I loved Faithful so much (one of my favourite reads of 2016) so when I had the chance to read the latest Alice Hoffman novel, The Rules of Magic, I was really excited. Unfortunately, The Rules of Magic didn’t elicit the same types of emotions. I found the characters to be one dimensional, self-centered, even stilted and I was unable to connect to them. The writing lacked fluidity and I just felt like there wasn’t a cohesive, encompasing story just a jumble of words an phrases. I know I’m in the minority here but I just didn’t enjoy this latest by an otherwise great author.

I read The Rules of Magic with eight of my Traveling Sisters and we all found this to be a very magical reading experience.

The Rules of Magic is a spellbinding, heartfelt and heartbreaking, insightful, sad and beautiful story that was so full of emotion for all of us. The story started off a little rocky for some of us at first as we were getting to know the Owens siblings. A lot was being told to us all at once but once we let that go and felt the magic within the storyline we were able to escape into this magical world of love, courage and a family curse. For the rest of the sisters, they were enchanted right from the start with this magically written story.

Alice Hoffman does a fantastic job here creating unique, quirky characters each of them with some danger to them. The tension builds as each deals with their own personal conflict and we loved their bond and support they had for each other. We all loved the animals in this story that made such wonderful characters themselves with their bonded relationship with one of the siblings.

We all felt a strong message throughout this story of love more, not less in so many different ways and that brought out such a wonderful discussion amongst each other. We dug deep into Hoffman’s insightful words and shared with each other the messages we each got from the stories allowing us to look at it differently had we read it on our own. We savored our discussion reading experience as we talked about the joy, love, loss, sorrow, acceptance, courage and support we felt within this wonderful story. We will be thinking of this discussion and this story for awhile. We highly recommend for group reads!

Thank you, NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Canada, and Alice Hoffman for a copy to read and review.

All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our sister blog:
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5 brilliant stars for this magically written story!
 
I absolutely loved everything about this book and savoured every single word that was written.  
 
THE RULES OF MAGIC by ALICE HOFFMAN was a fantastic, endearing, and a spellbinding novel that was an absolute joy to read.  It was a touching, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and a powerful story with a strong message of love and courage within the pages of this book.  I absolutely love a little bit of magical realism within my books but I think there was so much more to this story than that.  The words written were just as magical as the magic within the story.
 
This was a Traveling Sisters Group Read that we all absolutely raved over and didn't want it to end. I was quickly drawn into the magical world of the Owen’s family and the family curse. Would highly recommend!!
 
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Canada, and Alice Hoffman for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!

I was very excited to read "Rules of Magic" because Practical Magic was a beloved movie from my childhood. I loved the down-to-earth yet slightly off kilter nature of the movie and was looking forward to returning to this world via Rules of Magic.

Ultimately, I thought that the story was a let down. Actually, the story itself wasn't bad and Hoffman's writing style was great. It was the characters that I had issues with. I don't think that Hoffman wrote convincing teenagers. Their thoughts and actions never rang true. A lot of the angst felt forced and like it had to get to a certain point which would lead us to Practical Magic.

I will definitely give Alice Hoffman another try but I will steer clear of any books she writes using teenagers as protagonists.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review; however, this review is based on the audiobook version.

The Rules of Magic is the story of three siblings whose family has been cursed by an ancestor. The Owens are witches and warlocks and they have been forbidden to fall in love. If they do, the person they love will die. The story follows the three siblings from their early teens to their adulthood. They will all fall in love. One will see the curse first hand. One will die to trick the curse. One will live to trick the curse.

At first, I thought this book was written for young adults, but as I progressed in the story, I realized adults would enjoy it too. Alice Hoffman addresses many 60's taboos in this book and injects historical factoids here and there to keep the story grounded. This is the prequel to Practical Magic published in 1995. I am off to read this book next to know how the story goes.

Alice Hoffman's The Rules of Magic is a prequel to her bestseller, Practical Magic. This lyrical account draws us into the lives of the Owens family, whose relationships have been plagued by a terrible curse since 1620, when young Maria Owens was charged with witchery by the man she loved.

What do the leads (and readers) learn from current and past events? Simply, 'Don't live a little ... Live a lot' and 'Know that the only remedy for love is to love more.'

This was a wonderful story! I loved the characters so much and felt they were written in a way that you could really connect with all their love and pain. Alice Hoffman writes so well I always lose myself in her books. Her descriptions and settings feel alive. I love the style she uses here where the story just flows along. Everything about this book was done well.

I'm going to start by saying I've never read the book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, but I did love the movie (I'm sure the book is much better). NetGalley allowed me an advanced copy (although, unfortunately I did not have time to read it prior to it being released) and I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

The Rules of Magic is the prequel to Practical Magic and it follows three children who were born into magic; Franny, Jet and Vincent. The novel follows all characters as they grow up and is told through an omniscient POV.

At first I found this style of writing hard to get into and I found the beginning kind of a slow build up. It wasn't until about half through that I really started enjoying the book and didn't want to put it down.

There were several times that I cried big ugly tears. Especially the ending, although the last few pages really brought it home for me. It really made me smile how everything came together. It definitely made me want to read Practical Magic.

Recommend!! 4/5 stars
Huge bonus that someone wouldn't have had to read Practical Magic to know what's going on.

I just could not get into this book. after awhile it started to feel like a chore to read.

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman is fiction. It is fantasy. It is “magical realism”. It is all those things, and more.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon & Schuster Canada, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Next, I must admit that this is the first novel I have read by Alice Hoffman, although she has been writing for many years. I found her prose to be wonderful, and her work quite refreshing.

The Rules of Magic is apparently a prequel to Practical Magic which of course I have not read, but have now added to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. It is said you can read both as stand-alone novels, so I am pleased.

This novel is about love, although not strictly a love story. It is about witches, but not strictly about magic.

The Owens are a family cursed to never love, or so they believe. It is said that in 1620, Maria Owens was condemned as a witch for loving the wrong man, and her bloodline was cursed to bring ruin to anyone they ever loved. The Owens, generation after generation, have been unlucky in love. They have been ostracized and feared by those that know their name. Hundreds of years after Maria was denounced for witchery , three Owens siblings, Franny, Jet and Vincent, are trying to make their way in the world, where they know they are different, having been brought up by a mother who made sure they were aware of their bloodline. They have certain talents that others do not have. They are aware of the curse. They are careful. They have rituals. They have rules. Perhaps their generation will be the one to break the curse. Perhaps they will be able to love without repercussions. Perhaps not.

Hoffman chose the cusp of the 1960’s as the starting point of this book, and she took care to weave the events of that time into the narrative, creating an epic tale.

This is not my “normal” read. It is a little out of my comfort zone. I usually look for a little more excitement in the books I read (murder mysteries, horror…). However, I am so glad I took a chance. Don’t rule this book out because it has “magic” in it (it isn’t in-your-face). Don’t rule it out thinking it is a love story. It is more than that. It is about family, about siblings, about courage, about being true to yourself, and about so much more. The writing is really good, and the characters are deep, and endearing. Hoffman has a talent for imagery.

This book is hard to describe for me, because it is far away from my normal reading material. It’s been a while since I read a feel-good novel, but that’s how I felt when I was done. It is funny, it is sad, it is mesmerizing. Simply, I was charmed.

I kept reading this book, hoping that the climax was still to come and something exciting will happen, but, to my disappointment, the book just sort of finished. It was a nice story about a family and siblings growing up, but there wasn't anything particularly exciting that happened.

I am so pleased with this book. The aunts were my favourite characters from Practical Magic so being able to see into their youth was a treat. In all honesty, I prefer The Rules of Magic to Practical Magic. Hoffman really nailed the mood of the book, how magic wove into everything they did and everything they encountered. The New York setting added to the ambiance of the novel, it was a much grittier version of Magnolia street but no less magical.

Vincent was also a curious character, he was so much more than I expected. Franny was a soft heart in a hard shell. Jet was a heartbreaking and lovely person just trying to live her life. The dynamic of the three siblings is what really drew me into this book, they were a solid presence which carried the tale.

How can I describe how wonderful this book was. Unique, and magical. Alice Hoffman really has her way to bewitch our heart with her words!
We discover here the life of the Owens in the middle of the 20th century, before our heroes of Practical Magic step in. Three siblings trying to deal with the magic in them and the world around. Having to live with the curse of the Owens, preventing them to love happily ever after.
All the characters in this story are just so interesting and different, very well portrayed. You will feel like you know them!
Magic, its effects and how it works, is also one of the strong points of Alice Hoffman's writing! You do dream to be a witch when you read her magical tea recipes!!
I will say this clearly: read this book! If you love magic, great writing, vivid descriptions and complex characters. If you want a book that will transport you and make you feel the magic within yourself. Read this book!
As for me, I know I've discovered an author I want to read more of for sure ;)

I think the author put a magic spell on me as the book was hard to put down.. It is extremely well written. It is about a family with amazing powers, but believe they are doomed if they fall in love. because curses were put on the family many years ago.. As children they experienced strange things, nobody wanted to come near their house for fear they were 'witches', although their Mother made potions which many of the neighbors dared to seek after dark hoping to help them with their husbands, health or kids. Franny, Jet and Vincent Owen all fall in love, but Franny is scared to admit it and pushes her lover away, Jet also finds a lover, but things go wrong, and Vincent is led to his lover in a mysterious way.. The book is full of intrigues and written to capture the readers attention with many twists and turns.. Highly recommended, even if you don't believe in magic!

Like I have mentioned previously, I have been looking for books that would get me into the Halloween spirit. Enter, the newest release by Alice Hoffman, The Rules of Magic. I was pleased to find out that this book was a prequel to Practical Magic. Now, I have never read Practical Magic but I watch the movie every year around Halloween and always enjoy it! It was a no brainer to move this book immediately to the top of my TBR pile.

I went into this novel with no expectations. The first thing I noticed was how whimsical the book felt and how paranormal/supernatural it was not. It sort of had a folk tale vibe to it and I was almost expecting for a black cat or a frog to talk at any moment but I was shocked that there really wasn’t any “witchiness” to it. Aside from a few moments, this book could have been just a run of the mill outcast story. I know that this story is supposed to be more in the “magical realism” genre instead of a pure supernatural story but it didn’t really get me into the Halloween spirit, which was what I was looking for.

Other than that, the story was fine. I liked the characters and I was glad to be semi-familiar with them. I enjoyed getting a bit more backstory into the family and into their past. It is obvious that Alice Hoffman is a phenomenal author so I did enjoy her writing style but this wasn't 100% my cup of tea.

I do feel like other readers would really enjoy it, especially if they enjoy magical realism.

Originally posted on The Crazy Bookworm on 10/27/2017
www.crazy-bookworm.com

The Rules of Magic is a whimsical tale that will have you fall deeply and madly in love.

I cannot put into words how much I loved, adored and cherished this book and the beautiful story that laid within it's pages. I'm actually struggling with getting my thoughts out because I am left utterly speechless and in awe. Please be patient with me while I try to *attempt* a decent review here instead of just urging you, grabbing and shaking you, and screaming at you to READ THIS BOOK! *Ahem*

The Rules of Magic tells the story of Francis(Franny), Bridget(Jet) and Vincent Owens. Brother and Sisters that are struggling to understand who they are and where they truly belong in this world. The story begins its tale in beautiful New York but will take you on a marvelous journey through Paris, California and Massachusetts. You will be given a stunning history lesson on the family and their roots and why they have chosen to live the life they do now. Alice Hoffman's ability to craft such beauty in her characters and setting is a magical quality in itself. Delivering sights and sounds that will whisk you away and perch you into the very world of the Owens and their surroundings. You will be taken on a breathtaking imaginary adventure! Falling quickly and madly under her spell and never let go(nor would you want to!)

