Can’t Wait Wednesday – MAGIC LESSONS by Alice Hoffman
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, which encourages fellow bloggers to spotlight upcoming releases that we’re excited about. It is a meme that I have loved participating in for over a year now, but as Jill is no longer actively posting, from now on I’ll be linking to Can’t Wait Wednesday, hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings, which is a spinoff of the original WoW meme.
* * * * *
My selection for this week is MAGIC LESSONS by Alice Hoffman. If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you’ll know that Alice Hoffman is one of my all-time favorite authors. I just love the way she tells a story and I think her writing is just so gorgeous and atmospheric. Practical Magic is probably her best known book and in 2017, Hoffman gave us The Rules of Magic, a prequel that gave us some backstory for the beloved characters from Practical Magic. Now with Magic Lessons, Hoffman is taking us back even further, all the way back to 1660’s Salem to meet the matriarch of the Owens family, accused witch Maria Owens. I’m so excited for this book and even more so because I just found out this morning that I got approved for an e-ARC. It’s taking everything in me to not just shove all of my other review books aside and dive into this one.
MAGIC LESSONS by Alice Hoffman
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
From Netgalley:
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 “Unnamed 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 is 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.
* * * * *
I’d love to hear what upcoming book releases you’re waiting on this Wednesday? Leave me your link in the comments below and I’ll stop by and check out your CWW selection for this week. 🙂
There’s something ethereal about that cover — I’m so pleased we finally get to know Maria’s story!
verushka recently posted…The Holdout: The hype is real. Read this right now.
Me too. I think it’s going to be such an amazing read.
I like witch stories, and the the idea of tracing back the magic sounds fantastic.
Sam@wlabb recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday!
Right? I love that each prequel has taken us back a generation or so.
I haven’t read enough of her work. I like she’s returning again to the same family!
I do too. I’m very interested to go back to the family’s origins.
I just heard about this yesterday when I saw it on NetGalley (and immediately hit the request button!) I’m so excited, I had no idea she was writing another book in this series😁
Tammy @ Books, Bones & Buffy recently posted…Future Fiction #68: Cover Reveals & Newly Discovered SFF Books
I didn’t realize it either and pretty much screamed with joy as soon as I heard the news, lol.
I am totally excited for this and will listen on audio. Squee!
Ooh, I bet the audio will be amazing!
I love a good Salem witchcraft book! Especially if its written by Alice Hoffman. I’m definitely adding this to my wish list. Great pick this week!
Crystal Book Snob
Crystal Book Snob recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday: The Mall
Thanks!
I think I’d be tempted to push this to the top of my reading lost too! It sounds fantastic! Hope you enjoy it.
My CWW
Jenea’s Book Obsession recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday #31: His and Hers by Alice Feeney
Thanks, I hope so too.
I loved Practical Magic, but haven’t yet read The Rules of Magic. And now another one?! I will, of course, want to read this one too. I hope you love it when you get to it, Suzanne. Now to find my copy of The Rules of Magic . . .
Literary Feline recently posted…Can’t Wait Wednesday: Breakfast at Tiffany’s/Goldilocks/The Second Chance Boutique/The Brideship Wife
I liked The Rules of Magic even more than I liked Practical Magic, so I have very high hopes for this new one.
I love the cover! The premise is also unique and interesting. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this one! Adding it to my TBR now. 😉
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 😷💬
Lindsi recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday [88]
You’re welcome!
I love when an author return to favorite characters or just the same world. There’s a comfort level in that. Hope you enjoy this one when you get to it!
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books recently posted…WWW Wednesday #83 | April 15, 2020
I agree about the comfort factor. 🙂
I need this one NOW!
Right?! I can’t wait to get Maria’s story.
I LOVE this author and have read all of her books. I cannot wait for this too!
Cindy recently posted…What Happens in Paradise (Paradise #2) by Elin Hilderbrand
Glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
I’m a huge fan of Hoffman’s books. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for sharing, Suzanne. 🙂 I hope you’ll also be reviewing it.
lisa thomson recently posted…One Bite #Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge, Synonyms Only
Oh yes, definitely!
Oh wow, this sounds really good!
Doesn’t it? I’m loving the prequels Hoffman has added to show us more of this family’s history.