Name: Magic Lessons
Rating: 4.043478260869565 (92 reviews)
ISBN: 9781797111247

Alice Hoffman

Sutton Foster

The Prequel to Practical Magic

Magic Lessons

In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Unnamed Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back. When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters. Magic Lessons is a celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

Cheri McElroy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 This novel was everything I wanted The Once and Future Witches to be. On the surface, it's the story of the beginning of the Owens' women and why that dreaded curse exists. It's about Maria, her daughter Faith, and the two men she loves. It's a sweeping historical story set in the 1600s, taking us from England to Curacao, Boston, Salem, and New York. The plot moves along well for a character-driven novel, and the character development top-notch.

I loved how Hoffman developed her themes, too. Nothing is heavy-handed, and she deals with topics such as the treatment of women, love, obsession, grief, and loss. I really loved this novel.

In this “ bewitching” (The New York Times Book Review) novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Nameless Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back. When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters. Magic Lessons is a “heartbreaking and heart-healing” (BookPage) celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

Fraser Simons

Not as good as Rules of Magic, but it’s worth noting I read that first, which is not the reading order. I enjoy the prose style and the characters but the whole witches in Salem in the Olden times thing is now something I’m full up on and have noticed I am pretty sick of stories in that time period. A major part of Rules of Magic that was appealing that it was relatively modern day. And, it was actually building up to Practical Magic much more so than this one (which I have on hold).

Sabetha Danes

Do you ever read a new book, and instantly it feels like home? 

Magic Lessons had that affect on me. Maybe because Practical Magic was apart of my childhood, or maybe because it was written in such a way that couldn't help but make your emotions intertwined with the story. Either way, I was sad to turn the last page. 

They story of Maria Owens felt familiar, yet new. I did not expect the way it ended at all, but yet deep down, I knew it was going to happen. So many lessons were learned between these pages. Of loss, hope, revenge, forgiveness, perseverance and most of all love. 

This book gives depth to Practical Magic. Made me feel like I was reading reality not fiction. At times I couldn't help but google random lessons written in the pages just to check if Alice made them up or if she researched witches. I won't spoil which it is for you.

Instead I will leave you with Maria's update to Hannah's rules:
Do as you will, but harm no one.
What you give will be returned to you threefold.
Fall in love whenever you can.

While I know you'll love this book if you love the world created by Alice Hoffman. Even if you haven't read any of her books, but love witches, you'll enjoy discovering the life of Maria Owens.

Cassidy Webb

Going to read the entire series to see if the plot holes fill themselves in but this was still a fun read! It was even more interesting after going to Salem and remembering the various places that were mentioned in this book. 

Kristina Masone

I'm reading this series for the first time, starting with this book first. I plan on rereading this once I've read the entire series.

I'm not particularly attached to any of the characters, however I do enjoy the writing.

Jordan Heustis

Hmmm I don’t think this one lived up to the hype for me. The beginning was very slow and it eventually did pick up but at that point I just didn’t care. I wonder if I would’ve liked it more has I read the original series 🤔

The 3 books in this series have been incredible and I now need to read every book Alice Hoffman has ever written

Valentina Cherednichenko

I'm a s**t for Practical Magic and anything related to it.

Heather Harrington

*I received a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Owens' women weren't always cursed when it comes to love, so how did it begin? Back in 1600's England, Maria is abandoned as a baby in a snowy field and taken in by a woman named Hannah Owens. Hannah does her best to raise the child and recognizes a certain power in Maria so she begins to teach her the ways of the Unnamed Arts. During this time, Maria is taught many things, with the most important lesson being to always love someone who will love you back. After Hannah's death, Maria is sent to live on a faraway island as a maid to a wealthy family. Here, she falls for John Hathorne, a man that she believes truly loves her, but one day, he abandons her, too. 

When Maria finds herself with child, she decides to cross the seas to follow this man to Salem, Massachusetts. On her journey, she meets Samuel Dias, a man unlike any other, but despite the feelings they both share, Maria refuses to give in. When she gets to Salem, she discovers that John had a family of his own and wants nothing to do with Maria or their child. Heartbroken and with no one to turn to, Maria seeks shelter in an old cabin and sets about making a home there for her and her daughter, making remedies and helping the local women who come to her door at night. Soon, Maria is charged with witchcraft and sentenced to hang by none other than John himself. On the morning of her hanging, thinking her life is over, Maria calls out a curse that will change the lives of all Owens women to come. But when she's rescued by Samuel, her true love, she must face the consequences of her rash decision.

Ever since watching Practical Magic for the first time, I've always been intrigued by the curse on the Owens family. Why does something terrible and tragic always happen to the men they fall in love with? Well, this beautifully lush story finally answered all my questions. Maria is such an interesting character to follow. She goes through so many ups and downs and betrayals, but she never truly lets the darkness engulf her. As fascinating as Maria is, her daughter, Faith, is even more so. Both women go through many hardships, and the way they each handle those trials and tribulations take them down vastly different paths, but they always come back to one another. Hoffman blends love, revenge, family, and the wonders of magic to make a completely captivating story. This is a very dense book, and there were moments where I found myself thinking, "Man, this is LONG," but overall, I really enjoyed it.

Kelsey Holtaway

** spoiler alert **
           This was between a 3 and a 4 for me.

I ended up enjoying this-I loved the added bits of history, the atmosphere, and the overall story. 

I did feel pretty disconnected from the characters though and I felt it dragged in some parts. What rounded this story up for me, ultimately, is that it ended happily and I didn't expect that given the nature of the curse. 

Oh that's another thing- what the hell, Maria? This dude comes across seas to rescue you and you curse love for Owen's women WHILE he's rescuing you??? Why? What? Why? It didn't...make sense. 

So. Anyway. Between a three and four for me.

Magic Lessons The Prequel to Practical Magic

Reviews

Highlights