I have a really hard time reviewing this book. The author's imagination for a new magic system and world is astounding, but the book doesn't really get going until the 60% which is asking a lot.

I was pulled in my the fascinating world that the author has created - dross and shadows are fascinating and the concept of a physical magical by-product is very interesting. I think that the general plotline of the main character is interesting, and a bit different take on the "special savior" trope. But the first 40% of the book could have been removed and I don't know that much of the story would have changed since for most of the book the plot doesn't seem to be a priority to the world-building. For the world building all of it was directed at dross and shadows portion I still don't really understand how the magic users work, it was honestly a surprise any time Benedict or Ashley used magic. It just felt like if you are going to spend so much time on the world building how do I still have so many questions about this world?And I feel like the focus on worldbuilding meant that the characters weren't given as much attention. Outside the main character the characters fall into one of two categories: unlikable or barely fleshed out. Even the main character's motivations felt scattershot at times.

All of these are not not breaking points for me, but I am more disappointed that a book from a major 5 Publisher from a well known author is at this point. This book needs editing. It has all the elements of a great book, but the version I read isn't there.

SPOILER BUT IMPORTANT CONTENT WARNING
the dog dies

This is a fun ride in urban fantasy. I enjoyed it being a relatively "normal" main character who cannot do magic herself but still has to interact with it constantly. As it is the start of a new series, there is a lot of world-building and getting drawn in. I think it definitely leans a bit heavier into the world-building than her previous books. I'm not a huge fan of the romance piece but it worked okay for this installment. I think this one does drop you into a complicate world without explaining too much so the world-building does feel like it takes a long time to get started.

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison introduced me to a creative new fantasy world, though my reading experience was mixed. For the first time ever, I found myself tired of reading a particular word. It was said many times on every page, and I'm not sure what it was about this word - because it was essential to the story - but seeing it so many times irritated me. I am still trying to figure out what to make of that, so I won't say any more.

The magic system, however, and the world both intrigued me. The world is developed very well. I understood the different sides and their ideals. The magic system was more of an enigma. The by-product is something called dross, a word in our own language that means rubbish, and that's basically what it is - magical rubbish. But there is much more to be learned about this system.

The story is about Petra Grady, a Sweeper of dross whose life is turned upside down when the current magic system of mages and sweepers is blown to pieces. She has to reidentify herself as what she truly is. The pacing is fast, and the thrills are non-stop. I sped-read my way through the story with all of its twists and turns. And I loved where it ended with a lovely soft conclusion rather than a cliffhanger.

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
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THE DOG DIES.
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New series by Kim Harrison. Looks promising, even if this first book, THREE KINDS OF LUCKY is a bit of an uneven read. Petra Grady is a Sweeper with an unusual talent, one that is supposedly in the lowest of the magical world. She cleans up what spells leave behind and can't actively do magic of her own. When she comes in contact with Shadow, something all magic users fear, something changes and she wonders if she might be more magical than she thought.

Like Kim Harrison’s writing style, will give the next book in the series a read. Recommended for fans of Harrison and magical fantasy.

I don't read a lot of urban fantasy, but I was really interested by the idea of this one. I like the fact that the focus of this story isn't on the romance, and I thought that the pacing was good and the characters compelled me to keep reading. I struggled a bit in the world-building, mostly because I just couldn't really picture how dross worked. Overall, though, I would read more in this series because I imagine little snags will get hammered out as we go on.

Three Kinds of Lucky is a great new addition to the urban fantasy genre. The magic system in this book is one of the more unique I've seen, and I've read a lot of urban fantasy. Good pacing, some romance but not to much, characters you love to hate, a devastating death (I cried), and just an intriguing romp. I'm excited to see where this series goes in the future.

Petra Grady can't do magic. But she can see it. Okay, she can see dross which is the magical leftovers from a spell. And dross if left lying around, trans-morphs into bad luck for anyone who touches it. Her job is to collect it, and bring it back to a disposal sight. But a mage has discovered a way to render dross harmless, and he's demanded that Grady be part of his team to prove his process is safe.

Why I started this book: Requested an ARC as I'm not a regular Harrison reader and thought that a start of a new series would be a great jumping in point.

Why I finished it: Felt a little uneven reading this story, but I' can't tell if that was me or the book... but I am very intrigued about a story that starts with magical waste disposal and goes from there. (Maybe the uneasiness was my internal disagreement about the motivations/actions of main characters when placed in the "logic" of Harrison's magic world building.) Action pacted, with lots of possibilites for the future I am eager to read the next in the series.

I kind of struggled with this book.

Kim Harrison is probably my favorite author in what I like to call the "modern with magic" (thanks, AO3) genre. I devoured the first 13(ish) books of her Hollows/Rachel Morgan series -- in fact it's the only series I've read that I share a name with the main character of that I've actually managed to read all the way through. Three Kinds of Lucky is a very different book. I struggled to really get into the worldbuilding and picturing how "dross" worked. I don't know if it's because I'm too biased going in, or if it's because it's Book #1, but this didn't grab me the way I'd hoped.

One thing that Harrison does better than anyone else is create new types of magic systems. This new magic system is so different from anything you've ever read, and she uses it to great effect, subtly highlighting an eco-disaster scenario with the "magical waste" that they keep shoving into a hole in the ground. Of course, the other strength is always her heroines and she does not disappoint here. Petra Grady (great name!) is both strong and vulnerable. She is shoved into a situation she doesn't want to be in but finds a way to succeed. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

I find I am struggling with Kim Harrison books of late. I loved the original 13 books of The Hollows series. But her more recent additions to Hollows as well as some recent additions to Hollows and this one, Three Kinds of Lucky just aren't grabbing me like they used to. Not sure if my attention span is shorter or if Harrison's writing style has gone through some changes, but this was just OK. I fought to get through the first 30%, but then it picked up.

Harrison created a wonderful world, but I didn't really connect with the characters. Just was not a compelling read for me.

I mean, its Kim Harrison. I'd personally read her grocery list, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this new series! This will be a hit with our patrons!

I'm a fan of Harrison and I always enjoy her take on a new urban fantasy novel. This new world and cast of characters is definitely interesting. New world building. New magic rules. New characters. My one critique is that it felt like the pacing in the middle to get to the 'big event' was too slow. I will attribute part of this to having to introduce a lot of new material to readers but it was a bit of a slog to wade through at time.

***WARNING-SPOILER***
Something bad happens to a furry friend. If this is a hard no for you when reading, the be forewarned.

I really enjoyed this new series by Kit Harrison. A unique magical system with a main character who initially seems to live on the periphery of it. While it took a while for me to get into it, I’m glad I kept going. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series!

I'd like to thank Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC copy of this book. Three Kinds of Lucky i s a contemporary fantasy by Kim Harrison. While not having any magic of her own, Petra Grady is able to see Dross, the residue that is left over from spells and makes a living that way. She's reluctantly requited to join a research on dross which will jeopardize her livelihood. But something goes wrong and her life changes drastically. The book was a good read. A solid three stars.

A great start too a new series. I love the original plot and magic with dirty consequences. Lots of betrayal and secrets.

Kim Harrison has created a fresh new fantasy world in her book Three Kinds of Lucky. She has the reader rooting for the main character and her struggles with her father's past and her own present. The magical world draws you in as you learn about the magical system of spells and dross, the trash left over by magic use. Petra Grady is a Sweeper, the lowest of the magical world. She cleans up what spells leave behind and can't actively do magic of her own. When she comes in contact with Shadow, something all magic users fear, something changes and she wonders if she might be more magical than she thought. As she fights against the hierarchy she discovers a forgotten gift and her father's true legacy.

I was lucky enough to win an eARC of THREE KINDS OF LUCKY by Kim Harrison through a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thanks for the early look, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

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 Group/Ace for providing me with a digital review copy of this heart-throbbing journey in exchange for my honest opinions.

A new series by Kim Harrison?
Yes Please.

Petra Grady is sweeper, she can see the residue, dross, left behind by mages doing magic, but cannot actually perform magic herself. What should be a respectable, necessary job is too often one looked down upon by those mages creating all this dross.
Enter childhood "secret" friend/Benedrict Strom. He's possibly created a way to eliminate the need for Sweepers, by rendering dross harmless. And Petra is forced into working on his team whether she wants to or not.

With a whole new magic system, a new alternate world, a new set of characters Harrison has created a new series that, based on this first installment, will be a series as long running as her Rachel Morgan books, because I really enjoyed Petra and crew and this new setting.

Petra reminded me a little bit of Rachel,,. .underappreciated, a bit of sass, strong... but not so similar that I felt like I was re-reading a Hollows novel. This is definitely something new, but with all the wonderful qualities that I enjoy about Harrison's books.
Excellent first installment - I can't wait to see where Petra and her shadow go next!