Dime Store Magic: Women of the Otherworld, Book 3

Kelley Armstrong's "Dime Store Magic" is the third novel in the "Women of the Otherworld" series. Like the preceding books, this one stands on its own and it is not necessary to read the other two to understand or to become involved in this one. I am/was so enamored of the original werewolf novels, and their heroine Elena Michaels, that I had my doubts about whether or not I would enjoy this new book starring, not lycanthropes, but witches. However, I quickly became absorbed in the story, and Ms. Armstrong's narrative is, as always, excellent and filled with her dark humor. Therefore I am able to recommend "Dime Store Magic" without hesitation.Twenty-three year-old Paige Winterbourne, recently orphaned, has inherited her mother's role as Leader of the elite American Coven of Witches. Paige, is not anywhere near as experienced in witchcraft and lore as her deceased mother, or as some of the elderly and very conservative witches in her Coven. She does, however, have a vision for the future - something sorely lacking now and very necessary. Paige has long been known for her rebellious antics and doesn't have much credibility with her fellow witches. In fact, many of them feel that the younger woman is not fit to lead. However, Paige's goal is an important one - to better her people and bring them into the 21st century - not to hide from the world, as the paranoid Coven Elders, little old ladies with blue rinses on their hair and polyester pants, wish to do. She strives to find hidden grimoires filled with ancient, stronger spells to help witches worldwide regain their rightful power in the supernatural world. Over the years, witches practicing "white magic," for the betterment of the human and supernatural races, have lost power and status to Sorcerer Cabals - kind of like the Mafia, peopled by males, (sorcerers), who make black magic for profit. Paige wants to regain that power for the purpose of doing good.Nine months earlier, Paige's mother was murdered along with another witch who had an adolescent daughter, Savannah Levine. This precocious young women was left in Paige's care to train and to raise to adulthood. Savannah has supernatural powers far exceeding her age, and her potential for making magic is beyond what most witches can ever expect to achieve. Part of Paige's responsibility is to make sure Savannah's power is used appropriately. The powerful sorcerer Kristof Nash, heir to the Nash Cabal, is Savannah's father and wants custody of his daughter whom he has totally ignored heretofore. Obviously Nash recognizes the potential for evil in his daughter's powers and wants to use her for his own dark purposes. Paige is well aware that Kristoff dabbles in the black arts and would do anything in order to capture Savannah and control her, including murder. Lucas Cortez, a young and handsome sorcerer, heir to the most powerful Cortex Cabal and an attorney also, comes to Paige's rescue. This is completely unheard of, as witches and sorcerers have always been enemies. Yet, the two, witch and sorcerer, make miraculous magic together.Once again Kelley Armstrong succeeds in dazzling her readers with her outstanding, well-crafted plot and numerous new characters - as well as bringing back some old friends, (and foes), from former novels. Her portrayal of the sometimes troubled relationship between Paige, herself a young woman without too much life experience, and adolescent Suzannah, is extremely realistic and often moving. Paige's frustration with the narrow-minded Coven Elders, and their refusal to leave their old and ineffectual ways behind and move forward for the betterment of all, is described with maturity and sensitivity. The novel is chock full of excitement, adventure and romance. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!JANA

I love Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Underworld series. She brings her own twist to the supernatural beings that populate her novels,including witches, sorcerers, werewolves, vampires, and half-demons.In this novel we are reacquainted with Paige Winterborne, a young witch who has been groomed to be the next leader of her Coven. But when her mother dies unexpectedly, the other members aren’t ready to embrace the inexperienced Paige as their leader. They’re also not fans of her ward, Savannah, the teenage daughter of a dark witch who lost her life because of her extraordinary powers.Paige is struggling to teach Savannah to use her powers for good only, but the girl is stubborn and headstrong. Things only get worse when a half-demon from their past surfaces as a broker in a custody suit between Paige and Savannah’s estranged father, a sorcerer from a powerful Cabal family. Things quickly spin out of control and Paige faces the loss of her Coven, her home, and possibly her young ward.As always with Armstrong, the pace is breakneck with every chapter leaving the reader wanting more. I only put the book down when sleep or eye strain forced me to take a break. For lovers of the paranormal, or someone looking for something a little different to mix up their TBR pile, this is a great read.

This is the book and the author that started it all for me with the paranormal romance genre. I chanced upon Kelley Armstrongs works when I picked up Dime Store Magic in 2004 and I am delighted that I did. Reading is a means of relaxation and a way to leave the real world behind for me. Each story can stand alone, but Kelley Armstrong weaves her related characters beautifully throughout each story. After reading Dime Store Magic I found myself wondering who the other people in the story were and decided to get the rest of the books ;This is the third book in the series and a great read. These cover a number of adult themes. I have gone on to purchase this entire set in paperback, Kindle and Audible forms as well as other series from Kelley Armstrong and have never been disappointed.

