The Charmed books are based on the immensely popular television series of the same name (created by Constance M. Burge), which captured the hearts of millions of viewers in the late nineties and early two-thousands. The series was published in Dutch by Big Balloon Publishers and is divided into different eras that run parallel to the shifts in the series.

What makes this series special is that the books are not literal retellings of the TV episodes (with the exception of the very first installment and the start of the Paige era). Instead, the books fill in the gaps between episodes. As a result, the series functions as a succession of 'lost episodes.' The continuity is tightly woven around the show's mythology.

Within the book series, you will find two distinct branches:

The regular Charmed series: These books focus primarily on the later seasons, in which sisters Piper and Phoebe, along with their rediscovered half-sister Paige, battle against evil. This begins with the book 'The Power of Three'.

The Charmed Classics: This sub-series (featuring titles such as 'The Enchantment Begins' and 'Kiss of Darkness') looks back at the early years of the series, in which the original three sisters—Prue, Piper, and Phoebe—are just discovering their powers and learning what it means to be the 'Power of Three'.

Because the books were written by different authors, each volume brings a fresh dynamic and its own pace, while the signature humor, sisterly love, and recognizable voices of the characters are always perfectly preserved.

The story revolves around the Halliwell sisters, who are reunited after their grandmother's death in the Victorian family home in San Francisco. Their lives change forever when they discover an old, mysterious book in the attic: the Book of Shadows. After reading an ancient spell aloud, their dormant magical powers are activated. Prue (and later Paige) gains the power of telekinesis and moving objects, Piper learns to control molecules, allowing her to freeze time or make things explode, and Phoebe receives visions of the future and the past.

Together they form the 'Power of Three', the most powerful good witches the world has ever known. Their main task is to protect 'Innocents' from the constant threat of demons, warlocks, and other creatures from the underworld that are after their powers. While trying to survive in the magical world, the sisters must also keep their daily, mortal lives on track. Jobs, relationships, family feuds, and the daily stress of thirty-somethings in a big city constantly bleed into their magical obligations. Supported by their 'whitelighter' Leo, who guards them against supernatural dangers, the sisters try to find a balance between a normal life and their destiny as protectors of the world.

• Sisterhood and family dynamics

The absolute core of the entire series is not the magic itself, but the unbreakable bond between the sisters. The books beautifully highlight the complex dynamics of adult sisters: from petty irritations over borrowed clothes and shared bathrooms to deep, unconditional loyalty when tragedy strikes. In this world, magic only works optimally if the sisters are on the same page; arguments weaken their powers, which symbolizes that family is the ultimate source of their strength.

• The balance between duty and personal happiness

A recurring conflict in every book is the sacrifice that being a witch demands. The sisters do not choose to become the Power of Three; it is thrust upon them. Frequently, their personal dreams—building a career, finding a stable relationship, or starting a family—clash with the sudden need to defeat a demon. The theme of 'the greater good' versus 'individual happiness' provides constant psychological depth.

• Wicca and modern witchcraft

The book series leans heavily on elements from the Wiccan religion and modern spirituality, albeit with a healthy dose of Hollywood fantasy. Respect for nature, the celebration of seasonal events (as described in detail in the special 'Magical Tradition'), the brewing of herbal elixirs, and the writing of original poetic spells form the foundation of their magical practices.

• Duality of Good and Evil

The Charmed world employs a strict morality in which the line between good and evil is clearly drawn, but the temptation of darkness is always lurking. Characters sometimes teeter on the edge of this divide, with the books showing that it is choices and intentions that define who you are, not the gifts with which you were born.