Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman -> Starting December 3rd, 2021

[Alaina]

In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.

Where does the story of the Owens bloodline begin? With Maria Owens, in the 1600s, when she’s abandoned in a snowy field in rural England as a baby. Under the care of Hannah Owens, Maria learns about the “Nameless Arts.” Hannah recognizes that Maria has a gift and she teaches the girl all she knows. It is here that she learns her first important lesson: Always love someone who will love you back.

When Maria is abandoned by the man who has declared his love for her, she follows him to Salem, Massachusetts. Here she invokes the curse that will haunt her family. And it’s here that she learns the rules of magic and the lesson that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. Love is the only thing that matters.

Magic Lessons is a celebration of life and love and a showcase of Alice Hoffman’s masterful storytelling.

[Ruthie]

beginning

(view spoiler)[

My favorite aspect so far besides the witchy vibes which I love is the historical one. I'm wondering if Hoffman researched based all of it on real history. Probably. I also like the recipe aspect before chapters (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

notes about the book after finishing it

(view spoiler)[

Maria's choices were sometimes strange to me. She was still very young when she came to Salem, but still, I was so confused she stayed there with her young daughter after she found out that John Hawthorne wanted nothing more to do with her. I think a lot of the novel would not have happened had she not stayed there. Maybe she didn't have enough money to move? I don't know. It's strange that you would stay somewhere like that with a man who didn't want you with his family living in the same town.


I'm glad she ended up with Samuel Dias but it was sad that before that she kept rejecting him over and over (hide spoiler)]

[Ruthie]

I do like that we get to see the centuries-old curse to its source like the book synopsis talked about

[Ruthie]

About the beginning of Maria Owen's story.

(view spoiler)[
I think we need another prequel about who abandoned her in the snowy field? lol (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Starting this now

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[Wow. I don't think I will ever be prepared for the books in this series. I really like this one so far and I think the crow just might be my favorite. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[I've only been to MA once and it was during August. So now I really want to go in the winter based on the all the scenes we've read. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[I love how these people just come to them for stuff. Doesn't matter what it's for - they just do. I'm also wondering on who will break the curse. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[I just feel bad for Faith and Maria right now. I'm glad that we got to know more about what happened to Faith but to also see Samuel leaving Maria... dang. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 5: (view spoiler)[Oh no, Faith don't go down this dark path please! Maybe things will turn out for the better since she reconnected with her wolf? Maybe? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 6 / Finished: (view spoiler)[Wow. I wasn't expecting all that to happen to Samuel. Dang! Also props to Maria! Definitely enjoyed the heck out of this book. So excited to jump into the next one next month. (hide spoiler)]