Industrial Magic (Women of the Otherworld, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

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Key Phrases: sensing spell, unlock spell, cover spell, Kelley Armstrong, New Orleans, Cortez Cabal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in a supernatural but credible underworld of industrial baron sorcerers and psychologically crippled witches, the fourth novel in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series (after Dime Store Magic) follows young renegade witch Paige Winterbourne as she pitches a group of uptight business-suited witches to join her alternative coven, which she claims will re-empower the new generation. It's a task made nearly impossible by Paige's romantic association with sorcerer/lawyer Lucas Cortez; in Armstrong's world, witches and sorcerers are bitter enemies. Lucas aims to bring down the mafia-like cabal to which he's heir apparent, but this goal and Paige's are put on the back burner when someone starts murdering the children of rival cabal leaders. In their hunt for the killer, Paige and Lucas must rely on a number of unpromising allies: a vicious aging vampire, a TV celebrity necromancer and the ghost mom of an adolescent witch who may be the murderer's next victim. As in the author's first book, Bitten (which introduced the world's only female werewolf, Elena, who also figures in this plot), breakneck action is tempered by deep psychological insights, intense sensuality and considerable humor.
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Review

For BITTEN and STOLEN: 'Elena Michaels is at once sublime and sympathetic, a modern heroine who shows that real women bite back' KARIN SLAUGHTER 'Makes Buffy look fluffy' DAILY EXPRESS 'A tasty confection of werewolves, sex and vendettas. Gory, sexy fun' SFX 'Clever, quirky, hip and funny. More please!' JOANNE HARRIS --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (October 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553587072
• ISBN-13: 978-0553587074
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,050 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 4 in The Women of the Otherworld Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want to read the next books in the series NOW !!!, November 26, 2004

By	Alcat Garcia "aka bel_78 // A.G. is just an a... (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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"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

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Industrial Magic, October 29, 2004

By	AK "Bro" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Avid Reviewer and Reader, October 31, 2004

By	Alisa McCune (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.