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Blue Wolf #1
Blue Curse
Librarian's note: This an alternate cover for: 9781984337382
Elite soldier turned werewolf
Cursed by a blind witch, Special Ops soldier Jason Wolfe finds himself transforming into a creature of local legend, a lupine referred to in fearful whispers as Blue Wolf.
Faster, stronger, and more lethal, he’s the perfect weapon — but not for the U.S. military. To break the curse, Jason must join a war between ancient tribal foes: blue werewolves and the formidable White Dragon.
In a battle spanning from the peaks of Central Asia to the valleys of Manhattan, and with the help of a bookish wizard named Prof Croft, Jason will test the limits of his newfound powers. Because with the curse now spreading to his mind, he’s running out of time — and the stakes couldn’t be more personal.
Win and he returns home to his fiancé and a future.
Lose and he dies a bloodthirsty beast…
Elite soldier turned werewolf
Cursed by a blind witch, Special Ops soldier Jason Wolfe finds himself transforming into a creature of local legend, a lupine referred to in fearful whispers as Blue Wolf.
Faster, stronger, and more lethal, he’s the perfect weapon — but not for the U.S. military. To break the curse, Jason must join a war between ancient tribal foes: blue werewolves and the formidable White Dragon.
In a battle spanning from the peaks of Central Asia to the valleys of Manhattan, and with the help of a bookish wizard named Prof Croft, Jason will test the limits of his newfound powers. Because with the curse now spreading to his mind, he’s running out of time — and the stakes couldn’t be more personal.
Win and he returns home to his fiancé and a future.
Lose and he dies a bloodthirsty beast…
310 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2017
913 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Brad Magnarella
49 books379 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
March 13, 2018
Clever and enjoyable
Blue Curse is a different kind of combat story. Normally a soldier doesn't encounter dragons and witches. The witch our fellow here found turned him into a giant blue wolf, better than a toad I suppose. Lots of action and good fantasy.
Blue Curse is a different kind of combat story. Normally a soldier doesn't encounter dragons and witches. The witch our fellow here found turned him into a giant blue wolf, better than a toad I suppose. Lots of action and good fantasy.
August 30, 2019
Good start
I nearly forgot to post that I finished but here I am. This was quite different from other shifter stories but this was an interesting start to this series. Wolfe is the commander who is cursed but I'm not sure if it was a bad thing. There are lots and cons to being cursed but we'll have to see what happens.
I nearly forgot to post that I finished but here I am. This was quite different from other shifter stories but this was an interesting start to this series. Wolfe is the commander who is cursed but I'm not sure if it was a bad thing. There are lots and cons to being cursed but we'll have to see what happens.
December 28, 2017
I flat out didn't finish the book. I can't. The book is too military for me, this coming from a guy who served in the military. In trying to be all high speed low drag it killed the fantasy aspect of the book. I like strong characters with a lot of heart, but this dude turned it up to 26. He went from trying to save a villiage, failing, getting cursed, fighting dragons and EVERYONE is simply cool with the fact that their CO went from human to murderous werewolf cursed by strange lady in a village that shouldn't exist like it's cool. I can understand if the backstory of the book caused these types of things to happen on the regular basis, but this is akin to having your completely normal day destroyed around you and you just walk to the store to buy a soda like it's a regular Tuesday. The events just don't sit well with me. The pacing gives Usain Bolt a run for his money and the characters are flatter then 2 ply toilet paper. I want my time and money back from reading this. I would gladly tell anyone who's a fan on fantasy to stay clear of this book. I've tried numerous times to continue this book, but I'd rather swim through a mile of hot glass than attempt to read this one more time. If you can tell, I'm a lil salty about this book.
August 28, 2021
This was the first time i had read a military style book. This was very military oriented, which im not too keen on but stuck with it and it was a fun, entertaining story, which made me take an interest in the characters and made me want to start the next book. Keep with it.. the series gets better with every book! There is a real family feel about the group and i love how we get to see them grow!
September 12, 2020
As someone who writes about modern, urban werewolves myself it's fun to get other writer's take on things. This was a solid, fast read and lots of fun. Also ties nicely to the rest of the Doc Croft universe.
January 23, 2022
SOG Captain Jason Wolfe is on a mission in Asia when he is cursed by a 200 year old witch. He finds himself in the form of a blue bipedal wolf. Caught up in local politics he must complete a task for the witch's village to have a chance to get the curse lifted.
Ancient magic, and eastern mysticism rule the story, making it interesting but not as much as the author's Professor Croft series.
Ancient magic, and eastern mysticism rule the story, making it interesting but not as much as the author's Professor Croft series.
July 31, 2024
Quite a straightforward and simple supernatural action, but decent enough fast food urban fantasy.
March 15, 2018
I ended up liking this a lot more than I thought I would. I basically just grabbed this for something silly & entertaining to listen to at work, and it totally delivered. I would say my BIGGEST disappointment here was that it wasn't even crazier.
Jason Wolf leads his Special Ops forces on their last mission before he gets to go back home & marry his perfect, beautiful fiancee Daniella (who works with special needs children, she's so goddamn perfect). While on the mission, a mercenary who's supposed to be aiding them harms the village they're in, and Jason gets claimed by the Gurgee Bazurg (??? - the Great Wolf, who is also blue) & becomes the Gurgee Kabool (?? - the wolf's chosen protector). They have to fight the white dragon(s).
Like you do.
Anyway, the second half of the book jettisons pretty much every member of the cast except for Jason as he goes back to the US (going AWOL in the process) to beat up a lot of Chinese people in New York. But they're ... probably dragons. Jason then meets Magnarella's Prof Croft character, who is a Dresden knockoff even according to the people who seem to like that series. They kindasorta team up.
In the end, Jason has to decide whether he wants to keep working with the US Armed Forces, work for the mercenaries, or be looked after by Croft's magic-using Enclave buddies.
Don't get me wrong, things are pretty crazy in here. I think the best way to prove that is with quotes.
Wolf's second in command is named Segundo.
At one point Jason puts on a balaclava to hide his ENORMOUS WOLF SNOUT. This was highly amusing to me, and I now know what I want to be for Halloween this year.
Also he uses bandages at certain points to cover his furry wolf parts.
'it was like someone had drilled into my hip with a half-inch drillbit, then had filled the hole with acid. the kobolds rushed me.'
'in a dim tribute to my childhood friend, i pulled my head forward & spit in his face.'
Jason Wolf leads his Special Ops forces on their last mission before he gets to go back home & marry his perfect, beautiful fiancee Daniella (who works with special needs children, she's so goddamn perfect). While on the mission, a mercenary who's supposed to be aiding them harms the village they're in, and Jason gets claimed by the Gurgee Bazurg (??? - the Great Wolf, who is also blue) & becomes the Gurgee Kabool (?? - the wolf's chosen protector). They have to fight the white dragon(s).
Like you do.
Anyway, the second half of the book jettisons pretty much every member of the cast except for Jason as he goes back to the US (going AWOL in the process) to beat up a lot of Chinese people in New York. But they're ... probably dragons. Jason then meets Magnarella's Prof Croft character, who is a Dresden knockoff even according to the people who seem to like that series. They kindasorta team up.
In the end, Jason has to decide whether he wants to keep working with the US Armed Forces, work for the mercenaries, or be looked after by Croft's magic-using Enclave buddies.
Don't get me wrong, things are pretty crazy in here. I think the best way to prove that is with quotes.
Wolf's second in command is named Segundo.
At one point Jason puts on a balaclava to hide his ENORMOUS WOLF SNOUT. This was highly amusing to me, and I now know what I want to be for Halloween this year.
Also he uses bandages at certain points to cover his furry wolf parts.
'it was like someone had drilled into my hip with a half-inch drillbit, then had filled the hole with acid. the kobolds rushed me.'
'in a dim tribute to my childhood friend, i pulled my head forward & spit in his face.'
December 3, 2021
I'm not normally a shifter fan, but I loved the Professor Croft wizard series. When the author asked me to read his new book and first in a new series, I accepted. The focus in this book is on a military vet named Jason Wolfe who becomes blessed/cursed with the form of a great protector called the Blue Wolfe. Author Brad Magnarella's books feature good guys trying to do the right thing under difficult circumstances. Jason is an honorable warrior, who loves his fiancee and has deep affection for the men under his command. When things go south and treachery abounds, our hero is tested and not only rises to the challenge, but excels. He is also aided by Professor Everson Croft. It's a joy to read Brad's books because his heroes aren't alpha bad boys with chips on their shoulders as so many other books nowadays are. You care about the people and root for the good guys to win, though things don't always turn out the way they expected. A fantastic start to the series. I look forward to the upcoming audio book as well. Though Jason is great, I still have a soft spot for Professor Croft. James Patrick Cronin is superb on the audiobook, besides the voice of Croft, he is now Jason as well.
