Crescent
Another science fiction title on Podiobooks.com, this one is Crescent by Phil Rossi:
Some places are far darker than deep space. Places where the shadows smile. Where men go mad and lovers go missing. These stygian corners of existence are where reality is stretched thin and something hungry is waiting just outside the corner of your eye.
Turn out the lights, take a deep breath, and dare to visit one of these places.
Crescent is dark science fiction at it’s most visceral. Phil Rossi weaves a tale that is reminiscent of old school Stephen King but with a shiny, new set of tricks and an appetite to terrify. There’s sex. There’s corruption. There’s horror. And after you sweat your way through the first chapter, there’s plenty more to keep you awake at night.
Crescent features an original soundtrack written and performed by the author.
“… what is right now, my addiction — Crescent. I’m waiting to see what happens with the freakin’ story. *I* do this to people, other people don’t do this to me!” — Scott Sigler, author of Infested (Infection), Earthcore, and Ancestor.
“If you’re debating about subscribing to Crescent, I’ve got one question: Why are you hesitating? Just push the button that says “Subscribe” and hold on. This podcast is part Babylon 5, part Firefly, and part Blade Runner… only darker.” — Tee Morris, Author of Morevi, Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword, and co-author of Podcasting for Dummies.
“The writing is great, the reading is first class; the production – the use of atmospheric music and ambient sound like crowd noise is really effective.” — Mike Bennett, author of One Among the Sleepless.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
June 22nd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I saw Mike’s blog about this pod some weeks ago and went to the website. Immediately a wormhole opened up in my room where I would be sucked into that darker time in that darker place. Thanks Phil. I look forward to future episodes.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Dark, and intensively addicting. Give it one episode – that’s all it needs to sink it’s metallic claws into your attention span and leave you impatient for more from Rossi’s twisted universe.
June 27th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Twisted? Dark?
I love it.
Thanks for the kind words.
June 28th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
What an unbelievably sensuous tale. Dark, lusty and violent! Phil Rossi, your wife is one lucky woman. Keep talking HARD to me!
June 30th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Thanks, Tracy. Part 8 should be coming along soon
July 5th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Absolutely love this book, recommending it to my friends. I only have one comment – does anybody else think the narrator sounds just like Christian Slater? I keep picturing scenes from the movie “Heathers” (or possibly “Pump Up the Volume” for the true movie geeks) while listening
.
July 11th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
great job phil…luv your accent the way you leave off cer’in syllables and yes there does seem to be a bit of slater in your voice….i could not be more wrapped up in your ‘verse. this is a 5 star story!!!
talk HARD…excellent your tag is born!
July 16th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Its the best good job and thanks.this is a ten star story
July 16th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Thanks!!
July 20th, 2007 at 5:39 am
Hey Phil,
This story is great, and I’m hooked. On Chapter 6 now, but for some reason can’t get Chapters 7 or 8 on iTunes–goes right to Chapter 9. And now can’t find your podcast listed in the directory. I may not know how to navigate, but please help, thank you. Great story. And I am just at where Kendell propositions Marissa…
susan
durham, nc
July 20th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Glad you’re enjoying it Susan! I’ll pass this along to the PB staff and see if we can’t figure out what the glitch is
July 20th, 2007 at 11:03 am
It looks like the PB Crescent feed isn’t showing up in iTunes at all (at least as indexed by their directory). I encountered a number of glitches at the time of adding it. However, are you subscribed via your PB account? I did a test subscribe to Crescent and released all episodes. 7 and 8 are showing up for me. Shoot me a line at crescentstationATgmail.com if you continue to have problems and we’ll see if we can’t get it sorted out.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Not seeing any problems with the files on our end, Susan. I looked up your email addy attached to your post, but could not find a user name. If you’ll send us that, we can take a peek. But I’m betting that iTunes is hosed on your end. Happens all the time. Try deleting the feed and then re-adding it. Make sure you expand the listings (click the triangle to the left of the name) and hit “GET” on any chapters you need.
E.
August 11th, 2007 at 4:26 am
I was first introduced to Crescent by Scot Siglar when he recommended Phil Rossi on his podcast of The Rookie. Let me tell you I was not disappointed in the least. I became a fan immediately. I was a former Sci-Fi junkie during the 80’s and 90’s but found myself bored with the genre during most of the 90’s and the present. Thank you Rossi for making sc i-fi fun, refreshing and creepy once again.
The story though based in the future is timeless in its narrative style. It flows quickly catching the audience’s attention and like a pitbull holding them down until the end.
Keep up the excellent story-telling. I look forward for more from you.
August 11th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Julie,
Thanks for you kind words. My appreciation is endless.
-Phil
August 11th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Crap. Julio. I meant Julio! Damn these fingers.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:43 am
Alright Phil, this story is getting REALLY intense. I’m on the edge of my iPod every freakin’ week waiting for the next chapter!!! I feel like a Junkie! (Yes, I’m a Sigler-junkie too) I hope you have something in the works for AFTER this one is over. I love the dark, twisted tale you’ve spun
I can’t imagine that you would stop at just this one. Please PLEASE write more stories!
August 17th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Tracy,
Thanks
I’m glad you’re enjoying the tale. I’ve got other projects in the works. 
Crescent is just the beginning!
August 29th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Amazing.
I heard about your podiobook from Scott Sigler’s Earthcore (or maybe it was Ancestor? Either way..!). I wasn’t sure I was going to like it.. Sci-fi has become so blase… until now!
Thanks for putting the “Event Horizon” back in to Sci-fi! Keep ‘em coming, and I know we’ll keep listening!!!
August 29th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Thanks Chris! That’s a big compliment. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
One of the best audio books that I’ve ever listened to (and the first one that I felt strongly enough about to write a review for).
Seems to blend lots of genres (wild west, sci-fi, horror/ghost story stuff) to create something that feels really new, and effective. And it frankly scares the crap out of me (!) during long runs at night.
Phil, I hope you make it big. You’re either a natural talent or a hard worker or both, so you deserve it.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Thank you, Brad!
September 15th, 2007 at 9:01 am
There is really only one way to let Phil know just how good Crescent is – LEAVE A DONATION!
You have really put a lot into this Phil. The story is great, the production value is high, and tone and cadance of the voice(s) is outstanding.
Well Done and Thank You!
September 16th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Wow! what a great book. The only complaint I have is that the episodes are not coming fast enough! This book is the reason I signed up with Podiobooks!
September 17th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Dan and Steven,
Thanks guys. The support and the feedback is what fuels me each week to get these episodes out. Keep it comin!
-Phil
September 17th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Steven,
I hope you stick with us. While this may be the only book you are listening to, a few dozen are updating each and every week on our site. That’s a *lot* of manpower to keep updated, so we do beg your patience.
While you are waiting, try out a few other books!
E.
September 19th, 2007 at 4:52 am
finaly a story that isn’t a predictable bore, the author’s narration fits the story and doesn’t have the over dramatization that so many podcast try to make up for in their lack of storyline. well put together and darkly entertaining. definitely my #1 podcast that i listen to each week and can’t wait for more of Mr. Rossi’s imagination… keep up the great work and keep it coming.
September 19th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Thanks, JP!
As an FYI to all. The Crescent forums are live at http://www.philrossi.net/smf
September 27th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Hey Phil,
Today was awesome! Thank you so much for coming out to our school and sharing your amazing talents with my students! The students talked about your visit all day long and I know a handful of the students were inspired by the pursuit of your dream. Today was a day these students will remember for the rest of their lives. Thank you for your time, your creative, and your spirit!
Keep writing!
Your friend,
Ernest Solar
September 28th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Ernest and Class–
I could not have hoped for a more satisfying and memorable first reading!
-Phil
October 11th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
gang. away on business. no computer. special crescent episode is in the cue (uploaded). there is a minor error in the id3 tag. working on a remote fix.
regular episodes to resume next week.
-phil
October 11th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Hi everyone. I’m Phil’s remote fix.
Special episode corrected and posted. Phil says three more to go. Hold his feet to the fire as necessary.
E.
October 18th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Excellent narration, complex, addictive story. This is definitely one to check out!!
October 19th, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Lovin’ it…. What a story!
Thanks,
Jack
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:13 am
Phil,
Great story! I usually hold out until the book is complete so I can take it with me on business trips. I started reading the reviews and don’t regret jumping the gun on this one. An incredible mix of everything that orginally turned us into Sci-Fi junkies. This story could take place anywhere, anytime, but…. In my humble opinion, Sci-Fi authors like you are the most creative and original of all writers!
Thanks for a great read (listen?).
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Absolutely enthralling story. The narration and production qualities are among some of the best out there now.
What really blew me away though is that nearly all of the music included in the story is composed and performed by the author. Not only is he an amazing author but he’s also evidently an amazing singer, songwriter, and performer.
Outstanding!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:38 am
You all are great! Thanks for listening
November 4th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Crescent is among the best podcast novels ever; well-written, wonderfully read and brilliantly produced. Congratulations and salutations, Phil, on completion of a fantastic piece of podcast entertainment.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Phil Rossi are you going to do another podcast ?
I sign up for any other podcast you product
November 5th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
wonderful story. its exciting. its sexy. its cerebral. it resonates when you finish it and sticks with you. loved it. there is no tale like crescent. anywhere. period. you will change the way people think about sci fi horror and story telling.
and you have a hot voice. go phil! i applaud your hard work. i don’t know how you finished this as a new daddy but you kept it coming every week.
you are a fresh and original voice of science fiction. keep it coming.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:37 am
This book has had me hooked – just fantastic. Well executed, great material and genuinely creepy. Phil please write more stuff!
January 12th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Crescent is like the wild west meets the space age, with a lot of terror and prophecy thrown in for good measure. It’s original and at times disturbing, and definitely awesome!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Why does this book show up when I do a search for “Scott Sigler”?
–
Furry cows moo and decompress.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
It actually has little to do with cows or their internal pressure. In fact, it has everything to do with this quote given to Crescent and added as a part of the descriptive text of the book:
“… what is right now, my addiction — Crescent. I’m waiting to see what happens with the freakin’ story. *I* do this to people, other people don’t do this to me!” — Scott Sigler, author of Infested (Infection), Earthcore, and Ancestor.
E.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Absolutely loved it! I’m definitely not a sci-fi kinda girl, but the second I had finished listening to chapter 1 I was completely hooked. There were even moments that made me physically and mentally cringe, and i’ll admit that I had trouble sleeping one of the nights when I had walked home at 1am with this going on my ipod. Talk about getting paranoid!!! The mark of a great work of horror, I would have to say!
You’re an amazing reader as well. Your voice was spot on in all aspects except for when you had to do ladies voices :p But I think it would be a little disturbing if I heard a man do a spot on woman’s voice hehe. Anyways, completely 5 stars across the board for me! This was the best podiobook i’ve heard to date, and I don’t think I will find another one of this caliber for a while. Keep up the great work!
March 6th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Loved the story. Excellent narration, well written plot, well developed characters (the hooker and the mayor are more memorable than the lead characters), good dialog, overall a great book. Something I would buy in a book store, if I didn’t come across it here.
Keep up the good work!
March 16th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Phil, I found your story absolutely gripping.
I have to say a couple of things:
1) the swearing seems to step in for actual language sometimes, to the point where it is distracting. it no longer seems to come from the characters but the author.
2) i found the graphic rape scenes very upsetting. I tried to pin down the reason (other than the obvious), and found that they didn’t really work to illuminate the characters or the world after a certain point. They smacked of rape porn/ fantasy.
Again, I listened to it from beginning to end. It was engrossing. Congratulations on the work. Please, please do yourself a favor and try to stay on the safe side of the ‘dumb boy throw-up’ line. Your female characters need work.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:36 am
A quick comment–I always question public “constructive feedback.” It seems like a dialog best kept between parties. I just wonder at the motivation. If I wasn’t already a fan of the book, reading a comment like that might make me not want to read the book. Er. Listen.
That being said, from a language standpoint, I really don’t think the swearing was more over the top than Scott Sigler’s work, in which the language can indeed be distracting. I also thought the scene in item two was brief and effective. I only recall one such scene. Anyway–there are Crescent forums out there, too, which are probably better suited for longer discussion.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Some authors shouldn’t narrate their books, but Phil Rossi is not one of them. He does a fantastic job reading, and has done a fantastic job writing this book. The idea behind it is new and intense and I actually did the dishes a couple of times so that I could listen to more (and that’s saying something!).
May 28th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Just finished this book. Wow. Truly addicting podio. I actually listened to it at night, and yes i did get freaked out quite a few times. <—– sound effects were right on in this one, not overwhelming but complemented the text.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Amazing book! 5 stars in all categories. I made a longer comment and mailed it to your email address, so I won’t say so much here. Other than: Keep up the great work, Phil!
August 25th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Wonderfully dark and disturbing. I was pulled in immediately by your tale. The first episode and I was hooked. Downloaded the whole thing to my Zune and listened to it every free second I had. The sound effects and music choice was perfect. It was reminiscent of Event Horizon, Sphere, and a little Stephen King The Stand. Loved every minute of it… and your voice. Mmm Mmm Wow. Keep it up. Can’t wait to hear more of your talent.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:43 am
Phill made me pee my pants nearly five times in this story . Usealy, horror stories dont’ scare me, and the gore just takes me out of it. But Phill really grabs you and never lets go. Its a thriller, and the scariest podiobbok I have read to date.
The connection I felt for these characters is like no otherf. Phil puts you thier eyes. And you’ll meet some of the most evil villians you have ever read.
Check it out. Youll be hooked in the first scene.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Dark Science Fiction! Wow! Phil Rossi, you’re an accomplished writer and story teller. You’ve got it all working together and working well. The story line flows, the characters are believable and you do a great job with voices. I usually wish most readers would just stick to a single voice (Dick Estell of NPR is a good example of someone who can read a story in a single voice) and have dropped several stories due to the terrible voices. You’re voices don’t overdue it and work well.
I can’t wait to see what you do next!
John
October 8th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Thanks for the feedback, gang! If you’re looking for more of my material, check out Notes from the Vault and look for Eden coming soon.
xo,
Phil
December 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am
“There stood a short woman with even shorter red hair.”
