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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
So different than what I expected, but in a really good way. I really enjoyed this foundation and introduction into the Owens family and the foreshadowing of things I think may come later in the series.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
'Magic Lessons' is like a delicious piece of stacked cake. As you read about the characters and happenings, this story takes hold of you and doesn't let go until you realise you don't have any more of it left. I seriously couldn't stop reading. So obviously I'm glad I get to look forward to reading three more books in this series. Just like the different tiers of the cake, all aspects of this book (the plot, writing, atmosphere, characters...) are each amazing in their own way.
Always it was words that saved her and renewed her and gave her freedom, even when she appeared to be chained to her life by love.
Fate is what you make of it. You can make the best of it, or you can let it make the best of you.
Alice Hoffman writes carefully about the history of the Owens family. The characters are wonderful (though I hate some of them). The unbreakable bond between mother and daughter in this book was written so well, I could feel the emotions along with the characters. I liked the parts of the story when we followed Faith and the similarities (and differences) in her experience growing up compared to Maria's. This book is atmospheric and dark and it hurt to read sometimes. Though it also has its sweet moments. Love love love it!
A part of her longed to be saved from the path she had taken, so that she could become the person she might have been if she hadn't been a stolen child, if she hadn't learned early on that there was evil in the world.
"We will rid you of misery and you will live until you're a very old woman with white hair," Maria assured Anneke. But you will never be a child again, she thought, not after such pain. You will be a person of compassion, who will be unable to walk past another's suffering without doing your best to aid them.
I also really enjoyed reading about the magic the characters practice. I'm always in the mood to read about witchcraft. This book touches on the witch trials and the hatred, oppression and violence women in the 17th century experienced. Maria and Faith work to change their lives for the better. They do what they want, but also what they must, and I love that for them.
Tell a witch to go, and she'll plant her feet on the ground and stay exactly where she is. Instead of doing as she's told, she'll take a knife to her arm and let her blood drip onto the ground, and in that way she will claim the earth for herself and for the daughters and for all the daughters who follow her. It is the future she's claiming, the right to be a woman who can do as she pleases.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes