Loved loved loved this book! I would recommend it to anyone! For an in depth review, you can visit my website! https://spicesandbooksblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/28/the-best-book-you-could-read-this-fall-the-rules-of-magic-by-alice-hoffman/

Everything I love about Alice Hoffman is in this book. And more time with the Owens family was a great treat. For lack of a better word, magic.

Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

MY REVIEW:

Last year I read and reviewed Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic on my blog. As much as I enjoyed the read overall, I remember that my one disappointment was that I really wanted to know more about Sally and Gillian’s aunts. The aunts just always seemed to pop up out of nowhere whenever they were needed and were just so mysterious and intriguing, even though they were only secondary characters. At times I actually found myself more interested in the aunts than in Sally and Gillian. I had no idea at the time I was writing about my thoughts on Practical Magic that Hoffman was already actively writing a prequel to Practical Magic that would give me exactly what I wanted, a back story for those two aunts. There was actual flailing on my part as soon as I heard about The Rules of Magic and I was truly over the moon when Simon and Schuster provided me with an advance review copy.

So did The Rules of Magic live up to my expectations? YES! It was everything I wanted it to be and even more. Memorable and loveable characters, gorgeous storytelling, and exquisite prose, The Rules of Magic truly has it all!

The Rules of Magic follows the Owens children, Franny, Jet, and Vincent as they are growing up in 1960’s New York City. Their mother, Susanna, knows that her children are unusual, perhaps even dangerously so. To keep them from drawing unnecessary and unwanted attention to themselves, Susanna has a list of rules that she insists they follow at all times: no walking in the moonlight, no cats, no crows, no wearing black, no red shoes, and no books about magic. And the most important rule of all, never ever fall in love. That last rule dates all the way back to 1620, when their ancestor Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man. Ever since then, love has been a curse for the Owens family. Susanna fights so hard to protect them from the curse because she herself has been a victim of it.

No matter how much Susanna tries to shield them, however, Franny, Jet, and Vincent soon begin to realize how different they really are and want to know more about themselves and about their family history. Franny discovers that she can communicate with birds, Jet realizes that she can read other people’s thoughts, and Vincent finds he is able to charm anyone and everyone around him without even trying and sometimes whether he wants to or not. They secretly begin to experiment more to see what other special powers they may have. A trip to the town in Massachusetts where Maria Owens was charged with witchery leads the children to uncover old family secrets and thus to begin to understand the truth of who they really are. Once they return to New York City, each of them begins their own potentially dangerous journey of self discovery. They also learn that there is no way they can escape love and so must determine if there is a way to escape the family curse so that they aren’t doomed to be alone.

The Rules of Magic is a beautiful, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking story of family, love, loss, acceptance, and finding oneself.

LIKES

The Characters. Franny, Jet, and Vincent are just such wonderfully drawn characters. I fell in love with them immediately. Not only were they fascinating characters individually, but I also adored their sibling bond. They’re all so loyal and protective of each other. Watching Franny and Jet, in particular, and just knowing they would grow up to be the aunts in Practical Magic was just thrilling and made what was already a beautiful journey even more captivating. I don’t want to give away any details about their individual journeys, but I’ll just say that Hoffman is a master storyteller and each journey is equally compelling and unique because each of the children feels differently about what their family history means and what their own powers mean. I was so invested in each of them and hoping they would find a way to have everything they want. When they were happy, I was right there cheering for them, and when they experienced tragedy, I grieved right alongside them.

Hoffman’s Prose. Every time I read one of Alice Hoffman’s books, my immediate thought is “Man, I wish I could write like she does.” And this book was no exception. In fact, I was even more enamored than ever before by her writing. Her prose is truly exquisite and even though I hate to sound cliché, it’s spellbinding. The words just flow so smoothly and naturally and yet read like poetry all at the same time. The Rules of Magic, in particular, is full of colors, smells, sounds, and beautiful images. I felt like all of my senses were engaged the entire time I was reading.

The Setting. We travel many places during the course of this novel – 1960’s New York, Massachusetts, and even Paris – and Hoffman captures the atmosphere of each location perfectly. I especially loved the way she captured the lower Manhattan area and gave it such a forbidden, taboo quality. Equally fascinating was taking us to the street in Massachusetts where the aunts lived in Practical Magic and showing how the Owens history permeates that entire area. I also thought it was fabulous how Hoffman incorporates details from the Salem Witch Trials into her narrative, and especially her inclusion of John Hathorne, who was an actual judge during those trials.

Works Perfectly as a Standalone. Even though this is technically a prequel of Practical Magic, the way Hoffman has written it, you don’t need to have read Practical Magic to enjoy The Rules of Magic. Hoffman does a beautiful job of inserting some subtle nods to Practical Magic, which gave me a few OMG, YAY! nostalgic moments as I was reading, but The Rules of Magic is a beautiful story in its own right even without any ties to the other novel.

I could go on for days about all of the things I adored about this book, so I’m just going to stop now before I give away all of the important details, haha.

DISLIKES/ISSUES

None at all. For me, The Rules of Magic is about as perfect as it gets. It will definitely be on my list of favorite reads for 2017.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you love stories about magic and witches, this is your book. If you enjoy books about love, family, and finding oneself, this is your book. And by all means, if you loved Practical Magic, you’re going to want to read The Rules of Magic. It’s the prequel you probably didn’t even know you needed in your life. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

RATING: 5 STARS

Practical Magic is one of my favorite films ever, but I will talk about that later this month. To be completely honest, I wasn't sure about The Rules of Magic. I didn't enjoy the first book, Practical Magic, and I thought it would be the same for this one. But my love for the film is still strong and I was curious. So I decided to try it out. This is a prequel, so it tells the story of Aunt Frances and Jet (and their brother Vincent).

At first, I was sure I wasn't going to like it, but I decided to keep on reading. And you know what? I ended up really enjoying The Rules of Magic. It's not my favorite book ever, but I think Alice Hoffman's writing is gorgeous and despite feeling like the story has some wasted potential, the book started off pretty bland for me but progressed into a beautiful tale. And I guess I love it when stories connect together (think it like watching Rogue One and knowing how A New Hope begins), so overall it was a positive experience for me.

Still, when I'm reading a book about witches, I want more magic, I want more spells. Because I've always felt that despite certain elements, these stories could be about ordinary families too. And believe me, I have nothing against that, I love family dramas. But witches are more fun.

Alice Hoffman has done it again! If you, like me, have been waiting for more of the Owens Family saga, you will not be disappointed!

The Owens family have been cursed and feared since the early 1600’s when Maria Owens was tried for witchery. This family has to live by certain rules, no crows, no cats, no intent to harm and most importantly - to never fall truly in love. Susanna runs away from their small town in Massachusetts to live her life in NYC, get lost in the crowds. She marries, not for love but for companionship. They have three beautiful children and for as hard as they try, they cannot ignore or run from the powers they were born with and blood that runs through their veins. Franny, the eldest beauty leads and protects her siblings Jet and Vincent, never straying from her responsibilities. The three are inseparable until the day their loves and lives tear them apart from the only life they have ever known. The Rules of Magic is the prequel to the huge bestseller and fabulous movie (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman 1998!) Practical Magic. This is the story of Frances and Jet’s childhood and how they came to be the loved and fearsome spinster aunts to Gillian and Sally. Filled with spells, potions and promises, author Alice Hoffman could not have done a better job bringing us back into this magical world.

Alice Hoffman at her irresistible best. Impossible to put this novel down!

I absolutely enjoyed this story; I love a spell-binding read! From the beautiful display of familial bonds to the allusions to the great witch hunt and the transference of awesome powers, it was a thrill. I enjoyed "meeting" each character, getting a good feel for the personalities, and seeing the whole through all their eyes in turn. This was much more enjoyable than my other Hoffman read.

I've read several Alice Hoffman novels, but never Practical Magic. This "prequel" is a stand alone, as well, so I wasn't too worried about being confused or lost. I can see why so many are fans of this magical world; it's a fun world to be in, and Hoffman is a superb storyteller. The Rules of Magic primarily focuses on Franny and Jet discovering their magical potentials during the turbulent 1960s. It's full of love, loss, and curses. And it's a perfect read for the fall season!

5 stars!

*

The Rules of Magic is an enchanting and bittersweet prequel about one of the best witchy families out there: the Owens. The novel is filled with magic, complex characters that develop throughout the story, a steady pace, and so much love. Told in multiple POV, this amazing story about family, sacrifice, and acceptance, is an incredible read.

Alice Hoffman’s is striking and so beautiful. It draws you right into the stories of Franny, Jet, and Vincent, and doesn’t let you go. The plot spans a lifetime and takes your breath away at time, as the emotional impact of Hoffman’s words translate so very well to the page. With its eerie and magical atmosphere, The Rules of Magic quickly becomes a favorite.

I loved every single moment of this book. I want to marry it. I want to reread it every year as the winds blow, the leaves fall, and autumn comes. This is such an atmospheric book and makes it for the perfect Fall read. I am in love with it and Franny, Jet, and Vincent. So in love.

The novel, despite being a prequel to the existing (and very much loved) Practical Magic can absolutely be read as a standalone! It is very easy to get lost in the world of the Owens family, slowly learning about what it means to carry the name and everything that comes with it.

