Reviews with content warning for Animal death - Il giardino delle magie

I am reading the series and have LOVED the first two books (Magic Lessons and The Rules of Magic). I am also looking forward to the next /final book in the series (The Book of Magic). I started this series specifically to read Practical Magic.

To say this book was disappointing would be an understatement. You can tell this was the first book written. I'm not sure that is an excuse for how poorly the characters were developed or the story line that was hardly there. If you're reading this series you will notice that Practical Magic not only does not fit into the series but also contradicts some characters' backstory. It also lacked well established facts of the world it takes place in and there is very little magic.

The characters are not lovable and I would even go to say that I didn't care what happened to them. In fact there were main characters that if they had disappeared I wouldn't have cared.
The plot is put together like leftovers on a plate and then put in a microwave.
There are entire scenes that have nothing to do at all with the book including a scene where a child is almost SA'd.

I would not recommend this book at all. The movie was better and I will pretend like this book doesn't exist in the series. So disappointing.

Content Warnings

blewballoon's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.0

I rated this so low because when I tried to think of things I liked about the book I could hardly come up with any (the small bits of magic stuff, the bonds between the sisters), and I could come up with so much I didn't like or even hated (the portrayal of women in love, the men in general, the animal cruelty, meandering prose that felt like reading a summary of events rather than a book, the toxic relationships, the unnecessary references to sexual assault and harassment, and more). I watched the movie and it was definitely better, but still not great. They changed a lot and left out a lot, which is for the best. If you are worried you are missing out by not watching/reading either, I promise you're not.

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lydia123's review against another edition

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mysterious relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A very cute and Halloweeny read. Alice Hoffman is brilliant at atmospheric and comforting writing so this book is perfect for curling up with a cup of tea on an autumnal day.

I was surprised how little magic there was in the book. Definitely something to be aware of if you’re expecting it.

I’d also say that this book suffers from 90s-itis (everything is comforting and whimsical and beautiful) which can be offputting if you aren’t used to it. Personally, I love it.

I also felt that there was soooo much backstory … even at the end!!! What??

Anyway, all that being said - i really liked this book. I wanted something witchy and comforting & that is what I got :)

Content Warnings

sarasreading's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was a slow build from mild enjoyment, to getting all misty at the end. I only just saw the movie this past month, and I'm glad I wasn't super attached to it. This way I could enjoy both in different ways. I really was surprised at how different they are, but how alike in spirit they are too.

The book meanders about in a way that didn't really grab me, but at the same time, I enjoyed picking it up each time. The atmospheric writing, and the down-to-earth witchy details were wonderful. I was surprised how attached I'd become to the characters at the end.

In the movie, what drives the story forward is the plot, but in the book what drives it forward are the characters, the new and interesting choices they make, and the relationships they mess up, mend, and forge. I'm so looking forward to reading the rest in this series and getting to know more Owens women!

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kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

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fast-paced

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

3.0

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