews522 followers
December 31, 2022
Ahoy there mateys! This is the first book in a series about a wild-witch named Clara.  The awesome cover and the Danish author.  I thought this had a solid start.  Clara is a bit stubborn but overall I like her.  I enjoyed the fact that even though her magic is strong, she cannot control it or even use it very much.  I like her aunt and the menagerie of animals.  I love the relationship Clara has with her mom and also with her best friend.  The writing style and plot feel a bit old-fashioned but was enjoyable.  I didn't love the trials in the book.  It doesn't have me rushing out to read the rest of the series but curiosity will likely lead me to read more at some point. Arrr!
Profile Image for Lucas Escherich.
37 reviews
September 30, 2024
Denne var lige bogen, til at komme i efterårsstemning.

I og med, at den er rettet mod et yngre publikum var plottet naturligvis ikke det mest komplekse, men jeg synes det var ‘hyggeligt’ at læse den og jeg har bestemt lyst til, at fortsætte i serien på et tidspunkt.
Profile Image for Kasia (kasikowykurz).
2,421 reviews61 followers
September 2, 2022
Nawet 4.5 ⭐!

O wow, jakie to było dobre! Brakowało mi takich właśnie książek dla dzieci - pełnych akcji, magii, gdzie dzieci zachowują się jak dzieci. Przypomina mi te wszystkie książki, które tak kochałam będąc takim małym wypierdkiem. Nie spodziewałam się wiele, a zostałam kompletnie zaskoczona i już nie mogę się doczekać kolejnych przygód młodej Zaklinaczki.
Profile Image for Die lesende Annabell.
61 reviews6 followers
May 24, 2025
Endlich bin ich bereit für diese Rezension. ( zumindest glaube ich das) aber wissen ob ich diesem Buch gerecht werde, tut mir leid das tue ich nicht.
Denn dieses Buch ist einfach nur toll! Es ist das perfekte Buch zum abschalten und sich magisch fühlen. Wer als Kind manchmal eine Hexe sein wollte, die mit der Natur verbunden ist kommt hier voll auf seine Kosten! Es gibt magische tierische Freunde, tolle Charaktere ein idyllisches witziges Setting, nicht zu viel und nicht zu wenig von allem um ehrlich zu sein.
Ich kann nur von diesem Buch gutes sagen.
Es hat mich in genau dem richtigen Moment erreicht, und mich daran erinnert warum ich überhaupt das lesen so liebe! 🥰
Aber für wen ist das Buch denn eigentlich was?
Dieses Buch ist für alle die gerne mal träumen das sie magische Kräfte haben... oder einen tierischen Begleiter der welche hat..
es ist für die jenigen die sich ein kleines haus im Wald oder in den Bergen am liebsten bauen würden.. aber es bis jetzt nur träumen...
Es ist für die jene die sich gerade nicht daran erinnern warum sie eigentlich lesen, aber auch für die die ein Buch suchen zum abschalten.
Denn sein wir mal ehrlich wer hat sich nicht irgendwo irgendwann einmal gewünscht einfach jemand anderes zu sein oder etwas besonderes zu können?

Profile Image for  Mummy Cat Claire.
836 reviews15 followers
May 6, 2018
This book really caught my eye. I think the cover is very cute, and I love black cats.

The book was originally published in Danish under the title, Vidheks: Ildproven in 2010. It is being re-published in English as translated by Charlotte Barslund.

Clara Ash is a 12 year old girl who, right in the beginning of the book, has a run in with a large black cat.
"It was the biggest cat I had ever seen. It was the size of my friend Oscar's Labrador and just as black. Its eyes glowed neon yellow in the dim light of the stairwell that led up out of the bike basement."


Clara has no idea what is going on and her mom is secretive about it and is no help. Shortly after meeting the cat, Clara has an incident with a bird or a woman, she's not sure. That's when Clara's mom decides to go to Aunt Isa's and have Clara stay there for a time. Clara's mom does not participate in the ways of the Wildwitches, but Aunt Isa does and she is one of them. Clara stays with Aunt Isa to learn about what a wildwitch is and what they do, as well as train to use her powers.
While staying at Aunt Isa's, Clara is sought out by another witch, Chimera. For some reason, Chimera wants to take Clara. When she fails, Clara and Aunt Isa gather other wildwitches and take Chimera to a wildwitche's court. The book covers such things as, perseverance, courage, not giving up when things get hard, honesty and sticking to your guns.

The book is not very long and with the length being so short there wasn't much room for details. Plus, this is a children's book and most kids don't need or want a bunch of details. Having said that, there are several things that are not answered for the reader in this book. For example, Chimera is never explained. Who is she? What does she want with Clara? The cat's presence is not explained. Who is this cat? What is his name? Where did it come from? What is it's purpose?
The only explanation on the cat's presence is true in our world as it is in their's.
"If you wind up with one of those for your wildfriend, you don't own a cat, the cat owns you.
I'm not sure that I even chose him to begin with, I said.
No that's what I just said. Cats make up their own minds."


The book has a distinct British feel to it. They use different words for the same things American's use. Like sat nav for the gps and some others. The book mentions squash. Squash is a drink, not a vegetable. I miss squash. *sigh* Perhaps these things are More European than British. *shrugs*

The ending is left wide open. "I think I can manage growing without your help, I huffed. He snorted. I don't think so. There was no point in arguing. When yo uhave a cat, don't ever expect to get the last word."

Overall, while there are still several loose ends that are not addressed in this book, perhaps they will be later on in the series. I found the book to be a cute idea for kids, entertaining while also, short, simple and to the point. I would recommend this book to 8-12 year olds. I might possibly read it to my daughter later.

Content: one instance of damn and hell.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for EuleAnnalena.
238 reviews
August 26, 2025
3,75 Sterne

Das war eine ganz nette Geschichte^^
Diesen Monat schon das vierte Kinderbuch für mich, huch, was war denn los? Tut aber auch mal gut^^

Das Buch ist echt kurz und schafft es trotzdem eine vollständige Geschichte zu erzählen. Es wird auch nie langweilig, obwohl ich doch gemerkt habe, dass ich auch nicht völlig in die Geschichte eingezogen worden bin.

Ich bin großer Fan von dem Trend, dass in Kinderbüchern eine Freundschaft zur Natur und ein guter Umgang mit Mitmenschen und -tieren hervorgehoben wird.
Clara ist bereits vorher ein Tierfreund, aber sie lernt im Zuge ihrer Ausbildung als Wildhexe noch besser auf sie zu achten und ihnen zuzuhören. Und es passiert nicht von jetzt auf gleich: Clara ist nicht perfekt. Sie ist auch mal pampig, auch mal frustriert, sie macht auch mal Fehler, sie bereut etc. Das war sehr schön zu lesen, ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzen und konnte ihre Gedanken und Handlungen sehr gut nachvollziehen!

Auch die Nebenfiguren mochte ich sehr gerne: Tante Isa war wunderbar sanft und hatte diesen leichten Hexen-Vibe; ihr Lehrling Kahla konnte ich auch gut verstehen: der Unmut gegenüber Clara, die sich später entwickelnde Freundschaft!

Mein Lieblingsaspekt: der Kater^^ er hat seinen Platz auf dem Cover verdient, ich mochte alle Szenen mit ihm^^

Wenn ich jetzt mit den anderen Kinderbüchern diesen Monat dieses hier vergleiche, finde ich dieses etwas düsterer (wie ich es vielleicht von einer skandinavischen (hier dänischen) Autorin auch zu erwarten hatte; erfahrungsgemäß sind die dort im Norden doch etwas härter unterwegs in ihrer Literatur xD)

