Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

 This author came up in a few different Instagram posts, so I decided to give her a try. She has written a lot of books, so I was hoping to find someone I could enjoy in multiple ways, and this book is a prequel to some of her supernatural and witch stories. I found her at the library in St. George during a spell between some good books and decided she was worth a try.

I would say the story was interesting, the characters interesting, and the setting fascinating as it wove in some history of the mood and paranoia surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. I wouldn't say the characters were fully developed, but it was more about the movement of the characters and the people around them that moved the story along. It was also more about love and life...this author frequently waxed philosophical as she wove the story along. The ending is illustrative of her oft-repeated themes:

"Drink chamomile tea to calm the spirit. Feed a cold and starve a fever. Read as many books as you can. Always choose courage. Never watch another woman burn. Know that love is the only answer."

I got a little tired of the spells and herbs, but many (of the herbs, at least!) would probably work! I liked how the Owens women were unique and loved their red boots. It was interesting to see how this power could go wrong when the daughter uses magic to go to the dark side. All of it was interesting, but not enough for me to read any more by this author. It did awaken a desire to learn more about the real Salem Witch Trials...