Last Updated on May 7, 2025
Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series is a beloved blend of magical realism, family drama, and romance, centered on the Owens family, a lineage of witches cursed in love for over three centuries. Since the first novel, Practical Magic, was published in 1995, the series has grown to include four books, gaining a cult following, amplified by the 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Hoffman’s lyrical prose, vivid characters, and themes of love, sisterhood, and resilience have made these novels timeless. This article lists all Practical Magic books in both publication and chronological order, with summaries, publication dates and reading guidance.
Why Read the Practical Magic Series?
The Practical Magic series follows the Owens women, descendants of Maria Owens, who cast a curse in the 1600s to protect her family from love’s dangers. From 17th-century England to modern Massachusetts, the novels weave magic, heartbreak, and hope across generations. The series is ideal for readers who enjoy magical realism, character-driven sagas, and stories of women defying societal norms. Each book is standalone but interconnected, with the iconic aunts Franny and Jet, sisters Sally and Gillian, and their descendants. Hoffman herself notes readers can choose their reading order—publication or chronological—making the series flexible yet rewarding when read sequentially.
Practical Magic Books in Publication Order
The series consists of four novels: one original, two prequels, and one sequel. Below is the publication order, as written by Hoffman, with summaries and key details.
- Practical Magic (June 1995, Putnam)
Sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, raised by their eccentric aunts Franny and Jet in a small Massachusetts town, grapple with their witchy heritage and a family curse that dooms their love lives. Sally, practical and responsible, marries but faces tragedy, while wild Gillian runs away, leaving a trail of broken hearts. When Gillian’s dangerous boyfriend dies mysteriously, the sisters reunite to cover up the crime, drawing police scrutiny. With their aunts’ magic, they confront the curse and their bond. This iconic novel, adapted into the 1998 film, introduces the Owens’ magical world with lush prose and sisterly love. - The Rules of Magic (October 2017, Simon & Schuster)
A prequel set in 1960s New York City, this novel follows Franny, Jet, and their brother Vincent, the aunts and uncle from Practical Magic. Raised by their mother, Susanna, who forbids magic, the siblings visit their Aunt Isabelle in Massachusetts, uncovering their powers. Franny, with red hair and fierce spirit, Jet, a telepathic beauty, and charismatic Vincent defy rules against love, but the curse brings heartbreak. A coming-of-age tale of self-discovery, it’s a Reese’s Book Club pick praised for its emotional depth. - Magic Lessons (October 2020, Simon & Schuster)
The earliest prequel, set in the 1600s, traces Maria Owens, the matriarch who sparked the curse. Abandoned in England, Maria learns magic from Hannah Owens, then sails to Curaçao and Massachusetts, facing witch trials and betrayal. Her love for a Salem magistrate leads to the curse after he abandons her. Maria’s journey with her daughter, Faith, explores mother-daughter bonds and the origins of the Owens’ magic. A historical fiction gem, it’s lauded for its rich settings and strong female leads. - The Book of Magic (October 2021, Simon & Schuster)
The only sequel, this novel concludes the series with three generations of Owens women—Sally, Gillian, their daughters Antonia and Kylie, Jet, and Vincent—uniting to break the curse. When Jet hears a deathwatch beetle, signaling her imminent death, a young man’s life hangs in the balance, spurring a magical quest from Paris to London and the English countryside where Maria practiced the “Unnamed Art.” A lyrical, satisfying finale, it’s hailed as “spellbinding” by The New York Times.
Practical Magic Books in Chronological Order
The series spans from the 1600s to the present, and some readers prefer the story’s timeline order, which starts with the curse’s origin. Hoffman endorses this approach, especially for new readers, as it provides historical context.
- Magic Lessons (1600s): Maria Owens’ origin story, from England to Massachusetts, establishing the curse.
- The Rules of Magic (1960s): Franny, Jet, and Vincent’s youth, showing the curse’s impact on the next generation.
- Practical Magic (Late 20th Century): Sally and Gillian’s struggle with the curse in modern times.
- The Book of Magic (Present Day): The Owens family’s final effort to break the curse.
Reading the Practical Magic Series: Tips and Guidance
- Publication vs. Chronological Order: Publication order (Practical Magic, The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, The Book of Magic) reflects Hoffman’s storytelling evolution and is ideal for fans who read Practical Magic first or want surprises, as prequels reveal backstories later. Chronological order (Magic Lessons, The Rules of Magic, Practical Magic, The Book of Magic) offers a linear history, making the curse’s origins clear early on, recommended for new readers now that all books are out. Hoffman says, “It’s your choice!”
- Standalone Potential: Each book is self-contained, with enough context to be read alone. However, reading in order enhances emotional connections, as characters like Franny and Jet appear across generations.
- Content: The series is magical realism, not high fantasy, with subtle spells, herb lore, and emotional stakes. It’s suitable for adults and teens, with mild violence (e.g., a murder cover-up in Practical Magic) and romantic themes. Expect heartbreak, as the curse brings tragedy, but hopeful endings.
- Book vs. Movie: The 1998 Practical Magic film differs significantly, emphasizing visual magic and altering plots (e.g., the backyard ghost). Fans on Reddit suggest reading the book without movie expectations for its raw, literary style.
- Inconsistencies: Some readers note minor timeline or detail discrepancies across books (e.g., curse specifics), especially in chronological order, but these don’t detract from the story’s charm.
Where to Find the Practical Magic Books
The series is available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, audiobook (narrated by Marin Ireland and others), and special editions (e.g., Practical Magic 25th Anniversary) through:
- Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks.
- Libraries: Most libraries stock Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic.
- Digital Platforms: Kindle, Audible, Libro.fm, Kobo.
- Official Websites: alicehoffman.com for series details; simonandschuster.com for excerpts and pre-orders.
- Secondhand: ThriftBooks, World of Books for used copies.
Follow Hoffman on X (
@AHoffmanWriter) or Instagram for updates on events or adaptations, like the upcoming Practical Magic 2 film.
Why the Practical Magic Series Resonates
Hoffman’s series, with over 200,000 Goodreads ratings for Practical Magic alone, captivates with its blend of magic, family, and feminist themes. The Owens women—Maria, Franny, Jet, Sally, Gillian, and their kin—defy societal judgment, embracing their powers despite a curse. Hoffman’s prose, described as “incantatory” by Kirkus, weaves herb lore, love spells, and emotional truths, making the series a magical realism staple. Fans on X and Reddit praise its “heartwarming yet heartbreaking” vibe, though some find prequels more narrative-driven than the original’s raw style. The 1998 film and announced sequel fuel its popularity, but the books offer deeper character depth and historical scope.
Final Thoughts
Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic series—Practical Magic (1995), The Rules of Magic (2017), Magic Lessons (2020), and The Book of Magic (2021)—is a spellbinding journey through the Owens family’s cursed yet magical legacy. Whether you choose publication order to experience Hoffman’s vision or chronological order for a historical arc, the series delivers love, loss, and sisterhood. Start with Practical Magic for its iconic sisters or Magic Lessons for the curse’s roots. With no new books announced, the series is complete, making now the perfect time to dive into this enchanting world. For a cozy October read, pair with midnight margaritas and enjoy the magic.