A satisfying ending can’t fully save The Book of Magic, a finale weighed down by inconsistencies and characters that no longer feel like themselves.

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Today we’re talking about The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman, the fourth and final installment in the Practical Magic series—and unfortunately, this was the one that let me down the most.

Reading Order Matters (And This Time, Chronological Won)

Going into this series, I did something I don’t usually recommend: I read the books in chronological order instead of publication order. Normally, I’m very much a “publication order only” kind of reader because you get to experience the author’s growth and intended reveals.

But for this series? Reading Magic Lessons, The Rules of Magic, Practical Magic, and then The Book of Magic in timeline order actually worked really well—until it didn’t.

Because by the time I reached this final book, the inconsistencies became impossible to ignore.

The Biggest Issue: Inconsistencies

This is where the book really lost me.

There are multiple contradictions with previously established canon that feel too significant to overlook. For example, Sally’s first husband has a completely different cause of death than what was originally established. That’s not a minor detail—that’s a defining moment in her story.

The same goes for traditions surrounding the Owens women. Earlier books clearly establish how they are buried, and then suddenly, those traditions are changed without explanation. These are foundational elements of the series’ lore, and seeing them altered so casually made the entire narrative feel disconnected from what came before.

It raises a frustrating question: did this book fully engage with the continuity of the series?

Characters That Don’t Feel Like Themselves

Even more than the inconsistencies, what really impacted my experience was the characterization.

Yes, time has passed. Characters evolve. That’s expected.

But here, they don’t feel like evolved versions of themselves—they feel like entirely different people. The emotional continuity just isn’t there. Sally, Gillian, and even Sally’s daughters feel disconnected from who they were in Practical Magic. It’s not growth; it’s a reset.

Interestingly, characters like Franny, Jet, and Vincent still retained more of their essence, which made the contrast even more noticeable. It’s part of why The Rules of Magic remains my favorite—it captured those characters so vividly and authentically.

Book vs Movie Energy?

One thing that kept nagging at me while reading was whether this book was influenced more by the film adaptation of Practical Magic than the original novel.

I’ve only seen the movie once (and it’s been ages), so I can’t say that definitively—but the tone and character portrayals here feel slightly misaligned with the book series. If this was meant to bridge the gap between the book and the movie, it doesn’t quite land for me.

Because what I wanted was a true sequel to the novel—not something that felt like it was pulling from a different version of the story.

What Still Works

Despite all of this, the book isn’t without its strengths.

The ending itself feels right. The resolution of the Owens curse and the sense of closure for the family arc is satisfying and emotionally appropriate. It delivers the kind of conclusion you want from a final installment.

I also genuinely liked Sally’s new love interest. That element worked, and it added a fresh layer to her story without feeling forced.

Final Thoughts

The Book of Magic should have been a powerful, emotional conclusion to a beloved series. Instead, it feels disjointed, weighed down by inconsistencies and character shifts that make it hard to fully connect.

The ending lands, but the journey getting there is frustrating.

For me, The Rules of Magic remains the standout of the series—rich, emotional, and true to its characters.