This was indeed a good book. However, it just seemed rather long, and it took me a bit of time to read it. Nevertheless, I have a great love for this series.

The story within the book was engaging and filled with interesting characters and plot twists. Despite its length, it managed to hold my attention throughout.

Each page seemed to unfold a new adventure, drawing me deeper into the fictional world created by the author.

Although the reading process might have been a bit time-consuming, it was well worth it in the end.

I look forward to reading more books from this series and seeing where the author takes the story next.

Overall, this book was a great addition to the series, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read.

Paige has been unceremoniously dumped by her coven. Determined to forge a new path, she decides to start a fresh coven for modern witches. However, her plans are abruptly put on hold when she discovers that the teenage children of the magical underworld mafia family, the Cabals, are being brutally murdered. Adding to the complexity, her boyfriend Lucas is the son of the most powerful family within the Cabal families, yet he wants nothing to do with their shady business. Paige, on the other hand, is deeply troubled by the murders and decides to take action, much to Lucas' objections.

Soon, they find themselves in desperate need of assistance from their supernatural friends. Moreover, a confrontation with Savannah's dead mother seems inevitable. I have a deep affection for this series, and this book is no different. The cover art is simply captivating, the characters are masterfully written, and the plot is filled with intrigue. Savannah has matured significantly since book 3, and I'm relieved to say that her childish tantrums are a thing of the past. Paige, too, has shed her whiny demeanor that once grated on my nerves, and Lucas now has more backbone, which makes a world of difference compared to the disappointment of book three.

There are numerous other reasons why this book is outstanding. It introduces the new character of clairvoyant Jaime Vegas, who is delightfully quirky, fun, and a touch crazy. To top it off, we see the return of the werewolf pack to offer their help (hooray for more Jeremy!), and interestingly, we get to meet Eve, Savannah's deceased mother, setting the stage for a future installment. I do wish we could have seen more of Adam and Cassandra, who have been severely underutilized in the series.

The book is filled with a wonderful blend of humor, especially when Clay loses patience with the girls. The romance between Paige and Lucas is far more believable than in Dime Store Magic, and I thoroughly enjoyed Jaime's massive crush on Jeremy. I can completely relate to Jaime! Additionally, the action-packed plot, with the murders of the Cabal kids intertwined with Cabal politics and supernatural elements, is a real page-turner. I also appreciate the exploration of Lucas and his father's difficult relationship. There is so much to love about this novel, especially if you enjoy watching characters grow and become stronger, as Paige does. And let's not forget the werewolves! The story is filled with twists and turns, leaving you constantly on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book, considering my less-than-enthusiastic feelings towards these characters in the previous installment. This book has truly redeemed them in my eyes! I highly recommend it to fans of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and paranormal books, especially those who adore strong female characters.

Basic Plot: Someone is eliminating Cabal kids, which prompts Paige and Lucas to be summoned for an investigation.

I really should have had a much greater liking for this book than I actually did. It simply didn't have the same impact on me as the initial couple of books. The plot was indeed interesting, and observing the functioning of the sorcerer cabals in action was captivating. So,按理说 it should have engaged me, right? However, it didn't. I'm finding it difficult to determine the reason. The writing doesn't seem to be all that different from the other books. The best explanation I can come up with is that I don't truly like Paige all that much, and I felt that Lucas should have had a more prominent role in this book, but he didn't. Yes, I'm aware that it's titled "WOMEN of the Otherworld," but still.

I just have a vague sense of dissatisfaction, even though I did enjoy it while reading. Maybe it's because my expectations were too high, or perhaps there was something missing that I can't quite put my finger on. Nevertheless, it's a bit disappointing that this book didn't live up to my hopes.

I absolutely adored re-reading this book! So much action-packed drama unfolds, and a plethora of characters are introduced or re-introduced.

The pack makes a brief return (at least three members), there's a cameo from Kristoff, we get to meet Eve (even though she's dead as we know from Stolen), and we're introduced to Lucas' brothers (whom I can't stand!), his father (whom I like despite his faults), and Benecio's (Lucas' father) bodyguards who will have cameos in later books considering Troy and Griffin are never far from Benecio.

We're also reintroduced to Cassandra, get a better introduction to Aaron, and meet Jaime Vegas, the celebrity necromancer!

We learn more about the world of the Cabals that Lucas grew up in and now tries to avoid. I loved delving deeper into Cabal life and seeing how they interact. I also loved watching Paige and Lucas' relationship blossom, although a couple of times I wondered if Paige needed an eye test as she seemed to miss so much of how Lucas felt about her!

When he tried to broach topics about making their relationship more permanent and working together, she would misinterpret and put him off, making him think he might be reading too much into their relationship. However, he did finally manage to get her to see that he wanted a future with her (no, he didn't propose! It's a little too soon for that!).

We really get to see how much these two love each other and how perfectly they are suited. We also gain an insight into Lucas' family relationships, and you can't help but feel for him when you see how horrible his brothers are to him and how complicated his relationship with his father is.

I also loved the banter between Jaime and Cassandra, mostly along the lines of 'you are dead' 'I'm not dead!' lol, Jaime took great pleasure in arguing Cassandra's 'life' with her! Through them, we learn a little more about other supernaturals, particularly their capabilities and professional ethics/points of view.

On another note, we learn of Savannah's half-brothers and the possibilities of them playing a bigger role in her life. At least Sean seems genuinely interested in learning more about her and making contact, as he said it wasn't right that she was being ignored by the family. Sean seems a lot like Lucas in some ways, as he sees the flaws in the Cabals and doesn't agree with how they conduct themselves.

He had a mini-rant at one point about how disgusted he was with the Cabals' in-fighting instead of doing something useful to help each other and stop the murders. We only had a brief interaction with him, but it felt like there was more beneath the surface, perhaps he had discussed it with Lucas before as Lucas tried to calm him and tell him not to make hasty decisions when upset and not thinking clearly.

That's one of the things I love about Kelley's writing - if you read between the lines, there's always something more that's not being said outright but may resurface in a future book and be expanded on!

We also learn a little more about the afterlife in the book, as it's debated whether Vampires have an afterlife or not. I really enjoyed this installment in the series with all that happened and all that was introduced! I truly love Paige and Lucas - next to Elena and Clay, they're my favorite couple in the Otherworld series, and it's great to see how much Paige has grown since we first saw her in Stolen.

I did not enjoy this one as much as previous books in the series.

This series follows Paige Winterbourne, who is not my favourite character. I much prefer the books that follow Elena and Clay. Although these characters do make a brief appearance toward the end of the book.

In places, this book was extremely slow, and not a lot happened. I felt that this book could have been much shorter as it felt unnecessarily long. I look forward to later books in the series when we go back to Elena and Clay or follow new characters. As I am really not keen on Paige's character.

Overall, this was an ok read, not my favourite in the series. But I will continue on with the series as I think that this is a good series. It has its moments and potential to improve. Maybe in the next installment, the story will be more engaging and the characters more likable. I'm hoping for a return to the excitement and adventure that I found in the earlier books.

Despite my disappointment with this particular book, I still believe in the series and am eager to see where it goes from here.

So yet again, here I am delving into a long series where, for the moment, the focus is on a character I'm rather indifferent about.

Industrial Magic is yet another installment in the "Women of the Otherworld" series, this time centering around Paige as she chases after a rogue entity that's killing off the children of Cabal employees.

I'm not sure what it is, but after reading Dime Store Magic, I sort of anticipated Lucas and Paige to part ways. So, I was quite surprised to see them together in this book. It's odd because there seemed to be more chemistry between them in the previous book than in this one. In DSM, I wanted them to be together, but I didn't think their relationship would last. Here, they have plenty of sex, but the chemistry just isn't there. I'm halfway convinced that the problem lies in the fact that they are sharing the pages with Clay and Elena, who I happen to think are terrifyingly perfect for each other.

Despite my initial negative tone, I actually enjoyed a lot of this book. I was completely captivated by the inner workings of the Cabals, their classifications, and all the related details. Benicio Cortez, unexpectedly, became one of my favorite characters. It might just be because he provided a refreshing voice in a novel that was otherwise dominated by Paige and... more Paige.

And of course, there's the inclusion of Cassandra, who is hands down one of my favorites. I'm eagerly waiting for a book about her, Kelley Armstrong. Please don't let me down!

I also want to like Jaime, but I'm still a little cautious. She seems kind of airheaded, which is okay, as I don't want to read a dozen books with different protagonists who all end up being the same. However, I'd rather read about another Elena (or Cassandra!!!) than another Paige.

I'm sorry, but Paige is just too dumb. Naïveté I can understand and even find cute. But being too stupid to live is not cute. It's tedious. I'm frankly quite tired of reading novels where she has to fumble around to reach a conclusion that everyone else reached twenty minutes ago. In this book, for example, a mysterious entity is running around killing Cabal children, and Paige is there thinking, "Well, he's made his point now, so he'll stop, right?" WRONG. WRONG WRONG WRONG. Thank goodness Cassandra was there to roll her eyes for me.

And let's not forget that whole section in the afterlife. Eve comes out of nowhere, and her entire inclusion seems to be just to show how rebellious she is. Then the Fates arrive, acting like every grey hair on their heads is because of Eve. And she's all, "Please give Paige her life back because my baby needs a stand-in mama," and they just do it? What the actual hell? And then Paige says, "I'm not going anywhere without Lucas," who actually died, and for some reason, they obey her too? What is Savannah that the Fates would act like this?!

All that being said, once again, I'm impressed by the attention to detail, the world-building, and how incredibly easy it is to get sucked into these books, even the mediocre ones. Even when I'm frustrated to the point of wanting to bang my head against the wall, I have no problem curling up with the book and shamelessly reading it anyway. They can be so irritating sometimes, especially when things like what's hidden above are included. But sometimes, you just need a fluffy type of book, and this one fits the bill.

Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez are two fascinating characters. Paige is a strong and independent woman with a unique set of skills and abilities. Lucas, on the other hand, is a charming and intelligent man who adds an interesting dynamic to the story.

The book that features these two characters was read in 2010 and received 4 stars. It was then reread in April 2016, which shows the lasting appeal of the story.

The relationship between Paige and Lucas develops throughout the book, and their interactions are both engaging and entertaining. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into their world and become invested in their journey.

Overall, the book is a great read for anyone who enjoys a good story with complex characters and an engaging plot. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Paige Winterbourne
Lucas Cortez

Read 2010 | 4 stars
Read April 2016

3.5 Stars

So far, this is the book that I have derived the least enjoyment from. However, it is not a straightforward book to review. The reason for this lies in the fact that I was overly enamored with certain parts, while others left me thoroughly bored. To put it simply, the first half of the book was excruciatingly dull, but the second half was truly amazing.

In the first half, Paige assists Lucas in resolving a series of assassinations targeting the teenage offspring of the underworld's most influential Cabals workers. Although it seemed interesting initially, it later became extremely tedious as the assassinations persisted throughout the entire first half of the book. One child after another was killed, and no information was forthcoming. It felt as if each killing was a carbon copy of the previous one, and the author was merely attempting to fill pages because, quite frankly, nothing else occurred. For 300 pages, kids were being slain, and no one came close to finding any solutions.

But then, the second half arrived, and everything changed! And boy, did it change for the better. It became so much more engaging that I could hardly believe I was reading the same book. Seriously, this is by far the best thing I have read in the series (referring to the second half of the book). In this part, we gain a deeper understanding of all the different species. We also witness all the main characters collaborating to solve the case, and Benicio growing closer to Lucas and Paige. I have a soft spot for Benicio and all the characters. It has been a long time since I read a series that completely immerses me. I can't stop thinking about this series. I love the plot, the characters, and even though there is almost no romance in it, I still can't put it down! There is so much more that I need to know. I'll commence the next book immediately! I'm completely hooked.

It's rather amusing because at the beginning of the book, I thought I was tired of Paige and didn't want to read anything more about her. Now, I can't stop thinking that I need so much more. I love all these characters!

I am still deeply in love with this series. It is filled with thrilling action that keeps me on the edge of my seat, intense suspense that makes my heart race, and a touch of romance that adds a beautiful layer to the story. What more could one possibly ask for?

As the series progresses, I am enjoying it even more because the characters are evolving. They are growing and changing, facing new challenges and learning from their experiences. It is fascinating to see how their relationships develop and how they overcome the obstacles in their paths.

This series truly has it all. It combines the best elements of different genres to create a captivating and engaging read. I can't wait to see what happens next and continue following the adventures of these amazing characters.

Enamored as I was with Armstrong’s Bitten, I was excitedly anticipating trying her other titles. However, what followed was a huge disappointment.

Where Bitten piqued my interest in paranormal fiction and made me thoroughly engaged, Industrial Magic left me bored and completely disenchanted.

Bitten appealed to me greatly because, although I don't actually believe in werewolves, Armstrong managed to paint a vivid picture in which I could easily envision one attempting to exist in a modern American city. It reads more like women's fiction than supernatural fiction, as Elena copes with various aspects such as love, relationships, and secrets.

Industrial Magic, on the other hand, felt as if Armstrong was trying to stuff every single type of supernatural being into the story for reasons that I simply can't fathom.

