Graphic Novel Review - 'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders Vol. 1' by Jordie Bellaire (Writer), Koi Carreon (Artist), Cy Vendivil (Inker), Sarah Davidson (Colourist)

I just... what is this?

Really, what is this? What is it supposed to be? What was it trying to achieve? How did it become so bafflingly, badly written? Is it a sequel comic series, a reboot, or both? Because it will confuse the everloving heck out of both newcomers and people who have seen the original nineties cartoon. It's a nightmarish mess even in its own right.

How did a 2024 "update" to a nostalgic cartoon end up so... terrible? As mostly obscure and forgotten as the original show was, it deserves far better treatment than this. Anything does! Even Dynamite's 'Rainbow Brite Volume 01' is better written and more accessible than this!

'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders Vol. 1' is like a sequel to a five season TV show that nobody saw, that got edited, condensed, skipped over, and basically bashed and cut to pieces by executive meddling, in a decades-long development hell. This results in an unfocused, ADD-riddled, unmitigated disaster where too much happens in too short a time, with little breathing room and chance to absorb anything, and you can't get emotionally invested in what's going on, nor in the characters and their rushed, barely existent and later forgotten relationships with each other. The needed expository dialogue is either nonexistent, too little, too much, random, or jumbled and confusing. A ridiculous number of details, ideas and actions are added in, that are made to seem important when they are introduced... are then dropped entirely, or they are hurriedly tacked on after a long absence with little fanfare and importance. It's like reading the world's worst treasure hunt and puzzle - try to guess what detail in the story, what "plot point", and what passes for "character development", is important. Spoiler: almost nothing is important by the end. There is no point. Nothing matters. What a waste of time.

I mean for crying out loud, an apocalypse happens off-page in the middle of the book, with no buildup, no explanation, and in the end it is taken care of just as easily, the book not bothering to explain how the !&*$*! things turned back to normal so quickly, like nothing happened!

It is here where, hopefully for further context and understanding, I will mention my own history with the 'Princess Gwenevere' nineties cartoon. In the UK where I live it is called 'Princess Starla and the Jewel Riders' for some bizarre reason (why make even less of a connection to the Avalon legend?). I barely remembered it from when I was a very young kid, and I think I only saw a few episodes. Recently I watched its two seasons on YouTube, and it is... not good. I mean, it is harmless, and there are infinitely worse cartoons out there (like another nineties toy commercial, 'Sky Dancers', *shudders*), but it feels far too much like a leftover production to sell toys from the eighties, when in the nineties the standards for what is deemed children's entertainment had reached a much higher bar. Heck, some eighties cartoons are in fact funnier, more self-aware and engaging than 'Princess Gwenevere'. I can recall only a few funny, and human, moments and lines of dialogue, where effort seemed to be put in.

Still, I would rather watch the show over and over again than reread its too-little-too-much-too-late comic sequel that doesn't try to ease you into things.

As I stated at the beginning, 'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders Vol. 1' will confuse readers who have not heard of or seen the near-thirty-year-old cartoon, and readers who have. It references events, arcs and developments for characters that did not happen in the show. How many years have passed in-universe since that ended? There are characters who are wildly, um, out of character and have seem to have gone through a dark arc, like Merlin, and characters who are given no development and hardly any page time, like poor Fallon (the only POC Jewel Rider (besides Josh, remember him?) is treated like a reluctant, begrudged afterthought yet again! And I thought this was a modern update!). Too much time is spent on Tamara and stupid Drake, and not enough focus is given to Gwenevere herself, when she's supposed to be the protagonist. Where is her heartfelt bond with her steed Sunstar, who also suddenly has no character? Why do we almost never see the Jewel Riders together in action? The cover lies! What was up with the monster attack on the fairies at the beginning? That isn't mentioned again. What the flipping heck is Tamara's cape attack? What happened to Tamara's baby animal friends? Why do Kale's dweasels only appear in two pages near the end and are discarded nonentities, and not comic relief?Where's Morgana? Did anyone working on this comic even see the cartoon before they made it, and put it to publishing?

