Book Review: Cursed Luck by Kelley Armstrong

Cursed Luck
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Cursed Luck (Book 1)
Publication: KLA Fricke Incorporated (May 7, 2021)

Description: Kennedy Bennett comes from a long line of curse weavers. For centuries, her family has plied their trade in Unstable, Massachusetts, an unconventional small town that’s welcomed paranormal practitioners since the dawn of spiritualism. Kennedy has recently struck out on her own, opening an antiques shop in Boston, where her specialty is uncursing and reselling hexed objects.

Then Aiden Connolly walks into her life with an offer she really should refuse. The scion of a wealthy family of luck workers, Aiden has a scheme to get his hands on the most famous cursed object of all: the mythical Necklace of Harmonia. He’s not the only one after the necklace, though. And he’s not the only one looking for a curse weaver to fix it. Kennedy’s sisters are kidnapped, and she finds herself plunged into the underbelly of the magical world where even Aiden is in over his head.

My Thoughts: CURSED LUCK begins a new urban fantasy series. Kennedy Bennett is the middle daughter in a family of curse workers. While they are able to place curses on objects, their specialty is removing them. Kennedy has moved from Unstable, Massachusetts, where she grew up to Boston where she has opened an antique store that specializes in formerly cursed objects.

Kennedy is just building her business. She finds it hard to turn down an offer to help Aiden Connolly, from a family of luck workers, find and uncurse the famous, or maybe infamous, Necklace of Harmonia. This object promises eternal youth and beauty but also great misfortune. 

Despite Kennedy being attracted to Aiden's looks, they don't hit it off when they first meet. Kennedy is impulsive and sometimes even reckless and Aiden is the quintessential stuffed shirt. But when Kennedy's sisters are kidnapped to force them to try to undo the curse, Aiden is about the only one she knows isn't involved. 

Kennedy finds herself involved in the gray magic world which is totally alien to her and filled with all sorts of competing factions who want the Necklace of Harmonia cursed or uncursed. She'll do anything to find and rescue her sisters - even contend with ancient immortals.

I loved the world building in this one where immortals and magic users live among us regular people. I liked Kennedy's attitude, intelligence, and sparkling wit. I like the way she interacted with Aiden and was constantly teasing him. I liked that there wasn't an insta-romance but that the possibility of a future romance exists. I liked the references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek in the story. I liked Kennedy's relationship with her cat which provided some additional humor to the story. I liked that both humor and deadly danger filled the book.

I can't wait for the next book in the series which is due in 2022.

Favorite Quote:

After a moment, Connolly says, "That's actually a good idea."

"One of these times, you will stop sounding so shocked when you say that."

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.