The Book of Magic is a novel written by Alice Hoffman. It is a captivating tale that weaves together the lives of various characters, each with their own unique connection to magic. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit. At the heart of the story is an ancient book, known as The Book of Magic. This mystical tome contains spells and secrets that have been passed down through generations of witches. It holds the key to unlocking unimaginable power, but also holds the potential for great harm.
It holds the key to unlocking unimaginable power, but also holds the potential for great harm. The book introduces us to a diverse cast of characters, all of whom are drawn to the book for different reasons. There is Nora, a young woman who discovers she has inherited magical abilities from her ancestors.
The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback)
This is book number 4 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #1: Magic Lessons: Book #1 of the Practical Magic Series (Paperback): $17.99
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
October 2021 Indie Next List
“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!”
— Laura Taylor, The Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL
Staff Reviews
I fell in love with the women in the Owens family when reading Practical Magic, and my affection has remained unchanged throughout this final chapter in their story. The family has been under the influence of a curse cast by an ancestor over 300 years ago: anyone who falls in love with an Owens female dies. They go through many changes here. Some are ordinary though no less sorrowful for being so, and some definitely extraordinary which does tend to happen when you belong to a family of witches. This is a beautiful and satisfying conclusion to one of my favorite tales.
“Hoffman certainly knows how to enchant” (The New York Times Book Review) in this breathtaking conclusion to the Practical Magic series—a spellbinding and bewitching novel that asks how far will you go to change your fate?
For over 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, 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 Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.
A heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to a beloved series, The Book of Magic celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
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.
- Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
- Fiction / Historical
- Fiction / Occult & Supernatural
“Delightfully witchy… Alluring on its own, it’s also a satisfying end to a timeless saga.” —THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, Editor’s Choice
“Some stories begin at the beginning and others begin at the end.” So opens The Book of Magic, the final installment of Alice Hoffman’s popular Practical Magic series, a page-turning fairy tale of a saga that spans three books, one star-studded movie adaptation and multiple centuries of adventure and misadventure, love lost and found and bottomless cauldrons of sorcery in the lives of the bewitchingly witchy Owens family. like the witches who populate her stories, Hoffman certainly knows how to enchant." —NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
"Alice Hoffman has given us such a gift with this series, and this final chapter is sure to be another heartfelt celebration of mothers and daughters and the magic of falling in love." —LITHUB
“I love Alice Hoffman. Full of Hoffman’s bewitching and lucid prose and vivid characters, The Book of Magic is ultimately about the very human magic of family and love and actions that echo through generations. Filled with secrets and splendor and light and dark, the novel works as well as a stand-alone as it does as a conclusion to a mesmerizing series. It casts a spell.” —MATT HAIG, New York Times best-selling author of The Midnight Library
A heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to a beloved series, The Book of Magic celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.
She embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she learns to harness her powers and embrace her true identity. Then, we meet Simon, a troubled teenager who finds solace and escape in the pages of The Book of Magic. Through magic, he is able to transform his own life and confront the challenges he faces. The novel also follows the stories of other characters, such as Olive, a grieving widow who seeks solace in the book's spells, and Hayden, a historian who becomes obsessed with uncovering the book's origins and secrets. As the characters' lives intertwine, they are forced to confront their own fears and desires, and make difficult choices about how to use the magic they have discovered. The Book of Magic explores the consequences of wielding such power and raises questions about the true nature of magic itself. Throughout the novel, Hoffman’s lyrical prose brings the magical elements to life, transporting the reader into a world where anything is possible. The book is filled with rich descriptions and compelling characters that draw the reader in and keep them engrossed until the very end. The main idea of The Book of Magic is the transformative power of magic and the choices we make when faced with such power. It examines the idea that magic, like life itself, is a double-edged sword and that it is our responsibility to use it wisely. The novel reminds us that true magic lies within ourselves and that we have the power to shape our own destinies..
Reviews for "The Art of Storytelling: Narrative Techniques in 'The Book of Magic"
1. Jane D. - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Book of Magic". The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. I found myself struggling to get through the book because of these issues. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and inconsistent, which further hindered my enjoyment of the novel. Overall, I do not recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and well-written fantasy story.
2. Mark S. - 1 star - "The Book of Magic" was a complete letdown. The plot was predictable and filled with clichés, leaving no room for surprises or excitement. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged and invested in the story. Furthermore, the characters lacked depth and failed to evoke any emotions within me. The overall execution of this novel fell flat, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book.
3. Michelle R. - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Book of Magic," but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The world-building was poor and left many unanswered questions, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The writing style was also overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and the plot felt forced and lacked coherence. Additionally, I found the dialogue to be unrealistic and awkward. Overall, I was left disappointed by this novel and would not recommend it to others searching for a captivating magical tale.
4. John L. - 2 stars - "The Book of Magic" fell short for me. The characters were uninteresting and lacked development, making it hard to connect with them on any level. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of action and excitement followed by long stretches of tedious exposition. The plot took too long to unfold, leaving me bored and disengaged. I was hoping for a spellbinding read, but unfortunately, this book failed to cast its magic on me.