This book was truly amazing.

I was completely captivated by the story from beginning to end.

I love how Paige makes the difficult decision to leave the coven after her mother is tragically killed.

Her determination to start her own coven shows her strength and independence.

The relationship between Lucas and Paige is also a highlight.

Their teamwork in trying to find the murderer is both touching and exciting.

It was also great to see Elena and Clay again.

Their presence added another layer of depth to the story.

And getting to meet Cassandra and Aaron was a wonderful addition.

Their characters brought new elements and mysteries to the plot.

I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural thriller.

It definitely deserves 5 stars!!!

Dealing with your boyfriend's family can be an extremely challenging task. It becomes even more difficult when they seem to be like the sorcery mafia, with their own mysterious and perhaps not-so-friendly ways.

The reason why I started this book was quite simple. It was like opening a bag of Lays chips. Once you start, you just can't stop with just one. There was something about the story that immediately hooked me and made me eager to know more.

And as for why I finished it, it was because it was truly great to revisit old friends. The characters in the book had become so familiar to me that it felt like reuniting with dear companions. Their adventures and experiences kept me engaged until the very end.

Overall, this book offered a unique and captivating journey that I thoroughly enjoyed. It made me reflect on the complexities of relationships, both with family and with those we hold dear.

I think the end of the book was a bit abrupt.

Specifically, since the next book is about someone else, it feels like the story of the current characters was not given a proper conclusion.

The reader is left hanging, wondering what will happen to them.

It would have been nice if the author had taken a bit more time to tie up loose ends and give the characters a more satisfying ending.

Perhaps the author could have included an epilogue that showed what happened to the characters after the end of the book.

This would have given the reader a sense of closure and made them more likely to pick up the next book in the series.

Overall, while the book was enjoyable, the abrupt ending was a bit of a letdown.

OMG, this is the worst book I've read so far. It took me forever to get through it, and I had to force myself to read.

To me, the story seemed to be going nowhere. It was just about kids getting killed, but it didn't describe how it happened.

It didn't get "exciting-esc" until page 400. By that, I mean there was finally some action happening, not just people traveling around trying to get clues that led nowhere.

Don't get me wrong, I usually enjoy Kelley Armstrong's writing. But this book was so slow-paced that I actually fell asleep while reading it three times.

I was really disappointed with this one. I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging story, but instead, I got a dull and uneventful one.

I'm not sure if I'll be reading any more of Kelley Armstrong's books after this experience.

Ok first I have to say, I haven't written a review in ages as I haven't felt anything strongly enough in regards to other books I have read thus far. But after reading this book, I just have to say something about this book and actually Dime Store Magic.

Mini synopsis: Heroine and Hero Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez are on another harrowing adventure. This time to save the children of the evil cabals that our hero Lucas wants no part of, particularly his father's cabal. Along the way with a host of secondary characters and friends, they find out whodunit and why and end up saving the day.

Ok, rehashing aside. I have to truly say that although I enjoy Armstrong's world building and her characters are growing on me. I truly have to say what in the world happened to Paige Winterbourne's character between books 2 - 4? I mean I loved Paige's character in Stolen. She seemed very much like a powerful, stand up for what she believes in modern witch that was willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. Heck I even felt more of a connection with her over Elena, whom started the series off. But in Dime Store Magic and in Industrial Magic, Paige was not that character I grew to love AT ALL.

Prime examples being:

1. How there was a total lack of intelligence in her decision-making when it came to chasing down the bad guy. I.e. do you need a Harvard level I.Q. to let your boyfriend know that it's not a good idea to pursue a bad guy whom has a gun? I mean, she saw the bad guy put a gun in his pocket and she also knows that combined both her and Lucas spells aren't all that top notch if they don't really concentrate on them first. So to me it seemed so silly that she let him chase the guy down. Not smart at all, Paige. >_<

2. Paige and Lucas both love spells. Especially Paige who was smart enough to crack the way higher level spells works. But in all of that, she has never ONCE found a way to corral some of Savannah's wayward spell casting in Dime Store Magic. Heck even in Industrial Magic she was to the point of being sorta resentful against Savannah a bit, likely because of the way the girl was using her magic. But no real effort to try and reign her in at all.

