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Series
Publication
Spectra (2007), Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Description
Fiction. Horror. Literature. HTML: 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..… (more)
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member AuntieClio
In theory, this book and the series it comes from sounds like something right up my alley, but it’s not. The first line on the back cover reads, “From one of today’s most original writers …” which is absurd because writing fantasy novels about strong, independent women who are also
I found the bigotry between “races” to be simply awful. Humans hate anything not human, witches hate sorcerers and sorcerers control the cabals and therefore, hate anyone that gets in their way. The misogyny of sorcerers and their attitude towards women, especially witches, was hard to take. And Winterbourne’s problems with the little old biddies in her coven are nothing new.
I did find some things that kept me reading, like the themes of “what awful supernatural prank is she going to play on her heroine next,” and “when is someone going to smack down her neice?” But overall, I give this book a great big “meh” and will wait patiently until I can get my hands on the next Kim Harrison book.
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witches is hardly original. Paige Winterbourne is pretty standard boilerplate young witch in over her head with a teenage niece as ward, bigotry from the neighborhood of humans who don’t understand the supernatural, and the forbidden love interest from another race. Please.I found the bigotry between “races” to be simply awful. Humans hate anything not human, witches hate sorcerers and sorcerers control the cabals and therefore, hate anyone that gets in their way. The misogyny of sorcerers and their attitude towards women, especially witches, was hard to take. And Winterbourne’s problems with the little old biddies in her coven are nothing new.
I did find some things that kept me reading, like the themes of “what awful supernatural prank is she going to play on her heroine next,” and “when is someone going to smack down her neice?” But overall, I give this book a great big “meh” and will wait patiently until I can get my hands on the next Kim Harrison book.
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LibraryThing member Darla
This is the third book in the "Women of the Otherworld" series. Following events in the previous book, Stolen, witch Paige Winterbourne has her hands full as guardian to a super-powerful thirteen-year-old, Savannah, and head of a coven that's more interested in safety and secrecy than anything
When we first met Paige in Stolen, she was young, arrogant, and hot-headed. She's only a year older here, but her responsibilities have matured her. Which is a good thing: Savannah is arrogant and hot-headed enough for both of them.
But then Leah, the half-demon who killed Paige's mother, shows up with a custody suit on behalf of a sorcerer claiming to be Savannah's father. Sorcerers and witches are ancient enemies, and when Paige tries to counter the suit by bringing in a human lawyer, the sorcerer's cabal proceeds to destroy her life.
Since the witches in the coven won't help, Paige is forced to accept the help of a sorcerer/lawyer who's heir to another cabal, Lucas Cortez.
There's so much going on here, I've barely scratched the surface. It's definitely a page-turner. The villains are clever, and Paige and Lucas have to be clever in return--it's not an easy or easily predicted victory.
And we learn more about the Otherworld as well--in particular, about the witches and the sorcerers and the difference between their spells, and the source of their enmity.
I could feel Paige's frustration with the coven, and enjoyed how as the story progressed, she had all her support taken away from her, a bit at a time. Nothing like stripping away a heroine's support to show what she's really made of.
Lucas is a fascinating character as well, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him in the next book, which is on my TBB (to be bought) list.
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else.When we first met Paige in Stolen, she was young, arrogant, and hot-headed. She's only a year older here, but her responsibilities have matured her. Which is a good thing: Savannah is arrogant and hot-headed enough for both of them.
But then Leah, the half-demon who killed Paige's mother, shows up with a custody suit on behalf of a sorcerer claiming to be Savannah's father. Sorcerers and witches are ancient enemies, and when Paige tries to counter the suit by bringing in a human lawyer, the sorcerer's cabal proceeds to destroy her life.
Since the witches in the coven won't help, Paige is forced to accept the help of a sorcerer/lawyer who's heir to another cabal, Lucas Cortez.
There's so much going on here, I've barely scratched the surface. It's definitely a page-turner. The villains are clever, and Paige and Lucas have to be clever in return--it's not an easy or easily predicted victory.
And we learn more about the Otherworld as well--in particular, about the witches and the sorcerers and the difference between their spells, and the source of their enmity.
I could feel Paige's frustration with the coven, and enjoyed how as the story progressed, she had all her support taken away from her, a bit at a time. Nothing like stripping away a heroine's support to show what she's really made of.
Lucas is a fascinating character as well, and I'm looking forward to learning more about him in the next book, which is on my TBB (to be bought) list.
