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Prof Croft #2
Blood Deal
Everson Croft, professor of mythology and nervous as sin.
Tonight’s the night I tell Caroline the truth: about my feelings, my magic, everything.
So why am I surprised when Detective Vega calls me to a new case? An elusive creature is chewing up residents in a housing project run by rival gangs. One more mangled body and the place will explode into warfare.
Problem is, someone’s protecting the killer. All signs point to the vampire Arnaud—who’s just upped the stakes. If I don’t send Detective Vega down a trail of bad leads, he’ll snatch her child. But is Arnaud trying to derail the investigation or twist it to his own ends, ones that could reshape the city?
Worse, Caroline has disappeared, and I’m under suspicion. No one believes I last saw her with Angelus, a mysterious hunk and full-blooded faerie. Dangerous no matter how you slice it.
Two cases: one personal, one professional, and both going to hell in a hurry.
Time to wizard up.
Blood Deal is the 2nd novel in the quarter-million selling Croftverse. If you like occult action, spell-crackling suspense, and moments of heart, heroism, and all-out laughter, you’ll love Prof Croft!
Tonight’s the night I tell Caroline the truth: about my feelings, my magic, everything.
So why am I surprised when Detective Vega calls me to a new case? An elusive creature is chewing up residents in a housing project run by rival gangs. One more mangled body and the place will explode into warfare.
Problem is, someone’s protecting the killer. All signs point to the vampire Arnaud—who’s just upped the stakes. If I don’t send Detective Vega down a trail of bad leads, he’ll snatch her child. But is Arnaud trying to derail the investigation or twist it to his own ends, ones that could reshape the city?
Worse, Caroline has disappeared, and I’m under suspicion. No one believes I last saw her with Angelus, a mysterious hunk and full-blooded faerie. Dangerous no matter how you slice it.
Two cases: one personal, one professional, and both going to hell in a hurry.
Time to wizard up.
Blood Deal is the 2nd novel in the quarter-million selling Croftverse. If you like occult action, spell-crackling suspense, and moments of heart, heroism, and all-out laughter, you’ll love Prof Croft!
8 pages, Audiobook
First published October 17, 2016
857 people are currently reading
344 people want to read
About the author
Brad Magnarella
50 books382 followersBrad Magnarella writes urban fantasy for the same reason most read it – to explore worlds where magic crackles from fingertips, vampires and shifters walk city streets, cats talk (some excessively), and good prevails against all odds. It’s shamelessly fun.
His three main series, Prof Croft, Blue Wolf, and Maddy Deeds, make up the growing Croftverse, with nearly a half-million books sold to date and an Independent Audiobook Award nomination.
Hopelessly nomadic, Brad can be found in a rented room overseas or hiking America's backcountry.
To learn more about the Croftverse, and download two free prequel novellas, visit his website at bradmagnarella.com
His three main series, Prof Croft, Blue Wolf, and Maddy Deeds, make up the growing Croftverse, with nearly a half-million books sold to date and an Independent Audiobook Award nomination.
Hopelessly nomadic, Brad can be found in a rented room overseas or hiking America's backcountry.
To learn more about the Croftverse, and download two free prequel novellas, visit his website at bradmagnarella.com
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January 12, 2017
In general, I try not to leave reviews for books if I have nothing but bad things to say, which is why I wasn't going to leave a review for this book. But then I realised that I read this book in one sitting and that there was a reason why I was getting angry at points. It turns out that, surprisingly, I have become really invested in this series to the point where I really want it to be good.
Suddenly, I'm looking at this book in a whole new light. It's not that it's a bad book, it's just frustrating as hell at times. So with that said, onto the review. Just to forewarn you, the bad will come first, but stick with it because the good will come later.
---------- THE BAD -----------
1 - IT'S STUPID - I hate calling anything stupid, but while reading this book I kept muttering that phrase (or screaming it) over and over. The characters kept making decisions that seemed bat s*** crazy because it was always the most stupid option they could possibly choose. One of my key examples of this ties in with my second problem, which is...
2 - COPIED THE FLAWS FROM DRESDEN FILES - I said in my review of the first one that it has been heavily influenced by the Dresden Files. Well, this is to the extent where it even copies the flaws from the early books in that series... namely, Murphy. I always hated how Murphy had hired a supernatural expert, never listened to his advice and remained willfully ignorant, constantly got herself and Dresden in trouble because of it, blamed him for that trouble, and then Dresden would just roll over and take the blame. That is exactly what happens in this book with Vega and Crofton. Croft tells Vega not to do something early in the novel (basically because it is suicidally stupid), she does it anyway, he has to figure out a way to deal with the fallout from this and then he gets s*** for it from there on out. When Vega keeps repeating this pattern throughout the novel, it makes you want to climb into the pages and smack some sense into these stupid characters to break the cycle.
3 - ROMANCE IS POINTLESS AND UNDERDEVELOPED - One of my pet peeves with novels is when we have to accept a romance based solely on the fact that the people involved have declared that they are in love and nothing else. This breaks the golden 'Show don't tell' rule. Without showing us how this romance came to be, why the characters care for each other or give us any reason to root for this relationship, then there's no point including it as it never seems real.
4 - CAROLINE - I finished this novel feeling like you could have removed her story from this book and it would instantly have made it better. That's not because it's not intriguing, far from it. It is actually the more intriguing story, but it is so underdeveloped that the few times we do come across it, it just seems unnatural. There is a point in the third act where her story gets... well, not resolved... but we find out an answer to a particular storyline. That answer comes from nowhere with no foreshadowing and was so out of place it sucked me right out of the story completely. Then there is the climax of the novel and... well... enough said on this.
5 - Croft's Demon - Other than in the 1st act of the last novel, Croft's demon has never come out. It get's mentioned a lot, but when nothing ever comes of it, it feels like little more than useless baggage that bogs the story down.
++++++++++ THE GOOD ++++++++++
1 - THE CHARACTERS - By far the biggest success of this series are the main characters. Sure, they're frustrating as hell and the cause of most of the problems listed above, but for some reason I care for them. Croft seems to genuinely care and he tries his hardest which makes you root for him. Vega, as annoying and wilfully ignorant as she can be, is also trying hard to do the right thing. Also, it doesn't hurt that she is a single mother, so you kind of root for her there as well. I'm not all that attached to Caroline yet, but I don't hate her either. Somehow this series has created some real attachments to characters and that is the main reason why this isn't a 2-star review.
2 - THE POTENTIAL - I have a feeling that this series is only going to get better. I love the Dresden Files, but that didn't really pick up until the 4th book. It suffered from many of the same issues as this one and it had the same two good things that kept me reading. This book shows promise, and if this series follows that same path and tries a bit harder to separate itself from the Dresden Files, then I can see it being really good going forward.
========== THE VERDICT ==========
Okay, so judging by this essay of a review, you'd be forgiven for thinking that I hated this book. I didn't. I actually enjoyed it for the most part. It was just really frustrating.
Would I recommend it? Yes... tentatively. I'd like to read a few more to see if the issues get ironed out or to see if they just continue to grow and piss me off, but as things stand you could do much worse than this series.
So overall it's a 3-star read with definite potential for higher marks in the future.
Suddenly, I'm looking at this book in a whole new light. It's not that it's a bad book, it's just frustrating as hell at times. So with that said, onto the review. Just to forewarn you, the bad will come first, but stick with it because the good will come later.
---------- THE BAD -----------
1 - IT'S STUPID - I hate calling anything stupid, but while reading this book I kept muttering that phrase (or screaming it) over and over. The characters kept making decisions that seemed bat s*** crazy because it was always the most stupid option they could possibly choose. One of my key examples of this ties in with my second problem, which is...
2 - COPIED THE FLAWS FROM DRESDEN FILES - I said in my review of the first one that it has been heavily influenced by the Dresden Files. Well, this is to the extent where it even copies the flaws from the early books in that series... namely, Murphy. I always hated how Murphy had hired a supernatural expert, never listened to his advice and remained willfully ignorant, constantly got herself and Dresden in trouble because of it, blamed him for that trouble, and then Dresden would just roll over and take the blame. That is exactly what happens in this book with Vega and Crofton. Croft tells Vega not to do something early in the novel (basically because it is suicidally stupid), she does it anyway, he has to figure out a way to deal with the fallout from this and then he gets s*** for it from there on out. When Vega keeps repeating this pattern throughout the novel, it makes you want to climb into the pages and smack some sense into these stupid characters to break the cycle.
3 - ROMANCE IS POINTLESS AND UNDERDEVELOPED - One of my pet peeves with novels is when we have to accept a romance based solely on the fact that the people involved have declared that they are in love and nothing else. This breaks the golden 'Show don't tell' rule. Without showing us how this romance came to be, why the characters care for each other or give us any reason to root for this relationship, then there's no point including it as it never seems real.
4 - CAROLINE - I finished this novel feeling like you could have removed her story from this book and it would instantly have made it better. That's not because it's not intriguing, far from it. It is actually the more intriguing story, but it is so underdeveloped that the few times we do come across it, it just seems unnatural. There is a point in the third act where her story gets... well, not resolved... but we find out an answer to a particular storyline. That answer comes from nowhere with no foreshadowing and was so out of place it sucked me right out of the story completely. Then there is the climax of the novel and... well... enough said on this.
5 - Croft's Demon - Other than in the 1st act of the last novel, Croft's demon has never come out. It get's mentioned a lot, but when nothing ever comes of it, it feels like little more than useless baggage that bogs the story down.
++++++++++ THE GOOD ++++++++++
1 - THE CHARACTERS - By far the biggest success of this series are the main characters. Sure, they're frustrating as hell and the cause of most of the problems listed above, but for some reason I care for them. Croft seems to genuinely care and he tries his hardest which makes you root for him. Vega, as annoying and wilfully ignorant as she can be, is also trying hard to do the right thing. Also, it doesn't hurt that she is a single mother, so you kind of root for her there as well. I'm not all that attached to Caroline yet, but I don't hate her either. Somehow this series has created some real attachments to characters and that is the main reason why this isn't a 2-star review.
2 - THE POTENTIAL - I have a feeling that this series is only going to get better. I love the Dresden Files, but that didn't really pick up until the 4th book. It suffered from many of the same issues as this one and it had the same two good things that kept me reading. This book shows promise, and if this series follows that same path and tries a bit harder to separate itself from the Dresden Files, then I can see it being really good going forward.
========== THE VERDICT ==========
Okay, so judging by this essay of a review, you'd be forgiven for thinking that I hated this book. I didn't. I actually enjoyed it for the most part. It was just really frustrating.
Would I recommend it? Yes... tentatively. I'd like to read a few more to see if the issues get ironed out or to see if they just continue to grow and piss me off, but as things stand you could do much worse than this series.
So overall it's a 3-star read with definite potential for higher marks in the future.
November 1, 2016
Wow, was that a great thrill ride of adventure, magic, and suspense! As usual, Everson finds himself in the middle of multiple deadlines, trying to avoid death at the hands of multiple powerful people. At his side is Detective Vega, an excellent but very strained partnership. Arnaud the vampire makes another super creepy appearance, shudder. There's the matter of Caroline, who has long held a place in Everson's heart. She becomes part of an intersecting mystery. There are plenty of injuries for Everson (as usual) and lots of that must-push-through-the-exhaustion-and-pain toughness. I enjoyed the new, wholly original characters that cropped up (can't say more). I also really liked that there were times that various forces caused Everson's magic to be grounded or weak so that he was not as invincible as he might have seemed in the first book. The lore of his world is also expanding with new creatures, demon types, potions, etc. The story felt very fresh and we were left, after the rollercoaster of events and emotions, with a stunning conclusion on many fronts. I can't wait to see what's coming next!
January 3, 2026
As I mentioned in my review of Book 1, this series is heavily inspired—if not outright copied—from The Dresden Files. By the second entry, the similarities are no longer subtle; they are impossible to ignore, to the point where it stops feeling like homage and starts feeling like imitation.
The magic system itself is a near copy: the structure, the rules, the feel of spellcasting—even the sound of the magic words. The parallels are striking, from Dresden’s iconic “Forzare” to very similar incantations used here. The creatures, the atmosphere, and the overall supernatural vibe all feel pulled straight from the same mold.
The character parallels are just as blatant. Prof. Croft is essentially Dresden under another name. Agatha the cat is Bob the Skull. Vera clearly mirrors Murphy. Even the recurring setup of a wizard being hired by investigators or working alongside the police is reproduced almost scene by scene. The similarities are uncanny.
There are surface-level differences. Prof. Croft is more serious and restrained than Harry Dresden, who thrives on sarcasm and gallows humor. But beneath that, they are fundamentally the same character: self-sacrificing to the point of recklessness, borderline suicidal, and completely unconcerned with their own well-being as long as they can “save the world.”
One aspect that frustrated me—both here and in The Dresden Files—is how the protagonist is blamed for absolutely everything. Prof. Croft, like Harry, internalizes all responsibility, even when events are clearly beyond his control. His inner monologue is filled with the same relentless self-blame: this is my fault, I should have done better, I chose wrong. It becomes repetitive and emotionally exhausting.
Another disappointment is Caroline, whose role remains marginal and underdeveloped. And without going into spoilers, I personally dislike cheating as a plot device, which unfortunately appears in the final act of this book and left a sour taste for me.
All of this makes direct comparison inevitable—and unfortunately, Blood Deal doesn’t feel as grand, as intricate, or as thoughtfully constructed as its obvious inspiration. It reads less like a reinterpretation and more like a reskin with altered names and slightly adjusted premises.
That said, the pacing is decent, the writing is competent, and if you’ve never read The Dresden Files, this series may genuinely work for you. But for longtime fans, the constant sense of déjà vu makes it hard to fully enjoy.
Final verdict: readable and entertaining enough, but weighed down by overwhelming similarities that prevent it from standing on its own.
The magic system itself is a near copy: the structure, the rules, the feel of spellcasting—even the sound of the magic words. The parallels are striking, from Dresden’s iconic “Forzare” to very similar incantations used here. The creatures, the atmosphere, and the overall supernatural vibe all feel pulled straight from the same mold.
The character parallels are just as blatant. Prof. Croft is essentially Dresden under another name. Agatha the cat is Bob the Skull. Vera clearly mirrors Murphy. Even the recurring setup of a wizard being hired by investigators or working alongside the police is reproduced almost scene by scene. The similarities are uncanny.
There are surface-level differences. Prof. Croft is more serious and restrained than Harry Dresden, who thrives on sarcasm and gallows humor. But beneath that, they are fundamentally the same character: self-sacrificing to the point of recklessness, borderline suicidal, and completely unconcerned with their own well-being as long as they can “save the world.”
One aspect that frustrated me—both here and in The Dresden Files—is how the protagonist is blamed for absolutely everything. Prof. Croft, like Harry, internalizes all responsibility, even when events are clearly beyond his control. His inner monologue is filled with the same relentless self-blame: this is my fault, I should have done better, I chose wrong. It becomes repetitive and emotionally exhausting.
Another disappointment is Caroline, whose role remains marginal and underdeveloped. And without going into spoilers, I personally dislike cheating as a plot device, which unfortunately appears in the final act of this book and left a sour taste for me.
All of this makes direct comparison inevitable—and unfortunately, Blood Deal doesn’t feel as grand, as intricate, or as thoughtfully constructed as its obvious inspiration. It reads less like a reinterpretation and more like a reskin with altered names and slightly adjusted premises.
That said, the pacing is decent, the writing is competent, and if you’ve never read The Dresden Files, this series may genuinely work for you. But for longtime fans, the constant sense of déjà vu makes it hard to fully enjoy.
Final verdict: readable and entertaining enough, but weighed down by overwhelming similarities that prevent it from standing on its own.
January 5, 2017
Fans of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files will enjoy this character
A solid lead in the vain of the Harry Dresden books. There are so many similarities that it feels almost like a clone of the series. It may find it's own voice as it progresses.
A solid lead in the vain of the Harry Dresden books. There are so many similarities that it feels almost like a clone of the series. It may find it's own voice as it progresses.
October 30, 2018
still feels like a dresden rip off. i had hoped it would come into its own. but i will keep going.
June 10, 2025
“I kill myself trying to make you happy,” came Morty’s fading voice, “and all I hear from you is how bad I’m screwing up.”
“Well, you are screwing up,” Gert assured him.
“Well, you are screwing up,” Gert assured him.
March 28, 2020
"…Try another stunt like that phone call, and I'm putting you in bracelets. We are clear?"
"Tell me, Hoffman, are you always such a flirt?"
"Screw you," he said. "You're the one who looks like a fruit." I followed his glance down at my rented tuxedo, complete with cummerbund. He might have a point.
I wanted to make a note before going any further that this book, at least at the time of this review, is available on Kindle Unlimited to read for free. This was the medium I chose to read to this book.
Significant like-dislike vibes were felt this entire book… There are things that I like, really like even, and then there are the things that either make me sigh disappointedly or want to outright jump into the pages of the book and slap the characters around with a raw fish. I found myself more and more desiring the fish slapping the more I advanced through the story.
Encouraging a glass half full, let me discuss the aspects of the book I like: The characters, despite the muppetery, are lovable in many ways. I find myself, despite them making painstakingly stupid choices constantly, in their corner, rooting for them. All in all, Everson Croft is a mostly decent guy who just seems to have a bigger string of luck than most protagonists in most novels. That said, despite being shortsighted and dimwitted in his responses to deadlines and situations he gets pitted in, he means well. That has to count for something, right?
"Who are you supposed to be?" Gert asked in a New York-sharp accent, giving me a quick up and down. "Bruce Wayne?"
The Prof Croft series has tremendous amounts of promise. The author has built up a handful of strong characters – Croft himself, Detective Vega, Tabitha the oversized succubus cat, creepy vampire Arnaud, and even arguably Caroline. However, the biggest thing that needs to be done is to branch away, far away, from being a cookiecutter cutout of the Dresden Files and add more to its originality. If a little more effort to separate itself from being another knockoff Dresden Files series was completed, it has an enormous chance to go beyond where it is now.
When reading, I typically theorize what will happen by the halfway point of the book. A good portion of time, I'm either spot on or nearly there. With this book, I'll concede that the twists towards the end of the book were ones I had not even remotely considered. Additionally, I suspect based on the way the story ended that we may see our favorite creepy vampire, Arnaud, again sooner than later. Perhaps we would see him in a different light as opposed to just being a jackass semi-villainous character.
"Not such a smartass now, are you?" He said. "I don't know," I answered blearily, buildings whirling overhead. "My reserves are pretty impressive."
Negatively speaking, I feel that despite liking the characters, they are outrageously constant in making very stupid choices, not listening to one another, and/or not trusting one another. In the first book, I liked Detective Vega because even though she was more stubborn than anyone I've met in person, she also had a heart bigger than the numerical value of money in a typical bank's vault.
That heart of hers shone even brighter in this book, though her shortsighted, bullheadedness was also keyed up in equal measure. Clearly, in the first book, it took Vega a long time to come around and trust Croft, but I had thought maybe after putting himself out there and enlightening her to his truth, that she would have extended more trust to him and vice versa. It appears not, though, as the majority of the conflict in the story revolved around Vega being stubborn and not trusting Croft as well as Croft not trusting Vega enough to let her in on a big secret. They circled issues more than water circles a damn drain.
I've mentioned it before, but since it is unbearably irksome, I'll state it again: I feel that this story has mammoth-sized potential, but continuously seems to idolize Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files too much. More originality is needed, both in the storylines and in the character's personalities and actions, respectively. Personality-wise, Everson Croft is nearly indistinguishable from Harry Dresden to the point where it borders insulting. The only major differences between Detective Vega and Detective Murphy are that Vega has a child and is even more headstrong and relentless than Murphy is. Of all the characters in the series so far, they are the two that need to be branched off from their Dresden Files doppelganger.
I wish the issues with Detective Hoffman that arose in the story (trying not to spoil anything) was resolved in this book. I get that during the time of it occurring, there were way more massive things occurring, but when everything had started wrapping up at the end of the book, a scene between Detective's Vega and Hoffman could have occurred. Instead, we get a random scene with Croft and Caroline that only made me dramatically and disappointedly sigh. I totally could have done without that. Quite frankly, while I don't hate Caroline, I don't have a reason to like her, either. I'm lukewarm towards her, currently.
When he turned back to face me, I drove a fist into his nose. "That's for this morning," I said. Floyd staggered back, a hand to his spurting nose. "Y-you broke it!" "Believe me, it's an enhancement."
My last and second-largest dig against the series so far: Thelonious. Supposedly, if Croft swings around too much magic at once and drains himself too much, his alcohol loving alter-ego will sneak to the surface to wreak some havoc for awhile. I thought that would lead to some interesting or humorous parts to the series, as that essentially means that Croft doesn't have an unlimited supply of magic at his disposal.
Unfortunately, however, after him making an appearance in the first book, Thelonious has only been mentioned and come to see more of an awkward piece of baggage that makes no sense with no consistency. Far too many times in this book, Croft mentioned that he was drained, running on empty magically, and was sensing that if he used more magic, Thelonious would emerge… Yet then a paragraph or two later, Croft is swinging spells around? It makes zero sense. Why bother painting him as having an empty tank, magically, and being on the verge of passing out with Thelonious about to make an appearance just to have Croft spontaneously have more magic in his reserves two minutes later? At this point, Thelonious just seems like an excuse to try to humanize Croft more, which would be cute if it was consistent, but it isn't.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't a terrible book or anything. It has promise. I liked the majority of the characters and hope to see a few things that didn't get resolutions answered in the next book. To put how I feel about the book into perspective, I like it enough to want to read the third book, but I'm going to be taking a short break before beginning said book.
"Well, cheer up. That's about to change," I said, thinking of Arnaud's warning. "Out. Now." When she didn't move, I exercised the nuclear option. "No more goat's milk until you do."
May 16, 2017
This is an urban fantasy. A lot of magic flinging, death defying acts of heroism (or stupidism?), lots of creatures, a massive game of chess with Prof Croft being the biggest pawn of them all. The ending was not a cliffhanger-maybe a little heart wrenching though. It did leave a hook for the next book. The last battle scene was a-maze-ing.
A lot of comparisons have been made between Prof Croft and Harry Dresden. Yes, I can see similarities, but after you get into the series and soak it all up, it’s an entirely different experience.
I feel like Everson gets the raw end of the deal most times. Vega is totally unreasonable in this episode (even though I tried to encourage Everson to tell her everything by yelling at the book – it didn’t work.) He’s pounded on, cursed at, manipulated and given the cold shoulder. All he’s trying to do is the right thing, folks. Poor guy.
Arnaud, the vampire, is his very own Creepy McCreeperson. All his minions do his bidding and are totally bound to him. It’s just weird to hear Arnaud’s voice out of a minion’s mouth. Ew. Arnaud is playing the long game like most vampires do and do NOT forget that all Everson is to him is a chess piece to get him to where he wants to be. It’s truly hard to see through all the obfuscation because the game they are all playing tends to be extended over decades, not just years.
The Order is another entity that really sucks the big wazoo. They are claiming to be the protective services for humans but in order for someone to work for you, you gotta clue them in on what’s going on! Everson practically begs for information to help him solve the mysteries, but they continue to let him stumble around in the dark. Thanks, bunches, Order. You are a fab supervisor.
In the end, it’s really hard to not get invested in Everson Croft. He seems to get himself in the darnedest predicaments but I have a feeling that there is a whole lot more to him than just a “simple” wizard.
A lot of comparisons have been made between Prof Croft and Harry Dresden. Yes, I can see similarities, but after you get into the series and soak it all up, it’s an entirely different experience.
I feel like Everson gets the raw end of the deal most times. Vega is totally unreasonable in this episode (even though I tried to encourage Everson to tell her everything by yelling at the book – it didn’t work.) He’s pounded on, cursed at, manipulated and given the cold shoulder. All he’s trying to do is the right thing, folks. Poor guy.
Arnaud, the vampire, is his very own Creepy McCreeperson. All his minions do his bidding and are totally bound to him. It’s just weird to hear Arnaud’s voice out of a minion’s mouth. Ew. Arnaud is playing the long game like most vampires do and do NOT forget that all Everson is to him is a chess piece to get him to where he wants to be. It’s truly hard to see through all the obfuscation because the game they are all playing tends to be extended over decades, not just years.
The Order is another entity that really sucks the big wazoo. They are claiming to be the protective services for humans but in order for someone to work for you, you gotta clue them in on what’s going on! Everson practically begs for information to help him solve the mysteries, but they continue to let him stumble around in the dark. Thanks, bunches, Order. You are a fab supervisor.
In the end, it’s really hard to not get invested in Everson Croft. He seems to get himself in the darnedest predicaments but I have a feeling that there is a whole lot more to him than just a “simple” wizard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2019
Okay...I'm really trying here not to compare to Dresden...really trying hard.
Is this series on the level of Dresden...No, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Caroline. Where the hell did that romance pop up? Not feeling it at all.
Everson...You Dope! Once the fog lifted you should have been able to think clearly, and make better choices.
Vega...Are you ever going to really listen to Everson?
Even when you want to smack him, he's still entertaining.
I want to follow this thread to his mother, I'm interested in how that all went down.
I really do feel a connection with Everson, and I want to connect more to Vega, Caroline? Go away Caroline, or become more interesting.
It still has the same flaws as the first book, but I'm still enjoying it, so who cares. As the series goes on, maybe some of those backgrounds and explanations will pop in.
I'm liking it, and that's all that matters to me. Keep them coming.
Is this series on the level of Dresden...No, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Caroline. Where the hell did that romance pop up? Not feeling it at all.
Everson...You Dope! Once the fog lifted you should have been able to think clearly, and make better choices.
Vega...Are you ever going to really listen to Everson?
Even when you want to smack him, he's still entertaining.
I want to follow this thread to his mother, I'm interested in how that all went down.
I really do feel a connection with Everson, and I want to connect more to Vega, Caroline? Go away Caroline, or become more interesting.
It still has the same flaws as the first book, but I'm still enjoying it, so who cares. As the series goes on, maybe some of those backgrounds and explanations will pop in.
I'm liking it, and that's all that matters to me. Keep them coming.
May 14, 2019
Better than first book
Yes, I too am a major fan of the Dresden Files, and have noted too many similarities between the two characters and circumstances. However, there are some differences that give each series a unique flavor. Book two in this case still has Dresden overtones, but I decided to just enjoy the story. In book two, we see love thwarted, and friendships wither. The latter from an attempt to protect a friend. You will find a scary monster, but perhaps the humans are even scarier. A child is kidnapped, his life on the line, and a gang war about to erupt. The clock is ticking as Professor Croft and Detective Vega race to prevent the city of New York from becoming a feeding ground.
Yes, I too am a major fan of the Dresden Files, and have noted too many similarities between the two characters and circumstances. However, there are some differences that give each series a unique flavor. Book two in this case still has Dresden overtones, but I decided to just enjoy the story. In book two, we see love thwarted, and friendships wither. The latter from an attempt to protect a friend. You will find a scary monster, but perhaps the humans are even scarier. A child is kidnapped, his life on the line, and a gang war about to erupt. The clock is ticking as Professor Croft and Detective Vega race to prevent the city of New York from becoming a feeding ground.
February 2, 2017
I really enjoy having different urban fantasy series that have some overlapping aspects but are in different locations and with strong but really quite different protagonists. Do I love this series because of Prof Croft or because it is in NYC? Tough call that. This one is more dark side, and Croft gets beaten up a lot, but maybe that just makes him more human than some others. I really felt sorry for him, yet I can't wait for the next one. There are people in this one that were notable in the previous book, and while I think you'd be missing some good stuff if you haven't read it, it does fine as a stand alone.
James Patrick Cronin continues to be super as narrator for this series!
James Patrick Cronin continues to be super as narrator for this series!
August 5, 2018
audio 3.5* This was almost a dnf for me simply because Detective Vega was such a *****. Is it really so hard to write a strong and fierce female cop who is not a total jerk to everyone? Also I was getting really tired of EVERYONE beating up on the MC--verbally and physically. I mean surely he could get a kind word or a thanks from someone! Poor guy needs to learn to fight back and call these jerks on their behavior! LOL I will give the next book a try but if there is no progress on these two issues, I'm done with the series. (Also he needs his ring back ASAP!)
December 16, 2016
Good next chapter
Plenty of action and suspense. Tense storyline and a great mystery intertwining several old and new characters. More types of supernaturals are introduced and foreshadowing of the things to come.
Plenty of action and suspense. Tense storyline and a great mystery intertwining several old and new characters. More types of supernaturals are introduced and foreshadowing of the things to come.
October 8, 2024
A much more solid read as a second book. Rough edges smoothed out, not as frenetic feeling. Thoroughly enjoyed it with all the twists and turns. Can't wait to get into the rest of the series.
October 22, 2022
I picked up this series to keep my busy while I wait for the new Jim Butcher books to come out. This is becoming a very common trope - the scattered-minded wizard/professor who also consults with the police and tries to balance his life in the "real" world while saving said world from terrible evil.
Starting with the good:
It's a fun storyline and leaves all kinds of opportunity for complicated magical species and interactions. Our dear Professor Croft is mainly a good person, altruistic and willing to use his powers for good. He's not very tempted to abuse his powers. The magic system is fun and makes for good urban fantasy.
The bad:
I'm on the third book and the only thing I don't really like is how we haven't really developed the character...we know his story, but don't really know him yet. So, there's a risk of me not caring for how his relationships evolve. I also think the conflicts escalated too fast. If the world doesn't know about the evil surrounding them, how do you explain all the vampires running Wall Street and the Trolls attacking? The fae have a portal to our world in the city so they are also highly involved with the Mayor of New York. It just feels like the author isn't taking his time to build the world and the characters.
I'm enjoying the story and I'll continue with the series. I recommend it for those who devour urban fantasy and like this trope. This review is for the first three books (not including the prequels, which I will read later.)
Starting with the good:
It's a fun storyline and leaves all kinds of opportunity for complicated magical species and interactions. Our dear Professor Croft is mainly a good person, altruistic and willing to use his powers for good. He's not very tempted to abuse his powers. The magic system is fun and makes for good urban fantasy.
The bad:
I'm on the third book and the only thing I don't really like is how we haven't really developed the character...we know his story, but don't really know him yet. So, there's a risk of me not caring for how his relationships evolve. I also think the conflicts escalated too fast. If the world doesn't know about the evil surrounding them, how do you explain all the vampires running Wall Street and the Trolls attacking? The fae have a portal to our world in the city so they are also highly involved with the Mayor of New York. It just feels like the author isn't taking his time to build the world and the characters.
I'm enjoying the story and I'll continue with the series. I recommend it for those who devour urban fantasy and like this trope. This review is for the first three books (not including the prequels, which I will read later.)
August 30, 2019
Blood Deal, Prof Croft, Book #2
by Brad Magnarella
I'm enjoying this series. The books are paced well, with lots of action flowing easily from one scene to another. The characters are pretty consistent, there is an interesting mystery to solve with lots of red herrings to keep the reader guessing about different elements of the situation. The book is well proofed and edited. No cliffhanger ending. For the most part it is everything I like in a book of any kind. My only complaint is that the author's go-to whenever croft is in danger seems to be for his magic cane to go tumbling out of his hands and out of his reach. It happened in the first book and in this book more than once and I've already started the next book in the series, and it happens in that book twice before being a quarter of the way through. How many times can it happen before it becomes a running joke? I guess I'm going to find out as I purchased book 4, too, when Magnarella (or Amazon -- who knows who sets the prices) ran a special on the first 4 books, the 1st being free, and the next three 99 cents each. {Shrug}
Still it is a fun urban fantasy, with characters you love to love or love to hate -- depending on the plot -- so if urban fantasy that includes wizards, werewolves, vampires, and a succubus stranded in the body of a cat, you should enjoy it, too.
by Brad Magnarella
I'm enjoying this series. The books are paced well, with lots of action flowing easily from one scene to another. The characters are pretty consistent, there is an interesting mystery to solve with lots of red herrings to keep the reader guessing about different elements of the situation. The book is well proofed and edited. No cliffhanger ending. For the most part it is everything I like in a book of any kind. My only complaint is that the author's go-to whenever croft is in danger seems to be for his magic cane to go tumbling out of his hands and out of his reach. It happened in the first book and in this book more than once and I've already started the next book in the series, and it happens in that book twice before being a quarter of the way through. How many times can it happen before it becomes a running joke? I guess I'm going to find out as I purchased book 4, too, when Magnarella (or Amazon -- who knows who sets the prices) ran a special on the first 4 books, the 1st being free, and the next three 99 cents each. {Shrug}
Still it is a fun urban fantasy, with characters you love to love or love to hate -- depending on the plot -- so if urban fantasy that includes wizards, werewolves, vampires, and a succubus stranded in the body of a cat, you should enjoy it, too.
May 15, 2017
A Heartbreaking Thrill Ride with Consequences
Wow, what a thrill ride in such a short amount of time. Professor Everson Crofton returns with two mysteries to solve, many twists and turns and the usual scars to prove it. While this novel is in a somewhat supernatural setting, it is a detective style mystery. I love the character of Professor Croft, a good guy trying to do the right thing. I wish he didn't get beat up so much and was more powerful as a wizard, time to let his alpha come out. All the clues are given early and everything comes together in the end, but it costs our hero a great deal. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, as the tide is beginning to turn in this entry in the series. I read this book using immersion reading and the narrator, James Patrick Cronin is up for an Audie award for another title. You can hear why, his narration is excellent. He captures Crofton beautifully. Best voice I've heard since Marc Thompson, who handles many of the Star Wars books. Highly recommend this book.
Wow, what a thrill ride in such a short amount of time. Professor Everson Crofton returns with two mysteries to solve, many twists and turns and the usual scars to prove it. While this novel is in a somewhat supernatural setting, it is a detective style mystery. I love the character of Professor Croft, a good guy trying to do the right thing. I wish he didn't get beat up so much and was more powerful as a wizard, time to let his alpha come out. All the clues are given early and everything comes together in the end, but it costs our hero a great deal. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, as the tide is beginning to turn in this entry in the series. I read this book using immersion reading and the narrator, James Patrick Cronin is up for an Audie award for another title. You can hear why, his narration is excellent. He captures Crofton beautifully. Best voice I've heard since Marc Thompson, who handles many of the Star Wars books. Highly recommend this book.
March 7, 2020
4 1/2 stars
I enjoyed this volume more than the first book. I'm guessing that the author is finding his stride in writing this series. This had a lot of interesting twists and turns and introduced several new characters. He discovers that the three punk rockers he met in book one are in reality vampire hunters. There is a vampire/werewolf hybrid creating havoc in low income housing and Croft is recruited by Detective Vega as a consultant. This is complicated by him being ordered to not investigate the deaths by the powerful vampire Arnaud Thorne. He is additionally hampered by not being allowed to make Vega aware of this edict. There are warring factions who believe the murders are caused by their antagonists which adds further confusion to this situation.
Croft's infatuation with his co-worker Caroline starts to progress with them having an actual date. Caroline is significantly more than she initially appears, much to his dismay.
His inability to make Vega aware of Thorne's mandate has dire consequences and that's all I'm going to say about that. On to book three...
I enjoyed this volume more than the first book. I'm guessing that the author is finding his stride in writing this series. This had a lot of interesting twists and turns and introduced several new characters. He discovers that the three punk rockers he met in book one are in reality vampire hunters. There is a vampire/werewolf hybrid creating havoc in low income housing and Croft is recruited by Detective Vega as a consultant. This is complicated by him being ordered to not investigate the deaths by the powerful vampire Arnaud Thorne. He is additionally hampered by not being allowed to make Vega aware of this edict. There are warring factions who believe the murders are caused by their antagonists which adds further confusion to this situation.
Croft's infatuation with his co-worker Caroline starts to progress with them having an actual date. Caroline is significantly more than she initially appears, much to his dismay.
His inability to make Vega aware of Thorne's mandate has dire consequences and that's all I'm going to say about that. On to book three...
November 1, 2021
I'm 50% of the way through this book, and already I'm annoyed. The first book was somewhat interesting even though the author had clearly ripped of several ideas from Dresden Files. Honestly I didn't mind that. But I was hoping for the main character to be different from Dresden, so as to differentiate the two series. And they are. The main character in this series is a powerless, weak idiot. In the first book he managed to defeat a demon lord who was basically the devil himself. Now in this book he is getting beaten up by two mobsters in his own home. And getting bullied and roughed up by a couple of vampire lackeys. Really! The characters sudden weakness and just downright stupidity has just really irritated me. Because I'm so far through the book already, I am going to stick it out until the end, painful as that may be. But I honestly don't see any reason to continue the series. And I find myself having to warn other fantasy lovers to be wary of getting invested in this series after reading only the first book. It definitely seems to go downhill quickly.
February 28, 2023
Another enjoyable tale.
The second book in the series was entertaining with a few slow sections. The cast of characters the MC has around him is well worked with good dialogue. I find that the author does not give the MC enough praise within the storyline and the world he created in NYC. Its tiresome that everyone thinks he is just average or a joke... It is specially didn't work well with the female detective from the first book as the MC basically shows incredible powers and moral judgment and yet is treated as if her feelings are hurt so he's a piece of garbage.... It's just not believable. The two books are not as enjoyable as a Dresden files wannabe,( they're not as good as butcher's world) still I recommend them as an enjoyable read. Easy, simple and fun.
The second book in the series was entertaining with a few slow sections. The cast of characters the MC has around him is well worked with good dialogue. I find that the author does not give the MC enough praise within the storyline and the world he created in NYC. Its tiresome that everyone thinks he is just average or a joke... It is specially didn't work well with the female detective from the first book as the MC basically shows incredible powers and moral judgment and yet is treated as if her feelings are hurt so he's a piece of garbage.... It's just not believable. The two books are not as enjoyable as a Dresden files wannabe,( they're not as good as butcher's world) still I recommend them as an enjoyable read. Easy, simple and fun.
March 8, 2023
I like these books - and they seem to whizz by - I read for what I think is just a couple of pages and somehow it was 20. I do love a good supernatural detective type story and this fits in. He's a university lecturer and he's a police consultant, he can do magic and he's got a bunch of mysteries in his life. I'm invested. I want to know more about what happened to Croft's mother and what's going to happen in the city if they try to purge it of magic. But also I'm not that interested in his love life - I don't care if he ends up with Vega or Caroline. I hated the way Caroline's entire backstory was dropped from the sky in one conversation. Especially as getting there had already amassed a body count - what was the point in that? That was an entire book's worth of discovery that was dropped on us from nowhere.
October 5, 2022
This book is a good time!!!
I have always loved fantasy literature, but much of it takes place on strange worlds with characters that are beyond belief. Everson Drift could be my slightly weird next door neighbor who carries a cane and owns (or is owned by a fat cat. In other words, he's believable. Plus the fact that the dialogue is more than Ft bombs flying about makes it a real pleasure to read. Can't wait to read the next one. (Which I will start as soon as I post this review.)
I have always loved fantasy literature, but much of it takes place on strange worlds with characters that are beyond belief. Everson Drift could be my slightly weird next door neighbor who carries a cane and owns (or is owned by a fat cat. In other words, he's believable. Plus the fact that the dialogue is more than Ft bombs flying about makes it a real pleasure to read. Can't wait to read the next one. (Which I will start as soon as I post this review.)
March 3, 2025
A better editor would've elevated the story to 5 stars
There were a few too many story threads. Or perhaps there were a few too many characters introduced too quickly or there was a bit too much jumping between the story threads? Either way, though a thoroughly entertaining story it lacked cohesiveness and got muddled in several spots due to there being so much going on. Still a 4 star read (and I'm jumping into the next!) but could have leapt to a 5 star with a better editor.
There were a few too many story threads. Or perhaps there were a few too many characters introduced too quickly or there was a bit too much jumping between the story threads? Either way, though a thoroughly entertaining story it lacked cohesiveness and got muddled in several spots due to there being so much going on. Still a 4 star read (and I'm jumping into the next!) but could have leapt to a 5 star with a better editor.
January 11, 2018
A lonely man and magician saves New York.
Blood Deal, Book 2 in the Professor Croft series, by Brad Magnarella is a teasing tale about the main character's past and future as a magic crime fighter and lonely man living in New York. A revolving cast of women and supernatural creatures complicate his life. I've become hooked on yet another urban fantasy series. Book 3, here I come.
Blood Deal, Book 2 in the Professor Croft series, by Brad Magnarella is a teasing tale about the main character's past and future as a magic crime fighter and lonely man living in New York. A revolving cast of women and supernatural creatures complicate his life. I've become hooked on yet another urban fantasy series. Book 3, here I come.
January 29, 2018
I read this whilst on holiday as an eBook. My wife had read the series and said I'd enjoy them. I have to say, I really did! I read the first two and a half books whilst away and will finish the rest. The stories are easy to read and gets you into the fray quickly, which is refreshing. The characters are well written, although I could have done with less magic "words", but that's just my personal preference.
I look forward to finishing the novels and for future books.
I look forward to finishing the novels and for future books.
January 22, 2019
A Love Lost?
What a gripping read. Everson loves Caroline and wants to tell her about his magical self. Emergencies jump up all the time and prevent him from doing so. Why is Arnaud the vampire pulling his and Vega's strings? What is going on at the projects? Who or what is the murderer? I like the action, humor, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
What a gripping read. Everson loves Caroline and wants to tell her about his magical self. Emergencies jump up all the time and prevent him from doing so. Why is Arnaud the vampire pulling his and Vega's strings? What is going on at the projects? Who or what is the murderer? I like the action, humor, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
March 8, 2020
The universe is mildly interesting. However, the protagonist is a whiny, undisciplined, lying little snot whose inability to act like an adult should have gotten him killed years ago, but instead just gets his friends into danger.
This book seems to take place almost immediately after book 1, so there isn't even any time for this child grown older to have figured out how to be a man.
This book seems to take place almost immediately after book 1, so there isn't even any time for this child grown older to have figured out how to be a man.
August 25, 2020
Exciting and well-crafted
This book has all the elements you want in a supernatural thriller. It hooked me from the beginning and kept yanking me along each page like magic. Twists, mystery, and a reveal that surprised me made this a very satisfying read. Moving on to the next one in the series.
This book has all the elements you want in a supernatural thriller. It hooked me from the beginning and kept yanking me along each page like magic. Twists, mystery, and a reveal that surprised me made this a very satisfying read. Moving on to the next one in the series.
November 24, 2021
Still a great book. The tension and tug of war that goes on in this book is even greater than in the previous book. On the whole, I thought the book great. My only issue is I'm not sure I like the set-up for the next book. I'm not sure I'm going to like where it is going. Even so, I just started reading the next one.
August 23, 2022
So much happened in this story, so many twists and turns and reveals, it was honestly hard to keep track. But at the core of it is who Everson Croft is when his back is against the wall. And that is somebody determined and willing to do *whatever* it takes to keep those around him safe, whether they deserve it or not.
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