Absolutely excellent! I have the other books from this series but hadn’t started them yet so this is my first foray into the wonderful world of Owens women and men. But it won’t be my last. I am really glad I was able to start here, because I got the chance to get all the background here for the family history. Why things have turned out this way... or at least start there because who knows what happens?!! Not me obviously.

Maria was a fascinating character and I really connected with her drive to protect her daughter as a mom, for good intentions even if not always the best results or consequences. I cannot wait to get to experience the rest of the Owens family’s journey.

Thank you NetGalley for a review copy!

ive loved practical magic since the 90s and love all the prequels. magic is so exciting. And Alice Hoffman is the best magical realism author out there

I loved this book so much! If you are a fan of Alice Hoffman's, and you loved Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic, you will love this book, too. Magic Lessons tells the story of Maria Owens, the matriarch of the Owens family. Maria is a true witch who finds herself in Salem, Massachusetts, during a time in which no woman, let alone one who could not be drowned and in whose hands silver turns to black, should be in Salem.

I won't write anymore except to say that you should immediately pre-order this book and be ready to fall in love with the Owens family all over again. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced copy.

I read this one in one day, sitting on my sunny porch completely immersed in the lives of the original Owens women. This book is as enchanting as the witches it chronicles. Hoffman brings every last drop of her skillful prose to this story, fans of “Practical Magic” and “Rules of Magic” will be delighted by this prequel.

While the main story is that of Maria Owens, the foundling child who starts the lineage of Owens women, and their powers, in classic Hoffman form, it explores so much more. As the setting moves from England to the new world, the reader learns about the early life of the America’s as seen by the women who never quite did womanhood “right.” The lives of these women on the outskirts intertwine to show us how women have, since the beginning of time, supported women when no one else would. Some lessons about betraying that support, and what happens when you let dark motivation guide your magick, are woven artfully in as well. The heart of magic is love, and each generation must learn that in turn.

This beautiful read is a wonderful addition to the Owens chronicles.

Alice Hoffman treats audiences with another visit to a magical but grounded world. I love being in the hands of accomplished authors with characters I cherish (and that’s the case here).

Another triumph and a beautiful novel. I think Hoffman’s books are soulful, magical, and a thing to rejoice. This book is fabulous, and took me away from all the problems of the pandemic for a while. The mixture of humanity and magic is a winning combination and can’t wait for the next book.

I took my time with this one. I wanted to savor it, like a good bottle of wine or an excellent cup of coffee. That is what Alice Hoffman's books do to me. She is the queen of magical realism and and her writing bewitches you and draws you into the story line without you even knowing you are caught in her web. By then, you don't care anyway because the book has you in its power and has no intention of letting you go....and you don't want to let go.

This novel is the story of love, betrayal, vengeance, and the courage, fortitude, and power of women. Women, even in this day and age will relate to the female characters in this book and take pride in their achievements despite all the obstacles in their way. In the end, is love all you really need and does it make its own magic?

I urge you to add this one to your to read list for the fall, because this book is set to be released in October, 2020. I would give it more stars if I could and I highly recommend it!

This is the prequel to the books The Rules Of Magic and Practical Magic. It tells the story of how the Owen bloodline began, with Maria Owens in the 1600's, when she was abandoned in a field as a baby. Hannah Owens discovered her and took her home and raised her as her own. Hannah practiced the "unnamed arts" and recognized that Maria had the gift as well. The book takes you through Maria's life as she practices her gift, experiences loves and heartbreak, & has children of her own. During a time when witch trials were prevalent, practicing witchcraft and even just the healing arts created a danger for her.
This book was captivating. I could not put it down. I loved The Rules Of Magic and Practical Magic so I was excited to find out how their story began. I think this may be my favorite of the series. Maria was a force to be reckoned with. With it taking place during the time of the Salem witch trials it made it seem all the more real. It doesn't matter whether you like fantasy books or not: If you like fiction then I think you will like this one regardless of that.

I am a devoted reader of author Alice Hoffman, having devoured almost all 0f her books at least once. PRACTICAL MAGIC is one that I savored as a movie (repeatedly) also. When she wrote the previous prequel, THE RULES OF MAGIC, I yearned for a real prequel, one that began at the beginning, with the first Owens witch. I wrote that in my book review and told everyone I met. So, folks, here it is. It is all that I hoped for and more. The beginning is just a little slow; perhaps I wanted things to move more quickly than the storyteller wished. That can happen with over-eager readers. But once the tale was truly underway, I could not stop reading and remained glued to the page. Having completed this book several days ago, I can tell you the characters stick with you. Their faults and strengths are compelling and intriguing; the depiction of their world is as intricate and lively as any Hoffman has written. I refuse to tell more of the story because it deserves to be enjoyed as I did, without preconceptions or advance knowledge. It’s a tale of mothers and daughters, tied by fate and circumstance. It is a wonderful book. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley .