I love all thing Owens and Alice Hoffman. I want to give this book 5 stars (which it totally deserves) but I'm going to settle on 4.5 because it's an ending of the Owens saga. And honestly, I need more.
We pic back up with the Owens witches, still battling the love curse that has plagued them for 300 years. And yet, they still can't help falling in love. Kylie and Antonia, Sally's daughters, were never really told about the curse. Sally wants all things magical to go away and not effect her daughters. But when Kylie's secret boyfriend, Gideon, comes close to dying because of his love for Kylie, she goes on a quest to save him. A left-handed quest. A black magic-induced, curse-breaking quest. And gets into all kind of trouble. Can Sally save her daughter? Can Kylie save Gideon? Will the curse be broken once and for all? Will love finally triumph for the Owens family? This is a wonderful wrap-up to the Practical Magic saga. I'm just sad it's over. Thank goodness Alice Hoffman has other wonderful stories to tell.

*Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this amazing e-arc.&

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital ARC of the final book in the Practical Magic series by the wonderful Alice Hoffman - 5 magical stars!

The Owens family has been under a 300-year curse - do not fall in love. Those who have have suffered the consequences but everything is about to change. When the youngest of the Owens family has her loved one at death's door, the entire family rallies to find a cure for the curse. This generation has had the Owens' family magic kept from them but all is going to be revealed as they race together to end the madness of not being able to fall in love. Sacrifices will be made but "everything worthwhile is dangerous."

How can you not love a book with this for its first sentence: Some stories begin at the beginning and others begin at the end, but all the best stories begin in a library. Sigh. It was so wonderful to slip back into the Owens world with this book, as much as I hated to see this series come to an end. I would definitely recommend reading the entire series but there's enough info here to read it as a stand alone if you must - and you must read it because Alice Hoffman - enough said. The ending was perfect - a wonderful wrap up to this series.

Even if you’ve never heard of this book series, you’ve probably heard of the film adaptation of Practical Magic made in the 1990s starring Sandra Bullock and Nichole Kidman.

The magical Owens family has been cursed in matters of love for more than 300 years. The curse was begun by their ancestor Maria Owen at the gallows. As she faced her death for witchcraft, she cursed anyone who dared love an Owens.
Each previous book in the Practical Magic series has followed the lives of the Owens clan as they struggle with the consequences of denying love, hiding it, and eventually embracing it into their lives, only to have the person they love most ripped from them by the curse.

In The Book of Magic, the final book in the series, Maria’s descendants are determined to change their destiny when Sally Owens’ daughter Kylie falls in love and the dreaded curse returns.

The Owen family is just as charming, stubborn, and inventive as ever in The Book of Magic. We get to meet long-lost relatives as they travel the globe in search of Kylie. Aunts Jet and Frankie (remember “Midnight Margaritas” in the movie?) are older women, and their enigmatic brother Vincent has recently lost the love of his life. Gilly is married but lives separately from her husband to avoid the curse. Sally has kept the curse a secret from her college-age daughters, Antonia and Kylie, until Kylie’s boyfriend, Gideon, falls victim to the curse.

Kylie sets out, determined to discover the truth about the curse’s origins. As she travels from Paris to London and the English countryside to research and find a cure for the curse, she also reveals the truth of who she is.

The Book of Magic is a more somber book than its predecessor, diving deeper into the curse and its consequences, as well as the dark magic needed to break it, and the sinister pull it exerts on those who try to use and control it. As Kylie uncovers her own dark powers, her Aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family.

I thought this book was the perfect conclusion to the series. It’s beautifully written and I found it easy to fall back into the familiarity of the earlier characters. They are still so strong and unusual, especially Jet and Franny. I have loved Alice Hoffman’s writing ever since her first book, and I identify readily with the witchcraft and magic she writes into her stories, since I’m sure much of it is based on folk tales and historic hedge witch potions and herbs. It’s easy to visualize her poetic descriptions.

Overall, the entire series is about the very human magic of love of family, and the consequences of decisions made for that love that echo through generations.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster for providing a review copy in advance.

Alice Hoffman continues the Owens saga with The Book of Magic. This sequel to Practical Magic opens with the loss of a beloved matriarch, but the family doesn’t have long to grieve before a member of the youngest generation of Owenses, Kylie, conjures up enough drama to keep them well-occupied. Sally’s decision to hide the family’s magical roots from her children doesn’t work in her favor when Kylie falls in love and the dreaded Owens curse returns. Kylie sets out, determined to do whatever it takes to banish the curse once and for all.

