What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shadow Age #1
Three Kinds of Lucky
15 hours, 38 minutes
Luck is its own kind of magic, in this first book in an electrifying new contemporary fantasy series from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows novels.
Petra Grady has known since adolescence that she has no talent for magic—and that’s never going to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she’s parlayed her rare ability to handle dross—the damaging, magical waste generated by her more talented kin’s spellwork—into a decent life working at the mages’ university.
Except Grady’s relatively predictable life is about to be upended. When the oblivious, sexy, and oh-so-out-of-reach Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for a research project studying dross and how to render it harmless, she’s stuck working on his team—whether she wants to or not.
Only Benedict doesn’t understand the characteristics of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, she and Benedict are forced to go on the run to seek out the one person who might be able to help: an outcast exiled ten years ago for the crime of using dross to cast spells. Now Grady must decide whether to stick with the magical status quo or embrace her own hidden talents . . . and risk shattering their entire world.
Luck is its own kind of magic, in this first book in an electrifying new contemporary fantasy series from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows novels.
Petra Grady has known since adolescence that she has no talent for magic—and that’s never going to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she’s parlayed her rare ability to handle dross—the damaging, magical waste generated by her more talented kin’s spellwork—into a decent life working at the mages’ university.
Except Grady’s relatively predictable life is about to be upended. When the oblivious, sexy, and oh-so-out-of-reach Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for a research project studying dross and how to render it harmless, she’s stuck working on his team—whether she wants to or not.
Only Benedict doesn’t understand the characteristics of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, she and Benedict are forced to go on the run to seek out the one person who might be able to help: an outcast exiled ten years ago for the crime of using dross to cast spells. Now Grady must decide whether to stick with the magical status quo or embrace her own hidden talents . . . and risk shattering their entire world.
16 pages, Audiobook
First published March 5, 2024
704 people are currently reading
26656 people want to read
About the author
Kim Harrison
82 books18.8k followersKim Harrison is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, but she has written more than urban fantasy and has published over two-dozen books spanning the gamut from young adult, thriller, several anthologies, and has scripted two original graphic novels. She has also published traditional fantasy under the name Dawn Cook. Kim is currently working on a new Hollows book between other, non related, urban fantasy projects.
Kim reaches out to her audience at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimHarrisons...
Instagram
https://instagram.com/kim_harrison_au...
and her blog http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/
other pseudonyms: Dawn Cook
Kim reaches out to her audience at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimHarrisons...
https://instagram.com/kim_harrison_au...
and her blog http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/
other pseudonyms: Dawn Cook
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 689 reviews
March 4, 2024
Kim Harrison’s urban fantasies keep getting better and better. Her first book in The Shadow Age series,
Three Kinds of Lucky
, has great characterization and world-building with a unique new magical world. Petra Grady knows she has no talent for magic. However, as a sweeper first-class she’s turned her ability to handle the damaging magical waster generated by mages into a decent life working at the mage’s university.
However, when her childhood acquaintance Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for his research project, she gets stuck working on his team. However, he doesn’t understand magical waste the way she does. When an accident occurs, they go on the run to seek the one person who might we able to help. Grady learns of hidden talents that could risk the world has they know it.
Grady can be surly and sour due to the way sweepers are treated, but she is great at her job and can even smell magic. Sweepers are considered low status, but they’re in high demand. Despite this, they are treated with condescension. Benedict is sure his project can revolutionize how magical waste is dealt with, but he’s not good at explaining complex things to others.
Besides great characterization, the worldbuilding is excellent. The stunning plot has twists and turns as the story builds momentum. There is plenty of action, conflict, and suspense as well as a few surprises along the way. Wait until you read the incredible conclusion!
Overall, this was an entertaining story with compelling characters, excellent world-building, gripping scenes, and a magic system that is unique. Accepting responsibility, treatment of others, friendship, betrayal, death, trust, and power play various roles in this exciting story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this series to those who love urban fantasies. There should be a content warning for one scene in the book.
Berkley Publishing Group, Ace and Kim Harrison provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 05, 2024.
----------------------------------------
My 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
However, when her childhood acquaintance Benedict Strom needs someone with her abilities for his research project, she gets stuck working on his team. However, he doesn’t understand magical waste the way she does. When an accident occurs, they go on the run to seek the one person who might we able to help. Grady learns of hidden talents that could risk the world has they know it.
Grady can be surly and sour due to the way sweepers are treated, but she is great at her job and can even smell magic. Sweepers are considered low status, but they’re in high demand. Despite this, they are treated with condescension. Benedict is sure his project can revolutionize how magical waste is dealt with, but he’s not good at explaining complex things to others.
Besides great characterization, the worldbuilding is excellent. The stunning plot has twists and turns as the story builds momentum. There is plenty of action, conflict, and suspense as well as a few surprises along the way. Wait until you read the incredible conclusion!
Overall, this was an entertaining story with compelling characters, excellent world-building, gripping scenes, and a magic system that is unique. Accepting responsibility, treatment of others, friendship, betrayal, death, trust, and power play various roles in this exciting story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this series to those who love urban fantasies. There should be a content warning for one scene in the book.
Berkley Publishing Group, Ace and Kim Harrison provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 05, 2024.
----------------------------------------
My 4.61 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
July 23, 2025
Oh, a brand-new series by the fabulous Kim Harrison? Yes, please, sign me up!
Meet Petra Grady, a sweeper extraordinaire. She's got a unique talent - the ability to see the mystical mess left behind by those show-off mages who dabble in magic. But here's the kicker: Petra can't actually perform magic herself. Talk about a respectable, necessary job that doesn't get the credit it deserves, especially from those mages who casually create all that dross.
Now, enter childhood "secret" friend and genius, Benedrict Strom. This guy might have cracked the code on making Sweepers obsolete by neutralizing dross. And guess what? Petra finds herself drafted into his team, whether she likes it or not.
Kim Harrison has conjured up a whole new magical system, a parallel world, and a fresh batch of characters in this series. If this first installment is any indication, we're in for a ride as long-lasting as her beloved Rachel Morgan books. Personally, I couldn't get enough of Petra and her crew in this captivating new setting.
Petra Grady has known since her teenage years that magic just isn't her jam, and that's not about to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she's managed to turn her rare talent into a decent livelihood by handling the magical garbage her more gifted peers leave behind.
However, Petra's predictable life is about to be turned on its head. The enigmatic, irresistible, and seemingly unattainable Benedict Strom needs someone with her unique abilities for a research project aimed at studying dross and making it less dangerous. So, she's stuck on his team, ready or not.
Here's the catch: Benedict may be brilliant, but he doesn't quite grasp the essence of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, they find themselves on the run, seeking out a mysterious outcast who was exiled a decade ago for using dross in spellcasting. Now, Petra's got a major decision to make: stick to the magical status quo or unleash her hidden talents, even if it means turning their world upside down.
This is a breath of fresh air, something entirely new, yet brimming with all the remarkable qualities I adore about Kim Harrison's books. The first installment is nothing short of excellent, and I'm positively itching to find out where Petra and her shadowy adventures lead us next!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy of this heart-throbbing journey in exchange for my honest opinions.
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter
Meet Petra Grady, a sweeper extraordinaire. She's got a unique talent - the ability to see the mystical mess left behind by those show-off mages who dabble in magic. But here's the kicker: Petra can't actually perform magic herself. Talk about a respectable, necessary job that doesn't get the credit it deserves, especially from those mages who casually create all that dross.
Now, enter childhood "secret" friend and genius, Benedrict Strom. This guy might have cracked the code on making Sweepers obsolete by neutralizing dross. And guess what? Petra finds herself drafted into his team, whether she likes it or not.
Kim Harrison has conjured up a whole new magical system, a parallel world, and a fresh batch of characters in this series. If this first installment is any indication, we're in for a ride as long-lasting as her beloved Rachel Morgan books. Personally, I couldn't get enough of Petra and her crew in this captivating new setting.
Petra Grady has known since her teenage years that magic just isn't her jam, and that's not about to change. But as a sweeper first-class, she's managed to turn her rare talent into a decent livelihood by handling the magical garbage her more gifted peers leave behind.
However, Petra's predictable life is about to be turned on its head. The enigmatic, irresistible, and seemingly unattainable Benedict Strom needs someone with her unique abilities for a research project aimed at studying dross and making it less dangerous. So, she's stuck on his team, ready or not.
Here's the catch: Benedict may be brilliant, but he doesn't quite grasp the essence of dross like Grady does. After an unthinkable accident, they find themselves on the run, seeking out a mysterious outcast who was exiled a decade ago for using dross in spellcasting. Now, Petra's got a major decision to make: stick to the magical status quo or unleash her hidden talents, even if it means turning their world upside down.
This is a breath of fresh air, something entirely new, yet brimming with all the remarkable qualities I adore about Kim Harrison's books. The first installment is nothing short of excellent, and I'm positively itching to find out where Petra and her shadowy adventures lead us next!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with a digital review copy of this heart-throbbing journey in exchange for my honest opinions.
medium blog
August 25, 2024
The first 40% of the book was a slog to get through. Nothing really happened and was mainly world building. The magic system is very scientific and complicated, so I had to read very slowly and sometimes reread parts and really think about them to understand what was going on. The reveals were predictable & the romance made no sense to me. I have no clue why Petra even likes Benedict considering that they were friends for a short time over 14 years ago; his refusal to admit that he may be wrong was irritating, and I just wasn’t feeling romance vibes between them at all. The last straw for me was the animal death in chapter 19. It was so unnecessary and it seems like the author just did it because they didn’t know what to do with said animal for the rest of the story and needed it gone to move the plot along. I am mildly curious about the direction this series is heading in, but just can’t find it in me to keep reading.
EDIT: Some reviewers found it necessary to comment on my review to inform me that the dog was brought back to life; I had already suspected this due to the cover of the book and it does not change my opinion whatsoever. It could still be a triggering scene to some and was very upsetting to read. there should definitely be a content warning at the beginning of the book.
EDIT: Some reviewers found it necessary to comment on my review to inform me that the dog was brought back to life; I had already suspected this due to the cover of the book and it does not change my opinion whatsoever. It could still be a triggering scene to some and was very upsetting to read. there should definitely be a content warning at the beginning of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2024
This one started out great. I really loved the world and the author does an excellent job at introducing a unique setting in quite a bit of detail in an organic way that was soo good actually that I would have liked the book better if it never attempted to tell some sort of high-stakes plot.
Because that is where the book falls apart somewhat.
My by far biggest problem is how the MC never has any agency whatsoever. She talks big but she never actually decides anything. Everything is forced on her by others or by circumstances.
This is usually a big problem by itself but in this case it is only really a problem because the book tries everything to convince us that she is strong-willed and the super speshul uber-powerful chosen one.
But at the same time the author lets her trip, fall, and hit her head (one time without her even walking) as a core plot point no less than 3 times just to force the situation along a predefined plot thread. There is bad-luck magic involved which is basically omnipresent everywhere but it conveniently only actually does anything if it furthers the plot.
It's so ridiculous it feels more like parody at times.
There are a bunch of other writing faux pas' of that nature which are usually only seen in amateur fan fiction writing.
It seems like this wasn't properly edited at the least especially the latter half.
The magic and the world actually feel very well fleshed out and while there is nothing revolutionary here, the way common UF ideas are mixed together and crystalized into a specific system in this book is excellent.
But at the same time the author utterly fails at basic common sense or logical reasoning to a painful degree in some cases. The book frequently presents false dichotomies or situation where it only presents completely illogical choices as valid options for the MC.
The characters are generally very flat. The characters with the most depth are the MC and her love interest who is actually the most interesting character for quite some time until everything is subsumed by the terrible plot climax soaked in absurd melodrama.
While he is super attractive and popular among female students yada yada... he has a nuanced and flawed personality that actually makes it a bit difficult to cheer for him as the love interest. I suspect there might be quite a few readers who end up being frustrated with this (comments like no chemistry, or he is an ass and I don't like him) I personally found it quite refreshing to actually read about a real human being as the partner in the budding relationship for once and not just some sort of female wishfulfillment.
I don't mind reading about people making bad decisions if I can see how the viewpoint of a nuanced and complex character could lead to these decisions. But I hate it if its just stupid with no background to it other than the heavy and clumsy hand of the author steering the story. This one has both.
But there really is very little else with the same kind of nuance present.
It's actually extremely baffling how the same author could write interesting characters in this way while also writing the most over the top hilariously evil antagonists. The book doesn't even attempt to come up with a reason for these characters to be outright malevolent. Some just want to commit genocide because no reasons at all. Just kinda felt like it or something.
The book teased me with what the author is capable of only to then hit me with the most lame-ass overall plot, climax, and conclusion. It's really frustrating also because the writing is actually far above most decent UF on a basic technical level.
It's very much a book of contradictions.
The first third I would probably have rated 4 stars, the second third 3 stars but towards the end this is deserves 1 star at best.
Despite all the aspects that made the world and a few of its characters interesting, at the end of the day the most important parts of the book apart from the intro were just terrible.
dnf at 96%
Because that is where the book falls apart somewhat.
My by far biggest problem is how the MC never has any agency whatsoever. She talks big but she never actually decides anything. Everything is forced on her by others or by circumstances.
This is usually a big problem by itself but in this case it is only really a problem because the book tries everything to convince us that she is strong-willed and the super speshul uber-powerful chosen one.
But at the same time the author lets her trip, fall, and hit her head (one time without her even walking) as a core plot point no less than 3 times just to force the situation along a predefined plot thread. There is bad-luck magic involved which is basically omnipresent everywhere but it conveniently only actually does anything if it furthers the plot.
It's so ridiculous it feels more like parody at times.
There are a bunch of other writing faux pas' of that nature which are usually only seen in amateur fan fiction writing.
It seems like this wasn't properly edited at the least especially the latter half.
The magic and the world actually feel very well fleshed out and while there is nothing revolutionary here, the way common UF ideas are mixed together and crystalized into a specific system in this book is excellent.
But at the same time the author utterly fails at basic common sense or logical reasoning to a painful degree in some cases. The book frequently presents false dichotomies or situation where it only presents completely illogical choices as valid options for the MC.
The characters are generally very flat. The characters with the most depth are the MC and her love interest who is actually the most interesting character for quite some time until everything is subsumed by the terrible plot climax soaked in absurd melodrama.
While he is super attractive and popular among female students yada yada... he has a nuanced and flawed personality that actually makes it a bit difficult to cheer for him as the love interest. I suspect there might be quite a few readers who end up being frustrated with this (comments like no chemistry, or he is an ass and I don't like him) I personally found it quite refreshing to actually read about a real human being as the partner in the budding relationship for once and not just some sort of female wishfulfillment.
I don't mind reading about people making bad decisions if I can see how the viewpoint of a nuanced and complex character could lead to these decisions. But I hate it if its just stupid with no background to it other than the heavy and clumsy hand of the author steering the story. This one has both.
But there really is very little else with the same kind of nuance present.
It's actually extremely baffling how the same author could write interesting characters in this way while also writing the most over the top hilariously evil antagonists. The book doesn't even attempt to come up with a reason for these characters to be outright malevolent. Some just want to commit genocide because no reasons at all. Just kinda felt like it or something.
The book teased me with what the author is capable of only to then hit me with the most lame-ass overall plot, climax, and conclusion. It's really frustrating also because the writing is actually far above most decent UF on a basic technical level.
It's very much a book of contradictions.
The first third I would probably have rated 4 stars, the second third 3 stars but towards the end this is deserves 1 star at best.
Despite all the aspects that made the world and a few of its characters interesting, at the end of the day the most important parts of the book apart from the intro were just terrible.
dnf at 96%
June 4, 2024
I hadn't originally intended to start this new series despite liking the author and her other series very much (too many series at the same time, too much UF, ...). However, after my buddy-reader raved about it, I couldn't resist.
Welcome to Petra Grady's life. Mother gone, father killed, her father's killer trying to have contact with her (even going so far as paying her college tuition) - and she, herself, is nothing but a sweeper. A garbagewoman if you will, cleaning the residue / waste from mage's spellwork since she has no magical talent of her own. And if you think that means a two-class-citizenry, you'd be absolutely right. My god, the arrogance of the mages was something to behold and made me want to wring all their pompous little necks!
But then there is this dangerous research project she's forced to participate in despite having no interest in working with her former crush and crusher of her heart. Good thing she is forced to though because CLEARLY, these mages need supervision! Sheesh! Things go, no spoiler there, very wrong - not least because the idiots don't really understand what they are working with but naturally expect everything to go their way as if by magic (sorry for the terrible pun).
This sends Petra on the run with a few colleagues. It's a race between finding her uncle and being found by militias and mobs and whatnot.
No idea how many installments there will be in this series and whether or not the author has it all plotted out already. All I can say is that I enjoyed the flow of the story, as predictable as it was, and the characters - yes, despite hating practically everyone (Petra because she was so blind).
Thus, I don't quite know where the author will ultimately take us (though I have a theory). However, as mentioned in one of my status updates, I'm not a fan of the trope everyday-person-turned-out-to-be-oh-so-special-savior. It basically conveys the message that mundane people aren't important and while the mundies hate that, they only hate it because they are mundies and as soon as that changes, everything is swell and how it should be. No real societal change desired. Hard-working, really smart and experienced people just aren't cool enough, I guess. Yes, Petra's powers are kinda cool here, but it left a sour taste in my mouth.
Promising start, though I'm left traumatized from , but I will continue reading.
Welcome to Petra Grady's life. Mother gone, father killed, her father's killer trying to have contact with her (even going so far as paying her college tuition) - and she, herself, is nothing but a sweeper. A garbagewoman if you will, cleaning the residue / waste from mage's spellwork since she has no magical talent of her own. And if you think that means a two-class-citizenry, you'd be absolutely right. My god, the arrogance of the mages was something to behold and made me want to wring all their pompous little necks!
But then there is this dangerous research project she's forced to participate in despite having no interest in working with her former crush and crusher of her heart. Good thing she is forced to though because CLEARLY, these mages need supervision! Sheesh! Things go, no spoiler there, very wrong - not least because the idiots don't really understand what they are working with but naturally expect everything to go their way as if by magic (sorry for the terrible pun).
This sends Petra on the run with a few colleagues. It's a race between finding her uncle and being found by militias and mobs and whatnot.
No idea how many installments there will be in this series and whether or not the author has it all plotted out already. All I can say is that I enjoyed the flow of the story, as predictable as it was, and the characters - yes, despite hating practically everyone (Petra because she was so blind).
Thus, I don't quite know where the author will ultimately take us (though I have a theory). However, as mentioned in one of my status updates, I'm not a fan of the trope everyday-person-turned-out-to-be-oh-so-special-savior. It basically conveys the message that mundane people aren't important and while the mundies hate that, they only hate it because they are mundies and as soon as that changes, everything is swell and how it should be. No real societal change desired. Hard-working, really smart and experienced people just aren't cool enough, I guess. Yes, Petra's powers are kinda cool here, but it left a sour taste in my mouth.
Promising start, though I'm left traumatized from , but I will continue reading.
March 3, 2024
Three Kinds of Lucky
By Kim Harrison
This book was just the book I needed at the time! It's totally original and fresh! A new view on magic. We have a world where magic users are quite uppity and use magic that leaves a residue called dross. Not everyone can see it. Petra can and she is someone that goes around and cleans up the mess these uppity magic users make! They rarely clean up after themselves. The dross causes bad luck for anyone that comes in contact with it so Petra, and others like her, do their job and the dross is stored away so everyone is safe.
But something happens, something no one could have foreseen, now every thing is changed. Petra and her childhood friend, Ben, have to find the only one that might be able to help them before it's too late.
Great characters, twists, suspense, fantasy, situations, and unique and original story! I can't wait to find out more about these characters and what happens. This story has me hooked!
I want to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!
By Kim Harrison
This book was just the book I needed at the time! It's totally original and fresh! A new view on magic. We have a world where magic users are quite uppity and use magic that leaves a residue called dross. Not everyone can see it. Petra can and she is someone that goes around and cleans up the mess these uppity magic users make! They rarely clean up after themselves. The dross causes bad luck for anyone that comes in contact with it so Petra, and others like her, do their job and the dross is stored away so everyone is safe.
But something happens, something no one could have foreseen, now every thing is changed. Petra and her childhood friend, Ben, have to find the only one that might be able to help them before it's too late.
Great characters, twists, suspense, fantasy, situations, and unique and original story! I can't wait to find out more about these characters and what happens. This story has me hooked!
I want to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!
February 25, 2024
***semi spoilers***
The concept of this was really cool and the framework was all there it was just a little too convoluted. I really didn’t love any of the characters that much and the betrayal was so obvious and frustrating because you knew it was coming but the main character didn’t. There’s also multiple cases or animal harm in this, which I’m just not a fan of. “Benny” was literally the worst and I actually hated the scenes with him. He was just mad annoying and hi-key toxic but was written like he wasn’t supposed to be? But honestly that was almost every character. This whole book was just a drawn out, confusing, infuriating jumble of everything you think is going to play out and does. You’ll be wondering why you stuck with it instead of DNFing I know I was. This was a harsh review but I was excited for this and I was so disappointed (also there were some lines that didn’t hit right). I can appreciate the parallels this was trying to make though.
