Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101

By: Matthew Davenport, Michael Davenport

Narrated by: Brad Derry

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Miskatonic University is bathed in the blood of the students who have walked its halls. A place where the darkness is more than just shadows.

As with many of the best universities, many students having a distinguished family name—but at Miskatonic this can be as much a curse as a blessing.

Such an aged repository of occult histories has secrets of its own. Miskatonic University is an anchor for all reality. Held tentatively in place by spells woven into its walls over generations.

Someone, somewhere, is breaking those spells and all of the universe is on the brink of tearing apart.

A spell was cast to alter causality and bring together the strongest bloodlines to have ever walked through the halls of Miskatonic University. The Scion Cycle.

Some of this year’s freshmen have their own secrets. Their veins pumping with the cursed blood of their families. They must overcome the horror of their lineage and unearth who they truly are if reality is to be saved.

The power of Kaziah Mason, the brood of Innsmouth, the madness of R’lyeh, the quest of Randolph Carter, and the insane brilliance of Herbert West in the hands of teenagers.

What could possibly go wrong?"

©2022 Matthew Davenport and Michael Davenport (P)2023 David N. Wilson

The enthralling and chilling world of Miskatonic U

Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101, a tour de force co-authored by the dynamic duo Matthew and Michael Davenport and expertly narrated by the talented Brad Derry, is a captivating addition to the vast realm of cosmic horror. On this momentous one-year anniversary, let us embark on an expansive exploration of the audiobook, delving into its intricacies, unraveling the layers of Lovecraftian influence, and immersing ourselves in the darkly enchanting world created by these literary maestros.

As a seasoned explorer of Lovecraftian landscapes, deeply engaged in the eldritch narratives both on paper and within the immersive realms of games like Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu, my anticipation for Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101 was palpable. The audiobook promised to rejuvenate H. P. Lovecraft's universe, infusing it with a modern sensibility that incorporates not only the spine-chilling cosmic horror but also a potent blend of action and mystery.

The narrative unfolds within the foreboding walls of Miskatonic University, a venerable institution soaked in the blood of its students, where darkness is not merely a lack of light but a living, breathing entity. A nod to the best universities, Miskatonic boasts students with distinguished family names, a heritage that proves to be both a curse and a blessing. Within the aged repository of occult histories, secrets fester, and the university emerges as an anchor for all of reality. Its tenuous stability relies on spells intricately woven into its walls over generations—spells that are now under siege, threatening to plunge the universe into chaos.

The Scion Cycle, a spell of unprecedented power, is cast, manipulating causality to bring together the strongest bloodlines ever to grace Miskatonic's hallowed halls. The freshmen of the current academic year, unwittingly ensnared in this cosmic web, carry the burden of ancient secrets coursing through their veins. Cursed by their familial ties, they must confront the horrors of their lineage and unveil their true identities if reality is to be salvaged from the clutches of impending doom.

Kaziah Mason's power, the brood of Innsmouth, the madness of R'lyeh, the quest of Randolph Carter, and the insane brilliance of Herbert West—all placed in the hands of teenagers. The stage is set for a cosmic ballet, where the dance of eldritch horrors commingles with the delicate steps of youthful protagonists. What could possibly go wrong in this precarious juxtaposition of ancient malevolence and teenage recklessness?

Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101 emerges as a light-hearted urban fantasy series, echoing the vein of the Tome of Bill. However, instead of vampires and witches, the narrative weaves a tapestry of eldritch wonders, with Cthulhu and the Necronomicon looming large over the extraordinary college experience. The protagonists, a group of eighteen-year-old freshmen, add a youthful and innocent perspective to the unfolding cosmic horror, a refreshing departure from the typical vices associated with college life.

The most innovative element lies not in the characters' youthful exuberance but in Miskatonic University itself. Acting as a lodestone, it holds reality in check against the encroaching abyss of otherworldly dimensions. This juxtaposition of the mundane and the unimaginable sets the stage for a narrative rich in paradox and suspense.

Placed within the same universe as Matthew Davenport's other Lovecraftian ventures, such as the Andrew Doran series and The Trials of Obed Marsh, Elder Gods 101 adheres to a pulpy good-versus-evil framework. Here, the struggle transcends mere cosmic horror, embracing a narrative ethos akin to Ghostbusters or Avengers. The heroes, descendants of Lovecraftian legends ranging from the Whateley Family to Herbert West and denizens of Innsmouth, inject a layer of familiarity into the narrative while offering new perspectives on established lore.

However, the audiobook does not shy away from controversy, as it somewhat lowers the cosmic horror of the Mythos to a more approachable, even PG, urban fantasy level. Critics may argue that this deviation dilutes the essence of Lovecraftian horror. Given that this has a Young Avengers meets Harry Potter feel to it, it's acceptable. The audiobook's strength lies in its ability to offer a unique exploration of Lovecraftian themes, making them more palatable to a broader audience without entirely sacrificing their intrinsic horror.

The threat of life in Innsmouth, for instance, transforms from the grotesque horrors of inhuman transformation and sacrifice to a more relatable struggle against societal prejudices. The fishy protagonist's acceptance of becoming a fish-man harkens back to the protagonist in Shadow Over Innnsmouth, who resigns himself to his fate. Here, the realization isn't nearly as bleak or depressing!

