Book Review: Dime Store Magic

Dime Store Magic (Women of the Otherworld #3)

By: Kelley Armstrong

Published By: Bantam

Publication Date: September 2012

Page Count: 424

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer
Audience: Adult - Paranormal 

Review of Book #1: Bitten

Review of Book #2: Stolen

Paige Winterbourne is still reeling from the death of her mother. She's trying to protect her young ward, Savannah, and usher her Coven into a modern era, but forces conspire against Paige to the point where she could lose everything. Paige is a strong willed woman who refuses to go down without a fight.

As Paige begins to make plans to battle the forces that want Savannah and the antiquated notions of her coven, she meets a handsome stranger, Lucas Cortez. Lucas wants to help Paige wage a legal battle for custody of Savannah, but his help is not welcome in the beginning due to his status as a Sorcerer. Since the days of the Inquisition, Witches and Sorcerers have been at odds. I loved learning more about the centuries old feud between these two supernatural races. Paige will have to shove off old prejudices in order to give Lucas a chance, but she soon finds he may be the only friend in her corner. As her Coven turns on her, Paige only has Savannah and Lucas to rely on for support. The trio becomes a makeshift family of sorts.

The tension in this novel is caused by the Nast Cabal. Savannah's father comes out of the woodwork and demands custody of his daughter. He wishes to groom her to make one of the most powerful witches the world has ever known. Paige doesn't trust the Cabals and she fights to keep Savannah safe and with her. There were moments when I felt bad for Savannah as all of the adults around her made decisions about her life and well being without consulting her, but I also understood that the stakes were high and teenagers are emotional and unreliable from time to time.

While I enjoyed this novel, I did not find myself as drawn to Paige as I had been to Elena. I missed the werewolves. Elena and her boys make brief appearances - if only in conversation - but I wanted more. I know there will be more wolfy moments as the series progresses, but the residents of Stone Haven are my favorites. Paige, Savannah, and Lucas were entertaining, but they can't replace Elena and Clay. I am interested to see what lies in store for all the characters - both the furred and the spell casters - as this series moves forward. I love Kelley Armstrong's writing and this captivating world she has created.

P.S. - I am interested to see how this novel will play into the show, Bitten. Will Lucas be in the show or will the romance on screen between Paige and Nick continue?

One Last Gripe: Savannah's attitude became trying at times.

Favorite Thing About This Book: The relationships - I was drawn to the dynamic between Paige and Savannah as well as the one between Paige and Lucas

First Sentence: Todd adjusted his leather power seat and smiled.

Favorite Character: Paige

Least Favorite Character: Victoria

Summary:

From one of today’s most original writers comes the mesmerizing tale of an exceptional young woman caught up in an otherworldly realm where some will stop at nothing to get what they want.

Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world’s most powerful elite organizations—the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige’s wildest antics can’t hold a candle to those of her new charge—an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil...and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder—and frame Paige for the crime. It’s an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.