RATING: 4 STARS
2017; Simon & Schuster Canada

The Rules of Magic is the story of the Aunts (Jet and Frances) from Practical Magic) before Sally and Gillian came to live with them. This is technically a prequel, but I would read it after Practical Magic. I think first meeting them in PM, it allows you to become more absorbed in the story, and explains a bit more about Gillian and Sally's parents's background. I wasn't sure if I would like this one, as it's always a hit or miss when another book in the series is released quite a bit later. Also, would the Aunts' personality be what I had in my imagination. For me, this novel was absorbing and I look forward to the next book which takes on Maria Owen's story.

***I received a complimentary copy of this eBook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

A very enchanting story about generations of a family. Who also happen to have a bloodline from witches. This a robust story of love throughout the ages. Love for family, love for tradition and the love for others. It is about loving more......not less. About loving enough to lose love and the ties that bind one soul to another.
Into this story is woven bits of magic.
A fantastic story that grips you right from the beginning and does t let go, even after the book is over.
Highly recommend.

This was so beautifully written! I loved Practical Magic and this prequel made me want to dive even deeper into their world of magic.

I love Alice Hoffman's writing, and this did not disappoint. She strikes an amazing balance between the supernatural and day-to-day human interactions.

I was so excited to read this book. I love the movie Practical Magic and have traveled to the area where part of the movie was filmed. I was a little concerned as I had tried several times to read Practical Magic. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read The Rules of Magic! What a great story!! One of my new favorites! Now I can't wait to give Practical Magic another try!!

As always, Alice Hoffman delights with a foray into the complicated world of the Owens family. Magical realism has always been her forte, and this book continues her legacy.

This was an amazing read. I loved it from the moment that I picked it up. I could not put it down until the very last page was read. It moved along at a great pace, has an interesting, non stop story that keeps you interested from the very first word all the way till you reach the very last word. The characters are so real feeling that you feel as though you know them personally and that you are there with them experiencing what they are in that moment.

Alice Hoffman has written an incredible book, that you will not be sorry that you have read.

Special thanks to Alice Hoffman for writing this brilliant, haunting, novel and to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, Canada for providing me with a digital ARC of THE RULES OF MAGIC, enabling me to write this unbiased review.

"Reading an Alice Hoffman book is like falling into a deep dream where senses are heightened and love reigns supreme. THE RULES OF MAGIC is no exception." - JODI PICOULT, New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things.

"There is no remedy for love but to love more." - Henry David Thoreau

THE RULES OF MAGIC is the spellbinding prequel to PRACTICAL MAGIC.

It was with great anticipation that I started this book, and I was not disappointed. The characters seemed real and Alice Hoffman once again bewitched me with her wonderful writing.

Susanna Owens knows that her three children are different and although she wants to protect them, she allows them to leave home and spend their summer vacation with Aunt Isabelle in Massachusetts. Fanny, Jet and Vincent's lives change that summer in the early 1960s.
When the siblings return home to New York City, they know much more about themselves and the truth of who they are. In the 1600s the Owens family had a curse put on them and must never fall in love.
Tragedy strikes and we follow Fanny, Jet and Vincent as they leave childhood, make life altering decisions and grow into adulthood, all the while bearing in mind that they are cursed in love. Vincent and Fanny try to outwit the curse. Will they succeed?
There were several twists to this story, but surprisingly it all came together nicely, leading into the novel PRACTICAL MAGIC. I thoroughly enjoyed THE RULES OF MAGIC and am eager to start the next one in the series to see what lies in store for Fanny, Jet, and their nieces Sally and Gillian. If you liked Ami McKay's THE WITCHES OF NEW YORK, then you must read THE RULES OF MAGIC by Alice Hoffman.
5 magical stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️

To begin, I was wary, as one often is when an author revisits a beloved book so many years later. But let me say up front, for those of you who might also be a bit hesitant about going back to the Owens family two decades after Practical Magic, that Alice Hoffman’s latest novel, The Rules of Magic, a prequel to her mid-90’s hit, is stunning. In fact, it is probably better than the original. (Though, I should interject here and say maybe I’m not the most best person to make that claim, since I always secretly preferred the movie version of Practical Magic already, based, if nothing else, on the phenomenal casting and the addition of a fantastic lady-powered-PTA-turned-makeshift-coven scene at the end.)

The Rules of Magic follows sisters Franny and Jet (who turn into “the aunts” of Practical Magic) as well as their brother Vincent, romping through New York City of the 1960’s and 70’s, discovering their family’s long-hidden secrets and creating a few skeletons of their own for the Owen’s closet. The novel deals quite closely with the famous “curse” explored in the earlier novel, this being that no Owens woman can fall in love, or the man she loves will soon be tragically (and usually quickly) killed. The source of this curse, as family legend has it, was their ancestor Maria Owens, who was burned as a witch by the man she loved and whose child she bore, none other than (actual person) John Hathorne, notoriously sadistic witch hunter of Salem circa the beginning of the 18th century.


