Prof Croft Books in Order

The Best Starting Point for Prof Croft

When diving into Brad Magnarella's urban fantasy world, you have two primary entry points: the publication order or the chronological order. Because the series relies on a continuous timeline of character development, power progression, and overarching plot threads, getting your starting point right will help you appreciate Everson Croft's journey from a mythology professor into a city-saving mage.

For the vast majority of readers, the recommended starting point is the prequel novella, Book of Souls. It is short, fast-paced, and introduces Croft's discovery of his magical heritage. However, if you prefer jumping straight into a full-length novel with established stakes and the introduction of Everson's iconic companion—the snarky succubus cat Tabitha—you can safely start with the first novel, Demon Moon.

Publication Order of the Prof Croft Books

If you prefer to read the books exactly as they were released to the public, follow the publication order. This order reflects how the author built the world and introduced its elements over time. Note that the two prequel novellas (Book of Souls and Siren Call) were published out of chronological sequence, with Siren Call coming out later in the series run as a flashback tale.

1. Demon Moon (2016)
2. Book of Souls (Prequel Novella, 2016)
3. Blood Deal (2016)
4. Purge City (2017)
5. Death Mage (2017)
6. Black Luck (2018)
7. Power Game (2018)
8. Druid Bond (2019)
9. Night Rune (2020)
10. Shadow Duel (2021)
11. Siren Call (Prequel Novella, 2021)
12. Shadow Deep (2021)
13. Godly Wars (2022)
14. Angel Doom (2023)

Chronological Order: The Ideal Way to Read

Reading chronologically is the most popular recommendation among dedicated fans of the "Croftverse." It allows you to follow Everson Croft's life in perfect linear order, experiencing his origin story first, followed by how he met his companion Tabby, and then moving straight into the main novels. The chronological timeline organizes the books like this:

1. Book of Souls (Prequel Novella #0.5) – Croft's origins in a Romanian monastery.
2. Siren Call (Prequel Novella #0.75) – Explains how Everson first encountered the sassy succubus cat.
3. Demon Moon (Book 1) – Croft's first major case in New York's supernatural underbelly.
4. Blood Deal (Book 2) – Croft squares off against a vampire mob boss.
5. Purge City (Book 3) – The stakes rise as NYC becomes a battleground.
6. Death Mage (Book 4) – A mind-warping evil forces Croft to push his magical limits.
7. Black Luck (Book 5) – Croft deals with curses and bad luck in the city.
8. Power Game (Book 6) – High-stakes magical politics and combat.
9. Druid Bond (Book 7) – Ancient forces intersect with Croft's modern wizardry.
10. Night Rune (Book 8) – Dark relics and hidden threats emerge.
11. Shadow Duel (Book 9) – Intense magical confrontations.
12. Shadow Deep (Book 10) – Croft ventures deeper into dangerous territory.
13. Godly Wars (Book 11) – Higher cosmic and mythical stakes.
14. Angel Doom (Book 12) – The explosive continuation of Croft's magical responsibilities.

The Broader Croftverse: Spin-offs and Companion Series

Brad Magnarella has constructed an expansive shared universe known as the Croftverse. While the main Prof Croft series is the flagship property, several spin-offs and sister series run parallel to it. The author has designed these series so that their main plots do not heavily intertwine, meaning you can finish the main Prof Croft books and read these separately without losing track of the core plot.

Croft & Tabby

This series features shorter, humorous mini-adventures focusing on the daily chaos between Everson Croft and his talking succubus cat, Tabitha. These stories are set chronologically before the main series novels and emphasize comedic banter, minor investigations, and light urban fantasy action. The series includes:

• Pox You (2021)
• Back Off Witch (2022)
• Suck It Up (2023)
• Foul Manors (2024)
• Dream On (2025)

Croft & Wesson

A spin-off trilogy starring Everson Croft alongside fellow wizard James Wesson. This series is best read after you have finished at least the first four books of the main Prof Croft series, as it draws on established elements of Croft's status as a wizard in the world. The books are:

• Grimstone (2021)
• Hangover (2022)
• Reckoning (2023)

Blue Wolf

This action-heavy sister series shifts the focus to military urban fantasy. It follows Captain Jason Wolfe, a former special operations soldier cursed with a lupine condition, who commands a monster-hunting unit. Characters from Blue Wolf share the same world as Croft, and minor crossovers do occur. The chronological reading order for Jason Wolfe's adventures includes Blue Curse (2017), Blue Shadow (2018), Blue Howl (2018), Blue Venom (2019), Blue Blood (2020), and Blue Storm (2020), along with the related Legion Files: Camp Dread.

Maddy Deeds

This series moves the Croftverse action to Los Angeles, following Madelyn Deeds, a former Hollywood studio executive turned private investigator dealing with California's supernatural underbelly. Like the others, it stands perfectly well on its own.

What to Know Before You Start

The Prof Croft series is heavily inspired by urban fantasy classics like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Readers can expect a similar detective-mage vibe, but with a distinct New York flavor. The setting is a post-financial crash New York City where magic hides in subway tunnels, abandoned warehouses, and historic cathedrals. Croft himself is a relatable, flawed protagonist who fights magic with a battered staff, self-deprecating humor, and makeshift wizardry rather than god-like power. His relationship with Tabitha, who balances being a dangerous succubus with the lazy, sarcastic habits of a domestic house cat, provides a constant source of humor that lightens the darker detective noir elements of the series.