Reviews

Magic Lessons: A Prequel to Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

ilupoli's review against another edition

4.0

This was a beautifully written coming of age story about a young witch during the Salem witch trials. I can't wait to read the next books in the series!

books_inthewild's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely captivating.
And the ending- magnificent.

heather_boo's review against another edition

3.0

I had already read The Witches, Salem 1692 which gave me the historical background to Alice Hoffman’s new release. Creating true context is where the author fell short. The angst of that time simply did not come permeate the story. The characters are brave, spitting in the face of the convention of the time. But the fear, being what it was under Salem’s Puritanical influence should have been more palpable. The headstrong character, Faith, could be from a modern teenage novel. Rather than hiding the fact of being a witch the Owens family (particularly Faith) flaunts it, proudly announcing themselves in telltale red boots for instance. As a result, suspense is never heightened, and the story is simply about a witch finding her own way.

jmodef's review against another edition

5.0

This prequel DID NOT disappoint! I finally feel a full circle closure, to have read Maria Owens' origin story. The bloodline makes more sense as Hathorne was not the only sire. Hoffman's research into practical magic is what we have embraced as homeopathic medicine and aromatherapy, leaving me with deeper sadness over the atrocities of the real trials. Maria and her legacy of daughters and sons born with the gift, sometimes the curse, of magic creates a heroine for the ages.

greenwitch1's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

bookish2024's review against another edition

5.0

I LOVED this book! It was a perfect read for the Halloween season.

sarahhplaut's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

freckleduck's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed this book. I found the middle bit to be a slog. I was so frustrated with the characters but ultimately I did appreciate the ending and what it took to get there. 

xxtarniixx's review

4.0

4 ⭐️

lizsim's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape