Dime Store Magic

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

It neatly picks up from the second book of the series, precisely where Paige has been granted custody of Savannah, who is Eve's daughter.

However, the situation is far from simple as some extremely powerful individuals have their eyes set on Savannah. Paige now finds herself in a fierce battle to keep the girl safe and in her care.

To make matters even more complicated, Paige is on the cusp of becoming a teenager. With this new stage of life comes all the typical teenage attitude and rebelliousness.

She is no longer the same compliant child she once was. Instead, she is starting to question everything and assert her independence.

Despite the challenges she faces, Paige is determined to do whatever it takes to protect Savannah and hold onto her newfound family.

The story is filled with excitement, drama, and the complex emotions that come with growing up and facing difficult circumstances.

I grabbed this book for two main reasons. Firstly, I needed something to read during the long flight from Toronto to Tokyo. Secondly, I had heard good things about the author, who was another attempt to fill the void left by Laurell K. Hamilton. Also, the fact that the author is a fellow Ontarian was an added bonus.

However, this book fails on multiple levels. I only managed to finish it because I had nothing else to do on the flight, especially considering the 20-hour delay in Chicago. I was so angry about spending money on it that I was determined to see it through.

The characters are mostly unlikable, and the plot is highly predictable. Paige is annoying and makes only slightly less stupid decisions than her young ward, Savannah. Even Cortez, one of the few characters I did enjoy, sometimes comes across as a caricature of himself when his unique speaking style is overdone.

The only redeeming factor of this book is the "world" elements the author has created. The war between sorcerers and witches and how magic is set up in this world are kind of interesting. With a different protagonist, I might have been more interested in following the series as it seems to be headed - with Paige creating a new coven and bringing the witches into the 21st century. I might give the series another chance, perhaps with the werewolf, Elena.

Kelley Armstrong is truly a genius. It's an arduous task to find a genius, and even more difficult to discover one who can master multiple aspects. However, she is one of them, and it's truly astonishing.

Every book she writes, regardless of the genre, never fails to amaze me with her fantastic talents of thrilling the reader through murder, supernatural craziness, heart-stopping romance, and the profound meaning of family. She can pen a Young Adult novel and manage to draw you into an ongoing series without making you regret getting involved in something so continuous.

She can also write a murder mystery in a thriller genre, and you'll find yourself captivated, dreading the turn of the page, hoping your favorite character isn't eliminated just yet. Additionally, she can create a sexy, fast-paced, paranormal romance that's still centered around the main heroine, and through her words and actions, she can make you feel sensations and think thoughts you never imagined would enter your mind.

Thoughts like "Holy crap, Batman. I didn't know that anybody could write something so fantastic, and still have you hate her the entire time."

Now, you might be thinking - get on with the review already. Well, let me tell you, there's an interesting backstory to this.

HMV, a franchise that sells CDs, DVDs, video games for any console, and now books, was having a sale on Kelley Armstrong literature. I was overjoyed. I had read the first books in the Women of the Otherworld Series and the entire YA series, Darkest Powers.

Although I loved each main heroine in each series, I wasn't keen on buying the third book in the series initially. I preferred to buy all of the Elena Micheal's books first and then maybe consider the others.

People have read the series out of order and said they had no problem catching up and enjoying the book they chose. So, I wanted to follow their lead.

However, things didn't go as planned. The first time I went to HMV with my friend, I didn't bring enough money for the sale. I had only brought $22 and spent $2 on an icecap before. I was really disappointed when I realized I could have bought two books instead.

The next day, my friend and I returned to the mall, and I bought the third book in the series, Dime Store Magic, and the sixth one with Elena, Broken. I took them home, eager to start the series, but then I had second thoughts.

Maybe I should have bought the third and fourth books first and then gone back for the fifth and sixth. I was really纠结 about it.

My internal dialogue continued like this for days until I went to the mall with my mother, who was treating my sister and me to a shopping spree. I dragged her to HMV to buy the ones I missed, only to discover that the sale had ended the day before.

I was so angry. My mother was laughing at me, and my sister was trying to stifle her giggles. I gave them an imperative look and stalked off to Coles, where I demanded my mother buy me the fourth and fifth books. After much groveling, she obliged.

Finally, I had the next four books in the series on my bookshelf, ready to be read. I picked up Dime Store Magic yesterday and flew through it, despite not being home all day. I read from ten to midnight and then put the book down, hoping to preserve the masterpiece a bit longer.

I finished it this morning, and I have to admit that it's been on my mind for quite some time now.

I'll skip a personal summary and just give you a link to the summary on Kelley Armstrong's website since this is the third book in the series and may contain spoilers. Also, my hands hurt too much to write a long condensed version.

Overall, I wasn't expecting this book to be this good. The other reviews had called it the worst in the series, but I still found it pretty amazing.

Paige Winterbourne, the American Coven Leader, has to take care of thirteen-year-old Savannah, the daughter of the most trouble-making deceased witch in Coven history, Eve Levine. It's not an easy task, especially since Savannah is only ten years younger than Paige and is constantly pestering her about the silliest things like a cell phone.

Despite their differences, the two have a great relationship. Armstrong does a great job of showing the lack of communication between them but also the love and affection they have for each other.

Lucas Cortez was a bit annoying at first, like Paige had been in Stolen, but in a cute, geeky way. He was also hot. Although the relationship development between him and Paige was a bit rushed, you could still see that they understood each other.

The thing that happened to Leah made me grimace but also smile. She was a witch with a b and actually a Volo demon. I guess some supernaturals can be both.

I missed Elena and Clay as a couple. They were so much better together. To be honest, I just liked Elena better. And bad boys suit my needs much more.

I'm still hoping that Industrial Magic is about Elena and Clay, but Paige has grown on me, and I'm eager to start her story soon.

Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong is a great read for fans of the Women of the Otherworld Series. The audience should be 14+ due to mature subjects, scenes of nudity, and suggestive content. I rate it 5/5 and highly recommend it after reading the first two books.

3.5 stars but couldn't really round it to 4

I truly enjoyed this book to a greater extent than the previous two installments. Paige is such a charming and endearing character, and it's easy to understand why so many people can relate to her.

However, I still can't bring myself to forgive Elena for running off with Clay when she returns from the impound, especially when she specifically does it to avoid Paige and tell her about her mother's death in Stolen.

I appreciate how the romance took a bit of a backseat (mostly) in this one, although it was inevitable. I'm personally getting a bit tired of book series that make romance a fundamental element in each installment. It can become repetitive and tiresome.

As much as I wanted Lucas and Paige to happen, I knew it was going to be a given. There was no悬念, and by the time they finally admitted their feelings (more physically than verbally), I was rather unimpressed. I think it would have been a better choice to save their romance for the next book, Industrial Magic. It would have added more grace and allure to the story.

Thankfully, there's no love triangle yet.

On the other hand, I feel that the author's writing style is somewhat one-dimensional. In fight scenes, sex scenes, and moments with more action, it seems like she simply lists what's happening around the characters. There's very little illustration or description, which makes the narrative seem basic and weak. I had this issue in Bitten as well, with all the filler about mundane tasks the pack accomplished, especially during mealtimes. Reading those parts was more of a chore than an enhancement of the plot.

In this particular novel, the prose does flow better, which makes for a more enjoyable read. However, I still don't feel as immersed in those moments as I do in other books. It sometimes feels more like a report than a novel, obtuse and robotic. This is a bit surprising considering the narrative is from Paige's perspective. Surely, a better use of literary techniques could have made the character, personality, and setting more vivid.

Finally, another aspect I didn't particularly like was the fact that none of the spells that Paige, Savannah, and Lucas use are mentioned until the very end. Since the book revolves around Paige teaching the other two witch spells and mentions that they are in Latin, Hebrew, and Greek, you would expect at least one or two to be described by the narrator. Armstrong's continuous avoidance of mentioning the actual spells made the book seem a bit sloppy. Repeatedly saying "she cast the spell" or "he muttered the incantation" makes each chapter even more prosaic.

But overall, I did like the book. The female characters are strong-minded and passionate. Despite the change in the storyteller, it's a great follow-up from the last book and successfully introduces a new element to this supernatural universe. I'm glad I've stuck with this series, as I'm interested in learning more about the characters, especially Savannah and Paige.

Third in the Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series, this installment takes us further into a world filled with supernatural beings and their complex lives. It began with Elena Michaels and Clayton and Jeremy Danvers, and in the second installment, Paige Winterbourne and Savannah Levine were incorporated. This particular story centers around Paige and Savannah in East Falls, Massachusetts.

The coven in East Falls is a hotbed of bigotry, pride, and fear. They are terrified of dark magic and witches not in a coven. Paige, who is slightly better than them, still has her own fears that will require an extremely patient lawyer to overcome. Through the first-person protagonist point of view, we learn how Paige hates that the covens have lost sight of their mission to regulate and help witches. The coven's self-serving fears and betrayals are truly despicable. Victoria's actions are unbelievable, and we can only hope she gets her karmic payback. Savannah's aunt is also a disappointment, doing nothing to help her.

It's not just the coven that betrays. Kristof's own people betray him, and it's his own fault for being so arrogant. Lucas is also betrayed, but he seems to expect it. The story is full of conflicts and lessons, from Paige's frustration with the witches' timidity and their refusal to stand up for each other, to the importance of not making big changes in our lives when we're grieving. There's also a bit of back history that explains the enmity between sorcerers and witches.

The story itself is filled with action and mayhem. Leah sues for custody of Savannah, setting off a string of events that please any demon who loves chaos. Paige is determined to keep custody of Savannah, no matter how threatening the coven becomes. But Savannah is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld, and Paige will have to do everything in her power to protect them both.

The characters in this story are diverse and well-developed. Paige is a strong and determined leader, but she still has room to grow. Savannah is a powerful neophyte who is coming into her own. Lucas is a sorcerer and a lawyer who adds an interesting dynamic to the story. The other characters, both in the coven and in the supernatural world, are also interesting and add depth to the story.

The cover of the book is a collage of events in a range of blues. It features an arched window, a stone wall, a woman's leg in a high-heeled sandal, and a hand holding a necklace with a pentagram pendant. The title, "Dime Store Magic," is in a simplified gothic font at the top, and the author's name is at the bottom left. The cover is eye-catching and gives a good sense of the tone of the book. Overall, this is an exciting and engaging installment in the Women of the Otherworld series.

I very much enjoyed this action-packed foray into what happens next with the witches, Paige and Savanna.

Paige, who was rather annoying in "Stolen", seemed much more likable in this installment. Her character development was quite remarkable, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story.

Lucas, on the other hand, was an absolute delight. His charm, intelligence, and quick wit made him a truly endearing character. I adored his interactions with Paige and the other characters in the series.

This series as a whole is highly entertaining and addictive. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, and the characters are so well-developed that you can't help but become invested in their lives.

I can't wait to see what happens next in the adventures of Paige and Savanna. This series has quickly become one of my favorites, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal romance or action-packed adventure.

The thing about Kelley Armstrong is truly remarkable.

While I didn't have an intense love for the main characters or even the story line in this particular work, her writing is completely captivating and her world building is simply amazing.

I find myself enthralled by her Otherwold, and I am in awe of her ability to convey so much about it to the reader without resorting to an info dump or presenting it in a mind-numbingly confusing way.

That being said, Paige has her flaws. She comes across as naive, rather boring, and slightly TSTL (too stupid to live). Savannah, on the other hand, is interesting. And as for Lucas Cortez... well, the description for Paige sort of applies here too.

The issue I have with Paige is that while she might seem like a great person to know in real life, as an urban fantasy heroine, she just doesn't measure up.

Moreover, the entire way the villains and the mystery played out seemed rather like an episode of Scooby Doo that went awry.

Even with these uninteresting characters, Armstrong still had me hooked throughout the entire novel.

Perhaps it's the ex-Catholic schoolgirl in me, but I absolutely loved all the witchy rituals, candle burning, and all that sort of thing.

I am truly in love with Armstrong's story-telling ability.

In fact, "Dime Store Magic" would have received four stars from me if it weren't for the beyond awkward sex scene between Paige and Lucas.

When I came across it, it actually made me laugh out loud for real ~ although I'm quite sure that wasn't Armstrong's intended reaction to the scene! :)

This isn't a perfect book,

but it was indeed pretty interesting.

I really liked delving deeper into the lives of Paige and Savannah,

and it was great to have a few other characters introduced as well.

The secondary romance that developed between Paige and Lucas was something I thoroughly enjoyed.

It added an extra layer of complexity and charm to the story.

However, I must admit that I did miss Elana a little bit.

Her presence was felt, even though she wasn't as prominent in this particular installment.

Overall, despite its imperfections, the book managed to keep my attention and made me eager to see what would happen next in the lives of these characters.

I'm looking forward to reading more about them in future installments.