October 17, 2014

Loved It: The Younger Gods by Michael R. Underwood

Series: Younger Gods 1
Format: eGalley
Release Date: October 13, 2014
Publisher: Pocket Star
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Genre: Urban Fantasy



Hey y'all! There's a new superhero in town and his name is Jacob Greene, he wields dark magic but uses it for good. His family is one of the most powerful and loyal servants of darkness, bent on ending the Age of Man to usher a new age where The Younger Gods will rule with the Greenes of North Dakota some sort of regents. But something happened and Jacob no longer wants to be part of his family's legacy after his family killed his bestfriend on prom night. He then ran away to New York, assumed a new name, went to college and pretended to be normal until his sister came to visit, leaving devastation and dead bodies in her wake, all because she wanted to wake the Younger Gods. Now it's up to Jacob to stop her but is he strong enough to do so?

Michael R. Underwood always writes these quirky fantasies with dorky endearing characters for heroes. THE YOUNGER GODS is another example of it with a few enhancements to make it a kick-ass urban fantasy. The myth isn't your typical angels and demons trope, Mr. Underwood tweaked things, gave it his own stamp, creating a whole new breed of Underworld magic and monsters. The action was very fast paced like a video game and the events spanning a matter of days, death toll to the ceiling, destruction in the billions, Jacob & Co. barely have a breath to spare. The imagery was vivid, the cosmology brilliant, and the conflict-resolution was shocking in a way where it didn't go the way I thought it would. 

As for Jacob Greene, he reminded me a lot of David Stutler in The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Lanky, socially awkward, nerdy, he's the last person you'd expect to save the world yet it's this normalcy that made him such a delightful hero to follow. The secondary cast was very diverse and also gave off the same vibe as Jacob meaning they're not exactly the Alpha-Beta crew you usually see in UF novels. As a group they're pretty competent in stopping Jacob's sister, Esther, however they took a lot of hits on their team because Esther is a big, bad, powerful BITCH! I mean the girl can make Satan fall in love with her and propose! On a personal note, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Underwood. In case you're reading this, THANK YOU for making Tessane a beautiful and interesting possible love interest for Jacob and for getting the manananggal monster myth accurate. I'm Filipino and I'm happy that you made my kind of minority a good thing. 

THE YOUNGER GODS is another winning novel by Michael R. Underwood, it's a synthesis of fantasy, demonology, and RPG-like missions matched with a very unique cosmology, very entertaining, very engaging. I also liked the sort of open-ended conclusion, very speculative and encourages the readers to know more about the Younger Gods and Jacob Greene & his family's role in the big picture. Lastly, you probably noticed that I used the word "very" a lot and that's because THE YOUNGER GODS is very good. I highly recommend it to fan boys and girls, fantasy readers, and gamers.


“Looks like Prospect Park,” Antoinette said.
Antoinette stayed back, fishing through her jacket for something.


Stalk Michael
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  1. Okay, I have to admit, this sounds pretty badass.

  2. Sounds awesome! I might have to go buy this right now.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

  3. I like that the protagonist is male, because I really need more of 'em in my life, and the RPG-style missions just sound downright cool. And, did I see wolfhound in that excerpt?? Way to make me add another YA title to my reading pile, Braine! That takes SKILL.

    1. Hahaha! Just returning the favor, Carmel, just returning the favor

  4. Replies
    1. It's very unique, worth exploring. I know you're reading out of your zone lately, I hope this makes the list

  5. The quirky fantasies has my attention

    1. His way of writing fantasy is really different and his heroes are always on the geeky side

  6. This is a new author for me, but I love the sound of this one, Dorky characters? Yes Please. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway chance. Happy weekend.

    1. I love geeks in all shapes and forms, if I can have them as superheroes then all the better

  7. Well, you got my attention. That is new and different. Thanks for sharing about it.

  8. There is something absolutely endearing about a lanky, awkward, nerd-boy. It's enough to make me want to read this book. I also like the RPG-like missions. It makes for a heart-pounding read. :)

    1. I'm over the muscled, gorgeous, heroes, let's bring it down a notch and give them super brains instead

  9. It sounded interesting but I confess that I didn't know if I should ask for it or not when it was on NG but I finally didn't. Maybe it was a mistake, it sounds really good!

    1. You can always buy it if you get too curious :)

  10. Sounds like another great find Braine! I just added it to my list.
    Thanks, I can see me enjoying this one.

    1. I hope you do! I love the male POV and as it's written by a guy author, Jacob's voice is very authentic if you know what I mean.

  11. This sounds very exciting. I'm not much of a gamer but I can see myself reading this :)

    1. Huh, where's Ana? She'll most likely like this

  12. Hello...this sounds fantastic Braine.

  13. I hadn't heard of this author before, Braine. I do love angels and demons and that Mr. Underwood puts his own stamp on the trope is very appealing. I'm glad that you found The Younger Gods to be *very* good! ;)

  14. I enjoyed the books I've read by him before, will check this out - hadn't heard of this one :D

  15. I'm liking what I'm hearing of this one. Glad to see you enjoyed it as well. :) Thank you!


