The Rules of Magic Read-Along: Book Recap, The Owens Love Curse & Counterculture Witches

Join us for a mini deep dive into The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman. This is the second episode of our read-along coverage of the entire Practical Magic series, in release order, in the lead up to the Practical Magic 2 movie coming out on September 11. Pour yourself a mug of Courage Tea as we meet Franny, Jet, and Vincent Owens in 1960’s Manhattan, follow their journey downtown to Greenwich Village (and beyond), and learn more about Maria Owens and their family love curse.  IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: ⏱️ 12-Minute Book Recap: A comprehensive refresher on the plot of The Rules of Magic 💔 The Owens Family Love Curse: We unpack the exact details of the love curse with Maria Owens and examine its impact on Franny, Jet, and Vincent, discuss potential loopholes, and explore its historical connection to John Hathorne and the Salem Witch Trials. 🫶 The Coven & Romantic Relationships: Explore the complex familial dynamics and tragic love stories in this prequel, from Starcrossed lovers Jet & Levi to Franny & Haylin’s "Grumpy & Sunshine" dynamic, and how these dynamics shape Practical Magic. ✨ Magic System: Magic is far more central and overt in this story than in Practical Magic. We break down bloodline witches, protection charms, grimoires, familiars, and foreboding death omens. 📜 Historical Elements: Set against the backdrop of 1960s Greenwich Village, we discuss historical moments woven into the novel, including the Counterculture Movement, Folk Revival, Vietnam War, Stonewall Riots, and the dark history of psychiatric institutions. PRACTICAL MAGIC READ-ALONG SCHEDULE Join us as we read through Alice Hoffman’s entire Practical Magic series, in release order, ahead of the upcoming film release: Out Now: Practical Magic (Practical Magic #1) & The Rules of Magic (Practical Magic #2 / Prequel) August 26: Magic Lessons (Practical Magic #3 / Prequel) September 8: The Book of Magic (Practical Magic #4 / Conclusion) Book Recommendations: Want to read more about 1960’s Greenwich Village? We love Suze Rotolo’s autobiography, _A Freewheelin' Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village in the Sixties_.  CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE Follow along for weekly episode drops, extra book breakdowns, and community discussions: Website: http://deeptropepodcast.com Instagram: @DeepTropePodcast TikTok: @DeepTropePodcast Facebook: /deeptropepodcast Deep Trope is a fantasy romance podcast where two unfiltered millennials go deep into popular romantasy books, breaking down plot, characters, easter eggs, theories, tropes, and of course, their favorite spicy moments.