This felt like a mystery book to me, with supernaturals thrown into the mix, yet also about family and how they care for one another. I adored it from start to finish. Usually, or I should say from another author I know, when they pen a mystery, the bad person is one of the recurring characters in the story. So, it's a matter of paying attention and picking up the clues.

The story revolves around the various Cabal organizations, where someone is murdering the children of middle-class employees and then escalating to the heads' children. I was 30 percent into the book when it seemed we had caught the culprit, who was captured, tried, and immediately killed. What piqued Paige's interest and led her to assist her sorcerer boyfriend Lucas was one of the victims, a 15-year-old witch named Dana. The culprit wasn't among the families, as you figure out more than halfway through. There are many characters in this story due to the four families in the Cabals – Cortez, St Clouds, Nast, and Boyds. It was difficult for anything to be accomplished because everyone wanted to be in charge and didn't want to release all the information for fear that another family would take all the credit before whoever solved the case. The culprit is a supernatural, and their reasons are numerous, and I sort of understand some, not all.

This case was quite significant, even including the resources that the Cortezes provided to Paige and Lucas to help. Therefore, I was introduced to characters whom I only knew about in the Elena and Clay stories, and I saw how they all met. For instance, Jamie Vegas, the "necromancer," is introduced, and I witnessed how she first meets Jeremy, and I now know she has feelings for him. Other characters like Cassandra, Aaron, Elena, and Clay also showed up to assist in capturing the bad guy who was introduced in previous books.

I don't want to give away too much, but I like how devoted Lucas's father is to him and wants his happiness, despite some other things that you must read the book to discover. Paige and Lucas are closer than ever, and she meets his father for the first time, and he approves of her, perhaps because she makes Lucas happy. You also see his half-brothers in the story, and you'll see how they feel about Lucas. In my opinion, Lucas's brothers try to please their father, while Lucas defines his character by what is morally right rather than what would please his father.

So. Much. In. This. Book.

This is yet another Paige and Lucas book. However, almost every other character we've encountered thus far also appears in a significant role. AND we are introduced to Jamie. I absolutely adore Jamie.

Basically, in this book, Paige and Lucas find themselves embroiled in a Cabal investigation because someone is murdering Cabal pre-teens and adolescents. It's eerily wonderful and involves everyone from Adam to Eve (heh) to Cassandra and Aaron. I really like it. The story unfolds with great excitement and mystery. The characters are well-developed and their interactions add depth to the plot. As Paige and Lucas delve deeper into the investigation, they face numerous challenges and uncover some shocking secrets. The addition of Jamie brings a new element of charm and complexity to the story. Overall, this book is a great read and keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

I was already 85% through this book when, one night, I binge-watched The Hunger Games movies, which I had never seen before.

Afterward, I opened this book again with the intention of continuing. However, upon reading the first page, I quickly realized that this is a bad and pointless book.

This conclusion was purely based on the comparison to The Hunger Games movies. The movies had such a captivating and engaging storyline, with well-developed characters and intense action scenes.

In contrast, this book seemed dull and uninteresting. The writing was lackluster, and the plot failed to grip my attention.

As a result, I didn't even bother with the last 15% of the book. I simply put it aside and decided to focus on more enjoyable reads.

It's amazing how a single viewing of a movie can completely change one's perception of a book. In this case, The Hunger Games movies served as a stark reminder of what a truly great story should be like.

From now on, I'll be more cautious when choosing books and will likely rely more on recommendations and reviews to avoid wasting my time on mediocre reads.

Paige Winterborne and Lucas are on a crucial mission to investigate the killings of the Cabal's children.

To pursue their investigation, they must journey to Miami, where they will have to face Lucas' father, the powerful head of the Cabal, and his brothers who hold a strong dislike for him.

During their travels, they encounter a necromancer who is also a TV personality. Although she may seem a bit flaky at times, she is extremely proficient in her abilities.

In this book, almost everyone from the previous books makes an appearance, if only for a short while. Elena and Clay, however, have a slightly more prominent role than the others.

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and will definitely continue reading as it constantly evolves and progresses in a very engaging manner. The storylines are fresh, and the characters are well-developed, making it a captivating read from start to finish.

Each new installment brings new challenges and mysteries for the characters to solve, keeping me on the edge of my seat and eager to see what will happen next.

The fourth book in the Women of the Otherworld series and the second book featuring Paige Winterbourne is truly a delight.

I am still thoroughly enjoying this series, and I must say that the writing is actually of a very high quality.

One of the aspects that I really appreciate is how the characters develop and grow throughout the series. It is truly refreshing to see a character recognize their flaws and be somewhat self-reflective. This added depth and authenticity to the stories, making them all the more engaging for me.

I firmly believe that a talented writer has the ability to make the reader empathize with almost any character, and that is precisely why I find the Paige Winterbourne arc in the Women of the Otherworld series so captivating. A less skilled writer would have failed to hold my interest, and these books would have ended up in the basement, serving as a wobbly table support.

I am now extremely eager to commence reading the next book in the series and continue exploring this fascinating world.

Another solid installment in the Women of the Otherworld series.

