3.5 stars rounded to 4

This book is truly my favorite up until now. It managed to maintain my interest throughout a significant portion of it by providing a more in-depth exploration of other races and the intricate politics surrounding the Cabal. What impressed me the most was Armstrong's perception of the Afterlife exclusive to the supernaturals and how the Fates controlled and mastered it. I absolutely adore how she weaves deities from diverse cultures and historical periods into her plot. The character of Esus, however, was a bit too comical for my liking. Humanizing a "God" in such a way felt a little unoriginal, and his personality seemed too similar to every other character in the book. Nevertheless, I loved how she incorporated Pagan/Celtic spirits into this universe. Ancient European beliefs (pre-Christian) are something I haven't encountered in a contemporary fantasy series before, and I didn't realize how much I craved it until I read this book. I truly love it.

However, I do have one major criticism. Like Clayton and Cassandra are portrayed as abrasive, arrogant, and selfish individuals, but everyone seems to go to great lengths to gain Clayton's approval simply because he is oh, sooooooo attractive, mysterious, stunning, and perfect and blah blah blah. But Cassandra? Well, she's just a heartless bitch who only cares about herself. Sure, Clayton looks out for his Pact, but Cassandra has also expressed concern for the well-being of vampires over "the cause". I despise this double standard. It's like that whole "boys will be boys" mentality, but as soon as you have an assertive female character - oh no, she's just bossy.

Another concern I have regarding Clayton's character is the possessiveness that is simply brushed off as an overwhelming amount of care, instinct, and love he feels for Elena. As if it's completely healthy and romantic, and something to strive for in a partner. In this particular novel, Elena is having a conversation with Paige in a hotel room, and Elena remarks about how Clayton gets very strange and jealous when it comes to her having friends.

\\n  "[Paige]'As for Clay not wanting you to have friends, I know he's like that, and I know why, so you don't need to worry about it... not that I thought he was abusive or anything, but he's, uh, extremely committed-'
[Elena]'Obsessive... I told him about the idea we had, for the ski trip this winter? He flipped. Then I said it'd be the four of us, not just you and me, and he simmered down... that's the trick, I think. Suggest something he'll hate, then offer a less painful alternative.'"\\n

Elena does mention that they are working on him respecting her privacy, but in the real world, if a friend were to tell me how their boyfriend, whom they loved deeply, wanted to isolate them from the community for any reason, I would tell them to leave, cry, and get over that jealous jerk. Not controlling your partner is something you should figure out on your own, love. Just to be clear to anyone who wants to read the Women of the Otherworld series, or any young adult fiction for that matter, POSSESSIVE, CONTROLLING, AND JEALOUS BEHAVIOR IS NOT ROMANTIC OR IDEALISTIC, IT IS say it with me now A B U S I V E. Maybe it's just because I don't like Clay, but I couldn't not mention it. I could list numerous franchises that try to make this behavior acceptable, but it needs to stop.

I think that's why I didn't like Bitten as much, because of him. However, as this series progresses, I am beginning to love it more and more. Armstrong's talent as a novelist is becoming increasingly evident with each book, and I believe she has a genuine gift for world-building. Her research and attention to detail are starting to shine through, and I am completely falling for it. I love Paige so much, and I hope there are more books that feature her as the main character. I also love Lucas's dad - I hope he is included more as well.

When will Paige and Lucas have a baby? They NEED to have a baby.

Dual Review: Dime Store Magic & Industrial Magic

It took me an extremely long time to finally continue this series with Dime Store Magic. I had adored Bitten and Stolen, but was a bit resentful 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 connection to the witch and sorcerer communities. Elena's story becomes a side note, and werewolves take a backseat to other supernatural beings. It does have some ties to Stolen, but more in a spin-off sense.

I have to admit - I didn't hate it. I can see what Armstrong is attempting to do with the series. Nowadays, I'm more in the mood to appreciate a series that takes a while to reach the payoff. What it has going for it are interesting and sassy female characters. Paige is one of the most relatable urban fantasy leads I've encountered, even if she's a bit typical. There are good mysteries, romance, and writing that can truly draw you in. The story components weren't revolutionary, but I'm excited about where I think it's headed and look forward to seeing how certain plot points develop.

Dime Store Magic offered a great relationship between Paige and Savannah, similar to that of Kate Daniels and Julie. It also had many excellent witchy moments, including supernatural spell casting and other creepy elements. The romance was decently organic, which I always appreciate. I finished this book feeling 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. It expanded the plot enough for me, even though the story took a different turn than I expected. It was more inclusive of other supernatural groups, making 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 still in the same genre basket, but the reading experience is very different. Elena's story was more primal and sensory, while Paige's is more thoughtful and conceptual. Armstrong did a great job adapting her storytelling to these two unique perspectives. However, I can understand why some readers might complain about a decline in quality. They might say the apples aren't as good, but I think that's because they were expecting an apple and bit into an orange instead.

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

Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com

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Wow, Kelley's books just keep getting better and better.

In this installment of the Otherworld series, which also features Paige as narrator as Dime Store Magic did, Paige and Lucas embark on a thrilling journey across the US. They are hunting a murdering villain whose cruel targets are the children of the Cabal.

New and interesting characters are introduced, adding more depth and excitement to the story. The action unfolds at a good pace, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Right up until the end, you're left wondering what will happen next, eagerly turning the pages.

The only drawback, if you can call it that, is that Kelley's writing style is so captivating that you just don't want to put the book down. This means that I tend to get very little sleep when I'm reading one of her books! :)

I'm really looking forward to Haunted, book 5 of the Otherworld series. It features Eve as the narrator and is due to be released in the US in June 2005.

If you haven't yet read any of Kelley's books, you have no idea what you're missing. Her stories are filled with adventure, mystery, and engaging characters that will draw you in and keep you hooked from start to finish.

I truly like Lucas. He has this certain charm that always manages to catch my attention. However, when it comes to his relationship with Paige, I just can't help but feel that it is so incredibly boring.

Their interactions seem to lack that spark and excitement that I expect from a romantic relationship. It's almost as if they are going through the motions without any real passion or depth.

I keep hoping that something will happen to spice things up between them, but so far, it's been the same old, same old. Maybe they need to have more adventures together or face some challenges that will test their love.

Until then, I'll continue to like Lucas, but I'll be waiting for his relationship with Paige to become more interesting.

Kelley Armstrong’s paranormal mysteries are truly some of my absolute favorites.

Ms. Armstrong has an uncanny ability to craft supernatural characters that, despite their extraordinary powers, are incredibly human and easy to empathize with.

Take Lucas and Paige, for example. They are a couple deeply in love, but their relationship is complicated by the fact that they belong to different supernatural groups with a long history of mutual intolerance.

Lucas is a sorcerer, and Paige is a witch. His family, the powerful Cortez Cabal, is particularly opposed to their union, especially since Lucas is the heir apparent.

When teens from Cabal families start turning up dead, Lucas’ father reluctantly asks him for help and even includes Paige as his partner.

As the body count rises, the two enlist the services of a necromancer in an attempt to gather clues from the victims.

Soon, a diverse cast of characters, including sorcerers, witches, necromancers, vampires, and werewolves, becomes involved in the search for the killer.

A suspect is eventually identified, but tracking them down and capturing them proves to be a difficult task that requires all of Lucas and Paige’s resources.

Without giving away any spoilers, this is simply a great private eye story that had me completely engrossed in my iPad.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series. I’m already looking forward to reading them all.

My Review:

Many of my long-time blog readers are aware that I have a deep affection for Canadian author Kelley Armstrong's highly popular 'Women of the Underworld' series. Ms Armstrong truly excels at creating strong female supernatural characters. When you combine this with great suspense, a touch of non-cheesy romance, and a cast of truly interesting and unique individuals, it's a formula for success.

There are few books that I'm eager to re-read or purchase for my home library after already reading them, but this series is an exception. In fact, this was my third time reading 'Industrial Magic', and I found that I actually enjoyed it even more this time around. The second time I read it, I was still longing for more of Clay and Elena, the werewolf couple whom I adored from the first two books. However, this time I focused more on Paige and Lucas, and I really enjoyed seeing things from their perspective.

As in her previous books, Armstrong's characters make appearances in other installments, and I love how seamlessly this is done. Once again, Armstrong draws her readers into her unique world of supernaturals living among us, but this time the focus is on witches and the evil Cabals (think of them as the magical mafia). At the center of this book, there's a solid mystery surrounding the murders of Cabal youth, but the reader also gets a deeper look into Lucas' extended family and all the baggage that comes with it.

Overall, this is a great addition to the 'Women of the Underworld' series. I recently bought my own copy of 'Haunted' (the fifth book in the series) and can't wait to start reading it soon to remind myself of Eve Levine's role in this unique supernatural world.

If you haven't picked up this series yet, I highly recommend that you do. Start with 'Bitten' and read them in order. There's currently a TV series available on the Space channel that is loosely based on 'Bitten'. I love that it's being filmed in Toronto and Cambridge, Ontario! The TV series is great, but of course, the book is even better.

My Review: 4/5 stars

**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favorite recipes. **

First published in 2004, the author is a Caucasian cis female from Canada.

The driver swung the SUV into the park and dowsed the lights. The term "dowsing" has an interesting origin and multiple meanings. It's a technique for finding underground water, minerals, etc. by observing a pointer or pendulum. Here, the use of "dowse" instead of "douse" seems a bit odd as it's in a fantasy novel with characters of uncertain species who may have magical abilities. The novel also has other curious word choices, like "ward" which has a traditional meaning but also refers to magical protection.

