The Book of Shadows : The Unofficial Charmed Companion [Paperback]

Ngaire E. Genge (Author)

Book Description

The ultimate guide to the hit program Charmed, this is both a book of spells and a key to the mysteries of the show. The Book of Shadows celebrates the best of Charmed, from its roots in the ancient tradition of Wicca to insider information on the show's stars.  N.E. Genge not only provides fascinating background details for the show's Wiccan elements, but also guides readers in performing their own magic. Fans with a witchy bent will learn about the tools of magic and divination and the casting of spells. Recipes and rituals -- from those that beckon love or bless a new business venture to those that bequeath strength or bestow fortune -- are all included.  The Book of Shadows is a sassy celebration of witches, sisterhood, and magic.

This book has not been prepared, approved, licensed, endorsed, or in any way authorized by any entity that created or produced Charmed.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The ultimate guide to the hit program Charmed, this is both a book of spells and a key to the mysteries of the show. The Book of Shadows celebrates the best of Charmed, from its roots in the ancient tradition of Wicca to insider information on the show's stars.  N.E. Genge not only provides fascinating background details for the show's Wiccan elements, but also guides readers in performing their own magic. Fans with a witchy bent will learn about the tools of magic and divination and the casting of spells. Recipes and rituals -- from those that beckon love or bless a new business venture to those that bequeath strength or bestow fortune -- are all included.  The Book of Shadows is a sassy celebration of witches, sisterhood, and magic.

This book has not been prepared, approved, licensed, endorsed, or in any way authorized by any entity that created or produced Charmed.

About the Author

N.E. Genge is the author of numerous books, including Beyond Blair Witch, Urban Legends, The Buffy Chronicles, and The Unofficial X-Files Companion.  She lives in Labrador City, Newfoundland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (October 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609806521
• ISBN-13: 978-0609806524
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

145 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming!, April 5, 2001

By 

Jenny Abbots "JLA" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Shadows : The Unofficial Charmed Companion (Paperback)

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 got 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-asks 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 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 close they truly are watching. It truly is a good starting off place for a teen interested in the finding out more about "That Old-Time Religion".

42 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite What I Expected., July 28, 2001

By 

Sashie (CA, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Shadows : The Unofficial Charmed Companion (Paperback)

I love the show Charmed which is why i bought this book, only afterwards i descovered that it wasnt what i expected it to be. This is what i was expecting: Episode guide, charector pages, behind the scenes, pictures ect. The episode guide is there, but thats about all, the rest is about spells and been a wican, so if your in to that, this is great for you and you dont even need to be a fan of the show, but if your a fan who is not in to doing the sisters activities, dont expect to get a whole lot out of the book. If you realy want an episode guide, get it anyway as its realy good, you might also get swung towards your wican ways!

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Of Shadows...Very Interesting, October 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of Shadows : The Unofficial Charmed Companion (Paperback)

I just bought this book and it is very interesting. The Book of Shadows book gives alot of insight to the Wiccan Ways and "Charmed". If you believe or do not believe in "magic" but like Charmed, this would be a book for you. I have just read certain sections of the book already but from what I have read I have liked. I highly recommend this book to all!