Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

71 reviews

mels_reading_log's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is the story of a family of women who love each other fiercely and will do anything for each other. This is also the story of love, when it is a disaster, when it’s dangerous and when it is absolutely perfect. I just love a witchy family.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Minor: Death of parent

louiepotterbook's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

lizsim's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

sonlight21's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I liked the first half I guess the second one not as much and the last quarter not much at all. I don't think I've read a book before that used the F word so many times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Eating disorder

Minor: Car accident and Abortion

itsheyfay's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Sexual content

hazelgirl21's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual content

annakinsky's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Listened to it while driving as I didn't have the physical book.

**Practical Magic** by Alice Hoffman is a story about two sisters, Gillian and Sally Owens, who are raised by their aunts, who are witches. The sisters have experienced the good and bad sides of magic since they were young.

As they grow up, Sally tries to live a normal life, while Gillian becomes a free spirit who moves from place to place. However, they cannot escape their magical background. When Gillian's boyfriend dies under strange circumstances, the sisters have to face their past and the magic that connects them.

The book is about the strong bond between the sisters, the mix of magic and everyday life, and themes of love and loss. Hoffman's writing is descriptive and engaging, making "Practical Magic" a charming and heartfelt read about family, magic, and finding one's place in the world.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol

beckyhofman's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

noraestelle's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

So I wanted to read this book before ever watching the movie. I always heard the movie was a classic, so I figured the book is too. Honestly, it took me way too long to figure out if I was even reading the first/right book or not. My opinion, the aunts are the only like-able characters in the whole book and I find they’re not in it enough. If you came for a cute witchy book, you’ve come to the wrong place. The only time there is any “witchy” elements in the book is when the aunts are around which isn’t often. They had too many side characters that they would insert their thoughts in, but didn’t really build those characters. Over half of the side characters I did not care about. Honestly, I would have much rather listen to Sally and her husbands love story which we barely got any of. To me that was the only love story in the book, the others were all rushed and felt forced. Not to mention literally every sexual scene feeling uncomfortable and on the verge of not consent. I kept reading this book waiting for it to get good and don’t get me wrong there were cute moments. Maybe I just had too high expectations going into it, but I don’t know. I’d say for 75% of the book I was just waiting for it to be over. I will say the narrator I liked. She sounded like Cher and I lowkey loved that. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Minor: Animal cruelty, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

gabrieldorian's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail