Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Novel That Is Pure Magic!, December 3, 2004
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
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38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Avid Reader & Reviewer, May 2, 2004
Dime Store Magic is the third book in the Women of the Otherworld series. At the conclusion of Stolen, Elena, Paige, and the rest of the supernatural interracial council rescued Savannah and destroyed the facility that was kidnapping supernaturals. Savannah had been kidnapped with her mother, Eve. She was murdered shortly after the kidnapping, leaving Savannah alone and at the mercy of Isaac, an evil sorcerer and Leah, a half-demon Volo. Dime Store Magic begins a year after Stolen. Paige, a coven witch, has custody of Savannah, a 13-year-old angry witch. Paige has her hands full trying to guide and protect Savannah, who is experiencing teen-angst with an unhealthy dose of rage.
Leah, the half-demon Volo has decided to join forces with a Cabal, a high ranking sorcerer who is also CEO of a large corporation. This particular Cabal, Nast, is very powerful and also Savannah's father. The fight for custody is more then a legal matter. Nast wants Savannah for her power and will do anything to acquire her. Paige finds herself fighting not only Nast, but also everyone else in her life to protect Savannah. Paige's once uncomplicated life becomes a living hell that seems to have no end in sight. To make matters worse, Savannah, at 13, is very immature and full of rage. She is angry about everything and is prone to using her powers in a reckless manner. Consequences are something Savannah does not understand. Dime Store Magic is a wonderful, fun book to read. The Paige who was introduced in Stolen gains a great deal more depth and is a great heroine. She deals with these betrayals and attacks with a strong moral outrage and strength of character. She is not about to back down and shows her true feisty nature. What makes this book work is Paige's voice. It is unique and interesting. Kelley Armstrong did a wonderful job creating the Women of the Otherworld. Kelley Armstrong is the author of Bitten and Stolen, the first two books in the Women of the Otherworld series. Industrial Magic, the fourth in the series will be released late in 2004. Be sure to visit Kelley Armstrong's website at www.kelleyarmstrong.com
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read!, February 19, 2004
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong is the third book in the Women of the Otherworld series. At the conclusion of Stolen, Elena, Paige, and the rest of the supernatural interracial council rescued Savannah and destroyed the facility that was kidnapping supernaturals. Savannah had been kidnapped with her mother, Eve. Eve was murdered shortly after the kidnapping, leaving Savannah alone and at the mercy of Isaac, an evil sorcerer and Leah, a half-demon Volo. Dime Store Magic begins a year after Stolen. Paige, a coven witch, has custody of Savannah, a 13-year-old angry witch. Paige has her hands full trying to guide and protect Savannah, who is experiencing teen-angst with an unhealthy dose of rage. Leah, the half-demon Volo has decided to join forces with a Cabal, a high ranking sorcerer who is also CEO of a large corporation. This particular Cabal, Nast is very powerful and also Savannah's father. The fight for custody is more then a legal matter. Nast wants Savannah for her power - and will do anything to acquire her. Paige finds herself fighting not only Nast, but also everyone else in her life to protect Savannah. Paige's once uncomplicated life becomes a living hell that seems to have no end in sight. To make matters worse, Savannah at 13 is very immature and full of rage. She is angry about everything and is prone to using her powers in a reckless manner. Consequences are something Savannah does not understand. Dime Store Magic is a wonderful, fun book to read. The Paige introduced in Stolen gains a great deal more depth and is a great heroine. She deals with these betrayals and attacks with a strong moral outrage and strength of character. She is not about to back down and shows her true feisty nature. What makes this book work is Paige's voice. It is unique and interesting. Kelley Armstrong did a wonderful job creating the Women of the Otherworld. Kelley Armstrong is the author of Bitten and Stolen, the first two books in the Women of the Otherworld series. Dime Store Magic will be available in the US April 27, 2004. Industrial Magic, the fourth in the series will be released on November 2, 2004. Be sure to visit Kelley Armstrong's website, http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/ for more information on the series.
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