W.I.T.C.H. Part III: A Crisis on Both Worlds, Vol. 1

W.I.T.C.H. Graphic Novels #7

by Elisabetta Gnone (Created by), Alessandro Barbucci (Comic art direction), Barbara Canepa (Comic art direction)

Problems on Every Front

The girls seem to face new challenges everywhere they turn, and the pressure is threatening to tear them apart. Even their normal lives aren't free of stress—particularly when Will's long absent father returns! Will the girls be able to pull it together before a new enemy emerges?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Graphic Novels Comics, Contemporary, Graphic Novels Manga

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2018

About the author

Elisabetta Gnone is an Italian writer. In April 2001, she co-created the Italian comic/magazine W.I.T.C.H. with Alessandro Barbucci and Barbara Canepa. The publication was later made into the television series of the same name. Gnone also wrote the children's trilogy Fairy Oak: Il segreto delle gemelle (The Secret of the Twins), L'incanto del buio (The Spell of Darkness), and Il potere della luce (The Power of Light). She expanded the Fairy Oak Universe with four more books, "The four mysteries": "Captain Grisam's love", "Shirley's wizarding days", "Flox smiles in autumn", and "Good-bye Fairy Oak".

information taken from wikipedia.com

Reviews

[daria ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i decided to do a bit of a throwback and revisited the iconic magical girl gang of my childhood aka W.I.T.C.H. ✨

https://youtu.be/sWxYq8UjfZo

[Anne (ReadEatGameRepeat) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much. I will say I do kinda wish I reread all of them before starting this one (or at least not leaving as big of a gap between them all) - I love seeing all the characters grow and their friendships evolve and also them just standing up for themselves in whatever way they think is necessary and still giving eachother the support they need even if they don't know what to think themsleves yet.

Also RIP Dormouse, It hit me so hard when I was like 14 and it still hit me hard today

[Hawraki · Rating 5 out of 5]

أحببت في هذا المجلد تركيزه على حياة الفتيات والأمور التي تواجههن.

[Hailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think things are just getting boring? It’s still dark and also lighthearted young friends overcoming the struggles of being kids. The Oracle is really starting to annoy me, he’s so cryptic and really doesn’t tell the guardians anything so I’m not surprised that Teranee is taking a stand. Idk how I feel about this new character Orube and I feel like it’s losing that fun spark it used to have.

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know I love these, what more can I say?

cover 4; art 4; plot 3; characters 4; writing 4; readability 4; enjoyment 4

[Loona Mets · Rating 4 out of 5]

kas mul oli LÕPUKS ometi aega midagi muud lugeda, kui emaile? jah ning see oli tore.

[Panda · Rating 5 out of 5]

First appearance of Orube! I always thought she was really annoying at first until she finds her place in the group and realises that teamwork makes the dreamwork lmao. I also never really understood Taranee's reason for wanting a break until now but I guess it was a long time coming, she's been wanting a break basically since the beginning and I get that.

[Anniken Haga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book holds 4 of the albums in the witch—comic, and ends the Mr. Vandom—story arc and Matt/Mandy—story arc, but also opens up a multitude of others.

This arc is the last I've read ever, and it was my least favorite. I'm not a big fan of the beginning of the arc, 'cause I've never muched liked Orube, and I never cared much for the Redstone*—arc, but seem to remember liking it more later on.

Now, as an adult, though, I see what the writers were doing with the whole Ari thing, and I strongly respect it.
There is this one volume in this book, though, the dormouse one, that always makes me cry

*why does this place look just like another American place? Redstone is supposed to be on the other side of the world, so why not make that clearer with the buildings, character designs and names?

[Roos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so nice to reread these stories all over again and going back to this place!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...this one felt so different. So many different things happened

[Aisling · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's becoming more grown-up in a way. At least in Taranee's case.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

After meeting a psychic, Irma warns her friends that great conflict is threatening to tear apart their group, including the return of Will's real father and Taranee's frustration with her mother, all leading up to one of their own taking a leave of absence from the team! Gnone will excite fans with another action-packed entry that brims with mystery. Can the girls pull it together before they end up permanently broken?

[Narra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review follows soon

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of this volume didn't have much to do with the overall story of the guardians, but it did show more of their regular lives.
Will's father coming back into their lives in an attempt to extort money from Will's mother.
Taranee and her mother at loggerheads about so many things. Her showing more of her rebellious, firey personality.
The other girls don't get as much development / screentime though.

Tell me why the doormouse needed to die! Yes, it pushed Will and Matt back into talking, but geez! It was unnecessary as far as I am concerned!

The girls get pushed around by the Oracle again - altering their bodies without their consent stating simply that as part of their powers they get upgrades. Even though it seems like something small - Taranee no longer needing glasses - it is something that she didn't want or ask for and it is the final straw for her. Taranee decides to leave W.I.T.C.H. but she hasn't made a final decision if it will be permanent or not.
The guardians don't trust the Oracle after he sends them to deal with another problem. But he doesn't give them all the info they need and they are left having to flee after coming close to dying.
He also forces them to accept a new temporary member of their team (Orube) as they must be a team of 5.

This volume sets up the story to be further developed in the next volume - which I'm about to pick up now.

[L'Abri des Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

The arc begins with a few chapters that revolve around the daily life of girls, inspiring for Irma, complicated for Will and unequivocal for Taranee. Three of them go in exchange for school on the coast, while Will and Irma watch over Orube. Cohabitation is not easy, but the part about Redstone is great, the plot with Ari captivating. We come across a paranormal investigator, a telekinetist and a more than mysterious neighbor, in short the story goes on and this time the guardians take a critical look at what we ask them.

Unfortunately, the resolution of the battle against Ari is too fast, in the end we do not know what harm Maqi suffered and it is a shame. The astral twins want their freedom and do anything, but our five protagonists are gradually questioning themselves. They have even forgotten that these invocations were beings of flesh and that thus they also had a heart and feelings. They aspire to live and every dialogue is very interesting. We are not talking about their adolescence, but about their deep aspirations, their suffering to be treated badly by their own creators. I enjoyed it very much and I believe, or at least I hope to see these astral drops again.

What do you think of this series? It makes you want to read it?

Link to my Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CctCV1MoAwL/

[Aqua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thus far Part III isn't really living up to the first two story arcs. This first volume starts off with a few one-shot stories and wraps up the drama between Will and her parents (the highlight of this novel for sure), before setting up the next major conflict.

My main issue is, and has always been, Kandrakar's role in the plot. They claim to be "observers", but they are constantly interfering with the goings on in the world to restore "balance" so they are anything but. If they are truly just observers then who are they to judge who is evil and who is good? I do not like the Oracle's character in the least. The other issue is the girls have no personal stake in this new conflict the way they did in the last two story arcs with Elyon and the former guardian Nerissa.

The art is still amazingly detailed and beautiful and is, of course, in full color. It's still an enjoyable read. Our main group's personal conflicts (such as Will's relationship with her parents) are still incredibly engrossing to read about. If you enjoyed the previous novels, you'll enjoy this one too so pick it up!

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's different when you read it as an adult. More things started to make sense…

Taranee's always been one of my favorite W.I.T.C.H., the least favorite being Cornelia. I like her because she's growing up in front of my eyes: she rebels against her mum but she still is the old and reliable Taranee. I also understand why she's taking a break from being a W.I.T.C.H.: she's not the master of her destiny. She can't plan anything because the Council may be summoned her and the other girls to do its bidding.

And yeah, the Council… It really has no respect for the Guardians' lives. It always summons them when they're in school to solve some big problems that can threaten the balance of the worlds. But it never explains them what they're going to face. Like Ari, for instance. The Council orders them around and it never accepts their views on things.

And poor, poor Dormouse...

[WendyTheOwl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol. 7 -> 9 (no spoilers)
FR
Quand je lisais le magazine, c'est environ au tome 8 que j'ai arrêté. Donc c'est maintenant une découverte totalement pour moi.
Et je dois dire que je suis contente de ma lecture. Bien sur les filles sont jeunes, mais c'est aussi ce qui fait le charme de la série.
Je suis plus que ravie que Orube soit là, car je me souviens que je l'aimais beaucoup, et c'est toujours le cas. Même si j'ai hâte de voir ce que son histoire nous réserve pour la suite !

ENG
When I read the magazine, it was around volume 8 that I stopped. So this is now a discovery totally for me.
And I must say that I'm happy with my reading. Of course the girls are young, but that's also what makes the charm of the series.
I am more than happy that Orube is here, because I remember loving her very much, and still do. Although I can't wait to see what her story has in store for the future !

[Lilith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 /5 stars
[8 /10 stars]

- story [1 /2]
- worldbuilding & consistency [1 /1]
- art [1! /1]
- characters [1! /1]
- length & progress [1 /1]
- ending [1 /1]
- originality [1 /1]
- enjoyment [1 /2]

~quick thoughts~
• so far, the least action, lots of slice of life problems
• arc is being set up very slowly, with lots of focus elsewhere, but it makes sense to premise it with those things
• not my favorite in terms of the stories happening or intrigue but I still appreciate it greatly
• the dormouse incident made me bawl

~quick story summary per chapter~
• Chapter 25: Irma helps out a water shadow as a new agent keeps an eye on the guardians
• Chapter 26: Will learns the truth of her dad's return and the guardians contact Kadma
• Chapter 27: Taranee quits participating after learning her eyesight got better because of magic, traveling with Hay Lin and Cornelia to Redstone for the exchange program
• Chapter 28: the guardians face Ari from Arkhanta with the help of Orube, facing a banshee, but do not work well as a team

