The Rules of Magic

Alice Hoffman

53 pages 1-hour read

Alice Hoffman

The Rules of Magic

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Frances is the eldest Burke-Owens child, distinguished by a gawky six-foot frame, pale skin, and deep red hair. She possesses a scientific mind and a strong affinity for birds, which she can summon with ease. Aware of her family's dark history regarding romance, she actively resists her own feelings to protect those she cares about from the generational curse.

Key Relationships

Older Sister of Jet Owens

Older Sister of Vincent Owens

Daughter of Dr. Burke Owens

Niece of Aunt Isabelle

Romantic Interest of Haylin Walker

Cousin of April Owens

Jet is the middle child of the Burke-Owens family, possessing striking beauty and dark hair. Her magical ability to hear others' thoughts often overwhelms her, making her prone to tears and social isolation at school. Unlike her cautious older sister, Jet is a true romantic who desires deep emotional connection regardless of her family's history.

Key Relationships

Younger Sister of Frances Owens

Older Sister of Vincent Owens

Daughter of Dr. Burke Owens

Romantic Interest of Levi Willard

Friend of Rafael

Vincent is the youngest Burke-Owens child and a rarity as a male in a famously matrilineal magical family. He is immensely charismatic and musically talented, but he struggles with frightening clairvoyant visions. Feeling out of place, he acts out rebelliously through casual affairs and by experimenting with dark magic from forbidden books.

Key Relationships

Younger Brother of Frances Owens

Younger Brother of Jet Owens

Romantic Interest of William Grant

Cousin of April Owens

A stylish former model, Susanna has turned her back on her Massachusetts hometown and the Owens family magic. She establishes severe household rules to prevent her children from exploring the supernatural, hoping to shield them from the curse that threatens the men loved by Owens women. Her strict demeanor hides a deep well of grief over her own past losses.

Key Relationships

Mother of Frances Owens

Mother of Jet Owens

Mother of Vincent Owens

Niece of Aunt Isabelle

Friend of Agnes Durant

A diminutive but commanding woman who lives in the historic Owens house in Massachusetts. She embraces her identity as a witch, using plant-based medicine to heal the physical and emotional ailments of the local townspeople. She serves as the guardian of the family's magical traditions and encourages the younger generation to accept their true nature.

Key Relationships

Great-Aunt of Frances Owens

Great-Aunt of Jet Owens

Great-Aunt of Vincent Owens

Aunt of Maggie

Supporting Characters

An educated, rational psychiatrist from an Ivy League background. He views the magical tendencies of his children through the lens of Freudian psychology and genetics rather than the supernatural. Though he remains somewhat distant from their daily struggles, he holds genuine affection for his family.

Key Relationships

Father of Frances Owens

Father of Jet Owens

Father of Vincent Owens

The 17th-century matriarch of the Owens family in America. Following a profound betrayal by a local official, she cast the enduring curse that affects the romantic partners of all Owens women.

Key Relationships

Former Lover of John Hathorne

A rebellious, platinum-blond cousin from the Beacon Hill branch of the family. She openly rejects her parents' attempts to assimilate into normal society, choosing instead to embrace her magical heritage and indulge her passions without fear of the consequences.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Vincent Owens

Mother of Regina Owens

Cousin of Frances Owens

Cousin of Jet Owens

A strict, puritanical minister in Aunt Isabelle's town. As a direct descendant of the witch-hunter John Hathorne, he carries on a historical prejudice against the Owens family, actively working to keep his son away from their influence.

Key Relationships

Father of Levi Willard

Antagonist of Jet Owens

The tall, handsome son of Reverend Willard. He possesses a calm demeanor that sharply contrasts with his father's religious fervor. He bonds quickly with Jet over shared literary interests, ignoring the historical animosity between their families.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Jet Owens

An intelligent young man who rejects the wealthy expectations of his family to pursue a career in medicine. He forms an enduring attachment to Frances, matching her awkwardness with his own genuine sincerity.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Frances Owens

Romantic Interest of Emily Flood

A wholesome, preppy young woman who dates Haylin. She represents a safe, traditional life path completely removed from the danger and unpredictability of the Owens family magic.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Haylin Walker

Rival of Frances Owens

A precocious child born with a double Owens bloodline. Raised in California, she inherits the family's magical affinity for nature and grows into a passionate woman who loves deeply, honoring her family's wild traditions.

Key Relationships

Daughter of April Owens

Mother of Sally Owens

Mother of Gillian Owens

The older of Regina's two daughters. She is dark-haired, responsible, and naturally cautious, carrying the weight of looking after her sister and managing their unpredictable life.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Regina Owens

Older Sister of Gillian Owens

Great-Niece of Frances Owens

The younger of Regina's daughters, recognized by her fair hair and fearless disposition. She is whimsical and rebellious, immediately clashing with the strictness of her older relatives.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Regina Owens

Younger Sister of Sally Owens

Great-Niece of Frances Owens

A kind, perceptive young man working in New York City. He encounters Jet during a vulnerable moment and provides her with a grounding, affectionate connection that demands nothing in return.

Key Relationships

Friend of Jet Owens

A history professor at the New School who carries his own family history related to the historical witch trials. He sees past Vincent's chaotic exterior and offers him genuine acceptance and stability.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Vincent Owens

Son of Alan

An Owens cousin who fiercely rejected her family and attempted to curse them. Her denial of her true nature caused her magic to turn inward, permanently altering her form.

Key Relationships

Niece of Aunt Isabelle

An older woman living in France who was close friends with Susanna Burke-Owens during her youth. She understands the Owens family secrets and provides crucial assistance when family members travel abroad.

Key Relationships

A married 17th-century witch-hunter whose affair with Maria Owens served as the catalyst for the generational family curse. His actions established a long-standing rivalry between his descendants and the Owens family.

Key Relationships

Former Lover of Maria Owens