Franny, Jet and Vincent are unlike any other characters I have ever read. They are charming, intense and so full of depth. Though I just spent a whole book reading about them, I still feel there is so much that I do not know. Almost like a delicious secret is still being kept. The beauty in characters does not end there though. The character cast is large and each one blesses it's readers with their own unique story. Your heart will become fuller after reading this novel.

The Rules of Magic is a fantastical tale that will make you giggle with laughter, shed tears and shake your head in amazement. The Rules of Magic will leave you with an indescribable feeling but knowing that you just had a beautiful and memorable reading experience.

I absolutely loved this book, I was a big fan of the movie and the original novel and this was a great look into the events prior to.

Adored this! A beautiful story of siblings discovering their destinies. Even though this is a magical book, it was still very relatable because the coming of age for each of the Owen's siblings featured many of the same trials, doubts and lessons that any "normal" person experiences.
I adored the way New York was described, it took me back to the 60's and made me feel like I was experiencing the city at that time. I especially enjoyed all the scenes in and around central park.
The end portion of book was especially powerful for me and even brought me to tears, which for me is not an easy feet.
I even loved it more than Practical Magic. Highly recommended!

The Rules of Magic is a great throwback to an era where sexuality and love were blossoming after a time of reservation and proper etiquette. The social climate of the times is reflected in this book, and although it spans around 30 or so years, the crux is the 60’s. Three young siblings, Franny, Jet, and charismatic Vincent are coming of age with burgeoning powers, self-realization and trying to live freely in the world around them. However, it isn’t easy, from the start they’re reined in by parents, friends, self-imposed rules, outsiders, and circumstance. Every attempt at even faint normal teenage happiness appears to take a turn in tragedy. Some believe it’s the curse, some believe its bad luck, and either way, fear seeps into the family and changes their destiny. As the modern times around them explode, they seem to turn inward to themselves instead of being able to embrace the changes, even though Jet and Vincent put up a good fight.
The book often waxes philosophical about the plight of love and longing, there is much isolation of the siblings while at the same time they find ways to get want they want, in unconventional and unexpected ways. If you took all the witchcraft away, it’s a coming of age story of three kids coming into adulthood with much angst, with only each other to fend for. Franny who comes across as the most mature and efficient of the siblings is the one who is actually causing the greatest distress and is often joyless, even when she gets more than she expected, reflecting her parents ingrained fears and imposing them upon her siblings. True love is differentiated from the original goal of the curse, yet once it is found great lengths are made to trick it and hide from the curse. The rules of magic aren’t really rules, or even always applicable.
It’s hard being a witch, with little to no positive sway over your own life. Lavender, rosemary and dove hearts only go so far, and in the end, you’re pretty much destined to live out your fate like everyone else. It is still an uplifting thought to believe that love supersedes if not conquers all, even witches, warlocks, zombies, and Republicans.
Overall the book is enjoyable; many social issues are brought up in sensitive and accepting ways that are pertinent to the siblings. There are some surprising developments that add depth to the story, even if the story did not have supernatural elements, their stories would still be mesmerizing. The Rules of Magic is an excellent prequel and works well as a standalone novel.

Recently released "The Rules Of Magic", by Alice Hoffman, is the prequel to her best selling novel "Practical Magic". This enchanting tale gives us background on the Owens family.
This is the story of three siblings born into a magical family in New York. When tragedy strikes they move to the home of an aunt in Massachusetts where they begin to figure out why they are different. They become aware of the "Owen's Curse" that has been with their family for generations. Over time the children become accustomed to dealing with the "gift/curse" in their own unique way.
A beautiful story about family, love and loss that is sprinkled with magic.
Hoffman's superb writing style is spellbinding, heartbreaking and humorous.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.