Sages of the Underpass

Battle Artists, Book 1

By: Aaron Michael Ritchey

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

In a world where everyone has power, Nikodemus Kowalczyk was always destined to be an underdog.

Niko has long since given up on his dreams of being a world class battle artist. Thanks to his damaged core and crazy family, he never stood a chance anyway. With money, fame, and untold power on the line, the corporations decide who wins. End of story.

But when a mysterious group calling themselves the Sages of the Underpass threaten to upend the entire system with their unorthodox training and cultivation methods, Nikko soon learns that what was once a handicap might be his greatest asset. The only thing standing in his way is a bitter, hard-hearted veteran who would like nothing more than to see Niko stay in his place. Right at the bottom.

Rocky meets Dragon Ball Z in this underdog redemption story from Dragon Award finalist Aaron Michael Ritchey. Sages of the Underpass is an epic blend of urban fantasy, cultivation, and magical MMA that captures the passion, the power, and the perseverance it takes to follow your dreams - no matter what kind of artist you are.

"Sages of the Underpass is an excellent novel with a fully fleshed-out system for character development. This is a great modern cultivation story!" (Dakota Krout, author of the Divine Dungeon and the Completionist Chronicles)

©2019 Shadow Alley Press Inc. (P)2020 Shadow Alley Press Inc.

Great first book in a series

This is a wonderful story of several different family members trying to push themselves to be better. All set against the backdrop of of a modern world filled with family problems, Demons and martial arts. The first half is a bit slow but after the story gets going it’s a fun ride. I am looking forward to the next book.

Discover magic!

Sages of the Underpass proves that Aaron Michael Ritchey is a master storyteller... it's an amazing novel!  Kind of a cross between an Urban-Fantasy and a Cultivation Anime, it takes place right down in the SF Bay area. This tale tells of family-life, tied together with food, love, and all of the craziness that comes with raising three headstrong, good young men... all of whom you'd lay down your life for! Now, throw in magic and MMA style fighting, which is seemingly more popular than football. And you start to get picture of Niko's life as he trains to be a battle mage.
I expect you'll be up late listening to this action-packed tale all the way to it's breathtaking conclusion!
Travis Baldree's marvelous performance of this book took the audie award for best male narrator of independently published books of 2021! So hop onto the Travis Baldree train, and discover your new favorite narrator with this book, and discover some real magic!

Quotes that caught my attention: 
"She loved problems. Solutions closed doors, problems opened them!"

"You're pudgy... a snicker doodle away from fat."

Interesting

Okay im starting to like modern cultivation stories but here is more about the struggles that the fighters go through like family,work and relationships. there are fights but too short and too far between

Don't expect a cultivation master here!

This book is beautifully written from the characters to the plot progression. The story is about an average guy and his life in the modern day cultivation world. Don't expect explosive power changes, the focus is more on the the changing mentality of the characters and how they use there power in their lives. I loved this story and know it is an incredible listening experience.

perfection

loved this book. perfect narration and the story is excellent. if you are on the fence about this book i hope you give it a try.