This is a fantastic prequel to Practical Magic and Rules of Magic. Alice Hoffman is a go to buy for me and this is exactly why. She gets better with every book she writes! I ant recommend her enough!

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

5 Stars-in-My-Eyes

It is in the January of 1664 when Hannah Owens found an infant in a field, a foot of snow around her, the infant staring at a crows perched on her basket atop the junipers, the crow staring at this infant girl with pitch black hair and pale silvery-gray eyes, wrapped in a blanket with her name stitched along the border. And so Hannah brought the infant girl named Maria home to raise as her own, with the bird following, and Hannah singing.

The crow stayed on, and was named Caden. Caden, of course, knew he was supposed to be there, as he had recognized his destiny to be Maria’s familiar.

It’s there in the middle of these woods and fields where Maria learns about the nature around her, the difference between the things that grew there that could heal, and the things that could cause harm, with Hannah as her tutor as well as her mother.

In 1665, when Maria was two years old, deaths from the plague in London took the lives of sixty-eight thousand, followed by the fire in London the following year, which took seventy thousand homes. Hannah’s gifts were sought after by more and more women, women who came to her searching for answers, seeking her out the cures that came from her garden, cures for the ache of those looking for love. And while Hannah crafts her cures, Maria looks on and gains knowledge of the art of magic.

This story mainly follows the life of Maria, a story that begins as an infant and follows her life as she learns cures and remedies and charms from Hannah. And when Maria is ten, on Midsummer’s night, Hannah’s present to her is own Grimoire, a book made with love, and filled with power and knowledge. The lessons begin in earnest; there is much for Maria to learn.

Maria will eventually travel to Curaçao, where she lives for a while, until she travels to Boston some years later in search of a man she met in Curaçao, and the story goes on from there. Of course, included are the Salem Witch trials. Of course, there’s more, much more, to this story which I believe is her best of the Practical Magic series, perhaps because the writing seems a bit more elevated in tone than I remember from Practical Magic. A bit more like the writing I found in The Dovekeepers, although with more of the lightheartedness that is occasionally found in both of the sequels to this second prequel to the book that started it all.

If you’ve read either Practical Magic or Rules of Magic then you already know about the Owens family, and the ‘curse’ that has haunted the women in this family for centuries. If you haven’t read either of those books, Magic Lessons is where the story of the curse of the Owens women begins, so it isn’t necessary to have read them – but you’ll want to once you’ve finished reading this!


Pub Date: 06 Oct 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Simon & Schuster

It seems that this is one of a series; yet, I read it and enjoyed it as a stand-alone. References were made within the story that had me researching a bit for myself. Reading a good story with the possibility of learning new things is something I enjoy. Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Alice Hoffman for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great book in the Owens family series of books. The characters have been written with care. I’m not great at reviewing books in “writing form” so this is a woeful expression about how much I loved this book. Quick summary: I loved it, will be recommending it, and I give it 5 stars.

I've never read Alice Hoffman before, although I was familiar with her name and a few of her better known books. I was really missing out! This is a fascinating story on several levels. It's wonderful historical fiction, obviously well researched and filled with historically accurate (I think) characters who are fully realized and engaging. It's a family story about secrets and loss and longing. It's a romance about love gone wrong, unrequited love, and soulmates finally finding their way.

This is a prequel to Hoffman's Practical Magic books, but knowledge of these books is not necessary. Since I have not read them, I can't make a comparison. This is a standalone book. I can say that I am now intrigued enough to seek them out and read the rest of the story. Hoffman's writing is beautiful and brings the reader into this world of history and magic. Definitely recommended.

Alice Hoffman is a goddess of the written word. A consistently good writer, fabulous characterization, enchanting settings, and well-paced storytelling. Magic Lessons delivers and more in the Practical Magic universe? Sign me up!

Trigger warning: violence to a cat within the first few pages. I’ve stopped reading books for far less but because it’s Alice Hoffman, I continued.

I've enjoyed each of these books more than the one before it. I would like to think the work gets better as the author gets to know the Owens women more.

What a delight to delve into a new Alice Hoffman tale of witchcraft. Like snuggling into a familiar, beloved blanket, the pages of the Owen bloodline were entertaining and breathtaking.

If you’ve read or seen Practical Magic, you know about the “Owen’s Curse” among the Owens women! Magic Lessons is a origin story of how/what Owen’s Curse came about to be. The story mostly revolves around Hannah and Mariah Owens and their life. Although the story felt a bit dragged at places, I liked how the overall story turned out. There are inclusive magical references, 17th century England descriptions and most of all the Salem Witch Trial references!! There are lot of “speculations” out there, but I have always been fascinated by what really caused the Witch trials. Magic Lessons is a perfect prequel to Practical Magic, although it can be very well read as a standalone which I liked! Alice Hoffman is a gifted and amazing story teller.
Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster and Alice Hoffman for the ARC. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way!

Hannah Owens finds a baby left alone, which is surprising, even in 17th century England. She raises Maria as her own, and it becomes clear to Hannah that the child is, like Hannah, a witch. Maria’s world changes when her natural father sells her into servitude to a sea captain traveling to Curacao. Here she learns the difference between love and infatuation, between lies and honesty. Her journey continues as she takes her infant daughter to Essex County Massachusetts, looking for a love that was so evident elsewhere. This novel is described as a prequel to Practical Magic, but it reads well as a stand-alone—there are very few authors who can tell a story like Alice Hoffman. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had just finished The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley and thought that this would be in a similar vein. A historical fiction, female main character, nothing too crazy (I sometimes think I'm in the mood for a science fiction, usually I am not). Anyways, I felt the whole thing was too much. In three hundred pages how many trials and tribulations need to happen to this poor woman? By the end I wasn't surprised when something awful happens. Really I felt as if I were Sybil from Fawlty Towers, bored with the conversation on the phone, saying "Oh I know."

The descriptions were a bit winded as well. I found myself skipping paragraphs to get past the descriptions of the towns and what was happening in the Salem Witch Trials. It's there to build a story, but for me wasn't my cup of tea.

I loved Hannah though and would love a story about her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Alice Hoffman, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this ARC.

Practical Magic (both the book and the movie) is one of my absolute favorite stories, so I was very excited to read this prequel. Alice Hoffman definitely does not disappoint while telling the story of Maria Owens and how the "Owens Curse" came to be. This was an amazing story, and I absolutely loved it.

There needs to be a continuation of the Owens family, with Kylie and Antonia as adults.

The moment this landed on my shelf, I had to start reading (even though I have a couple others on my shelf that publish earlier). I am always extremely grateful to get my hands on anything by Alice Hoffman.
The story of the Owens line, going back to the beginning, started off a bit slow for me, but I was soon fully immersed. I savored the details, from herbs and trees, to the mores of the time. Magical, of course, but also a good study of human nature and the bond between mother and daughter. So much I didn't know about the history of New York/Brooklyn/etc.

Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman is an excellent historical fiction that literally has it all: magic, family, suspense, history, love, loss, sacrifice, revenge, loyalty, and a riveting plot that keeps the reader engaged and riveted until the very end.

I have to say I am a huge fan of Ms. Hoffman, however I have not read the Practical Magic series as of yet (even though it is on my bookshelf), but I knew that I wanted to start with this book as soon as I saw its presence. I think the reader could enjoy this book as the first in the series, or as an addition to the books if one has already read them in the past.

This book gives the reader the insight into the beginnings and the origin of the Owens family and sets up the long lineage that follows thereafter of the women that are born into a long line of family members with the gifts, burdens, and insights privy to those that have "the gift". Just as some traits and talents with any family, some are born with the innate gift, some have specific talents that are more unique to that soul then another, some use the magic for good, and some dabble into the left-sided and darker sides of that world.

We first get to meet Hannah Owens, Maria Owens that she comes upon abandoned in a field and adopts as her own, as well as Maria's birth mother Rebecca. We are thrust into the 1660s in Essex County, England and then travel with Maria across seas, lands, and continents in her travels after losses, trials, and obstacles occur. We see how each culture and country during this time treats its fellow humans and how it responds to all that one does not know. I loved reading about Maria's experiences, relationships, growth in herself and her abilities and how they change as she then moves to New England and New York. It was fascinating, and heartbreaking, to see how different she, her daughter Faith, and her loved ones were treated during that time period in each of the locations. It is stunning to see how much of a difference Manhattan was at that time from Salem, Massachusetts (and the other Essex county).

I loved the integration of the herbal remedies, the superstitions, and rules of magic throughout the book. It was intertwined flawlessly with the story, the characters, their transitions, and their stories. I truly enjoyed the relationship between Maria and Cadin, Faith and Keeper, and Maria and Samuel. I loved the romance and their entwined destinies. I loved the plot, the characters, the transitions, the pace, and I truly loved the ending. I had tears in my eyes several times, but I learned so much, and it was truly a joy to read.

This is what a novel should be. I have already started reading the rest of the series. This is excellent and is easily one of the top books for me this year.

5/5 stars enthusiastically.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub reviews immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N account upon publication.

Rich and elegant, poignant and enthralling, MAGIC LESSONS is every bit as captivating as its predecessors. Alice Hoffman never disappoints--and this is one of her finest tales. It's a cliche to say this novel is spellbinding...but it's also the truth!

Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic is the story about Maria Owen's life. I could NOT put this book down! I've read all of the books in the series and by far Magic Lessons is the absolute story Alice Hoffman has written!! I totally enjoyed getting the whole story from beginning to end! How little Maria was left abandoned in a field near a healer's home in the 1600s. It follows her life and how the winds of fate took Maria across the sea and eventually to Salem, Massachusetts. When Maria arrives in Salem the townfolks were not completely insane with their witchhunts. But, that changes over time... But, it is not the crux of the story. Maria very much is the central figure.

Alice Hoffman outdid herself with Magic Lessons! One can tell that she poured her heart and soul into this story! I would love to know if the spells she weaves into the story are actually real spells or if they're just ones that the author made up! As I received the book via NetGalley none of my highlighted posts can be shared.

This is going to become a MUST READ book of 2020!! The timing of the release is just a little before Halloween!!! Women are going to be totally enchanted by Maria's life!! Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic is going to be in my top ten list of books that I believe EVERYONE should read at some point in their lives! This book is going to be one of those rare MUST HAVE in one's library!

Wow! What a lovely, lingering story of love and resilience. I am a longtime fan of Practical Magic & was NOT disappointed by this tale of the original matriarch of the Owens clan. Anyone with interest in witchcraft, the Salem witch trials, American history (especially the history of Manhattan) will love this book.

Oh my, another amazing story about the brave and resilient Owens women. One of my favorite books I read last year was Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman— which is actual what this should be the prequel to before Practical Magic. Either way, however your order of reading goes, this family and these books are so much fun. This book makes the collection even better because now you know where it all began.

This story is more enchanting than her other two in the series, but mainly because of the time period the story takes place. I was worried I’d feel like I was reading a time piece from the 1600’s, but it didn’t feel historical or old. I actually plan to read a lot more about Salem, MA and it’s history.
There’s a little bit of everything in this book. Love, magic, hope, sisterhood and of course a bit of darkness. I was surprised at some of the dark turns in the story, but in the end it made each of the sections of the book even more lovable then the next.

My only critique of the book is that it’s takes a while for the story to get moving along. It sometimes felt like it was a bit wordy with lots and lots of extra details. It really starts to get the most interesting maybe 40% into the book. I hope that readers stick around with the slow beginning because this story was worth the wait. Truly another enchanted tale with twists and turns you know to love from Alice Hoffman.

This is a wonderful addition to the Owens family saga, giving us a look into their family history and the possible beginnings of their curse. Hoffman writes wonderfully of the difficulties and dangers of love, treading the line between what is magical in those dangers, and what may only feel so.

I am a huge fan of Alice Hoffman, especially her work surrounding the Owens Women. I was so excited to receive the advanced copy of Magic Lessons so I could dive back into the Owens family history and learn where it all started. Alice Hoffman does not disappoint! I did not want this book to end. I actually paced myself so I would not devour this book in one sitting.
Magic Lessons is the prequel to Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. We meet Hannah Owens, a generous woman who takes in a baby, named Maria, and her crow and helps Maria grow into the powers she was born with. You travel with Maria from England, to Curacao to Massachusetts and New York. (Yes, Maria was actually around during the Salem Witch trials!) You get to watch maria give birth to Faith and the struggles and heartbreak that come with raising a child during this time.
Overall, 2 huge thumbs up and 5 stars for Hoffman! I will always love the Owens family and would LOVE to read more about them. I am a forever fan of Hoffman's witch-y, supernatural novels. I highly recommend this book to others and will always be looking out for other works by Alice Hoffman. Special Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Alice Hoffman for the advance digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley