Caffeinated Reviewer

Secondhand Luck by Kim Harrison is the second audiobook in the Shadow Age series. Narrated by Marguerite Gavin, it continues the story of Petra Grady and her bonded shadow Pluck as an ancient shadow attacks, and the authorities place the blame on her. An addictive second installment.

Against an ancient shadow with a deadly agenda, Petra Grady’s luck may be about to run out, in the next book in the enthralling contemporary fantasy series from the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows novels.

It’s been months since Petra Grady bonded with the shadow Pluck. With the help of researcher Benedict Strom, she has made a place for herself at St. Unoc University as the first weaver to use shadow magic in a thousand years. But some are not happy to acknowledge the new shadow/weaver pair, and Petra and Pluck aren’t surprised when they’re blamed for every recent trouble.

When a new weaver is drawn to St. Unoc, Pluck quickly realizes the novice magic user has not come alone. Trailing her is Thoth, a devious shadow responsible for betraying his own kind and setting mage against weaver thousands of years ago. His goal hasn’t changed, and when Thoth turns both the mage courts and the university against Petra, she and Pluck must risk everything to uncover a truth that even Pluck has forgotten.

Shadows, though, have earned their terrifying reputation, and if Petra can’t prove her and Pluck’s innocence and capture Thoth, any hope of balance will be gone—taking Pluck and her with it.

Kim Harrison continues to build our understanding and magic in Secondhand Luck as our sweeper, turned weaver, Petra Grady continues to evolve. As with most urban fantasy, and despite Harrison’s efforts to recap events from Three Kinds of Lucky, I recommend listening to this series in the order of its release.

Petra is looking for weavers when she steps into a trap. By the time she escapes, she learns that the vault at St. Unoc University holding dross has been damaged and that she and Pluck are being blamed. On her return, she discovers a new weaver that has been drawn to St. Unoc. Only she hasn’t come alone. Trailing behind her is Thoth, a devious shadow responsible for betraying his own kind. He set mage against weaver thousands of years ago, and his sole purpose is to thwart weavers and shadows from bonding.

Secondhand Luck was an action-packed tale as Petra, Pluck and their allies tried to stop Thoth and keep the authorities off their backs. It was intense, but also expanded our knowledge of the world, magic, and the hierarchy of magic users. The world is fascinating from the different levels of users to the broken of factions. Petras abilities grow as she expands her understanding of dross, shadow and her role as a weaver.

Our interactions with secondary characters grow from those intent on stopping Petra to those who stand beside her. Petra has formed a small circle of allies, but needs to stop second-guessing their loyalty. I look forward to the next audiobook in the series.

Marguerite Gavin continues to narrate the story and has done a spectacular job of capturing Petra and Pluck’s personalities and setting the tone of the story. She gives unique voices to both male and female characters, enhancing my overall enjoyment. I highly recommend grabbing your earbuds for this one.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Kim Harrison

Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. She's currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles, and when not at her desk, is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home, in the garden, or on the links.

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About Marguerite Gavin

Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. Marguerite has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career, and has over four hundred titles to her credit.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Audiobook Challenge

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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