As a fan of Practical Magic, I admit I wanted a sequel, so this prequel seemed a bit surprising. And if there was to be a prequel, I would have wished for one in the 1600s, to better understand the Owens Family curse, among other things. Obviously I’m one of those readers who has read Practical Magic more than twice and has seen the movie more than a few times. So having admitted all of this, with either embarrassment or pride, depending on your level of interest in same, how’s this new book, The Rules of Magic?

It’s a really good stand alone Alice Hoffman book; high on the list of her better-best books on magic, families, and love/ friendship bonds tested over time. That it connects to the characters in Practical Magic is only a mild connection in both books. Neither of the character connections are at the forefront of the other book. It’s mostly for the reader to appreciate rather than a major plot point.

It does provide the reader with a taste for a witchy power, though. It gives us all the power of sight, we know where the lives are heading. We just have no idea how they will get there. I liked that bit. The author’s gift to her readers.

As with all of Hoffman’s best books, when this one ends, I was left lonely at first, wanting more. By the next day I was recounting scenes in my mind and enjoying the tale even more. I suspect I will read it again. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley and am most appreciative.

Let me start by saying that I did NOT read Practical Magic or see the movie. I will definitely be changing that, soon.

I loved this book! It made me laugh right out loud and then it made me cry like a baby. I loved the subtle and then not so subtle hints of magic throughout the book.

I recommend this to anyone and everyone that likes a book to be entertaining, depth of characters and just well written.

My thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this advanced readers copy.

I've seen Practical Magic once, but have never read the book, so I was running off of vague memories from the movie. This is basically the prequel to Practical Magic and the story of the aunts in that book. They're an eclectic group of siblings who push back against their mother's aversion to magic, like any typical teen who is told they are forbidden from doing something. It's an easy, interesting, and at times heartbreaking read. Definitely great for fans of Practical Magic but also anyone interested in fantasy set in the 1960's. After I finished it I had to go watch the movie again and am now looking for a copy of the book.

I love Alice Hoffman and Practical Magic is my favorite book by her.

I was super excited that I got an advanced copy of The Rules of Magic from NetGalley.

This book was everything I had hoped it would be.

I was immediately immersed into the world of the Owens family again - and I was unable to put it down.

You don't need to read Practical Magic first, but I would strongly suggest you read it after this.

I asked to review this book because I love Alice Hoffman. I honestly didn't read the blurb, as I said, I like Alice Hoffman - lol!

It's the prequel to Practical Magic, the story of the Aunts!!! Can I get a fangirl scream?!

And it doesn't disappoint. I had to do some digging, trying to figure out how the sisters from Practical Magic fit in. But the story literally carries to the very beginning of that one. Should you have read (or watched) Practical Magic to read this? Nope, this story of the Owens siblings completely stands on it's own.

We've got Franny, with curly red hair. Jet (Bridget) with beautiful black hair. And finally Vincent, the brother we never even knew about. He's so charming, a nurse tried to steal him when he was born.

They also have their own aunt, Aunt Isabelle. She teaches the children the summer when Franny turns 17. They meet their cousin, April. There seems to be a lot of Owenses out there, but that's about all we really get to know.

We follow these siblings from that first summer until the beginning of Practical Magic.

You know the end result, but the journey is new and beautifully woven.

I had a little bit of hope for this book because I enjoyed Practical Magic, but I am all the way off the Alice Hoffman bandwagon now. Frankly, this is lazy writing that really doesn't do justice to the originality of the earlier work. The writing is repetitive and nearly histrionic, and the plot is paper-thin. I fear that the Hoffman who came up with the daring, absorbing worlds of Seventh Heaven, Second Nature, and Turtle Moon is lost to us forever. Too bad.

How can you talk about The Owens family and not talk about the aunties and how they ended up being who they were? From the ever permissive aunties we find their mother who says no walking in moonlight, no red shoes, no, no, no and NO love. If you loved Practical Magic then you will love the "prequel" and the wonderful story of the Owens'.

I am a fan of Alice Hoffman's work. However, while I enjoyed reading Rules of Magic, I was not completely spellbound. It read quickly and held my interest, but the story was just too predictable.

A great companion to Practical Magic, though i still like PM just a bit more. This novel stretches across generations and would appeal to wide age groups of readers. Hoffman deftly combines magic and romance without being maudlin. Loved this book.

This was my first time reading anything by Alice Hoffman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Alice Hoffman is one of my top 5 favorites so I was beyond thrilled to receive a copy of The Rules Of Magic from NetGalley.

This is the prequel to Practical Magic and tells the story of Aunt Franny, Aunt Jet and their brother Vincent. It brought me to tears as I finished the book.

I could not stop reading this book and possibly I will read it again. My best advice is to read this - you will be glad you did.

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.
This is a prequel to Practical Magic. The Owens kids, Franny, jet and Vincent are just learning about their magical powers. It started off a little slow for me, but gathered momentum as the Owens curse set in. Heartwrenching in places, has my full approval!