The Book of Magic: A Novel

Written by Alice Hoffman

Narrated by Jennifer Ehle

“Hoffman certainly knows how to enchant” (The New York Times Book Review) in this breathtaking conclusion to the Practical Magic series—a spellbinding and bewitching novel that asks how far will you go to change your fate?

For over three-hundred years a curse has kept the Owens family from love—but all of that is about to change. The novel begins in a library, the best place for a story to be conjured, when beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle and knows she has only seven days to live. Jet is not the only one in danger—the curse is already at work.

A frantic attempt to save a young man’s life spurs three generations of the Owens women, and one long-lost brother, to use their unusual gifts to break the curse as they travel from Paris to London to the English countryside where their ancestor Maria Owens first practiced the Unnamed Art. The younger generation discovers secrets that have been hidden from them in matters of both magic and love by Sally, their fiercely protective mother. As Kylie Owens uncovers the truth about who she is and what her own dark powers are, her aunt Franny comes to understand that she is ready to sacrifice everything for her family, and Sally Owens realizes that she is willing to give up everything for love.

A heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to a beloved series, The Book of Magic celebrates mothers and daughters, sisters and brothers, and anyone who has ever been in love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797129082

Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The Book of Magic, Magic Lessons, The World That We Knew, Practical Magic, The Rules of Magic (a Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick), the Oprah’s Book Club Selection Here on Earth, The Red Garden, The Dovekeepers, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, The Marriage of Opposites, and Faithful. She lives near Boston.

Reviews for The Book of Magic

[Jorgi Lusty · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The audio has parts that cut out which was annoying

[Emily Lassiter Branch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Having already read the first three books in this series about the Owens family, I looked forward to reading the final installment of the series. I wasn't disappointed. This has all the elements of the others - love, heartbreak, the ensuing resistance to loving, family, and of course, a touch of magic.
When Jet realizes she'll be dead within 7 days, she decides 300 years of living under the family curse on love is quite enough, and leaves her sister Franny with the directions for breaking the curse. The family gathers up and travels to England to break the curse and try to save the (hopefully) last victim of said curse. It's a fitting end to the series, with the full circle of deaths, births, family reunions, and of course at the center of it all is love - all bound up in Alice Hoffman's lovely writing. I was sad to see the end to this series, but enjoyed it all the same.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

[Trish Cox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an engaging story that kept my interest till the very end.

[Teresa Breckman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought this book was very well written. It makes you think about life and what really matters.

[Amy Galindo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good ending to the series. Sad to see my friends Sally and Gillian go. Always hard when the books end.

[Carol Manning Grant · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A bit long. But I enjoyed it. Overall good book.

[EimsDT · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The narrator wasn't good. The voice was just too dull, so that ruined it a bit.

The story was sweet and enjoyable. I love the Practical Magic series, with all the tidbits of remedies, beliefs and history woven into the story. This was a nice ending to the series but I don't think I would read it again.

[Kiri Florez Ch. · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book full of magic and true love :')

[Kayla Pratt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm satisfied with this . . .

It was a strong ending to an extremely fascinating story. I found myself entranced from beginning to end of each book. I'm tempted to watch the movie but I know I'll hate it lol . . . Absolutely worth every minute I spent on this series.

5 stars

[NBDEVINE · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story jumped from one character to the other and dragged on with boring, uninteresting 'fill' to the point where I considered giving it up. 99% of the content had me begging that it would just end already. If the entirety had been written like the last 10 minutes of it, I'd have loved it. Sadly, it wasn't. It's not a book I'd read again or recommend. Once again, the author felt the need to delve into homosexuality but this time added lesbians. Neither time did it add anything to the story so it must have been bait to attract readers from the homosexual circle. Unnecessary and tacky.