The protagonists themselves, while not particularly deep archetypes, bring a likable quality to the narrative. Constantly thrust into absurd situations, their episodic journey through time travel, the Wild West, and encounters with the Cult of Cthulhu in the 21st century offers a dynamic and engaging reading experience. The episodic nature allows readers to witness their growth and development as they navigate the surreal challenges presented by Miskatonic University.

This unique storyline, seamlessly blending Lovecraftian homage and innovative narrative elements, stands as a testament to the audiobook's narrative prowess. Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101 is a delightful journey through a world that pays homage to Lovecraft's legacy while carving out its own distinct identity. The narrative is peppered with homages and those oddly colored holiday eggs the bunnies leave, creating a reading experience that is both nostalgic and fresh. Life long Lovecraft fans will appreciate it.

It becomes evident that Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101 has successfully navigated the delicate balance between reverence for its source material and the creative courage to forge new paths. Matthew and Michael Davenport, accompanied by Brad Derry's narration, have crafted a narrative that not only breathes new life into Lovecraftian horror but also opens its doors to a wider audience.

If I were to express a minor qualm, it would be regarding the pronunciation of some Mythos names. While acknowledging the inherent challenge in articulating such arcane terms, a nod to established conventions could enhance the overall immersion. Nevertheless, these instances were infrequent and did not significantly detract from the overall richness of the narrative. Honestly, A five-minute check online could have easily ensured that the names would be said properly or at least proximal to the agreed pronunciations. I get that it's hard to spit out Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn! but a brief check could have made those names sound like they were uttered by a heavenly choir.

Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101 stands as a shining beacon in the ever-expanding constellation of Lovecraftian literature. It beckons readers to explore the boundaries of cosmic horror while embracing the allure of the unknown. As we celebrate the first anniversary of this literary gem, the anticipation for the sequel in the Scion Cycle resonates with eager enthusiasm. Here's to the next chapter in this cosmic symphony—a chapter eagerly awaited by fans, both seasoned and newly initiated, into the mysteries of Miskatonic University.

Like Drew Hayes' Superpowered w/ Cthulhu Mythos

MISKATONIC UNIVERSITY: ELDER GODS 101 by Matthew and Michael Davenport is a fun light-hearted urban fantasy series set in the sanity-bending universe of HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos: Very similar to Drew Hayes' Super Powered, this is a bunch of college kids in an extraordinary college. It just has Cthulhu and the Necronomicon instead of comic book superpowers.

Miskatonic University: Elder Gods 101's protagonists are all eighteen years old and freshmen at the aforementioned Lovecraft-created university. They’re all fresh faced and (mostly) innocent people more concerned with their studies as well as making friends versus drugs or partying, though. Which is the most unbelievable element of this book involving Miskatonic University as a lodestone keeping reality from drifting into other dimensions.

This takes place in the same universe as Matthew Davenport’s other HPL-inspired writings like the Andrew Doran series (who gets a name check) and The Trials of Obed Marsh. Which is to say it is a Pulpy good vs. evil sort of place rather than particularly cosmic in its horror. That’s not a bad thing as I have no problem with the Ghostbusters or Justice League punching the Big C in his squid-dragon face.

The premise is our heroes are secretly brought to the campus under false pretenses. All of them are descendants of HP Lovecraft characters ranging from Herbert West to the Whateley Family to a child of that delightfully fishy Innsmouth place. The students of Miskatonic University supposedly are in the dark about the supernatural but some of them are quite well-informed. At least enough for there to be a running prejudice from Innsmouth and its reigning sports team, the Chompers.

Some people may object to how much the book lowers the cosmic horror of the Mythos to comic book level and closer to PG urban fantasy than R-rated horror. The threat of life in Innsmouth is more being forced to partake in marriage when you’re gay as well as sticking to fundamentalist religion over the horror of inhuman transformation or sacrifice. Indeed, our fishy protagonist sees nothing weird about becoming a fish man and it comes with Aquaman-esque superpowers.

The protagonists are likable but not particularly deep archetypes that are constantly running into absurd situation after absurd situation. The episodic nature is to the stories credit, and we get to see with them deal with everything from time travel to the Wild West to the Cult of Cthulhu in the 21st century.

I think this is a pleasant afternoon’s listen and the narrator does a great job with its many characters. There’s a lot of information packed into its writing with those with at least a regular Call of Cthulhu player’s knowledge of the Mythos getting the most out of the in-jokes. Still, none of the references require being a long term fan to get the general context. In short, it's a good buy and you should get it.

Entertaining story full of Lovecraftian Flavor.

I have read/listen to Lovecraft, I play Call of Cthulhu by Chaosium on a regular basis. I am an avid consumer of Cosmic Horror products and I really enjoyed this audiobook. The authors take the world of H. P. Lovecraft and repackage it for the modern age, including a good dose of action and mystery. I enjoyed all the references to well known Lovecratt's stories and the story kept me entertained the whole time. The audiobook could have been longer due to the amount of ideas present in the tale, and I hope we have the sequel very soon.

If there is something that I did not like, was the pronunciation of some of the Mythos names. I know there is technically no human way to pronounce the names, but the stories have been around for a century, so there are some conventions that the narrator could have used. It did not sound right to me, but this occurrences were minimal.

Overall, a great story that has me wanting more.

Thanks for the ride!

Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!