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LibraryThing member mmphelps
This was the first Kelley Armstrong book I read back when I was in high school. My five star rating is based within the context of the entire series because while this book can stand alone, the initial set up is based in one of her previous books "Stolen." That being said, for me this book improves
I also like that Paige is not a super-powerful character as so many urban fantasy heroines tend to be. She is powerful and gains even more power as the story progresses, but the acquisition is not easy and makes sense in the basis of the story. Overall, I love this book and the Women of the Otherworld series and look forward to reading more from Kelley Armstrong.
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upon each reading. Armstrong has created a complex world that she only continues to expand and improve upon. In "Dime Store Magic" not only do we learn more about Paige and the fallout from "Stolen" but we get to see the inner workings of the Coven. I also like that Paige is not a super-powerful character as so many urban fantasy heroines tend to be. She is powerful and gains even more power as the story progresses, but the acquisition is not easy and makes sense in the basis of the story. Overall, I love this book and the Women of the Otherworld series and look forward to reading more from Kelley Armstrong.
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LibraryThing member scarlett78
Read June 2006. After Elena and Clay - getting into Paige took me a while. But it was totally worth the effort! Armstrong's writing is stong and entertaining.
LibraryThing member hoosgracie
Paige Winterbourne is the leader the the American Coven of witches – at least in name. She is also guardian to Savannah, a young, very powerful witch whom the coven doesn’t like. When she gets caught in a custody battle over Savannah, she finds out just who her enemies are.
A decent addition to
A decent addition to
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Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series – the characters were also in Armstrong’s Stolen. While the book is very readable and the story interesting, Armstrong tries to pack too much into the story and the reader becomes distracted. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tudorrl
A change of pace from the last two books. We've moved from Werewolves to Witches - via Sorcerers and Shamans (oh, and the odd necromancer).
Paige and Savannah were in the previous book, Stolen, but they were not especially major characters - so it's nice to see them develop in this book.
As I said -
I would heartily recommend this series of books to anyone.
Paige and Savannah were in the previous book, Stolen, but they were not especially major characters - so it's nice to see them develop in this book.
As I said -
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a change of pace and less frenetic than the "Pack" books, but it is still a very very good book. I really didn't like Paige in Stolen but warmed to her in this book and I'm looking forward to following her in the next book - Industrial Magic.I would heartily recommend this series of books to anyone.
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LibraryThing member SimonW11
Third in the series.Paige a witch and a minor character in Stolen takes centre stage. in this.she is fighting a custody battle for her ward Savannah. A battle that involves a lot of magic and dirty tricks. Can she trust her young lawyer? Heres a hint it's another romance.
LibraryThing member CheriePie69
This was a great book. I really like Kelley Armstrong as an author. This title focuses more on Paige the Witch instead of Elena the Werewolf as the first two did.
LibraryThing member Darrol
Kindred, the masquerade meets Stephanie Plum. Even has a funeral home scene.
LibraryThing member Unreachableshelf
There are many people who do not like the Paige books in the Women of the Otherworld series as much as the Elena books that came before them. I am not one of those people. The question seems to be what qualities the reader finds easiest to forgive in the heroine. Paige has been accused of being
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weaker and less competent than Elena. In my perception, that's only because Paige is only twenty-three (significantly younger than Elena), newly thrust into a position of responsibility, and lost her mother- whom she lived with even during college- not long before this book began. Considering all these factors, Paige's mistakes can be seen as the result of inexperience, not any fundamental character flaws. Dime Store Magic also features something that raises any book a few notches in my opinion: a nerdy hero. I did not care for Bitten because I found Elena to be far less likeable as a person, but having read one of her books and Paige's books displays Armstrong's talents far better than just reading one or the other. I have never seen an author differentiate so well between the narrative "voices" of two heroines. I certainly plan to read the rest of the series, including Elena's books, but I may check the ones with unfamiliar narrators out from the library first to see if they are good enough to reread. Show Less
LibraryThing member iamagirldork
This book was a lot of fun to read. Armstrong has the ability to make the characters real, almost human ;)
LibraryThing member scarletr0se
I really enjoyed this book, I got into it straight away, although I think thats because I have already read some of Kelley Armstrong's other books which had already introduced me to some of the characters that would appear in this book.
I loved the characters in this and found myself rooting for
I loved the characters in this and found myself rooting for
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them all the way through. I think what I liked was that Kelley Armstong has put a sense of humour into the characters and I found myself laughing aloud at some of the sarcastic comments from them. The plot was eventful and didn't let up although I don't think this book was as good as Bitten, which I think has been the best. But I guess I just warmed to the characters in that more. Show Less
LibraryThing member kelley_townley
I loved books one and two in this 'series' but I hated this one and haven't read the rest. It was so boring compared to all the werewolf action of the first two!
LibraryThing member TheBooknerd
This was my first book by Kelley Armstrong. Although I found the beginning slow, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Armstrong's world is well-constructed, and Paige is the kind of character one can't help but love. Then there's Lucas--my favorite of all Armstrong's characters.
LibraryThing member ToxicMasquerade
Wow. Paige has come a long way since she was first introduced to the series. Savannah has come a long way also. I'm glad that Kelley Armstrong changes her main characters. It helps to understand what is going on with some of the characters in past books. I hope she keeps the series going for quite
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awhile. Show Less
LibraryThing member sdtaylor555
Wonderful book. I was very disappointed to find out that Elena wasn't in this book...I loved Elena. Because of this I didn't read this book for two years. I finally gave it a shot when I heard that the sixth book in the series "Broken" would star Elena. I'm so glad I read this one! Wow it didn't
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have werewolves, but it was so damn good I didn't care. It was incredible. I went right to the next one and I will keep going. I will read anything Ms. Armstrong writes now. Show Less
LibraryThing member pacey1927
Magically, the best so far...., December 14, 2008
By S. McCullough "pacey1927" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
"Dime Store Magic" is the third in Kelley Armstrong's Woman of the Otherworld series. The first two volumes focased on Werewolf Elena, and the two main characters in this story
I found Paige to be more likeable than Elena as a main character. I enjoyed reading about her spells and her interactions with Savannah. I also found their relationship completely realistic and beautifully written. Savannah is a typical hormone driven teenager, who just happens to be able to cause extreme chaos when she has her mood swings. Lucas Cortez is charming, funny, and earnest. I would love to learn more about him and his past, as well. The action in "Dime Store Magic" is relentless. These characters hop from one situation to another, almost without pause. (The scene in the funeral home was one of my all time favorites..its creepy and exciting at the same time). A lot of action stories lack good character development but Ms. Armstrong does a supurb job of fleshing out both of those. I feel like this is probably only the tip of the iceburg as far as where the future of Paige and company can go. Kelley Armstrong is smarter than a lot of series authors in my opinion. While some of my favorite series are starting to get stale, she had the smarts to alternate main characters with different powers. This is a great way to stay fresh in today's increasingly peramormal fiction marketplace. This is a must read.
By S. McCullough "pacey1927" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
"Dime Store Magic" is the third in Kelley Armstrong's Woman of the Otherworld series. The first two volumes focased on Werewolf Elena, and the two main characters in this story
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were introduced to readers in Elena's story "Stolen". In "Stolen" someone was kidnapping various supernatural beings for nafarious studying. Paige Winterbourne, a witch, met Savannah Levine, another kidnapping victim. Savannah is a powerful black magic witch who is only thirteen years old. Her mother is killed and Savannah is left orphaned, with powers she doesn't know how to control. Paige takes over guardianship of Savannah, when the group escapes. "Dime Store Magic" takes place around a year after the conclusion of "Stolen". Paige is the leader (in name) of the Coven of Witches but because she believes in stronger spells than they approve of, and because she is mentoring a 'black' magic witch, there are some riffs between her and the other members of the Coven. Now a half demon Leah has found Savannah's father and is threatening to have custody taken away from Paige. Savannah's father is a powerful man and heavilty relies on black magic. Savannah meets up with Lucas Cortez, a powerful man in his own right, who also happens to be a sorcerer and a lawyer. In the course of this "custody" battle, Paige is accused of several increasingly horrible crimes, including murder. I find myself wanting to give away more details of this fabulous tale, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I found Paige to be more likeable than Elena as a main character. I enjoyed reading about her spells and her interactions with Savannah. I also found their relationship completely realistic and beautifully written. Savannah is a typical hormone driven teenager, who just happens to be able to cause extreme chaos when she has her mood swings. Lucas Cortez is charming, funny, and earnest. I would love to learn more about him and his past, as well. The action in "Dime Store Magic" is relentless. These characters hop from one situation to another, almost without pause. (The scene in the funeral home was one of my all time favorites..its creepy and exciting at the same time). A lot of action stories lack good character development but Ms. Armstrong does a supurb job of fleshing out both of those. I feel like this is probably only the tip of the iceburg as far as where the future of Paige and company can go. Kelley Armstrong is smarter than a lot of series authors in my opinion. While some of my favorite series are starting to get stale, she had the smarts to alternate main characters with different powers. This is a great way to stay fresh in today's increasingly peramormal fiction marketplace. This is a must read.
