Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

 

October 10, 2017

Fiction, book series, library loan

Magic Lessons (Practical Magic 0.5) 2020

Rules of Magic (Practical Magic 0.2) 2017

Practical Magic (Practical Magic 1) 2003

Book series goes backward in chronology

Simon & Schuster

400 pages

5/5-5/29/20

 

“What is meant to be is bound to happen, whether or not you approve.”

 

This follow up book to Practical Magic focuses on another generation of the Owens Family of Boston. Susanna Owens escapes MA to pursue a career as a model in Paris, marries a psychiatrist and move to New York. She never speaks to her children about their ancestry or her family. It is 1950's and the Owens children are noted at the Starling School for their odd behavior. Frances "Franny" is the oldest who is 6 feet tall, suspicious with only one friend, Haylin Walker. Franny learns the art of making the black soap which has been handed down through the generations. Bridget "Jet" is the middle child known for her kindness and sensitivity who is smitten by Levi Willard who they soon discover is a distant relative with whom their families have held much animosity over the years. 

 

Vincent is the youngest child is a musician who discovers he is a wizard after finding an 1801 occult handbook known as The Magus. He doesn’t realize the powers of good and evil which can be released with improper handling of the information contained in such a book. Slowly, each of them learn more about their family and their ancestry from their Aunt Isabelle who tries to provide guidance and protection. There are many convoluted relationships which evolve having the Owens family concerned about a family curse responsible for many traumatic events. Ultimately, the story describes the events leading to the daughters of Regina, Sally and Gillian, whose story is told in Practical Magic. 

 

Twists in turns of this second book will have your head spinning. It's important to learn the rules of magic before one starts to manipulate fate.  

 

“Life is a mystery, and it should be so, for the sorrow that accompanies being human and the choices one will have to make are a burden, too heavy for most to know before their time comes.”

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2094172563