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Post by Tim on Jun 12, 2017 23:56:00 GMT -5
BOOK: Mystic Knoll AUTHOR: Diana G. Gallagher YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2005 NOTE: This review may contain plot spoilers. Getting away from it all, we all like to do that sometimes. However, when you're a Charmed One, taking a vacation from work is not always as easy as it seems. When Paige suggests a family vacation, the Halliwells grudgingly accept the idea. Paige wants to go to Salem, Massachusetts, to explore her heritage, but Piper and Phoebe would rather go to the beach. Leo comes to the rescue when he suggests they can do both. So the family sets off for the East Coast. However, things do not go as smoothly as they had hoped. Due to seemingly random mistakes, the Charmed Ones end up in the small town of Cairn, New Hampshire. Once there, they find more than they bargained for. In Cairn, the Halliwells stay at a Bed And Breakfast, run by a woman named Ida Thornwood. Ida lives there with her granddaughter, Harriet. Both lead a reclusive and solitary life, shunned by the rest of the town for reasons that become apparent later in the story. Although Ida is not too thrilled about having guests, she soon allows the Halliwells to stay. As the story progresses, the Halliwells find out about the Mystic Knoll, a local ancient site, where it is said that magic was once performed. It is said that the Knoll still has powers which affects the local animal life. That is when the questions start. Why does this happen? How are Ida and Harriet connected with it? Why does Ida close her B&B for three days every month? Finally, what does an upcoming solar eclipse have to do with what is going on? I enjoyed this book, it was funny to see that even when the Halliwells want to take a vacation from magic, it seems that magic always finds them. This story is no exception as the Charmed Ones are drawn into a mystery of this small town and forced to deal with events that began twenty years earlier. Although a little reluctant at first, the Charmed Ones soon throw themselves into the task, determined to save the day and protect the Innocents. Another thing about this book is that it's the first one to include baby Wyatt. In the last Charmed Book (Pied Piper), Wyatt had still not been born. Now that has been rectified as Piper and Leo bring their newborn son along. There are plenty of cute scenes with Piper and Leo playing with Wyatt. Also, we see that Piper is worried about Wyatt and the powers he has. So she wants to protect him. Considering what we saw on the show, I can't blame her. Paige also gets to shine as she finds herself attracted to a local handyman named Nathaniel. However, things rapidly go south when Paige finds that Nathaniel has a stubborn "There is no such thing as magic and anyone who believes in it are idiots!" opinion. One can almost hear Paige thinking: Boy, I could show HIM a thing or two! Phoebe is also likable in this book. I'm glad the writers of the books have not made her into the shallow and selfish character that the show has. Some other points: - once again Cole is not mentioned at all. I guess he's been dropped from the books now. Which is ironic, considering his upcoming appearance on the 150th episode of the show. - as I said above, this story has baby Wyatt, but Chris has not appeared yet. I wonder if the later books will have Chris in them at all. - although Ida, Harriet, and Nathaniel are okay, the other local townspeople that appear in this book could have been a little more fleshed out, character wise. They just seemed to fade into the background to me. - the ruins of Mystic Knoll may have been inspired by the ruins of Mystery Hill, a real life site in New Hampshire. This site baffled archaeologists for years, until one noticed how similar it was to Phoenician ruins (the Phoenician civilization thrived in the Mediterranean region about 3000 years ago, they were based in what is now Lebanon). Interesting that the Phoenicians may have reached our shores about 2000 years before Columbus. However, I digress! All in all this was an enjoyable book. I give it a 9/10 rating.
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Post by Tim on Jun 12, 2017 23:57:45 GMT -5
BOOK: The Warren Witches YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2005 AUTHOR: Various NOTE: This review may contain plot spoilers. Throughout the run of the series, Charmed, we have been given many references to some of the ancestors of the Charmed Ones. Now this new book gives us some short stories on some of those ancestors and they are very good stories. Most of the stories are written by authors who have penned Charmed books before, so they know what they're writing about. Through the plot devices of time travel and spirit visitations, we get to meet those ancestors and get a fascinating look at the Warren-Halliwell family line. Here are brief plot summaries of all the stories: 1. Old Friend, written by Laura J. Burns. In this first story of the book, the Charmed Ones travel back in time to 1924, to solve the riddle of a mysterious young woman. The young woman in question being a family friend who seemingly hasn't aged in eighty years. This story features the three past lives of the Charmed Ones that we saw in the Season Two episode, Pardon My Past.
