Industrial Magic

“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 in love. Paige's books are as good as Elena's to me. I really wish they had more full length novels.

While the other book focused more on the weak and ineffective coven, this one goes into the world of the Sorcerer's world with the business run Cabal. Fascinating inner politics that were both irritating and intriguing. I loved the father/son anti-bond and its development too, I can't help it, I'm drawn to family drama. Paige and Lucas make a strong front when they stand up to prejudice, family hatred, and trying to fight for what is right while not always able to do it. There's show more some mental tricks aplay that keep them on their feet.

I was delighted 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 lend 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 her and Aaron work 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 loved it.

I 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, then they know who but have to try and trap and evade at the same time. Tense and well played. show less

This is my absolute favorite of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. Paige and Lucas are my favorite characters, and I love the interplay between them in this book. There’s also less of (teenage) Savannah, who drives me nuts. There is also lots of humor (including some fun genre-insider humor about vampires in New Orleans) and yet it includes emotional depth. Very good all-around book.

Starting life over after being exiled from her Coven hasn't been easy for Paige Winterbourne, but with the help of Savannah, her ward, and Lucas Cortez, her significant other, she is coping rather well until Lucas' father sends her a message, timed so that Lucas won't be there when she gets it. As far fetched as it might seem in the world of Cabal/Coven politics, Bennicio Cortez needs Paige's help. The Cabals and the witches are ancient enemies, you see, and Lucas has shunned his family. When Cabal children begin turning up dead, politics and family feuds are set aside. On the whole, I believe this book is really great, and quite original. I heartily recommend it to you, if you like to mix the supernatural/ horror theme with a little show more bit of romance and a whodunnit. show less

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

In my opinion, this novel is one of the most jam-packed installments of this series. There's a staggering amount of action and nearly every single character in the Women of the Otherworld universe makes an appearance. Regardless of whether you prefer witches, werewolves, vampires or necromancers, Dime Store Magic is sure to please all paranormal fans. The murder investigation that's at the forefront of this book's plot not only crosses preternatural lines but metaphysical planes as well. Plus, Paige really starts to come into her own as a narrator and as a character.

This is the first time that Paige and Lucas work together on an official investigation and it provides a nice glimpse of things to come in future show more books. Their relationship grows by leaps and bounds in this novel and they finally realize that their feelings for each other are more than just a passing phase. Of course, like most preternatural couples, they have to learn the truth of the matter the hard way. It's not until bullets start to fly and the Fates step in that they really realize what they mean to each other. Luckily for them, nothing is ever final in their universe, not even death. Armstrong also explores the reasons behind Cortez's strained relationship with Benicio, his father. It's easy to understand why the rift happened but a little more challenging to grasp Lucas' refusal to have any type of bond with his estranged dad. It's obvious that Benicio cares a great deal for his son and there are a few really moving moments where I just wanted to shake Lucas for his stubbornness.

For the most part, vampires don't play a very significant role in the Women of the Otherworld but when Cassandra offers her assistance you can't help but take note. She comes off as very cold and cryptic most of the time and oddly enough, I just love her to bits. This investigation reveals the intricacies of vampire society and helps to further cement the preternatural community's distaste for the undead. Their animosity used to be based on speculation but after having seen the horrors with their own eyes, it's now based on fact. Cassandra's pretty tame compared to the rest of them!

In spite of this book's blisteringly fast pace and intricate details, Kelley still finds room to throw a little bit of humour into the mix. I really enjoyed the dialogue between Jaime and Cassandra; especially their never-ending argument over whether vamps are dead or not. Vegas is such a bouncy, enthusiastic character that it's darn near impossible not to like her. She always looks on the bright side of a situation even when she's getting her butt kicked by a ghost who refuses to leave her alone. Last but not least, Clay & Elena also throw their gloves into the ring for a couple of rounds.

Industrial Magic is an all out supernatural free-for-all that'll leave you jonesing for another fix of the Women of the Otherworld. show less

Fourth in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, and perhaps the best yet. Paige Winterbourne, her partner Lucas Cortez, and their ward Savannah are trying to create a life for themselves. Lucas is the son and heir of the powerful Cortez Cabal. There are five cabals of sorcerers who are wealthy and powerful almost beyond imagining. But someone is killing the children of cabal employees, and Lucas and Paige accept the task of investigating.

Excellent suspense, and good characters, including the sexy necromancer Jaime Vegas. Lucas' father, Benecio, is also an intriguing character, a very powerful man driven in part by the need to gain his son's approval. Recommended.

I love Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, which are mostly first person Urban Fantasies written from a female point of view. That said, I certainly have my favorites, and the two novels centering on Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortes definitely rank for me as the ones I loved the most. I could understand readers having other favorites, the novels are all good reads. However, I just happen to like Paige, and the themes of a "cabal" of male sorcerers organized in something resembling a corporation and the relatively less powerful female witches in opposition. Paige is a witch--Lucas, the romantic interest, is a sorcerer. The first novel involving them was Dime Store Magic which should be read before this one. I find both books a show more fun, engrossing read that combine urban fantasy with elements of romance and mystery. (And it's nice reading an urban fantasy not centered on vampires or werewolves.) show less

While I am usually very strict about only reading series in order, for some reason, I’ve skipped around in this one a lot. Maybe because different books are from different perspectives? Anyway, I picked this up after being away from this series for a while, so it took me a bit to figure out exactly where I was in each character’s storylines. Having already read sequels, I must say it was way too much fun meeting Jaime the necromancer for the first time. Her first impression is as ridiculous and wonderful as I wanted it.

This book is a fun mystery/thriller with supernatural aspects involved, and of course, it includes all of our favorite characters from the Otherworld series; I love that the werewolves make an appearance in this show more novel. (Since the series started with Elena, I have a feeling that she and Clay will always be my ultimate favorites.) But I really would recommend this book for thriller lovers, I kept referring to it as the “supernatural serial killer” novel I was reading, and it fits so perfectly. Basically, Paige and Lucas agree to help the Cabals (supernatural mafia-like groups) to help find the person who’s been killing teenagers of Cabal employees. It follows the typical thriller-style of stories where they think they have the whole thing solved, but it turns out that they were missing a couple pieces of the puzzle, which makes for an interesting, surprising read.

The serial killer stuff was great, but my favorite development for the series as a whole was getting to see Paige and Lucas’s relationship develop. They’re finally talking about the important things and finally start admitting that things are serious with each other, which creates for some fun situations and some hilarious conversations/jokes about how they’d run their own Cabal if they were really able to be in charge.

Overall, it’s a solid addition to the series, which I really do believe is a must-read for supernatural fans (the genre, not necessarily the show). I love that while we were introduced to a new character or two, for the most part, this novel just worked on developing the relationships between characters we already know. Genuinely enjoyed every minute of reading this.

Also posted on Purple People Readers. show less