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tashaseegmiller's review
5.0
It's no secret that I love Alice Hoffman, and was absolutely delighted when I got the chance to read her latest early, especially because of how much I adored Practical Magic (both book and movie). This book is new, gives insight into characters I'd loved before and new characters, and yet it felt like coming home. The book takes place over many years, shows ebbs and flows in love and understanding, unveils secrets into the magic of his world and how different people react to people and beliefs and things they think they understand but cannot until they are willing to be open to learning the truth.
I loved it.
I loved it.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman is a prequel to Practical Magic. The Owens family has a long magical heritage, but their family was cursed in 1620. Vincent, Franny and Jet Owens are the children of Susanna and James Owens. Susanna denies her magical heritage and has many rules in place for her children. One day when Franny turns seventeen she receives an invitation from her Aunt Isabelle. They three siblings are invited to Massachusetts for the summer to learn about their heritage and their gifts. Vincent, Franny and Jet set out to escape the family curse to find happiness and love. Is there a chance for them to find the love and keep it? Find out what happens Vincent, Franny and Jet before Sally and Gillian enter their lives in Practical Magic.
The Rules of Magic can be enjoyed without having read or watched Practical Magic. I found The Rules of Magic to be boring (sad, but true). It seemed like every single thing the author had read about witches (or thought of) was stuffed into this story. The best way to describe it is too “woo-woo” (best description for it). The teens in the story go out of their way to break every rule set forth by their parents and do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. The characters kept repeating the same mistakes over and over throughout the book (even as adults). I found the main characters (Jet, Franny, and Vincent) to be unlikeable. It seemed that the author was trying too hard with The Rules of Magic. I thought the pacing was inconsistent. It would go along at a nice pace (in the beginning) and then slow down to a crawl (it plodded along to the end). I found it a chore to read The Rules of Magic. There were a couple of bright spots, but they were few and far between.
The Rules of Magic can be enjoyed without having read or watched Practical Magic. I found The Rules of Magic to be boring (sad, but true). It seemed like every single thing the author had read about witches (or thought of) was stuffed into this story. The best way to describe it is too “woo-woo” (best description for it). The teens in the story go out of their way to break every rule set forth by their parents and do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. The characters kept repeating the same mistakes over and over throughout the book (even as adults). I found the main characters (Jet, Franny, and Vincent) to be unlikeable. It seemed that the author was trying too hard with The Rules of Magic. I thought the pacing was inconsistent. It would go along at a nice pace (in the beginning) and then slow down to a crawl (it plodded along to the end). I found it a chore to read The Rules of Magic. There were a couple of bright spots, but they were few and far between.
unnecessairie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
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
zaineylaney's review against another edition
5.0
✨ The Title/Cover Draw:
This is the last of the Practical Magic series that I had to read. This series is a favorite of mine for sure.
This is the last of the Practical Magic series that I had to read. This series is a favorite of mine for sure.
lucy_kedz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dianashadel's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the writing style and characters, but the plot was one of those that meander through a person’s life rather than having a main climax. Still worth reading and I understand why it’s well rated, it just didn’t grab my attention as well.
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