An instant New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick from beloved author Alice Hoffman—the spellbinding prequel to Practical Magic.Find your magic. For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man. Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to … of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.
From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Yet, the children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the memorable aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
Alice Hoffman delivers “fairy-tale promise with real-life struggle” (The New York Times Book Review) in a story how the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is “irresistible…the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last forty pages, savoring your final moments with the characters” (USA TODAY, 4/4 stars).
more
This lovely book is the prequel to PRACTICAL MAGIC, and I couldn’t put it down.
This book made me tear up no fewer than two times. Beautifully written.
If you read Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series in chronological order (as any left brained person like me WOULD), this is #2. And I loved every page.
At the start of THE RULES OF MAGIC, it’s the mid 20th century where descendants of seventeenth century Maria Owens and John Hathorne (from MAGIC LESSONS – book #1 in the series) are coming to terms with their familial history, uniqueness, and individual powers. Three siblings (Franny, Jet, and Vincent) are being raised in New York City by parents trying their best to provide a normal upbringing. But these are no ordinary teens.
When given the opportunity, they spend the summer at the centuries-old family homestead in Massachusetts, under the much more relaxed supervision of their Aunt Isabelle. She is much more comfortable with the family heritage. And more familiar with the family curse.
This novel follows the three siblings throughout their lives, incorporating the secondary story of their cousin, April, and weaving in a number of actual historical events (Moon Landing, Stonewall Riot, Draft Lottery, Vietnam War, etc.). There’s plenty of action: love and love denied, betrayals and shunning neighbors, illegitimate children and sudden death, and lots of spells, potions and magic.
It’s a truly fun read but also one that is unpredictable and suspenseful, about people you will come to care deeply about. And many authentically human life lessons about love, loyalty, and family. And then there’s this quote from the author’s Introduction to PRACTICAL MAGIC:
“This is a book about magic, but more importantly, it’s an ode to sisterhood and family, and to the power of love.”
I’m now on to PRACTICAL MAGIC (Book #3 in the series).
Magic comes with a price!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration:
Romance:
Heat/Steam: N/A
Story/Plot:
World building:
Character development:
If you have seen the movie Practical Magic, you will know Frannie and Jet as the crazy aunts played by Stockard Channing and Diane Weist. This is their story. Their brother Vincent doesn’t appear in Practical Magic but he also plays a big part in this story.
The children of Suzanna Owens grew up in a world of crazy rules and knew nothing of where they came from. Frannie, Jet and Vincent knew they were different their entire lives. When Frannie turns 17, the three travel from New York to Massachusetts to visit their aunt Isabelle for the summer.
Each of the three siblings has their own unique characteristics, Jet is beautiful and has the sight, she can hear what others are thinking. Frannie has red hair and has an affinity towards animals, especially birds and it is not uncommon for them to flock to her when she is outside. Vincent is handsome and charismatic and has women falling at his feet.
Remember though, they are Owens children so are bound by Maria’s Curse: Ruination for any man that falls in love with an Owens. The reason for this curse was because Maria was betrayed and doesn’t want any of her line to suffer as she did.
I recently read Magic Lessons (The story of Maria Owens) and can definitely say that Alice Hoffman is a fantastic storyteller. Like that book, this was a terrific story of love and loss, whimsy and tragedy. I loved the characters and found myself rooting for all of them though I know how things end up for many of them (due to the curse).
We see each of the siblings going down a path that we know will lead to tragedy and they each keep going down those paths anyway. Frannie with her childhood friend Haylin, Jet with a nice boy she meets when staying with her aunt named Levi and Vincent when he begins to dabble in dark magic then falls for a professor. Talk about “all the feels”! I don’t think I cried so much during a book in years.
Regarding the narration. It was done by Marin Ireland, who in addition to narrating audiobooks is a famous character actress whom I have seen in more than a few movies and TV shows. She was recently in the Umbrella Academy and played a wife that fell in love with Elliot Page’s character Vanya. She has a terrific voice and does a stellar job on this book.
A bit ponderous at points, but overall a beautifully woven story of the Owens family and how the two Owens sisters became the Aunts of Practical Magic.
I thought Magic Lessons was heartbreaking, but it had nothing on this book.
Throughout the story we learn of what happened to the descendants of Maria Owens. With the story focusing on the two Aunts that Sally and Gillian come to live with in Practical Magic.
Though they are the main characters, it is cool to see other witches, and discussions of other family members throughout the story. How they each handle the witchcraft that runs in their blood and such.
Frances and Bridget live sheltered lives, and try and hide from the curse, and who they are from time to time. But what’s in their blood will always bring them back to where they belong.
The lessons of love and life that are within these pages are magical yet gut-wrenching. These back stories give so much depth to the Aunts we meet in Practical Magic. Not to mention the town’s history with the Owens women. It’s insightful to see how deep seeded the feuds, and rumors run.
As with Magic Lessons, this book is filled with witchcraft mementos that make you feel fully immersed, and wondering if they are true. I adore the writing style of Alice Hoffman. These books feel like you are reading family history, not fiction.
You’ll love this series if you enjoy reading about love, family bonds, and witches.
“The only remedy for love is to love more.”
In the 1960’s three siblings and their cousin try to live a “normal” life as much as they can with the knowledge that they are different in the magical sense, with all the rules they have to deal with , they each try to find who they are , while living in both worlds .
I was hesitant to read this book because of the title. I immediately thought it was going to be very thick with curses, spells, and witchcraft. The book does speak about spells and curses but that was not the main message I got from the book, and it was definitely not over the top. It is more about love and not to be afraid of it. Love more…not less. This details the lives about a closely knit family that will go to any length to protect and help each other. For me, this was more of a tear jerker than about witchcraft. The emotions I felt for and from each character is something I normally do not feel from reading a book. This was the first book I have read by Alice Hoffman but will definitely not be the last. Now I can’t wait to read “Practical Magic” and “Magic Lessons”. I was given a copy by the publisher for my honest review.
Patricia Fayo
Novels N Latte Reviews
Hudson Valley, NY
“What is meant to be is bound to happen, whether or not you approve.”
This follow up book to Practical Magic focuses on another generation of the Owens Family of Boston. Susanna Owens escapes MA to pursue a career as a model in Paris, marries a psychiatrist and move to New York. She never speaks to her children about their ancestry or her family. It is 1950’s and the Owens children are noted at the Starling School for their odd behavior. Frances “Franny” is the oldest who is 6 feet tall, suspicious with only one friend, Haylin Walker. Franny learns the art of making the black soap which has been handed down through the generations. Bridget “Jet” is the middle child known for her kindness and sensitivity who is smitten by Levi Willard who they soon discover is a distant relative with whom their families have held much animosity over the years.
Vincent is the youngest child is a musician who discovers he is a wizard after finding an 1801 occult handbook known as The Magus. He doesn’t realize the powers of good and evil which can be released with improper handling of the information contained in such a book. Slowly, each of them learn more about their family and their ancestry from their Aunt Isabelle who tries to provide guidance and protection. There are many convoluted relationships which evolve having the Owens family concerned about a family curse responsible for many traumatic events. Ultimately, the story describes the events leading to the daughters of Regina, Sally and Gillian, whose story is told in Practical Magic.
Twists in turns of this second book will have your head spinning. It’s important to learn the rules of magic before one starts to manipulate fate.
“Life is a mystery, and it should be so, for the sorrow that accompanies being human and the choices one will have to make are a burden, too heavy for most to know before their time comes.”
This was such a great prequel to Practical Magic. I have only seen the movie and have yet to read the book. I wanted to read these in chronological order starting with Maria’s story in Magic Lessons and then the aunt’s story in this one. I am so glad I chose to read it this way because it made it all the more special. I really liked the aunts’ stories. Both were so unique in their paths with love and with their personalities. They were not what I was expecting from watching the movie, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise.
I love the author’s use of descriptions. She doesn’t drone on or go overboard, but she gives just enough to let your imagination run wild. She’s very talented, that’s for sure!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves; witchy reads, family drama, romantic stories, or the Practical Magic stories!
This is the sequel to Magic Lessons, which I finished reading recently. It takes place hundreds of years later with the Owens bloodline in the 1950s. It follows Frannie, Jet, and Vincent – three Owens children whose mother wants to hide who they really are.
A summer with their Aunt Isabelle leads them to learn more about who they really are. One tragedy after another strikes the children, but they remain bonded and committed to breaking their family curse.
This was a pretty good follow up book. I listened to this book, and it was entertaining while running my errands. I was suprised we didn’t land somewhere in the middle of time with the second novel (knowing there is one more to come) instead of jumping right into the 20th century. The characters are likable and the story is pretty well written. I didn’t like it as much as I did Magic Lessons and found there to be a few eye rolling moments. Like when Frannie falls in love, but refuses to marry the love of her life but gets pissed off when he tries to move on. Overall, it was a solid story, and I look forward to reading the last book in the series.
This book is the prequel to Practical Magic. In the 1600’s, the Owens family is the subject of a curse that impacts all who fall in love. Fast forward to the 60’s in NYC and Susanna Owens gives her three children all the rules she hopes will keep them safe. The Amon rule being never ever fall in love. The children’s life is set on a different course when they travel to the town where the curse began to visit their Aunt Isabelle. The three siblings end up in Greenwich Village where they seek their own destiny and to rid themselves of the curse.
I love Alice Hoffman and this book did not disappoint.
I have already read Magic Lessons (my favorite) and Practical Magic, but I loved this even more then PM. It was lyrical, emotional, descriptive, and I love how stories, thoughts, events, and experiences happen when they are written through her fingertips. Truly beautiful. I hope there are more books about the Owens women in the future.
5/5 stars
Enjoyed the read probably because of the movie practical magic.
Love, love, loved this book! I honestly had not known that Practical Magic was based on an Alice Hoffman series, and now that I’ve started it I definitely will not be bowing out. Fabulous characters and a story that is both charming and haunting at the same time. Can’t wait for the third book coming out this October!
No walking in moonlight, no red shoes, no cats, no wearing black, does not fall in love. These were some of the rules set forth by Mother. Every rule would be broken. This is a colorful and meaningful story about growing up, love, family, and magic. It was my first book by this author….it will not be my last.
Really feel the characters and the places
I love whatever comes from her imagination.
A great Alice Hoffman tale of the Owen’s family..they are descendants of persons with magical gifts, lots of magic and nature influences..love, loss, family bonds, lessons..interesting story.
I am a great fan of Ms Hoffman and this book did not disappoint. Great characters, great story.