Paige Winterbourn, having left the American Coven of Witches, is now trying to start her own coven. She is having a really hard time convincing other witches to join her, and her troubles are further exacerbated by her boyfriend, Lucas Cortez, who happens to be the son of the Cortez Cabal’s leader. All employees of the Cabal are super naturals, and when someone starts murdering their children, Lucas and Paige are called in to assist. Even though Lucas is estranged from his father and his involvement with a witch is a continual source of contention, they agree to pursue the murderer.

For readers who enjoy paranormal stories that are grounded in reality, I would highly recommend Bitten. For those who are willing to totally suspend their belief and can follow multiple characters, Industrial Magic may provide some entertainment.

Parfait !!

I don't know what else to say. Kelley Armstrong has mastered her story-telling perfectly.

She knows how to balance the action, the emotion, and a hint of sexiness.

I really like Paige and Lucas and it's a bit hard to say goodbye to them.

But like the pack, we'll see them again!

And <3 Clay.

This book is truly a gem. The way Armstrong weaves the plot and develops the characters is remarkable.

The action scenes are intense and keep you on the edge of your seat, while the emotional moments tug at your heartstrings.

The addition of a bit of sexiness adds an extra layer of depth to the story.

Paige and Lucas are such likeable characters, and their relationship is both sweet and passionate.

Although it's sad to see them go at the end of the book, I'm excited to see what adventures await them in future installments.

And of course, Clay is always a fan favorite with his brooding charm and animalistic nature.

I can't wait to read more from Kelley Armstrong.

This book is truly outstanding. It is definitely my favorite in the series so far. The only reason I'm hesitant to call it my absolute favorite of the series overall is because I'm sure there are many details from the middle books that I've forgotten. So, I'm tentatively reserving my final judgment.

First and foremost, this book presents the best example of a couple's misunderstanding that I've ever come across. Neither character is deliberately ignorant or misleads the other. It's simply a breakdown in communication that is later beautifully rectified. I love a good angst-filled story of "HE DOESN'T LOVE ME," but too often, these problems could be resolved by simply talking to each other. However, in this book, that's not the case.

Paige has her own insecurities when it comes to her relationship with Lucas. She's a witch who has been taught to distrust and fear sorcerers. On top of that, she previously believed that sorcerers hate witches. Combined with general womanly fears of being too clingy, it's no wonder she keeps telling Lucas she'll be around only as long as he wants her.

From Lucas' perspective, he has the patience of a saint. He drops hints left and right about how crazy he is about Paige, but every single one goes unnoticed by her. What's great about their interactions in this book is that, as a reader, after reading "Dime Store Magic," we understand why he's so hesitant to push for a firmer commitment from Paige. He's afraid of scaring her off after working so hard just to get her to call him by his first name.

I love their fight because we can understand both points of view. We understand why Paige is upset that Lucas doesn't know how she feels about him, but we also understand why he doesn't know. The scene with the champagne and her telling him he's a few days early is just heartbreaking. Poor Lucas! But what's really great about them is how strong they are as a couple. Their "fight" is more of a non-fight, and despite the initial lack of communication that led to the misunderstanding, they communicate so well about everything else. You just know that after this, they'll communicate about everything forever.

I love that they're not only in love and super attracted to each other (seriously, that blowjob in the closet!), but the trust between them is also amazing. They're a team, and everything about them is about being a team. I also love the comparison to Eric and Tammy Taylor. They're like the Taylors, but instead of being dependable and falling into old habits, they're all over the place, banging everywhere. It's hilarious and great.

I'm also fascinated by Benicio's relationship with Lucas. It's clear that Benicio really does love Lucas, but they just don't understand each other. The Cabals are so interesting, and I wish we could see a fuller, unbiased picture of how they work. There's so much more to them that I want to know.

I really enjoyed Cassandra and Aaron in this book. Cassandra is a complex and interesting character, and I love how unapologetic she is. I'm excited to see how she tries to re-engage with the world on reread. And Aaron, with the image of Chris Hemsworth in my head, is just perfect.

Finally, can someone please talk to me about Lucas and Clay as bros? I loved that so much on reread. I want them to be BFFs and quietly drink beers together. They still don't talk sometimes, but I really like the idea of them getting along and being bros.

Anyway, if anyone wants to talk to me about fancasting this series, I'm obsessed. What do people think of Elizabeth Olsen for Elena?

Reread October 2019

Why didn't we get more with the Cabals? They're so interesting, and I want to know everything about them.

Paige and Lucas are the best, hands down.