Rulk is a term in magic that refers to the combination of red and black mana in a spell or card. This combination of colors brings about a powerful and destructive force in magic. It represents the merging of rage, power, and darkness. Red mana in magic represents passion, emotion, and impulsive action. It is the color of fire and embodies the wild energy that can be both destructive and creative. Black mana, on the other hand, represents death, decay, and ambition.
“This is the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last 40 pages, savoring your final moments with the characters.”
—USA TODAY
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. This is a book about coming of age, discovering your innermost self, and most of all, the unwavering belief that true love is really all that matters.
Black mana, on the other hand, represents death, decay, and ambition. It is the color of selfishness and the pursuit of power at any cost. When red and black mana come together, they create a volatile mixture that embodies chaos and destruction.
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Alice Hoffman is back at Book of the Month – other BOTMs include Magic Lessons and Practical Magic and The Book of Magic and The Invisible Hour and The Marriage of Opposites .
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A book about coming of age, discovering your innermost self, and most of all, the unwavering belief that true love is really all that matters.
Good to know
- Feminist
- Family drama
- Magical
- Second in series
Synopsis
From beloved author Alice Hoffman comes the spellbinding prequel to her bestseller, 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. 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. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is a story about the power of love reminding us that the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself.
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The Rules of Magic
Once upon a time, before the whole world changed, it was possible to run away from home, disguise who you were, and fit into polite society. The children's mother had done exactly that. Susanna was one of the Boston Owenses, a family so old that the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Daughters of the American Revolution were unable to deny them admission to their exclusive organizations, despite the fact that they would have liked to close the door to them, locking it twice. Their original ancestor, Maria Owens, who had arrived in America in 1680, remained a mystery, even to her own family. No one knew who had fathered her child or could fathom how she came to build such a fine house when she was a woman alone with no apparent means of support. The lineage of those who followed Maria was equally dubious. Husbands disappeared without a trace. Daughters begat daughters. Children ran off and were never seen again. In every generation there were those who fled Massachusetts, and Susanna Owens had done so. She had escaped to Paris as a young woman, then had married and settled in New York, denying her children any knowledge of their heritage for their own good, which left them with nagging suspicions about who they were. It was clear from the start that they were not like other children, therefore Susanna felt she had no choice but to set down rules. No walking in the moonlight, no Ouija boards, no candles, no red shoes, no wearing black, no going shoeless, no amulets, no night-blooming flowers, no reading novels about magic, no cats, no crows, and no venturing below Fourteenth Street. Yet no matter how Susanna tried to enforce these rules, the children continued to thwart her. They insisted on being unusual.
Why I love it
Mae Whitman
Guest Judge
My favorite holiday is Halloween. This is something my friends have lovingly teased me about for as long as I can remember. I get it: What’s to love about a holiday where you put on cheap costumes, get drunk, do stupid things dressed as a sexy Pokemon and then regret them hungover at your desk the next morning?
But my Halloween memories are different. They spark images from my childhood; crispy crimson leaves swirling in the newly chilly air, pumpkins glowing softly on porches, my family cooking things cinnamon-y and delicious while celebrating together late into the night. Something about this nostalgic concoction of recollections has always enchanted me. As corny as it sounds, thinking back on those autumn nights inspires in me the idea that anything is possible; that magic, in whatever form you so choose to accept it, is real!
In this modern world, finding a way back to that feeling can be difficult, but this book, Alice Hoffman’s prequel to Practical Magic, transported me there instantly. With each page, I was swept into a beautiful and energetic world, a world filled with lilies and lilacs, dark skies and bright stars, and a fascinating family at the center. The Rules of Magic is the story of a family bound by fierce love and shared mystical abilities that will keep them forever linked. As the three Owens siblings grow up they start to discover dark truths about their family history, realizations that will force them to face doubt, death, and the pain of letting go of the things they love most. Will they let the curse of fear and hatred that has plagued generations past dictate the way they live during the time they are given? Or will they find the courage to heed their aunt Isabelle’s advice: "Although you cannot change your fate, you can change how you respond to it."
This is a book about coming of age, discovering your innermost self, and most of all, the unwavering belief that true love is really all that matters. A heartbreaking story written in the most exciting and magical of circumstances, The Rules of Magic unveils the remarkable beauty of our ephemeral world and the strength that lies within us all when we listen to our hearts and always fight for what we know to be true.Â
I highly recommend Rules for a cozy and emotional autumn read; I felt my throat tightening as I reached the end because I didn’t know how to say goodbye. But I’m soothed by the knowledge that I don’t have to; I’m already looking forward to seeing the Owens family when I pick up this book again next fall.
PS. I may or may not have started carrying a satchel of lavender in my shirt pocket after reading this book. Better safe than sorry!
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1680, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Rulk spells and cards often feature abilities that deal damage, destroy creatures, or cause opponents to discard cards. They can also grant creatures abilities that make them more powerful or difficult to kill. One famous example of Rulk in magic is the card "Rakdos, Lord of Riots." Rakdos is a demon who leads a cult that revels in pain and suffering. He embodies the twisted merger of passion and darkness. Rakdos enables players to cast spells for cheaper if their opponents have taken damage that turn. This encourages a fast and aggressive playstyle, punishing opponents for not keeping up. Rulk spells and cards are not for the faint of heart. They require careful planning and consideration of the potential consequences. Playing with Rulk requires an understanding of risk-taking and the ability to capitalize on the chaos he brings. In conclusion, Rulk represents the combination of red and black mana in magic, bringing about a powerful and destructive force. It harnesses the wild energy of red mana and the darkness and ambition of black mana. Rulk spells and cards can be a force to be reckoned with, unleashing chaos and destruction upon an opponent..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Hidden Realms of Rulk: Exploring Alternate Dimensions"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was extremely disappointed by "Rulk of Magic". The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the world the author was trying to create. The characters lacked depth and were often one-dimensional, making it hard to relate to or care about them. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow, and the action scenes were few and far between. Overall, I found the book to be a lackluster and underwhelming fantasy read.
2. John - 2/5 - "Rulk of Magic" was a book that I just couldn't get into. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with little understanding of the magic system or the overall setting. The writing felt amateurish, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The characters were forgettable, and their motivations remained unclear throughout the story. I wish I could say something positive about this book, but unfortunately, it simply wasn't enjoyable for me.
3. Emily - 1/5 - I struggled to finish "Rulk of Magic" and ultimately regretted wasting my time on it. The plot was predictable and lacked any sort of originality, feeling like a compilation of tropes from other fantasy novels. The prose was mediocre at best, with clunky sentences and poor pacing. The characters were uninteresting and poorly developed, making it impossible for me to form any emotional connection with them. Overall, I found "Rulk of Magic" to be a subpar fantasy book that I would not recommend to anyone.