The Younger Gods is another hit from author Michael R. Underwood (also creator of this year’s current favourite ‘Shield and Crocus’ and another great urban fantasy series Geekomancy). Every book I’ve read has fit – at least in part – to the ‘fantasy’ genre, but each book’s style and protagonist is markedly different. For me, this is the sign of a truly talented and accomplished writer.

As always Underwood has a cast of diverse characters. The main protagonist, Jacob Greene, has abandoned his cult-like family after one horrifying and educational ideal and is hiding and trying to get a degree. As expected, his past catches up with him and he forced to stop his more powerful, and infinitely more evil, older sister.

What makes this book stand out for me is the way the author has Jacob’s upbringing permeate his thoughts, lack of social etiquette, even his proverbs. He has grown up in a sheltered community and is not used to the world of, as his family would stress, ‘inferior sheep’ outside. It is interesting how Jacob’s reflections on how much of his family’s influences he has kept, even after he has seen them for what they truly are. A particular flashback, when Jacob argues that the family’s black magic victims were ‘volunteers’; therefore making it alright, brings home how little time Jacob has had to truly define his own values. (I think this book is set approximately a year after leaving his family.)

There was quite a lot of running and fighting, rinse and repeat in this book, never giving quite enough time to the intriguing supporting characters with equally intriguing background and powers that Underwood only alludes to. I would have liked to have focused more on certain groups and read a longer book. I definitely will pick up any sequel that appears, especially to read about what happens after that unusual ending!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. This is no way impacts upon my review.

This book was an unexpected treat with a fantastic storyline and characters that are highly likeable. I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone.

The main character is jake, a teenage boy attending university to get away from his dangerous family after they sacrificed his best friend in an attempt to invoke an appocolyptical event to bring the 'younger gods' into the earth. He is doing well at university until killings start happening in their local area and he suspects his family is behind it.

The most noteworthy secondary characters are Carter and Laroux. Carter is Jake's roommate who turns out to be a lot more than expected helping Jake in his mission. And Laroux is a girl who's mother used to be involved in the acult and who has taken over her mothers shop which by default lands her into the troubles that Jake and Carter are attending to.

The storyline is original and unlike anything I've read before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pacing was good, I look forward to reading the other books in the series and I will be interested to know where the story can go from the end of that book.

4 stars a great read

Jacob Greene came from a cult. He escaped and his trying to make a new life for himself at St. Mark's University. So far Jacob is learning it is harder to make friends than it was living in a cult. Jacob hears on the news of a murder. The body was surrounded by a circle that was burned with ashes. The murder can mean only one thing...Jacob's family has found him. Jacob knows that the murder is just the beginning. It is a ritual to being doom to the Earth.

I had issues with this book. At times it read like the author did not think the readers (me) would get the concept of the story, so he would write things out sometimes repeating. Then at other times he did not explain enough and it felt like he was just rushing through the story. Another problem I had is that I wanted the characters to be more engaging. I found them to be uninteresting and not so likeable. Like I did not really felt like Jake was all that interested or cared about sharing people. He was his persona. He came off stiff and a little cold. I did understand his reservation with people and making friends due to his one and only friend being killed by his family. Yet, I wanted him to be more warm and inviting. Despite all of this I did find myself skimming parts after a while. The cult rituals and other magical elements in the book were not bad. I did see some promise of a good book.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this from netgally.com in exchange for a review.

The Younger Gods is a great book. It blends the urban fantasy genre with HP Lovecraftian vibes. This book tells the tale of Jacob Greene, ex-cultist, as he tries to save the world from the evils of his family. Jacob led a sheltered life, learning magic and prophesies of how his family would release The Younger Gods from their slumber. He escapes their grasp and flees to NYC in hopes he could start a new, normal life. However, his older sister follows and soon Jacob finds himself defending the city against the dark magics of his family.

A quick read, The Younger Gods sticks true to the urban fantasy genre. New York City plays an important part in this story, not just as a setting but as a character. Underwood really understands the importance of place in a story and the characters move in and around the city like dancers in an intricate play. Jacob's archaic voice lends to his ackwardness in a fun and playful way. The baddies in this book, bear names similar to those in HP Lovecraftian stories.

If you love Lovecraft tales and cities who have power all of their own, then you'll love The Younger Gods.

Excuse me, sir, but do you have a moment to talk about the GateKeepers and Younger Gods?

I've been a fan of [a:Michael Underwood|171804|Michael Underwood|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] ever since i read the first piece the posted on Bookcountry, where we were both looking for story feedback. I've been a huge fan of his [b:Geekomancy|13609386|Geekomancy (Ree Reyes, #1)|Michael R. Underwood|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1334886014s/13609386.jpg|19206590] series and wanted to give his new series a go as this seemed to be going in a bit of a darker place, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

While I think it would be helpful to have a bit of Lovecraft in your background before delving into Jacob Greene's world, I don't think it's necessary.

I received this ebook in exchange for a review.


Let me start this off by saying, I was so confused.


First off, I have no idea if Nate is a girl or boy
25% "he slung a bag over her shoulder"
26% "everything about her was electric, foreshortened, like she was coiled energy let loose on the world. The light turned, and she set off"
"nate said:____ and then she set off down the street"
32% "nate said, gripping his shoulder tighly"
37% "nate laughed, his voice clear and bright"

other than that I hated the main character. I understood he didn't get out much but I was praying for someone else to talk instead.

There was one part of change in narration and it was his sister so she talked the same. And I thought that was very strange, changing the narrator for only one chapter? And the information wasn't even that informative.


Again, other than that, I liked the plot. I started this book giving it 1 star, and then maybe 2, and the end made it barely a 3. It is mainly a 3 because

Spoiler

i want to know about this baby

Highly entertaining read with enjoyable characters and a nice little surprise at the end. Most of the plot sorta drags the protagonists around by the nose, but the narrator is enjoyable enough to listen to that you really don't mind.

Underwood, Michael R. The Younger Gods. The Younger Gods No. 1. Pocket Star, 2014.
I had hopes for this urban fantasy in its early pages, but a few chapters in, I ceased to care. The problem is one of basic world building. The story seems too rushed to establish its world and its characters. I was initially drawn to our hero, a farm boy from a witchy family trying to lead a normal life as a New York City college student. But too quickly, we are thrown into a plot for which we have not been adequately prepared. Three stars, and that is stretching it.

A solid 3.5 star book. It's one of the few New York-based paranormal stories I've seen with a cast that actually reflects the ethnic makeup of the city, a bonus for which I can forgive some weakness in the denouement. I would have liked more in-depth world building and solid characterization, but this was some frothy fun.

3.5 stars

I received this book from NetGalley for review

Not really sure where to start wit this book. The concept was really interesting and the book was well written.

There just felt like something was missing, for me at least. Some of the dialog was weird, but it was supposed to be since the MC grew up in a sheltered home life where they shunned the outside world.

Some of the set ups felt a little forced to me. I did like this book and I would recommend it to others, it just wasn't really my cup of tea.


On a more exciting note, the publisher is giving eCopies away, the giveaway will be hosted on my blog on the 13th of October, so if you interested in that head over there for a chance to win.
http://marie-myramblings.blogspot.com/