Review: Dime Store Magic

Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong (Women of the Otherworld #3)
Published:  2007
Format:       Ebook, 448 pages
Genre:         Urban fantasy/paranormal romance

From Goodreads:

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 us her budding powers for evil… and evil is 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 everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

In Dime Store Magic, Kelley Armstrong leaves behind Elena Michaels and the werewolves, for now, and moves to Paige Winterbourne and the witches. It is nine months later and Paige, basically, has the weight of the world on her shoulders. After her mother’s death, she inherited the role of the American Coven; plus, she is now the guardian of a very precocious preteen witch named Savannah. Not your average responsibilities for a twenty-three year old, even for a witch. Paige is caught between her duty to the Coven, to Savannah, and to herself as a young witch.

As a leader of the Coven, Paige is not exactly what the older generation would call a solid choice. She is strong, independent, aggressive and progressive. None of those characteristics belong in the Coven. In the Elders’ eyes, witchcraft should never be used for dark purposes. Look what happened to Savannah’s mother, Eve Levine. Ms. Armstrong conveyed a deep generational rift within the Coven. Many new witches were turning away from the Coven because of its lack of toleration and acceptance. The younger generation feels that there is not progress with the Coven. Apart from Coven politics, Paige is trying to teach Savannah the importance of the Coven while the Coven refuses to support or help them when in trouble. To Paige the Coven represents her mother and tradition, but she has to eventually split from the Coven when the Elders turn from her and Paige. I really like Paige’s character. She really cares about the witch community and wants to do what’s right for Savannah. But she also wants the Coven to grow and be a haven for scared young witches. She makes mistakes but she fights for what she believes in.

Savannah is at a critical point in her life where she is about to become a woman. However, as a very powerful young witch, she is sought after and tempted at every turn. She is a very unique witch. Her mother, Eve Levine, was a dark-arts witch and a half-demon and her father, Kristof Nash, is a sorcerer. Savannah’s potential is tremendous. But she is torn who she wants to be, more like her mother or like Paige. You can really feel her confusion and conflict. She is facing things that no twelve year-old should. But she wants to spread her wings and be the witch that SHE wants to be. She is mouthy and rebellious. She gives Paige fits at every turn. They make a great pair!

For the first time in the Otherworld series, Ms. Armstrong’s introduces the Cabals which are supernatural organized crime families. They make the Corleone Family look like the all-American family. Cabals are led by sorcerers who the ancient enemies of the witches. Their animosity dates back to the Spanish Inquisition. With just a simple look, a witch and a sorcerer can recognize each other and the hatred is readily apparent. Savannah’s father is a sorcerer and leads the Nash Cabal. I found that Kristof is a very interesting character. You will learn more about him in later books. I think with all of Ms. Armstrong’s character, not everything is at it seems. There are lots of layers to each character. Even though, he is not a major character, Kristof shows the complexity of her characters.

There is also some forbidden love in this book. Lucas Cortez is the heir apparent to the Cortez Cabal. However, he is, also the prodigal son, who wants nothing to do with the family business. He helps other supernaturals against the cabals and that’s how he meets Paige and Savannah. Of course, when Paige meets Lucas, that age-old witch/sorcerer animosity surfaces, but it is quickly dispelled by their attraction to each other. Lucas and Paige make a good couple. They are both rebellious and want change in the supernatural world. They work well together outside the norm whether it’s the Coven or the Cabal.

Dime Store Magic is a really good continuation of the Otherworld series. Paige, Lucas and Savannah are great characters. The plot is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars