Reviews

Gr 4-7-This third book continues the saga of Gregor's adventures in the amazing subterranean world under New York City. This time the 11-year-old is trying to save victims of an Underland plague, including Ares, his giant bat bond-mate, and Gregor's own mother. The quest for the cure takes the boy and his friends into new sections of the Underland where plants are carnivorous and a giant lizard serves as a guide. The Overlander is again joined on his quest by Boots, his toddler sister; Ripred, the rat; and Temp, the giant cockroach. As before, the quest is guided by a prophecy that only becomes clear in the later stages of the book. Collins maintains the momentum, charm, and vivid settings of the original title. The characterizations continue to be complex with each new book, revealing new sides to familiar individuals. Fans of this inventive series and new readers alike will be instantly caught up in the action and will look forward to future installments.-Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Favorite fiction stars return to the spotlight. The intrepid adventurer first introduced in Gregor the Overlander (about which PW's starred review said, "Collins does a grand job of world-building") now features in the third installment of the Underland Chronicles, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods by Suzanne Collins. Just a few months after returning from his mission in Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane, the hero finds himself in the laundry room, where a scroll from Vikus informs him that "The Prophecy of Blood is upon us," and this time it's Gregor, Boots and their mother who descend. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.