I love it when an author throws in little jokes like this, completely deadpan!
December 17th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Thanks D
Happy Holidays Crescent listeners. Thank you for a year of fine support.
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Phil, just finished and loved it! Very well written and produced. Now I’m off to the Vault. I’m so tempted to go straight to Eden, but I know I’m too impatient to be happy with just one ep. a week. Thank you for presenting your work in this format.
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
My review of Crescent here:
http://freshly-ground.blogspot.com/2009/03/podcast-review-phil-rossis-crescent.html
Nice work, Mr Rossi!
March 16th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I have listened to a LOT of audiobooks and a decent amount of podiobooks, and yours is definitely one of the best. I’m afrain I am probably too late to join the forum, but I was reading over some of the comments on Podiobooks.com. It seems some people didn’t enjoy the foul language and violence in Crescent. That is exactly what set your story apart from many others. Plus, most the the ‘foul languange’ and ‘violent acts’ happen on a day to day basis in the world…so maybe some people shouldn’t go outside…maybe they should download the latest Hello Kitty story and let the genius that is Scott Sigler do his thing.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Truly one of the best podcasts I have listened too; so professionally done. I had no problems with the violence and dark twisted nature of the podcast, its just one reason it is what it is. The use of the Lords name in vain does seem excessive and cuts your audience down a little I think and doesn’t add anything to the story. Its gd cold, gd I am cold… etc… I think you must be cold? ha! I would love to share it with some but that one ‘flaw’ makes me want to put a disclaimer on it.
Excellent job, excellent story, excellent voice to create so many believeable characters, excellent!
~Stan~
July 8th, 2009 at 8:30 am
YAWN.
I listened to this via podcast and the story started off with premise then dipped into the absurd, rolled into the boring, and concluded with a whimper. So much buildup and then a Deus Ex machina saves the day. You could’ve figured it out long before and knew what was happening. It felt like the author was writing just to write and do fillers. You could easily cut out 1/4 of this book and slim it down. The horror wasn’t there, the sleazy sex was, and the suspense was nice then let down.
Overall a 6/10 for effort. I wasn’t impressed and really was hoping for it to get good and then horribly let down at the ending.
July 12th, 2009 at 5:52 am
It’s interesting. This very same review appeared on several boards, including Scott Sigler’s web page on the between the 8th and 9th–the very same day as Phil Rossi’s Amazon.com chart rush. These comments are groundless and just silly. It’s apparent that Phil Rossi put a lot of effort not only into the story, but the podcast. The majority of reviews for this Podiobook are positive and for good reason. I truly question the motivation of this reviewer–it seems fishy that this review should appear in multiple places right at the time of the chart rush. Credibility = null.
Congratulations Phil on such a successful chart rush. I can’t wait to read the print version.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
By several you mean 2 places. Scott siglers and here. If they are posted somewhere else, it’s not by me. I know where I made the comment because I copied and pasted from ScottSigler.com to here.
You ask the timing? It’s simple. Newsletter went out about this book from scott’s page, I remember I caught it, I posted it over there and then here.
There is no conspiracy, there is no mystery, it’s logical and conclusive.
I’ve never defended a review before, but in the case of this one I had to chuckle like Mr. Ishmael over this whole “fishy” business.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Congratulations Mr. Rossi on a well deserved home run in your bid for Amazon.com greatness. i’m looking real forward to get my copy–it might arrive today! you created something unique with crescent and i found it to be one of the few seamless mash-ups of science fiction and horror. i can’t wait to see your words on the page. it excited me when i heard j.c. hutchins talk about the print version and how the story was ‘meant to be read.’ that’s high praise from a big gun indeed.
August 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
this was simply superb storytelling! unlike other podiobooks i have listened to recently, this was great! good story, compelling characters. i was on an extended road trip and was actually sorry when i would stop for the night and have to “work” instead of driving and listening.
thanks for a wonderful and compelling listen.
lara
September 24th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Great story! I my wife nearly scared me half to death one night when I was listening in my study.
I do have a couple of questions:
What was the significance of “MURHATE”?
What happened to Ina’s baby?
The crazy robots dragged people back to the “hive”, for what purpose?
September 25th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Phil–I finished the print version of Crescent and then went and listened to the podcast. In the book, I loved just how true you stayed to the story–your style as grown tremendously. LOVED it. I will say, the podcast stands the test of time and is still incredible in it’s own right. Well done.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Sometimes sci fi strikes me as a little too much ice cold metal.
But with Crescent there is this strange sensuous undercurrent always pumping away just out of sight.
I wonder why the big bad always feels so good?
Maybe I am over analyzing, but there are many layers to this story. It’s a story for thinking as well as feeling. Unique, but undoubtedly a classic for all breed of reader..