~long story summary per chapter~
Chapter 25
• a stranger, named Jewell, at Irma's dad's police station mentions her powers
• Interpol agents are back since the guardians were also involved in the summer camp incident
• the stranger tells Irma lots of vague things about her and the guardians' future and even though she's supposed to keep it secret, spills it all to them but it goes horribly
• Irma yells at her mother and we find out it's actually her step-mother, they make up and she tells her Jewell left a book for Irma
• Irma meets up with the guardians and shows them the book that talks of sea monsters and a water shadow is circled
• a newly introduced Interpol agent, named Ralph Sylla, seemingly goes undercover and becomes the new computer science teacher
• the guardians follow the trail of the library ticket from the book, finding and freeing Jewell, whose real name is Benjamin Crane, while agent Sylla tracks them, witnessing them using magic
• they find out Benjamin is the real man and Jewell is the water shadow that turned into him and has helped him predict the future, until bad businessmen took him hostage and used Jewell for their dirty deals
• the guardians find Jewell, fighting off the bad men and Irma turns Jewell back into a water shadow
• Taranee sees her mom talking to Will's mom, giving her a heads up but a secret photographer is taking a picture of them
• Irma tells Hay Lin Jewell's prediction for her was that when she meets her prince, he'll be the one to tell her

Chapter 26
• Will starts disliking the ideas her father is bringing up and her mom finally tells her what he's planning, so Will and mom finally make up
• Will overhears her father extorting her mother for money
• the guardians think of a plan to stop Will's father, with Hay Lin suggesting to turn to Kadma, having observed Will since she was little, yet Kadma refuses to help
• in the end, Kadma helps by giving Thomas a big sum of money to make him disappear
• while going for a walk, WIll's dormouse runs out and is hit by a car

Chapter 27
• Taranee, Hay Lin and Cornelia will be leaving to Redstone for an exchange program because of their good grades
• Taranee keeps having headaches so at Lilian's birthday party, Lilian tries to cast a spell on her and Napoleon ends up breaking the glasses, making Taranee realizes she can see without them
• the guardians visit The Oracle, who explains one of the Heart's gifts is strengthening them over time, which makes Taranee, not liking all the secrets, promptly quit
• after they leave, The Oracle discusses with Tibor about a new potential threat rising and says the guardians will always be five, no matter what Taranee decides
• The Oracle telepathically summons the guardians, which Taranee decides to skip, and tells them of Arkhanta, a small planet, that someone named of Ari is in charge of
• a mysterious resident of Kandrakar, Orube, observes the guardians and comments to Tibor about how fragile they are
• the tickets for Redstone get stolen by Uriah, so the guardians chase him and his gang down and force then to return the tickets
• the guardians part ways at the airport, with Will and Irma staying behind

Chapter 28
• Cornelia's luggage gets lost and the girls get introduced to the amazing new school
• The Oracle meets in the tapestry room with his emissaries and they seem to be losing their minds, so The Oracle summons the guardians and in place of Taranee appoints Orube
• The Oracle tells them the story of Ari and his special son, Maqi, and how Ari captured a banshee Yua to have her grant him three wishes but because she couldn't fix Maqi, he tricked the banshee and made her his servant, gaining immense power, plotting to attack Kandrakar, blaming The Oracle for his son's misfortune
• the guardians and Orube visit Ari, but he won't let them speak, so Orube attacks, which provokes Ari and he sends the banshee after them, drowning them but Irma saves them
• as they try again, Yua attacks them with icy fire and they have to teleport to Kandrakar, where The Oracle gives Orube the key to Ms. Rudolph's house and tells her to play the part of being her granddaughter, Rebecca Rudolph

[Citybones · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Es un volumen muy de transición, practicamente no pasa nada que avance la trama hasta el último cap donde se presenta a Orube y el nuevo mundo en problemas. Lo demás es drama humano, con la situación del padre de Will siendo un horrible ser humano y lo peor de todo fue la muerte de Hurón, me puse a llorar como una magdalena en solo pensar tener que poner a dormir a un animal por que ya no se pueda haccer nada más para aliviar su sufrimiento. Baja mucho el ritmo de la historia.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A trigger/content warning as this issue deals with some heavy stuff in particular:

Will’s father is verbally abusive, threatens to blackmail her mother just to custody of her as a “haha, I always win” situation, Will’s pet Dormouse is hit by a car and passes away, and Taranee is dealing with slight abuse from her mother

[Nieves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hace ya un tiempo que me estoy releyendo estos cómics. Aunque más bien es como si los leyera por primera vez porque no me acuerdo de casi nada 😅
Este me ha gustado, es el comienzo de la tercera parte y tenemos varias tramas abiertas, aunque la más interesante es la de la banshee. Me quedo con muchas ganas de seguir ☺️

[Émi (Slavic Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was okay. The introduction to a new arc looks promising - it's not one of the arcs I remember from my childhood. Which makes me more intrigued to discover it. We finally get introduced to Oruba, whom I remember well still. Basically a honorary member of the group!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better volumes in the series!

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enjoyable but I don't really get the Kandrakar politics. I like the exchange part but would prefer if it played more of a part in the story other than complicating communication.

[Severind Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't expect a W.I.T.C.H. book to make me emotional. But it did. And I loved every bit of it.

[Danielle Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting start to a new arc! I totally get where Taranee is coming from, and I'm interested to see how this new character, Orube, finds her place amongst the girls.

[a little bit of everything. · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lot was going on.

[MV Isip · Rating 3 out of 5]

might be my least favorite volume so far ... everything felt so disjointed. it seems like they favored some subplots and rushed the build up for the next villain. we'll see how it goes!