November 14, 2017
This starts out heavy with a military vibe setting the main character up for his role as Blue Wolf. If like me, you are not a fan of military fantasy, don't pass on this book because as the story progresses it eases into an urban fantasy with lots of action.
I don't give 5 stars lightly. The characterization, the plot, and the pacing, the overall storyline and the excellent writing style earned it my 5 star rating. I look forward to the second book in the series.
I don't give 5 stars lightly. The characterization, the plot, and the pacing, the overall storyline and the excellent writing style earned it my 5 star rating. I look forward to the second book in the series.
March 5, 2018
3.5 stars. Well done and a lot of fun. But what began as a gritty, cool military/ supernatural novel became more of an urban fantasy with warlocks and dragons, etc as it progressed. That isn't my normal fare and it kind of threw me.
It was also connected to some other series of the author's about a warlock in NYC, apparently, and it just started to feel wonky to me.
It was also connected to some other series of the author's about a warlock in NYC, apparently, and it just started to feel wonky to me.
November 15, 2017
Not sure if I'll continue with this series, a bit too military for me. It's well written, but, we'll see.
August 21, 2019
Great series.
Read
March 16, 2021As we might expect from the blurb, this is a high-action adventure set in contemporary times with a good dollop of the supernatural.
The prose was generally tidy and easy to read - a couple of typos caught my eye, but no major distractions. The plot was straightforward, with information doled out just enough to aid the reader's understanding without bogging things down. At times it felt a weeny bit too pat, in the sense of "xxx is mentioned here, therefore it'll become important in the next chapter."
Everything clips along at a good pace, without much down time between action. In turn, that means we don't see very much of the various characters coming to terms with the oddities they're learning about. Wolfe's entire team seems to accept the existence of magic rather easily. I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more resistance to what must surely be very peculiar concepts, but everyone took it all in stride.
In summary, this action-packed supernatural adventure is a promising series starter.
The prose was generally tidy and easy to read - a couple of typos caught my eye, but no major distractions. The plot was straightforward, with information doled out just enough to aid the reader's understanding without bogging things down. At times it felt a weeny bit too pat, in the sense of "xxx is mentioned here, therefore it'll become important in the next chapter."
Everything clips along at a good pace, without much down time between action. In turn, that means we don't see very much of the various characters coming to terms with the oddities they're learning about. Wolfe's entire team seems to accept the existence of magic rather easily. I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more resistance to what must surely be very peculiar concepts, but everyone took it all in stride.
In summary, this action-packed supernatural adventure is a promising series starter.
May 8, 2021
Wow, what a ride!
After already falling in love with the Prof Croft series, and seeing mention of the Blue Wolfe, I HAD to check this out.
I don't know what I expected (I didn't read even so much as a promotional blurb), but it wasn't several chapters of military spec ops with mundane characters in a seemingly mundane world.
Yet it was a compelling read,and even had it remained "mundane", the quality of writing is such that I'd have devoured the series as I would a Tom Clancy novel.
Instead, I suddenly found myself reading about god-touched wolf/human hybrids and sorcery and shifter dragons, with an appearance from our beloved Everson, Tabitha and even a Mr Han cameo! How could I ever resist?!
End result: a fantastic ride, well worth every moment I spent reading it. I am impatiently trying to wrap up this review so I can jump into book 2!
After already falling in love with the Prof Croft series, and seeing mention of the Blue Wolfe, I HAD to check this out.
I don't know what I expected (I didn't read even so much as a promotional blurb), but it wasn't several chapters of military spec ops with mundane characters in a seemingly mundane world.
Yet it was a compelling read,and even had it remained "mundane", the quality of writing is such that I'd have devoured the series as I would a Tom Clancy novel.
Instead, I suddenly found myself reading about god-touched wolf/human hybrids and sorcery and shifter dragons, with an appearance from our beloved Everson, Tabitha and even a Mr Han cameo! How could I ever resist?!
End result: a fantastic ride, well worth every moment I spent reading it. I am impatiently trying to wrap up this review so I can jump into book 2!
February 5, 2021
Good start for a werewolf series. I found this on Kindle unlimited and decided to give it a try, but really found myself enjoying it all. It felt a bit cheesy first, transformed due to a magical God and such but, it quickly explained more of the world in the second half and wow, turned out to be a nice action read with some werewolf fanservice and therianthrope fanservice too. I'm just a sucker for this kind of stuff.
It sets a whole new world up for the next series and even got some good development with Jason Wolfe, the main character from beginning to end. Solid read overall if you are into magic and therianthropes and shifters and action.
It sets a whole new world up for the next series and even got some good development with Jason Wolfe, the main character from beginning to end. Solid read overall if you are into magic and therianthropes and shifters and action.
April 29, 2018
A new take on lycanthropy.
Take a man born to protect, a set of a-holes out to destroy a people for frees, and a great wolf spirit, mix together and pour into the Afghanistan sandbox and watch the results.
Jason Wolfe protects even if it means working out how to fight dragons but not all battles Ho to plan and Jason ends up needing the help of the mage that worked for the Mayor, Prof Croft, starting what I hope will be an interesting series with the occasional crossover torpf Croft and company
Take a man born to protect, a set of a-holes out to destroy a people for frees, and a great wolf spirit, mix together and pour into the Afghanistan sandbox and watch the results.
Jason Wolfe protects even if it means working out how to fight dragons but not all battles Ho to plan and Jason ends up needing the help of the mage that worked for the Mayor, Prof Croft, starting what I hope will be an interesting series with the occasional crossover torpf Croft and company
August 8, 2021
I'm glad I ventured off
So I broke away from Prof Croft to give this one a try and I wasn't disappointed. I'm not sure I if the author has any military experience, but I've found that when authors don't and attempt to write a story involving the military, it often falls flat. Overall, I thought Mr. Magnarella did pretty well in this regard. Some of the lingo felt forced, but nothing was a deal breaker. As for the story itself; good pace, good build, lots of action, and interesting characters. I smell another solid series.
So I broke away from Prof Croft to give this one a try and I wasn't disappointed. I'm not sure I if the author has any military experience, but I've found that when authors don't and attempt to write a story involving the military, it often falls flat. Overall, I thought Mr. Magnarella did pretty well in this regard. Some of the lingo felt forced, but nothing was a deal breaker. As for the story itself; good pace, good build, lots of action, and interesting characters. I smell another solid series.
February 1, 2023
Very weird and not what I thought🤔
Jason Wolfe is a military Captain in Team 5. When a mission in the Middle East is bungled, Jason is "cursed" as the Blue Wolf, a 7ft tall killing machine and protector of the province he finds himself in. Taking on the Wolf's ancestral enemy, Jason hopes to save the world, find a cure and return stateside to his fiancee.
Well written and characterized. I felt for them and esp Wolfe's responsibilities as their CO. A touching tale of responsibility. Living up to it, shirking it and embracing it
Well worth the purchase price👍
Jason Wolfe is a military Captain in Team 5. When a mission in the Middle East is bungled, Jason is "cursed" as the Blue Wolf, a 7ft tall killing machine and protector of the province he finds himself in. Taking on the Wolf's ancestral enemy, Jason hopes to save the world, find a cure and return stateside to his fiancee.
Well written and characterized. I felt for them and esp Wolfe's responsibilities as their CO. A touching tale of responsibility. Living up to it, shirking it and embracing it
Well worth the purchase price👍
April 5, 2018
Really interesting read
This is a very interesting book to read. It flows from one part of the story to the next so well that it is hard to stop reading. The characters are well developed. There are a lot of action and fight scenes that are really engaging. I will be honest, this book made it hard for me to watch T.V. The whole time a show was on I was thinking about the battles being fought by the blue wolf and the white dragon!
This is a very interesting book to read. It flows from one part of the story to the next so well that it is hard to stop reading. The characters are well developed. There are a lot of action and fight scenes that are really engaging. I will be honest, this book made it hard for me to watch T.V. The whole time a show was on I was thinking about the battles being fought by the blue wolf and the white dragon!
March 7, 2021
Not a bad read, few things didn’t really make sense in realistic logic to me ( really agree with question of why treasure was left after its value and what effects losing any of it would have); but that is part of fantasy (I guess actually fiction in general) is things or actions or reactions not meeting or coinciding with our “normal” logic. That being said there was plenty of action in a military thriller/fantasy/ kinda urban paranormal cross that should appeal to a wide variety of readers.
July 3, 2021
3.25 out of 5. Too military to be fantasy, too fantastic to be military, this one suffers from some of the worst of each. In the end it is mostly just a story of a supersoldier with a wolf head and some berserker tendencies and that's about it. Plot points are telegraphed, and the dei ex machina are many. If you like military sf maybe this is more to your taste. I'll pass on the rest of the series.
October 23, 2022
Good introduction book to a new universe
This was a good introduction book to a new to me universe of fun characters. There was magic, action, dragons, and lots of other fun mixed in. I enjoyed the flow of the book and how the main character worked through the story to get things solved. I recommend this book and am glad to see there is a series to expand on this story and characters.
This was a good introduction book to a new to me universe of fun characters. There was magic, action, dragons, and lots of other fun mixed in. I enjoyed the flow of the book and how the main character worked through the story to get things solved. I recommend this book and am glad to see there is a series to expand on this story and characters.
August 31, 2025
Blue fur and big fangs.
Well, Now I have to read the rest of the series. This started off as a very typical soldier-in-a-war-zone type of book… Then it jumped off a cliff, grew claws and fur and turned into one heck of a good fantasy story.
The characters are very clearly defined in this good versus evil conflict. With fast paced action and an intriguing blend of real life and fantasy.
Well, Now I have to read the rest of the series. This started off as a very typical soldier-in-a-war-zone type of book… Then it jumped off a cliff, grew claws and fur and turned into one heck of a good fantasy story.
The characters are very clearly defined in this good versus evil conflict. With fast paced action and an intriguing blend of real life and fantasy.
November 1, 2025
3.5
I doubt I'd have chosen this book were it not an offshoot of the Prof Croft series; spoiler alert, he makes an appearance. Now, if the suspension of disbelief were a muscle, this book would give it a terrific workout, not so much the supernatural creatures and magic and what have you, but the multitudinous times our main character is able to cheat death. That said, I'll probably read all six books in the series.
April 5, 2018
Good book!!!
I gave it 5 stars. But honestly it started off slow for me. The first 6 chapters or so I wasn't really into it. Might have been all the foreign names, I'm not sure. But then it picked up steam and I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. That's why I gave it 5 stars, it got really good and I can't wait to read the next one!
I gave it 5 stars. But honestly it started off slow for me. The first 6 chapters or so I wasn't really into it. Might have been all the foreign names, I'm not sure. But then it picked up steam and I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. That's why I gave it 5 stars, it got really good and I can't wait to read the next one!
April 20, 2018
A new chapter in the Croftvetse
Captain Wolfe aka the Blue Wolf is a welcome addition to Magnarella's world. Also good to see that Prof. Croft holds his own in a supporting role. Good mythology, the author lays the groundwork for many more stories that don't rely solely on one character.
Captain Wolfe aka the Blue Wolf is a welcome addition to Magnarella's world. Also good to see that Prof. Croft holds his own in a supporting role. Good mythology, the author lays the groundwork for many more stories that don't rely solely on one character.
February 13, 2019
Werewolf with a twist
I won't gush over this book but I could. But, I will simply say that I loved it. Great characters and lots of action. Oh, and the best part...werewolves. This is not just another basic werewolf novel. This novel contains a blue wolf. And, the best part? It's a series.
I won't gush over this book but I could. But, I will simply say that I loved it. Great characters and lots of action. Oh, and the best part...werewolves. This is not just another basic werewolf novel. This novel contains a blue wolf. And, the best part? It's a series.
April 3, 2019
I actually enjoyed this much more than I thought I would.
I usually don't read a lot of books like this but I found the description intriguing. I finished it in one sitting. The fantasy aspect brought it all together in a way as to make the storyline straight with well written characters. A few surprises (seriously, the Colonel?) . The author built a strong tale here.
I usually don't read a lot of books like this but I found the description intriguing. I finished it in one sitting. The fantasy aspect brought it all together in a way as to make the storyline straight with well written characters. A few surprises (seriously, the Colonel?) . The author built a strong tale here.
April 16, 2019
RECOMMENDED
Blue Curse, the first book of the Blue Wolf series was a surprisingly good story,
much more than I expected. In the near future, Captain Wolfe is leading a team
of Spec Ops on a mission in the ongoing War on Terror, and he encounters........
But that would be telling, so you need to read the book. You can thank me later.
Blue Curse, the first book of the Blue Wolf series was a surprisingly good story,
much more than I expected. In the near future, Captain Wolfe is leading a team
of Spec Ops on a mission in the ongoing War on Terror, and he encounters........
But that would be telling, so you need to read the book. You can thank me later.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews