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gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another fantastic tale in the Owens family, this time following the old aunts we meet in Practical magic, Frannie and Jet, and their brother Vincent, growing up and navigating life and the curse in their own way.
It was everything I've come to expect, beautifully generational, tragically heartbreaking and absolutely moving.
It transitioned fantastically to the start of Gillian and Sally's story.
The one thing that gave me he ick was all the incest, no matter how distant, was so gross and accompanied with the underaged stuff happening on top of that... Just why. I really wish this was done differently.
Despite that major discomfort, again, this was a beautifully told, magical family saga! I have loved pouring over the history of the Owens' - they feel so real - and I'm so sad that I only have one more book left. Can't believe it had taken me so long to get to a series I so obviously knew I would love!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Death of parent, Child death, and Suicide
aislinn_mcd_harrison's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was one I wanted to keep reading but i didn’t feel I really loved the writing style or even the characters. There was a sadness all through the book that made it difficult to enjoy but I don’t think it had a particularly strong message or view on its theme of love is disaster / love is the only good. Also don’t like books whose endings only set up the next book.
Questions to ask book club:
Is the curse real?
What do you think Alice Hoffman’s writing about youth and beauty and age?
Do you think Franny is consistent?
What do you think of how she portrayed real events like the Vietnam war and the stonewall riots?
Did you like the siblings? Who was your favourite?
This book is a prequel and the ending fairly unapologetically has nothing to do with the book you’ve read and is a preamble to practical magic - did it make you want to read the next one and why?
Questions to ask book club:
Is the curse real?
What do you think Alice Hoffman’s writing about youth and beauty and age?
Do you think Franny is consistent?
What do you think of how she portrayed real events like the Vietnam war and the stonewall riots?
Did you like the siblings? Who was your favourite?
This book is a prequel and the ending fairly unapologetically has nothing to do with the book you’ve read and is a preamble to practical magic - did it make you want to read the next one and why?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, War, Homophobia, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Death, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual content
allyhoo811's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While I enjoyed Practical Magic, I found myself loving this second installment in the series. It was everything I loved about its predecessor, but better. There was more magic, more witchiness, and more character development -- Plus less absurdity. What's not to love? All things considered I give this book 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5). There were two small issues that dampened my enjoyment a tad, but overall a great read!
My Issues:
1. There was still too much insta-love. It was somewhat better than Practical Magic in this regard, but it was still too much for me personally. I know this series is supposed to have a fairytale feeling about it, but it just doesn't work for me in this regard.
2. I wanted more resolution to what the "curse" really was. Towards the end of the book, it seemed like the author was trying to get across the message that the curse had always just been in the minds of the family members, but then when Sally and Gillian's parents died it was written as if the curse had caught up with them. Doesn't ruin the story, but I didn't like feeling that you could actually trick the "curse", by doing things like changing your name or by living separately and not marrying.
Note: This story is told by a third person, omniscient narrator. There is a lot of head hopping. I found it worked fine for me (when it usually doesn't), but just know that going in.
My Issues:
2. I wanted more resolution to what the "curse" really was. Towards the end of the book, it seemed like the author was trying to get across the message that the curse had always just been in the minds of the family members, but then when Sally and Gillian's parents died it was written as if the curse had caught up with them. Doesn't ruin the story, but I didn't like feeling that you could actually trick the "curse", by doing things like changing your name or by living separately and not marrying.
Note: This story is told by a third person, omniscient narrator. There is a lot of head hopping. I found it worked fine for me (when it usually doesn't), but just know that going in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
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