This book was fascinating!! I literally couldn’t put it down! I was unsure of it when I first started reading it, but I was hooked from the first page! It was epic!

Oh no, I am just not into this, it felt like such a let down. I am hoping to revisit this book again though.

Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

416 Pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: October 6, 2020

General Fiction (Adult), Magic, Witches, Family Curses, Witch Trials, 1600s

Hannah Owens found a baby in a snowy field. The blanket was embroidered with the baby’s name, Maria. A black crow was sitting on the basket cawing. Hannah knew this baby was special. She raised her as her own peacefully in the cottage in the woods helping women from town. One day a red-headed woman came looking for help but she brought trouble with her.

As a grown woman, Maria takes her baby, Faith with her to Salem to find the man she loves. When she finds him, he is not the man she thought he was. She settles down and buys a small cottage so she can raise her daughter the same way Hannah raised her.

This is the prelude to Practical Magic and Rules of Magic. The story is written in third person and is well paced. The characters are very developed. I really enjoyed reading this book. Ms. Hoffman is a talented storyteller. If you enjoy books about magic or have read her previous books I mentioned, you will like this book.

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman is an extraordinary novel about life in the 1600s . This novel is about so many different topics all revolving around a woman named Maria, who professes to be a witch and life in Salem Massachusetts. Maria lives a very sad and yet joyous life and there are so many life lessons that can be gleaned by contemplating Maria’s life and her reaction to both sad and happy moments. I loved this novel and I am sure you will as well! I would like to thank netgalley, Alice Hoffman and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman is a very well written book. The story line is so interesting and keeps you hooked and reading. I highly recommend this book!

I read <i>Rules of Magic</i> earlier this summer, and was so excited to see that the origin story of the Owens family was being published this fall! <i>Magic Lessons</i> follows Maria Owens, the powerful witch who leaves England and begins the Owens' family lineage in the American colonies. It was so lovely to learn more about the history of the Owens family, who I have come to love. This story was unexpected in its breadth of settings, as we follow Maria from dreary England to vibrant, tropical Curaçao, then to New England (Boston, Salem and New York City).

But even as Hoffman takes us to new settings and adventures, her writing remains the comforting balm that I remember it to be from <i>Rules of Magic</i>. Her stories are kind, hopeful, and show the strength of a line of women that trouble won't stay away from. While some could write off Hoffman's Practical Magic series as simply a cozy, commercial read, I find so much power and joy in her storytelling. She has a talent for wrapping you up completely in a setting and character, and it is absolutely spellbinding. Her ability for creating an atmospheric, beautiful story should not be overlooked, even if one might not deem it "serious" literature.

One thing that always shocks me about these books is how fast the Owens children grow up. Their magical abilities help them learn and mature faster, which I understand, but it is always slightly disconcerting to read about 14/15yr old girls having children by much older men (though I think the time period had much to do with that occurrence in this book). It is so interesting to read about these young women who are really clever and smart at maybe 10 or 11, yet still make the rash decisions of children. The melding between their intellect and inexperience is really fascinating to read about, and makes it even more satisfying to see them grow up over the course of the book.

This is another successful entry into the Practical Magic series, and now I might have to actually read Practical Magic! I've held off, as I wanted to read the prequels first, but now that I have my Owns family history down, it's time to read the seminal work that inspired it all!

I have loved the story of 'Practical Magic' for years, long before I read the book, a scant 2 years ago at the urging of my friend, Kalie; it was darker than the movie, drier, but I loved it in a different way than I loved the movie.
Still, Maria Owens, the long-dead matriarch of the Owens family, a woman so brokenhearted that she cursed her own family for generations to come to lose the men who dared love them, always had my interest and my curiosity. She was also a life-lesson for me; be careful what you wish for when you're angry; you will send out ripples that kick back for generations to come. Yikes.
The chance to see what molded Maria into who she was wasn't something I could pass up; darker and more austere than the other Alice Hoffman "Magic" novels I have read, I can only say that I got all the answers and the ambiance and the Maria information that I showed up for.
Perfect for spooky season and lovers of the Owens family women.

"Are we ruined?" Samuel asked. "No," Maria said. "We're just alive."

It may still be 600 degrees outside here in Florida, but Magic Lessons was just what I needed to get into the spirit of fall! If you've read Practical Magic and/or Rules of Magic, you'll definitely want to get your hands on the prequel which is available on October 6.

Maria Owens is abandoned in a snowy field as a baby when Hannah Owens finds her and raises her as her own. Hannah teaches Maria the Nameless Art and Maria soon finds herself surpassing her adoptive mother in skill, with a specialty in all things related to love. After Hannah's death, Maria is sent to the West Indies where she finds herself a single teenage mom after a brief encounter with John Hathorne. She follows him to Salem, Massachusetts where the hysteria of witchcraft trials is starting to heat up.

I won't share more to avoid spoilers, but this prequel is so good. Alice Hoffman's prose is always beautiful and Magic Lessons is no exception. My favorite thing about Practical Magic and Rules of Magic were the strong female protagonists and it's such a pleasure to read how Maria's life and actions set the foundation for all those generations of women to come.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for a review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for a copy of Magic Lessons in exchange for my honest review.


I'll be honest I didn't like The Rules of Magic, the second book in the Practical Magic series. Knowing I liked Practical Magic (and the film adaptation too) I decided to give Magic Lessons a try and I'm SO glad I did. Magic Lessons follows Maria Owens in the 1600s and the start of the magic lore in the Owens family. It shows Maria's education in the Unnamed Arts and how she uses it to help people she encounters in her life. Although the title is about magic the story reads more historical fiction. The magic in the story feels more like a secondary character to the other action in the book. It's a story about love, betrayal, finding one's identity and forgiveness. If you haven't read any of the Practical Magic books you can easily reads this one. If you've read the others and enjoyed them, or even enjoyed one of the two, I say give this one a shot. Honestly it's my favorite book out of the series.

Witchcraft is an old art most often practiced by women. There can be healing magic and black magic. Maria was born to a witch but was left in a basket at the home of another witch who then raised her and taught her the art of healing, using herbs. As a young woman she is sold into servitude in The Caribbean. Eventually she works her way to freedom and goes to Salem Massachusetts.

Alice Hoffman has written a fascinating book about love, family, witchcraft in the 1600s.

This was too drawn out with a lot of telling and no showing. I loved Rules of Magic but this book is missing the charm. I think the author should have quit with Rules of Magic.

Sad to say this is a DNF for me. Others have loved it, but it’s not for me.

Magic Lessons
By Alice Hoffman
September 13, 2020

When offered an advanced reader copy of this novel (thank you Net Galley and Simon and Schuster!), I was uncertain. I assumed the fantasy subject matter was not my cup of tea. But that’s what happens with books. They give us a glimpse into worlds we know nothing about - and may find enchanting.

Alice Hoffman, the award-winning and beloved author of thirty books, captivated me with her beautiful words and scenes. The story held me tight, and I couldn’t let go.

In the late 1600’s, Maria Owens travels from London to Massachusetts to New York. Criticized for her independence, thirst for knowledge, and healing remedies, Maria is accused of witchcraft in Salem, MA. In a time when single mothers and intelligent women were dismissed, Maria confronts love and a strained relationship with her troubled daughter head on.

For some readers, the book may be a little heavy on magic and spells and herbal concoctions. I’m not sure I’m completely sold on this type of fantastical literature, but I loved Maria’s philosophy. What you give to the world - both good and bad - comes back to you.

Review of Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Hannah Owens finds a baby in a field, raises her as her own, and teaches her about the Nameless Art. But Hannah soon learns that Maria has magic of her own and it’s in her blood. After fleeing from England and being sold into indentured servitude, Maria meets John Hathorne and falls in love. She follows him to Salem, MA but gets her heart broken. Tried for witchcraft, Maria curses all men who fall in love with an Owens girl. And so starts the curse that has plagued every Owens girl for generations. Magic Lessons brings us back to the beginning and where it all started as the prequel to Practical Magic.

If you‘re a sucker for the cult-classic, Practical Magic, then you need to read this. Detailing the background of the Owens family and told between three generations of women, Magic Lessons is a well developed story with well developed characters. It’s a book that‘s woven with strong female leads, historical references, and imagery that‘s detailed and descriptive. Persecution for practicing magic and witchcraft is deeply rooted in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts and Hoffman brings readers back. This is a fascinating read about love, loss, good and evil, and you won’t want to miss it!

Thank you @simonandschuster and @netgalley {#partner} for gifting me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an independent and honest review! This book is expected to be on shelves just in time for Halloween, 10/06/2020 so go preorder now!

If you are a Practical Magic fan and have always wondered about Maria Owens’ story, you no longer have to wait. Alice Hoffman has graced us with another amazing story about the Owens’ women starting with the very first one.

Magic Lessons begins when Maria is left in a snowy field as a newborn and Hannah Owens finds her and takes her into her cottage. She raises the girl as her own, teaching her the art of magic. Tragedy marks Maria as a young girl many times, leaving her vulnerable and alone. But when she falls in love with a man who makes promises he doesn’t keep; Maria places the curse that will follow the Owens’ women for centuries.

Magic Lessons has everything you’d expect from a novel by Alice Hoffman. Maria’s story is filled with all you’d expect and so much more. It’s a beautifully written tale that will satisfy your desire for the complete story of the Owens’ women. Another wonderful novel by the talented Alice Hoffman.

If you enjoyed Practical Magic and the Rules of Magic, then you will love this one too! I loved that this book tied in with the movie even only briefly with the un-hanging. So happy to have gotten the chance to read this ARC from NetGalley!

I’m not a fan of stories of magic or witchcraft, but I’ve always enjoyed Alice Hoffman. This book is a prequel to the Practical Magic series, as it covers Maria Owens, the original witch in the Owens bloodline.
It took me longer to get invested with this story. Beginning when Maria is abandoned as a baby and raised by a witch, it moves to her years as an indentured servant in Dutch Curaçao and finally to Salem, Mass and New York City. The writing is beautiful and lush. Hoffman totally paints each sense of place. She also completely evokes the time - a period when women have no power, when the devil is thought to walk among the people.
While Hoffman’s story relies heavily on witchcraft, magic and spells, it’s really about love, trust, hurt, revenge and betrayal. It’s a dark tale, with the hurt Maria and Faith suffer causing them to make bad decisions. “Try to do what’s best for your children and still it could go all wrong. What you knew today, you didn’t know yesterday. What you wished for then, you might come to regret.” But the good news is that it ends on a positive note.
My thanks to netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advance copy of this book.

Magic Lessons is a hauntingly beautiful origin story. Maria Owen’s story.

This book. Everything about it was phenomenal and heart wrenching and I was there for it. Maria’s journey wasn’t an easy one. She endured so much. My chest tightened with each loss she faced. Through it all, she had her magic. Always magic. It both helped and hurt her.

I have a deep love for the Owens family. To read Maria’s origin story was amazing. The beginning is a little slow but you’re in for a ride. Be patient. Its so worth it! I loved the dark vibe of the story. Those were different times. A dark time for anyone suspected in the “Unnamed Arts”. Maria suffered tremendous losses but she also knew happiness and love. The characters were so well written, I wanted to know about all them all. They all piqued my interest in one form or another. I read deep into the night to finish. I had to know! I was invested. The highly emotional scenes caused me heartbreak and tears. This book was everything I had hoped for and more! It was fantastic. I will carry this story close to my heart. I give this 5 stars.

Practical Magic is a yearly rewatch for me, but the book is even better. So when I saw that Alice Hoffman had written a book giving us a glimpse into the first Owens witch, I could hardly wait. Magic Lessons does a superb job combining a grimoire with the emotional characters and wonderful storytelling that Hoffman is so well known for.

Magic Lessons celebrates women even with all of the pain, suffering, and terror they face in a patriarchal world. It shows how even those with a good heart can be led astray, but there is hope of coming out a better person. Hoffman shines with her well developed characters and lessons in magic seamlessly weaved into the story.

If you enjoy Practical Magic (the book or the movie), you’ll want to read Magic Lessons and Rules of Magic, which is the prequel to Practical Magic. All three books have been fantastic reads and I will definitely read the next book Hoffman writes about the Owens family.

Classic historical fiction told with great detail and fantastic character development. If you want to be transported to Salem in the 1600's pick up this book!

This was such a beautiful novel. I'm a huge fan of Alice Hoffman's witchy world. Practical Magic is a must-read for me during the October months, and though I didn't wholeheartedly love The Rules Of Magic it was still a gorgeous read. However, Magic Lessons is on a whole new level.

Not only does this book bring such depth to Hoffman's usual world building. but I really appreciated the subtle but nevertheless potent look at women's rights. This was a truly memorable book.

If you enjoy witch-themed fiction at all, do pick this up. I think it's the strongest novel I've read by Hoffman yet.