Reviews

I'm so sad because I love the story and concept but I hate Hoffman's style. She doesn't take us along for the ride, she tells us everything. I want to experience it with the characters, not be told like a rambling tangent.

Also, as others pointed out, there are far too many characters and none of them are particularly distinct (except Ian I guess, because of his tattoos) or have likeable personalities. They're all so boring and huffy it's hard to connect with them. Even at the emotional highs and lows for the main characters I just feel nothing because they're so flat!

Hoffman also retells us irrelevant details on repeat. If I went back and tried to count how many times she wrote, "Red is for love," or "Red is for magic," I'd scream. She also rambles on and on about love, lost love, true love, and sisters to the extent you roll your eyes and want to throw the damn book.

I like all the components that this book has, just not how it's done. It's so frustrating, unrelatable, and boring. And when it does get exciting because they're casting magic etc it's so short lived and clearly not an important aspect in Hoffman's eyes. Yet she clearly knows a lot about plants, symbolism, and witch history.

It's just sad. :(

ellenigraves's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

audriew9's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.75

I enjoyed this second book to practical magic. It was a little darker than I would have liked, but i love following the sisters. This one had more heart as well.

mary_juleyre's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

jen_16's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

readingqueen83's review against another edition

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5.0

"Read as many books as you can. Choose courage over caution. Take time to visit libraries. Look for light in the darkness. Have faith in yourself. Know that love is what matters most."
- from the Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

My favorite lines in this book!!!!

booksalacarte's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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