TL;DR REVIEW:

Magic Lessons is a dark, emotional, but not too heavy story perfect for October. I haven’t read Practical Magic, but it seems like a fantastic prequel.

For you if: You are looking for a literary witchy read.

FULL REVIEW:

“Always love someone who will love you back.”

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing me an advanced copy of this one via NetGalley. It was the perfect read to get into the mood for fall!

I’ve never read or seen Practical Magic (for which this is a prequel), but I was reassured that I didn’t need to in order to read Magic Lessons. That turned out to be true (I still loved it), but now I definitely want to read the rest of these books! I’ve heard that Magic Lessons
This novel tells the story of Maria Owens, matriarch of the Owens family and originator of a family curse, in the time of the Salem witch trials. She’s raised by another woman practiced in the Nameless Art, but is forced to flee as a young girl when fear and hate come knocking. Despite her resolve not to fall prey to love, infatuation strikes, and she careens herself into a long, often painful journey of a destiny.

Reading this book felt like sinking into a pile of fall leaves wrapped in a plaid blanket with candles lit and a mug of hot apple cider. It’s pricking candles with a pin and spells and herbal mixtures and grimoires and familiars, but without any cheesiness. It just feels like literary October. And it’s clear that Alice Hoffman has done a good amount of research, both into the history of the region and traditional witchiness.

But it’s also got a ton of depth and heart. There’s much here about motherhood and daughterhood and chosen family vs blood, friendship and abandonment and true love and faith and trust.

I think this book will hold a special place in my heart for a long time!



TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Pregnancy and childbirth; Animal death; Kidnapping

Maria Owens is abandoned in the snow as a wee baby. English witch Hannah Owens rescues and raises her, teaching her the ways of witchcraft. The most important lessons are to love someone who will always love you back, and to do no harm to others with magic, for what is given will be returned threefold. Maria eventually travels to the Americas against her will, and finds love in a man named John Hathorne. Yet as love blossoms, John walks out on Maria, leaving her pregnant, alone, and scorned. After giving birth to their daughter Faith, she treks to Salem, Massachusetts to find her lost love, and to punish him for the anguish in her heart. Maria must remember the lessons Hannah gave her, before it's too late, before her actions ripple across time as cursed penance. Love is the answer, though Maria may be too blind to see it.

Alice Hoffman knocks it out of the park again with a continuation of the Practical Magic universe, and we finally get to learn more about the legendary Maria Owens! I have been invested in the Practical Magic series for quite some time, and this story really tore at my soul over lost love, opportunities that slip out of reach, lessons learned the hard way, and the impact that mistakes can make across generations. If you've read Practical Magic or The Rules of Magic, you'll love this one, though I do think that the difference in era and the impact of this story's outcome makes it feel somehow weightier and severe than the others. I really liked Samuel's character, and I feel like the message and tone of this story is on point. Faith also grows throughout the story, and we see how she learns from her mother about the dangers of anger and magical misuse. Whether you're a longtime fan, or you're new to the Owens family of witches, Magic Lessons is here to warm your heart and speak to your soul. I highly recommend reading it, along with the rest of the Practical Magic series, because the bonds of family and love are capable of transcending even the most terrible of curses!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher, Simon & Schuster, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Salem in the 1600s, witchcraft, magic, and superstitions are the main themes of the book. It has three generations of women and lessons of survival: Hannah, Maria, and, Faith. Maria has a special relationship with a crow, Cadin. Cadin protects Maria from infancy. Cadin is an important character in the book. Faith has a relationship with a wolf, Keeper. The bonds these animals have with each woman is special. The animals are protective.

Good life lessons are raised such as: “Do what you know is right”; “… always remember to keep her door open to those in need” and “…what gifts you had, you were meant to share” A common theme throughout the book is women helping women. Women in abusive situations frequently came to Hannah and then Maria for assistance. Assistance may be medicine or enchantments. At times, they helped patients when a medical doctor could not. Also, Maria was a “weather witch and could stop rain by standing in a downpour with her arms uplifted.”

Faith becomes alone and abandoned by not fault of her own; her mother is imprisoned for witchcraft. Time with a caregiver hardens Faith who “forsakes the Nameless Art in favor of … black magic.” After the abuse, hate and revenge are what Faith seeks.

There is romance intermingled throughout the book but I would call this more of a “magical” book than a romance. I loved reading it in October with the Harvest and Halloween themes in life. This is a quick read and enjoyable.

I really can't imagine a more enjoyable book. The descriptions of time and place, the deep look at feelings of all kinds (love, longing, fear, and guilt among them), the struggle to be true to oneself, and so much more. I want to read it again for the first time!

Bushels of thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC to read and review.

I love stepping into the world of the Owens women. This book was so emotional, heart-wrenching, and filled with wonderful insights into falling in love. Hoffman takes us on a magical journey to England, Dutch Curacao, Salem in Massachusetts, and New York City following the life of Maria Owens. This book ties the history of the powerful and wonderful Owens women together and makes you want to pick up the entire series all over again. While it took me a little bit of time to get into the groove of it, Hoffman's way with words and setting the scene brings you into a time period where women have no power, and anything abnormal is deemed the work of the devil. Another great work by Alice Hoffman and a must-read!

Hoffman’s prequel to Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic is the most satisfying book I’ve read this year. In telling the origins of the Owens bloodline, the reader is taken back to Essex England in the late 1600’s where baby Maria, a foundling, was raised by a witch. Sent to Curacao as an indentured servant, Maria falls in love with a man who deserts her for his home and family in Salem, Massachusetts. Maria, and her baby daughter follow Justice John Hathorne back to Salem. If you know much about the Salem Witch trials, you are familiar with this man who sent so many women to their death. Following Maria and her daughter, Faith, reflects the torture supposed witches faced. Why is it so satisfying? It’s because Maria and Faith are very believable characters and the life lessons of love and getting back threefold in what you give are still important lessons today.

A luxurious tale of enchantment . Rebecca a practitioner with ‘sight’ binds a lover to her with dire consequences. So begins the Owens women’s mystical saga. Giving birth in a place and then surrendering her daughter to the elements , the child Maria is found and tutored by Hannah another practitioner with sight’. Maria has gifts that leave Hannah’s pale in comparison. As she grows and watches Hannah help women with live, desire and finding earthly peace, Maria vows to never fall prey to the promises of men. She does in fact put lower her guard and finds herself alone and with child. The birth of Faith changes Maria’s life and almost ends her own. The story draws you from England to the spice islands, to early New York,and Salem. Rich with the history of folklore and potions, medicinal herbs and early superstitions.The character embody the struggle of early healing to combat ignorance and common sense. It is also tales of love through three ge rations of Owens women. All brilliant,and compassionate and throughly unconventional. It kept me reading long after I should and I wish you just as much joy.

I am a big Alice Hoffman fan and this book didn't disappoint. I loved her writing, the characters and the story. I've read the other two Practical Magic books and loved reading the very beginning of the story.

If I was just starting with this series of books I would read them in order. But, with the way they were released I've actually read them backwards. I don't think it really matters in what order you read the books. I would highly recommend reading them though.

Magic Lessons takes readers back to the 1600s to learn the story of the original Owens matriarch, Maria, and to uncover the origins of their love curse. Full of familiars and grimoires, loves and obsessions, curses and blessings, Magic Lessons is the best book in Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic series by far! It is fast-paced, globe-trotting (England, Curaçao, Massachusetts), and full of so many interwoven storylines. There are several characters based on historical figures, most notably John Hathorne, a merchant and magistrate best known for his role as one of the leading judges in the Salem witch trials. I had my heart broken again and again reading this novel and loved every minute of it! 5 stars for sure--unless it's possible to give it six, and then it is definitely 6!

MAGIC LESSONS is much darker than Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. The 1600s were a dangerous time to be a woman who didn’t bow to convention. In Essex County, England, Matthew Hopkins murdered over one hundred women who he accused of witchery. MAGIC LESSONS begins just as these trials end. Maria Owens is found abandoned in a field by a kind witch who recognizes Maria for who she truly is and teaches her everything she knows.

But tragedy befalls them and Maria is forced to leave Essex County, England in a cloud of ash. Maria’s journey takes her to Curacao and finally to Salem, MA. It is here in Salem that Maria utters the curse that will befall any man that falls in love with an Owens woman and haunt her family for generations to come.

Alice Hoffman is such a talented writer. The chapters are long but her writing had me spellbound. I didn’t want it to end!

Every time I read the Practical Magic books I kind of wish I was a witch. My ancestors were arrested for witchcraft during the era of the Salem witch trials and I’ve always been fascinated by stories of witches.
I love that the Owens women are always helping and healing other women who are desperate for change in their lives. They offer hope, courage and strength to those in need and that’s something that has always resonated with me.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3176424720?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2CtthgK07/

I loved Practical Magic & was so excited to read about the woman who started the Owen's family saga. Alice Hoffman did not disappoint with Maria Owen's story and how the Owen's saga began. I highly recommend this book if you are captivated by witches & magic.

I loved Practical Magic and this one is the perfect prequel.
Generations of Witches and sailors and burning at the stake and casting spells and everything you expect, only better.

I want more. This is one of those books that you never want to end. I’lol be thinking about this one for a long time. Thank you, Alice Hoffman.

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞.
𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧.

This is where it all began, the source of the centuries-old curse that has relentlessly chased the Owens’s bloodline. Accused of witch craft in Salem, Massachusetts, it is now Maria Owen’s turn to have her story told. It begins in abandonment and discovery in the 1600’s England. When Maria, a beautiful baby (or changeling, that must be a consideration) is found by Hannah Owens, a woman who “𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦𝘯, 𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴”, she makes the choice to take her in. Hannah understands the woods as no other, from birth to death and every transformation in between. It is this witch’s imparted knowledge that Maria grows up learning, the true magic of healing the sick, ridding the body of diseases, parasites, invoking spells for love, protection, herb and root knowledge… As she comes of age, so too do the written spells that are passed down through generations but first, trials of the times and the mysteries of her origins must be endured, and uncovered. She will watch a whole life go up in smoke and study under the mysterious Rebecca. The nagging question, ‘what is love’ haunts her, until she learns how many will die for it. She won’t escape its clutches anymore than the women before her, nor it’s cruelty, trickery and lies. But first she will find herself on a Dutch Island, full of lush beauty and contradictions. The world is far bigger than she ever envisioned, and there are people waiting to take advantage of her youth, those who teach her there is no such thing as freedom, that in their own way those without means are nothing more than indentured servants. Once told, “𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥”, who could imagine there are invisible ones too that tie people together. In Curacao, Maria awakens to desire and learns that “𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘷𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺.” It will be a brutal lesson, and the driving force behind her journey to the Americas.

Fleeing the Dutch island in search of the man that has ignited her passion, a love that no spell can make her forget, she can’t envision what tangled truths await her, on the other side of the world. As a passenger on a ship bearing more than pain, she uses her skills to treat the ill fated, gifts that are the one strength she can bargain with. Again, the threads of fate are binding her to others. Once she steps foot in America, it’s not so easy to find him, but when she does he isn’t the same free spirit she shared every part of herself with, she sees how deeply his betrayal cuts when he turns his back on what has been created between them. What follows incurs her wrath and a curse, a catalyst that turns others to the dark arts.

Maria grows up fast and it’s a bitter lesson. This story is much weightier than Hoffman’s previous tales about the Owens family. Spells, teas, love, hatred, healing, wounding, cursing, deception, and everything flush with fire- the deepest love may well be between mother and child. With every step taken, there are dangers and every choice has its consequences. Be careful what you wish for… Remember, “𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘉𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺.” If only she could.

I am always over the moon, even if there is blood on it and no Tiger’s eye to be found, when Hoffman releases a book about the Owens. It has more spells, history and culture to set the atmosphere of the early times and the ignorance against anything that presents as different, anyone who challenges one’s own beliefs. People that seem to struggle with two sides of themselves (and those Owens women are no different, they too must struggle with their blinding emotions), as well as wrongs done to others in the name of pleasing society’s expectations is also a strong theme here. The reader needs to take time with this book, it’s not a fast read. I think lovers of historical fiction could well jump on board this ship, the “Witch” subject, though there is magical realism, has it’s feet planted more in early healers, folk medicine, which is a true history. Fans, like me, will greatly enjoy the origin story!

Publication Date: October 6, 2020

Simon & Schuster

I was so excited to read the latest book in the saga of the Owens family witches, and was not disappointed! I loved reading about the life of the original matriarch of the family, Maria Owens, who is mentioned frequently in Rules of Magic and Practical Magic. It was also really intriguing to read about places we have all heard of like New York, Brooklyn, Curaçao and others, and experience how different they were in the 1600s. This must have been a really interesting book for Alice Hoffman to research! Another highlight of the book was reading the recipes of all the teas, herbal remedies and potions. I'm tempted to try them and see if they actually work. But my absolute favorite thing about this and all of Alice Hoffman's books is the beautiful, lilting prose that almost reads like poetry. It's so good, I read a few lines out loud to my daughters, and now they are both reading Rules of Magic and have told me that is is a really good book. Thank you very much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is one book I will definitely buy once it is released and it will join the other 2 Owens family books as favorites for years and generations to come!

When I heard this book was coming out, I could not wait to read it. Usually i can at least wait until the month a book comes out to read a review copy but in this case, not so much.

The Title/Cover Draw:
For me the cover is not that attractive, but it’s in similar vibes to Rules of Magic. I was mainly drawn because I love the movie and the book, Practical Magic.

What I liked:
The story was descriptive and beautiful. I don’t normally read books like this and prefer more contemporary writing, but this one propelled me along in a miraculous narrative.

What I didn’t like:
Sometimes the author re-described parts in the book that happened previously. It felt redundant at times.

What kept me reading:
The story of Maria is just so beautiful. It’s really all about how to heal and keep your eyes open.

