Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsA beautiful ending to the series (no spoilers)
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 4, 2023
The Practical Magic series is my favorite series of books, and this book is such a beautiful ending. Alice Hoffman is a master storyteller and I’ve read many of her books and enjoyed all of them, but following the Owens family through 400 years of history has been truly magical.
This book takes place when Sally’s daughters reach young adulthood. So there’s a gap of, say, 6 or 7 years between the end of Practical Magic and the beginning of this book. Having read the previous books several times, I noticed some big differences in personalities of the characters and in how the events from the past (which were covered in other books) were covered. It really bothered me at first. Like, did the author not read her previous books? Doesn’t she know it happened a different way?? But then I thought it through and realized several things: the time gap is long enough for people to change. Everyone is older and has grown and changed. Also, the story is being told from the perspective of the characters in the present time of the new book. The way historical events are related in this book is different than the original telling because the new telling is from the perspective of the characters at their current place in life. Some facts have been lost to time, some long-ago actions misunderstood, some truths never revealed. Just like what happens in real families. Once I figured this out , I started the book again from the beginning and enjoyed it so much. Yes, there were tears. If you’ve read the rest of the series, of course you must read this.
And if you haven’t read the series, of course you must read them all. Get all the books and a bunch of snacks, clear a week on your calendar, and just read.
For those who are new to the series, these aren’t fantasy books. They take place in England, the Caribbean, and New England. They tell the story of generations of women of the Owens family through the years, and of the magic they weave into their everyday lives. And of their persecution and their family curse. You will not find any fantastical worlds, mythical creatures, or wizard battles in these books. What you will find are stories about relatable characters, the enchantment of everyday life, and inspiration for making your own life a little more magical. Best series ever.
