Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Underland Chronicles, #2)

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Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Underland Chronicles #2)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 13,729 ratings · 991 reviews

The action and adventure continue in this stunning fantasy from a rising literary star.
Gregor is summoned back to the Underland by the terms of a second prophecy. Spies have reported the sighting of a Rat King, a character who has been legendary since the Middle Ages. Recognizable by its tremendous size and snow-white coat, the Rat King is destined to bring a World War to...more

Hardcover, 312 pages

Published September 1st 2004 by Scholastic Press

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Jan 16, 2012 Chandra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, kids-young-adult, sci-fi-fantasy

This second novel proves that series has something special about it that elevates above your standard youth-hero-quest type novel. It's fun, fast-paced and, if I'm honest, a wee bit predictable, but also very thoughtful. I say if the premise sounds remotely appealing to you - give this series a chance! I can't wait to read the next installment!

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Sep 10, 2011 Lucy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-reads

An absolutely brilliant sequel to Gregor the Overlander. Anyone doubting Suzanne Collins' storytelling prowess should definitely give this series a try. I'd love to see Collins write a book for adults, since she's proven with this series and The Hunger Games that she's capable of writing fantastic, engaging stories for both children and young adults with ease.

I ordered the third book before I'd even finished this one and I'm very glad I did - there's a few loose ends at the end of this one that...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Cayden E. added it · review of another edition

I just started the second book of underland chronicals it is a really good series.I think this book is a action packed novel but if you read them out of order you will not understand whats going on.So in the book these huge roaches took his little sister named boots.Gregor finds another gateway near central park that gateway leads to the underland.He thought it would be his last time ever going there well he was totally wrong.He starts to search for his sister and he is walking down a tunnel and...more

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Feb 25, 2011 August Busch rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, fiction

If half stars were available I would actually rate this a 3.5. I find the Underland Chronicles interesting and enjoy Gregor's adventures. This book was good, even though I had a few issues with the characters. I felt 50 percent of the book dwelled on characters emotions and their reaction at the end of the first book. If you look pass the repetitive explainations and emotions, the book was entertaining. Clearly the issues I have with this one was not crucial because I plan on starting the third...more

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May 12, 2013 Kendra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-lit

For any Hunger Games fan, the earlier Suzanne Collins series is a worthwhile read. While it doesn't have the depth of THG, and is written for a younger age group (11-12 year olds), it carries many of the same themes as THG: the conflict between different groups, poverty vs wealth, violence and war. In fact, I would consider this series to be more violent and have more death, but the majority of it happens between animal species such as bats, rats, and spiders, and then humans. Various warfare is...more

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May 12, 2013 Hunger Games Bookclub (HGBC) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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May 01, 2013 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrens-or-ya-lit

A great second book for this series, while a bit darker than the first. I adore Mrs. Cormaci -- not only because she's an awesome character, but because she feels distinct from the rest of Collins's characters, and very real (so much so, I wonder whether she's not based on someone Collins knows).

Reading this after my son has already finished the series, I was a little bummed by one particularly violent bit in there that it's too late for my son to un-know about (specifically, the mention of spi...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Von Fritz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi-and-fantasy

I found a copy somewhere a long time ago but didn’t buy because I dunno. And then I found this list of must reads for young adults and saw The 3NBs of Julian Drew in it. So when I found a copy again at Booksale, I bought it this time.

The 3NBs of Julian Drew is the story of this boy Julian Drew who is uber abused by his step mother, and well, his father at the same time. After his mother’s death, everything changed. Starved, caged, lambasted, tortured…oh well, lotsa bad things that can make me v...more I found a copy somewhere a long time ago but didn’t buy because I dunno. And then I found this list of must reads for young adults and saw The 3NBs of Julian Drew in it. So when I found a copy again at Booksale, I bought it this time.

The 3NBs of Julian Drew is the story of this boy Julian Drew who is uber abused by his step mother, and well, his father at the same time. After his mother’s death, everything changed. Starved, caged, lambasted, tortured…oh well, lotsa bad things that can make me vomit. And to express himself, pour out his angst, Julian writes in his journals. He writes in codes so that his stepmother wouldn’t know about it. All the bitterness…all his desires to see his late mother once again. Plus the blooming love affair with a disturbed girl. The twist of the tale is how Julian managed to survive…and well, how he got braver and braver as he wrote in his journals

I found the book very disturbing. But it’s a slice of life. It slaps me of of what I think about my American Dream…that I wanna have my teenage life in the States. What I see in the movies, what I read in some books…it’s total different here. It’s the mentality of abused kids…and I wonder if it really happens. I mean, well, it can happen here in the Philippines. But I really doubt in the States.

And I was thinking Julian is going to be mad. Gawd, after all he’d been through…it’s kinda traumatic. And he keeps on hoping for a miracle…of twisting time and seeing his mother once again. The ending was kinda confusing…I believed I understood but I think not quite.

And well, the whole book is really confusing if you’ll not try to understand. I was researching in the internet and discovered Leet Speak…or L337. Those codes that Julian used, yes. But as the story progressed, you’ll notice he’s no longer using the codes, which means he’s no longer afraid. Thanks to his English teacher who was very understanding…and this girl in class.

Speaking of this girl in class…she’s also weird. I forgot her name (sorry) but well, she’s one important character in the story. I could relate to her and Julian…talking about weird stuffs together, sharing the same angst…wanting to escape together. They ended up falling in love…but in such a complicated way. You just have to discover the love story if you’re planning to read the book.

I give this book 4 and a half stars. (less)

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Nov 03, 2012 lia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: children-books

The second adventure of Gregor in the Underland. Few months after fulfilling the prophecy of Grey and rescuing his father from the rats, things are not yet back to normal in Gregor's family. His mom still have to take double jobs and his father could not return to his old self. What worst, he seems to catch a fever from the Underland.

One day when he took Boots for sleighing in the central park, Boots was kidnapped by the roaches (or crawlers as The Underland call them). An angry Gregor followed...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-have-listened-to-while-comm

I started this just hours after I finished the first, and as soon as I get on the train tomorrow, I'll be starting the third.

The story builds perfectly upon Gregor the Overlander and the characters--well developed over the course of the first book--develop and grow seamlessly over this second installment. The action is even better in this book, and Gregor comes into his own. Collins has written created a sympathetic boy who is a do-gooder but not a goody-two-shoes.

I really appreciate, too, Greg...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Adama rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I FINISHED THIS BOOK A WEEK AGO AND IM READIN A NEW BOOK ALMOST DONE.I REALLY LIKE THIS BOOK.ONE REASON WHY I Really LIKE THIS BOOK IS WHEN GREGOR AND ARES WENT TO GO KILL THE BANE.THE BANE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HUGE WHITE RAT BUT INSTEAD IT WAS A TINY RAT.THE SECOND THING WHY I LIKED THIS BOOK WHEN GREGOR,TEMP,BOOTS,ARES AND HENRY WENT TO SAVE HIS FATHER.GREGORS FATHER WAS LOCK IN PRISON FOR 2 YEARS BY HUGE RATS.THIS ON PAGE 105. ONE THING I DISLIKE THIS BOOK WAS WHEN TEMP AND TICK DIED AND BOO...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Ceridwen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: the boy

Recommended to Ceridwen by: Sparrow

Shelves: america-and-environs, dinosaurs, fantasy, middle-grade, urban-fantasy, monarchy, audio, daddy-drinks-because-you-cry, reviewed

I have never had this experience before, but I spent the first few chapters of this book struggling to keep from bursting into tears. I knew Gregor and his family from the first book in this series, Gregor the Overlander, wherein Gregor fell into the Underland, a somewhat stock fantasy land far below the streets of New York. When I say that the Underland is off-the-shelf, this isn't really a criticism. I think Collins's strengths as a writer are much more centered in character than strict world-...more I have never had this experience before, but I spent the first few chapters of this book struggling to keep from bursting into tears. I knew Gregor and his family from the first book in this series, Gregor the Overlander, wherein Gregor fell into the Underland, a somewhat stock fantasy land far below the streets of New York. When I say that the Underland is off-the-shelf, this isn't really a criticism. I think Collins's strengths as a writer are much more centered in character than strict world-mechanics, so nitpicking about world-building misses the point that her places are more emotional/political landscapes than they are physical ones. (This goes for Panem too.) But it's still weird to be crying before the story even starts, just watching the uneasy denouement of the first book play out like a headache. Oh, Gregor, I'm so sorry.

So it has been about six months since Gregor and his sister have quested through the Underland and returned home. (All spoilers are for the first book.) (view spoiler) Gregor's mother is working near-constantly to feed, house and clothe six people, and it's not nearly enough. Gregor just killed me in this section - this 11-year old boy gulping down three glasses of water for breakfast, claiming he's not hungry, because there isn't enough cereal for his sisters if he eats. His work for an elderly neighbor who is so clearly aware of the family's poverty - how she sets up a way to provide Gregor grocery-money and food without hurting his pride. How he knows that's what she's doing, but gratefully pretends she just needs a hand with the storage area. It was the details that got me, over and over - three glasses of water, enough to get that full-belly feeling. The sled found in the trash and repaired with duct tape. The tissue at the toe of some hand-me-down boots.

Gregor and Boots fall back into the Underland, where the details are often as careful, but the details of a fantasy world are just not going to resonate as much. Which is the thing I find so amazing about this book, this series so far - how Collins creates this little wish-fulfillment exercise - this little quest for a boy on the cusp of manhood with swords and prophesy and stuff - and she embeds the need for the escape within the escapism. While not true for every person I knew who loved fantasy as a kiddie, I certainly had friends who gravitated to these kinds of stories because their lives were like Gregor's - families struggling with money, with various kinds of parental absenteeism, with family illnesses that drained. The responsibility of poverty hangs heavy on young people like Gregor, and a story about how you can change the fate of the world has an emotional reality to those whose situations are often just as dire, but less operatic.

Which is not to say that Gregor's quest is a bunch of fluffy bunnies and kicking butt simply because he's MOAR AWESOME ZOMG than anyone ever. He's an 11 year old boy with a temper who is occasionally a jerk. His jerkishness is mostly understandable, especially when he's being used by a rigid, irrationally prophetic culture for their own ends. (Why, yes, adult world, that is how you feel much of the time to children. And to this adult.) I'm still not enamored of stories with prophesies, though I'm getting the distinct impression that Collins is going somewhere with that concept given how it plays out here. Many of the plot twists were predictable to me, adult reader, which robbed them of some of their emotional snap - (view spoiler) - but Gregor's major compassionate and prophesy-confounding choice was excellent.

I had my problems with the first of this series, which were my problems and not the book's. I was so worried about where the absent dad thing was going to go, so worried about the ending handing me a puppy and a pat on the head - everything is perfect now! Yay! I hate that so much - so much! - that I forgot to notice that much of the desire for a perfect ending, (view spoiler) was the heart-felt wish of Gregor, something the character was articulating, not something the author was selling. A heart-felt wish of Gregor's which even he knows is unlikely to happen. Now, thank heavens, I've calmed the heck down and have trust in Collins to be true to Gregor, to his fantasy and real life situations - his heart-felt wishes and his more ambiguous realities, because they are both important. This book felt looser to me than the first - the ending less neat, not every thread tied off. Gregor's going back to the Underland, and you can bet I'm going with him. (less)

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May 01, 2012 Steven R. McEvoy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-best-of, read-2011

This series is absolutely riveting. The story runs at an amazing pace. The details of the Underland geography, scenery and creatures are amazing. It has only been a few months since Gregor, his sister and father have returned from the Underland to New York City. Christmas is fast approaching and Gregor is doing what he can to help his family out. His father has a strange illness he brought back from the Underland and has not returned to teaching. His mother is working hard to support his family....more

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Apr 11, 2012 Kenyatta Bundy added it · review of another edition

Great books that are not completely incapable of reading due to; over intelligence, and over writing; are hard to find, but “Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane” by Suzanne Collins is one of these books. “Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane” is the second book in the Underland Chronicles, with the first being “Gregor the Overlander”. This is the same author who wrote the well-known series, and now critically acclaimed movie, “The Hunger Games”. In most series books, you usually need to read the first bo...more Great books that are not completely incapable of reading due to; over intelligence, and over writing; are hard to find, but “Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane” by Suzanne Collins is one of these books. “Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane” is the second book in the Underland Chronicles, with the first being “Gregor the Overlander”. This is the same author who wrote the well-known series, and now critically acclaimed movie, “The Hunger Games”. In most series books, you usually need to read the first book in order to read the second and understand, but “Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane” is so great it is able to stand all on it’s own, without having to read the first book in the series. Suzanne Collins did such a good job of re-introducing the characters in the story, including the main character Gregor, that I was not aware this was the second book until after I had read the book, and went back to the first page and read this. Even though this is not as well known, nor awarded as Collins’ other series “The Hunger Games”, it definitely deserves a lot more respect than actually given.

This story begins with Gregor waking up to a tiny cockroach sitting on his windowsill. Due to his past experiences with a giant cockroach that helped him on his previous journeys, he decided to save it before his bug- demolishing mother found and killed it. It is also revealed that Gregor has 2 little sisters, Lizzie and Boots, Boots being the youngest. Gregor also lives with his mother, grandmother, and his posttraumatic stress disorder stricken father. After leaving to go for a walk with his sister Boots in Central park, Gregor is knocked out with a rock, and Boots is taken to the Underland, by the Giant Cockroaches. After calling his extremely worried father, he dives into the cave to the Underland, in search of his sister. While in the Underland he meets his old friend, Ares, the bat, who helps Gregor on his quest to find his sister. Through is overwhelming determination, Gregor finds his sister, discovers a whole new mystery, and even helps the cockroaches against the rats. In the end, Gregor has saved everyone involved, lost a friend in Ares, made many new friends, killed The White Rat, and finishes his journey by finding out about an entire new journey about “The Prophecy of Bane Blood”. This story is complicated, with many different characters involved. Although a lot of characters appealed to me, my favorite would have to be the cliché with, Gregor. Simply due to his complete unselfishness, and his loving, and caring for everyone, including his enemies, it causes me to look up to him and for him to be my favorite character. Along with Gregor as a character, there are a few themes that are clear that should be focused on. The first being never give up, and being determined to do what you think is right no matter what the odds are against you. In the story Gregor was courageous, and made sure that he did everything in his power to not only accomplish his goals, but also help as many other people in the process. No matter who thought he could, or could not do something, he made sure that he got everything done that he set his mind to.

This book, even though a good one, has no type of personal experience with me. Of coarse literally my baby sister was not abducted by giant cockroaches, and taken to the Underworld, I have never been at the point where I had to do something like Gregor and be brave, and look out for other people in different situations, and try to help these people, while dealing with my own personal problems.

This section will explain not only that I like this book, but also that it is impossible to change anything in this book, unless you plan on ruining it. Not only was it the perfect length at 300+ pages, but it also was the perfect level of difficulty. It has character development that was shown in Boots, Gregor, as well as a fellow cockroach, Temp, who went from not really caring for, or wanting to deal with humans, simply because they were humans, to loving 2 and doing everything in her power to help them.

If you were unable to see from my previous paragraph, I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. This book could appeal to anyone that enjoys a true adventure, that is not overly complicated, but has enough depth to not make you feel as though yu reading a Kindergarten book. I would not really recommend this for adults simply due to it’s difficulty level, but I believe even an adult could understand, and appreciate it’s simplicity, yet amazing character development.
(less)

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Apr 03, 2012 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After staying up until 1 in the morning to finish book 1 I was eager to dig into book 2. I was at work today and had to go out in my lunch break, but luckily I finished early today so once I got home at 3.30 I got to sit down and get stuck in. By 5.00 I was over halfway through. This one is 50 pages longer than book 1, coming in at 308 pages, but that is still not a lot for me.
I stopped for dinner then picked the book up again and was finished by 7.00. Once again I had powered through it, swept...more After staying up until 1 in the morning to finish book 1 I was eager to dig into book 2. I was at work today and had to go out in my lunch break, but luckily I finished early today so once I got home at 3.30 I got to sit down and get stuck in. By 5.00 I was over halfway through. This one is 50 pages longer than book 1, coming in at 308 pages, but that is still not a lot for me.
I stopped for dinner then picked the book up again and was finished by 7.00. Once again I had powered through it, swept into the pages and taken on a journey with Gregor. The evening seemed to flash past me.
Gregor thought getting his dad home would change everything for the better but his dad is suffering from a strange Underland illness and can barely walk round their tiny apartment, they are struggling to pay the bills and running out of food. It is early December and a light snow has fallen, Gregor takes his baby sister Boots to the park to go sledding, but whilst there she goes missing. Gregor finds a trail leading to the entrance to Underland and knows he must go back down and find his sister. Turns out there is another prophecy once more believed to be about him, he must save the Underlanders once more and fight off the monster that is the 'Bane'.
Being book 2 I feel like I know Gregor better and can understand his quirks and opinions and I continue to like him as a character and he is definitely developing into a promising hero.
This book is just as good, if not better than the first, the Quest seems filled with danger, but Gregor has his companions beside him.
I really liked teh bickering Fireflies they made me laugh, and little Temp - the Cockroach, strange to thing of a roach as sweet, but he really is endearing. Boots is growing up and developing more of a personality, often coming out with something seemingly random but actually helpful. Luxa is still ignoring all the rules and doing her own thing and I liek that about her.
There are new monsters and powers revealed in this book and it's just made me hungry for more.
There were moments in this book that literally had me gasping and gripping the pages. It ends with a bit of a mystery and I can't wait to get stuck into the next one and find out what has happened.
These books would be great for children who loved Harry Potter, Percy Jackson etc and are looking for something different.
(less)

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Jan 31, 2012 Leslie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another one Joshua read to me as part of his homework to read aloud to an adult. Once again he loves this series and I give the author lots of credit for appealing so much and so well to her target audience. Gregor is a likeable character and in many ways a good role model for my 8-year-old.

Unfortunately I still was not won over to this series myself having given it a another chance with this second installment. This book was more of the same that we got in the first book and it felt forced and...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Once again Gregor is drawn down into the Underland to fulfill a prophecy. Not that he wants to. He just wants to go home, not find out things about himself that he'd rather not know. But he can't ignore the danger to his family, either, and he's forced to play out the prophecy or risk seeing Boots killed.

Gregor, Boots and their father may have made it back from the Underland the first time, but not without scars to show from it, inside and out. I have to give the author a lot of credit for not t...more Once again Gregor is drawn down into the Underland to fulfill a prophecy. Not that he wants to. He just wants to go home, not find out things about himself that he'd rather not know. But he can't ignore the danger to his family, either, and he's forced to play out the prophecy or risk seeing Boots killed.

Gregor, Boots and their father may have made it back from the Underland the first time, but not without scars to show from it, inside and out. I have to give the author a lot of credit for not taking the easy way out and having everyone be happy and healthy. Their father is still sick, in mind and body. He suffered for years with the rats, probably tortured, and he can't get over that in a few months. It'll probably be years, and the author doesn't shy away from that.

Gregor is more of an adult now than a child, although he still has his childish petulance and sulks every now and then. His father isn't up to being the "man of the house" so despite being there, the role still falls to Gregor. Which is sad, but it also prepares him for what he's about to face.

When Boots gets kidnapped back into the Underland, Gregor goes right after her -- and right into yet another life or death prophecy. One that puts Boot's life in great danger and once again makes it Gregor's responsibility to put an end to the threat.

Gregor is even more grown on this quest than the last one, more cynical and hard. He does what he has to even if he doesn't like to think about it afterwards. But in the end he has to make a choice, one that cynicism won't help him with and hardness will only hurt him, and everyone else. The choice he does make is probably the least politically or socially acceptable thing he could've done in the Underland, but it's the only right one. That doesn't mean he'll be safe from people who might've once lauded him as a hero, though, and in that light, the next book should be rather interesting.

There's definitely a much harder edge to this book than the last, and it's appropriate. There are some genuinely scary and horrible moments, more so than the last book, and that seems to reflect how much more grown (mentally speaking) Gregor is now. This one doesn't have the rushed feel of the first book, either, and the ending isn't as expected. I think that this book is actually better than the first. Hopefully the next will follow the pattern. (less)

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Dec 14, 2011 和泉美優 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: december-2011, action-books, fantasy, horror

After Gregor returned from the Underland, and vowing to live a normal life, after rescuing his dad from captivity with the rats for years he didn't expect that one day going sledding with his little sister, Boots, he would find another portal to the Underland, and this one under a rock in the park. This time, the Underlanders want him to find the Bane, a white rat that is supposed to cause the destruction of the Underground city.

I started reading this book, because I read the first book a lon...more

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Dec 07, 2011 Melynda rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a fun read. I read it to the kids as their bed time story. The chapters are just long enough for the younger ones to fall asleep to and the older ones to look forward to the next night to find out what happens in the next chapter. Almost every chapter ends with some kind of cliff hanger where you want to continue reading because you can't stop there. My kids are 2-9 years of age and don't frighten easily so they are fine with these kinds of books. They are not scary just suspenseful. Th...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Becky Ginther rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: grades-5-7, young-adult, fantasy

This follow-up to Gregor the Overlander certainly doesn't disappoint. The layout and style of the book is very similar to the first one, as Gregor and his younger sister Boots once again find themselves in the Underland, and there is yet another prophecy that they have to deal with. Some of the excitement and thrill is lost in this one, but it still provides a very entertaining read.

While the plot is somewhat more predictable in this one than in the first one, Collins still manages to tie in a f...more

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Oct 10, 2011 Russell rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Having read the first two books of the Hunger Games, and my wife having read all three, we got Collins first published series. Top notch reads overall, engaging and clever, she flexes her world-building muscles in these and to great effect. I give all them 4 stars, expect the last book.

Collins does her major themes very well, family, love, loyalty, honor, respect, not judging in haste and being willing to re-evaluate with new evidence, doing one's duty to protect and defend that which one loves,...more

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Oct 04, 2011 Kai Gomes rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Prophecy of Bane
By: Suzanne Collins

SUMMARY

Gregor has been to the Underland before, but it has never been this intense. He has had to face giant squid monsters, carnivorous mites, and dinosaur-like sea serpents with 20 rows of teeth each containing more than 100 teeth. He was back at the Underland because of his three year old sister and the hardest part of his journey was thinking that she was dead. He finds out many things about himself and the most important thing he learns is that he is a...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Books-treasureortrash rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, reviewed, fantasy

Book Review: 3 Treasure Boxes

Things are rough for Gregor and his family, but at least his dad is home now even if he is really ill. Gregor takes his baby sister Boots to Central Park to go sledding, she is then kidnapped by The Underlanders and Gregor has to go back to save her. Once there, he gets drawn into another prophecy and is forced to go on another dangerous adventure.

This is the second of five books in The Underland Chronicles. It is a fantasy book aimed at 9 to 12 year olds, but can al...more

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Aug 14, 2011 Rosalia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, boy-reads, fantasy, tween

Gregor is back in the Underland due to a new prophecy that pits Gregor against the Bane, a white rat that could be the undoing of the entire Underland. The way the prophecy is interpreted it looks as though either the Bane will die or Boots so there is a lot riding on this quest. This time Gregor must travel by boat through the waterways and reach a labyrinth.

This book was a lot more introspective then the previous Underland Chronicles book. Many of the characters are still dealing with the afte...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Karissa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the second book in the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. While I still didn't find this book to be as good as her novel The Hunger Games, I thought that this book was better than the first one in this series. If you liked the first book, you are sure to like this one.

Gregor is struggling to deal with life after returning with his father from the first book in the Underland Chronicles. His dad is sick and can't work so his family is struggling to make ends meet. In an effort to giv...more This is the second book in the Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins. While I still didn't find this book to be as good as her novel The Hunger Games, I thought that this book was better than the first one in this series. If you liked the first book, you are sure to like this one.

Gregor is struggling to deal with life after returning with his father from the first book in the Underland Chronicles. His dad is sick and can't work so his family is struggling to make ends meet. In an effort to give his little 2 yr old sister Boots so semblance of a normal childhood he decides to take her out sledding in Central Park. He looks away for a second and next thing he knows Boots has been kidnapped back into the Underland. Gregor follows her kidnappers and finds that she has been kidnapped to in order to ensure her safety. Apparently him and Boots are part of the next Underland prophecy; one in which all is lost if the baby dies and one in which Gregor is supposed to single handidly destroy the evil white rat called the Bane.

I thought that the character development was better in this book and that in general the book was paced better with more engaging action sequences. This book wasn't wrapped up as nicely as the first book; there were still unresolved issues with missing people and stuff like that. A very solid children's book again, with easy vocab, and some violence and scary parts. I liked two of the new characters introduced; both Howard and the rat the accompanies Gregor (I am drawing a blank on her name) really add to the story and are developed as great characters.

My only complaints again would be that this isn't the most creative story. It is also a very straighforward story; there was a small twist at the end but it was nothing that couldn't be foreseen. I wish the plots of these books were a bit more complex. I suppose there is some charm in the simplicity of it too and I guess *it is* a children's book.

Overall this book is a quick read and it is engaging. A great children's book that I think adult fans of fantasy would like too. I am looking forward to the third book. (less)

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Jun 24, 2010 Timo rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Just keep scrolling down. The review is at the bottom. ;)Please watch for random words.

froggly, vrogly

boggely, croboly

skitter patter

This book takes place underground where spiders are 6 feet tall, and cockroaches are 8 feet tall. Rats are 10 feet tall and are very scary. Gregor is sent for and goes down there once again...

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May 21, 2010 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-book-challenge, 2010-ya-book-challenge, audio, fiction, series, ya-12-19, adventure-survival, fantasy

After hearing repeated reviews from Sarah N. for this series (on audio, too!), I decided I might as well finish it. It would help me with a few of my Reading Challenges for the year, as well as for Reader's Advisory purposes. I'd forgotten enough from the first book that I was grateful for the reminders at the beginning of what had happened. I immediately recognized the narrator's voice--seeing as I didn't much enjoy it in the first book. But I suppose I got used to it. Boots' voice was still th...more

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Jun 29, 2009 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: youngadult

A scene from my life while reading this book:

I am sitting in a chair by the window, curled up tensely around the book as events swirl Underland. Gregor and his friends are trapped in a dangerous situation and I am trying to force myself to read slowly instead of allowing my eyes to fly across the page. From beside me, I hear a noise. I jump.

Turning, I see my husband sitting there with the computer. "What was that?!" I ask.

"Um, the software just updated."

"Oh. OK. Keep it down. I'm trying to re...more

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Sep 02, 2010 Frishawn Rasheed rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone that loves fast-pased fantasy

Gregor and Boots find themselves the subjects of another Underland prophecy. This one mentioning a "pup that holds the Underland up." The destruction of said 'pup' being the Rats' "key to power." The Rats, thinking this pup to be Boots, set out to kill her. The roaches and the people of Regalia, thinking the same thing, set out to keep her alive while at the same time saving themselves by sending Gregor and the child on a quest to kill the "Bane."

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did the f...more

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Jun 16, 2010 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: series-children, read-in-10

This comes some months after Gregor the Overlander.

At the end of Gregor the Overlander, there was a quick mention of the Prophecy of Bane. I was wondering how Collins was going to get Gregor back down there and to get him to go on another dangerous journey. After finishing Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, the reasoning as to why Gregor went back down and went on another journey was believable to me.

This series is turning out to be such an enjoyable read. I was enjoying the beginning of #2 more...more

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About Suzanne Collins

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little...more

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Books by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset (The Hunger Games, #1-3)

Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles, #1)

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Trivia About Gregor and the Pr...

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Quotes from Gregor and the Prophec...

“Oh, be quiet, Fo-Fo.” — 31 people liked it

“If Under fell, if Over leaped,
If death was life and Death life reaped,
Something rises from the gloom,
To make the Underland a tomb

Hear it scratching down below,
Rat of long forgotten snow,
Evil cloaked in coat of White,
Will the Warrior drain your light?

What could turn the Warrior week?
What do burning Gnawers seek?
Just a barely speaking pup
That holds the Land of Under up

Die the baby, die his heart
Die his most essential part
Die the peace that rules the hour,
Gnawers have their key to power” — 26 people liked it

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Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Underland Chronicles #2)

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