All of the characters are so so complex and well-developed. The book is told in multiple POVs and each and every one of them have a very unique voice. It’s a delight reading about them as seeing the story threads come together, as well as the consequences of each of their actions. There are definitely some heartbreaking bits, but the overall message is so sweet and positive that it tugs at my heart.

In the end, The Rules of Magic is a mesmerizing piece of writing that is equal parts magical and bittersweet. The steady pace and beautiful writing enchant, keep you flipping pages, and make you fall in love with these characters. This is a must read to everyone who loves magical realism and witches, and all mood readers who are looking for a book that perfectly encapsulates Fall!

As a fan of Practical Magic (both book and film), I advanced upon this recently written prequel with equal measures of excitement and doubt. It is always a gamble when faced with a new addition to a beloved world, the fear of destroying the magic that makes it special or letting down story lines or characters- but this little beauty did not disappoint!

What a beautiful, heartful novel full of whimsy and grace! This book could easily stand alone yet enhances the original story by adding layers, depth and story to characters known but not yet explored. Fascniating, romantic and spell binding.

Despite the origin of this bewitching tale harking back to 1620, our involvement in this latest offering from Alice Hoffman is set in 60s New York and shines a light on two classic characters, allowing a peek into their beginnings and all that led them to becoming the elusive and mysterious aunts we know and love.

I would recommend this book to fans of Practical Magic and it's glorious realm of adventure and alchemy, to the huge film fanbase and to lovers of captivating fiction a like.

The long awaited prequel to PRACTICAL MAGIC is here! If you’ve ever wondered who the aunts were and how they came to live in the house where our favorite little witches grow up in Practical Magic, then now all your questions will be answered.

In the 1960s, Franny and Jet Owens—and their brother Vincent, a delightful surprise—are raised by their parents in New York City without a clue about the Owens’s history. All they know for sure are the rules their mother, Susanna, sets down— no walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic and no falling in love! But one summer when the girls and their brother are in their young teens, they are called to visit their Aunt Isabelle who lives in a huge old house in a small Massachusetts town. Here, they begin to understand their strange gifts and who they really are, and a whole new world is opened up to them.

As we watch these three young people grow into adulthood, we see what shapes their lives and how they become who they are when we meet them years later in Practical Magic.

If you think the prequel cannot possibly be as good or better than Practical Magic, then you’d be mistaken. Author Alice Hoffman does not disappoint in this amazing story full of richly developed characters who charm their way into your heart. It is a wonderfully woven tale masterfully written by the queen of magical stories.

As someone who’s read several of Ms. Hoffman’s novels, many of which I’ve loved, I would have to say that this is my absolute favorite one to date (along with Practical Magic, of course). Highly, highly recommended!

What a delight to read this book, a prequel to Practical Magic! If you love Alice Hoffman or Practical Magic or books with a little magic in them, or love, family, heartbreak and beauty, then you will love this book too!

I really enjoyed this book.. Having watched the movie of practical magic many, many years ago it was great to find out more about the Owens legacy before then.
The book moves at quite quick pace and covers many years. You find out all about their lives & loves including that of their brother Vincent. It is an easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

They sat in the garden where Maria Owens had planted seeds so long ago. Life was short, it was over in an instant, but some things lasted. Hate and love, kindness and cruelty, all lingered and, in their case all had been passed on.

First, a funny thing happened while I was reading The Rules of Magic. I have this thing where birds love to visit me, I can’t say how many times I’ve had them fly into my house (even when I lived in Japan and England), nor the time I was nervous before surgery and a hawk swooped down and caught a snake. I took this to mean I’d be fine, coincidentally it was the only surgery I ever woke up from and I wasn’t violently sick. Franny has Lewis the crow, I had Edgar. He visited me the day I began this novel, kept coming all day long for weeks begging for food, and reading about Franny’s familiar I teased my family and said “Edgar must be mine.” I bombarded friends on Facebook with videos of my feathered pal. I was smitten, the synchronicity wasn’t lost on me and made the book so much more fun. Enough about my love affair with Edgar… but pictures follow!

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Susanna Owens rules won’t save her three children (Vincent, Franny and Jet) from magic, nor the family curse. There is more to Ancestor Maria’s story, and through the forbidden love between Jet and Levi more is revealed about the Owens family and what makes them special and why they are doomed. Of all the tragedy and love within, my favorite moments were between Jet and the Reverend, which I will do well to keep my mouth shut about and let you, dear reader, enjoy for yourselves. Franny is a mess, as is Vincent- confused and lost, love leads to disaster and tragic ends. Any man who loves an Owens will meet his death. Can the curse be broken? What about Vincent? How does the curse affect a male born Owens?

April, the cousin, brings out the wild in the Owens siblings and Franny can’t warm to her, even with her cousin’s curiosity about the family’s deep dark secrets. Franny resents that her brother and sister fawn all over her cousin, she refuses to be charmed. April knows that their lives are tied, even if Franny refuses to see it. For fans of Practical Magic, you will be welcomed back into the fold of the bewitching family. I didn’t want the story to end, but I adore that within the seeds of tragedy, hope and beauty are birthed. I love the turns Vincent’s story takes. Yes, there is magic but even with their gifts, the difficulty of love and family cannot be avoided. Is it really the curse that takes the lives of their loved ones? If so, aren’t we cursed, all of us who dare to love?

Franny wants her heart to be hard and cold as stone, she cannot love anyone. Love isn’t possible and she knows it. Her relationship with Haylin is beautiful and safe, were she to chance anything more, Hay would not survive. There will be a remedy for her love in the end. Love will slip in the hardest of hearts, and love isn’t always romantic. The time period is perfect for witchery in the 60’s, rife with political and cultural change and turmoil. Misfits and outcasts were finding a platform, and Vincent’s talents fit in perfectly. Vincent, however, feels the darker side of magic pulling him away. Will he have to cut ties with his family to have a love of his own? I was particularly happy that Alice Hoffman conjured a male family member in the Owens clan. Fans of Practical Magic get more fulfillment through April, more story into the aunts pasts and will delight in everything that led to Sally and Gillian’s existence. I read this book twice, and I wish I could read both Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic for the first time again. For fans, you won’t be disappointed and for all others, if Magical Realism tickles your fancy, I highly recommend Hoffman’s latest, and her other books as well. The only downside is now I have to wait until her next novel is released… sigh.

As an aside… the cover is absolutely beautiful.

Publication Date: October 10, 2017

Simon and Schuster

Being Autumn and with Halloween right around the corner I jumped at the email invitation I received from the publisher to read and review The Rules of Magic. I was not disappointed. The story is about adolescent witch siblings who come into their special powers as they grow up and mature. This is a “spellbinding” story of life, love and loss authored by Alice Hoffman. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Rules of Magic is a prequel to the author’s prior novel, Practical Magic, which is now on my “to read” list.

Reading this is just pure joy - Alice Hoffman works her magic once again. Rules of Magic is the story of how the aunts in Practical Magic came to be. This is the story of two sisters and their brother, and their life as they grow up with very special gifts. It's the story of their family, with all their triumphs and griefs. It's a story of finding out your destiny and outliving your destiny. It's a story of being the best you can be, and never denying who you really are. I absolutely loved it - this one will stick with me for awhile. Many thanks to the Simon and Shuster and NetGalley for the ARC. 5 stars for this wonderfully moving and thought provoking story.

I was excited when I saw Alice Hoffman announce that there would be a sequel to 'Practical Magic', I remember really enjoying the book even though it's been quite a while since I read it. But I love the movie adaptation! It's one of my favorite movies. I wasn't really sure what to expect with a prequel though so I was hesitant going into it. I shouldn't have been. The last few Alice Hoffman novels I've read have been outstanding (if you haven't read 'Faithful' you really should!). Nobody writes the same way Hoffman does and for me nobody even comes close to capturing humanity and all the complex human emotions the same way she does. She really excels with relationships between characters and I love reading her books where she focuses on that.

In 'The Rules of Magic' we follow three siblings; Jet, Franny and Vincent. I switched between Jet & Franny being my favorite of the three. In the beginning I adored Jet but as the story started to grow and I really got to know the siblings I related to Franny the most. Vincent felt more like the brother you care so much about but you can't connect with the same way as you can your sisters. I wish we got to see more of his story towards the end of the book but I understand why we didn't. The way this story's ending blended into the beginning of 'Practical Magic' was done really well. It made me love and appreciate the two aunts even more. Honestly the only bad thing I can say about this book is I wish it had been longer! I felt like I was home when I was reading it strangely enough and when I finished I was homesick!

[Okay so the one other thing I might have liked to see changed is the fact that Vincent is fucking everything in sight at 14 and impregnates an older women. It just seemed a little squicky to read about knowing he was that young. (hide spoiler)]

"The Rules of Magic," the latest by Alice Hoffman just proves what I already knew, and that is Hoffman has extraordinary storytelling powers. The Owens siblings have long known that they were different from others. Their gifts have been darkened by a family curse dating back to the 1600s. But now it's the mid-1960s and high time time to break the spell, but can they? Hoffman brings together tenderness, determination and mystical powers as the now-grown brother and two sisters try to find a place - their special place - in the modern world. "The Rules of Magic" is a prequel to "Practical Magic."