I haven't yet delved into Armstrong's "Bitten" or "Stolen", so I had to pay extremely close attention to the initial few chapters. This was necessary to get a sense of this world, to figure out who each character was and what their connection was to the current story. However, now that I've managed to figure out most of it, the pages are turning rapidly. Paige is tough, gutsy, and yet vulnerable too. I'm really enjoying the gore, the suspense, the wise-cracking humor, and the tension (both sexual and otherwise). It kind of reminds me of the very early works of Laurell K. Hamilton, before she became so obsessed with sex that a coherent plot seemed no longer possible.

The action is almost non-stop, and the portrayal of the secret world of witches and cabals operating behind the scenes in the modern world is well-executed and offers a nice perspective. The fact that they have to conceal their abilities from ordinary people is a nice touch and adds an element of realism to the plot. However, I'm a bit irritated with the author for taking such blatant pleasure in making fun of modern-day Wiccans in the "They Aren't Naked, they're Skyclad" chapter. Her depiction of Wiccans seems a bit crazy and stereotypical.

This was an enjoyable read, featuring some great action, humor, romance, and characterization. But at times, I feel like I'm missing something when past events are mentioned in passing, and perhaps I should have read this series in order.

Bits of interest are interspersed with long stretches of boredom throughout the story.

It's not until the last few chapters that the excitement truly kicks in.

Paige, who is supposed to be the American coven leader, is amazingly inept.

She fails to cast a single decent spell for the majority of the time.

In fact, it's not until the very end that she manages to cast just one spell.

This lack of competence from the supposed leader really doesn't make sense.

It leaves the reader wondering how she could have held such an important position in the first place.

The inconsistent portrayal of Paige's abilities detracts from the overall credibility of the story.

Perhaps a more competent leader would have made for a more engaging and believable narrative.

As it stands, the reader is left feeling somewhat disappointed by Paige's lackluster performance.

The best part of reading this book was engaging in a buddy read with the MacHalo group.

If you're seeking a fun and active reading community, this is the one to join. They may not be crazy, but they do push the boundaries quite hard. You can even get away with minimal participation, like I did, and still be a content member.

Now, let's move on from the commercial.

This book centers around a witch named Paige, who has custody of a seriously bratty teenager with powerful magic. Rebellious, bratty kids with the ability to hex adults is a recipe for disaster, as we discover multiple times when her little spells lead to significant bloodshed.

However, there are others who desire the bratty teen-witch for their own purposes and are suing Paige for custody. Yes, this book is a custody battle, complete with all the elements you'd expect in a legal battle: lying, scheming, murder, mayhem, zombies, and worst of all - lawyers.

For the first part of the book, I seriously questioned whether I could make it through. There were summons, legal maneuvering, and depositions, which gave me the same feeling as when we were excited about the Star Wars prequels and then had to endure two hours of senate meetings.

Thankfully, this wasn't a typical legal battle. There was a whole lot more killing going on, so it wasn't overly boring, just a bit dull.

Our heroine meets her hero in the form of a young lawyer who will assist her. She describes him as looking bland, the kind of person you see and forget a minute later. His personality is also rather bland. He's the type who won't laugh at a joke but will point out the scientific errors in it and tell you when it's appropriate to use the word "whom". Stand back, ladies, he's taken!

Much like Dwight, this guy grows on you. He's always there for Paige when she needs him and is very steady in every way. I know, I know, your ovaries might be quivering, but as I said, he's already spoken for. You missed your chance.

Overall, when it came to rating this book, I was hovering over the stars. When the two-star rating of "it was okay" appeared, it perfectly captured my complex feelings about the book. It's like it was a mind-reader or something.

Will I read the next one? Maybe, if it's with the group. No, if it depends on my own motivation to read it.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I had the impression that this book was centered around depicting how brave and affectionate Paige is as a young "step"mother.

Is she flawless?

Definitely not. She makes errors, but she grows stronger with each encounter. The reader can observe how Paige matures into the mother that Savannah requires through her endeavors and also becomes a more powerful witch.

I liked the reading experience; nevertheless, there were an excessive number of unfortunate disasters occurring around Savannah/Paige. I would have preferred fewer disasters and a greater emphasis on Savannah's menses rather than the continuous chaos one after another.

This way, the story could have delved deeper into the relationship between Paige and Savannah during this significant time in Savannah's life. It might have added more depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.

Overall, despite the abundance of disasters, the book still managed to capture my attention and make me invested in the characters' lives.

When I first realized that the series had deviated from Elena and the werewolves, I was somewhat skeptical. After reading the second book, my affection for Elena had waned a little, and I wasn't overly concerned about moving away from her for a while.

Following Paige's story wouldn't have been my initial choice, as she was quite irritating in the previous book. However, this installment delves deeper into her character, and she turns out to be much cooler than I initially thought.

Not only has she taken the teenage witch Savannah under her wing, but she is also the leader of a coven of crusty old witches who prefer to hide rather than stand up for anything.

Then, she finds herself being targeted by half-demons and sorcerers who claim family connections with Savannah, and she has a battle on her hands!

Enter the charming Cortez, and things start to get really interesting! This brings the series back up to par after the last book. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next one!

REREAD 2022

I still find this book to be a bit of a jumble and rather lacking when compared to the others in the series, as well as what I've come to anticipate from Armstrong. There are indeed quite a few cool scenes, but it feels disjointed and artificial. I often found myself zoning out while listening because I was simply bored.

I must admit that I'm contemplating lowering the rating to 1/5 stars, yet I won't do so. After all, it is still well-written, and there are aspects that I do like.

One aspect that I don't believe I addressed in my previous review is how Lucas undergoes a personality change. The sex scene and romance seem very forced, as if the book must have a sex scene to be considered appropriate for the genre, which is truly a pity! While I understand that one can wear a mask and act tough or cold until they feel safe enough to be themselves, the transformation in Lucas is a complete 180, and it throws me off every time.

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REREAD 2020

Paige was never my favorite among the Women of the Otherworld. In fact, she was my least favorite. I'm not sure if it was her dislike of Elena in Stolen or just her as a character in general, but I have no affection for her or her story. However, I really do like Savannah, and I'm invested in HER story, so I have to endure Paige's as well.

This book is rather weak compared to the two previous ones in the series. Although the custody battle storyline is interesting and original - not a common premise in UF - it does drag on a bit, and many of the early events seem random and merely there to add filler and content. It seems as if Armstrong had an idea for the ending and where she wanted the story to go, but she wasn't quite sure how to get there, so she floundered a lot.

The characters are distinct enough, and in that regard, they are good. But as I mentioned earlier, I don't care for Paige at all. She is entitled and spoiled, and doesn't know how to react when things go her way. This reminds me of many people I know and don't like, so perhaps that explains it?

Savannah behaves understandably for a 13-year-old who has been through what she has, although she is entitled in a completely different way that I don't like.

The only character who isn't entitled is Lucas, and he really should be, which is ironic.

I know a lot of people say he's bland and lacking in personality, but I have to disagree. He reminds me a great deal of one of my best friends. There is personality there, just not what one would expect from the love interest in an UF. I actually quite like that about him.

If my memory serves me correctly, the next book is somewhat better - at least I hope so - and then I'll be done with Paige's books. Unfortunately, they are a necessary evil of rereading this series :P

Also, I listened to this as an audiobook. The narrator, Laural Merlington, mostly did a good job. However, when the author wrote "he/she laughed," the narrator actually forced a laugh, and it was so cringe-worthy that I considered stopping the book every time it happened. Ha. Ha. Ha. Hah. I swear. It was terrible.

New rating: 2/5 stars

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Original rating: 4/5 stars

This rating was given when I first started using Goodreads, and it had been some time since I last read the book. Even then, I remembered it as my least favorite, but I didn't recall to what extent I didn't like it, and so I gave it a high rating, as it seemed appropriate at the time.

I absolutely love a good magical witchy book.

This particular one has it all. It's the third book in the series and it doesn't disappoint.

The story is filled with enchanting spells, mysterious potions, and captivating characters.

As I turn the pages, I'm drawn into a world of magic and wonder.

The author's vivid descriptions bring the settings to life, making me feel as if I'm right there with the witches.

The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I can't wait to see what happens next in this magical adventure.

Overall, this is a great book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a bit of magic and mystery.

I noticed that a lot of people did not like this book.

Interestingly, it was often compared to the first two books of the series, Bitten and Stolen, which featured Clay and Elena.

However, I don't think such a comparison is fair. These books are almost like a separate series. They simply involve people who know each other.

Personally, I have to say that I really did like the book. I read it without constantly thinking about Clay and Elena, even though Bitten was one of my favorite books.

The characters in this book were, in my opinion, good and solid. The story was also interesting, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

Moreover, I really liked Paige and Lucas as a couple. What's more, I appreciated that their relationship did not overly dominate the story. It was a refreshing change.

Overall, I believe this book has its own merits and should not be judged solely based on its comparison to the previous books in the series.

I genuinely enjoyed it.

To my surprise, it deviated from what we were familiar with and loved, which was related to Elana and her crew. Instead, it immersed us in the story with Paige.

It was a great experience. Now, without even glancing at the synopsis, I'm eager to pick up the next book.

I'm curious to know who the next book will be about. Will it continue Paige's story? Or will it introduce a new character and take us on a different adventure?

I can't wait to find out. The anticipation is killing me.

I have a feeling that the next book will be just as exciting and engaging as this one.

So, here I go, off to start the next book and see where this journey takes me.

Hello Paige, Savannah and Lucas!!

One of the main reasons I have an intense love for Kelley Armstrong's books is that she doesn't overly focus on the aspect of sex. Certainly, I enjoy reading about sex just like any other girl. However, in some paranormal series, the books end up being nothing more than a collection of sex scenes with a few fragmented pieces of plot haphazardly thrown in. In contrast, Kelley Armstrong's books possess an AMAZING plot. Granted, there is sex in them, but it's not the sole element that the book has to offer. Moreover, Kelley always manages to make her sex scenes interesting and unique, never the same old repetitive ones.

Lucas and Paige's relationship is truly brilliant. It takes an incredibly long time for it to unfold, and when it finally does, you can't help but feel a sense of great pleasure. For some inexplicable reason, I can never envision Lucas physically, yet he is such a hilarious character. He is so solid, so businesslike, and so... polite.

And then there's Savannah - oh, what a typical teenager. I definitely don't envy Paige one bit. Savannah says some outrageously hilarious things in this book. I love her straightforward logic, free from all the complicated adult crap that we all have to constantly think about. I also take great pleasure in observing the development of her relationship with Paige. From Paige's perspective, it must be extremely difficult to be the guardian of someone who was not only raised by a dark witch but also outstrips her in power by a significant margin. And Savannah, despite being so powerful, still retains her individuality.

This is truly a beautiful story that you simply can't turn the pages fast enough.

In this part of the series, Paige Winterbourne has the custody of Savannah, a 13-year-old powerful witch.

Anyone who is familiar with 13-year-olds understands that this is a challenging task on its own. And when you add the fact that Savannah is a witch, Paige will have to be an extremely strong woman.

Savannah's mother was a very powerful dark witch, and many people were afraid of her. Her father is believed to be a half-demon, but they are not certain which one. If you have read book #2 in the series, then you know who Leah is. She makes another appearance in this book. Leah is, as usual, working for the bad guys, and they want Savannah just as Leah wanted before. Now Paige is in real trouble with the Coven because of all the trouble that Leah is causing, even though none of it is Paige's fault. Paige is seeking some kind of support from the Coven, but none is given. Instead, they turn their backs on Paige and give her an ultimatum: turn Savannah over to the bad guys and end the trouble, or she will be banished from the Coven altogether.

Paige now has to rely on the only person who is trying to help her, Lucas. The main problem with Lucas is that he is a sorcerer. Sorcerers and witches are usually on opposing sides. The real question is, can Paige trust Lucas? Follow along this adventure filled with lots of action as Paige, Lucas, and Savannah's story unfolds.

I did not think highly of Paige's character in Book #2 as she came across as snotty. However, I like that you can see more of her story here. You see her more grown up after what happened with her mother. You witness her strength and her willingness to overcome difficulties. You also observe her love for Savannah despite the problems in their relationship and their closeness in age.

About 18 hours ago, I completed writing my review for Bitten (Book 1), and at that time, I was on the verge of discarding the entire series. I was truly disappointed. However, here I am now, 18 hours later, awarding a 4-star rating to Book 3. I chose to skip Book 2 because I simply couldn't stand Elena and her tiresome whining. But I decided to give the Women of the Underworld series a second chance, and I'm extremely glad I did! Although I was a bit confused at times, especially during the initial few chapters, I ultimately found myself thoroughly enjoying Paige's book.

Elena and Paige were polar opposites. Elena was the typical Mary-Sue, believing she was the most special woman in the world. She was presented with every amazing opportunity on a silver platter, yet she would reject them and then throw a tantrum, crying about how "poor me." Meanwhile, 7 attractive guys would rush to coddle her. She was selfish, shallow, and completely unlikable. On the other hand, Paige was what I would consider a strong female lead. She wasn't a Rambo or an emotionless killer. She was just an average girl with witchy powers who constantly faced setbacks, betrayals, and disrespect. But despite all that, she never ran away, even when she was lost or scared. She stood up for her loved ones. Sure, she had her fair share of fears and limitations. She wasn't the strongest or the prettiest, but she continuously pushed herself. And that's precisely what made her special to me.

As for Lucas, he was a refreshing lead. He didn't strut around half-naked, defeating the world's evils with his chest hair. Instead, he was geeky and a little lost, but he fought for a better world, even if it meant putting himself in harm's way. I'm excited to begin Book 4, which still features Lucas and Paige. However, I'm a bit cautious about the rest of the series. I feel like Kelly Armstrong has already introduced both the best and worst kinds of heroines, so I'm hoping that all future ones will at least be likable.