It's all incredibly weird, and not in a good way. The incompetence on display is astounding.

Okay, to be fair, I will list the positives I could find:

The comic does make an attempt to expand on the lore of the cartoon. Not very well, and very haphazardly and spottily, mind you, but there is at least an attempt.

One focus and direction I did like, and that didn't drop the ball as far as a consistent planning and development goes, is the establishment of the relationship between Queen Adrianna and Lady Kale. It actually shows a relationship between the sisters, and their past, and how Kale may have become evil (no surprise that it's Merlin's fault), and Adrianna's depression and the depths of her grief at losing her beloved sister to the dark side. It's quite nice and refreshing to see, when originally there was literally nothing between the sisters. I think they only shared a single line of dialogue in the entire show, and very briefly. I mean come on, one sister is the queen of Avalon and the mother of the protagonist, and the other sister is the main villain and the aunt of said protagonist! The drama is right there! How could it have been ignored?! Give us something! The comic, on the other hand, does give us something, in terms of a tragic sisterly bond, and it is perhaps the only part in it where I felt a little emotional investment, and curiosity as to how it would go moving forward.

Additionally, it seems that Adrianna is now the queen's official, proper name, and is not Guinevere or Anya. And Merlin may be a sketchy, judgemental, faithless, not even secretly power hungry and diabolical, mean, irrelevant old duffer who caused Kale's desperation for validation and subsequent turn to power and evil to begin with, but let's try to be fair again: she's named after cabbage. Anyone would become a villain for that alone.

Tamara is an okay character, and the stronger written and most likeable out of anyone, unfortunately taking the development and spotlight away from Gwenevere.

Archie, Merlin's owl, has some funny dialogue; he is funny in a different way to how he is in the cartoon. He is less goofy and cowardly, and more sombre, stoic and sarcastic.

The artwork is colourful, bold, crisp, sharp, nice and manga-esque, without looking too much like an outdated gimmick.

Well, that's it. My lamentably negative review of 'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders Vol. 1'. It is a shame because I adore all things Magical GirlsTM, and I want to give each of them a chance. I expect better from the genre nowadays, and from modern takes, reboots and retoolings of magical girl/girl power franchises - western and eastern, from the eighties, nineties and the 2000s. I mean, look at 'She-Ra and the Princesses of Power' and the IDW 'Jem and the Holograms' comics - the standards for "girls' shows" now are high and mighty. They are respectable, respected and taken seriously, and written well and passionately. These are examples of "updates", reintroductions and reinventions that came from people who are clearly fans of the original source material, and who saw the potential for expansion, for deeper lore, for heartfelt, clever and twisty writing. For more.

Whilst 'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders Vol. 1' is potential wasted, and butchered. Something this messy, condensed, chopped up and put together using Pritt Stick actually has the gall to end on sequel bait. How a second volume could come to be after so much went horribly wrong here, I hate to imagine. I certainly won't be reading it.

I so wanted to like 'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders Vol. 1'. It had so much, ahem, riding on it, to be so much better than its source material. But sadly it fumbled and flopped. The cheap, silly and shallow animated series is more entertaining and easier to follow in comparison. It has its brief, little moments; its glimmers, and shining signs of charm, like its many in-show magic jewels. The comic has no charm whatsoever. It's just sad and depressing. I don't know what happened behind the scenes that made it turn out the way it did, but it happened, and this is the catastrophic final product.

Yet another reboot is in order, I'd say. In comic form, or in animation.

Creators, for next time: be sure to make a careful, thoughtful, slow building plan, progression, and effort, please.

Final Score: 1/5

EDIT: For another version of 'Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders' that is worth your investment, read 'Avalon: Web of Magic', which was inspired by the cartoon.

