Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic

I love most of her books. but this one was uninspired. it was boring and it seemed like the same story over again. she couldn't make Maria smarter. I seen what was coming the whole time. made for a long boring read. I had to finish it. I just want to believe women are smarter then this story wants us to believe. even in the 1600s

This is one historical novel in a four book series by the brilliant author Alice Hoffman and, of course, I started by researching the recommended order for reading the series. A quote from Alice Hoffman, posted on her Website: Practical Magic Series "I'm often asked about the order in which you should read the books in the Practical Magic series. It’s your choice! You can read them in the order they were written (Practical Magic, The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, The Book of Magic) or you can read them in chronological order (Magic Lessons, The Rules of Magic, Practical Magic, The Book of Magic). It’s up to you!" As a left brained person (I prefer things linearly), I opted for chronological order. So, in my head, this is the first book in the series and I will now go on to read the rest. Because this one, I just LOVED! On the island of Curacao, Maria grows up under the loving care of Hannah Owens -- not her birth mother, but a single woman known locally for her successful herbal-based cures for all sorts of ailments, affecting both body and mind. Immediately, Hannah recognizes a kindred spirit in Maria who possesses her own unique gifts--both for healing and for seeing the future. Unfortunately, it's the 1600s and independent women, living alone, who speak their minds and offer cures are feared by many (mostly men), and all too often wind up accused of witchcraft. And there's the set-up for MAGIC LESSONS, a story that travels from Curacao to Boston, Salem, and New York City, incorporating the witch trials of this era. Passion, betrayal, revenge, and love all play a role as Hoffman explores the lives of women during this period of American history. And ponders questions that are forever part of the human story: what is love, what happens to those who do evil, is revenge ever satisfying, and just how SHOULD people use their special gifts? MAGIC LESSONS is also a page turner, unpredictable to the end, and a sheer delight to read! Now, onto RULES OF MAGIC.

About every ten years I break out some of my favorite authors' works and re-read them. Magic Lessons is a recently released prequel to the Practical Magic books, and an excellent introduction to the Owens woman in these old favorites of mine, Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. If you haven't read them yet, wait until you have finished this one. If you have, after finishing Magic Lessons read them again. My focus changed when I began re-reading Practical Magic. I found that very interesting. We find ourselves in Essex County, England beginning in 1664 when abandoned baby Maria is found wrapped snugly in a basket of reeds with a crow perched on the handle, by Hannah Owens. There is nothing 'normal' about Maria but Hannah joyfully raises the girl as if she were her own child. Maria has powers that are growing as she does, abilities that can only be attributed to the Unnamed Arts. Fortunately, Hannah is also a bloodline witch who enjoys teaching Maria all that she will need to know to use her powers for good. In 1674 Hannah is killed by witch hunters, and after spending some time with her just discovered natural parents, Maria and her familiar, the crow named Caden, are sent to the West Indies, to a Dutch island called Curacao, where she finds that her father has sold her - she will be an indentured servant to the Jansen family for five years. Her luck does get better for a time, and she manages to remain positive and perhaps happy. At 16 she acquires her freedom from the Jansen family, is abandoned by her first love, births a daughter, Faith, and eventually finds her way carrying Faith and Caden, to Salem and NYC where she finds herself and her roll in life. A good book. Lots of herbal advice throughout, and a story that is hard to put down. I received a free ARC of this excellent novel from Netgalley, Alice Hoffman, and Simon & Schuster. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Alice Hoffman is an author with whom you can never go wrong.