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A review by gorgonine
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
4.0
Plot:
Paige the witch is the de jure leader of the local coven as well as the legal guardian of Savannah, who is a grumpy teenage proto-witch. Savannah's mom was a Dark Magic Witch with questionable associates, which means the coven really disapproves of Paige looking after her. So when people arrive to challenge Paige's custody of Savannah, Paige finds herself having to choose between her coven and her charge.
Thoughts:
1. I have... complicated feelings about werewolves and also most of the Elena-Clayton storyline, so when I start reading Women of the Otherworld, I usually start with Paige because I really like Paige. Also, Paige tends to come with bonus!Lucas and if there is anything in the WotO books I really, really love and can't get enough of it's
2. is one of my absolute favorite tropes. And this one comes with bonus Indulgent Dad. Please imagine my happy face here.
3. That said, the absolute best part of this book for me was the figuring out of the spells. Paige's discoveries on how to make spells work was excellent. I remember it was what made me really happy the first time I read this book, because that's just- decades of oppression and powerlessness conquered by nerds doing research? CATNIP.
4. Lucas is just such a persistent little shit who just wants to do whatever the fuck it is he thinks he's doing. Everyone else is so darned confused, and he likes it that way. I also appreciate the fact that he's got such a giant flaming crush on Paige that is doubly hilarious because he (a) fails to telegraph it in all of the ordinary slavering manly man ways and so Paige has no clue whatsoever and (b) his attempts to telegraph the crush include bringing a motorcycle out of retirement in an attempt to be attractive to girls. Nerrrd.
Conclusion:
Solid story, with really good worldbuilding and likeable characters.
Paige the witch is the de jure leader of the local coven as well as the legal guardian of Savannah, who is a grumpy teenage proto-witch. Savannah's mom was a Dark Magic Witch with questionable associates, which means the coven really disapproves of Paige looking after her. So when people arrive to challenge Paige's custody of Savannah, Paige finds herself having to choose between her coven and her charge.
Thoughts:
1. I have... complicated feelings about werewolves and also most of the Elena-Clayton storyline, so when I start reading Women of the Otherworld, I usually start with Paige because I really like Paige. Also, Paige tends to come with bonus!Lucas and if there is anything in the WotO books I really, really love and can't get enough of it's
Spoiler
Lucas and the Cortez Cabal family shenanigans.2.
Spoiler
Rebellious Mafia Prince3. That said, the absolute best part of this book for me was the figuring out of the spells. Paige's discoveries on how to make spells work was excellent. I remember it was what made me really happy the first time I read this book, because that's just- decades of oppression and powerlessness conquered by nerds doing research? CATNIP.
4. Lucas is just such a persistent little shit who just wants to do whatever the fuck it is he thinks he's doing. Everyone else is so darned confused, and he likes it that way. I also appreciate the fact that he's got such a giant flaming crush on Paige that is doubly hilarious because he (a) fails to telegraph it in all of the ordinary slavering manly man ways and so Paige has no clue whatsoever and (b) his attempts to telegraph the crush include bringing a motorcycle out of retirement in an attempt to be attractive to girls. Nerrrd.
Conclusion:
Solid story, with really good worldbuilding and likeable characters.