It’s impossible not to base a proper review of The Rules of Magic on a comparison to the previous novel, because of course that’s what one reads for — to see if the magic of that story holds. It certainly does and then some. While Practical Magic had explored much in the way of some pretty heavy-hitting themes — love of all kinds, implicit and explicit violence against women, identity and its tricky, twisty multiplicitousness, all of these excellently handled by Hoffman — The Rules of Magic is, to put it simply, a more fleshed out novel. There is more to it. There’s the Greenwich Village of the 60’s, the L.A. of the 70’s. There’s more magic (dark and light) and the Vietnam War and the rise of a distinct gay culture that was met with aversion and violence.

While it doesn’t rely too heavily on detailing a previous era, I’d argue that The Rules of Magic is fairly historically grounded, and certainly more so than Practical Magic. Reading the latter — published in 1995 — you have a sense that, despite its geographical clues, the story occurs off in some abstract story universe somewhere. With the crazy aunts and the magical garden and the spells and the strange girls who never quite belong anywhere. It’s a bit of a fairy tale. Contrarily, this novel is very much involved in its setting and in its general social climate. While the novel bears no direct links to the present, I can’t help but get the sense that here, in this moment, this post-Recession, mid-political-Apocalypse, sexual predatory shit storm of a moment, while we watch rights and freedoms that one assumed (falsely) had been taken care of in previous generations dissolve right before our eyes, no novel really has the luxury of feeling as though it could be anywhere and everywhere. We are so stuck in the dense reality of our own time that even in the realm of fiction, we are not as willing to grant ourselves the a certain kind of dreamy placelessness and timelessness. Being Hoffman, it’s still in the realm of magical realism, but the emphasis is a bit more on the real this time around.

Another way in which this novel simply feels larger than the other is that (to put it bluntly) Franny and Jet are more interesting characters. Sally and Gillian, the sisters of Practical Magic, always felt to me more of a pure dualism, an abstract exploration of opposites, two people who were who they were because of their tension. But Franny and Jet are people that you spend a whole book getting to know. Of course, they do have their distinct differences — Franny’s penchant for the scientific and Jet’s whimsy and romanticism, which create a magnificent trio along with Vincent’s brooding magical existentialism. But they are very much individuals, and part of their character development is seen in their various reactions to the Owens family curse, which, of course, is a fabulous fictional ruse meant to explore the ways in which we all react to love and the ensuing pain that it brings. Jump in head first? Proceed with caution? Reject entirely? The acceptance or denial of love — both familial and romantic — shapes everything in the lives of these three siblings.

Perhaps the best part of the novel is that all of Hoffman’s side characters — even the parents who serve as little more than plot-furthering buzzkill — are so interesting that you want to know more about them. Probably the best example of this is cousin April (grandmother to little girls Sally and Gillian who show up at the end of the book, where the plot to Practical Magic begins), who is a snarky and somewhat disturbed genius of a teenage girl. Mainly, she shows up in order to make a baby (thus producing the line that serves as the bridge between the two novels) and also to provide some necessary tension in the relationship between Franny, Jet and Vincent. (Let’s be honest, otherwise, the siblings just get along too well.)

But rather than leaving the book feeling that you’ve missed out on all these interesting side stories, you get the sense that they’re there waiting for you. What was April’s life like in Bohemian California as the unwed mother of little Regina? What’s Aunt Isabelle’s story? And, most obviously, what kind of life does Vincent live after he leaves? There are at least eight more books to be written around the Owens family, and I, personally, am holding out hope that we haven’t seen the last of them.

Rules of Magic or Rules for Life? A heartbreaking journey into a family's history with lessons about what it means to be human.

I loved reading the life story of the Owen siblings. Experiencing their joys, sorrows, and triumphs as they learned about their family legacy and about themselves. I really liked how the different periods in their lives were separated out into distinct sections in the book. I found their story very compelling and heartfelt.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. So easy to be swept away into this magical world and come back into your own world and see magic everywhere.

I loved this book! I haven’t read any of Alice Hoffman’s other work so what a great introduction. Upon finishing I went and downloaded (i.e. bought!!) Practical Magic to my ereader so I’ll get on that soon. The characters of this magical story are magical themselves and each unique and engaging in their own way. The story is wonderful and beautifully written. I’m so looking forward to learning more about the Owens family in Practical Magic.

Barely 3 stars.

I knew there was a chance The Rules of Magic wasn’t for me and unfortunately I was right. But I wanted to give it a try because I’ve liked other books by Hoffman and because of a few enthusiastic reviews by GR friends. The story focuses on three siblings — Franny, Jet and Vincent — who are born into a family of witches in the 1950s in Manhattan. They live with a curse that makes love dangerous for those they love. What unfolds is a long melancholic saga about living on the margins of society with the burden of prescience and their family curse. I find any fiction that contains magic or surreal elements challenging, but every now and then a book comes along that works for me. In this case, as a concept The Rules of Magic had the potential to be a clever thought experiment. What if a few people living in what is otherwise the real world had a few magic powers? But the delivery didn’t really work for me. Hoffman’s writing is very strong, but I found myself unable to connect with the characters and the story. It felt long and overly dramatic.

But as mentioned, many GR friends loved this one. So take my review with a grain of salt. For my part, I’ll try sticking with my instincts when it comes to books featuring witches or other supernatural elements.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read a complimentary copy. (It was an advance copy, but it took me a while to convince myself to read it.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect because I wasn't familiar with the author. The book's themes are wonderful - love, spells and potions, and gives me a great indication of the 1960's generation. Alice Hoffman is able to cast a spell on her readers in which that they will not be able to put down the book once they begin to read it. I was totally drawn in right from the start!

The Rules of Magic is a prequel to Practical Magic, one of Hoffman’s best-known stories turned movie. It tells the tale of three siblings from a magical family: Franny, Jet, and Vincent Owens. Despite their mother’s best efforts to shield her children from their magical heritage, the three come into their abilities while coming of age in 1960s New York City.

Although this book is largely fantastic, it’s rooted in the reality of love and loss. The magical aspects of the story are touching and imaginative; just beyond the grasp of everyday life. Hoffman almost convinces her readers that if you dig a little deeper you too could be magical, and it’s because her characters are so human and so connected to the human experience, especially love and loss. As an elderly Owens aunt remarks, “Once upon a time I was young and beautiful. But that is the fairy tale, because it all happens in the blink of eye.” Ain’t that the truth.

Readers will adore these characters, especially Vincent whose reckless behaviour incites both tension and tenderness. You will become entrenched in their choices knowing there’s nothing you can do to prevent their inevitable pain. And because they are all victims and perpetrators their pain is justifiable and all too real. No one writes grief like Hoffman; it is all at once beautiful and devastatingly heartbreaking. Character relationships in Rules of Magic are ever-touching. The story asserts “when you truly love someone and they love you in return, you ruin your lives together.” What Hoffman does, however, is show readers that love is worth ruin. It’s magical, but it’s real, and, most of all, it’s hopeful.

As a long-time Hoffman fan, I’ve become accustomed to two certainties; while reading her books -- these whimsy-meets-realism treasures -- I’ll be wholly enchanted, but inevitably heartbroken. To be fair, Hoffman warns you of what’s to come. Her characters both celebrate and lament their humanity, all the while sensitive to the pain life inevitably brings. And so when I read a Hoffman story, I do so with a perpetual lump in my throat and a smile on my face.

I really enjoyed this book. I love a good story where it's about the relationships between siblings. This one involves a bit of magic, some heartbreak, grief, loss, family connections, and a dash of mystery. I think it would make any Alice Hoffman fan happy. It's also a good place to start if you're just reading Hoffman's work for the first time.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

When I heard that the prequel to “Practical Magic” was coming out I was so excited, I was even more excited when I was granted permission to read this book in advance. This book does not fail to meet and exceed my expectations. I loved it!

I loved reading about Jet and Franny and their brother, Vincent (whom we had never heard of before.).It was an inspiring, love-filled, sad, heart-rendering book. I was captivated and taken back in time to learn of the aunts from one of my favourite books/movies. I loved their stories and this book seemlessly ends right where “Practical Magic” starts. I know that next time I watch the movie, it will be with fresh eyes and I might have to now re-read Practical Magic. Fantastic!

Read this book and then read Practical
Magic, you won’t be disappointed.

My full review can be found at
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2118950366

Such a charming and quirky read. I was captivated by the writing, the magic and the relationships. I only wish it had gone deeper and there had been more! The plot was definitely more literary than I was expecting, which was a good thing. The story is about love and loss, self-acceptance and grief. It's learning to take risk in love despite the threat of pain. I will continue reading Ms. Hoffman's work as she has a special gift when it comes to storytelling.

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a prequel to Practical Magic, but I loved it.

The pacing was good. The beginning was a little slow for me when Franny, Jet, and Vincent were children. But it became more exciting as they grew up.

I liked the way the curse followed them wherever they went. In their teenage ignorance, they didn’t think it would affect them but it did.

Throughout the whole book, I kept looking for hints to the characters in Practical Magic. I loved the way that the magic is passed through the generations of Owens women.

Though the story followed a similar format of Practical Magic, you can definitely read this as a standalone novel. I think I got more out of it since I was familiar with some of the characters in the town, as well as the aunts when they are old and mysterious witches, but the story could be read by itself. Since this is a prequel, I think you could read The Rules of Magic first and then follow the story chronologically.

I really enjoyed this novel, and I will look out for Alice Hoffman in the future.