A review by tiiiger35
Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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

4.75

As the final book in the series, the scene is set for were the first book ‘Practical magic’ begins, in that beautiful big house, on Magnolia Street, I’ve coveted since I was a girl. I loved the historical setting of the Salem witch trials & how the Owen’s family was connected to it. 

“Believe what the world shows you, and make no excuses. See what is right before you”. If only Maria had taken this advice to heart.

Marias’ naivety when it came to John Hathorne irritated me. Driven by teenage stubbornness, she blatantly ignored all signs pointing to danger, selfishly endangering her baby girl, Faith. She also disregarded her beloved familiar, Cadins’ warnings, leading him to an untimely death. Another innocent punished for Maria’s woeful ignorance. 

Perhaps, Faith was always doomed towards darkness with Maria as her mother? Stolen away at a young age & held captive by a God fearing woman, who despised everything Faith inherited. Her inevitable journey for revenge led her to dark magic. The wickedness growing within her, led to Keeper, her devoted familiars death. Another innocents life taken by blind ignorance. This continually happens to those surrounding the Owen’s women, innocents always suffer in one way or another. 

The story of the Owen’s women throughout the generations is heartbreaking and heart warming. I’ve come to love & appreciate them as a family. Alice Hoffmans’ world building skills are beautiful & remain a firm favourite of mines.