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thebibutterfly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
A beautiful, poignant book that was well written, but I was unprepared for the sheer number of deaths in this one, many of which were devastating. The massive time skips can be a tad jarring, but the ending was quite a full circle moment. My main issues with this book were the *multiple* incestuous relationships and an Adult/minor relationship. They were said to be distant cousins in both cases, but still. It seemed incredibly weird that Bridget wasn’t even told until afterwards and that April practically jumped Vincent in his own bed, then blamed him for getting her pregnant. Further still, that Isabel didn’t intervene despite having “the sight” and claims that she always knew what was going on. That was all handled very poorly, in my opinion. This one was overflowing with triggering topics, but most were handled fairly sensitively.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Child death, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Death, Incest, Sexual content, War, and Homophobia
ksilvio's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and War
Minor: Animal death and Murder
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Another fantastic tale in the Owens family, this time following the old aunts we meet in Practical magic, Frannie and Jet, and their brother Vincent, growing up and navigating life and the curse in their own way.
It was everything I've come to expect, beautifully generational, tragically heartbreaking and absolutely moving.
It transitioned fantastically to the start of Gillian and Sally's story.
The one thing that gave me he ick was all the incest, no matter how distant, was so gross and accompanied with the underaged stuff happening on top of that... Just why. I really wish this was done differently.
Despite that major discomfort, again, this was a beautifully told, magical family saga! I have loved pouring over the history of the Owens' - they feel so real - and I'm so sad that I only have one more book left. Can't believe it had taken me so long to get to a series I so obviously knew I would love!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Death of parent, Child death, and Suicide
ginbat's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Easy to get sucked into. Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket, Wes Andersen, Forrest Gump and The Little Prince.
The plot is somewhat sad/bittersweet. But the true art is in the writing.
The plot is somewhat sad/bittersweet. But the true art is in the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Grief, and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent, Incest, and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use, Terminal illness, War, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Cancer, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, and Forced institutionalization
There may be a lot of triggering things in this book, but because of the way the book is written, they pass by quickly to move on to the next (also triggering) thing. Death happens relatively frequently for instance, but specifically the death of a parent isn't a repeated thing. If something triggers you but you still want to continue reading, it's generally pretty easy to skip a few pages and then it won't be brought up again. Except for death!! If someone dies that shit is brought up like crazy! Incest:alexjoneswrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
Really enjoyable and wonderful to read. I really like how the prequel because a full circle towards the end as someone who grew up watching the video of the original so much it wore out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
silvasketches's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Death of parent, Death, and Pedophilia
sarasreading's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this prequel, learning more about the aunts when they were young in New York City. It managed to be sad and also incredibly hopeful and uplifting at the same time, making for a poignant read.
Alice Hoffman's descriptions really make the magical elements come to life and make the world feel real and true. The more she describes the Owens' Massachusetts house, the more I wish it were real. These books make me want to grow an herb garden and start a town scandal.
Alice Hoffman's descriptions really make the magical elements come to life and make the world feel real and true. The more she describes the Owens' Massachusetts house, the more I wish it were real. These books make me want to grow an herb garden and start a town scandal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, and Confinement
sophactuallyreads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
5.0
How do I even describe this? This was such an engrossing read and after Magic Lessons, totally not what I was expecting. It’s the strongest of the three Practical Magic books so far— and my absolute favorite.
1) I think Franny is a contender for my favorite fictional character I’ve read this year.
I simply adored Franny’s character. Granted, I always have, from the moment I saw the movie for the first time (yes I saw it before reading the book). The harsh one, with a great sense of style (which is NOT reflected in the book, but I respect it). The real one when Jet sugar coated.
I loved seeing her character grow from a gawky teenage girl into the rock of the family. Her flaws made her interesting— I love how she had her hard edges and was stubborn. You don’t see protagonists quite like Franny in much, save for Little Women, maybe. Parts of me related to her as she had to pick up responsibilities, and I’m an only child. I don’t know what it was about Franny, but she was just the most lovable, cranky witch I’ve ever read about.
Also, I loved the ups and downs of her relationship. Her and Haylin were so engaging. I hated them at times and loved them by the end. Lewis was pretty funny too, and while I wish she would’ve had a familiar more like Cadin, I understood why Lewis was written as he was. Cheers to you, Lewis.
2) Vincent and Jet were pretty darn cool too.
I got irritated with them both at times. And and Hoffman’s decisions to… well, write a lot of what happened with Vincent, were pretty alarming. Like, if it wasn’t for Franny being so awesome, what she wrote Vincent having done would’ve made me stop reading. In ways it was more concerning than Magic Lessons, which also bothered me. I wish I’d checked TWs before starting, just so I would have been aware going into it that I would be uncomfortable once again!
Overall, I loved Vincent’s romance, and Jet’s relationship with a certain older man warmed my heart. It’s nice to see people come together despite their differences.
3) I just… really liked it. Plain as that.
It didn’t make me emotional quite as Magic Lessons did, but it was such a quick read and just made me happy to read. I would’ve finished it a lot sooner if I wasn’t working late. It was never a burden to pick up, instead leaving me excited to see what Franny and gang would do next.
I wish we had more from Franny and Jet’s perspective. Picking up the Book of Magic next so we’ll see! All in all, I just love this series.
Put magic and New England in the same sentence, and I’m here for it.
1) I think Franny is a contender for my favorite fictional character I’ve read this year.
I simply adored Franny’s character. Granted, I always have, from the moment I saw the movie for the first time (yes I saw it before reading the book). The harsh one, with a great sense of style (which is NOT reflected in the book, but I respect it). The real one when Jet sugar coated.
I loved seeing her character grow from a gawky teenage girl into the rock of the family. Her flaws made her interesting— I love how she had her hard edges and was stubborn. You don’t see protagonists quite like Franny in much, save for Little Women, maybe. Parts of me related to her as she had to pick up responsibilities, and I’m an only child. I don’t know what it was about Franny, but she was just the most lovable, cranky witch I’ve ever read about.
2) Vincent and Jet were pretty darn cool too.
I got irritated with them both at times. And and Hoffman’s decisions to… well, write a lot of what happened with Vincent, were pretty alarming. Like, if it wasn’t for Franny being so awesome, what she wrote Vincent having done would’ve made me stop reading. In ways it was more concerning than Magic Lessons, which also bothered me. I wish I’d checked TWs before starting, just so I would have been aware going into it that I would be uncomfortable once again!
3) I just… really liked it. Plain as that.
It didn’t make me emotional quite as Magic Lessons did, but it was such a quick read and just made me happy to read. I would’ve finished it a lot sooner if I wasn’t working late. It was never a burden to pick up, instead leaving me excited to see what Franny and gang would do next.
I wish we had more from Franny and Jet’s perspective. Picking up the Book of Magic next so we’ll see! All in all, I just love this series.
Put magic and New England in the same sentence, and I’m here for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, Incest, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: War
thalia16's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, War, Pregnancy, and Medical content
tkeeley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Death