It was really enjoyable. I was particularly drawn to the who dunnit aspect of it. It was great to see that nearly every type of supernatural being represented in this world made an appearance. We even got to see some returning favorites and meet Jeremy's future heroine.

In this installment, we learn even more about Cabals as someone is killing off Cabal children, putting Lucas in potential danger. Lucas's father, Benicio, comes to Portland to try to get Paige interested in the case, which also has the added benefit of bringing Lucas to Miami to work on it. There was a lot of interaction between Lucas and his father, and I realized that Benicio truly loves his son and values his safety above all else. The man would do anything to keep Lucas safe, even if it means straining their relationship. Benicio constantly speaks as if it's a given that Lucas will take over the Cabal, even though Lucas clearly doesn't want to. Still, it was heartwarming to see how much Benicio loves Lucas, even if that love can be frustrating for Lucas and those close to him.

Paige and Lucas are still together in this book, and Lucas starts hinting at wanting something more long-term with her. At first, Paige doesn't seem to pick up on this. She blows him off, saying they're taking things one day at a time. There is a scene where she goes down on him in a closet, and he tells her he loves her. She makes a joke out of it, which made me want to slap her. Later, she gets upset that he doesn't know how she feels about him. I wanted to shout at her that she shouldn't be surprised since she never gave him any indication that her feelings were strong. It wasn't until much later in the story that she actually shows her true feelings. However, she still never actually tells him that she loves him. What's up with that?

I really enjoyed all of the supernatural partnerships in this one. It reminded me a bit of Stolen. And! We got to see a character I definitely didn't expect to see in this book. I really liked her, though. I know she's in the next book and maybe a few others as well. I hope we get to see more of Cassandra and Aaron too. I didn't like Cassandra in Stolen, but now that I know a bit more about what's going on with her, she's not so bad. Still, what she tried to do with Clay in Stolen was really rotten.

The series marathon continues on, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

REREAD 2022

Read the original review for my thoughts on this book. Nothing has really changed in that regard.

REREAD 2020

So I have to admit it was a real struggle for me to begin this book after reading Dime Store Magic. That particular book was rather slow-paced, and I truly didn't take a liking to Paige in it. Honestly, I even contemplated skipping this book because of my experience with the previous one. However, since I was determined to do a complete reread of the series, I resolved to just power through it. And I'm extremely glad that I did, for this book turned out to be so much better!

Not only do we have the pleasure of seeing Elena once again - along with many other characters from Stolen - but Paige has matured significantly since the last installment. She is no longer the naive, entitled girl she once was, but has transformed into a grown woman who has a better understanding of how the world operates - at least to a certain extent. This new version of Paige was far easier to like and follow.

I'm also really pleased that romance isn't a major plot point in this book. Paige is already in a relationship, and that makes it so much more engaging for me to read.

And the overall story is captivating in a way that it wasn't in Dime Store Magic. This story is organically driven by the events rather than by the main character's foolishness. It is mysterious, dark, and interesting. It has everything I could desire from an urban fantasy book.

I'm keeping the original rating.

Original rating: 4/5 stars

I have to start off by saying that I absolutely love this series.

Although my favourite characters are Elena and Clay (especially Clay), I've also enjoyed reading about the other characters.

Reading this after having read the preceding books (Bitten, Stolen, and Dime Store Magic) means that this time around, I have a much stronger feel for the character interactions and how they play off each other.

Although it is possible to have read this book after only reading "Dime Store Magic," in my humble opinion, it is better to have read all the preceding books first.

In "Industrial Magic," children of Cabal employees are being attacked and, in most cases, killed.

The few that have survived have not been able to see their attacker clearly or have only seen a vague figure.

They report that it happens so fast they are completely taken by surprise, and these are generally supernatural children.

Benicio Cortez, Lucas Cortez's father, contacts Paige while Lucas is in Chicago for a court case.

He tells her about this and asks that she let Lucas know and request his assistance in this matter.

Benicio tells her that since it is happening in several Cabals, he has concerns that inter-Cabal politics will cause delays in finding the culprit.

He would like to hire Lucas to investigate this, and Paige as well if she would like to help.

Initially reluctant to assist the Cabal, Lucas nonetheless decides it is high time to fill out the "official" paperwork to grant Paige and Savannah Cortez Cabal protection.

Therefore, he takes Paige to Miami for this purpose and to talk about the case with his father.

While there, another attack occurs, this one on the son of one of Benicio's bodyguards.

This is too much for Paige, and she agrees to help with the investigation.

Thus begins a lot of inter-Cabal bickering, problems with getting information, and so forth.

Lucas and Paige also realize Savannah's danger and send her off to safety with the Pack.

They call in assistance in the form of a most unlikely necromancer and end up with the vampire Cassandra helping as well.

This book is fairly heart-stopping in several places.

There is lots of danger and excitement, as well as some romance.

Paige and Lucas have their wires crossed - each so busy reassuring each other that they want to be together but don't want to infringe on the other's life if that will be a problem that neither of them realizes the depth of their feelings.

I wanted to smack each of them repeatedly.

Like I said before, I really love this series so far and recommend it to all paranormal lovers.

Industrial Magic

4 Stars


Paige and Lucas embark on a journey to Miami when the children of Cabal employees are targeted for death. As the investigation unfolds and the killer's motives start to surface, it becomes clear that the real target might be someone much closer to home.


The character development in this story is truly interesting, and the mystery at its core is solid. However, the pacing is a bit off. The first half of the book progresses slowly as the case is built up, but the second half is exciting and action-packed as the culprit is identified and the chase begins.


Once again, the events are presented from Paige's point of view as she delves deeper into the world of the Cabals and learns more about Lucas's family in particular. Several new characters are introduced, such as Lucas's meddling father, Benecio, and his obnoxious brothers who could use a serious reality check. One of my favorite scenes is when Clay literally pounces on Hector. Another addition is Jaime Vegas, the necromancer, who develops a cute crush on Jeremy Danvers. Speaking of the wolves' alpha, Clay, Elena, as well as Adam, Cassandra, and Aaron all make appearances, and it's truly fantastic to see all of the supernaturals working together.


The mystery, with its multiple layers, unravels gradually, and the identity of the killer is unexpected yet not entirely surprising given the nature of the Cabals. Lucas and Paige are adorable together, and their romance takes the next inevitable step.


Laural Merlington is not my favorite narrator. She lacks the ability to really draw me into the story like some of my favorites do. The next book features a different heroine and narrator, so it will be interesting to see how Kelley manages what lies ahead.

Industrial Magic is the fourth installment in Kelley Armstrong’s captivating Women of the Otherworld series, and it has firmly established itself as my favorite thus far.

All the books in this series have been highly enjoyable, with each one seemingly reaching new heights. As I continue to progress through this enchanting series, I can only fathom the emotions that await me.

To be honest, I’m slightly frustrated that it’s taking me so long to make my way through them. I’m on the verge of purchasing all the remaining books in the series and indulging in a week-long binge-reading session, such is my profound love for the world that Kelley Armstrong has masterfully crafted.

In Dime Store Magic, I had some initial uncertainties about Paige and Lucas, but by the conclusion of that book, I had grown to truly adore them. Therefore, I was beyond excited to dive into Industrial Magic. I was a bit nervous, having read several reviews where some people labeled this as the weakest book in the series. However, I absolutely adored it.

It introduced so many new and fascinating elements of the world, and there were numerous scenes that tugged at my heartstrings. It was a markedly different read compared to the previous books, but that only enhanced my enjoyment.

Frankly, I’m now heartbroken that we’ll be parting ways with Paige and Lucas in the next book. I was disappointed when book three shifted the focus to this duo, but now I yearn to stay with them for a longer time. I渴望 to见证他们的世界中还会发生什么更多的事情。I never expected to fall so deeply in love with the characters, but the events that transpired throughout this story have earned them a special place among my other favorite characters.

I’m certain that I’ll love the future perspectives, but books three and four will undoubtedly hold a prominent position for me throughout the remainder of the series.

What I truly cherished about this book is how it has opened up a plethora of possibilities for the world moving forward. The characters we are introduced to and the events that unfold promise many great things in the future installments.

Not to mention, they provided a great deal of entertainment throughout this book. The new characters make for extremely engaging reads, adding plenty of drama to the story.

The events, although at times slow-paced, keep us on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating how everything will come together. I’m a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong, and this story has once again demonstrated why I hold her in such high regard.

Overall, it was a wonderful read. I can hardly wait to pick up the next book in the Women of the Otherworld series and discover where the story takes us from here.

I'm seriously contemplating abandoning this series.

Each time I set one of these books aside, I don't have the slightest anticipation of picking it back up.

So far, the series has centered around pairs. The initial two were about werewolves, Elena and Clay, which is precisely why I was drawn to it. I have a passion for werewolves! The most recent two were about Paige and Lucas, a witch and a sorcerer respectively, with Elena and Clay serving as part of the supporting cast. The upcoming one is supposed to focus on Eve, a deceased witch and Savannah's biological mother. The blurb on the back cover sounds promising, so I'll give it a shot and hope that this series finally manages to grip me.

Life is simply too short for books that disappoint, let alone series that do so.

I firmly believe that a significant part of the problem lies with the voice narrator, Laural Merlington. She sounds like a heavy smoker who consumes three packs a day and narrates in a monotonous tone. Who in their right mind thought that a voice as deep as hers would be suitable for female characters who are all in their twenties? Every time Armstrong writes that a character laughs, Merlington emits a throaty, artificial little "ha ha ha ha" *shudder*

*Sigh*... I'll give it one last chance, and then I'm out. Onward to Haunted.

Wow,

This series just keeps getting better!!!! It's truly amazing how each installment manages to outdo the previous one. The storylines are engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the production values are top-notch. It's like a never-ending adventure that keeps pulling you in and leaving you on the edge of your seat. You can't help but get addicted to it. Whether it's the thrilling action scenes, the heartwarming moments, or the thought-provoking plot twists, there's something for everyone in this series. It's a must-watch for any fan of the genre. I can't wait to see what the next installment has in store for us.