3. Paige had a passion to do more for the covens ever since her mom created her magically. Even taking the coven in more modern directions after she was kicked out from her old coven. But she seemed to be re-inventing the wheel by keep going to similarly minded older witches around the country that were like the ones that kicked her out. Could just be me, but given how she and Lucas were both still pretty young and were looking to head in more positive ways with magic. I would have thought trying to reach younger witches and children of witches to help them in their magic, would have naturally been the best option for this. But clearly she didn't see this til a teen witch died in this book.

All this aside, I was rather disappointed in Paige's magic overall. I know her mom had faith in her taking charge of Savannah and leading the coven and all that. But dude, Paige's skill set was rather remedial. I mean I'm sure there is a something about the magical spells that make working them tricky and complex. But now that she has the grimoires and even working with/dating Luca a sorcerer. I would think they BOTH should be much further along by now. But it's just not happening.

One last closing point. I totally felt like Paige's personality changed quite a bit too from Stolen to Dime Store and even Industrial Magic. As I said before she was someone that seemed ballsy enough to do whatever it took to get the job done in Stolen. But in Dime Store and even in Industrial Magic, she read like this total uber goody goody some how. Maybe it was the contrast between her and Savannah's upbringing with a mom that wasn't afraid to use dark magic. And so naturally Savannah was into doing the same. But Paige was like Plesantville witch or something and combined with the remedial spells, it just felt like Paige was the idealistic little girl than Savannah and plenty of the other characters.

I hear Eve's story is next, Savannah's mom. I can say that I loved her in Industrial Magic and was very intrigued by her. I can only hope that she keeps that going in her own book. Fingers Crossed.

April 2022…

I have always been quite particular when it comes to the female characters in this series. In the past, I only had a soft spot for Elena. However, in this installment, something truly remarkable happened. Every single woman in the story was actually extremely enjoyable to follow.

I was especially delighted to make the acquaintance of Jamie Vega. Her character brought a fresh and exciting element to the narrative.

But the real highlight for me was when Cassandra and Faith went to visit the vampire Hans. Oh my goodness, it was absolutely hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud uncontrollably, with tears streaming down my face. The comical interactions and the absurdity of the situation had me in stitches. It was one of those moments that made this installment of the series truly unforgettable.

Overall, this April 2022 installment has completely changed my perspective on the female characters in the series. I can't wait to see what else they have in store for us in the future.

INDUSTRIAL MAGIC (Women of the Otherworld #4) by Kelley Armstrong

INDUSTRIAL MAGIC is the fourth full-length novel in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series.

I have a great affection for Kelley Armstrong's books and series. However, this particular series had a few installments that didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The storylines involving Paige and Lucas, in particular, didn't top my list. Maybe it was the absence of the wolves (like Clay, Elena, and Jeremy) or the lack of sexual tension between the couple.

Looking back, it's probably due to the excessive amount of background information and the numerous characters involved in each Paige/Lucas/Cabel storyline.

We first encountered Paige and Lucas in Dime Store Magic (WOTO #3) when Lucas agreed to represent Paige during her custody battle for Savannah and her banishment from the Witches Coven.

Industrial Magic focuses on the Cabel side of the family, including Lucas's family and Savannah's extended biological family from her father's side.

The Cabels are a family-run operation, controlled and aligned with the most powerful sorcerers. Comparing them to the Mafia or Mob wouldn't be too far-fetched.

But someone or something is murdering the young Cabal sons and heirs, and since Lucas is his father's reluctant heir, he and Paige become deeply involved in the investigations.

As I mentioned earlier, several new characters are introduced. Some of them, like Jaime Vegas (a clairvoyant and necromancer) and Eve Levine (part witch/part demon and Savannah's deceased mother), will appear多次 in future novels and storylines.

There are demons, shamans, vampires, wolves, sorcerers, witches, and, of course, the lowly suffering humans. Honestly, I considered creating a graph to keep track of all the familial connections.

Regrettably, Kelley will be releasing her final full-length novel in the Women of the Otherworld series in July - THIRTEEN.

On the bright side, Kelley has also said she will be re-releasing some of her short stories and novellas and writing some continuing short storylines to keep her fans happy.

For example, V Plates was released in May 2012 (narrated by Nick).

See all of my reviews at: thereadingcafe.com

I'm sure this occurs to every dedicated reader now and then: You encounter a book that has no glaring flaws, yet for you personally, it's as arduous as pulling teeth to finish. For me, this was precisely such a book. After nearly two weeks of struggling, I ultimately gave up and began skimming. So I want to caution you to view my opinions on this with a degree of skepticism, since I didn't read it closely. At the same time, I feel compelled to share my less than stellar reading experience in the name of honest reviewing.

This is the fourth book of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, but it's the second one with Paige as the narrator/protagonist. In this installment, the teenage children of Cabal members (essentially the supernatural mafia) are being murdered. Paige and Lucas (who is the black sheep son of a Cabal leader) are drawn into solving the murders and apprehending the killer.

Positive Comments:
I truly like Lucas as a character, and there's an abundance of him in this book. He's an interesting hero to me because he isn't a strong, brutish alpha like is so typical in fantasy/paranormal. Instead, he's an intellectual, somewhat nerdy character who happens to be a sorcerer (and a lawyer). His presence kept me persevering through the tedium.
I felt the most engaged in the story when some of the cast from the previous books appeared - Adam, Elena, Clay, etc. Maybe it's a bad sign when you start reading a book solely for the secondary characters, but that's how I felt.
The concept of the story is rather decent. I thought having Paige forced to work with a Cabal would result in a lot of interesting character interactions and lead to some development on her part. Had the book not become mired in other matters, this premise could have made it a winner.

Critical Comments:
In my review of Dime Store Magic, I stated that it took me a long time to get through the book, but I attributed it to my own busyness and distractions. However, I had the same issue with Industrial Magic, so I'm forced to conclude that it's not me... it's the book. Some books are page-turners and have to be wrested from my hands so that I'll eat and shower myself now and then. With other books, I have to talk myself into reading. This one was somewhere in the middle, but perilously close to the latter. I just didn't feel immersed in the story.
This is not a problem that I had with Bitten or Stolen, so I'm inclined to think that Paige is a significant part of the issue. I don't dislike Paige, but she's just not very interesting. Her actions are predictable and often foolish. She really doesn't seem like the best person for an investigation job. Dime Store Magic was more believable because Paige was more of a victim fighting against circumstances. In this one, she volunteers for a task that, to me, should have gone to another character.
My other gripe is that the plot seems needlessly cumbersome. It's a 500-page book, and about 150 of those pages could easily have been trimmed away. For one thing, there are numerous "eating breakfast", "checking on Savannah", "getting on the airplane", "insert mundane task here" paragraphs that really don't need to be included. But more importantly, the central plot is just not as fast-paced as I would like it to be.
Lastly, I'm not a person who enjoys murder mysteries, and I tend to be impatient with them. If you do like murder mysteries, you probably won't mind this book. For me, reading about characters I don't know getting killed is not very motivating or exciting. That sounds terrible, but it's just how I feel.

So, Industrial Magic was really not a success for me in any sense. I still like Kelley Armstrong, and I'm not ready to abandon the series yet, but this one did not thrill me. 2 stars.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

*** My Review:

Overall, the book was good, but it didn't quite reach the level of being stellar. I have a great fondness for the author's writing style. However, there were a few aspects that gave me some concerns.

1. Paige and Lucas take on the role of "detectives" in the hunt for the murderer. To achieve this, they bring in a necromancer, vampire, sorcerer, werewolf, and more. It seemed to me that the main focus of the plot was on Paige's learning process, which was enhanced by collaborating with her friends, rather than solely on solving the murders.

2. The plot felt somewhat drawn out as it tried to connect the various small incidents related to Paige's friends to the murderer. For example, the necromancer is haunted by a ghost who has a connection to the murderer.

