I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Magic Lessons (Practical Magic #0)
Author: Alice Hoffman
Release Date: 10.6.20
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Goodreads Summary:
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.
My Review:
"It was one thing to learn magic, but quite another to be born with it."
Quick backstory: after watching and loving the movie Practical Magic for almost two decades I decided to read it prior to the release of The Rules of Magic--I was not impressed. That is one of the rare times where the movie is indeed better than the book. I got an ARC of The Rules of Magic (and got to meet Alice Hoffman *squee*) at 2017 Book Expo and held my breath hoping it would be better than the first book. It was better, and I did enjoy reading it but it was a slow burn.
Magic Lessons takes readers back to the 1600s to learn the story of the original Owens matriarch, Maria, and to uncover the origins of their love curse. Full of familiars and grimoires, loves and obsessions, curses and blessings, Magic Lessons is the best book in Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic series by far! It is fast-paced, globe-trotting (England, Curaçao, Massachusetts), and full of so many interwoven storylines. There are several characters based on historical figures, most notably John Hathorne, a merchant and magistrate best known for his role as one of the leading judges in the Salem witch trials. I had my heart broken again and again reading this novel and loved every minute of it! 5 stars for sure--unless it's possible to give it six, and then it is definitely 6!
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