The Good

I really relished in observing Paige's life gradually descend into chaos. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a sadist. It's just that the drama was so comical in a strange way. Absolutely nothing seemed to go her way, and everyone appeared to be firmly against her. Then, when you throw a reckless and powerful teenager like Savannah into the mix, the situation only deteriorates further. Savannah was a truly fascinating character. She was naive and audacious, yet despite her past and family ties, she was striving to be good. In fact, she was the main cause of Paige's new and disastrous life. Leah, who was supposedly Savannah's father, desired full custody of his daughter. However, Paige had a hunch that something was amiss with him. And she was spot-on. Leah and his numerous underlings were quite terrifying. With just a single phone call or a flick of a finger, they could inflict real harm. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the time, eagerly anticipating how Paige would manage to prevail against such an evil and powerful adversary.

Watching Paige and Lucas constantly butting heads was rather entertaining. I liked how Lucas simply inserted himself into Paige's life with very little explanation. Their back-and-forth exchanges and constant bickering were uproariously funny. Overall, I found their relationship to be quite adorable.

Armstrong truly went above and beyond when it came to the history and background of magic, witches, and sorcery. I've always found an author's unique take on supernatural elements to be utterly captivating to read. I believe Armstrong did an excellent job with her rich and descriptive writing. Her world-building was flawless and easily understandable. She didn't complicate things unnecessarily. She clearly knew what she was doing.

The Bad

The first half of the book struggled to hold my attention. It took an eternity to get to the real action and supernatural events. I have no interest in reading about ordinary, everyday occurrences. I found it extremely easy to put the book down.

Paige was a somewhat lackluster character. She was naive, rude, and irritating. I didn't really care much about what happened to her. While Savannah might have been a bit of a brat, at least she had the excuse of being only thirteen years old.

The Snuggly

We get one sex scene that focuses more on foreplay than actual intercourse. The romance between Paige and Lucas developed slowly but lacked the passion that I was hoping for.

Overall

If it weren't for Armstrong's amazing first two books, Bitten and Stolen, perhaps I would have had a greater appreciation for this book. However, when compared to them, Dime Store Magic just didn't quite hit the mark. Nevertheless, I can't deny that the book did improve significantly halfway through. It is recommended for those who wish to continue this series and need to be introduced to Savannah in order to understand the rest of the story.

Quote

"Mind if I give you hiccups?" I asked Cortez.

"What?"

"Hiccups. I need to give you a case of hiccups. Is that okay?"

"I can't say I've ever had a girl offer to give me that."

Dual Review: Dime Store Magic & Industrial Magic

It took me an incredibly long time to finally continue this series with Dime Store Magic. I adored Bitten and Stolen, but I was a bit disappointed when I learned that the series would now follow different characters. My initial thought was, "Well, if continuing feels like starting a new series, it doesn't matter when I read them." For the most part, that was true. The story in books 3 and 4 focuses on Paige and her involvement in the witch and sorcerer communities. Elena's story becomes a footnote, and werewolves take a backseat to other supernatural beings. However, it does tie back to Stolen, but more in a spin-off kind of way.

To be honest, I didn't hate it. I think I can understand what Armstrong is trying to do with the series, and I find myself more in the mood nowadays to appreciate a series that takes a bit longer to reach the payoff. What it has going for it are interesting and sassy female characters. Paige, in particular, is one of the most relatable urban fantasy leads I've come across, although she can be a bit typical at times. The mysteries are good, the romance is engaging, and the writing is so immersive that you can really lose yourself in the story. The story components may not be earth-shattering, but I'm really excited about where I think it's headed and can't wait to see how some potential plot points play out.

Dime Store Magic offered a great relationship between Paige and Savannah, similar to that of Kate Daniels and Julie. It also had a lot of excellent witchy moments, including supernatural spell casting and other creepy stuff. The romance was decently organic, which I always appreciate. By the time I finished this book, I was genuinely excited to see where the story would go next. In fact, I picked up Industrial Magic within a couple of weeks, which is quite unusual for me.

Industrial Magic was less about Paige's relationships and more about the politics and dynamics within the witch and sorcerer communities, with a touch of necromancer and vampire thrown in. It expanded the plot sufficiently for me, even though the story took a different direction than I was expecting. It was much more inclusive of other supernatural groups, which made the whole world feel more robust and well-developed. The more I read, the more I appreciate how Armstrong is writing this series.

Overall, comparing books 3 and 4 to 1 and 2 is like comparing apples to oranges. They're both fruit in the same basket, but the reading experience is vastly different. Elena's story was more carnal and sensory, while Paige's is more thoughtful and conceptual. Armstrong did a great job adapting her storytelling to both of these unique perspectives, but I can see why some readers might complain about a decline in quality. They say the apples aren't as good, but I think that's because they bit into an orange when they were expecting an apple.

Recommendations: I personally believe there's more than one type of urban fantasy, and books 3 and 4 strike a very different note than books 1 and 2, as discussed above. As someone who enjoys most types, I'd recommend both as long as you're prepared for the change. These books haven't yet made it to the top of my urban fantasy list, but they're making a very compelling and entertaining case. :)

Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com

Other books you might like:

  


  


  


  


  

★★½

Dime Store Magic is the third installment in Kelley Armstrong's urban fantasy series titled Women of the Otherworld. I was truly enamored with the shifter characters in the first two books, Bitten and Stolen. In Stolen, while I tolerated the introduction of witches and their gradual takeover of the plot, it was still within my acceptance range. However, now in the third book, the shifters seem to be completely absent. This story focuses solely on the witches. As the only reason I follow this series is for the shifter pack, I'm not a happy camper at the moment.

However...

Even though I'm inclined to throw a full-blown temper tantrum, I have to admit that Dime Store Magic wasn't a terrible book. I almost wish it was so I could have a legitimate reason to hate it. But to be honest, the story was rather engaging. Needless to say, I didn't have much affection for the characters at all. If this series continues to center around the witches, I may have to seriously consider dropping it. So, please tell me that Elena, Clay, Jeremy, and the rest of the shifter family will be making a comeback...pretty please!!!!

My favorite quote:

"She threw open her arms, embraced me, planted a kiss on my lips, then another on my left breast. I yelped...I grabbed the nearest discarded robe. "Could you please put this-- Could you all put these-- Could you get dressed, please?" The woman only bestowed a serene smile on me. "We are as the Goddess requires." "The Goddess requires you to be naked on my lawn?" "We aren't naked child, we're skyclad."..."That's --uh--very-- I mean--" I stammered. Be polite, I reminded myself. Witches should respect Wiccans, even if we didn't quite get the whole Goddesss-Worship thing. I knew some Wiccans, and they were very nice people, though I must admit they'd never arrived in my backyard naked and kissed my tits before.”

*** 4.25 ***

This particular installment was far more enjoyable than I had recalled. It truly was a pleasant surprise. You see, the first book in this series was rather challenging to get through. However, as I delved into the second and third books, I found myself increasingly drawn in. It seems that the author is also evolving, which is great

I did a re-read of Dime Store Magic for one of my 2015 reading challenges. I can't believe that it's already been ten years since I first read this book.

After the events of Stolen, Paige Winterbourne has taken in thirteen-year-old Savannah Levine whose mother recently died. Savannah is a powerful witch for her age, but impulsive. It's a dangerous combination that has the Nast Cabal (the supernatural equivalent of the mafia) tearing Paige's life apart in a bid for custody. As her life continues to crumble around her, Paige is forced to accept assistance from Lucas Cortez, a young lawyer with his own motives for helping.

I decided to read Dime Store Magic again because I didn't give Paige a fair shot the first time around. When I first read this, it was immediately after devouring the first two books in the series, which feature werewolf Elena Michaels. I had adored Elena and wasn't excited to discover that the next book's narrator was going to be the twenty-something witch from Stolen. (Especially, since I hadn't cared for Paige in that story.) While I had ended up enjoying Dime Store Magic on my first reading, I still thought Paige was a little lackluster. It wasn't until later in the series that I got into her and Lucas, as characters. So, I'm glad I did a re-read as I was able to appreciate them more this time around.

The most interesting thing about going back to this book was seeing just how far Armstrong has come with her characters and the world. There were several moments in the story where I thought Paige, Lucas, and the ideas behind witches were rather shaky and clichéd. It felt like Armstrong wasn't sure where she wanted to take the characters at this point in the series. Despite this, I still enjoyed the book enough that I might also re-read Industrial Magic.

Overall, my grade for this book didn't change. I would recommend Dime Store Magic to fans of the series, but I don't think I would suggest you start off with this book. If you're looking to get into the Women of the Otherworld series, I would suggest starting out with Bitten.

DIME STORE MAGIC by Kelley Armstrong is the third installment in her Women of the Otherworld series. It offers a departure from the werewolf theme as it centers on Paige Winterbourne, first seen in Stolen. After her mother's passing, Paige becomes the Coven leader, and to make things more complex, she is now the guardian of Savannah Levine, a young witch yet to fully develop her powers. When Paige's position within the Coven is challenged and she is ousted, she must figure out a way to safeguard both herself and Savannah. However, it's a matter of paternity raised by the Nast Cabal that thrusts Paige into a life intertwined with the Cabals and Lucas Cortez.

Kristof Nast desires custody of the young witch. Paige is concerned that if the Cabals get their hands on Savannah, she will be trained for their purposes and drawn into a world of sorcery, witchcraft, and death. The situation becomes even more convoluted when Kristof reveals that he is Savannah's biological father, adding more fuel to the Nast Cabal custody battle.

Lucas Cortez, a sorcerer and the bastard son and heir to the head of the Cortez Cabal, has given up all claims to that life. But as a young lawyer, he willingly offers to assist Paige in her custody battle against the Nast Cabal. The problem is that the relationship between the Nast and Cortez Cabals is far from amicable. Now Paige and Savannah are stuck in the middle of a custody battle that will ultimately result in the death of a powerful sorcerer and a young witch mourning the loss of her parents.

Dime Store Magic wasn't my favorite storyline, but it wasn't my least favorite either. I believe it was essential as it introduced the Nast and Cortez Cabals, along with several new characters who will continue to appear in Kelley's series. Kelley has a magical ability to incorporate many of her characters into different storylines, whether through a phone call or a simple reference.

Read all of my reviews at: thereadingcafe.com

Well, it was indeed better than the first two.

However, the middle part was a bit of a letdown as it was rather boring.

The continuous stream of incidents one after another started to feel tiresome and excessive.

It seemed as if there was an overabundance of events being piled up without much thought for pacing or variety.

On the positive side, Lucas was a great addition to the cast of characters.

His presence brought a new dynamic and added an interesting layer to the story.

He had his own unique qualities and personality traits that made him stand out.

Overall, while the middle section needed some improvement, the addition of Lucas gave hope for the future development of the story.

It will be interesting to see how his character evolves and what role he will play in the upcoming events.

Perhaps with some adjustments to the pacing and a more focused narrative, the story could reach even greater heights.

I don't know why Kelley's writing always surprises me.

Every time I pick up the book, I am completely engulfed in the story.

I find myself unable to put it down, lost in the world that Kelley has created.

I don't know if I can find any flaws in the book. At the moment, I can't think of any. But it's not that I'm trying to find flaws. I'm just going for an honest review!

As much as I dislike the series being so long, I'm over the moon with every book I've read so far.

The characters are well-developed, the plot is engaging, and the writing is excellent.

I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book and how the story will unfold.

Kelley has truly created a masterpiece with this series, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

If only Savannah hadn't been a total brat. She was constantly causing trouble and being difficult. Paige, on the other hand, was quite likeable. She had a charming personality and was easy to get along with. However, I really struggled with Lucas Cortez. What a wimp! He seemed so weak and indecisive throughout the story.

Despite these character flaws, the story itself was fun. It had its moments of excitement and adventure that kept me engaged. There were some interesting plot twists that added to the overall enjoyment.

Although I had my issues with certain characters, I still found myself entertained by the story. It was a light-hearted read that didn't require too much thought. I'm not sure if I would recommend it to everyone, but if you're looking for a quick and easy story to pass the time, it might be worth checking out.

Dime Store Magic was my first encounter with Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, which is told in the first person by different female characters. In this particular book, it's Paige, a witch, who takes us through her story. Even though I hadn't read the two previous books, Bitten and Stolen, I didn't feel confused or lost. However, it's important to note that if you start with this book, you will come across spoilers for the earlier ones.

This book and the next one that focus on Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortes are my absolute favorites. Maybe it's due to early imprinting, but those two characters hold a special place in my heart. I find them more appealing than the central couple in the first book. I really enjoyed experiencing the action from Paige's perspective. Her voice is refreshing compared to the often smart-ass female first person voices in urban fantasy.

The supernatural world that Armstrong has created in this series is truly captivating. And Dime Store Magic is a great read with an engaging heroine. It may not be a great fantasy classic like Lord of the Rings or Good Omens, but it's ranked five stars by me because it's a genuine favorite. It's the kind of book that you love because the characters feel like good friends.

Paige is the official, yet not respected leader of the American Coven of Witches. She obtained this title through rather unfortunate events as detailed in Stolen. This is how a 23-year-old Paige became the guardian of Savannah, an orphaned and rebellious tween witch. When powerful forces within the supernatural community attempt to use the human system of law to claim her charge, her only option might be Lucas, her natural enemy, but a lawyer well-versed in these kinds of games.

I'm currently rereading the Women Of The Otherworld \\n  \\n series, and Dime Store Magic introduced my favorite story arcs: witches vs. sorcerers. In fact, I raised this book's original star rating this time around. I adored all the action-packed scenes, the slow build of the relationship, and the new twist on the battle of the sexes trope. There are no cliched elements here.

Normally, I'm not a fan of beta heroes, but Lucas is the exception to that rule. He is also described as a real-world, attractive, but not overly gorgeous guy. The author did an excellent job of transforming this geek into book boyfriend material.

In the third installment of her captivating Women of the Otherworld series, Armstrong skillfully centers her narrative around Paige, the new and youthful head of the Coven. Paige not only shoulders the responsibility of leading the Coven but also endeavors to raise Savannah, whom she, Elena, and the others valiantly rescued in the previous book. Paige has a vision of bringing the Coven into the modern era, but she faces significant opposition from the older members, who resist her every attempt at change.

Enter Leah, the half-demon we were introduced to in the last book. Leah is collaborating with Savannah's father in an effort to gain custody of the young girl. To make matters worse, Leah devises a devious plan to frame Paige for murder. The resulting publicity snowballs into a modern-day witch hunt, putting Paige in a perilous situation.

Just when things seem dire, Lucas Cortez, a lawyer and sorcerer, enters the scene. His arrival adds a new layer of complexity and excitement to the story, as the relationship between Paige and Lucas begins to heat up. This book is a thrilling read, filled with mystery, romance, and plenty of adventure. I am eagerly anticipating the release of the fourth book in this enthralling series!