Dime Store Magic

It is with hesitation that I post about the next book, Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong (2004), because it is "junk food". I have hangups about reading books not on the list and/or fluff pieces that have little to no possibility of inspiring me in some way, either to think about another facet of life, or understand the human condition from another perspective. (And yes, I am thinking about Twilight too) I know. It's messed. A person should read what they read, right?

With that meandering done, let me go on about how much I enjoy books on witches, especially ones set in modern day. Dime Store Magic and Dr. Strange and Mr. Norrell are books that describe supernatural worlds co-existing with the human one, and this seems to make magic real.

Paige Winterbourne, age twenty-three, is the leader of the American Coven of Witches, a group comprising mostly of the Elders, three or four matronly women who wish to keep low profiles. Paige is the guardian of a teenaged witch who is sought after by the latter's father, a sorcerer and leader of a powerful cabal. Over the centuries, witches and sorcerers have become enemies, but one young male sorcerer, son of another powerful cabal leader, comes to Paige's aid as her lawyer. You see, its a legal custody battle between Paige and the teen's father. What can I say. Is it worth it to say more?

I will say one more thing. Books on supernatural beings all must define the parameters of powers and abilities. Kelley does not excel, but her take on the history of witches and their powers as well as those of the sorcerers can be entertaining and refreshing.