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  • The Rules of Magic

  • A Prequel to Practical Magic
  • By: Alice Hoffman
  • Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (74 ratings)

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The Rules of Magic

By: Alice Hoffman
Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard
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Publisher's Summary

In this prequel to Practical Magic, we meet the Aunts: sisters Frances and Jet, and Vincent, their brother. Their mother, Susanna, knew they were unique: pale, red-haired Franny, who could commune with birds; shy, beautiful Jet, who knows what others are thinking; and charismatic Vincent, built for trouble. 

Susanna sets some rules of magic: no walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles and absolutely no books about magic. But, desperate to uncover who they really are, the Owens siblings head down a life-altering course, filled with secrets and truths, devastation and joy, and magic and love.

©2018 Alice Hoffman (P)2018 Oakhill Publishing

What listeners say about The Rules of Magic

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A magical start

A beautiful story of love, family & being happy. It tells the story of the Owens siblings Jet, Franny & Vincent from when they are little up into old age & the dealings they have with trying to unsuccessfully avoid love due to the family curse & learn to be & love who they really are. There is no big build up to a climax but Alice Hoffman weaves a beautiful tale of magic, loss, love & family. I read Practical Magic years ago, & now can't wait to reread it after reading where it it all started.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

Loved the story, characters, setting and narration. On to the next book now. So happy to find this series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved It!!!

I absolutely love this book! I'm hoping for Practical Magic audio book will be available soon!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable

The story was beguiling, and the reader’s performance very good. The story jumps centuries on from Maria’s journey, more’s the pity, but the characters are well introduced and storyline filled in. Enjoy!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastical

A story about the subtle truth of being alive regardless if you are human, animal or witch.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed

I enjoyed this book, didn't like the boy/man voices sounded a bit weird when the characters would change to a different gender. other than that a nice book for a rainy afternoon

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    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyable

I really liked the book it was a nice easy read. Looking forward to the rest in the series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration ruined this novel

I recently listened to Magic Lessons and adored it. Unfortunately the narrator of this novel absolutely butchered it. She made all of the females sound like petulant, spoiled brats and the males guffawing idiots. I persevered only because I enjoyed the storyline, however if this narrator is used for the rest of Alice Hoffman’s series, I’d rather buy the actual book.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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Very average and disjointed.

Boring and disjointed. Story lines didn't make any sense. Book about bad things happening.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Narration is AWEFUL

I had to return this after listening for less than an hour. The narrator has apparently never met a young adult before and insists on using annoying baby voices that are incredibly high-pitched and whiny for the characters. Makes absolutely no sense that 6ft teenagers talk like chipmunks - and who edited/released this audiobook and thought listening to these irritating voices would add value to the story? Huge production fail for what I imagine is a good book.

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