The concept of this was really cool and the framework was all there it was just a little too convoluted. I really didn’t love any of the characters that much and the betrayal was so obvious and frustrating because you knew it was coming but the main character didn’t. There’s also multiple cases or animal harm in this, which I’m just not a fan of. “Benny” was literally the worst and I actually hated the scenes with him. He was just mad annoying and hi-key toxic but was written like he wasn’t supposed to be? But honestly that was almost every character. This whole book was just a drawn out, confusing, infuriating jumble of everything you think is going to play out and does. You’ll be wondering why you stuck with it instead of DNFing I know I was. This was a harsh review but I was excited for this and I was so disappointed (also there were some lines that didn’t hit right). I can appreciate the parallels this was trying to make though.
March 5, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy of Three Kinds of Lucky. Below you'll find my honest review.
I'm a huge fan of Kim Harrison's Hollows novels - both the original series and the recent continuation. I liked her Drafter novels and was disappointed we never got the end of the trilogy.
This one was a really good series opener. She built a cool world with an interesting take on magic, along with some great characters. I did figure out the "traitor" early on, but she did set it up to be obvious to the reader.
I had trouble putting this one down and absolutely loved it - except for one thing. I'll put it at the bottom so you can choose whether or not to read it. This will slightly spoil, so look away if you're not interested in a spoiler.
All in all, definitely recommend for Urban Fantasy fans or fans of The Hollows. 4 stars.
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
THE DOG DIES.
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
I'm a huge fan of Kim Harrison's Hollows novels - both the original series and the recent continuation. I liked her Drafter novels and was disappointed we never got the end of the trilogy.
This one was a really good series opener. She built a cool world with an interesting take on magic, along with some great characters. I did figure out the "traitor" early on, but she did set it up to be obvious to the reader.
I had trouble putting this one down and absolutely loved it - except for one thing. I'll put it at the bottom so you can choose whether or not to read it. This will slightly spoil, so look away if you're not interested in a spoiler.
All in all, definitely recommend for Urban Fantasy fans or fans of The Hollows. 4 stars.
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
THE DOG DIES.
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
CONTENT WARNING
October 22, 2023
3.5 stars for creative world
I read the ARC - Thank you Berkley! Perhaps the final copy will have some positive changes?
Not a flattering review so proceed with caution, sorry!
I read the ARC - Thank you Berkley! Perhaps the final copy will have some positive changes?
Not a flattering review so proceed with caution, sorry!
March 9, 2024
A serviceable series opener from The Hollows creator Kim Harrison. If you liked her work there, it’s probably worth checking out Three Kinds of Lucky, but with some caveats.
Our main character, Petra Grady, is a “sweeper,” a kind of magical garbage collector of “dross,” the remnants of mage’s castings. Dross floats around the world and causes bad luck if it isn’t contained by sweepers, since mages can’t see it.
Petra lives in Arizona, in a hidden, urban fantasy world of magic near the campus of St. Unoc’s, the largest center for mage and sweeper training in the U.S. Petra likes her job and is good at it, but nevertheless bristles under the hierarchical social structure.
One day, an old friend (and could be lover) named Benedict arrives on campus with a plan that could revolutionize (in every sense of that world) mage society. He has a method for mages to safely deal with dross. Petra is assigned by her sweeper superiors to investigate his process and, wouldn’t you know it, all hell breaks loose.
Harrison is far more in control of the narrative in Three Kinds of Lucky than in the over twenty year old Dead Witch Walking. But that is also a bit of a drawback. Three Kinds of Lucky feels less chaotic and charming. It also lacks much of the sense of humor found in The Hollows series. Harrison is much more plot focused and she especially lavishes much more attention of the rules of magic, which are integral to the resolution of the plot.
I appreciated the more mature approach, but did wish for more of the crackle and charm of The Hollows. I hope that the next book, building on this extensive world-building, will focus more on the characters, who often felt a bit flat in this entry.
Our main character, Petra Grady, is a “sweeper,” a kind of magical garbage collector of “dross,” the remnants of mage’s castings. Dross floats around the world and causes bad luck if it isn’t contained by sweepers, since mages can’t see it.
Petra lives in Arizona, in a hidden, urban fantasy world of magic near the campus of St. Unoc’s, the largest center for mage and sweeper training in the U.S. Petra likes her job and is good at it, but nevertheless bristles under the hierarchical social structure.
One day, an old friend (and could be lover) named Benedict arrives on campus with a plan that could revolutionize (in every sense of that world) mage society. He has a method for mages to safely deal with dross. Petra is assigned by her sweeper superiors to investigate his process and, wouldn’t you know it, all hell breaks loose.
Harrison is far more in control of the narrative in Three Kinds of Lucky than in the over twenty year old Dead Witch Walking. But that is also a bit of a drawback. Three Kinds of Lucky feels less chaotic and charming. It also lacks much of the sense of humor found in The Hollows series. Harrison is much more plot focused and she especially lavishes much more attention of the rules of magic, which are integral to the resolution of the plot.
I appreciated the more mature approach, but did wish for more of the crackle and charm of The Hollows. I hope that the next book, building on this extensive world-building, will focus more on the characters, who often felt a bit flat in this entry.
May 10, 2024
DNF @ 20%
Why a one star?
~violent & graphic animal murder on page
~the MC is as dumb as a rock
~graphic animal murder on page
~the magic is confusing and doesn’t make a lot of sense
~violent animal murder on page
~the MC is REALLY dumb.
~unnecessary animal murder
Why a one star?
~violent & graphic animal murder on page
~the MC is as dumb as a rock
~graphic animal murder on page
~the magic is confusing and doesn’t make a lot of sense
~violent animal murder on page
~the MC is REALLY dumb.
~unnecessary animal murder
October 13, 2024
Some mild spoilers ahead.
It took close to 2 months to slog through this book, and that should tell you something. I read the sample, thought maybe, actually bought the book and then I needed a full month before I was willing to read it. Got to the 70% mark (big reveal) in a few days … and stopped reading until today.
I might be meaningless to you, but to me it spelled out I didn’t particularly enjoy Three Kinds of Lucky.
The world was really interesting (and that’s I guess what kept me reading) but I didn’t like any of the characters, they were absolutely flat and unbelievable. The MC lacked any agency (or brain), as a reader I was bashed in the head with the hammer of Thor regarding some characters. There was no rhyme nor reason to the Benedict affair and I honestly loathed the dog. I can’t understand all the fuss about “oh my god she killed a pet, she should have warned us”. I would have gladly killed him myself (again think of that powerful hammer banging your head repeatedly). To me he wasn’t part of the story, it was a distraction, an constant burr under the saddle.
But then the MC often was too. But that’s my reaction when a woman is written as a floofy, stupid person (because you lack a brain if after some disaster you enter a bathroom and after seeing your reflection of a mirror you start to wail … not because you are hurt, but because you look so ugly and your love interest was next to you). Nothing major but damn those burrs…
The end was baffling to say the least. I don’t think I’ll be reading the next.
It took close to 2 months to slog through this book, and that should tell you something. I read the sample, thought maybe, actually bought the book and then I needed a full month before I was willing to read it. Got to the 70% mark (big reveal) in a few days … and stopped reading until today.
I might be meaningless to you, but to me it spelled out I didn’t particularly enjoy Three Kinds of Lucky.
