Practical Magic Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Practical Magic books in order, from the very first to the latest, so you won’t miss anything! It includes both publication and chronological order.

About the Practical Magic Series

The Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman is a beloved and beautifully written collection of novels that blend family, romance, and just the right touch of magic. At the heart of these books is the Owens family—women with a legacy of enchantment, heartbreak, and resilience. While many readers call it a fantasy series, the magic here is never loud or flashy. It’s quiet and intimate, often working in the background of everyday life, making these stories feel grounded in reality even when something otherworldly is happening.

The series begins with Practical Magic, first published in 1995. This book introduced us to sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, who are trying hard to escape their family’s magical past. Raised by their eccentric aunts in a small Massachusetts town, they were always seen as different. Their neighbors whispered about witchcraft, and blamed the Owens family for every little misfortune. Growing up in such a shadow takes its toll, and the sisters react in opposite ways—Gillian runs off to live recklessly and freely, while Sally settles down in hopes of living a quiet, normal life. But magic has a way of pulling you back, no matter how far you go.

Alice Hoffman’s storytelling captures the bittersweet beauty of sisterhood, love, and the struggle between destiny and choice. Her writing style feels like a spell in itself—soft, poetic, and deeply emotional. Readers fall in love not only with the plot, but with the atmosphere she creates: small-town kitchens filled with the scent of herbs, midnight walks under moonlight, and whispered warnings passed down from one generation of women to the next.

Over time, Hoffman expanded the story, reaching into the past to tell us more about the Owens women. The Rules of Magic serves as a prequel, taking us back to the 1960s and introducing us to Franny, Jet, and Vincent—siblings trying to live ordinary lives despite their magical bloodline. Their mother, Susanna Owens, desperately wants to protect them, especially from love, which she believes only brings tragedy. Her children, however, are anything but ordinary. This book is rich with emotion, exploring how magic and love can both heal and hurt. It’s a fan-favorite for its vivid characters and emotional depth.

Going even further back in time, Magic Lessons explores the very beginning of the Owens curse. It tells the story of Maria Owens, the matriarch of the magical line, who was abandoned as a baby and raised by a kind healer named Hannah. Maria’s journey from a curious girl to a powerful witch is moving and unforgettable. She learns the “Nameless Arts” and discovers the painful truth about love, betrayal, and legacy. It’s in this book that the infamous family curse is born—one that dooms any man who loves an Owens woman to a tragic end.

The final installment, The Book of Magic, ties everything together in a heartfelt and satisfying way. When Aunt Jet hears the sound of the deathwatch beetle, she knows her time is running out. In her final days, she is determined to do whatever it takes to break the family curse once and for all. This novel reunites all our favorite characters—Franny, Jet, Vincent, Sally, Gillian, and the next generation, Kylie and Antonia. It’s a powerful ending that reminds readers of the strength found in family, the beauty of forgiveness, and the importance of embracing who you are.

One of the most enchanting things about the Practical Magic series is that it doesn’t try to fit into just one genre. It’s not quite fantasy, not quite romance, and not quite historical fiction—it’s a little of everything. The magic is subtle, the relationships are deeply human, and the themes of love, loss, and identity are universal. Whether you believe in magic or not, these stories will cast a spell on your heart.

The series’ popularity also reached the big screen. In 1998, Practical Magic was adapted into a film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian. The movie became a cult classic in its own right, cherished for its warm visuals, sisterly bond, and of course, a touch of romantic chaos. For many fans, it was the gateway into Alice Hoffman’s magical world.

Whether you’re new to the series or returning for a reread, the Practical Magic books offer something truly special—stories that make you believe in the magic of love, the power of family, and the healing that can happen when we stop running from who we really are.

How many books are there in the Practical Magic series?

There are a total of 4 Practical Magic books. The series, written by Alice Hoffman, includes the following titles in order: