I am a huge fan of Alice Hoffman’s writing so I was very excited to read this installment of the series. As, with the other books it was beautifully written, what’s something about this one just fell a little short for me. The story just didn’t captivate me as much as the previous ones. I would definitely still recommend it for anyone who enjoys the series, but it’s not going to be your favourite of the bunch.

I've been bewitched by all of Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic books and I'm sad to see that this magic is finally coming to an end.

The book of magic feels like it takes on a much darker tone than the previous books. As the series ends, so do some of the beloved characters. In fact, the deathwatch beetle has come for Aunt Jet and the first part revolves around her last days. It's bittersweet, spending these last moments with Jet and Franny, Seeing the state of Sally, after the events of Practical Magic.

I enjoyed spending time with Sally's daughters and the life-changing adventure they all go on together. The people we met along the way enriched the story and the characters and seeing it all come together in the end was satisfying and comforting.

The conclusion combines parts of all the books, bringing back old characters, and new, to create a generational story that wraps up this series in a satisfying, magical way.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 5, 2021
Alice Hoffman brings you the Practical Magic sequel you didn’t know you needed!
“The Book of Magic” brings the entire Owens family back one more time- Aunts Franny and Jo, Gillian and her sister Sally, and Sally’s now adult children, Antonia and Kylie as they work together to eliminate the curse that has plagued their family for centuries- any man who loves them is doomed to die. Using dark magic, old family Grimoires, and the help of a few friends, the Owens’ clan must do everything in their power to get rid of the curse, before another man dies.
Hoffman’s incredibly brave, headstrong characters that make up the Owens family, her addicting, page-turning plots, elegant and composed writing and magical stories make “The Book of Magic” a five-star read. It is not necessary to have read “Practical Magic” (or its prequel, “The Rules of Magic”), as “Book” stands out on its own but I would highly recommend both of Hoffman’s other magical novels all the same.
With the return of the familiar Owens characters, and the addition of some others, there is not an unlikable character in the bunch and I felt myself rooting for them all (with maybe one exception). Hoffman focuses on Antonia and Kylie for some of this novel, and it was sweet to see the sisters as young adults trying to start their own lives. The novel is narrated in the third person, and every Owens’ woman gets her chance to star, allowing all the characters to get their deserved ending.
“Book of Magic” contains nothing but love for books and libraries, and I instantly connected with this. Books are cherished, respected and handed down through the ages (as they should be), and most of the characters meet and bond over their shared loved of literature or books of magic. As a matriarchy, the Owens family (and witch clans in general) encourage intelligence, bravery and independence in their female offspring, refuting the traditional gender rules of societies through the ages. Each and every theme in this novel hit home, and brought all the feels.
Hoffman’s writing is pure magic, and “The Book of Magic” doesn’t disappoint. I loved the return of the Owens sisters, and enjoyed every page of this series.