Title: The Book of Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
Genre: Fantasy
Published On: October 5, 2021
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Source: ebook
Pages: 400
Synopsis:
Master storyteller Alice Hoffman brings us the conclusion of the Practical Magic series in a spellbinding and enchanting final Owens novel brimming with lyric beauty and vivid characters.
The Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for over three-hundred years 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.
The Book of Magic is a breathtaking conclusion that celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
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.
“Curses are like knots, the more you struggle to be free, the tighter they become, whether they’re made of rope or spite or desperation.”
Alice Hoffman, The Book of Magic
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.
“Love was inside every story. Love lost and love found, red love that stained your heart, the darkest love that twisted into despair or revenge, love everlasting, love that was true. You carried love with you wherever you went.”
Alice Hoffman, The Book of Magic
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.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
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About the Author
A Song For A Book
Sometimes when I’m reading a book, a certain song will just naturally stick in my head. I’m a big fan of Florence + the Machine, and her song “Strangeness and Charm” is just too perfect for this book and series. I found myself humming it while I was reading. 🙂
…And atom to atom
Oh can you feel it on me, love?
And a pattern to pattern
Oh, can you see it on me, love?
Atom to atom
Oh, what’s the matter with me, love?
Strangeness and Charm
The static of your arms, it is the catalyst
On a chemical it burns, there is nothing but this
It’s the purest element, but it’s so volatile
An equation heaven sent, a drug for angels
Strangeness and Charm
Have you read The Book of Magic? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
The funny thing is I’ve read two books in the series, but I could not tell you which two without checking Goodreads! I do want to read all of them though!
Ha! That happens to me all the time. Especially when they have similar titles. I hope you get to read this one. ❤️
It’s weird, my reading history says that I have read Practical Magic, but I have no memory of picking it up. It sounds like a fun series, though, so maybe I should pick it up again! Though now I’m not sure if it would be best to start with book one, or the prequels.
That happens to me all the time! Or the other way. I’ll pick up a book thinking I haven’t read it, only to discover I have. 😃 I would say read them in the order they were written. But any order would probably work.
Sounds good! The order in which they were written is my usual preference, so that’s perfect.
I had no idea there were book versions of Practical Magic! This sounds so good as a fall read
Yes! The film is based on the book. And I think they’re perfect for the fall. 🙂