The Rules of Magic: A Novel

Alice Hoffman

Oct 2017 · The Practical Magic Series Book 2 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

An instant New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick from beloved author Alice Hoffman—the spellbinding prequel to Practical Magic.

Find your magic.

For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.

Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.

From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Yet, the children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the memorable aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.

Alice Hoffman delivers “fairy-tale promise with real-life struggle” (The New York Times Book Review) in a story how the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is “irresistible…the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last forty pages, savoring your final moments with the characters” (USA TODAY, 4/4 stars).

Ratings and reviews

If you read Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series in chronological order (as any left brained person like me WOULD), this is #2. And I loved every page. At the start of THE RULES OF MAGIC, it’s the mid 20th century where descendants of seventeenth century Maria Owens and John Hathorne (from MAGIC LESSONS - book #1 in the series) are coming to terms with their familial history, uniqueness, and individual powers. Three siblings (Franny, Jet, and Vincent) are being raised in New York City by parents trying their best to provide a normal upbringing. But these are no ordinary teens. When given the opportunity, they spend the summer at the centuries-old family homestead in Massachusetts, under the much more relaxed supervision of their Aunt Isabelle. She is much more comfortable with the family heritage. And more familiar with the family curse. This novel follows the three siblings throughout their lives, incorporating the secondary story of their cousin, April, and weaving in a number of actual historical events (Moon Landing, Stonewall Riot, Draft Lottery, Vietnam War, etc.). There’s plenty of action: love and love denied, betrayals and shunning neighbors, illegitimate children and sudden death, and lots of spells, potions and magic. It’s a truly fun read but also one that is unpredictable and suspenseful, about people you will come to care deeply about. And many authentically human life lessons about love, loyalty, and family. And then there’s this quote from the author’s Introduction to PRACTICAL MAGIC: “This is a book about magic, but more importantly, it’s an ode to sisterhood and family, and to the power of love.” I’m now on to PRACTICAL MAGIC (Book #3 in the series).

I’ve always loved walking into Alice Hoffman’s books; being the fly on the wall, witnessing the humanity and shocking reality of the world she so clearly defines. Every one of her books has been a memorable journey, and reaching the last page requires a few moments to ponder what I just lived thru. Rules of Magic maintains Hoffman’s ability to bring you into her story. This book turns the clock back a few years and details the childhoods of the Owens siblings, Franny, Jet and Vincent. This is the prequel to Hoffman’s’ much-loved Practical Magic, issued in 1996. We live thru the children’s young developmental years and watch as they mature thru the angry, confusing and very painful teen years. The Owens curse states that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman will meet a terrible and untimely death. In their efforts to save the ones they love from this inevitable horror, the sisters try to control their emotions. They learn that, although they’re all quite proficient in controlling their magic, they have absolutely no control over their love for others. Vincent is a rebel. The description of him, his style, and his grace brings his character to life. You love him, then he does something so cruel and heartless, you feel anger towards him and wonder how his sisters survive living under the same roof with him. Franny and Jet have very different personalities, but their love and concern for one another carries them thru many cruel lessons as they age. The kids learn to live alone at a young age, and their perseverance is relentless. The stalwart character thru the years is their Aunt Isabelle in Massachusetts. There, they learn how to fine-tune the potions, the spells and incantations. Aunt Isabelle is a strong and loving presence for the siblings. It isn’t required to read Practical Magic before you read Rules of Magic. The story will flow beautifully if you read this new book first, and then move on to the sequel. I strongly recommend Alive Hoffman to anyone who enjoys a serious, engrossing and detailed read; all of her characters come to life and you’ll enjoy the respite from your daily demands. (I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for making it available.)

The Rules of Magic is a fascinating novel, superbly written and thoroughly satisfying. Alice Hoffman is a talented writer and an author who is fast becoming one of my favorites. The Owens family has lived on Magnolia Street in a small Massachusetts town since 1620. Most of the family had scattered, though, during the time of the witch hunts. Some went to Paris, others to New York, but Aunt Isabelle stayed in her home, on Magnolia Street. People shunned her and any family member who dared to visit her. Aunt Isabelle was known for her strange powers and potions. It was even rumored that she turned a person into a rabbit. But, these same people who hid from Aunt Isabelle during the day came around to her back porch at night. They sought her out for cures for physical and emotional ailments. They have even been known to ask for potions to manipulate other people. The Owens family believed that they had been cursed, ever since, Marie Owens was condemned to death in 1620 for loving the wrong man. The Owens family drew strength from one another, to survive a world, where they were not wanted. The family is made up of a unique group of characters, all quirky, independent, and wildly entertaining. Aunt Isabelle, Franny, Jet, and Vincent bring the reader deep into their hearts and lives and keep them there until the last page is read. The message that runs throughout this book is, to be who you are, regardless of what others think. Have the courage to live, love and be happy. This thought-provoking novel will linger with you long after you’ve finished it. It’s a book worth reading and rereading. Thank you, Simon and Schuster and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy. I loved it!

About the author

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Book of Magic, Magic Lessons, The World That We Knew, Practical Magic, The Rules of Magic (a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick), the Oprah’s Book Club Selection Here on Earth, The Red Garden, The Dovekeepers, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Marriage of Opposites, and Faithful. She lives near Boston.