- The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.
The result was keep. Liz Read! Talk! 23:27, 30 May 2023 (UTC)
[Hide this box] New to Articles for deletion (AfD)? Read these primers!
- Dime Store Magic (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) – (View log | edits since nomination)
- (Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL)
Same as Broken (Armstrong novel). No non-independent sources, with the exception of a WP:SPS review. Sungodtemple (talk • contribs) 20:11, 17 May 2023 (UTC)
- Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Literature-related deletion discussions. Sungodtemple (talk • contribs) 20:11, 17 May 2023 (UTC)
- Note: This discussion has been included in the list of Science fiction and fantasy-related deletion discussions. Spiderone(Talk to Spider) 21:00, 17 May 2023 (UTC)
- Keep. For novels like this, it's simplest to check on ISFDB. This one has been reviewed in Vector #235 and Strange Horizons (11 Oct 2004). It was also briefly reviewed on Tor.com and analyzed in The Canadian Fantastic in Focus: New Perspectives. pburka (talk) 14:19, 18 May 2023 (UTC)
Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion and clearer consensus.
Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, ✗plicit 23:37, 24 May 2023 (UTC)
- Keep per the significant coverage in multiple independent reliable sources. Wikipedia:Notability (books)#Criteria says:
SourcesA book is presumed notable if it verifiably meets, through reliable sources, at least one of the following criteria:
- The book has been the subject of two or more non-trivial published works appearing in sources that are independent of the book itself. This can include published works in all forms, such as newspaper articles, other books, television documentaries, bestseller lists, and reviews. This excludes media re-prints of press releases, flap copy, or other publications where the author, its publisher, agent, or other self-interested parties advertise or speak about the book.
- The sources found in pburka (talk · contribs)'s excellent research.
- Chin, Kristin L. (2004-05-21). "Book reviews for May 20: SF/Fantasy: "The Child Goddess," Louis Marley; "Monument," Ian Graham; "'Dime Store Magic," Kelley Armstrong; "The Lion of Senet," "Eye of the Labyrinth," Jennifer Fallon". Davis Enterprise. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
The review notes: "Armstrong's novel suffers from an all-too-common problem: lack of focus. The author couldn't decide on a drama or a comedy. Some lines are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and they're intercut with moments of sickening horror. Both work in and of themselves, but they clash in the same single narrative: two distinctly different styles, as opposed to random sentences that happen to sound a bit different from the novel's main tone. ... Had all the characters been well conceived, or had the tone leaned more toward being exclusively comic or tragic, "Dime Store Magic" would have squeaked by with a good rating. As it is, the novel is marginally below average, and therefore mostly for fans of witchcraft tales."
- Folsom, Robert (2004-05-16). "High-flying terror in the unfriendly skies". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
The review notes: "A writer who is doing better is Kelley Armstrong. Dime Store Magic (414 pages; Bantam Spectra; $6.99 paperback) furthers Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. Following Bitten and Stolen, Dime Store Magic reintroduces Paige Winterbourne to readers. Paige is now eligible to succeed her mother as the leader of the American Coven of Witches, but not if her enemies can get her out of the way. Armstrong has improved at incorporating themes of magic with elements of supernatural sensuality."
- Lypchuk, Donna (February 2004). "Dime Store Magic". Quill & Quire. Vol. 70, no. 2. pp. 33–34. EBSCOhost 69194850. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
The review notes: "Despite these well-worn themes and sometimes trite characters, Armstrong manages to forge an intimate relationship between the reader and Paige, who comes across as a likeable, contemporary gal. It might be most correct to describe Dime Store Magic as chick lit masquerading as a novel of supernatural fiction."
- Dutton, Renee (2004-06-20). "Fantasy has many forms and facets". Times Colonist. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28 – via Newspapers.com.
The review notes: "Dime Store Magic portrays witches with endearingly human traits. It's refreshing to come across a writer in this genre whose characters struggle with real life problems as well as magical ones, concerned with such mundanities as laundry and homework. Fans of Armstrong's previous novels, Bitten and Stolen, will likely enjoy Dime Store Magic. Although the third novel in the Women of the Otherworld series, Dime Store Magic can stand on its own. Those unfamiliar with the series would be well advised to keep Dime Store Magic in mind. It is a light, entertaining read."
- Freeman, Dawna (2004-02-22). "Witches, demons brew up some fun". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28 – via Newspapers.com.
The review notes: "Armstrong's novel moves at neck-breaking speed to a spellbinding conclusion as witches, sorcerers and a spiteful half-demon take this custody case into their own hands. Readers who enjoy the genre will find this a light thriller with little character development, a decent smattering of supernatural lore and plenty of dime store magic."
- Davidson, Don (2006-03-10). "Mystery and adventure books with a supernatural twist". Whitehorse Daily Star. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28 – via Newspapers.com.
The review notes: "There are fights, car chases, romance and lots of tension of all kinds. The book was a bit of fun, for all that it did remind me a lot of an episode of Charmed."
- Sasvari, Joanne (2004-03-27). "Art from the dark part of the heart". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28 – via Newspapers.com.
The review notes: "Kelley Armstrong must have decided one day to throw every genre she could imagine — mystery, horror, supernatural thriller, romance and chick-lit — into her writerly cauldron. What she conjured up is the hilariously hip Women of the Underworld series."
- "Dime Store Magic". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 255, no. 34. 2008-08-25. p. 68. EBSCOhost 35371572. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
The audiobook review notes: "Luckily, Laural Merlington is well versed in Armstrong’s style of writing and breathes freshness into this story. Her reading is entertaining and uncomplicated, making this otherworldly tale believable."
- "Dime Store Magic". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 251, no. 13. 2004-03-29. p. 44. EBSCOhost 12682604. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
The review notes: "As in Armstrong's debut novel Bitten , this story's special strength lies in its seamless incorporation of the supernatural into the real world. A convincing small-town setting, clever contemporary dialogue, compelling characterizations and a touch of cool humor make the tale's occasional vivid violence palatable and its fantasy elements both gripping and believable."
- The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.