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The Rules of Magic
- Narrated by: Marin Ireland
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
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The Rules of Magic
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Publisher's Summary
From beloved author Alice Hoffman comes the spellbinding prequel to her best seller Practical Magic.
Find your magic.
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the '60s, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood-red hair; shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people's thoughts; and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.
From the start, Susanna sets down rules for her children. No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And, most importantly, never, ever fall in love. But when her children visit their aunt Isabelle in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Back in New York City, each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.
The Owens children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the revered and sometimes feared aunts in Practical Magic while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is a story about the power of love reminding us that the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself.
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- Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 9
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 9
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 117
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What the critics say
"This audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, is an enchanting performance of a charming story.... Unlike some performers, Ireland doesn't focus on creating extremely distinct voices for each character; instead, she provides a perfect match for author Hoffman's creative style, which is warm and lyrical. Ireland speaks clearly, enunciating every word, and reads at a smooth pace." (AudioFile)
What listeners say about The Rules of Magic
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- K. Moore
- 2020-07-13
Odd but Interesting
It was very easy for me to listen to. The story was easy to follow. By the end I wished there was more. Even though I grew up watching the movie "Practical Magic" I will probably buy that Audiobook as well.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lola
- 2022-08-22
“Love More” ❤️
I savoured every moment of this story. The sisters devotion to one another and their love for their brother is palpable. The most important rule of magic: “love more.” Words to live by. Narration is beautifully done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth
- 2018-09-19
Wow. That’s it, wow!
You know, I was a big fan of the movie Practical Magic. I’ve hesitated reading a prequel because everyone knows they are rarely good. I was recently in our local bookstore looking for inspiration on something new to listen to. The staff members pick their favourites reads and The Rules of Magic was presented as a staff recommendation.
What a good choice. I was hooked from the first five minutes. The story of the three Owens siblings had me entranced. Their relationships with each other and their struggles with being different their entire life touched something inside. I was completely part of their story and part of their world.
Take a chance, you will enjoy The Rules of Magic. Happy anniversary Audible.ca #Audible1
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth Toly
- 2020-04-17
Excellent
Excellent story! I enjoy Marin Ireland’s reading. I have listened to other books she has narrated. I am going to get the sequels to this book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sashsquatches
- 2021-01-30
Loved every minute of this book.
I loved every minute listening to this book, I was sad when it was over. The person reading it did a great job, and pulled me into every character.
I will be listening to the other books in the series and checking out Alice Hoffman's other books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2018-09-13
Incredible
I was always a fan of the movie Practical Magic, and had no idea it was based on a book series. This book, the background story of the two aunts, was so captivating. It made my morning commutes bearable. In fact - some days, I WISHED for more traffic so I could listen longer ;) #Audible1
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TiV
- 2020-09-30
Very good
I don't often read fiction books but Practical Magic was an old favorite movie and someone recommended this book to me.
I really enjoyed the story and the narrator.
Nice easy listening that was entertaining and heartwarming.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Theresa S.
- 2018-09-15
Growing up, Magic & Cursed in Love?
I enjoyed this story of 3 siblings & the story of how they grew up during the 1950s to the 1970s with some magical twists. This is a prequel to the book "Practical Magic" and it tells the stories of the aunts & their brother as they grew up.
The story asks if the Owens are really cursed when it comes to love & explores the theme of love, familial & romantic. I thought the narrator did a good job.
Although I found some of the characters decisions frustrating at times, I really enjoyed this story about the bonds of family, magic & love.
#Audible1
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2020-05-10
Sooo good!
If you've already read Practical Magic, or even if you haven't this is such a great read. Great character descriptions, great story, great ending!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jessica
- 2018-02-20
love the backstory!
Marin's voice was a pleasure to listen to! Was eagerly waiting for this prequel and was not disappointed. Hoffman brought so many things to light that I wish Practical Magic had touched on, in the movie as well as the book. But I get it wasn't about the aunts in that one. Honestly hope Hoffman writes another installment with the owens family, maybe Marie's story?
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