Scan barcode
A review by erinalt90
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
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.
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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, and Animal death