Customer Reviews

Industrial Magic (Women of the Otherworld, Book 4)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Industrial magic" is the fourth book in Kelley Armstrong's "Women of the Otherworld" series, and you are highly likely to enjoy it a lot, specially if you read the others before. "Bitten", "Stolen" and "Dime store magic" introduce you to a world where magic and the supernatural are just part of everyday life. "Industrial magic" just takes you further into it...

As you know, in "Dime store magic" Paige, a witch, had to fight for the custody of a young girl named Savannah. In order to do that she had to face a powerful Cabal, which is a mafia-like organization of sorcerers. Should I tell that witches and sorcerers aren't exactly on good terms?. And that Paige got to meet her new boyfriend Lucas, a sorcerer/lawyer, in the process of gaining Savannah's custody?.

In this book we get to see Paige and Lucas living together, and trying to keep Lucas's father, powerful Cabal leader Benicio Cortez, at a distance. The problem is that Benicio wants Lucas to assume the place of heir to the Cortez Cabal, despite being his youngest son, illegitimate, and the proud owner of quixotic tendencies that take him to endorse causes against the Cabal. Benicio loves his son, so he decides that asking for Lucas and Paige's help in an investigation involving the assault on a young witch (daughter of a Cortez Cabal employee) is a good way to approach him.

Clearly, both are very tempted to say no to Benicio's offer, but soon enough they realise that the assault is related to quite a few assassinations of other teenagers that belong to Cabal's families, and possibly to a supernatural killer. After that, can Paige and Lucas really say no?.

In "Industrial magic" we get to meet again our favourite werewolves (Elena, Clay and Jeremy), some of the vampires we already met (Cassandra and Aaron) and a few others, more half- demons and shamans, and even a necromancer. Also, we learn a lot more about the different Cabals and their inner struggles, about Lucas' dysfunctional family and Paige's attempts to come to terms with it. Of course, that isn't easy for her: how would you feel if your prospective brother-in-law had tried to kill you?.

So far, the first two books in the "Women of the Otherworld" series were centered on the werewolf Pack (through Clay and Elena's story), and the other two were centered on witches and sorcerers (through Lucas and Paige's story). I'm eager to read more from all of them, so Kelley Armstrong please write the other books in the series quickly :)

If you want to know more about the books I already mentioned, future release dates, or prequels to the novels in the series (available for free in Armstrong's website), visit www.kelleyarmstrong.com and you won't be disappointed.

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 bit of romance and a whodunnit.

Belen Alcat

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. Delving into the darkest parts of the paranormal world is dangerous and complicated, but those are risks Paige and Lucas willingly take in this exciting, funny, and suprisingly warm hearted novel.

***** All the Women of the Underworld books have been phenomenal, and this is the best yet. The return of Elena and Clay (Bitten, Stolen) comes in the exact right way; and even though they are supporting cast this go round, their roles are not underplayed in any way. Seeing more of Lucas' family adds flavor and depth to this world as well. However, it must be said that Lucas is one of the best romantic heroes ever created, managing to be alpha in a subtle fashion that makes full use of his dry wit. *****

Amanda Killgore

Industrial Magic is Canadian author Kelley Armstrong's fourth installment in the Otherworld series. The Otherworld series is a world not much different from our own, but includes demons, deities, vampires, werewolves, witches, sorcerers, shaman, druids, necromancers, clairvoyants, and much more. The supernatural world lies just under the surface of the known world and definitely has nasty teeth. With Industrial Magic, we are once again treated to a delightful adventure that will suck you in and not let go until the end.

At the conclusion of Dime Store Magic, Paige and Lucas have become guardians of Savannah. Since Paige's house was destroyed, they spent the summer driving around the country ending up in Portland, Oregon. Industrial Magic opens with Paige being approached by Lucas' father, Benicio Cortez. Benicio is a sorcerer and the CEO of the Cortez Cabal, a large company that employees supernaturals and has shady moral dealings. Since Lucas is estranged from his father, Paige was never supposed to be approached by Benicio.

Benicio is not to be denied his meeting with Paige. It would seem he has a case he wants Lucas to take. Someone is killing Cabal children. The latest victim is Dana, a homeless teenage witch.

Paige and Lucas want nothing to do with the Cabals; especially after Savannah's father of the Nast Cabal tried to take custody of her in Dime Store Magic. Kristoff Nast paid with his life for this, but Paige lost everything she held dear; her house, her reputation, and most of all, her coven. A trip to Miami is taken to politely refuse Benicio and set clear boundaries with the Cabal regarding Paige.

The adventure begins to unfold in Miami as Lucas and Paige struggle to keep clear of Benicio's manipulations and still help the supernatural children being targeted. Nothing is ever as it seems in the world of Cabals. This case pits Lucas and Paige against the killer and the Cabals. We quickly realize why Lucas wants nothing to do with Benicio and the other Cabals.

Many of our favorite characters from previous novels appear in Industrial Magic - Elena, Clay, Jeremy, and Cassandra. We meet a new character, Jamie - a TV personality who talks to the dead and just happens to be a necromancer. Jamie really livens things up for Paige and Lucas.