2. The Crucible, written by Micol Ostow. This story involves a young teenage girl, Marissa, who is befriended by Phoebe. However, Marissa is having problems at school, and it is more than just peer pressure. Penny Halliwell, AKA Grams, appears in this story. 3. Patty's Awakening, written by Greg Elliot. In this outing, a teenage Patty Halliwell (the mother of the Charmed Ones) meets a new boy and his kindly mother. However, both may not be what they seem. This is the only story of the book in which the Charmed Ones do not appear, as these events take place entirely in 1966. Thankfully, unlike the train wreck called Witchstock, both Patty and Penny are depicted as the correct ages they would be in the 1960's.
4. Something Old, Something New, written by Paul Ruditis. This story has the Charmed Ones travelling back in time to Boston of the early 1700's. Here they meet Prudence Warren, daughter of the first witch of their line, Melinda Warren. Prudence, now a young woman, is about to get married, and is having second thoughts about remaining a witch. The Halliwells must make sure that Prudence keeps her powers, and thus their legacy, intact. 5. Preconceived, written by Erica Pass. The Halliwells once again travel back in time, this time to the 1960's. In seems that a Warlock they had just vanquished had the power to resurrect an ancestor. This ancestor is now after the teenage Patty Halliwell. The Charmed Ones must save their future mother, and themselves, from being erased from time. 6. Witch Trap, written by Cameron Dokey. This outing finds the Halliwells accidentally transported back to the California Gold Rush days of the 1800's. Here they are forced to summon the spirit of Melinda Warren to help save an innocent young woman from being put to death. 7. Old Family Recipe, written by Diana G. Gallagher. In this story, Piper, using an old family recipe that she found hidden in the Book Of Shadows, bakes some apple pies for the family and a police bake sale. The pies are a success. However, what Piper doesn't realize is that the old recipe in question was written by P. Russell, Phoebe's evil past self (Pardon My Past). Piper soon discovers that the pies she baked have an unexpected side effect.
8. Family History, written by Laura J. Burns. In this final outing, the Charmed Ones are forced to team up with relatives from the past and future. It seems they are facing a Demon that can exist in many time periods at once. The family must use all their powers to try and vanquish this Demon before the time line is damaged beyond all hope of repair. This story features various relatives that have appeared , or have been mentioned of, on the show. All in all, I found these stories to be very well written. It seems the authors really did their homework in researching the ancestors in question (I wish the same could be said for the writers on the show). This book is a must have for any true Charmed Fan. However, there is one negative aspect I must point out. As I said, we get to see many ancestors and more recently deceased relatives of the Charmed Ones in this book, with one notable exception. WHERE THE HECK IS PRUE!? Although she is mentioned a lot, Prue does not appear in any of the stories, either as a spirit or through time travel. I find this totally illogical, as Prue was a vital part of the show for three seasons. It just doesn't make sense not to include Prue in this book, because of the nature of the book, being about important members of the Warren-Halliwell family line of witches. While the show cannot feature Prue, because Shannen Doherty doesn't want to guest star, the books are under no such restriction. I have been kind of easy on the books in the past for excluding Prue, but this time it is unacceptable. This is the only black mark in this otherwise excellent book. To sum up, I give this book a 9/10 rating. Only the exclusion of Prue keeps the book from getting a perfect 10.
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Post by Tim on Jun 13, 2017 0:02:19 GMT -5
BOOK: Shadow Of The Sphinx AUTHOR: Carla Jablonski YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2003 NOTE: This review may contain plot spoilers. As some of you may know, I am a history buff. I enjoy stories that are set in historical times (provided they are done right). Well, this novel has the Charmed Ones taking a romp in Ancient Egypt. Also, as a cat owner all my life, I have another reason to love this books, as cats play a big part in it. As the story opens, Paige is still trying to find her new path as a witch (this novel is clearly set early in Season Four). When Phoebe and Piper, with their guys, Cole and Leo, head out to brunch, Paige, not wanting to be a fifth wheel, decides to stay home. To pass the time, Paige looks through the Book Of Shadows and finds a shape changing spell. Without really thinking it through, she decides to try it on herself and winds up transforming herself into a cat (because Paige thinks cats are cool)! Unfortunately, being a cat means that Paige can only meow and thus is unable to say the rest of the spell to change herself back. Seeing no other alternative, Paige waits for the others to get home. However, when they find her, they think she’s a stray cat that somehow got into Halliwell Manor. Not knowing it’s their sister, they box Paige up and take her to a local animal shelter. Later, Piper and Phoebe discover the spell in the BOS and realize what Paige has done. Horrified that it was really their sister they have given away, the group heads back to the animal shelter. However, when they get there, they find that Paige has already been adopted by someone. Paige has been adopted by a young man named Tyler Carlson. Tyler and his friends belong to a group called the Disciples Of Thoth, who worship the Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses. The reason Tyler adopted Paige was because she was to represent Bastet, the Egyptian Goddess of Cats. Normally, during their ceremonies, nothing happens. However, what Tyler and the group don’t realize is that their cat is a magical witch. When Tyler wishes he could be closer to Ancient Egypt, his wish is channeled through Paige and the two of them are transported back in time to Ancient Egypt. While Tyler is happy, Paige just wants to go home. Thousands of miles away, and thousands of years in the past, can Paige find a way to regain her human form and make it back to the 21st Century. All in all, this is a fun book. The Ancient Egypt parts are well done, and you can see the author did her homework. Paige and Tyler find themselves in a strange land, where they know very little of the customs, but they do, thanks to some magic cast by Paige, manage to communicate with the natives. The 21st Century scenes are well done too. As I said, this is fairly early on in Paige’s tenure as a Charmed One and it’s interesting to see her make a boo-boo like the one she does here. No one is hurt, of course, but Paige finds herself in an interesting situation. Initially, she enjoys being a cat, chasing dust mites, stretching, purring, etc. It’s only when she realizes she can’t change herself back that Paige starts to panic. Some other points: -Piper acts like the Halliwell sisters have never owned a cat before. Did she forget about poor old Kit? -the author doesn’t seem to be aware of Leo’s powers. She has him orbing through time, something he never did on the show (I can think of a couple of episodes where that ability could have come in handy). -the book has a rather interesting villain. Let’s just say that said villain makes things a little more troublesome for the sisters. -Cole is well done here. This is when he was still considered part of the family, after all. -historical tidbit. In Ancient Egypt, harming a cat was a capital offense. Cats were seen as the Children of the Goddess Bastet, after all. This is a very enjoyable book. I give it an 8/10.
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Post by adzpower on Jun 13, 2017 4:29:49 GMT -5
I have read some of these, and I think your reviews will convince me to read some of these Tim when I have more time on my hands. Have you read Something Wiccan This Way Comes? I enjoyed that one the most. Features the sisters meeting lots of other witches which I found enjoyable.
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Post by Tim on Jun 13, 2017 11:28:16 GMT -5
You will notice that most of the books listed here were written by either Diana G. Gallagher or Paul Ruditis. The reason for this is because I feel that of all the authors who wrote Charmed books, these two were the best. They paid careful attention to continuity and made sure that their books lined up with the proper time frame of the show that their stories took place in (who the sisters were dating, what jobs they had, what powers they had, etc).
Still, it always puzzled me that they never had Prue appear in a story. Perhaps if the books had continued on into the post series time frame (the final one, Trickery Treat, was the only book set in that era), that might have changed.
Years ago, I did, so my memory of the plot is fuzzy.
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Post by adzpower on Jun 14, 2017 16:59:30 GMT -5
I'm guessing they were told not to include Prue once Rose joint to hype up and promote the new P3, to try and somehow resemble the show. Not only that but all the covers of the books had the three girls on, so it would have been odd to have a book with Prue in but with her not on the cover.
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Post by Tim on Jun 15, 2017 0:16:37 GMT -5
I guess that might have been it.
Still, one has to wonder, had the novels continued on into the post series, would Prue have shown up. I mean they had her in the comics (even if they had to stick her into a new body, because they didn't want to pay Shannen for likeness rights).
Of course, the novels would not have that problem of likeness rights.
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Post by Squad 51 on Jun 15, 2017 9:28:09 GMT -5
I have the two books "Book of Three Vols. 1&2" as well as "Leo Rising" and "Trickery Treat", yet I always wondered why adult Chris never appears in the books before, though he was mentioned several times. That does not make sense if the books follow the series.
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Post by Tim on Sept 8, 2017 0:06:56 GMT -5
Last November, in the Charmed thread, Adam wrote this:
Since I'm banned from the Cafe, I can only visit when I go to my local public library (I try to get there once a week). Anyway, on my last visit, I decided to follow up on this book club.
However, it seems that book club idea died a quick death. Only one thread on the topic, about Leo Rising, was posted, and that thread died after only one or two posts.
What happened!? This was a good idea, and I can't understand why it failed.
Certainly it would be more interesting that the Top Tens and Favourite Sister Moment Thread No. 587 that seem to be the norm at the Cafe these days.
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Post by Melinda Halliwell on Sept 8, 2017 3:23:27 GMT -5
Yeah the book club thing never really took of over at the cafe. Like you said Tim there was only one done on Leo Rising and that was that
Your right also there being a lot of top 10's at the moment like what people's views are about each season etc.
One of the latest threads there is listing what if scenario's which could've occured on the show like what if Patty never divorced Victor and still lived with him and wasn't killed by the water demon and actually raised her daughters for instance which some of the members have done then.
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Post by Tim on Sept 8, 2017 11:32:02 GMT -5
This is one time I wish I'd stayed at the Cafe. I think that I could have contributed a lot to the Charmed book club, as I was once the Charmed Book Reviewer at the now defunct Charmedones.com site. Because of that, I have insights into the Charmed books that a lot of people don't have.
It would have been fun to bring my reviews to the table and see what reaction they got, who would agree or disagree with my opinions.
Alas, it wasn't meant to be...
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Post by Melinda Halliwell on Sept 8, 2017 13:25:44 GMT -5
Perhaps if you get the chance to read any of the books you could review them here to.
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Post by Tim on Sept 8, 2017 17:07:56 GMT -5
I could do that. The books I've reviewed here are not the only Charmed books I have.
Most of the books I did review were written by either Diana Gallagher or Paul Ruditis. I always considered their books the best ones, because they paid careful attention to continuity.
The other authors made mistakes (giving the wrong sister the wrong power, mixing up dates of events, etc.). I guess they weren't familiar with Charmed as Diana and Paul were.
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Post by Tim on Sept 10, 2017 23:25:31 GMT -5
BOOK: Luck Be A Lady AUTHOR: Scott Ciencin YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2004 NOTE: This review may contain plot spoilers.
We have another time travel romp. This time, due to a magical mishap, the Charmed Ones, and Cole, end up trapped in Los Angeles of 1942. Of course, you can imagine the hilarity that ensues as the sisters have to cope with living in the past.
Of course, whenever they go to the past, their powers disappear, so they can't use magical means to help themselves. In the end, the three of them have to get jobs in order to make money. Of course, this being World War II, there are plenty of jobs available for women willing to work, so the sister manage to find jobs that allow them to get by.
As for Cole, he's along too. This story clearly takes place early in Season Five, as Cole has the powers he had then. This is when his relationship with the sisters is now not too cozy. While Phoebe clearly mistrusts him, she does not show the bile hostility towards him that she did on the show at this point. I found that a welcome relief.
As for Cole, he's back in the body he had at the time. And wouldn't you know it, 1942 was the one year he was stripped of his powers (how convenient). So he too is just another human here.
There is a blooper in this story. At one point, Paige takes over on a movie, for an actress named Penny Day Matthews, whom Paige thinks is an ancestor of hers, because Penny Day resembles her. Did the author forget that the Matthews family was Paige's adopted family, not her birth one here? There is no way that Paige and Penny Day are related by blood. Oops!
Of course, in the end, everyone makes it back to 2003.
I give this one a 7/10.
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Post by Tim on Sept 12, 2017 0:00:13 GMT -5
BOOK: Spirit Of The Wolf AUTHOR: Diana G. Gallagher YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2002 NOTE: This review may contain plot spoilers.
I have to admit, when I first heard that this book would deal with Native American legends, I had some trepidations. Charmed has never dealt with ethnic legends well, usually going right for the stereotypes. Their one attempt to do an episode about a Native America legend, the Wendigo, was nothing more than a cheap werewolf knock off.
However, this book thankfully avoids all that rubbish. Of course, the author is Diana Gallagher, and once a realized that, I knew I was going to get a good book.
This books feels just right for the era it's set in, early Season Four. You have Paige still adjusting to the new life she was suddenly thrust into. Paige is still somewhat overwhelmed at being a Charmed One. Thankfully, her two sisters are there to help her along.
The Native American characters are treated with respect. No silly stereotypes here, thank the dead gods of Krypton (Diana Gallagher and Paul Ruditis should have written for the show, IMO). And the Native American spirit, that is driving the plot, is no silly creature. There is more to this spirit than meets the eyes and the Charmed Ones have to unravel just what this big mystery is.
An excellent 10/10 for me. Diana Gallagher knocks another one out of the ball park.
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