Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in a remote corner of the countryside, there existed a strange and intriguing curse. This curse, known locally as "A curse of tooth and cow," had been whispered about for generations, passed down through folklore and cautionary tales. According to the legend, this curse would befall anyone who dared to harm a tooth or cow unjustly. It was said that once the curse was invoked, misfortune and tragedy would follow the person responsible and their descendants for eternity. The origins of the curse remained shrouded in mystery, as no one could truly attest to its validity. However, the villagers, steeped in superstition and ancient customs, took precautions to avoid angering the spirits that governed tooth and cow affairs.
However, the villagers, steeped in superstition and ancient customs, took precautions to avoid angering the spirits that governed tooth and cow affairs. Anytime a cow fell ill or a toothache plagued an individual, the villagers would gather in the town square, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the local wise woman. She possessed knowledge passed down from her ancestors and was believed to be in direct communion with the spirits.
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
Description
“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.
About the Author
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.
Praise For…
“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
- Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
- Fiction / Historical
- Fiction / Occult & Supernatural
- Kobo eBook (October 12th, 2021): $13.99
- Hardcover (October 12th, 2021): $27.99
- Library Binding, Large Print (November 1st, 2021): $39.95
- CD-Audio (October 12th, 2021): $39.99
“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
To ward off the curse, the villagers would participate in elaborate rituals involving the offering of milk, butter, and honey. These sacrifices were meant to appease the spirits and restore harmony between tooth and cow. The rituals became an integral part of the village's cultural fabric, performed with utmost reverence and devotion. As the years went by, the villagers began to question the validity of the curse. With limited scientific knowledge, they sought answers in folklore and tales, but doubt crept into their minds. Some dismissed it as an old wives' tale, while others remained fearful of the unknown. The arrival of modernity brought with it scientific advancements and a skepticism that threatened to diminish the power of the curse. The younger generation, raised in a world driven by evidence and facts, questioned the rituals and traditions that had governed the village for centuries. Slowly but surely, the rituals began to fade away. The sacrifices of milk, butter, and honey ceased, and the ancient chants were forgotten. The village transformed into a place where superstition gave way to rationality, and the curse was dismissed as a mere figment of imagination. However, as the village shifted its focus towards progress and modernity, an unsettling pattern emerged. Instances of misfortune began to plague those who had forsaken the rituals, their lives unraveling in ways they couldn't comprehend. The curse seemed to have found new victims, its implications spanning across generations. The villagers, once dismissive of the curse, now found themselves reevaluating their beliefs. With a renewed sense of urgency, they once again sought the wisdom of the wise woman. She reiterated the importance of maintaining harmony between tooth and cow, warning that the spirits were angered by negligence and disrespect. Realizing the dire consequences of their actions, the villagers resorted to reviving the ancient rituals. They offered their apologies to the spirits and vowed to honor tooth and cow, understanding the delicate balance necessary to ward off the curse. And so, the village found itself in a unique position, where tradition and modernity coexisted. The rituals remained, upheld by the ancestral beliefs of the villagers, while progress and scientific advancements continued to shape their lives. The curse of tooth and cow became a reminder of the importance of respecting ancient customs and traditions, appreciating the wisdom of the past alongside the progress of the present. The villagers learned that some mysteries cannot be explained by logic alone, and that honoring the spirits is a delicate dance between two worlds..
Reviews for "The Tooth and Cow Curse: A Silent Killer or Mere Coincidence?"
1. Mike - 2 stars - "I was really excited to read 'A Curse of Tooth and Cow' based on the intriguing synopsis, but ultimately, I found it to be a disappointing read. The story lacked depth and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. The plot development was slow and the ending was predictable. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations."
2. Sarah - 3 stars - "I had high hopes for 'A Curse of Tooth and Cow' as it had received quite a bit of buzz, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the concept was unique and had potential, the execution felt lacking. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others were rushed. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Although the book had its moments, it didn't quite deliver on its promising premise."
3. Emily - 2 stars - "I found 'A Curse of Tooth and Cow' to be a disappointment overall. The writing style was overly simplistic, and the story was filled with cliches and tropes. The characters lacked depth and seemed to be mere stereotypes of their respective roles. Furthermore, the plot twists were predictable and did not offer any surprises. In my opinion, this book failed to bring anything new or interesting to the genre it belongs to."
4. Jason - 1 star - "I regret picking up 'A Curse of Tooth and Cow' as it was one of the most boring and unoriginal books I've read in a long time. The plot was dull and the pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to get through. The dialogue was stilted and the character development was virtually non-existent. Overall, I found this book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone."
5. Laura - 2 stars - "'A Curse of Tooth and Cow' was a letdown for me. The plot was disjointed and hard to follow, jumping around from one subplot to another without much coherence. The writing style was mediocre and lacked the descriptive elements that could have brought the setting and characters to life. Additionally, I found the romance aspect to be forced and unrealistic. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it."