The world was really interesting (and that’s I guess what kept me reading) but I didn’t like any of the characters, they were absolutely flat and unbelievable. The MC lacked any agency (or brain), as a reader I was bashed in the head with the hammer of Thor regarding some characters. There was no rhyme nor reason to the Benedict affair and I honestly loathed the dog. I can’t understand all the fuss about “oh my god she killed a pet, she should have warned us”. I would have gladly killed him myself (again think of that powerful hammer banging your head repeatedly). To me he wasn’t part of the story, it was a distraction, an constant burr under the saddle.
But then the MC often was too. But that’s my reaction when a woman is written as a floofy, stupid person (because you lack a brain if after some disaster you enter a bathroom and after seeing your reflection of a mirror you start to wail … not because you are hurt, but because you look so ugly and your love interest was next to you). Nothing major but damn those burrs…
The end was baffling to say the least. I don’t think I’ll be reading the next.
dnf
May 11, 2024DNF - 15%
Not working for me
Not working for me
April 25, 2024
I forgot that there was a reason I didn't finish this author's Hollows series (I only made it to book 5). I think this author just isn't for me. Oh and listening to the audiobook, if I heard the word "dross" one more time, I was going to scream.
March 3, 2024
A new urban fantasy series featuring a girl who finds herself with magic she never new she had and dealing with working with her ex best friend who might have created something that could destroy the world. Petra Grady is a Sweeper first class, she is tasked with cleaning up mage's spells and dross, the damaging, magical waste made from mage's spells. Sweepers are considered as second-class but Petra is an extremely talented one. When she is forced to work with Benedict Storm, her childhood friend turned nemesis who broke her heart and destroyed their friendship, she is not excited. Benedict is working on research that could render the Mages' dross inactive and make Sweepers obsolete. Petra knows this is an impossible task and that whatever Benedict is doing is going to end up being dangerous and a failure, yet her team wants her on the project to oversee what is happening and give them insight. Benedict doesn't understand dross the way Petra does and strange things are happening around Petra, from her roommate acting weird to her neighbor being around her more... not to mention the fact that Petra might have to finally get out of her own shadow and reveal her talents... which could shatter the world. This book is the first book in a series and unfortunately I don't think I will be continuing on with this series. The book had an interesting world at first but then I found myself disliking the characters and not at all caring about what happened to them or the world. The magic system was unique and I liked the urban fantasy setting. I however, did not like Petra at all. Petra made terrible decisions that had me frustrated and honestly I couldn't care less about the other characters and what they were doing. It felt like a drag trying to get to the end of the book and I so badly wanted to DNF it many times but kept pushing myself to finish in hopes that maybe it would get better (spoiler: it did not). I feel that if you like slow moving urban fantasy novels with a pretty naive and young protagonist and no romance, give this one a go, maybe you'll have a better time with it than I did.
*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Ace for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Ace for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*
August 18, 2025
This book has a lot of potential, but it is a bit messy and unfinished.
The characters are good, but the plotline is too focused on info dumping on dross. In case you missed it, let me tell you about Dross. It was like Bob Vance refrigeration. Is Dross important? Yes, but readers are more intelligent than that and don't need to be beaten over the head with it.
The Shadows are the best part of the book, and I am definitely not on the side of the university.
There's a lot of potential for this series, hopefully the issues here are just a new series book struggle to get off the ground.
3 Stars
The characters are good, but the plotline is too focused on info dumping on dross. In case you missed it, let me tell you about Dross. It was like Bob Vance refrigeration. Is Dross important? Yes, but readers are more intelligent than that and don't need to be beaten over the head with it.
The Shadows are the best part of the book, and I am definitely not on the side of the university.
There's a lot of potential for this series, hopefully the issues here are just a new series book struggle to get off the ground.
3 Stars
March 28, 2024
DNF @20% Boring
April 5, 2024
The first thing I learned as I was putting together this post was that Three Kinds of Lucky was 464 pages long. Surprise! Now recently I have read books that were 200+ pages and thought they were never going to end. Three Kinds of Lucky flew by mainly due to an abundance of thrilling episodes in the midst of some very good world-building. Yep, I was beyond startled to learn that it was 464 pages!
Petra Grady has accepted her position in life as a dross sweeper, the seeming lowest of the low in the magical realm below the spinners and well below the active magical practitioners who are actually the ones responsible for making so much dross that needs to be swept. Dross is the residual energy from magic that can create havoc if left alone. But Petra understands and manipulates dross more than other sweepers, and then there’s the matter of shadow, an energy that feeds off of inert dross but can also destroy. As Three Kinds of Lucky evolves, the reader begins to wonder if Petra Grady is something other than a sweeper.
So, first, I loved this book. It was engrossing and I completely lost myself in the narrative and the constant action. Petra’s character was strong, self-accepting, but her crush on Benedict drove me crazy because I didn’t feel like he was deserving of her (and, you know, I didn’t really like him). I was not enthralled–at all–with Benedict, which is odd because I tend to like the smart nerd characters. Benedict’s obliviousness and arrogant certainty didn’t help.
Kim Harrison threw in a lot of twists that I didn’t see coming but which served the novel well. Unfortunately there’s a lot I also can’t mention because that would give away some of the plot twists–and who would want to do that?!
I will say that if I have one trigger as far as aspects of books that I tend to shy away from, this one had it. If you know me, you may guess what it was. Ugly cry moment. Throw the book against the wall moment (except it was my Kindle, which while emotionally gratifying would not have been wallet gratifying). But Harrison turned the moment into something else, which, while it didn’t fix things, made it somewhat better.
I do like this as the beginning of a series. It was fresh, new, definitely something different, which is always welcome! And, I kind of hope that Petra gets over her crush on Benedict (or is that just me?!).
So many thanks to Ace Books for sending me a copy. I look forward to reading more in the series.
Petra Grady has accepted her position in life as a dross sweeper, the seeming lowest of the low in the magical realm below the spinners and well below the active magical practitioners who are actually the ones responsible for making so much dross that needs to be swept. Dross is the residual energy from magic that can create havoc if left alone. But Petra understands and manipulates dross more than other sweepers, and then there’s the matter of shadow, an energy that feeds off of inert dross but can also destroy. As Three Kinds of Lucky evolves, the reader begins to wonder if Petra Grady is something other than a sweeper.
So, first, I loved this book. It was engrossing and I completely lost myself in the narrative and the constant action. Petra’s character was strong, self-accepting, but her crush on Benedict drove me crazy because I didn’t feel like he was deserving of her (and, you know, I didn’t really like him). I was not enthralled–at all–with Benedict, which is odd because I tend to like the smart nerd characters. Benedict’s obliviousness and arrogant certainty didn’t help.
Kim Harrison threw in a lot of twists that I didn’t see coming but which served the novel well. Unfortunately there’s a lot I also can’t mention because that would give away some of the plot twists–and who would want to do that?!
I will say that if I have one trigger as far as aspects of books that I tend to shy away from, this one had it. If you know me, you may guess what it was. Ugly cry moment. Throw the book against the wall moment (except it was my Kindle, which while emotionally gratifying would not have been wallet gratifying). But Harrison turned the moment into something else, which, while it didn’t fix things, made it somewhat better.