3. One third of the book had a slow pace when it came to revealing the Cabel family and their operations.

On the positive side, the book reads extremely smoothly, with a masterful ability to link one event to the next. The author ensures that no questions are left unanswered. As an illustration, Paige has an interest in starting a coven, and by the end, an opportunity presents itself that could potentially lead to the start of a coven.

[Please keep in mind that this is the fourth book in the The Otherworld Series]

In my view, this novel stands out as one of the most action-packed installments within this series. There is an astonishing amount of excitement and nearly every character from the Women of the Otherworld universe makes an appearance. Whether you have a penchant for witches, werewolves, vampires, or necromancers, Dime Store Magic is certain to delight all fans of the paranormal. The murder investigation that takes center stage in this book's plot not only transcends preternatural boundaries but also delves into metaphysical planes. Moreover, Paige truly begins to shine as a narrator and as a character.
This is the first instance where Paige and Lucas collaborate on an official investigation, offering a tantalizing preview of what's to come in future books. Their relationship blossoms exponentially in this novel, and they finally come to terms with the fact that their feelings for each other are more than just a fleeting fancy. Naturally, like most preternatural couples, they have to learn the hard truth. It isn't until bullets start flying and the Fates intervene that they truly understand the depth of their connection. Fortunately for them, in their universe, nothing is ever truly final, not even death. Armstrong also delves into the reasons behind Cortez's troubled relationship with his father, Benicio. While it's easy to fathom why the rift occurred, it's a bit more challenging to understand Lucas' reluctance to form any kind of bond with his estranged dad. It's evident that Benicio cares deeply for his son, and there are several poignant moments where I just wanted to shake Lucas for his stubbornness.
For the most part, vampires don't play a particularly significant role in the Women of the Otherworld, but when Cassandra offers her assistance, one can't help but take notice. She often comes across as cold and enigmatic, and strangely enough, I absolutely adore her. This investigation uncovers the intricacies of vampire society and further solidifies the preternatural community's aversion to the undead. Their animosity was once based on speculation, but after witnessing the horrors firsthand, it is now rooted in fact. Cassandra is relatively tame compared to the rest of them!
Despite the breakneck pace and intricate details of this book, Kelley still manages to inject a touch of humor into the mix. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue between Jaime and Cassandra, especially their ongoing debate about whether vampires are truly dead or not. Vegas is such a lively and enthusiastic character that it's almost impossible not to like her. She always looks on the bright side of a situation, even when she's being harassed by a persistent ghost. Last but not least, Clay and Elena also make an appearance, adding to the excitement.

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads Industrial Magic is an all-out supernatural extravaganza that will leave you craving more of the Women of the Otherworld.

Quick review:

The cover is okay.

The rating is NC-17.

The steaminess level is smolder.

The number of thumbs up is 4.

Overall, I liked it.

The characters are well written.

The plot is about the mafia of all magic.

It's a page turner.

It's part of a series and there will be more.

I recommend it.

My book boyfriend is Lucas.

SUMMARY (50 words or less): I liked this installment with Paige more than the last. Lucas's world is interesting. I want to know more about Eve. This installment made me question what was going on. Love it.

For a full review and yummy pic, see my blog post at: http://www.mybookboyfriend.blogspot.c...

Audio Review: Laural Merlington did a wonderful job with the narration.

Paige Winterbourne is making a comeback in the Women of Otherworld series.

This time around, she finds herself embroiled in the complex politics of the cabal.

This is not a good situation, as the cabal has a long-standing aversion to witches.

Paige has already broken away from her conservative and narrow-minded coven, which only adds to the potential problems.

However, despite facing some rather monumental tasks, Paige, the young witch, manages to prevail.

It's fortunate that she's not alone in this journey.

Her determination and strength of character are put to the test as she navigates the dangerous world of the cabal.

Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Paige's adventures and root for her to overcome all obstacles.

The Women of Otherworld series continues to captivate with its unique blend of supernatural elements and engaging storylines.

Don't miss out on the latest installment featuring Paige Winterbourne.