Member Reviews
I wish I had read all of these books close enough together so that I could really make all the connections. I am SO not a person who loves books about witches and magic and curses, but yet, I really have enjoyed these. This one dragged on a bit in the middle and I got a little lost when all of the European characters got involved but I loved the main story and the core characters.
The conclusion to this excellent series by Alice Hoffman. Hoffman manages to capture the reader and pull them into the story. The characters become friends or foes and their history becomes our history. Magic will dominate their story as they race to break a curse that has driven their lives for generations.
This book was amazing. All of Hoffman's works are. she is a master of character development and one of the best we have for magical realism.
There were beautiful moments in The Book of Magic, which is why I so loved Practical Magic and so many of Alice Hoffman's other earlier works. The town and library, minor characters who both fear and love the Owens family, and Owen garden brought me back some of my favorite feelings that Practical Magic evoked in me so many years ago. I feel in love with Hoffman because of the ambiance she creates, and she doesn't lose that in some parts (especially early on) in The Book of Magic.
One drawback in The Book of Magic is the inclusion and interweaving of so many characters and references from the previously published books in the series (prequels especially). There are many characters introduced early in the book; I would have had a much easier time tracing lineage with a family tree included in the front of the novel. (If there was one included in my Kindle version, I missed it.) I wouldn't have had issues following the character references if I hadn't read each book so many years apart from the others.
I found some characters beautifully rich and magical while others were surprisingly shallow and unbelievable. One of the things I love about Hoffman's characters is that you can suspend your belief in their motivations and actions as she moves them through their desires as it's so enjoyable to believe things work out in the world she builds. However, the character of Kylie seems flimsy to me, almost as if Hoffman herself didn't care to spend time crafting her into someone with dimension.
Possibly, it is because this is the last of the books in the Practical Magic series, but mostly it is because Alice Hoffman is such a consummate storyteller and talented writer that this is my favorite of the four books.
I love Alice Hoffman’s novels and this one did not disappoint. Well fleshed out characters that the reader falls in love with immediately and a touch of magic weaved in through the novel made this an easy read
I think this may have been my favorite of the Practical Magic series! The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman is an enchanting masterpiece that weaves a tapestry of magic and family. In a bid to break a centuries-old curse, the Owens women (and one long-lost brother) use their unusual gifts and travel from Paris to London to the English countryside.
As they navigate through love, loss, and the pursuit of identity, they discover the power within themselves and their connections to each other. Hoffman's lyrical prose and intricate storytelling transport you to a world where spells and destiny intertwine. Each character's journey tugs at heartstrings, leaving a lasting impression.
The perfect book to curl up with this month.
A beautiful conclusion to this beloved series. I hate to admit that I struggled reading this one. We jump between too many perspectives all of whom were necessary to the plot and it was just difficult to keep up. The writing style felt different this time, more telling what was happening than showing and a million literary references I didn't quite understand though I am intrigued to check out the reading list at the back of the book.
That said, I still loved it. It felt like a much deserved ending to an amazing saga. If you've been a fan of the series, definitely pick this one up.
Alice Hoffman's latest "Practical Magic" novel was an engrossing, moving and enjoyable read for me. It was also a satisfying (albeit bittersweet) conclusion of the Owens family saga, which I was sorry to see come to an end. I would caution any lucky reader who has only recently discovered Alice Hoffman NOT to start with this book, which in my opinion does not stand alone as a novel. I plan to go back and reread all the books in this series, and I recommend any new Hoffman reader to do the same. You are in for a treat.
4.5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh man this took me forever to actually finish but I finally did it and it was worth it. This was the perfect ending to the series and everyone’s got their happy ending and man Sally finally got what she wished for but realized that it wasn’t what she actually wanted but there was no going back. Oh man poor Kylie just thinking she could solve the curse by herself and ends up in a dangerous situation since she doesn’t know anything about magic and ends up spelled to help the wrong person who just wants to us her for her power. Loved seeing Vincent with Francis and that he found love again. Just so good and I loved it.
Thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A very frantic attempt to save the life of a man, sets the Owen women and their long lost brother on a path to break a curse with their gifts as they travel over the Europe. The family has been cursed for hundreds of years and the sisters are set on breaking the dreadful curse.
Reading this book was like going to a family reunion. Alice Hoffman's characters have been a part of my life for years. Getting the backstories and digging deeper into some of my favorite characters was a treat. Not to be missed title for Practical Magic fans!
What a wonderful addition to the Alice Hoffman universe. Her books are so magical and transport you to another world, another life, or another time. The nostalgia yet newness of this book was so comforting.
I love Alice Hoffman! The Book of Magic does not disappoint! The characters, the plot, the pacing, and the masterful storytelling make this book a real stand out!
This conclusion to the Practical Magic series was a delight to read. I love the characters that make up this world and will read anything Alice Hoffman writes about them. I loved how she incorporated libraries and books into this story even more than others. She weaves sadness and joy together artfully. I didn't want to leave this world or these characters, but she provided a very satisfying resolution to this series. The youngest Owens women were well developed and Hoffman's special brand of magic was woven throughout this story. Highly recommend this book and the entire series.
Please excuse the very late review
For me this was a book I loved to hate. I didn't want to see the end of the Owen family saga, but I also wanted the curse to end.
This book was bewitching, it's brilliantly written. We find ourselves going back to England, where the curse from Maria Owen started. Kylie, to save her boyfriend takes the book of raven to England and the rest of the Owen family - Sally and company race after her.
I do recommend at least reading the first book, so you have an idea of how the curse came about. Just be warned, Ms. Hoffman can wrap you under her spell.
For anyone who has ever seen or read Practical Magic, The Book of Magic is a must read. Full of enchanting characters, the story continues the saga of the Owens family curse. This books has it all, our favorite witchy family, death beetles, and most importantly- the power of love.
Thank you to netgalley for an advance read copy of this novel in exchange for my unbiased review. My apologies for not getting to it sooner.
This is an absolute beautiful ending to the practical magic series. This book circles back and closes out the story from beginning to end. Strong female characters, a look at magic and witches not as a spooky, scary thing but, excuse the use of the word - practical. How magic and healing and living are all powerful. That the greatest lesson is love.
Once again Alice Hoffman weaves a beautiful, prosaic world in which to get lost. If I had to put this book down, I would be longing to pick it up again to find out what happens next. For my friends who love well written, magical, mystical stories - I highly recommend this entire series.
I was really excited for this book but it was a bit of a letdown. It gets super long and rambly at times, and there are too many characters. I enjoyed the overall story and the ending though. I haven't read either of the prequels, and I wish I had read them first because there are so many references to events from long ago. Overall an enjoyable book.
This was an entertaining read, one I would recommend to my friends. I even enjoyed it more than her previous book, "The Rules of Magic". The beginning was a bit slow though. If it was a debut I may not have been as invested to finish.