Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

rating
(Women of the Otherworld, #3)
URBAN FANTASY


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.


“According to Cortez, the Cabals had strict policies against employing any supernatural being that might mistake them for lunch.”

I have to admit that after the first two books through Elena's point of view, I wasn't excited about switching points of view and diving into Paige's head. Willing to give it a shot, after taking the dive I didn't want to emerge again. Paige is awesome - while I may still like Elena a wee bit better, her story was just as good.

Paige and Savannah have been living together since the horrors that took place during Stolen, and not only are some not happy about it *cough* snooty coven *cough*, there is now a custody battle brewing that involves the super powerful Cabal and former villain Leah. Help comes from an unlikely place in the form of Lucas, a new intro for the series and someone I hope sticks around. There's some legal play going down but it's mainly a battle of the magic, set ups and luck. The office scene with the lawyer ending his career was kind of epic.

Paige grinded on my nerves some by not getting over some of her paranoia toward Lucas, but once she thaws out she's great. Loved the development of their bond. Lucas is described as a little generic and scrawny; he speaks with a lawyer's spiel and uptight manner for most of the book, but this just makes him more endearing. He's passionate about causes, he's protected for the weak, he's trying to make his way in the world. Savannah acts like a pre-teen girl which is annoying at least half the time.

The book wins with its story-line because there are different forces pushing against them, plenty of tension, action is kept strong, and personal relationships better the characters actually keep me caring. If I had to say a bad thing, it'd be Paige's nativity with falling into some of the traps was annoying. The funeral home, come on!

If you've shied away from reading more of the series because you don't want head-swapping, I assure you Paige's story is filled with magic, dimension, and all sorts of Urban Fantasy goodies.

 

Free Online Fiction from the Author's Website (Including of this series) 
Demonology 101 from author's website 

   Book Quotes:

“I'd seen more cops in the last few days than on a weekend LAW and ORDER marathon"

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