Book Review - 'Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes, #0)' by Travis Baldree

I didn't originally intend to read this, no matter how much I enjoyed 'Legends & Lattes', because I hate prequels. But one day I thought, "Eh, why not give it a try?" Plus it has largely glowing reviews, so I thought I might at least receive something out of it.

What did I think of 'Bookshops & Bonedust', a prequel to 'Legends & Lattes' that can be read as a standalone? How was the experience for me?

Despite a few passages, like at the beginning, that are odd and nonsensical and could have used a proofread, it is hard not to be absorbed into its writing, its world, its characters and their day to day lives and growing bonds with one another; brief as their encounters are, their presence, their memory, can stay with them, and last a lifetime.

It turns out not to be so rocky (figuratively and literally) in its beginnings...

Set around twenty years before 'Legends & Lattes', the young, arrogant and reckless warrior orc Viv is injured in the leg in a battle with a necromancer's army, and so her revered squad leaves her to recover in a small, slow, sleepy seafaring town called Murk. Suffice it to say, this situation is far from ideal for her. The big, hulking muscle woman with a fiery metabolism is impatient to get out there and swing swords at things again.

But maybe, lodging in a tavern owned by a sea-fey, helping a shy and sweet and surprisingly foulmouthed rattkin bookseller, with her gryphet (half-dog/half-owl), renovate and save her bookshop, reading books recommended by said bookseller, avoiding the shit list of a tapenti (cobra woman, basically) Gatewarden, slowly starting a romance with an enthusiastic dwarf baker, and getting to know a gnome who is eager to follow in her warrior mercenary path, plus her irritated elf surgeon... might get Viv to see a new, fresh perspective on life. A simple life in a simple sea-and-hills-and-dunes town, where little and lasting pleasures are afoot, always awaiting those who care to take notice and look.

There's a creeping necromancer mystery plot with living skeletons in here, too, but that's not important, really.

What is important is Viv's character development. By the end of the book, she does change, yet she doesn't. Her initial goals remain the same, but deep down she knows they won't last forever for her - a warrior's life is not her whole life, her whole story, and her story will not end that way, as is evident once 'Legends & Lattes' comes into play.

Overall, at 332 pages (longer than 'Legends & Lattes'), 'Bookshops & Bonedust' is an awesome and absorbing fantasy read. It is hard to put down. Like its predecessor, it is an enjoyable, heavenly haven for readers who like a cosy epic fantasy filled with books and baked goods. And adorable, funny fantasy creatures.

'Bookshops & Bonedust' showcases the process of organising a bookshop and its stocks, what its business entails, how bookselling and recommendations could go, and there are even book club events, like author meetings and signings (this happens practically offhandedly in this case!).

'Legends & Lattes' is a how-to guide on running a successful café and coffee shop, not set in our normal, boring, mundane world, but it might as well. It is warm, cosy and exciting.

'Bookshops & Bonedust' is a how-to guide on running a successful bookshop, specifically in a seafaring town where no one reads much, not set in our normal, boring, mundane world, but it might as well. It is cold (given its setting) yet warm, cosy and exciting. Though a bookshop is not what it is all about. It is about so much more. Like the unexpected friends we make along the way.

I think all of Travis Baldree's works are like this. It seems he really has got the tone and the execution of the newly coined "cosy fantasy" genre just right, more so than any other writer.

'Bookshops & Bonedust' is another delicious treat from Baldree. It's hard to believe, and kind of hilarious, that it is not what he originally had in mind at all for his second book, according to the Acknowledgments. It is longer and perhaps more thrilling than 'Legends & Lattes', with stakes, but both are excellent in their own way (I prefer 'Legends & Lattes', I think). I like the friendships that Viv forms with each of the characters, but her "romance" with the dwarf baker, Maylee, is scarcely present. The ending is a bit rushed and anticlimactic, and there are no big shocking twists (it's barely a mystery novel) - things just kind of happen, and come and go, as in life - but I don't mind much. I get what Baldree was going for. Keeping it simple turned out to be better.

Oh, and what a glorious, majority female cast of characters 'Bookshops & Bonedust' has, how could I forget! The amount of female players is eclipsing, titanic and fantastic for a fantasy story. Well done, Baldree! Now, maybe next time add in nonbinary and trans rep...

Beautiful, touching, life-affirming, soulful, and gentle yet sharp and edgy when it needs to be, the deeper you go in, like ocean waves at a beach. Funny as all the eight hells, too. I laughed out loud a few times.

An imperfect book about imperfect lives and arcs. Arcs for orcs. It remains a 'Lord of the Rings' style fantasy. It is just my kind of book, and cup of tea. And scone.

Read my review of 'Legends & Lattes' here.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'Safiyyah's War' by Hiba Noor Khan

I am ever so glad I found this by chance whilst browsing in my local bookshop. To think it initially caught my eye because the name in its title reminded me of a friend of mine, and the lovely illustrations on the cover. It turns out that 'Safiyyah's War' is just as great - no, better by far - as its cover suggests.

'Safiyyah's War' is a new children's book about World War II. It is based around a true life heroic story - a different, widely forgotten and erased part of history I certainly never heard of before: about how Muslims in Paris hid Jews in their mosques, as a sanctuary and refuge, and helped them escape the Nazi occupation; through the Resistance, involving secret messengers, underground tunnels, catacombs, and boats on rivers, under the cover of night.

It is a true testament to humans' limitless capacity to love, and to be compassionate, empathetic, and brave, and to preserve our spirit, no matter what tragedies befall us. We are each so much braver, and more capable of anything, than we think, in the direst of times, when it seems that evil is winning in dominance over the world. Through togetherness, support, love, community, connection, friendship and family, we can achieve anything.

After all, major religions, as was originally intended, are formed out of love and community, not hatred, selfishness, violence, bloodlust and division.

'Safiyyah's War' is beautifully written, and I would have read it in a day if I hadn't been so busy. It tells the story of Safiyyah, a Muslim child living in Paris at the start of WWII, and her day to day life, her curiosities, her excursions, her risks, her helping those in need however she can, her cunning, her fears, her astounding bravery, and her relationships with her loving, lovely family, and friends; such as the many Jewish and non-Jewish children (and adults, too) she meets, gets to know, and saves along the way. It is this wonderful, wandering heroic girl's coming-of-age journey, when her childhood is taken from her far too soon. I especially love how her PTSD and anxiety are depicted, becoming clearer and more prominent near the end, when the situation with the Nazis grows increasingly worse and more deathly and terrifying.

Safiyyah and those around her never lose hope, however, or they don't for long. They will not, and cannot, let evil win. They have love, and each other, and they can push forwards, through anything.

There are gorgeous, delicious descriptions of oranges (I adore Safiyyah's grandmother and her nostalgic love for the fruit). And the rest of Paris. There are books, libraries, maps (Safiyyah is a brilliant navigator, cartographer, and future explorer), paper butterflies, increasingly rationed food, and animals like little fluffy cats, and an abandoned parrot that refuses to leave his cage. 'Safiyyah's War' is like 'The Book Thief', if it was set in Paris and the main characters were Muslims, and the heroine was a bit more proactive.

This treasure of a book - this near-perfect* holy, sacred, reverent tome - is all at once adorable, lovely, scary, sad and tragic. But above all, it is ever so hopeful. It is so heartfelt and earnest, it is impossible not to feel for the characters, the setting, and its crucial intensions. We all need books like this - we always have, but especially right now. Human history is always repeating itself, and humans are determined to be doomed to make the same tragic and stupid mistakes over and over again.

