Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and that means it’s time for another review. Today, I am reviewing The Book of Magic, the fourth and final novel of the Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman.

The Book of Magic was published in 2021 by Simon & Schuster and is 384 pages long.

The Plot
When Jeabt Owens hears the unmistakable sound of the deathwatch beetle, a sign that her time is ending, she decides it’s time to share the secrets of the Owens family’s history and try to end the curse once and for all. This decision sets off a chain of events that sends the Owens family on a quest spanning Massachusetts to London. Along the way, they face impossible choices, encounter deliciously dark magic, and grapple with the enduring power of love.

Characters
Jet Owens
Jet, the matriarch of the Owens family, kicks off this novel when she hears the deathwatch beetle, indicating that she has seven days left to live, which causes her to set out on a mission to help her family break the curse.

Franny Owens
Franny is a tough-as-nails realist with a deeply caring heart hiding beneath her exterior. She’s tasked with protecting the family while also navigating the grief and challenges of their shared mission to find Kylie, who’s run off to try and find a way to save the love of her life, Gideon, who has been in an accident.

Sally Owens
Sally is still hesitant to fully accept magic as a part of her life. Her reluctance is contrasted with her daughters’ enthusiasm, making her internal conflict one of the most compelling in the novel. Throughout the book, however, Sally begins to learn to appreciate magic for the gift it really is.

Gillian Owens
Sally’s sister Gillian is still the free spirit we saw in the first book, though she has matured. In this book, she’s married her love, Ben, but doesn’t live with him—nor does she wear a ring to trick and escape the family curse. As ever, her loyalty to her family shines brightly, and her presence brings warmth to the story, even in its darkest moments.

Kylie
Kylie is the youngest of Sally’s daughters, around whom a significant part of the action revolves. When Gideon gets into an accident and falls into a coma, Kylie believes it to be the result of the family love curse—and, having found a note from her late aunt Jet in The Book of the Raven, she makes her way to England to attempt to break it.

Antonia
Antonia is Sally’s eldest daughter. Since her last appearance, she has grown into a strong young woman who is a medical student, has discovered she is a lesbian and decided to start a family with a gay couple, one half of which is her best friend, Scott. When the others fly to Europe to locate and help Kylie, Antonia stays behind to check in on Gideon. Along the way, she falls in love.

Vincent Owens
Vincent is Sally and Gillian’s grandfather who’d faked his death to hide from the family curse, living in France with his partner William. Following William’s death, and therefore no longer having to hide from the curse, he joins forces with the rest of his family to try to find Kylie.

Ian Wright
Ian is a professor of history and magic, who a closed-off Sally begins to open her heart to when she saves him from a hex.

Tom Lockland
Tom is a distant relative of the Owenses and wants The Book of the Raven for himself, tricking Kylie into giving him access.

Writing Style
Alice Hoffman’s writing is magical (I know what I said!). It balances poetic descriptions with grounded and realistic dialogue. Her ability to shift from tender, intimate scenes to moments of drama is seamless. As you read, you feel the impact of every emotion, every decision, and every moment of hope.

Hoffman also excels at building tension. Whether it’s the ticking clock of the curse or the deeply emotional stakes within the Owens family, the book feels like a constant tug-of-war between resolution and conflict, and I found it impossible to put down.

If I were forced to nitpick (and you are forcing me, so okay, I’ll spill), I’d have to mention just one little thing: the pacing in the middle. It’s just a little sluggish for a spell but ramps up again quite quickly if you stick with it.

The best part of the novel (like each book in the series) is its characters. Hoffman has a gift for populating her books with fully rounded characters who feel deeply human, even in a magical world. Each member of the Owens family has a pivotal role in the story—and through them, Hoffman weaves a tale steeped in history, heartbreak, and resilience.

Final Thoughts
The Book of Magic is an emotional and beautifully written end to the Owens family’s story. I’m a little sad that there won’t be any more stories about this magical bunch—I guess I’ll have to reread them all.

In any event, I very much recommend you pick up The Book of Magic. If you’re a fan of multi-generational family dramas with a magical twist or you’ve been following the Owens family’s story since Practical Magic, this book is a must.

I’m giving this one a good 8/10.

Have you read this series? Which has been your favourite book? Mine is the Rules of Magic.

Thank you, as ever, for reading my review.

Until next time,

George

© 2025 GLT

Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: Alice Hoffman, book review, LGBTQ Characters, practical magic, review, The Book of Magic, witch, witches