Insgesamt: sehr angenehm zu lesen, spannend, sehr kurz, macht aber neugierig auf mehr!
Profile Image for Oliviana Georgescu.
315 reviews27 followers
November 20, 2020
O poveste urban fantasy, o poveste plină de magie, scrisă într-un stil clar, prietenos, ușor de citit, o poveste care va merge cu siguranță la inima micilor cititori, și nu numai a celor mici! Face parte din genul de cărți pentru copii, dar care pot fi citite cu drag de toată familia.
Cartea este scrisă la persoana întâi din perspectiva protagonistei, Clara, o fetiță de 12 ani foarte ușor de îndrăgit, cuminte, timidă, sensibilă și foarte inteligentă. Este un copil normal, preocupat de problemele specifice vârstei ei, merge la școală, are prieteni - cel mai bun prieten și confident al său este un coleg, Oscar.
Crescută doar de mama sa - tatăl le părăsise pe când Clara avea doar 5 anișori -, avea o relație foarte strânsă și caldă cu aceasta. Și totul e bine și firesc până într-o bună zi, când, plecând la școală, îi apare în cale o pisică!
Recenzia completă: https://www.delicateseliterare.ro/mic...
140 reviews
June 1, 2024
Kunne virkelig godt lide "Vildheks Ildprøven af Lene Kaaberbøl".
God intro til en, hvad jeg på forhånd ikke kan tro andet end, vil forsætte som en vellykket serie.
Profile Image for Phoenix .
15 reviews
March 17, 2020
God. Lene har en livlig fantasi. Jeg er kæmpe fan.
Jeg har fået hendes autograf. Hun har også skrevet Skammerserien som jeg varm vil anbefale
Vildheks var en rigtig god bog.
Profile Image for Bruce Gargoyle.
874 reviews140 followers
August 15, 2016
I received a digital copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley.

Ten Second Synopsis:
Clara always thought she was ordinary until strange, dangerous things start happening around her. Whisked off to learn the ways of the wildwitch from her aunty, Clara thinks she'll be safe, if a little bored, but nothing could be further than the truth.

This is a delightful, timeless-feeling story of witchery and magic with a down-to-earth heroine. There's something charmingly old-fashioned about the style of narrative here, as the focus is entirely on the action, rather than establishing Clara as a child of a particular contemporary time. It's refreshing to read a middle grade novel that doesn't faff about with done-to-death school bullies and all that rubbish and just sticks to the trials of the main character. The villain of the piece is scary indeed, with a malicious streak that could spell disaster for Clara.

The book is quite a quick read and the pacing is spot on, with no time wasted as Clara is moved to her aunt's house to begin her training. I loved the particular magical world and lore that was built up in this story and I would be very interested to see what happens next. I'd recommend this one to lovers of simple but action-packed magical stories and those who would just adore having their own magical familiar to hang out with.
Profile Image for GeraniumCat.
281 reviews43 followers
January 15, 2016
I can't resist books with cats! And to add to the enjoyment, this one has a dog and a horse as well. What more could one want?

Wildwitch is by an award-winning Danish author, Lene Kaaberbøl, and is the first in a series. It introduces Clara, a nice, ordinary 12-year-old who lives with her single mum and is best friends with Oscar. Her world changes when she's attacked without reason by a huge black cat. When she develops a high fever her mother takes her away from the city to visit Aunt Isa, who she's never met before, and she learns that, like her aunt, she's a wildwitch. But the moment she first walked the wildways she made a deadly enemy, and now she's in grave danger.

This is a short book, only 160 pages, so it's an easy read. Like many modern children's fantasies, though, I think it's genuinely scary - at times, Clara is in fear for her life. It's too short for very much leisurely character development, but nonetheless there's a sense of real people populating the story, and Clara, who tells the story, is immediately likable. I very much look forward to seeing how she grows throughout the series - the second is on its way, I believe.

The translation by Charlotte Barslund is excellent, and Wildwitch is delightfully illustrated by Rohan Eason.

