The Book of Magic: A Novel (4) (The Practical Magic Series)
"Hoffman certainly knows how to enchant" (The New York Times Book Review) in this breathtaking conclusion to the Practical Magic series--a spellbinding and bewitching novel that asks how far will you go to change your fate? For over three-hundred years a curse has kept the Owens family from love--but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger--the curse is already at work. A frantic attempt to save a young man's life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love. A heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to a beloved series, The Book of Magic celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
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Community Reviews
The Book of Magic is a love-letter to the fans of the beloved Owens family, a magical family with a long history of being unlucky in love. At its heart, the Practical Magic series is about the bond between sisters, and the final installment reinforces that theme as the sisters seek the cure to the curse that has plagued their family for generations.
This series includes four books, but each one can be read as a stand-alone. And they were written out of order, starting with Practical Magic, then The Rules of Magic (a prequel), Magic Lessons (a pre-prequel), and finally The Book of Magic, which continues Sally and Gillian’s stories started in Practical Magic. This last installment does a wonderful job of tying all four books together, weaving the stories of all the characters into one book.
If you’ve never heard of the books, you’ve probably heard of the film adaptation of Practical Magic made in the 1990s staring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. It’s somewhat campy and cheesy but nostalgic, and lands on many fall-themed must-watch movie lists.
Back in 2017, I was invited to read an advance copy of The Rules of Magic. I’d read a couple of Alice Hoffman’s other books and enjoyed them (The Dovekeepers and Faithful), and I’d seen the adaptation of Practical Magic, so I was excited to pick it up. I enjoyed it and eventually picked up a copy of Practical Magic to add to my shelves where it has been waiting. When I was approved for The Book of Magic, I knew it was time to read Practical Magic, as well. I read the two books back to back, but I can reiterate, it’s not necessary. Plenty of history is recapped in the beginning of The Book of Magic to catch the reader up to the current storyline.
While I did find myself laughing out loud several times, The Book of Magic is a more somber book than its predecessor, diving deeper into the curse and its consequences. But the sisterly bond readers know and love, the magic they create, their mystical remedies, potions, and rituals are all present in this final book. And, of course, some romance, as well.
All the major players are here: Sally and Gillian, their aunts Franny and Jet, Sally’s daughters Antonia and Kylie, along with many others, including some new memorable characters, as well.
This was the perfect series to start my fall reading, with lyrical writing, historical touches, and plenty of magic. I was sad to see this series end, but it was lovely to revisit some old friends.
Thank you to the publisher, Simon Schuster, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2021 (prompt #28 - A magical realism book)
This series includes four books, but each one can be read as a stand-alone. And they were written out of order, starting with Practical Magic, then The Rules of Magic (a prequel), Magic Lessons (a pre-prequel), and finally The Book of Magic, which continues Sally and Gillian’s stories started in Practical Magic. This last installment does a wonderful job of tying all four books together, weaving the stories of all the characters into one book.
If you’ve never heard of the books, you’ve probably heard of the film adaptation of Practical Magic made in the 1990s staring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. It’s somewhat campy and cheesy but nostalgic, and lands on many fall-themed must-watch movie lists.
Back in 2017, I was invited to read an advance copy of The Rules of Magic. I’d read a couple of Alice Hoffman’s other books and enjoyed them (The Dovekeepers and Faithful), and I’d seen the adaptation of Practical Magic, so I was excited to pick it up. I enjoyed it and eventually picked up a copy of Practical Magic to add to my shelves where it has been waiting. When I was approved for The Book of Magic, I knew it was time to read Practical Magic, as well. I read the two books back to back, but I can reiterate, it’s not necessary. Plenty of history is recapped in the beginning of The Book of Magic to catch the reader up to the current storyline.
While I did find myself laughing out loud several times, The Book of Magic is a more somber book than its predecessor, diving deeper into the curse and its consequences. But the sisterly bond readers know and love, the magic they create, their mystical remedies, potions, and rituals are all present in this final book. And, of course, some romance, as well.
All the major players are here: Sally and Gillian, their aunts Franny and Jet, Sally’s daughters Antonia and Kylie, along with many others, including some new memorable characters, as well.
This was the perfect series to start my fall reading, with lyrical writing, historical touches, and plenty of magic. I was sad to see this series end, but it was lovely to revisit some old friends.
Thank you to the publisher, Simon Schuster, and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2021 (prompt #28 - A magical realism book)
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