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 .