The Characters:
They were very real and complex. Especially Maria. You understood her inner fight to love and you can definitely see how the other Owens women got their spirit from their ancestor.

The Ending:
It was a beautiful conclusion. Very fulfilling wrap up.

Consider if you like – the movie Practical Magic or beautiful romance stories.

You can see my video review here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtuQJ9N9a6o&t=29s

Can I just say that I loved this book. It was a great story and the writing was lyrical. The characters were so real to me that I was horrified by all that Maria went through. I genuinely grieved the deaths and kept hoping for Maria to experience some happiness. I think this book is probably my favorite from Alice Hoffman — and I have read many of them. She just gets better and better. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for providing the ARC.

I wanted to like this book, but it was a struggle from the beginning. Hoffman continues the same style from her other books, but I never found any depth to the characters or even the story. There were too many lists that kept me distant from the story, and I wish there had been more dialogue. I really hoped I would enjoy the book, but I never felt a connection.

First, I need to state here that I will read anything that Alice Hoffman writes. I have yet to read something by her that does not seem to fundamentally change the way I feel about reading. From Practical Magic to The Rules of Magic and now Magic Lessons, we continue to learn about the world of Hoffman's witches. It's so goddamn awesome.



Her characters are always written with compassion and sincerity. Her dialogue and prose pull me in no matter what the context. I am a huge fan of Hoffman, and Magic Lessons is another star for her.



Magic Lessons publishes 10.6.2020.



5/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC!



The Owen's bloodline begins much sooner than Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. It starts in the mid 1600s with Hannah Owens finding little baby Maria in a field, accompanied by a crow that won't leave her side. Hannah takes her in and realizes right away that Maria is different. She has the mark on her inner elbow. As she grows up Maria is able to predict the weather, see the future and turn silver black. However, a terrible fate befalls Hannah and Maria is left with one important piece of advice: "always love someone who will love you back." Maria is reunited with an unlikely couple and they put her on a ship to a safer world. In this world she meets a man, John Hawthorne, and she falls for him completely, giving him a daughter as well, and starting the birth of the Owen women's curse. John decides to abandon them and travel to Salem, however, Maria and her child, Faith are close behind. Maria faces obstacles on this journey as a new love blooms, however she knows better than to get close to him. As time goes on, so does Faith's inner journey with magic and love, however with love comes the curse and all they must learn from it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! It was such a treat to read more about the Owen women. I really enjoyed the historical setting of this novel and the different generations that encumbered it. After reading this novel, it would be interesting to start the story from here if someone is a beginner. The characters are so wonderfully described and they grow throughout the novel. There is a lot of background knowledge and several fillers of magical potions/spells that are described which did take away from the story a bit. However, if that's my only complaint, I'll take it!



Rate: 4.5/5

Fiction

Author: Alice Hoffman

Pages: 416

The Owens' women weren't always cursed when it comes to love, so how did it begin? Back in 1600's England, Maria is abandoned as a baby in a snowy field and taken in by a woman named Hannah Owens. Hannah does her best to raise the child and recognizes a certain power in Maria so she begins to teach her the ways of the Unnamed Arts. During this time, Maria is taught many things, with the most important lesson being to always love someone who will love you back. After Hannah's death, Maria is sent to live on a faraway island as a maid to a wealthy family. Here, she falls for John Hathorne, a man that she believes truly loves her, but one day, he abandons her, too.

When Maria finds herself with child, she decides to cross the seas to follow this man to Salem, Massachusetts. On her journey, she meets Samuel Dias, a man unlike any other, but despite the feelings they both share, Maria refuses to give in. When she gets to Salem, she discovers that John had a family of his own and wants nothing to do with Maria or their child. Heartbroken and with no one to turn to, Maria seeks shelter in an old cabin and sets about making a home there for her and her daughter, making remedies and helping the local women who come to her door at night. Soon, Maria is charged with witchcraft and sentenced to hang by none other than John himself. On the morning of her hanging, thinking her life is over, Maria calls out a curse that will change the lives of all Owens women to come. But when she's rescued by Samuel, her true love, she must face the consequences of her rash decision.

Ever since watching Practical Magic for the first time, I've always been intrigued by the curse on the Owens family. Why does something terrible and tragic always happen to the men they fall in love with? Well, this beautifully lush story finally answered all my questions. Maria is such an interesting character to follow. She goes through so many ups and downs and betrayals, but she never truly lets the darkness engulf her. As fascinating as Maria is, her daughter, Faith, is even more so. Both women go through many hardships, and the way they each handle those trials and tribulations take them down vastly different paths, but they always come back to one another. Hoffman blends love, revenge, family, and the wonders of magic to make a completely captivating story. This is a very dense book, and there were moments where I found myself thinking, "Man, this is LONG," but overall, I really enjoyed it.