The Rules of Magic is a book written by Alice Hoffman. The story revolves around three siblings, Franny, Jet, and Vincent, who discover that they come from a long line of witches. The book takes place in the 1960s and follows the lives of the siblings as they navigate their magical abilities and learn about their family's history. Throughout the book, Hoffman introduces several rules that govern the world of magic. These rules serve as guidelines for the characters and help shape the narrative. One of the main rules is that magic cannot be used to harm others.
One of the main rules is that magic cannot be used to harm others. The siblings are taught from a young age that their abilities should be used for good and that they should never use their powers to cause harm. This rule is a constant reminder for the characters, as they face various challenges and temptations throughout the story.
Review: The Rules of Magic
Today I’m sharing my review of The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman. I liked this book in the Practical Magic series even more. For my cocktail pairing I paired The Rules of Magic with a Spiced Cider Punch.
Synopsis
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. Back in New York City each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.
The Owens 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 revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
I committed to reading the Practical Magic series this year. I read the first book last month and was so excited to read this one next. You can read these in any order you want but I am reading them in order of publication.
Rating
My Thoughts
I loved this book! This book is a prequel to Practical Magic and it was published second in the series. I really loved getting the backstory of Franny and Jet (the aunts) who embrace their magic as opposed to try to escape it. We follow their story from when they were kids to all grown adults and it was magical. I mentioned in my Practical Magic review that I wished it had more magic. Well, this one delivered on the magic!
I also enjoyed the writing of this book better than Practical Magic. Maybe I was just used to it but I found it beautiful. I love all three main characters, Franny, Jet and Vincent, and I thought the character development is great. I already miss them so much!
If you are someone that doesn’t read much Fantasy I think this is a great book to read and still get that “magical world” feeling without being too overwhelmed by the fantasy world. I am not a huge fantasy fan and I love these books so much. A lot of people read these books in October for Halloween but I think these are great fall books (not just Halloween). If I had to describe this book in one word I’d say: Enchanting!
Content Warnings
Grief, Death, Car accident, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Homophobia, War, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death
Who I Recommend this Book to
If you read Practical Magic I think you’ll enjoy this one but it can also be read as a stand alone book or read before. The books in the series can be read in any order!
The Drink
Since I shared a matching cocktail for this book on my Instagram, I thought I’d share the recipe here!
PRAISE FOR THE RULES OF MAGIC BY ALICE HOFFMAN
Another rule is that magic comes with a price. The siblings learn that every time they use their powers, there are consequences. This rule adds an element of risk and tension to the story, as the characters must weigh the potential cost before wielding their magic. Additionally, the book emphasizes the importance of love and connection. The characters learn that magic is strongest when it is used in harmony with love and that it can be a powerful force for healing and growth. Overall, The Rules of Magic explores the complexities of magic and the responsibility that comes with it. Through the characters' journeys, the book highlights the importance of using one's powers for good and the power of love and connection in the magical realm..
Reviews for "Beyond Spells and Potions: The Rules of Magic Book and Its Influence on Fantasy Genres"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to reading "The Rules of Magic" as I had heard so many great things about it. However, I was quite disappointed with the book. The characters lacked depth and I struggled to connect with any of them. The plot felt disjointed and at times, it was difficult to follow what was going on. Overall, I found the book to be quite underwhelming and it did not live up to my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "The Rules of Magic" to be incredibly boring and dull. The story lacked excitement and failed to hold my interest. The writing style was also quite monotone, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the characters were unlikable and I found myself not caring about their fates. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.
3. Mark - 2/5 - "The Rules of Magic" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow and it felt like nothing really happened for the majority of the book. The magical elements, which I was really looking forward to, were also quite underwhelming. I wanted more depth and exploration of the magic, but it was barely touched upon. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this book.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Rules of Magic" since I adore books with magical elements. However, I found the story to be quite predictable and cliche. The characters were stereotypical and lacked originality. The romance in the book also felt forced and I didn't feel any emotional connection between the characters. Overall, the book just didn't live up to my expectations and I was left feeling underwhelmed.