The story is set around October 2001, and there are various details that add to the atmosphere. The characters have their quirks and flaws, such as Paige's disdain for Wiccans. The plot has its moments of action and mystery, like the investigation into strange happenings. However, there are also some aspects that seem a bit off or could be improved.

Overall, the book was an okay read. The author is still developing her writing skills, but there are elements that show promise. The story has potential, and with some refinement, it could be even better. I'm interested to see how the author progresses in her future works.

What I guess I really like about Armstrong's woto series is how significantly it has expanded since "Bitten".

It's truly remarkable how everything operates within its own distinct spheres, yet it actually has a profound impact on everything else. For instance, I absolutely love how Miami serves as this central hub of paranormal activities, with the Cortez cabal being at the forefront. As you read this series, you really get a sense of the vast and interconnected universe.

Lucas and Paige are, without a doubt, the best. Their relationship is complex and engaging, and their characters are well-developed. Benicio is also an amazing addition to the story, bringing a unique charm and depth. I also loved the introduction of Jamie and how we see that Cass isn't the same person she once was. And let's not forget about Aaron! Cass and Aaron's dynamic kills me. I just love them.

The woto series is truly a captivating and immersive read, and I can't wait to see what else Armstrong has in store for us.

Fourth in the Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series, this story flips back and forth between Elena, Clay, and the werewolves under Jeremy, as well as Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez. It takes place in October 2001 and revolves around Paige and Lucas.

My Take: It's about decency, communication, and caring about others, with a whole lot of fun thrown in. The action involves our favorite good guys like Paige and Lucas, Savannah, Elena, Clayton, and Jeremy, Jaime Vegas (who becomes a new favorite), and Aaron and Cassandra. The action is all over the U.S. as Paige and Lucas travel, track down clues, take down bad guys, and even die.

Family dynamics are always interesting, especially when they involve greedy, superior sorcerers who keep too many secrets and ghosts who worry about their children. We learn more about ghosts when Paige and Lucas get a firsthand look at the other side.

The story is told from Paige's perspective, which is a practical choice as Lucas might be too emotional about the murders and his family issues. Fortunately, Paige is everywhere in the story, so we get to observe a lot.

It's also a useful story as Armstrong combines Paige's transition into a new coven-less life with a teenaged "daughter" and her unexpected involvement in the terrifying Cabals. Jaime also joins the group and meets Jeremy.

There are plenty of series arcs, including Paige's growing realization about her ambition to be coven leader, Lucas' family dynamics and estrangement from his father, and the reality of a teenager with empowerment issues in the house.

We also learn more about Lucas' estrangement, the reality of vampire disconnects, Jaime's problems with a non-communicative ghost, what to do about murderous vampires, and Paige and Lucas inspiring Adam to do more with his life.

We find out why Benicio chose Lucas as his heir, but he sure screws up in his attempts to make amends with his son. One sweet example is Lucas' involvement in the searches, which endears him to unexpected people.

The Story: It's a chance for Benicio to see his son, meet his woman, and hopefully discover who is murdering teenagers of Cabal employees. But neither Benicio nor the other Cabals can see past their own interests, while Paige and Lucas go up against shamans, demons, and goons in a hunt for an unnatural-born killer.

The Characters: Paige Winterbourne is a witch who was supposed to be the leader of a coven until they threw her out. Now she's trying to start a new coven in Portland, Oregon and works as a web designer. She's in love with Lucas Cortez, Benicio's bastard son and heir, who is a lawyer for lost causes. Maria Cortez is his mother. Morris is the temporary Cortez bodyguard assigned to Paige.

Savannah Levine is Paige's thirteen-year-old charge. Eve Levine and Kristoff Nast were her parents and are now ghosts working for the Fates. Adam Vasic is an Exustio demon and best friends with Paige. Robert Vasic is his stepfather, a Tempestras demon and professor of demonology.

The Danvers Pack includes Elena Michaels, the only female werewolf, Clayton Danvers, her partner and lover, and Jeremy Danvers, their Alpha. The Interracial Council consists of representatives from each supernatural race, except the Cabals. Arthur is the current necromancer, Cassandra is the vampire rep, and Lawrence might be another.

Aaron, a bricklayer and vampire, knows John in New Orleans. Edward and Natasha are immortality questers with a nasty hobby. Josie is the stupidest vampire. Jaime Vegas is a necromancer with popular shows. Molly O'Casey was her grandmother. J.D. is her production manager. Kat and Tara are part of her crew.

The Cabals are like the Mafia, seeing themselves as the magical elite. The Cortez Cabal is based in Miami, with Benicio Cortez as CEO. His sons Hector, William, and Carlos hate Lucas. Delores is his hated wife. Dennis Malone is the head of the investigative unit. Gloria, Erin, and Simon work in Emergency Services. Kyle is a driver. Jared is a sorcerer. Reuben Aldrich is head of the actuarial department. Dorinda is a receptionist. Annette is a stewardess.

Randy MacArthur is an Exaudio half-demon in sales. His daughter Dana is part demon and part witch. Everett Weber is a druid and computer programmer. Faye Ashton is a clairvoyant with issues. Oscar Gale and Jeanne are shamans who are caretakers at a nursing home.

The Saint Cloud Cabal is the second smallest and stingy, with Lionel St Cloud as head. Stephen is his only son. Matthew Tucker is his personal assistant. Rick is the driver. The Boyd Cabal is led by Guy Boyd. Tyler is his youngest son. Frank Boyd has several nephews.

The Nast Cabal includes Savannah through her father. Thomas Nast is CEO and her grandfather. Sean and Bryce are her half-brothers. Joey Nast is another grandson. Their New York headquarters was in the World Trade Center until September 11. Holden Wyngaard is the son of a shaman. Colby Washington, Sarah Dermack, Jacob Sorenson, Matthew Tucker, and Michael Shane are more victims.

Wendy Aiken and her sister Julie are witches. Dr Schwab is Savannah's orthodontist. Raoul is a shaman who puts out an anti-Cabal newsletter. Elizabeth Báthory is a convenient historical figure. Esus claimed to be a druid deity. Demons can be split into eudemon and cacodemons. Tempestras are storm demons, Ferratus can harden their skin, and Exustio are fire demons.

The Cover and Title: The cover is a range of browns with a toasty background and beige-yellow smoke swirling up from a metal urn on a brown marble table. The character has a naked body facing the background and wears a metal armband. The title is at the top in a modified gothic font, and the author's name is at the bottom in the same color and style. A testimonial appears in navy blue in the smoke. The title refers to the "Industrial Magic" of the Cabals and their business-like approach to their supernatural lives.

This book in the series places a strong emphasis on Lucas and Paige.

We witness Paige growing up and coming to terms with the events that occurred in Dime Store Magic. She is embarking on a new life with Lucas and Savannah. Paige is attempting to gather some witches to establish an alternate Coven, but unfortunately, it is not progressing smoothly. One of the many factors contributing to this is Paige Winterbourne's relationship with Lucas Cortez. Witches have a natural distrust of Sorcerers, and Paige is romantically involved with one.

Lucas Cortez is the son of a very powerful man, Benico Cortez, who is one of the leaders of the Cabals. The Cabals are analogous to the mob family in the supernatural world. Lucas has constantly defied his father, striving to correct any wrongdoings that may have taken place. Lucas's brothers despise him and desire his death because he is in line for the main inheritance of the business and the millions of dollars his father has in the bank. Now, Paige and Lucas must collaborate with Benico if they hope to rescue innocent children from being murdered by a crazy supernatural psychopath.

We are introduced to Jamie, a necromancer, and gain a better understanding of Aaron. There are several characters who make appearances in this book, including Elena, Clay, Jeremy (werewolves), Adam (half-demon), Cassandra and Aaron (vampires), and Eve (a dead witch). This will prove useful in later stories.

There was a section in this book that I had difficulty getting through, and that was in the ghost realm. I grasped the concept, but I felt that it dragged on and was slightly dull.

Despite that minor hitch, I believe this was yet another excellent book in the series.

Very good! I think I even liked it better than Dime Store Magic. The books seem to be getting better with every one. It has a good plot, without any strange endings dangling anywhere. It is suspenseful, straight forward, and has a nice amount of action. The characters are well fleshed out and believable. I really had a great time reading this book!

The story keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The author does a wonderful job of building the tension and keeping the reader engaged. The action scenes are exciting and well-written, making you feel like you are right there in the middle of the action.

The characters are the heart of the story. They are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own unique personalities and motives. You really care about what happens to them and root for them throughout the book. Overall, this is a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or thriller.

I absolutely, positively love loved this book. It was an absolute delight to read.

Lucas is truly awesome. He has that perfect blend of geekiness that is just right for a gal like me. I would totally be interested in having a relationship with him. He's so charming and intelligent.

I really like Jamie. She's such a great character, and I'm really looking forward to reading more about her in the future. I can't wait to see what adventures she'll have.

I still adore Elana, Jeremy, and Clay. It was so great to revisit with them again in this book. They're all such strong and interesting characters.

And Paige... In the second book, I wasn't sure how I felt about her. But after reading the third and fourth books from her perspective, I truly adore her. She's come a long way and has become a really great character.

I'm not going to say much more because I don't want to give away any spoilers. But if you liked the first three books, then you will probably love this one too. It's a great addition to the series.