Demon Moon: Prof Croft, Book 1

This book is about Prof Croft who is a wizard. Trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. Even when he is told to leave things alone. He just can't. This book reminds me a lot of the Dresden books. I love these kind of books. If you like the Dresden you will like this one. I look forward to listening or reading more of these. The narration was fantastic. I received this audio book free for a honest opinion but it is work them money or credit.

The books starts strong and interisting, sort of a dresden files light, with some differences. New York is in trouble as of a major financial crash, magic is actualy fairly known about with many people practicing openly, and people know there are supernatural things out there, even if a few people refuse to beleive.<br/><br/>The man character starts out decent enough as well, but quickly falls into the "mage with authority troubles" except this guy has no reason. His job is to help new practitioners who are summoning demons, likely accidental, or just dont know what they are getting into. He doesnt always succeed. After one time he was arrested as a shard of an incubus thats trapped in his soul took over after expending himself to hard, and got drunk at the scene of the crime and was arrested by the police as he was at the scene, with a coat of the victims blood on him. due to a lack of evidence he was let out on probation and has been towing that since.<br/><br/>Now he has been offered a chance to clear his name some by helping with an investigation, while also investigating mass demon summonings on the side. While being sloppy he is sighted at the scene of one of the murders, and the police begin to suspect him.<br/><br/>And here is the issue. There is absolutely NO reason why he shouldnt tell them just what he is and what he does, give them some proof, and possibly receive aid for what he is doing. Instead he bitches and moans like a 5 year old and makes a mess of everything. The character devolves into an obnoxious idiot who does stupid things for stupid reasons and it starts to get old fast. I havent finished the book just yet, but im getting SSOOO very close to just deleting it from my phone and getting a refund.

This is a terrible knock off of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. From his orange colored, snarky lab assistant, to the magical model of the city the rip off is obvious. The poorly explained near future setting is distracting and the one interesting thing the character's job as a prof is under utilized. Skip this one.

I really enjoyed it, a great supplement for the Dresden files. Fast phased and engaging. James Patrick Cronin does an exceptional job.

I love adventurous professors! This well-written and superbly performed book reminds me of Indiana Jones who is a combination of Quincy Harker and Harry Dresden. It was an exciting adventure that provided enough back story to keep my interest and maintain story integrity. I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to more from Magnarella and (hopefully) Cronin.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

~This review contains spoilers~<br/><br/>Absolutely. This was a great book and I truly enjoyed listening to the narrators rendition. There are very few books that I cannot stop listening too, but Demon Moon is now added to this list.

Demon Moon was a mix of Harry Potter and Indiana Jones. A wise cracking professor who happens to also be a wizard. That he lives in a post apocalyptic world makes his adventures all the more fun.

Tabitha was one of my favorite characters. Prof Croft describes his relationship with the cat as a begrudging marriage, where they hate each other but would be devastated if something were to happen to one or the other. I loved how Magnarella used Tabitha as a sounding board as well as a comic relief to Prof Crofts tumultuous life. She was great fun and showed her true loving allegiance.

The scene in Crofts classroom where he is describing his dissertation to his students was one of my favorites. His research and writing on the topic is so important later on in the story and I loved how the relevance shines through as the story progresses.

This was a great listen and one that I highly recommend. Though there will be more books in the series this wrapped up nicely, so you will not be left with gut wrenching cliff hangers. <br/><br/>I received this audio book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book, it has a very interesting and vivid world, strange, interesting and funny characters and a great story line.

Laugh out loud funny at some points it's also got edge of your seat tension at others, I was hooked early on and the ending has me wanting the next book, although it's not a cliffhanger.

The narration includes excellent character voices, good pacing and a natural sounding delivery, it was a good match for the story.

This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

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No, I wouldn't call the listening time well spent, since I listen to the books on my commute to work. I would not use any time except commuting time for this story.

Mr. Magnarella could have gone in an original direction with his story and characters, but instead he chose to slap cookie cutter characters and situations into a dark world in a fashion that really didn't evoke a sense of dread, just a sense of "What stroke of luck will get the hero out of trouble this time?"

Mr. Cronin did his best to breathe life into what were basically stock characters, and his efforts should be applauded. He is one of my preferred narrators. He did the best he could with what he was given to work with. While no character stands out, none of them stand out in a bad way either.

Demon Moon was adequate filler for commuting, once. There is no repeat listen value, and the character of Croft just didn't come off as anything except a Harry Dresden wannabe.

If you're looking for a Dresden Files clone, this is it.

I certainly don’t think it’s wrong to borrow some small aspects from another writer’s story but I think this writer goes off the deep end a little too much. I don’t want to be too hard on this story because I want to see where this series will go but I would back off somewhat of others work.

OK I know this is urban fantasy.

but the conflict isn't there. The demons are relatively easily handled by the protagonist… Who is routinely easily beaten by anyone and anything else he comes across.