Review of 'Magic Lessons'

A prequel, of sorts, to Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons takes us back to where the Owens family troubles began. Maria Owens, a young witch in the 1600s, learns the steep price of magic and unrequited obsession when she is unexpectedly spurned. Perfect for new readers of Hoffman who haven't yet read the previous two books in the series, Magic Lessons is a wonderfully enjoyable entry for both the dedicated fan and the new booklover.

Review

Magic Lessons, the prequel to Practical Magic, goes back to Maria Owens, exploring her side of the story and the origin of the curse she placed on love with her family.

The Thing About Love…

In Magic Lessons, fans of Practical Magic are learning the origins of the family matriarch Maria Owens and the curse of love on their family. However, love is complicated, sometimes short and heartbreaking, sometimes lasting a lifetime. For Maria Owens, she loved the wrong man, and on her journey to find him, she discovers she never really knew him.

However, her story begins before that, with her abandoned in the forest because of love only to be found by Hannah Owens, who raises her as her own and teaches her the Unnamed Art. When Maria sees love betraying her dearest Hannah, she vows never to fall in love. However, that is easier said than done.

Love is complicated and comes in many forms, and that is what I loved most about this novel. Hoffman follows Hannah, then Maria, then Faith on their different journeys of love. Of course, loving someone when you are young is different from loving someone when you are older, but that does not mean it lacks value or substance. Instead, Hoffman goes into depth with the character narratives to explore love, both the good and the bad, young love and beyond, making for a compelling read.

Hoffman explores the complexities of love, the various ways it manifests, and how it can corrupt, manipulate, and heal.

Slow and Steady…

Hoffman’s expert storytelling also focuses on building up the tension and character dynamics. The story is a historical one in many ways. Taking place during the time of the witch hysteria that cost so many people their lives, the reader sees New England come alive during this. From Essex County England to Essex County in Massachusetts, the reader is drawn down the old roads and place settings that have become staples in society.

It is beautiful to see the world come alive through Hoffman’s imagination. The historical context layers the story, creating a good foundation for the reader to ground themselves into.

It moves at a slow and steady pace that gives the reader time to get to know the characters, to see them evolve and grow.

Final Thoughts

In Magic Lessons, we follow the Owen women on a magical journey. It is not flashy, full of wands and spells, but intent, more attuned to the natural practice of real like Wiccans. It is beautiful how it follows the women through their lives with lyrical prose that captures the reader’s attention. Hoffman is concise in her storytelling but allows readers to feel the characters’ feelings, giving us depth and compelling characters.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development : 9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 9/10
• Intellectual Depth: 9/10
• Originality: 9/10
• Overall Rating: 4 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.