Black Luck

Prof Croft, Volume 5

By: Brad Magnarella

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

'Cause sometimes luck ain't enough

In the year since the Whisperer’s attack, I’ve been busting my hump to become my best wizard, like my father. Now I’m ready for a test.

When a dark mage starts planting infernal bags around New York City, I get my wish. Like time bombs, the bags detonate without warning, spawning demonic beings that rip the souls of innocents from their bodies. And the attacks are accelerating.

Meanwhile, a new wizard has come to town. A recent addition to the Order, Pierce is everything I’m not: refined, self-assured, and adept at magic. He even has Detective Vega blushing. If riling my resentment wasn’t enough, he’s trying to shoulder me out of my own case, stoking my suspicions.

With the race to stop the dark mage growing more desperate by the minute, I need to prove that I’m the wizard to get it done - not Pierce. And without relying on my luck quotient.

That saying about being careful what you wish for?

It’s there for a reason.

Prof Croft Series

• Preq 0: Book of Souls
• Book 1: Demon Moon
• Book 2: Blood Deal
• Book 3: Purge City
• Book 4: Death Mage
• Book 5: Black Luck

©2018 Brad Magnarella (P)2018 Brad Magnarella

Two steps backward

Finished the omnibus with the first 4 volumes and was thoroughly impressed. Picked this one up to continue the story and was immensely disappointed within the first hour of listening. All of a sudden the main character (a tenured college professor) is acting like an angsty insecure teen, and the detective is disregarding active crime-scene protocol. As always, I love Cronin's narration (check out Demon Accords if you haven't come across it already), but the author must've temporarily misplaced his mind when he was working on this one.

Good addition to the series

I am enjoying this series. If I could make a change it would be to make Croft less of a Putz sometimes. Would also like to see a bit more character depth and backstory on Vega, Tabitha, and Thelonias in each novel. Have already ordered the next book in the series.

Excellent

The story can stand alone but this one is fairly pivotal. This one sets up the next book and I would have not enjoyed book 6 as much if I hadn't read book 5 first. I bought the ebook and picked up this audio version for my DH.

Several folks said I would like it. Yup.

This was recommended to me from an unlikely source, and I am so glad I listened! Great performances, good stories that kept me entertained, laughing, and on edge. Thanks.

Ok this one stressed me out! Still enjoyable

Black Luck did not disappoint, but I will admit this one stressed me out a bit. It was still enjoyable, and there were some enjoyable new folks introduced.

I've already purchased books 6-9 so I don't have to be distracted by making sure I've got the next couple in a row, that's how much I have been enjoying the series.

A little bit of other stories but entertaining.

I enjoy the genre but this is a culmination of RL King (Dr. Alastair Stone) and Harry Potter regarding storyline. But as a collective a good series.

Dresdenesque

I loved Dresden but here is a completely new gritty noir wizard living and saving the Big Apple. Read it. You'll love it. I promise.

Great Urban Fantasy

Another fantastic book in the Prof Croft series. Twists and turns keep you guessing who the real villain is.

I loved it

All Professor Croft books are excellent. I am frothing at the mouth waiting for the next one. Please keep them coming. Thank you!

A Trying Time for Prof Croft

Wow, this was another amazing Prof Croft adventure. Author Brad Magnarella reminds me of a Star Wars author, Drew Karpyshyn. He puts his characters through hell and they still find a way to save the day. A story doesn't work unless you are invested in the characters, and Brad does this so well. I found myself cringing every time Croft suffered the adverse effects of Black luck. I haven't felt so bad for someone since Theron Shan allowed himself to be beaten up in Annihilation. Croft seemed to have everything going so wrong, yet his heart and valor still shine. I was on the fence about the other wizard motives and did not see several curves thrown that took the story in a completely different direction. I absolutely adored Mae and Buster, two possible new allies and grossed out by his new "mentor." An amazing adventure filled with heart and soul. Croft remains the wonderful nice guy who does the right thing against all odds. I'm beginning to think he needs a nice Jedi girl friend instead of that detective! Brad Magnarella's literary talents keep growing. I hope Del Rey books will notice, he would make a fantastic author of a Star Wars book. I read this book using immersion reading, while listening to the audiobook and the wonderful James Patrick Cronin's wonderful performance. He is Croft, I hear his voice even when reading without the audio. A fantastic, heartbreaking, enjoyable read.