Magical girl friendship squads are a common trope in anime and manga, showcasing the power of friendship and teamwork in the face of evil. These squads typically consist of a group of girls with magical powers who come together to fight against a common enemy. In these stories, the magical girl friendship squads often start off as strangers or acquaintances who are brought together by fate. They may initially be rivals or have conflicting personalities, but as they spend more time together and fight side by side, they develop a deep bond and become inseparable friends. Each member of the squad usually has her own unique magical powers and personality traits, which complement and enhance the abilities of the others. This diversity of powers and personalities allows the squad to overcome various challenges and obstacles that they face in their journey.
Alice Hoffman
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1680, 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 sixties, 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. Yet, the 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 memorable aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
Alice Hoffman delivers “fairy-tale promise with real-life struggle” (The New York Times Book Review) in a story how the only remedy for being human is to be true to yourself. Thrilling and exquisite, real and fantastical, The Rules of Magic is “irresistible…the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last forty pages, savoring your final moments with the characters” (USA TODAY, 4/4 stars).
Praise
"Reading an Alice Hoffman book is like falling into a deep dream where senses are heightened and love reigns supreme. The Rules of Magic is no exception.”
—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things
“Hoffman delights in this prequel to Practical Magic as three siblings discover both the power and curse of their magic. Hoffman’s novel is a coming-of-age tale replete with magic and historical references to the early witch trials. The spellbinding story, focusing on the strength of family bonds through joy and sorrow, will appeal to a broad range of readers. Fans of Practical Magic will be bewitched.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
“The Owens sisters are back—not in their previous guise as elderly aunties casting spells in Hoffman’s occult romance Practical Magic (1995), but as fledgling witches in the New York City captured in Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids… No one’s more confident or entertaining than Hoffman at putting across characters willing to tempt fate for true love.”
—Kirkus Review
“I was enraptured by this fabulous book, which is filled with magic and charm.”
—Terri Smith, Library Reads
“Hoffman’s writing is frank, tender, vivid, and elusive all at once. Full of sorrow and beauty and courage, The Rules of Magic is a delicious, satisfying read.”
—Heather Herbaugh, Mitzi’s Books, Rapid City, SD, Indie Next List
“I got so swept up in this enchanting story and I can’t wait for you all to start reading it!”
—Reese Witherspoon
“This is the kind of book you race through, then pause at the last 40 pages, savoring your final moments with the characters.”
—USA TODAY
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
This is book number 1 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
- #4: The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback): $17.99
Related Editions
- CD-Audio (October 10th, 2017): $19.99
Description
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
About the Author
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
Praise For…
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
- Fiction / Literary
- Fiction / Women
- Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
- CD-Audio (October 10th, 2017): $19.99
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
**Book listings on our website do not always reflect the current availability of books on our store shelves. Check a book's in-store availability above the "add to cart" button. Or to be certain that a book you've found on our website is also here on our shelves, feel free to call us at 615-953-2243**
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1) (Paperback)
By Alice Hoffman, Alice Hoffman (Introduction by)$19.00
On Our Shelves Now 1 on hand, as of Jan 15 10:06pm (Fiction)Other Books in Series
This is book number 1 in the The Practical Magic Series series.
- #2: The Rules of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #2) (Paperback): $16.99
- #4: The Book of Magic: A Novel (The Practical Magic Series #4) (Paperback): $17.99
*25th Anniversary Edition*—with an Introduction by the Author!
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
- Fiction / Literary
- Fiction / Women
- Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1)
The Owens sisters confront the challenges of life and love in this bewitching novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic.
For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic.
“Splendid. Practical Magic is one of [Hoffman's] best novels, showing on every page her gift for touching ordinary life as if with a wand, to reveal how extraordinary life really is.”—Newsweek
“[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible.”—Cosmopolitan
This diversity of powers and personalities allows the squad to overcome various challenges and obstacles that they face in their journey. The main theme of the magical girl friendship squads is the power of friendship and the belief that together, anything is possible. The members of the squad support and encourage each other, and their combined strength enables them to overcome even the toughest of enemies.
About the Author
Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew, The Rules of Magic (A Reese’s Book Club pick), Practical Magic, The Marriage of Opposites, The Red Garden, the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, The Museum of Extraordinary Things, and The Dovekeepers. She lives near Boston.
Praise for Practical Magic: 25th Anniversary Edition (The Practical Magic Series #1)
Praise for Practical Magic
“A beautiful, moving book about the power of love and the desires of the heart.”—Denver Post
“Charmingly told, and a good deal of fun.”—The New York Times Book Review
“One of her most lyrical works. Hoffman is at her best.”—San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Written with a light hand and rhythm. Practical Magic has the pace of a fairy tale but with the impact of accomplished fiction.”—People
“A sweet, sweet story that like the best fairy tales says more than at first it seems to.”—New York Daily News
“[Hoffman] has proved once again her potency as a storyteller, combining the mundane with the fantastic in a totally engaging way.”—The Orlando Sentinel
“Hoffman's writing has plenty of power. Her best sentences are like incantations—they won't let you get away.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Witches and ghosts, spells and sleight-of-hand weave a fanciful atmosphere in Alice Hoffman's tender comedy about clairvoyance, spells, and family ties.”—The Miami Herald
“A cosmic romance leavened with just the right touch of pragmatism and humor.”—Booklist
Another important aspect of these friendship squads is the emotional support and understanding that the girls provide to each other. They often share their fears, insecurities, and dreams, creating a bond that goes beyond mere teammates. This emotional connection adds depth to the storyline and makes the characters more relatable to the audience. Additionally, the magical girl friendship squads often emphasize values such as loyalty, courage, and sacrifice. The girls are willing to put their own lives on the line to protect each other and those they care about. This selflessness and bravery inspire viewers and teach important life lessons about the importance of standing up for what is right and supporting one another. In conclusion, magical girl friendship squads are a popular and beloved trope in anime and manga. These squads exemplify the power of friendship and teamwork, showcasing characters who support and empower each other to overcome obstacles and fight against evil. The emotional depth and the values portrayed in these stories resonate with audiences and make them an enduring part of the magical girl genre..
Reviews for "The Magical Girl Friendship Squad: An Epic Adventure in Friendship"
1. Karen - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Magical Girl Friendship Squad, but it fell flat for me. The characters lacked depth and the storyline felt disjointed and rushed. The animation also seemed lazy and lacked the attention to detail that I have come to expect from other shows in this genre. Overall, it just didn't captivate me like I had hoped it would.
2. Mike - 1/5 - I couldn't even make it through the first episode of Magical Girl Friendship Squad. The humor was juvenile and felt forced, the dialogue was cringeworthy, and the voice acting was subpar. The animation style was not visually appealing to me, and the plot seemed incredibly predictable. I had higher expectations for this show, but unfortunately, it was a major disappointment.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - Magical Girl Friendship Squad had potential, but it failed to deliver. The character development was lacking, and the writing was uninspiring. The jokes fell flat, and the attempts at humor felt forced and unfunny. The overall plot was weak and unoriginal, offering nothing new or exciting. I was left feeling underwhelmed by this series and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Chris - 1/5 - I found Magical Girl Friendship Squad to be a complete waste of time. The characters were shallow and uninteresting, and the animation was mediocre at best. The dialogue was cringe-inducing, and the attempts at humor felt forced and fell flat. The storyline lacked substance and failed to keep my attention. Overall, it was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to fellow anime enthusiasts.