Practical Magic is a book written by Kylie Owens that explores the world of magic and its practical applications. The main character, Sophie Hart, is a young woman who discovers she has magical abilities and must learn to navigate the world while keeping her powers a secret. The story takes place in a small seaside town called Raven's Bay, where magic is both feared and revered. Sophie comes from a long line of witches, but due to tragic circumstances, she was raised away from her magical heritage. However, when she returns to Raven's Bay to live with her grandmother, she starts to uncover the truth about her family's magical history. As Sophie delves deeper into the world of magic, she meets a cast of colorful characters, including other witches, magical beings, and even a potential love interest.

The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

“For more than three-hundred years a curse has kept the Owens family from love – but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger – the curse is already at work.

A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women – and one long-lost brother – to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside, where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally Owens, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally realizes that she is ready to give up everything for love.”

-Synopsis from back cover

As Sophie delves deeper into the world of magic, she meets a cast of colorful characters, including other witches, magical beings, and even a potential love interest. Together, they navigate the challenges of using magic responsibly and dealing with the consequences that come with it. Practical Magic not only explores the excitement and wonder of magic but also delves into the ethical and moral questions surrounding its use.

Review

The Book of Magic is a superbly written final book in the Practical Magic series. It begins with what I think is now my favorite opening line of a book ever written…

“Some stories begin at the beginning and other stories begin at the end, but all the best stories begin in a library.”

from The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

I hoped the synopsis mentioning Jet’s death wouldn’t be true, but that is the event that starts the story. Kylie and Antonia are integral parts of the story, as are other beloved members of the Owens family. If you’ve been a faithful reader of this series you will not be disappointed by the many surprises that unfold. Everything, from each character’s individual storylines to the larger Owens family story, comes full circle in a way that is somber and satisfying, much like the entirety of the series.

There is the smallest hint of what the future of the Owens family holds at the end of the book, and while I would warmly welcome another installment, if this is in fact the last book, I would be okay with that. Jet, Franny, Vincent, and the rest of the Owens family will definitely be living on in my mind for years to come. As always, thank you to Alice Hoffman for writing these beautiful books.

Book Review: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. It’s Friday, which means it is time for another review. Today I am reviewing the book Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman was initially published in 1995 by Berkley and (my copy) is 245 pages long.

The Plot
Practical Magic follows the lives of two sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens, descendants of a long line of witches. While Sally strives to live an uncomplicated life with her two daughters, Gillian runs away. When Giliian gets involved with a dangerous man, who ends up buried under some lilacs in Sally’s garden, the sisters must come together to protect their family from his dark presence.

Characters
Sally Owens
Sally Owens is the elder of the two sisters. When she is still a child, she and her younger sister, Gillian, move in with elderly Aunts when their parents are killed while taking a second honeymoon.

As they Grow up, the sisters are bullied due to rumours about the family being witches, and both long to leave town.

When Gillian does leave and runs off to be with a boy, Sally feels left behind.

She winds up falling in love and marrying a man called Michael, and they have two beautiful daughters. They live very happily until… one day, Sally discovers a deathwatch beetle. The Aunts try to convince her that it means a loved one will die. At first, Sally will not believe them. Unfortunately, they are proven correct when Michael is run over and killed by a car full of drunk teenagers.

For a year, Sally is in deep depressive grief and stops speaking altogether. She cannot take care of herself, let alone her children, so it is up to the Aunts to pick up the slack.

When Sally can finally deal with the world again, she and her children move to New York City for a fresh start, though they return every summer to visit the Aunts.

One night, after having not spoken to Gillian for a while, she turns up on Sally’s doorstep in New York with her boyfriend in tow… the only problem is, he’s dead.

Sally is portrayed as a reserved, responsible, and nurturing character. She is the more practical and cautious of the sisters and tries to shun her family’s magical life.
She is depicted as having a strong maternal instinct taking great care in providing a safe and comfortable home for her daughters.
Despite her somewhat sombre demeanour, she possesses an unwavering inner strength. She is also fiercely protective of her family, as evidenced by her willingness to go to great lengths to protect her children from the dangers of their magical heritage.

Gillian Owens
Gillian Owens is the polar opposite of Sally. She is a carefree, impulsive free spirit, and she’s often reckless in her actions, such as when she decides to leave her Aunts’ house to pursue a relationship with a boy.

Afterwards, Gillian and Sally do not see one another again in person for quite a long time. When Sally’s husband dies, however, Gillian does call her sister once a week on a Tuesday at 10 pm and just talks as Sally silently listens, encouraging her not to give up and to snap out it.

Gillian’s impulsiveness often has dire consequences for her and those around her. This is explicitly depicted when Gillian begins a passionate but ill-advised affair with a dangerous man (Jimmy), who regularly puts her life and well-being in danger.
Eventually, Jimmy’s story abruptly ends when Gillian accidentally gives him too much belladonna and kills him.

Unsure of what else to do, Gillian heads to her sister’s house.

With Sally’s help, they bury Jimmy in the garden under the lilacs, which mysteriously grow out of control.

The characters of Sally and Gillian are complex, and their differences often cause them conflict, underscoring their different worldviews. The sisters’ dynamic portrays the dichotomy of duty and desire as they confront and reconcile the weight of their magical background.

Aunt Jet and Aunt Frances Owens
These elderly sisters take care of Sally and Gillian after their parents’ untimely death and provide them with a sense of stability, albeit with a dose of their own quirkiness.

Despite their flaws, however, the Aunts are a constant source of support and guidance for Sally and Gillian, taking on the role of parent for Sally’s children during her year off from the world and even more so later when they help the sisters get rid of Jimmy once and for all.

Kylie Owens
Kylie and Antonia do not get along, to begin with. They are total opposites, much like their mother and Aunt Gillian. Kylie is more of a quiet introvert who starts to really become empathic.
She even starts to develop the ability to see auras, and in particular, she can see Jimny’s. She can see him down by the lilacs and does not like how he makes her feel.

Kylie develops a close relationship with her aunt Gillian. On her thirteenth birthday, with Gillian’s help, she changes up her appearance by cutting her mousy hair short and dying it blonde, much to Sally’s chagrin.

After a fallout with her best friend Gideon about how much she’s changed, Kylie decides to make him a cake as a peace offering. While on her way to deliver it, however, she is chased and almost attacked by a pack of rowdy men. Because of her height and long legs, though, she can outrun them and heads into the ice cream shop where Antonia works.

Antonia Owens
Antonia is more of an extrovert, very outspoken and often rather mean.

She has a crush on her biology teacher Mr Frye, with whom her aunt Gillian begins a relationship, and Antonia is a little jealous. She gets over it, though, when she meets starts dating Scott Morrison, a boy who went to her high school.

Beginning as a mean and selfish character, Antonia starts to change and grow throughout the book.

When Kylie is almost attacked and runs into the ice cream shop, Antonia helps to console her. This initiates a change in their relationship, a sign that they are beginning to grow up and grow closer.

James (Jimmy) Hawkins
Jimmy is Gillian’s abusive ex-boyfriend. He is a dangerous and cruel man who torments her.

He is even cruel to animals. Once, when house-sitting for friends, he put their cat, who he found annoying, in the refrigerator and closed the door before going to bed. The poor thing only lived because Gillian rescued it in the night.

When he meets his untimely, and yet some may say, deserved end, he winds up buried beneath the lilacs in Sally’s garden. The trouble is he refuses to stay gone, and even in death, he causes chaos for Gillian and those she loves.

Garry Hallet
Gary Hallett is a police officer from Arizona who, upon discovering a letter she wrote to Gillian, is drawn to Sally’s gentle nature and falls in love with her when he heads to New York to question Gillian about where he can find Jimmy. He represents stability and security and brings a sense of normalcy to Sally’s life.

Writing Style
The story is told in present tense and that mixed with Hoffman’s poetic and vivid writing, make you feel immediaty connected and part of the tale.

The characters are complex and well-developed, and each has personal strengths and weaknesses that make them relatable and endearing. Even the secondary characters feel fully realised and fleshed out.

One of the strengths of Practical Magic is its ability to balance the fantastical and magical elements with the realities of life. Hoffman seamlessly weaves the themes of love, loss, and forgiveness with the supernatural world of spells and potions. This makes for an enchanting and grounded tale and an unforgettable read.

Practical Magic is not just a story about witches, though. It is also about grieving and navigating the complexities of family relationships. Hoffman skillfully delves into the bond sisters share, the power of female friendship, and the struggle between embracing your true self and conforming to society’s expectations.

Final Thoughts
The book is a captivating, thought-provoking read. Hoffman’s writing is beautiful, and her characters are fully realised and profoundly human. This novel should be on everybody’s reading list, especially if you enjoy contemporary fiction and magical realism.

I am giving Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman a 7/10.

Have you read Practical Magic or watched the movie adaptation? Let me know your thoughts.

As always, thank you for stopping by to read my review. It means the world.

Until next time,

© 2023 GLT

The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4)

A wonderful conclusion to the series with a new generation of Owens to charm us. For fans who like their books with a good dose of magic, and readers who enjoy a family saga with characters that win you over. What a treat!

Sophie grapples with the idea of using her powers for personal gain or for the greater good. Through her journey, she learns valuable lessons about responsibility, sacrifice, and the importance of love and family. Kylie Owens has crafted a captivating tale of magic and self-discovery. The book combines elements of fantasy, romance, and mystery, keeping readers engaged throughout. With its well-developed characters and immersive world-building, Practical Magic offers a compelling storyline that leaves readers wanting more. Overall, Practical Magic by Kylie Owens is an enchanting novel that takes readers on a magical journey filled with adventure, love, and self-discovery. It showcases the power and beauty of magic while exploring the complex moral dilemmas that come with it..

Reviews for "Embracing the Power of Manifestation with Kylie Owens' Practical Magic"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Practical Magic Kylie Owens" as I had heard great things about it. However, I was disappointed with the story. The plot felt disjointed and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of the protagonists and their actions seemed illogical at times. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, the book didn't meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.

2. Matthew - 1 star - I can't believe I wasted my time on "Practical Magic Kylie Owens." The writing was mediocre at best, with cliché dialogues and predictable plot twists. The magic elements lacked depth and felt more like a plot device than an integral part of the story. The romantic subplot was incredibly cheesy and unrealistic. I found myself rolling my eyes at the forced love scenes. The author seemed to rely heavily on tired tropes instead of creating something unique and engaging. I regretted picking up this book and wouldn't advise anyone to bother with it.

3. Jessica - 2 stars - "Practical Magic Kylie Owens" was a letdown for me. The world-building was weak, and the magical system felt poorly explained. I struggled to understand the rules and limitations of the magic in this book, which made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. The pacing was slow, and the plot lacked intrigue. I found myself losing interest and had to force myself to finish the book. The characters didn't have much depth, and their motivations felt shallow. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. David - 2 stars - As a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to read "Practical Magic Kylie Owens." However, I was disappointed by the lack of originality and creativity in the story. The plot followed a predictable path, and there were no surprises or twists that kept me engaged. The protagonist was unlikeable and made questionable decisions throughout the book. The writing style was also bland and failed to captivate my interest. I expected more from this book and found it to be a forgettable read.

Practical Magic for Beginners: Lessons Inspired by Kylie Owens