The Owens family is just as charming, stubborn, and determined as ever in The Book of Magic. We get to meet long-lost relatives and distant cousins as they travel the globe; Kylie in search of a cure for the curse and everyone else in search of Kylie. The family’s own genealogical research inspires a similar curiosity in the reader, so you might just find yourself connecting the branches to the roots of your own family tree. Of course, magical folklore abounds throughout the tale, so it’s easy to get lost in the enchanting details.

Hoffman fans will not be disappointed by this latest edition of the series. As the Owens family reckons with the conflict that inevitably arises with being true to oneself, the reader will recognize a bit of themselves in each character’s plight. Even the antagonist has a relatable side, despite endangering our precious Owenses and having a penchant for burning books. In one volume, the book provides both a magical escape from reality and a comforting ground to come home to.

*I am an employee of the publisher, Simon & Schuster. All views stated are my own.

4.5 Stars. Another brilliant book by Alice in the Practical Magic series. I really honestly don't know which one I loved the most, but I think this book being the last, did a really beautiful job of tying everything together and bringing closure. I love the Owens women so much and even though I am sad their story is at an end, they did provide so much magic and love and joy. It is hard not to get immersed in these amazing women and their universe and keep wanting more. Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this title. Practical Magic is one of my all-time favorite movies/stories, so I was thrilled to catch up with the family. This book was such a delight to read, even though I was also caught in the suspense of the plot. If you're a fan of any of Hoffman's books in the series, this one will not disappoint!

Beautifully written conclusion to the Owens family saga. The bonds between sisters are stronger than ever but flexible enough to admit love into their lives. This is an ode to books and libraries and those who love them.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC to read and review.

If your grandmother was writing a rambling book with incredibly low stakes and absolutely no angst, that would be this book.

The Owens family is cursed. Any one who falls in love will regret it with something bad happening to their loved one. Will the Owens Family be able to lift the curse in time?

Rambling took on an entirely different meaning in this book. My gosh, I would often even forget the plot because The Book of Magic would go off into so many different stories and sub-stories that I was left confused. Unfortunately, this book was a lot of tell and not a lot of show. This was like a Hallmark movie but with no drama, no urgency. Everything always works out "magically." People fall in love just by looking at each other. Sorry, I can't get behind any book where characters instantly fall in love.

This book discussed being a witch and magic, but I do wish that it was more realistic. The author would list off certain spices for potions and other elixirs. There is a certain need in modern medicine to go back to natural cures. For example, nursing mothers often take fenugreek and blessed thistle. Peppermint can help with stomach aches, and C0Q10 can help improve heart health. Doctors are extremely quick to offer up drugs from pharmaceutical companies than offer up natural remedies. The Book of Magic did touch on how the local townspeople would seek certain cures when the porchlight was on, and I enjoyed the idea of people seeking help from non-traditional sources.

Overall, I knew I was not going to like this book in the first chapter because the author's writing style was too rambling for my preference; however, if you don't mind extreme rambling and want a cozy, feel-good story in time for Halloween, this will fit the bill.

I enjoyed this final book in the series about the Owens family and their many generations of magic. In this book, they decide that enough is enough and it is time to break the 300 year old curse on their family. It takes three generations and travel and sacrifice and some dark magic, but they are willing to do this in the name of love. Ms Hoffman is a great storyteller.

The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman is the final book in the 4 novel Practical Magic series.

This books is split up into different sections. In Part 1 Hoffman does a great job reviewing family history and reintroducing characters as we say goodbye to one of the main matriarchs in the family. A bit of a lengthy set up, it does remind readers of the characters they love while introducing the plot.

From there the Owen's family is on a quest to end the centuries long curse over their family.

It is not secret that Hoffman can be wordy in this series. Sometimes the beautiful prose and descriptive language allows the reader to see into the world that Hoffman has created. For example, I think all of the fine details really worked in her previous book "Magic Lessons" to give the full picture of where the family curse came from. In this book, I felt like it was at times too much.

What should have felt like a race against time to end the curse once and for all ended up as kind of a long winded middle to a quick conclusion. I thought the extraneous details sometimes slowed down the pace right as it was beginning to pick up, especially once most of the family members all get to the same place. When we finally get to the exciting part of the book that I was interested in, I found that's when things moved too quickly. While the ending was warm and I felt like a satisfying resolution to the series I also found it a bit anti climactic.

Overall if you are a fan of the Practical Magic series and these characters, I do think The Book of Magic is worth the read. Was it my favorite of the series? No. Do I feel content with how it all ended? I guess so.