I was a bit hesitant to read this third book as it marks a major shift in gear from Elena, Clay, Jeremy and the werewolves to Paige, Savannah and the witches.I think I was right to be worried. I didn't warm very much towards Paige in the second book  Stolen  and although this book did manage to improve on that somewhat, there is still a way to go before I will be rooting for her in the way I did for Elena.Paige is strangely unsympathetic towards Savannah, a girl that she is apparently fighting to keep custody of against half-demons and sorceror cabals. This is a child who was kidnapped and then whose mother was murdered, leaving her alone in the world with dark and mysterious powers. Perhaps a little compassion was warranted?Savannah is, in many ways, a much more interesting character than Paige. She's unpredictable, feisty, independent and possibly in possession of some pretty dark magic skills. Similarly, Cortez, Paige's custody lawyer holds plenty of interest as a character. He at least makes up for the fact that Adam, another interesting character from book 2, barely features in this one.The main problem with this installment is that the story really doesn't get going until about half-way. After that, it does improve and I did read quite quickly to the end. It felt as though this was a transitional story; that it was necessary to get a few bits and pieces of plot moving along so that the next book can pick up the pace. There is also the problem of having fallen in love with characters in the first two books and then have them disappear. I did find that I missed Clay, Elena and Jeremy and the whole fascinating world of the pack. In the book's favour, there is a good mix of drama, action and a touch of romance.I would say, yes, read this, but be prepared to miss the old characters terribly. Also, prepare to be patient about the fact that you will need to really stick with it for a while before the plot gets going. Hopefully the next book  Industrial Magic  will move the story along a little better.NB/ The Kindle edition is well-formatted and error free. Download away! StolenIndustrial Magic

I chanced upon this author's works and decided to give them a try and I am delighted that I did so. As a teacher in a secondary school, I find that reading works of fiction is my only true release and means of relaxation. I like to leave this real world behind for a time. Subsequently, I intend to buy all of the books in this series of books, as they make for an addictive read and allow me to completely switch off from my working life. Each story can stand alone, but Kelley Armstrong weaves her related characters beautifully throughout each story. One is reminded of the relationships as you proceed through each story and you really believe in each and every one of her supernatural characters. This is the third book in the series and, like books one and two, is fast paced, imaginative, magical and a lovely read. Anybody who likes/loves the supernatural or fantasy novel would be well advised to read these books. They are not quite teenage literature, as they cover a number of adult themes, but they are a gentle read - the perfect book to switch off with.This particular story line tells of an age old conflict between witches and sorcerers, with a half-demon thrown in here and there, and how some individuals come together to right wrong doings, despite their so called differences.

The third book in the otherworld series and as always a great read from Kelley Armstrong.It has been a while since they freed everyone from the compound and Savannah, a powerful teenage witch, is the ward of 23 year old Paige, the new coven leader. Narrated by Paige, as she struggles to empathise with Savannah and her macabre tendencies, she is suddenly forced into a custody battle for Savannah, who one day will become an incredibly powerful supernatural. The person wanting custody is her supposed father Kristof Nast, a sorcerer who helps run a mafia style supernatural company. Seeing how witches and sorcerers detest each other, Paige is convinced it is a ploy to gain Savannah as a powerful asset because what witch would ever sleep with a sorcerer? A modern, media driven witch hunt begins and Paige is forced to make decisions that go against everything she has been raised for. With the, at first unwanted, help of a young sorcerer, who has his own reasons for involving himself in the case, Paige is determined to fight to keep Savannah safe, even if it means losing everything she has ever worked for.

Ok so the first two books in the series hooked me, but i did feel a little dubious as to buying this as it no longer focuses on Elena and the werewolves, but on the witch Paige and her charge Savannah. Now I must admit i did not like Paige at all in the previous books, she came across as short-sighted, spoiled and naive. That said, she does have a bit more maturity in this book, or perhaps things just look and feel different from her own perspective. Either way, I found myself slowly growing to like her... just a little.For the most part this isn't a high action book, the action is subdued and spaced out and most of the book is extremely domestic. What really made this fun for me was Savannah and Lucas. Savannah is your bubbly, moody, devil-may-care teen and never lets Paige forget it. Lucas is interesting in that he's extremely formal, at first anyway, and he's reserved, a total opposite to Paige really.Not a bad addition but not sure i'll read it again. I will buy the next in the series though as I see potential and the witchraft details are interesting

Dime Store Magic is the third book in The Women of the Otherworld series. Paige Winterbourne, head of the witches coven and guardian of black witch Eve Levines daughter Savanah tells this story and what a story!! Its the story of the huge battle Paige faces to keep custody of Savanah whilst her powerful sorcerer father Kristof Nast (of the Nast Cabal) tries everything he can to take it away!! He enlists the help of Leah, the demon with telekenetic powers from the second Otherworld book, and various other supernaturals, enter Lucas, another sorcerer, but he shows Paige and Savanah that not all sorcerers are the same!!! another excellent book from KA!! Keep reading I know I am going to!!!!