I really loved the first two books in this series. The second one was still tolerable. However, this particular book was just terrible! I couldn't even force myself to finish it. I had already read 70% of the book, but it was still extremely boring! I'm truly sorry, but if I've come this far into a book and it still fails to excite me, then I'm simply done with it. Paige and Lucas are by far the two most boring characters in this entire series. So, why on earth would we want to read about them? I'm actually hesitating whether to just skip ahead to book #6 so that I can read about Elena and Clay again. I absolutely love them!

They are the kind of characters that really bring the story to life and make it worth reading. In contrast, Paige and Lucas just seem to drag the plot down and make it feel dull and uninteresting. I hope that future books in the series will focus more on the characters that readers actually care about and less on these two snooze-worthy individuals.

I think this book would receive approximately 3.5, perhaps even 4 stars.

Kelley Armstrong has always paid meticulous attention to detail in all her previous works, but unfortunately, this one seemed to fall short. There were certain parts that, when considered in the overall context, made very little or no sense at all. Additionally, there were quite a number of editing and spelling errors, which was a bit of a letdown.

Nevertheless, it was still an easy and engaging read, boasting an interesting plot. It managed to rekindle my interest in Paige, as I hadn't been overly fond of her in the second novel.

There is a vengeful individual on the loose, targeting teenagers who are related to the Cabal members. Paige and Lucas spend the latter half of the book attempting to uncover the identity of the culprit and the motive behind the killings. It was a fun read, and I was truly astonished to discover who the killer actually was. It wasn't anyone I had suspected. Just like the previous two installments, this book features a diverse range of supernatural beings, all coming together to solve the case. We even have the pleasure of reuniting with our beloved Clay and Elena. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book.

This was truly a highly enjoyable read.

One could witness the complex mystery waiting to be probed and observe the diverse characters from the extensive lore engaging with one another.

In its core, this is a mystery book, yet as the investigation unfolds, an increasing number of aspects are disclosed, shedding light on the inner politics of the supernaturals.

Once more, there is a clue regarding what lies ahead, and although it appears to be developing gradually and pleasingly.

Even though it was known to be an urban fantasy, it was still somewhat astonishing to encounter references to real events that occurred, like 9/11 and its consequences within this genre.

This added an interesting layer of authenticity and made the story more relatable in a strange way.

Overall, it was a captivating read that left the reader eager for more.

I am now completely immersed in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld Series. The book titles are just amazing! Take Industrial Magic, for example. It’s the 5th book in this fantasy world and it really caught my attention. At first, I wondered how industrial could fit in with magic. But soon I realized that it fits in rather well.

This is such a wonderful and “magical” world with both lovable and not so lovable characters. Here, we finally get to join Paige Winterbourne. Clay, the werewolf, gives her a hard time, but now she stands her ground and shows no sign of wilting. She has settled into her new life with Lucas Cortez, the youngest son of Benicio Cortez, the powerful head of the Cortez Cabal, and Savannah, her adopted teenage witch daughter.

Before continuing, I must tell you that this story has less action and gore than the previous books. It’s more of a Cabal story. We see the very secretive and “paranoid” Half-Demon Mafia and how Paige and Lucas work to solve the case of a serial killer targeting the Cabal leader’s children.
I loved how the plot developed. We get to see the true relationship between Lucas and his father. Despite their differences in Cabal business, they have a lot of love for each other. I understand why Benicio made Lucas his heir instead of his half-brothers. Paige is an incredible heroine. She’s strong-minded, understanding, caring, loyal, and not afraid to make her point known. I loved the moments between her and Lucas. At first, he seemed like a bit of a “wimp,” but by the end, I was completely charmed by a sweet, gentle, and kind guy. His interaction with Savannah is truly amazing and admirable.
And then there’s Jaime Vegas. You just have to love this woman! She’s a sexy, redheaded necromancer who loves fashion and contacting ghosts in the afterlife. She can still act like a little girl, especially when she meets Jeremy, the werewolf. And her shows are so Las Vegas! Cassandra, the vampire, is also a fashionista. She’s so anal, but she grows on you. Eve Levine, the black magic witch and mother of Savannah, makes a small appearance here. Fortunately, the next book is all about her. Hooray! I can’t wait.
Don’t you just love all these character names? They seem to fit perfectly in this “underground” cosmos. The werewolves play a very low-key part in the story, but I’m sure they’ll be back. The Otherworld is growing and expanding, and I can’t wait to spend more time there. I wonder where Lucas will go. Will he join the Cabal or not? I have to wait and see. I actually hope he does. The Cabals are just so fascinating, with all the in-fighting between the 4 families and those crazy family members.

I would rate this book as 3.75 stars.

It was a fun read with interesting characters that really captured my attention.

Although I had some minor issues while reading, they didn't significantly impact the overall plot.

So, I was able to brush them aside and fully enjoy the story.

The author did a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world that I found myself immersed in.

The characters were well-developed and had their own unique personalities and motives.

I especially liked how the story unfolded, with its twists and turns keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, it was a great read that I would recommend to others who enjoy this genre.

I had already really liked the previous volume, but I preferred this one even more.

The plot was more engaging. Paige and Lucas are just so cute. We get to see new characters (I can't wait to get to Jaime Vegas's volume, hehe) and we see a bit more of the old ones (Jeremyyyyyyyyyyyyyy).

In short, I'm really looking forward to the next volume (after a break).

Overall, this volume had a great mix of romance, mystery, and action. The characters are well-developed and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can't wait to see what happens next in the series.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance or mystery novels. It's a great read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

After reviewing the other Paige-book yesterday, I thought I'd give it a shot and write the other one today. (Not scheduled the last few reviews, because Wordpress messes with 'em all the time)

Industrial Magic was truly fantastic. It wasn't in the sense of being my absolute favorite book ever, but it was very good indeed. Once again, I felt a bit reluctant about reading it, just as I did when I finished Bitten and "had to" start Stolen, the second Elena-book. I think it's because I'm used to being disappointed in sequels. However, Kelley Armstrong does not disappoint.

When I finished Dime Store Magic, I didn't really think about what I wanted to read next, except that I'd like to know more about Lucas' family. But that was it. I had no clue about whether I wanted the Cortez's to be jackasses, Godfather-ish, arrogant, nice, or whatever. It seems Armstrong wasn't so sure either and took all of the above. Lucas has a huge family because of that. She did some magic there. My daddy-issued heart cried out, "Benicio ♥," it screamed, "I'd be the perfect daughter!" (Except that I wouldn't be a sorcerer and therefore quite useless.)

The plot was simply amazing! Armstrong put myths into the book, and I was obsessed with these when I was younger. (The lady who took a bath in blood and stuff. So creepy, but my favorite creepy-story.) And then Armstrong also foreshadowed another plot. Epic! When I read it back then, I wouldn't have thought this plot would get a whole book, but it did.

As for the characters (except Lucas and Paige), they were terrifyingly good. They are real, they are nice, bad, evil. You can hate or love them, but they really do feel like they could be real. Except they probably wouldn't be supernatural beings, but well. Some of the people who appear in the book have only been mentioned before, some we've seen for a short time, and of course some also have had a little more time "on screen". It was a good mixture, and I was happy to see all of these things crashing against each other. (That sounds way more evil than I meant it to be.)

Now, a thing I feel ambivalent about: Some things haven't been "finished". There are a dozen questions I still want or now need answers to, and although I see that this is a must in a series, it kind of kills me. I want to see some of the others again, especially Esus and some of the fullblood demons who parented Adam, Hope, and Eve. (Hope's book'll come later, it's very good!) The fates were a nice addition, but I'm not that into them. Still, when I read the book, I wanted to see more of them. And did. In Haunted, I think. :)

It's not possible to say much about the rest without spoiling. I think most of the things about Paige, for example, have already been said before. She's a nice woman, she's fighting and trying, and although she's too good for my tastes, I understand why she does what she does. It makes sense, she's real, and she tries to do the best she can with what she has. Savannah, again, is. Well, I would have never thought I'd love her so much as I did in the 12th book, because she seriously is a teen in Dime Store Magic and Industrial Magic, but well. What I mean is, both of the ladies are very complex, real characters with strong personalities.

Lucas and Paige's relationship is developing. She's an independent girl, both of them are very strong, and while I thought that might be a problem, they work everything out in a good way. He's more honest with her than with the rest of the world, they're both Savannah's guardians, and although they are damn young, it works. I don't see relationships in such a light. I mean, I know they are rumored to exist, but I've never seen one. It's a cynic thought, but here it is: If your relationship works, it's only a question of time. And if your great-aunt had a happy marriage until she died. Well, I guess she died too early and had the luck to not live through an unhappy marriage. ;)

In the end, there's nothing left to say except: Check out the series! I loved Paige and Lucas, but there are even better books. There are so many elements in these books - paranormal and otherwise - and still it's not confusing or too much. There are no big mistakes. Armstrong knows her world, and she knows how to write an awesome novel. :)

Once again, this book is presented from Paige's point of view. She and Lucas are residing in an apartment in Portland, gradually adjusting to their life as a couple and guardians to teenage Savannah. Although they are content with this situation, Paige is still grappling with the loss of the Coven and the challenge of becoming a "mother" to a teenage witch who is more powerful than she is.

