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The Third Golem: A Reagan Moon Novel
He was the Prophesied One, the Twelfth-borne of Chaos… and he drove a ’66 El Camino. *** Reagan Moon is a survivor. He’s bested ghosts, lizard people, and death angels. But his greatest foe is waiting in the wings. When an herbalist is ritually murdered in Chinatown, Reagan Moon and the Imperia are drawn into a mysterious plot to reawaken a mythical monster. Seems Balfour Rothbard, chaos magician and technological whiz kid, is seeking to resurrect the legendary Third Golem. Rooted in Kabbalistic lore, the fabled golem was created as the ultimate super soldier; a kick-ass artificial intelligence fueled by magic. With the help of Ki, the Wayward Guardian, the magician now seeks to awaken the ancient golem and empower it to occupy a place of ultimate The Crossroads of Time. Only a sacred staff, an renowned relic from antiquity, can counter the magician’s madness. But will Moon manage to master the staff in time to thwart the Third Golem, or will his “survivor streak” finally hit the wall? | *** Myth and magic collide in the third installment of what Publishers Weekly called “one of the best indie novels of 2015.”
- GenresFantasy
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2020
7 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Mike Duran
18 books198 followersMIKE DURAN is a novelist, artist, and freelance writer. Mike writes fiction and non-fiction. He is the author of THE GHOST BOX (Blue Crescent Press, 2014), which was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best indie novels of 2015 and first in a paranoir series that continues with SAINT DEATH (2016), and THE THIRD GOLEM (2020). He's also the author of several novellas, including KEEPER OF THE WOODS (2024), THE VISITANT (2022), and WICKERS BOG (2016). In addition, Mike has written several non-fiction titles including CHRISTIAN HORROR: ON THE COMPATABILITY OF A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW AND THE HORROR GENRE (2023) and CHRISTIANS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES (2023). Mike's short stories, essays, and commentary have appeared in Breakpoint, Relief Journal, Cemetery Gates Media, The Gospel Coalition, The Stream, Relevant Online, Bewildering Stories, Rue Morgue, Zombies magazine, and other print and digital outlets. Mike is interested in religion, science, conspiracism, media, books & monsters. You can learn more about Mike Duran, his writing projects, cultural commentary, philosophical musings, and arcane interests, at his website.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 10, 2020
I’d like to start this review with a confession. I read the first two books in this series a few years ago before I learned how important honest reviews are to authors. So, I never posted reviews for The Ghost Box or Saint Death. I enjoyed both immensely but didn’t share that opinion. I now know better. So, I will state my honest opinion here; all three books in this series are well written, exciting, fast paced, and thought provoking.
I have waited long for this third installment of the Reagan Moon series and now, having read it, I must say, it was worth the wait. (I understand the long wait had more to do with health issues rather than any dereliction of duty on the author’s part. So, I am grateful he has since been able to continue writing.)
The characters are well-rounded. Reagan is a wonderful mix of human foibles, a desire to be better than a blundering paranormal reporter, and a simple man thrust into a world most people dismiss as impossible.
The plot is interesting and engaging. The idea of associating ancient golem mythology with modern robotics and cybernetics/AI was brilliant. The research and incorporation of that into the story without sacrificing the plot or action is commendable. I found myself, in the middle of this book I couldn’t put down, questioning the viability of AI and how far we humans would go to achieve it. And would the possibility exist for it to reach a high enough level of self-awareness to sacrifice itself to save others? Well done, Mr. Duran.
If you enjoy Metaphysical fiction, Urban Paranormal, or other related genres under the Science fiction/fantasy banner, do yourself a favor and pick up the Reagan Moon novels. You will not be disappointed.
I have waited long for this third installment of the Reagan Moon series and now, having read it, I must say, it was worth the wait. (I understand the long wait had more to do with health issues rather than any dereliction of duty on the author’s part. So, I am grateful he has since been able to continue writing.)
The characters are well-rounded. Reagan is a wonderful mix of human foibles, a desire to be better than a blundering paranormal reporter, and a simple man thrust into a world most people dismiss as impossible.
The plot is interesting and engaging. The idea of associating ancient golem mythology with modern robotics and cybernetics/AI was brilliant. The research and incorporation of that into the story without sacrificing the plot or action is commendable. I found myself, in the middle of this book I couldn’t put down, questioning the viability of AI and how far we humans would go to achieve it. And would the possibility exist for it to reach a high enough level of self-awareness to sacrifice itself to save others? Well done, Mr. Duran.
If you enjoy Metaphysical fiction, Urban Paranormal, or other related genres under the Science fiction/fantasy banner, do yourself a favor and pick up the Reagan Moon novels. You will not be disappointed.
November 10, 2020
I am somewhat new with the urban fantasy genre, but from what I’ve read in the past, I can say that most series have a similar structure, and sometimes the same plot twists. And it is tiresome.
However, since I started reading Reagan Moon’s series, I’ve found myself enjoying every book. Mike Duran doesn’t repeat himself, actually, he writes even crazier plots with each book. There are a lot of things I wasn’t expecting to happen, and he surprises me every time. Besides, the character’s growth is progressive, truthful and feels real.
In this book we meet new characters that add up to the story. And even though the pace of the book is fast, you can see and know the cast of characters. Their importance and development shows throughout the book, and that’s one of the things I liked the most.
So if you want to read a urban fantasy series, let Reagan Moon be your priority. You won’t be disappointed!
-I was given a book by the author in exchange for my honest review.-
However, since I started reading Reagan Moon’s series, I’ve found myself enjoying every book. Mike Duran doesn’t repeat himself, actually, he writes even crazier plots with each book. There are a lot of things I wasn’t expecting to happen, and he surprises me every time. Besides, the character’s growth is progressive, truthful and feels real.
In this book we meet new characters that add up to the story. And even though the pace of the book is fast, you can see and know the cast of characters. Their importance and development shows throughout the book, and that’s one of the things I liked the most.
So if you want to read a urban fantasy series, let Reagan Moon be your priority. You won’t be disappointed!
-I was given a book by the author in exchange for my honest review.-
September 23, 2020
Reagan Moon has had quite the adventure thus far through the first two books and this third book doesn't disappoint. I loved the first one and while I still liked the second book a lot, I felt like the first was better, but now The Third Golem has topped both of them. What a fun and wild ride.
Duran has a way of pulling you into the story like you are along for the journey seeing it rather than reading. It felt like watching a movie rather than reading a book. This is an incredible series and you need to read them all, you'll be glad you did.
5 Stars!
Duran has a way of pulling you into the story like you are along for the journey seeing it rather than reading. It felt like watching a movie rather than reading a book. This is an incredible series and you need to read them all, you'll be glad you did.
5 Stars!
October 22, 2020
Well crafted, satisfying expansion of Duran’s series
For fans of supernatural adventure with a snarky narrative voice, The Third Golem offers a climactic continuation of Reagan Moon’s journey. This story layered technological speculation with myth, lore, and spiritual dilemmas while remaining an approachable, engaging read.
For fans of supernatural adventure with a snarky narrative voice, The Third Golem offers a climactic continuation of Reagan Moon’s journey. This story layered technological speculation with myth, lore, and spiritual dilemmas while remaining an approachable, engaging read.
February 22, 2021
Reagan Moon Faces his strongest For yet
Third Golem mixes Kabbalah mysticism with Reagan's cynical smart Alex responses to his life.It's an edge of the separately all the way through with plenty of plot twists. A very enjoyable read, and great addition to a super series.
Third Golem mixes Kabbalah mysticism with Reagan's cynical smart Alex responses to his life.It's an edge of the separately all the way through with plenty of plot twists. A very enjoyable read, and great addition to a super series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews