Customer Reviews

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (The Underland Chronicles, Book Two)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was by far one of the best books I have read in the past few years. Why you ask, because of the story's richness in creativity. The way Ms. Collins wrote this wonderful tale of adventure, sibling love, and fantasy made it actually seem as if you were in the underland. If Harry Potter made you question if magic really exisited, "Gregor and the Prophesy of Bane" will make you want to get out of where ever you are go to New York with the fastest form of transportation possible and search for hours just to find the portal from reality to a whole new world. I absolutely love this book!

A word of caution, you can't put this book down. It is so interesting and exciting, the world that is created underground and its characters just draws you in. This is the sequel to the outstnding book, "Gregor the Overlander", and once again Gregor and his baby sister travel to the Underland to help save Regalia. The evil giant rats are at it again, and have discivered a long lost secret weapon. Gregor learns of a strange new power that he has, useful and frightening at the same time. Suprising allies and bonds form together to protect the warrior on his journey to the labyrinth. The company travels over an underground sea this time before riding on the backs of giant bats, with giant fireflys to light their way. Along their way they face an attack by flesh-eating insects, a huge whirlpool, undersea dinosaurs, stinging giant phosphorescent squids, and other dangers at every turn. After Gregor has again risked his life and everything he owns for the people of the Underland, he is (SPOILER ALERT) .....accused of something shocking! A third book has just been released, "The Curse of the Warmbloods", I can't wait to read it.

The Prophecy of Bane continues the strengths displayed in Collins' first book in the series, Gregor the Overlander. The book moves along quickly and smoothly with few if any slow spots; the major characters, if not minutely detailed, have enough personality and reality to hold one's interest and concern; and the setting, which as in the first is probably the weakest element in terms of vividness, is at least interesting enough in general terms so that its lack of detail is not much of a flaw.
As in book one, Gregor enters the Underworld to save a family member. In book one it was his father; here it is his little sister Boots. One sees the freshness and originality early on in the book as the quest quickly changes from what the reader first assumes it will be--the search for Boots--to a more dark journey: Gregor's quest to hunt down and kill alone the Bane (the prophesied future king of the Rats). Without giving things away, there are other such surprises in store for the reader; not just surprises of plot but also surprises of genre, so one doesn't feel stuck in the same old young adult fantasy quest rut. The book is also darker than most young fantasy, and the darkness runs from start to finish, beginning with the fact that (as opposed to what one would expect in the genre) not all is well since Gregor's "successful" rescue of his father in book one. His father hasn't come close to recovering and the family is paying both an emotional and economic price. This sort of reality, and the attention paid to long-term effects (with his father's illness as well as other events from book one) is one of the ways Gregor is distinguishable from much of what is out there. Another way is how death is not simply an abstract idea in this book but a solid and saddening presence.
The end or near-end is a bit weak in comparison to the rest of the book as it seems to have Gregor acting a bit unbelievably with only a nod to contriving an explanation (more detail would ruin a surprise). That's the only major weakness in the novel. Once again, a few of the characters could be more fully formed, the setting certainly could be more fully detailed, but one understands why Collins may have traded detail for speed and in reality, the flaws are relatively minor in comparison to how the story and main characters hold interest. Some of the lack of detail is also clearly intentional, as at least one more Gregor book is obviously on the way. If the first two are any judge, one can hope for even more. Strongly recommended for "older" young readers. Younger ones can certainly follow the book, but the context and setting (an world at their feet filled with giant mankilling rats) along with the few deaths might be a bit much--parents are the best judge. The parents themselves, however, might be pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy it if they pick it up.

I thought the same thing about the first one: this book deserves to be recognized as one of the finest books of children's fiction in recent years. I don't generally pick up books in hardback, but after reading Gregor the Overlander, the first in the series, I had to get this. Like its predecessor, it deals with a fantastic voyage in a mysterious land with very high stakes. Gregor's adventures may bring him face to face with giant talking cockroaches and rats, but they're very serious novels nevertheless. Gregor has to grapple not only with external dangers, but with internal as well--deciding what kind of person he desires to be. Moving adventures with a lot of heart, they're worthy additions to the bookshelf of any child--or adult.

This is the best book I have ever read and I hope they go on with their tales of the exelent books of the Underland. (This is my son speaking, he really wanted to write a review because he likes the book so much!)

This book was really interesting and deals with the same characters as the last book. It is an exciting cliff-hanger and a really good read. The first impression you may get of the book is kind of weird but after reading just a little bit of it, you get used to the style and the characters. You even start to like some unexpected and different characters! I would really recomend it to anyone who likes adventure and action books.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, like the first book in the series, Gregor the Overlander, is absolutely excellent. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys top-notch storytelling. Collins strikes a nice balance: most of the characters have a great deal of depth, yet these two books are also real page-turners, with almost constant action. The dialogue is also great; that of the Overland humans and rats really rings true (especially Mrs. Cormaci, who made me laugh out loud), and the unusual manner of speaking of the Underland humans, bats, and roaches suits those characters very well (don't worry -- the language is never hard to understand).
However, I have a small warning to give parents: the stories are dark and might be a bit scary for some kids, and sometimes main characters die. With that in mind, these might be better books to read with younger/sensitive children than to have them read on their own.
Don't miss out on this series -- it's superb. I can't wait for the next installment!

I read this book on the recommendation of my 10 year old grandson. He had read the first 2 books, and as he was describing the creatures, I found it difficult to follow the storyline and his descriptions. I decided to read the series so that we could enjoy them together. I have really enjoyed reading not just this book, but books 1-4 in the series "Underland Chronicles". I am starting to read book #5. The series reminds of the Chronicles of Narnia. If you enjoyed reading those books, then you will enjoy reading these. Book 2, just like the others, is about a prophecy, that is more like a riddle. The process of discovering what it really means is what the whole story is based on. Because of some of the scenes and descriptions in the book, I wouldn't recommend it to children under 10, unless they are very mature. If you enjoy reading fantasy or sci-fy, I would also recommend it for adults, young and old.

This is such a great book and also a superb great one. He starts off going to the Underland to fulfill a prophecy "The Prophecy of Bane". He and his sister Boots go back because his sister gets stolen by the roaches. You should read Gregor the Overlander first so you understand. This is a great book, I couldn't stop laying eyes on it.

When Gregor's sister Boots gets taken back to the Underworld, Gregor heads back down to find her. When he gets there he finds another prophecy waiting for him to come and fulfill it. I think that Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane is SO GOOD. I couldn't set it down! I recomend you read "Gregor the Overlander" first. This is a GREAT book!