THE BOOK OF SHADOWS: The Unofficial "Charmed" Companion
N. E. Genge
Three Rivers Press
Young Adult
ISBN: 0609806521

To the practitioners of witchcraft and the followers of the religion known as Wicca, the phrase "Book of Shadows" refers to a journal of sorts. Traditionally, a "Book of Shadows" is a blank book that is gradually filled up with spells, meditations, ideas, and notes on "The Craft." The creators and writers of the TV show "Charmed" use "The Book of Shadows" as more of a spell book, but also as a way for the Halliwell sisters to grasp how they came to be endowed with special powers and how their ancestral female family members dealt with the supernatural. Author N. E. Genge combines these ideas to make a fun and knowledge-filled book.

Although billed as "The Unofficial 'Charmed' Companion," this is no lightweight script adaptation or silly "Behind the Scenes" look at what Alyssa Milano likes to eat for breakfast. Instead, the first section concentrates on what a beginner or teen witch needs to have as she takes the first steps on her path of learning. The first chapter entitled "The Witches Chest," touches upon the meaning and power of many different items --- herbs, gems, and crystals, even everyday stuff like paper and ink. Did you know you could use hair ribbons to bind people or parts of a spell together? The second chapter, "The Witches Place," deals more with the actual altar, the private area where a witch works. Sacred items such as the athame and cauldron and their various uses in spell craft are explained. Some beginning spells are also given, like ones to protect a house and to make you or a friend more lovable.

But Genge is definitely all about the learning --- trying to give just a taste of arcane knowledge to the readers. The point is made many times that a teen or someone who only recently became interested in witchcraft and Wicca (especially someone who heard about it on "Charmed") needs to explore, to do research, rather than rush in and experiment with things they don't understand. Throughout these lessons, there are little notes about the show as well as about different terms used, kind of like Wicca "Pop-Up Video" facts. Genge also poses questions for the young witch to ponder as she learns more about herself and the old ways.

The second section of the book is a detailed guide to the series "Charmed." Genge gives a key to each episode, including its title, guest stars, and writers, as well as a short plot synopsis of each. Then the author does something interesting by asking the reader to be an "Observant Witch." "Magical Notes" are given on the supernatural significance of each episode as well as what traditions are being explored and which stories came out of legends and myths. Readers are asked to view each show through the eyes of someone who practices "The Craft" and try to hone their awareness of the many levels of the world. Again, questions are asked and ideas are brought up as study points for the newly initiated. This "Book of Shadows" even goes so far as to have a section of bloopers where dedicated "Charmed" fans can see how closely they are watching. It truly is a good starting off place for a teen interested in the finding out more about "That Old-Time Religion."

--- Reviewed by Serena Burns

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