The Rules of Magic

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman is a captivating prequel to Practical Magic, set in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It follows the Owens siblings—Franny, Jet, and Vincent—as they discover their witchcraft heritage despite their mother Susanna’s strict rules to suppress it, like avoiding moonlight strolls, candles, or falling in love due to a family curse that dooms any man they love. A summer visit to their Aunt Isabelle in Massachusetts awakens their magical abilities amid blooming gardens and family secrets tied to the Salem witch trials, blending coming-of-age struggles with romance, tragedy, and the pull of forbidden love.