A huge thank you to Alice Hoffman, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Some stories begin at the beginning and others begin at the end, but all the best stories begin in a library."
My goodness, can Alice Hoffman tell a story and I have loved the Owens story from the beginning. Each book tells a beautiful story of the power of love these family members have for one another.

For many years the Owens family has been under a curse created by Maria Owens at the gallows. As she faced her death for being a witch, she cursed anyone who dared love an Owens. In The Book of Magic, the final book in the series, Maria's descendants are determined to break this curse.

Jet and Frankie are older women, and their brother Vincent has recently lost the love of his life. Gilly is married but lives separate from her husband to avoid the curse. Sally has kept the curse a secret from her girls and kept them from knowing about Owen's magical powers. Sally's daughters, Antonia and Kylie, are college age. As the story progresses, Kylie's boyfriend, Gideon, falls victim to the curse. Kylie is determined to discover the truth about the curse and the lives of the Owens women, which also reveals the truth of who she is.

The Book of Magic was the perfect conclusion to this series. The final installment is bitter-sweet because I love this family! It's beautifully written, the dialogue and characters are witty as ever, and I cannot imagine a better conclusion.
If you have not read this series, I highly recommend it! This one comes out on October 12, 2021, perfect for the season.

a beautiful wrap up to the owens family. y'all knwo my love for AH's books. and the owens family books aren't even my favorite of hers, and I still love them. AH weaves together the bonds of love, family, romance, and past so intricately. The bond of family and siblings is strong in this one. The themes of sacrifice and revenge run throughout. I love how AH has developed the people we have come to love in this family. I think this might be the last book of their family because of the ending, and it's a beautiful ending if true.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

This is the second in the series but this is actually book #4.
Magic Lessons 0.1
The Rules Of Magic 0.2
Practical Magic 1.0
The Book Of Magic 2.0

The book starts with a recap of the Owens family history. There is more than the movie can portray.

Sally hasn’t told her daughters about the family history of witches. But she needs to tell them now since Kylie has fallen in love AND has heard the beetle’s omen. Kylie travels around the world to figure out how to break the curse that Maria Owen placed.

I really hope we get a follow up movie to the original with Bullock and Kidman. The movie is a staple for me in October and I can imagine the actresses reprising their roles to bring the next book by Alice Hoffman to life.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Highly recommend this to anyone who loves Practical Magic & Alice Hoffman! This is a sequel to Practical Magic, & I was taken on an emotional roller coaster. Hoffman gives us love, friendship, romance, conflict, and magic most of all. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy!

What a beautiful end to the saga of the Owens family. While this book could stand on its own, I would recommend reading all of the previous books in this series to fully understand the history of this family. The heart of these books is the power of love and family. Please read them all.

Anne Wolfe's reviewSep 30, 2021 · edit
it was amazing

I have loved Alice Hoffman's writing ever since her first book and have read everything she has written since. But I must admit that this final book in the Practical Magic series was my favorite. From the first sentence I fell into her poetic, descriptive geography. Every tree, flower, bird, animal all described flowingly and visually.

It was interesting to me that Hoffman, now in her later years (as am I), has begun to notice changes in herself as she grows older. She describes loss, grief and suffering as I know she has experienced it first hand. Her character's surprise when catching unexpected sight of her face in the mirror, "mirrors" my own. When did I get so changed?

The story of the Owns family finally reaches its end, but not without suspense, excitement and, most of all, love. Ever since their ancestor's curse, the Owen women (and its one male) have always avoided love. The curse means they lose the object so desired. This final book is about how that spell can be broken and what must be given up in return. In Alice Hoffman's inimitable style, you will escape into the world of witches, magic, both white and dark, and a moving experience that only this author can give you. there is suspense, danger, excitement and beautifully described unusual people.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for not making me wait for its publication and allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was so pleased to do that as I adored this book.

Anne Wolfe's reviewSep 30, 2021 · edit
it was amazing

I have loved Alice Hoffman's writing ever since her first book and have read everything she has written since. But I must admit that this final book in the Practical Magic series was my favorite. From the first sentence I fell into her poetic, descriptive geography. Every tree, flower, bird, animal all described flowingly and visually.

It was interesting to me that Hoffman, now in her later years (as am I), has begun to notice changes in herself as she grows older. She describes loss, grief and suffering as I know she has experienced it first hand. Her character's surprise when catching unexpected sight of her face in the mirror, "mirrors" my own. When did I get so changed?

The story of the Owns family finally reaches its end, but not without suspense, excitement and, most of all, love. Ever since their ancestor's curse, the Owen women (and its one male) have always avoided love. The curse means they lose the object so desired. This final book is about how that spell can be broken and what must be given up in return. In Alice Hoffman's inimitable style, you will escape into the world of witches, magic, both white and dark, and a moving experience that only this author can give you. there is suspense, danger, excitement and beautifully described unusual people.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for not making me wait for its publication and allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was so pleased to do that as I adored this book.

If you love The Owens, you will definetly enjoy this read. It's not an easy read, there is sadness and heartache, bad choices and darkness but The Owens do what they do best, they keep moving forward and overcome. It's not my favorite of the series but it's a great ending and wil leave you believing in the power of love and magic.

The Book of Magic is a love-letter to the fans of the beloved Owens family, a magical family with a long history of being unlucky in love. At its heart, the Practical Magic series is about the bond between sisters, and the final installment reinforces that theme as the sisters seek the cure to the curse that has plagued their family for generations.

This series includes four books, but each one can be read as a stand-alone. And they were written out of order, starting with Practical Magic, then The Rules of Magic (a prequel), Magic Lessons (a pre-prequel), and finally The Book of Magic, which continues Sally and Gillian’s stories started in Practical Magic. This last installment does a wonderful job of tying all four books together, weaving the stories of all the characters into one book.

If you’ve never heard of the books, you’ve probably heard of the film adaptation of Practical Magic made in the 1990s staring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. It’s somewhat campy and cheesy but nostalgic, and lands on many fall-themed must-watch movie lists.

Back in 2017, I was invited to read an advance copy of The Rules of Magic. I’d read a couple of Alice Hoffman’s other books and enjoyed them (The Dovekeepers and Faithful), and I’d seen the adaptation of Practical Magic, so I was excited to pick it up. I enjoyed it and eventually picked up a copy of Practical Magic to add to my shelves where it has been waiting. When I was approved for The Book of Magic, I knew it was time to read Practical Magic, as well. I read the two books back to back, but I can reiterate, it’s not necessary. Plenty of history is recapped in the beginning of The Book of Magic to catch the reader up to the current storyline.

While I did find myself laughing out loud several times, The Book of Magic is a more somber book than its predecessor, diving deeper into the curse and its consequences. But the sisterly bond readers know and love, the magic they create, their mystical remedies, potions, and rituals are all present in this final book. And, of course, some romance, as well.

All the major players are here: Sally and Gillian, their aunts Franny and Jet, Sally’s daughters Antonia and Kylie, along with many others, including some new memorable characters, as well.

This was the perfect series to start my fall reading, with lyrical writing, historical touches, and plenty of magic. I was sad to see this series end, but it was lovely to revisit some old friends.

I can't bear to say goodbye to the Owens women, but in The Book of Magic we must. Cursed in romantic love by the matriarch Maria Owens for the protection of her female descendants, each of the Practical Magic books -- including this one -- are filled with love, and particularly the enduring love between sisters. Bookended by death, the bulk of the novel is based on the efforts of three generations of the Owens clan to break the curse. The middle portion of the novel is quite frankly the weakest, as it is easy to get confused by all of the action and the characters. Who is doing what and why, and doesn't it seem like more than seven days have lapsed since the deathwatch beetle first came to call? But the beauty of the language of love, death and mourning, and the strength of the characters are extraordinary in both the beginning and end of the novel. At times I was left wondering whether there was ever really a curse at all, or whether every tragic love story was really the inevitable lesson we all learn about what it means to be human and to lose what we love. I highly recommend the entire series. 4.5/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eGalley of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

’Some stories begin at the beginning and others begin at the end, but all the best stories begin in a library.’

I’ve had this copy of this for months, but I knew this was the last one in the Practical Magic series, and so I held off reading it as long as I could. I know Alice Hoffman has many other books that I still haven’t read, and many others that I have, but this series has held an almost magical enchantment of its own for many readers.

Set in the present, this story begins in a library which is where Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle, and knows she only has seven more days to accomplish what she knows she must before it’s too late. End the family curse. Fortunately, she knows where the book that shares the way to accomplish this feat.

This covers a lot of the family history, centuries worth of history, but it never loses its momentum as this story includes many moments that will leave the reader turning pages until the end.

I loved this, but am sad to leave this family behind, a series that always reminds me that the real magic is family and love.


Pub Date: 12 Oct 2021

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Simon & Schuster