Profile Image for Caroline Stæhr.
127 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2022
Jeg synes virkelig den var så sød. Jeg glæder mig helt til næste bog. Er nok lidt for gammel til den — men — whatever 🤷🏼‍♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for SereneeSora.
14 reviews
October 17, 2023
Really Nice start for the Series and I cant wait to read more of Clara and her new Cat friend.
Profile Image for Sal.
155 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2020
With a girlfriend who’s a primary school librarian, you’re going to come across a pretty wide variety of children’s and YA lit. Amongst a few options on the night table, this one caught my eye and I gave it a read.

To be entirely fair to this book, it is the first in a series, so I would entirely expect holes that would need filling in later, but this one leaves out so much that you have almost no idea of character motivations.

The book focuses on courage, understanding and trusting yourself, and on finding your footing in an unfamiliar world. Sounds like things we need in 2020, for sure.

I have no doubt that young readers may enjoy this series, but I felt that the lack of details makes it impossible to find the immersion that I loved to find when reading as a child
Profile Image for Julie Eilén.
146 reviews80 followers
August 8, 2015
Jeg hadde nok likt denne boka hvis jeg var 10 år yngre og ikke hadde lest så mye fantasy før. For meg ble denne boka litt for enkel, jeg følte hele tiden at noe manglet og at historien bar litt for mye preg av å følge et bestemt mønster. Det er på mange måter en god bok, det er mye i den som er bra, men den når dessverre ikke opp til toppen for meg. Jeg hadde håpet at den skulle være bedre, for jeg synes Kaaberbøl har et godt innsyn i hva fantasy bør være. Et av problemene med Ildprøven er kanskje at det ble litt for mye moral og en litt for tynn historie. Kanskje får historien litt mer dybde i de neste bøkene i serien?
Profile Image for absolutely  _ grim.
426 reviews10 followers
June 23, 2018
3 Stars
Sometimes I enjoy a darker middle-grade and this definitely had that going on. I thought the idea of a large black cat setting in motion witchy-events is about the coolest thing ever. However, there were some things that kept me from giving this book a higher rating.
The writing was too straightforward and bland, for me. I understand this can sometimes be an issue with translating books but it bothered me. Also, the story's direction, character development, and magic system were all lacking for me. I think some important elements were not elaborated on or explained enough.
Overall I enjoyed most of this book and would recommend it to someone looking for darker middle-grade fiction.
Profile Image for Anna.
212 reviews14 followers
July 31, 2016
The entire family listened to the audiobook while driving through Germany on our way to summer vacation. We were greatly entertained. The heroine, Clara, is an average tween girl struggling with well known problems such as self-esteem, boys, parents etc, when she suddenly realizes, that she's also a witch. Shortly after she's forced into the wizarding world more or less willingly, when her life is threatened by the evil witch Chimera. The worldbuilding is well made and has it's own logic. Recommendable as a childrens read.
Profile Image for Mothwing.
970 reviews28 followers
November 24, 2020
Very sweet middle grade novel about an extremely realistic 12-year-old who finds out she is a nature witch, only that another, evil nature witch is after her!

It's a fast read and I can see why I kept seeing it in the hands of my fifth years a lot this year. It has a lot to recommend itself- magic that is singing, magical familiars, characters embracing nature - including the gritty bits.
Profile Image for Emma Lindhagen.
Author 13 books14 followers
June 7, 2020
This book was recommended by one of the librarians in the kids' reading group where I work, and I thought it sounded fun so I checked it out. It's a quick and pretty captivating read, with some cool worldbuilding and a nice take on the witch genre. I quite liked it and have continued reading the series.
Profile Image for Maria.
553 reviews
April 22, 2025
My first Kaaberboel book ever. I had to read this for work and I must say I really enjoyed it very much. The mystery, the ideas of the story and Chimera. I have to get this one for my own collection and also read the other ones in the series.
Profile Image for Anna Weasley.
296 reviews61 followers
August 4, 2015
Sehr süße und spannende Geschichte für Kinder, aber auch was nettes für zwischendurch für Erwachsene!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.