I do like this as the beginning of a series. It was fresh, new, definitely something different, which is always welcome! And, I kind of hope that Petra gets over her crush on Benedict (or is that just me?!).
So many thanks to Ace Books for sending me a copy. I look forward to reading more in the series.
April 2, 2025
Three Kinds of Lucky
by Kim Harrison
The Shadow Age #1
Urban Fantasy Paranormal
Libby
Ages: 14+
Dross is the waste created from using magic, and it is not harmless, when it breaks, it creates bad luck, and then there are the Shadows. Petra is a sweeper first-class; her job is to clean up the dross because it does not break against her as it does to the magical and non-magical people.
But her luck seems to go bad when she is assigned to Benedict Strom's, her high school crush, research team who are studying Dross, trying to find a way to make it harmless, putting herself and the other sweepers out of a job.
After an accident that took many lives, Petra finds herself on the run with Benedict, searching for the one who had caused her father's death ten years ago, because he might be the only one who knows how to fix it.
This story has more depth than what the blurb gives, but that depth includes spoilers. As a fan of The Hollows, I, of course, found similarities between that series and this story, (a minor Rachel and Ivy type relationship), but I got major “Ghostbusters” vibes from the Dross/Shadows/containment unit), and I'm sure anyone who has seen the movie(s), could also agree. It's not a bad thing, it's just obvious.
Even with the similarities, this world is different than “The Hollows” series; ie the magic and its 'waste', but (so far) no other creatures (vampires/werewolves). Could there be in upcoming books? Maybe, but I hope not. New creations should be the goal for this new series.
My only big issue is that I don't feel that the magic/dross/shadows/etc, are explained enough. Those IMO, are main characters so they should've been given a lot more 'page time'.
Happily, this book ended, (no cliffhanger) but there is so much to this world and magic that this could be an interesting series.
There is some violence and what little romance there is, it's clean so I think this book is suitable for readers fourteen and older.
4 Stars
by Kim Harrison
The Shadow Age #1
Urban Fantasy Paranormal
Libby
Ages: 14+
Dross is the waste created from using magic, and it is not harmless, when it breaks, it creates bad luck, and then there are the Shadows. Petra is a sweeper first-class; her job is to clean up the dross because it does not break against her as it does to the magical and non-magical people.
But her luck seems to go bad when she is assigned to Benedict Strom's, her high school crush, research team who are studying Dross, trying to find a way to make it harmless, putting herself and the other sweepers out of a job.
After an accident that took many lives, Petra finds herself on the run with Benedict, searching for the one who had caused her father's death ten years ago, because he might be the only one who knows how to fix it.
This story has more depth than what the blurb gives, but that depth includes spoilers. As a fan of The Hollows, I, of course, found similarities between that series and this story, (a minor Rachel and Ivy type relationship), but I got major “Ghostbusters” vibes from the Dross/Shadows/containment unit), and I'm sure anyone who has seen the movie(s), could also agree. It's not a bad thing, it's just obvious.
Even with the similarities, this world is different than “The Hollows” series; ie the magic and its 'waste', but (so far) no other creatures (vampires/werewolves). Could there be in upcoming books? Maybe, but I hope not. New creations should be the goal for this new series.
My only big issue is that I don't feel that the magic/dross/shadows/etc, are explained enough. Those IMO, are main characters so they should've been given a lot more 'page time'.
Happily, this book ended, (no cliffhanger) but there is so much to this world and magic that this could be an interesting series.
There is some violence and what little romance there is, it's clean so I think this book is suitable for readers fourteen and older.
4 Stars
March 29, 2025
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Three Kinds of Lucky
In Three Kinds of Lucky, the reason bad luck happens all comes down to dross. A cast off from the use of magic that lingers behind, waiting for an unsuspecting person to stumble into it. The average person can’t see it, but those who wield magic can. Yet they choose not to deal with it and instead employee people known as Sweepers to clean it up and discard it. Petra Grady is such a sweeper and has dealt with the mage society seeing her as lesser her whole life. But when a new experiment involving dross causes a catastrophic event, Petra is going to be forced into a role she never imagined wielding.
Kim Harrison has a talent for creating characters with emotional foundations who are fully realized and evolving across the pages throughout their journey. Petra has such a connection to her past and her family, that it influences her actions and has shaped her into the character readers grow to love. Those same ties to her past are also going to force her into taking hold of a responsibility she never knew existed, let alone was at all prepared for. But true to Kim Harrison’s style, Petra stumbles in her discovery, yet sheer determination and the need to protect those she loves make her push forward despite the hardships.
The use of dross in Three Kinds of Lucky was unique and fantastic. It is quite literally being created by a society that simply doesn’t care that others will be inconvenienced, or at worst injured, from their use of magic. This elitist mindset plays such a role in the storyline. It’s chilling the lengths to which readers will discover mages have gone to maintain their foothold as supreme.
At this point any book Kim Harrison writes I will read. There is guaranteed to be a great cast of characters with a synergy between them so few stories have. And the ability Kim has to take past antagonists and mold them through new perceptions and experiences into protagonists is phenomenal. I highly recommended Three Kinds of Lucky for fans of urban fantasy, character development and original magical powers.
In Three Kinds of Lucky, the reason bad luck happens all comes down to dross. A cast off from the use of magic that lingers behind, waiting for an unsuspecting person to stumble into it. The average person can’t see it, but those who wield magic can. Yet they choose not to deal with it and instead employee people known as Sweepers to clean it up and discard it. Petra Grady is such a sweeper and has dealt with the mage society seeing her as lesser her whole life. But when a new experiment involving dross causes a catastrophic event, Petra is going to be forced into a role she never imagined wielding.
Kim Harrison has a talent for creating characters with emotional foundations who are fully realized and evolving across the pages throughout their journey. Petra has such a connection to her past and her family, that it influences her actions and has shaped her into the character readers grow to love. Those same ties to her past are also going to force her into taking hold of a responsibility she never knew existed, let alone was at all prepared for. But true to Kim Harrison’s style, Petra stumbles in her discovery, yet sheer determination and the need to protect those she loves make her push forward despite the hardships.
The use of dross in Three Kinds of Lucky was unique and fantastic. It is quite literally being created by a society that simply doesn’t care that others will be inconvenienced, or at worst injured, from their use of magic. This elitist mindset plays such a role in the storyline. It’s chilling the lengths to which readers will discover mages have gone to maintain their foothold as supreme.
At this point any book Kim Harrison writes I will read. There is guaranteed to be a great cast of characters with a synergy between them so few stories have. And the ability Kim has to take past antagonists and mold them through new perceptions and experiences into protagonists is phenomenal. I highly recommended Three Kinds of Lucky for fans of urban fantasy, character development and original magical powers.
March 5, 2024
Harrison drops us into this alternate world alongside sweeper, Petra Grady as she is dealing with magical waste known as dross. It was a strange altercation, leaving her with damaged equipment and unease.
Petra is unwillingly assigned to work with childhood crush Benedict Strom, on his dross research project at the Mage University where she works. She thinks the project is dangerous and her unanswered attraction annoys the heck out of her. I liked the tension and unresolved issues between them.
When an unimaginable event occurs, Petra and Benedict go into hiding as they search for an outcast that Petra believes got her father killed, but might just be able to save them all. Betrayal, fringe magic users, dross and untapped abilities quickly pulled me into the world.
A heroine with untapped potential, a world of magic users and cleaners. Yep, this was a fun set up and opening to the series. Some areas dragged a little, but we had some terrific battle scenes, twists and surprises that set the series up perfectly.
If you are an animal lover, be warned something upsetting occurs. View Spoiler »
Marguerite Gavin narrates giving us the voice of Petra and enhances the overall story for me. I highly recommend listening.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Petra is unwillingly assigned to work with childhood crush Benedict Strom, on his dross research project at the Mage University where she works. She thinks the project is dangerous and her unanswered attraction annoys the heck out of her. I liked the tension and unresolved issues between them.
When an unimaginable event occurs, Petra and Benedict go into hiding as they search for an outcast that Petra believes got her father killed, but might just be able to save them all. Betrayal, fringe magic users, dross and untapped abilities quickly pulled me into the world.
A heroine with untapped potential, a world of magic users and cleaners. Yep, this was a fun set up and opening to the series. Some areas dragged a little, but we had some terrific battle scenes, twists and surprises that set the series up perfectly.
If you are an animal lover, be warned something upsetting occurs. View Spoiler »
Marguerite Gavin narrates giving us the voice of Petra and enhances the overall story for me. I highly recommend listening.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
January 28, 2024
Kim Harrison has a new series coming out? Cue me screaming! THREE KINDS OF LUCKY is the first book in the new contemporary fantasy series.
As a longtime fan of Kim Harrison, I was thrilled about this news and couldn’t wait to see what this series is all about. The main heroine, Petra Grady, has no talent for magic. However, the world of the SHADOW AGE series puts her at the forefront alongside another intriguing character by the name of Benedict. I cannot wait to see how readers will react to this new duo as I think it’ll spark a lot of new interest for Harrison’s fans.
Harrison has proven that she had write kickass heroines before, so I think readers will be excited about Petra entering the scene. With her wits and skills, it’ll be interesting to see how her character develops throughout the series. As this is only the first book of the series, I guess time will tell.
However, if you enjoy magic and mayhem in your Urban Fantasy novels, then Harrison’s new Shadow Age series just might be the best new series of 2024!
As a longtime fan of Kim Harrison, I was thrilled about this news and couldn’t wait to see what this series is all about. The main heroine, Petra Grady, has no talent for magic. However, the world of the SHADOW AGE series puts her at the forefront alongside another intriguing character by the name of Benedict. I cannot wait to see how readers will react to this new duo as I think it’ll spark a lot of new interest for Harrison’s fans.
Harrison has proven that she had write kickass heroines before, so I think readers will be excited about Petra entering the scene. With her wits and skills, it’ll be interesting to see how her character develops throughout the series. As this is only the first book of the series, I guess time will tell.
However, if you enjoy magic and mayhem in your Urban Fantasy novels, then Harrison’s new Shadow Age series just might be the best new series of 2024!
March 11, 2024
Releases 3/5/24 - $14.99 holy crap!! 35% in first impression: the magical world is confusing and convoluted. There is a leftover signature after using magic called Dross, and you have to clean it up afterwards or else it causes problems; how Shadows and Rez are involved I'm not sure yet. There is a stringent class system based on your magical abilities, and although Petra is the best in her field, the antagonism and bullying she faces daily are formidable. Her roommate/friend Ashley is clearly using her for something, and also in league with the "bad guys." It seems stupid that no one can see this yet. And her temp boss Benny is clearly misunderstood and a potential love interest. Made it to about 70% and wanted to DNF at least 3x prior.
March 7, 2024
I really wanted to like this new series by a favorite author, instead it ended up meh...for me. I liked Petra, hated how her world sort of blew up and how no one listened to her and the amount of secrets people kept from her. The world was odd, I don't know that I even understand it after reading the book. I really dislike Benedict, hated how he treated Petra in the past and how now he thinks she should fall all over herself to help him. Sure things ended good for them, but it doesn't make me like him any better.
January 9, 2026
This book is way too focused on the one thing that nothing else matters to the point it info dumps way too much all on that one thing. So because almost nothing else is really developed, this definitely gives the feel of a first book.
This feels like if the 1st Dresden Files was only ultra focused on the one thing that was mentioned really early on in the book. It went that direction to deal with that. That rather become the mystery rather the actual mystery.
This feels like if the 1st Dresden Files was only ultra focused on the one thing that was mentioned really early on in the book. It went that direction to deal with that. That rather become the mystery rather the actual mystery.
April 7, 2024
DNF AT 40 %.
Finally, something happened around 40% but it was too late. I had no interest in the plot nor the characters so it was not worth it for me to continue reading.
The main problem was that a lot of time was wasted on unnecessary stuff e.g. multiple detailed descriptions of how the main character bikes around the city.
Pity as I was excited for this and wanted to like it :(
Finally, something happened around 40% but it was too late. I had no interest in the plot nor the characters so it was not worth it for me to continue reading.
The main problem was that a lot of time was wasted on unnecessary stuff e.g. multiple detailed descriptions of how the main character bikes around the city.
Pity as I was excited for this and wanted to like it :(
May 4, 2024
I thought this was going to be my first “DNF”… the struggle was real but somehow I pushed through. I always feel bad leaving a negative review but this book just wasn’t for me- I found it to be boring, slow, and wasn’t really a fan of the characters. The idea of the story sounded interesting but unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into it.
April 17, 2024
Trigger warning - the dog dies. I don’t care if it’s a spoiler everyone should know going in. Dnf’d at 70%. Usually I don’t leave reviews for dnfs but this book was not good, chose lazy writing, and the main character was dangerously oblivious for moving plot forward reasons. Not recommended.
March 18, 2024
The nitty-gritty: A fast-paced series opener with a great hook, Three Kinds of Lucky excels with fascinating world-building and a lovable heroine.
Have I ever read a Kim Harrison book before? I’m not sure, but I’m so glad I read Three Kinds of Lucky, which is such a fun opening book in her new series. This is an urban fantasy tale about a group of people who are able to use magic, but instead of focusing on the magic itself, Harrison’s story deals with the waste that is created from using magic. I thought it was a really cool idea, and bonus, I loved the characters as well.
We follow Petra Grady, who is a sweeper at St. Unoc University, someone who picks up and disposes of dross, the waste left behind after magic is performed. Sweepers are looked down upon in general, because they don’t have the ability to do magic themselves, but Petra just happens to be one of the best sweepers in Tucson, Arizona, where the story takes place, and although she’d prefer to be a mage, she’s content with her life in general.
Dr. Benedict Strom is a mage with an idea, and he’s also a friend from Petra’s childhood. He’s come up with an idea to make dross inert, basically rendering sweepers irrelevant. When Petra hears his idea, she’s horrified, since she doesn’t believe it will work. And then, the unthinkable happens: a terrible accident destroys parts of the university and kills dozens of people, when Benny’s ill-fated idea proves to be dangerous. Petra and Benny find themselves on the run after Petra receives a strange message from her benefactor, a disgraced mage named Herm Ivaros who has something important to tell Petra. With a group of separatist mages on their trail, Petra and Benny are about to learn the truth about the dangerous magical element called shadow.
Harrison’s ideas are a lot of fun, and you can tell she had fun herself figuring out this world, which is intricately developed and explained. I loved the idea of dross as a bit of “bad luck” floating around until a sweeper is able to pick it up. It’s usually only sweepers who can even see dross, which I picture as strands of light that resemble cotton candy, so people can step on dross and it “breaks,” which causes something bad to happen to that person, like tripping or spilling coffee on themselves. I also got the feeling that Harrison was trying to make a point about environmental waste, as there are so many mages making dross every time they do magic, but no good system in place to eliminate it completely.
I was a little surprised that the author didn’t go into much explanation about the magic itself. The story is mostly about the aftermath of magic and dealing with dross, and we only see mages do smaller things like use magic to heat up their coffee. This is a complex magic system, with mages, sweepers, spinners and weavers all part of the magical world, and I’m excited to learn more about it in future books.
I thought all of the characters were really well done. Petra is a hard worker and does her job well, even though she’d rather not be a sweeper. Her father died ten years before the story begins, in an accident caused by Herm Ivaros, at least that’s what Petra believes. Unbeknownst to her friends and colleagues, Herm has been sending Petra money each month, perhaps out of guilt at what he did. Herm is sort of a mystery in the story, and we eventually get to meet him, but I’m hoping we learn more about him in the next book, since I think his character has a lot of potential. Petra ends up finding all sorts of interesting things out about herself as the story progresses, and I liked her story arc a lot, although there is a bit of “special snowflake” to her character since she seems poised to save everyone at the end of the story.
Benedict is the potential love interest for Petra, but to be honest I wasn’t that impressed with him as a character. He’s convinced that his theories about dross are correct and he refuses to listen to anything that Petra says (Petra is clearly smarter than him, even though he is a mage). Time will tell whether I grow to like Benny more, but right now I’m sort of on the fence.
I did love most of the side characters, like Darrell, a Spinner with the talent to weave dross, and of course Petra’s dog Pluck, her loyal companion. And because I always disclose the dog’s fate in my reviews, I must tell dog lovers that something bad happens to Pluck, although there is a glimmer of hope later in the story that Pluck isn’t perhaps completely gone? In any case, do be aware if you’re a dog person and you plan on reading this book.
Harrison’s pacing is fast and furious, as Petra and Benny find themselves trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys while trying to track down Herm to help them. Not all of the characters are telling the truth about who they are, which added lots of intrigue to the story. My only complaint is that I thought the story went on a little too long, especially the last hundred pages where the action seemed a bit drawn out.
But by the end, I was fully invested in the story, and Harrison wraps things up nicely but also sets the characters up for the sequel. Urban fantasy fans will have a blast with Three Kinds of Lucky, and I can’t wait for the next book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Have I ever read a Kim Harrison book before? I’m not sure, but I’m so glad I read Three Kinds of Lucky, which is such a fun opening book in her new series. This is an urban fantasy tale about a group of people who are able to use magic, but instead of focusing on the magic itself, Harrison’s story deals with the waste that is created from using magic. I thought it was a really cool idea, and bonus, I loved the characters as well.
We follow Petra Grady, who is a sweeper at St. Unoc University, someone who picks up and disposes of dross, the waste left behind after magic is performed. Sweepers are looked down upon in general, because they don’t have the ability to do magic themselves, but Petra just happens to be one of the best sweepers in Tucson, Arizona, where the story takes place, and although she’d prefer to be a mage, she’s content with her life in general.
Dr. Benedict Strom is a mage with an idea, and he’s also a friend from Petra’s childhood. He’s come up with an idea to make dross inert, basically rendering sweepers irrelevant. When Petra hears his idea, she’s horrified, since she doesn’t believe it will work. And then, the unthinkable happens: a terrible accident destroys parts of the university and kills dozens of people, when Benny’s ill-fated idea proves to be dangerous. Petra and Benny find themselves on the run after Petra receives a strange message from her benefactor, a disgraced mage named Herm Ivaros who has something important to tell Petra. With a group of separatist mages on their trail, Petra and Benny are about to learn the truth about the dangerous magical element called shadow.
Harrison’s ideas are a lot of fun, and you can tell she had fun herself figuring out this world, which is intricately developed and explained. I loved the idea of dross as a bit of “bad luck” floating around until a sweeper is able to pick it up. It’s usually only sweepers who can even see dross, which I picture as strands of light that resemble cotton candy, so people can step on dross and it “breaks,” which causes something bad to happen to that person, like tripping or spilling coffee on themselves. I also got the feeling that Harrison was trying to make a point about environmental waste, as there are so many mages making dross every time they do magic, but no good system in place to eliminate it completely.
I was a little surprised that the author didn’t go into much explanation about the magic itself. The story is mostly about the aftermath of magic and dealing with dross, and we only see mages do smaller things like use magic to heat up their coffee. This is a complex magic system, with mages, sweepers, spinners and weavers all part of the magical world, and I’m excited to learn more about it in future books.
I thought all of the characters were really well done. Petra is a hard worker and does her job well, even though she’d rather not be a sweeper. Her father died ten years before the story begins, in an accident caused by Herm Ivaros, at least that’s what Petra believes. Unbeknownst to her friends and colleagues, Herm has been sending Petra money each month, perhaps out of guilt at what he did. Herm is sort of a mystery in the story, and we eventually get to meet him, but I’m hoping we learn more about him in the next book, since I think his character has a lot of potential. Petra ends up finding all sorts of interesting things out about herself as the story progresses, and I liked her story arc a lot, although there is a bit of “special snowflake” to her character since she seems poised to save everyone at the end of the story.
Benedict is the potential love interest for Petra, but to be honest I wasn’t that impressed with him as a character. He’s convinced that his theories about dross are correct and he refuses to listen to anything that Petra says (Petra is clearly smarter than him, even though he is a mage). Time will tell whether I grow to like Benny more, but right now I’m sort of on the fence.
I did love most of the side characters, like Darrell, a Spinner with the talent to weave dross, and of course Petra’s dog Pluck, her loyal companion. And because I always disclose the dog’s fate in my reviews, I must tell dog lovers that something bad happens to Pluck, although there is a glimmer of hope later in the story that Pluck isn’t perhaps completely gone? In any case, do be aware if you’re a dog person and you plan on reading this book.
Harrison’s pacing is fast and furious, as Petra and Benny find themselves trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys while trying to track down Herm to help them. Not all of the characters are telling the truth about who they are, which added lots of intrigue to the story. My only complaint is that I thought the story went on a little too long, especially the last hundred pages where the action seemed a bit drawn out.
But by the end, I was fully invested in the story, and Harrison wraps things up nicely but also sets the characters up for the sequel. Urban fantasy fans will have a blast with Three Kinds of Lucky, and I can’t wait for the next book.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
November 14, 2025
I've been wanting to read this for a while as I have been looking for a new modern heroine and this is what I partially got.
It started off strong it progressed naturally however I had my difficulties with the whole dross explanation. It got better but the story fizzled out at some point. I liked the idea but it felt flat and not a lot happened until the end.
It started off strong it progressed naturally however I had my difficulties with the whole dross explanation. It got better but the story fizzled out at some point. I liked the idea but it felt flat and not a lot happened until the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 689 reviews