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The Rules of Magic
eBook - 2017
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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Publisher:
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2017.
Edition:
First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition.
ISBN:
9781501137495
1501137492
1501137492
Characteristics:
1 online resource (367 pages)
text file
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WoodneathTaylor
Sep 12, 2019
“Anything whole can be broken,” Isabelle told her. “And anything broken can be put back together again. That is the meaning of Abracadabra. I create what I speak.”
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WoodneathTaylor
Sep 12, 2019
“Writing itself was a magical act in which imagination altered reality and gave form to power.”
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WoodneathTaylor
Sep 12, 2019
“I’m fated to lose everyone I ever love,” April said. “I already know that.” “Of course you are,” Jet responded in her calm, measured tone. “That’s what it means to be alive.”
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WoodneathTaylor
Sep 12, 2019
“Do as you will, but harm no one. What you give will be returned to you threefold. Fall in love whenever you can.”
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WoodneathTaylor
Sep 12, 2019
“Other people’s judgments were meaningless unless you allowed them to mean something.”
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Comment
Add a CommentA fantastic read which kept me up late glued to this delicious and engrossing story! It's been a while since I read Practical Magic; however, I think that this prequel outshines it and perhaps it's due to gaining the Aunts' perspectives and better understanding the 'missing' Vincent. The last 70 pages had me in tears of sadness, shared understanding, and joyful Love of the Human Spirit. A must-read for anyone who loves exceptional storytelling, peopled with practical & vulnerable characters all the while artfully entwined with Magic!
This is the 2nd book and occurs hundreds of years after the first (when Maria Owens creates the curse against the men who love the Owens women). This occurs in the 1960s in NYC with the Owens children- Franny, Jet, and Vincent who all have their personal demons to combat with along with what the curse means to them. They even go to Aunt Isabelle’s to learn some of the original magic that we learns about in “Magic Lessons”. Can’t wait to read “Practical Magic” next.
I devoured this book in about 3 days. I just couldn't get enough of these magical siblings and what life delivered them. I was torn about my rating because it was very close to being a 5 star for me. I loved how the story started with the siblings as teenagers and followed them throughout their life with each having a storyline of their own, yet also connected. I cried at the end and got right online to place a hold on Practical Magic to continue the story.
A lovely book, true escapism. It's as magical as her Practical Magic. If you're a romantic who enjoys flights of fancy, you'll love it.
A truly beautiful tale of love, loss, and rebirth. This may be my favorite book of all time. The tale, rich with descriptive embroidery and smelling of lavender and herbs and chocolate, is gorgeous, and the simple, poignant, plot is compelling. An absolute masterpiece.
This is a poignant tale of family, love and magic. Hoffman's characters are brilliantly rendered and draw you into her story. Highly recommend and looking forward to reading "Practical Magic," the sequel!
A story about love, choices, heritage, and courage. A character driven story that was more than a coming of age story with lovely prose and vivid imagery. A very dreamy, quick, and enjoyable read that stays with the reader after it is finished.
The book moved me from tears to sheer laughter! So beautifully written, one of my absolute favorites of Alice Hoffman's <3
I really enjoyed this book in its entirety. It is a story of grief, love, and magic encompassed with likeable and relatable characters. This is a fun read and is highly recommended to those who enjoy a little everyday magic.
The two beautiful sisters Franny and Jet 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. I can't say anything better myself. Wonderfully written and a joy to read.