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LibraryThing member Sizarie
The third book in the Women of the Otherworld series. This book features characters who are witches, rather than werewolves (as in the previous two books). Paige is the leader of a coven in her hometown and is fighting to lead them while at the same time remain guardian for a teenager who is the
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daughter of a dark witch. Show Less
LibraryThing member reannon
This is the 3rd in Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underworld series. Books 3 and 4 are narrated by the witch, Paige Winterbourne, and I like them the best of the five I've read in the series.
At age 23, Paige finds herself head of the Coven of witches and guardian/adopted mother of the powerful
Again lots of suspense and action, but also the building up of good characters. Recommended.
At age 23, Paige finds herself head of the Coven of witches and guardian/adopted mother of the powerful
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young witch, Savannah. The two come into conflict as the rest of the Coven dislikes Savannah and wants no part of her. Meanwhile a powerful sorcerer and a half-demon woman are trying to take custody of Savannah Paige isn't sure where to turn, but the appearance of Lucas Cortez, determined to act as her lawyer, is just too good to be true.Again lots of suspense and action, but also the building up of good characters. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member ravenfire
If we had half stars I probably would have given this 4.5 simply because I miss Elena and her pack. But it's still an outstanding book with a great story. When Paige showed up in Stolen I didn't think I would care much for her books but I couldn't have been more wrong. I'm really looking forward to
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the rest of this series! Show Less
LibraryThing member simmererdown
3rd book
This book is about Paige and Savanna.
This book is about Paige and Savanna.
LibraryThing member hailelib
The third installment in her Women of the Otherworld series. This one gives us Paige's story and a great deal of information about the witches and sorcerers of her world. Kept me up well past my bedtime! Although I'm reading these out of order that hasn't been a problem. However some main
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characters do make appearances in later books and their are readers who don't like even small 'spoilers' and would probably prefer to read them in publication order. Show Less
LibraryThing member susanbevans
Kelley Armstrong's Dime Store Magic is book 3 in the fantastic Women of the Otherworld series. This is the story of Paige Winterborne, the young leader of the American Coven, and my absolute least favorite character from the previous book. In Stolen (book 2 of the series,) Paige loses her mother
As I said before, Paige is not really my favorite character. Fortunately, raising Savannah has made her much more sympathetic. Although I'm still not in love with her, I don't dislike her anymore. Paige does the best she can for Savannah - protecting her from her father's Cabal and a nasty custody battle, while trying to instill good values in her. Her beloved Coven has all but abandoned her, believing that Savannah is more trouble than she is worth. Much to their dismay however, Paige will not give up on the girl - it's one of her best qualities as far as I am concerned.
As with the previous two books, Dime Store Magic is a well-written, fun piece of paranormal/fantasy fiction. I was sad not to see more of Elena Michaels in this book, but perhaps her story is over. I'd like to see where Paige and Savannah go in the future, and whether or not their sexy sorcerer lawyer, Lucas Cortez goes with them. I'll definitely be looking for the next book at the library. This is an excellent and complex series that is full of surprises and interesting characters.
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and gains a ward, a powerful young witch named Savannah. Dime Store Magic continues the story with both the usual struggles of raising a teenage girl, and the unusual issues you face when that emotionally volatile girl is also a witch coming into her real powers. As I said before, Paige is not really my favorite character. Fortunately, raising Savannah has made her much more sympathetic. Although I'm still not in love with her, I don't dislike her anymore. Paige does the best she can for Savannah - protecting her from her father's Cabal and a nasty custody battle, while trying to instill good values in her. Her beloved Coven has all but abandoned her, believing that Savannah is more trouble than she is worth. Much to their dismay however, Paige will not give up on the girl - it's one of her best qualities as far as I am concerned.
As with the previous two books, Dime Store Magic is a well-written, fun piece of paranormal/fantasy fiction. I was sad not to see more of Elena Michaels in this book, but perhaps her story is over. I'd like to see where Paige and Savannah go in the future, and whether or not their sexy sorcerer lawyer, Lucas Cortez goes with them. I'll definitely be looking for the next book at the library. This is an excellent and complex series that is full of surprises and interesting characters.
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LibraryThing member j.l.kelly
After the first two books were about Werewolfs, this change of characters threw me.... I think I would have enjoyed it more had the previous books prepared me for the change. But it was still a good book.
LibraryThing member Black_samvara
All part of a Women of the Otherworld series featuring werewolves, witches and demons. Not startlingly well written but enjoyable and the characters grow on you.