Industrial Magic is a book not to be missed. The action is fantastic and the drama is very intense. Kelley Armstrong creates such fun characters that really jump off the pages. The book is fast paced with lots of unexpected turns. Like the other books in the Otherworld series, I wanted more after finishing Industrial Magic.

Kelley Armstrong is the Canadian author of four books in the Otherworld series; Bitten, Stolen, Dime Store Magic, and Industrial Magic. The fifth book in the series, Haunted is to be published in the Spring of 2005. Available on her website, http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com , are three online novellas that further the werewolves' storyline.

If you look for it, you'll find that of Kelley Armstrong's books in the Women of the Otherworld series are divided up into species. I don't mean this by who is narrating them-that's pretty obvious, the first two are Elena, the female werewolf, the second two are Paige, a witch, the fifth is Eve a ghost witch half demon, and the sixth is Elena again. No, what I mean is that each book is dedicated into bringing a species more to the reader's attention, and giving them more information about them. So by this rule the books go, werewolf, general supernatural, witches/sorcerers, vampires/sorcerers, ghosts/demons and then werewolf/zombies. This book, "Industrial Magic" (which is a fantastic title by the way) is the vampire/sorcerer book.

Now Paige may be the former leader of the American coven, and a formidable witch with some fairly lethal spells up her sleeve, but this does not take away her overwhelming anxiety about meeting her boyfriend's, Lucas Cortez's father. This is understandable considering who the father Benico Cortez is. He's the head of the most powerful sorcerer Cabal there is, and is under the impression that someday Lucas (his favorite and born out of wedlock son) will outgrow his white knight/saving the supernatural world from the evil cabal phase and be his heir. Or it could be because Paige is a witch, the natural enemy of all sorcerers. Either way he's intimidating. Take your pick.

But Benico pops up, uninvited, unwelcome with an invitation to solve a supernatural murder mystery. Someone is snatching Cabal employee children and killing them-but not before they can call the Cabal 911. Naturally Paige and Lucas see this as the obvious attempt to manipulate Lucas into loving dear old dad again and refuse-until Paige hears one of the victims was a 15 year witch.

So it's off to Miami and the Cortez Cabal headquarters. Here things go the way of all the Women of the Otherworld novels, some murder, some mayhem, some sex (well, more than some) a necromancer who happens to do her thing on TV and still be the real deal, a quest for immortality and a ghost who likes to bite. Also in this book we see a lot of Cassandra, our favorite emotionally challenged vampire, who has a surprisingly tender (if you consider constant critique as a very picky mother in law would do) relationship with Paige.

Personally I found this to be the scariest of the novels thus far, probably just because I had never heard of Elizabeth Bathory before-and the version in this book just gave me the chills. But then aside from this series I don't read horror novels.

Oh and the ghost world part just makes the whole book.

It does seem a little odd to just keep handing out five star ratings, but hey, the author is that good. So, five stars.

And for the story of Paige and Lucas's wedding, along with many other odds and ends, including how Elena and Clay first met (which is just priceless) check out the author's website at kelleyarmstrong.com

I love Kelley Armstrong's writing. From the moment I picked up "Bitten" on a whim (not being much of a werewolf fan), I've been hooked. Her writing is consistently engaging, and, in my opinion, her plotting has grown stronger. While I found Elena a powerful heroine, I did find Paige a little too passive in the precursor to this novel--more likely to react to situations rather than take a proactive role. That's remedied in spades here, where Paige proves assertive and self-motivated. The central mystery is interesting, the secondary characters sympathetic.

Often new readers may find a series hard to enter without backtracking to the start, but I don't believe that would be the case here. While it would be great to know the backgrounds of the characters involved, I think Armstrong does a good enough job of reestablishing backplot without harping on it that a neophyte could follow along--and still enjoy the journey. If you like mysteries and character-driven supernatural thrillers, this is the place to go. Compared to her last work, it's erotica-light, which suits me, but its emotionally very fulfilling.

Supernatural novels may be a dime a dozen nowadays, but Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series stands out as being a lot more worthy than that. Very contemporary, it combines humour and thrills with the otherworld, where danger is abundant, and powers are required in order to survive.

What also makes this series a winner is its rotation of main characters. "Bitten" and "Stolen" were told through the eyes of Elena Michaels, our werewolf narrator. But Paige Winterbourne, a witch and former coven leader, hosts "Dime Store Magic" and "Industrial Magic".

However, Paige's partner is Lucas Cortez, a sorcerer and sometimes-unwanted member of the Cortez Cabal. Witches and sorcerers normally don't get along, but Paige joins the investigation into a series of kills - the victims all being children of Cabal members.

To get to the bottom of it, though, Paige needs help. With werewolf Elena Michaels to watch over her thirteen-year-old witch ward, Savannah, Paige then enlists the help of necromancer Jaime Vegas, a TV star with a penchant for drinks and lads.

Disconnecting vampire Cassandra DuCharme also steps in, as do Elena and fellow werewolves Clayton and Jeremy Danvers. And then there's Savannah and her binding spells, not to mention a male vampire who thrives on stereotypes.

The kills are gory, the vampire stereotypes are made fun of, and there's less sex than you'd expect from this genre. The writing is witty, and the characters are believable. Sure, our heroines Elena, Paige and the upcoming Eve Levine have similar personalities, but Cassandra and Jaime seem more distinctive. The lovey-dovey stuff is a bit cloying, but there are no explicit sex scenes. Explanations are long, but unfortunately it's still easy to get confused about supernatural murder motives and the spirit world.

But if you're looking for a supernatural series with more bite and more clothing than other books, then you've come to the right place.

Industrial Magic is the continuing adventures of Paige Winterbourne and her blacksheep boyfriend Lucas Cortez. When Lucas's father Benicio contacts Paige for help investigating the murder of a young witch, Paige initially refuses, but eventually becomes sucked in when more teens are attacked. Can Paige and Lucas uncover the murderer before its too late, or are they destined to become the next victims?

Okay, I admit, I'm a big fan of Armstrongs. I LOVED the first three books. But what I liked about her books was the believable way she portrayed her paranormal races. I found Industrial Magic to be quite over the top. Not only are there witches, vampires, werewolves, dead gods, druids and necromancers and demons. They are all way too colorful and exaggerated to be believed.. Also there were WAY too many characters making cameos, and doing nothing. What I liked best about her first two books were that the characters were down to earth, not overpowered. I think she treads on dangerous ground with all the spellcasting, death visitations and mystic mumbo jumbo. A little is cool. A lot is silly.

There were scads of things not to like about this book. Paige, the leader made some really dumb mistakes. For instance... When tracking the serial killer, why oh why did she not contact Elena and list the aid of the pack from the get go? Duh. The pack ARE hunters. And are we really supposed to believe an amateur like Paige is suddenly expected to become a detective with ZERO experience? Also.. Jaime. Oh.. What a total waste of book space. I hate the character hated her ditzyness oh and her crush on Jer was sickening thing to behold.

I guess I just didn't care for all the UBER spellcasting and necromancy etc. It Just seemed very unrealistic. I think I prefer her stories where her characters rely more on their wits than on occult mumbo jumbo and the addition of huge sorcerous conglamorates seemed overkill. Also cannot stand Jaime. Yeesh.

I found Industrial magic to be an average read, but nothing to shout about.

Again, I was very impressed with this novel by the same author who brought us Bitten, Stolen and Dime Store Magic.

The premise of the books is that it's the story of real life Supernaturals, werewolves, vampires, witches, demons, etc... as they live among us today. Bitten was about a werewolf, Stolen introduced witches and other supernaturals and Dime Store Magic & Industrial Magic are about witches but also has a bunch of others.

I'm surprised this book is not more widely read. The story is interesting, the writing is excellent, the plots are great and I certainly got attached to the characters enough that I want to follow their lives some more.

I think if you enjoyed such TV shows as Buffy and Angel, you'll love these books.

Pick it up, you won't regret it.

Armstrong has taken a character that pretty much annoyed the heck out of me in Stolen and has drawn her into a woman, someone who is learning from her mistakes and becoming stronger from her past weakness. Lucas is another character who has solidified from Dime Store Magic, where he at times seemed almost two dimensional.

There's a serial killer attacking Cabal children and Lucas and Paige get drawn in and Lucas must face his estranged family and Paige has to deal with who Lucas comes with. The characters from the other three books make an appearance (although certainly I could always stand to see more Clay) and the new ones are interesting.

I really enjoyed Industrial Magic. I am glad that Paige is no longer a petulant doormat and I'm going to be very interested to see how her relationships with Lucas and Savannah develop over time as well as her plans to create her E-Coven.

I want to hear more about the Cabals, I want to hear more about Savannah and I want more wolves (let's hear Jeremy's story please please please!). I'm eagerly awaiting Haunted.

While Dime Store Magic focused on small town coven politics, this book gives us great insight into the world of the cabals, where savvy business, organized crime, and supernatural politics blend together in an interesting and believable way. The main plot revolves around Paige and Lucas's hunt for whoever is killing off the cabal's supernatural children, yet the real strength of this book is the outstanding interplay between the characters. Armstrong's characterization is simply outstanding! The dialog is exquisite and the pacing is phenomenal. It makes her alternate America really come to life in a believable way.

Here's the main cast of characters: Benicio is a sorcerer, manipulative dad, and charismatic underworld boss. Lucas is his rebellious, good-hearted son, who wants nothing to do with the cabal yet has become the heir apparent anyway. He is also Paige's boyfriend. As a witch and our heroine, she caught in the middle. Lucas and Paige must simultaneously face off against the killer and the cabals. And, of course, witches and sorcerers get along somewhat less well than cats and dogs. Even the bit characters like Troy the half-demon bodyguard are interesting and convincingly written. Cassandra the self-absorbed, 300-year-old vampire is quirky and interesting too.

Once again Armstrong has produced an outstanding book. It's great fun and well worth the read!