Then comes Benicio Cortez, Lucas' father. He has discovered the perfect bait to draw Lucas back into Cabal life. Someone is murdering the children of Cabal employees, including a teenage witch who is living on the streets.

Benicio is an excellent character. One can tell that he loves his son, yet he doesn't know how to interact with him on Lucas' terms, which means being honest. And while Benicio's schemes do ultimately succeed in establishing a relationship with Lucas, they are even more effective in strengthening the bond between Lucas and Paige. As they work together to stop a serial killer, they learn to handle Benicio, understand how much they care for each other, and Paige figures out what to do with her life outside the coven.

All of this is happening while bringing back Clay, Elena, and Jeremy (one of my favorite characters), and introducing or reintroducing several others, while also setting up the future for another of my favorite couples in the series.

I adored this book and am in love with this series. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great story set in a well-crafted world that is just slightly different from the one we are accustomed to.

Paige and Lucas find themselves deeply involved in a Cabal investigation that is both disturbing and complex. The case revolves around the tragic killings of children, which sends shockwaves through the supernatural community.

What I truly enjoyed about this story was the frequent appearances of Elena and Clay. Their presence added a sense of familiarity and excitement. Additionally, the introduction of Jaime and Eve brought new dimensions to the plot. Lucas's relationship with his father is a fascinating aspect. Although it is filled with confusion, it is evident that his father has a deep love for him. Interestingly, the limited presence of Savannah worked well this time, as it allowed us to focus more on Lucas and the Cabals.

However, there were aspects that could have been improved. The whole concept of the afterlife seemed extremely strange and out of place. It didn't quite fit within the context of the story and left me feeling a bit disconcerted. Overall, while there were some enjoyable elements, the story could have benefited from a more refined and cohesive plot.

I truly enjoy this series, even though I joined it at the very end.

Since then, I have been going back and doing some reading of the earlier novels.

This particular one has provided me with a deeper understanding of Savannah's guardian.

In the later books that focus on Savannah, I only saw the guardian from her perspective.

However, by reading this earlier installment, I have been able to gain a more comprehensive view of this character.

I now have a better sense of their personality, motives, and the role they play in Savannah's life.

It has been a fascinating journey to explore the earlier parts of the series and discover the backstory and details that I may have missed by starting at the end.

I look forward to continuing my reading and uncovering more about these characters and their stories.

I'm really going back and forth about whether to rate this book 2 or 3 stars.

The writing is just extremely clunky. The paperback version has over 500 pages, and I can't help but feel that if it had been edited more thoroughly, it could have been significantly shorter. There is an excessive amount of unneeded exposition on the most mundane details.

I still can't bring myself to believe in Paige and Lucas's romance. This was one of my complaints about "Dime Store Magic" as well. Unlike the relationship between Elena and Clay in "Bitten", where the author actually showed their love, Kelley Armstrong just repeatedly tells us that Paige and Lucas love each other without really demonstrating it.

The relationship between Lucas and his father also has the same issue. We're told certain things about it, but nothing that the characters actually do reflects what we're told.

Since Paige doesn't narrate any of the remaining books in the series, I think I'll continue reading in the hope that the switch to Eve or the return to Elena will improve the situation. We'll just have to wait and see.

“I can just imagine what the humidity has done to my hair. I'm going to meet your family looking like a poodle with a live wire shoved up its butt.”

I'm still deeply in love with these books. Paige's works are every bit as good as Elena's in my eyes. I truly wish they had more full-length novels. It would be wonderful to have more in-depth stories to explore.

While the other book focused more on the weak and ineffective coven, this one delves into the world of the Sorcerer's world with the business-run Cabal. The fascinating inner politics are both irritating and intriguing. I adored the father/son anti-bond and its development. I can't help it; I'm simply drawn to family drama. Paige and Lucas make a strong front when they stand up to prejudice, family hatred, and strive to fight for what is right, even when they're not always able to succeed. There are some mental tricks at play that keep them on their toes.

I was overjoyed to see so much of Elena, Clay, and Jeremy. Elena hints at future storylines with her private girl chat with Paige, and the gang comes up to offer their assistance later on. There's a small amount of Adam, and oodles of Cassandra. I'm not as crazy about the vamps in the series, but she and Aaron do well with the scenes they're given.

Savannah has a scene that's probably the best ending fight of the series - seriously, it was twisted and perfect. I absolutely loved it. I also like how Armstrong solved the crime of the villain. First, they have no idea for about half the book, then they're wrong, then they know what species type but not who, and finally, they know who but have to try and trap and evade at the same time. It's tense and well-played.