In trying to write a review now do I realise how inadequate and unqualified I am to give 'Safiyyah's War' the proper, wholehearted justice and respect it deserves. So, in the remains of my incompetence, I'll leave off by saying:

It is magnificent, moral, and inspiring - and criminally underrated - children's literature. Just read it. You won't regret it. It is a reason to keep on reading books. It is a rare jewel that proves that new literature can actually be good, and well written from passion and the heart, and as vital to our survival as old books; a survival that is slowly dwindling every day in the sorry, ghastly, outrageous, pathetic, dangerous current state of affairs in the world.

'Safiyyah's War' needs to be read by everyone, to be known and recognised as the important masterpiece for all ages it is.

Never give up. Never give in to despair and hopelessness. Never surrender. Never stop caring.

Now to read more books about WWII!

I'll end by including these quotes by authors, who say more with simple, little words than I could with any long review I write:


'Safiyyah's War has the soul of a classic and the urgency of a story for our times. A tale of tolerance, unthinkable bravery, and heart-in-mouth true events. I loved this book.' - Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

'This book shines through with empathy at its very heart.' - Nizrana Farook.

'Luminously written, this is an extraordinary story of bravery filled with truth and light and hope.' - Katya Balen.

'Beautifully written, full of compassion and hope, Safiyyah's War is an important and much needed WWII story that puts a spotlight on a rarely heard of part of history. Safiyyah's story is a must-read in schools exploring WWII, to encourage empathy. The story is superbly told, with adorable characters. A special, heartfelt book that I'm glad exists.' - A M Dassu.

'Beautiful, vivid writing... A moving story of resistance and unity, the power of community and faith. I absolutely loved it.' - Radiya Hafiza.


And from the author, Hiba Noor Khan, in her Historical Note at the end of the book, a quote I feel is gravely prescient and poignant:


'I feel incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to write this story, and intend for it to be a humanising, unifying force in an all too often bitterly divided world.'


(Bitter, petty, and dangerously stupid.)


Also, at the end of her Historical Note:


'Both Jewish and Muslim tradition share the saying; For whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved all of humanity.'


Final Score: 4/5

*I feel a few characters get forgotten about at the end, and maybe I am hard to please, but oh well. Nothing can be perfect.

Manga Review - 'Bibi & Miyu, Volume 1' by Olivia Vieweg (Writer), Hirara Natsume (Artist), Susanne C. Stephan (Editor)

'Bibi & Miyu'



Just...what is this?

Why does this exist?

How does it exist?

What are you up to with this project, TOKYOPOP?

More importantly, why did I buy it?

Most importantly, why did I like it?



Rarely have I ever encountered such a bizarre, random product that nonetheless suits a lot of my tastes. The American/German/Japanese manga 'Bibi & Miyu, Volume 1' is pink, it's about witches, it's about magic little girls and friendship, it has cherry blossoms, and a flying pink fox/kitsune. It's so sweet and cute and adorable it's like diving into strawberry yogurt in Japan. As well as cherry blossoms, it literally has raining cakes and sweets at one point!

But this in no way distracts me from its obvious flaws. Its pacing is rushed and all over the place. None of the characters are developed very well, with anyone who is not Bibi and Miyu suffering the most (Bibi and Miyu do have their overt and subtle moments, and moments to shine, though). The manga begins with character bios, including ones for Bibi's friends Moni, Marita and Johnathan...who are not actually in the manga. At least, they appear in a few panels, but that's it. Not once do they interact with Bibi. If it weren't for the bios, you'd start off thinking Bibi has no friends at school, that she's a lonely, bored witch girl.

Even with all the fantasy elements and kiddie witchery and yōkai hunting, 'Bibi & Miyu' seems to only exist to showcase to young children the cultures of both Germany and Japan - mostly Japan as the majority of the manga takes place there. This isn't a bad thing, of course, but it could have had more depth, and been integrated into what little story there is. Also there's no mention of language barriers.

Still, the friendship between Bibi and Miyu is nice and sweet, as rushed as it is. I wouldn't say it is blossoming so much as it is like a shooting beanstalk. A shooting star. On a broomstick. Powered by a comet. I mean, Bibi declares she wants to go to Japan with Miyu the first day they meet! And she does!

I guess I'll end my review of this weird and flaky yet cute and endearing kids' manga with a bit of trivia: The character of Bibi Blocksberg is apparently a popular IP in Germany. She has her own radio play series, live action movies, and an animated series, that's free to watch on YouTube. I had literally never heard of her until over a week ago, when I discovered 'Bibi & Miyu, Volume 1' on Goodreads and looked into it. Which(witch!) is shocking to me, as I'm always searching to devour any witch media there is. Not much about Bibi Blocksberg is available in English, as far as I can tell. From what I can gather, it seems to me she's Germany's answer to Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She's like Pipi Longstocking as a witch. And she's like a blonde and green-dressed 'Kiki's Delivery Service'. Japanese exchange student Miyu, from a yōkai hunting family, with the flying pink fox named Wasabi, is an original cross-promotion character.

Anyway, 'Bibi & Miyu, Volume 1' - it's cute stuff! It conjures up nostalgic feelings - misty auras from long ago - of watching Saturday morning cartoons. It reminded me of when I watched anime like 'Sailor Moon', and shows like 'Winx Club', on early mornings, even on schooldays.

International witchy friendship is magic, and fun!

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'Winx Club: Fairy Insider' by Pam Pollack, Meg Belviso, Iginio Straffi (Creator)

'Winx Club: Fairy Insider' is a girls' (ages 8-11) quiz-type magazine, in Scholastic book form, that is fairly(fairy) typical of its kind from the early-to-mid 2000s. Very girly and heteronormative.

Although...

It is colourful, fun, and nice for what it is. I sure would have eaten it up way back when. I especially like the horoscope parts, the birthstone and charms parts, and the little facts about each of the Winx girls. There are useful health and beauty tips, too.

This magazine print at least attempts to tell a sort-of story, about Bloom writing and figuring out who she is, and her Winx Club friends help her along the way. I presume this takes place in early season one of the cartoon.

As well as Bloom, Techna might be my favourite character here. She really is very funny. Apparently she dreams of electronic sheep... wow, I did not expect such a clever reference in this of all things. And oh, how she talks about emoticons/symbols in text - to go back to an age before emojis were invented!

The witch trio, Icy, Stormy and Darcy, interrupt at one point. Very amusing, and surprisingly dark and edgy. I admire it. We need more of the Trix. Why do witches have to be the villains in this universe, seriously?! 

It's not exactly teaching tolerance and compassion towards fellow living beings, is it?!

Nonetheless, 'Fairy Insider' shall be a part of my nostalgic 'Winx Club' book memorabilia. It's got info, and humour, and it's a cute time capsule.

Final Score: 3/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'The Heartstopper Colouring Book' by Alice Oseman

Yeah, I'm just starved for new 'Heartstopper' content until Volume Six comes out. I don't ever read or own colouring books. But it goes to show how much I love 'Heartstopper' that I would happily add 'The Heartstopper Colouring Book' to my fandom collection.

It truly is as adorable, sweet, wholesome, comfy, heartwarming and life-affirming as the comic series, and of course my favourite precious, wonderful, dear-hearted, soft and warm cinnamon roll couple, Nick and Charlie, are not the only characters focused on. Every character is lovely.

And Nick's dog, OMG!!!

I'm not sure I would actually colour anything in the book, nor write in some of the empty dialogue balloons. I think I'll just leave it, purely, as it is. But I'm sure the activity would be therapeutic, like reading the series is.

Alice Oseman is one of my favourite people in the world right now. Thank you, Alice, for bringing these comics and characters into this world, that desperately needs them.

Happy Pride, everywhere, always, and forever.

Final Score: 4/5

Book Review - 'W.I.T.C.H. Adventures, #1: When Lightning Strikes' by Lene Kaaberbol (Writer), Disney Enterprises, Inc.

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