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Aldous Lexicon #3
The Underwood See
Eight months ago, during the depths of a snowy winter, Alaric and Naia Underwood switched realities. Then in June, as floodwaters surrounded their two versions of the house called Withern Rise, they met again, and tragedy struck. It's autumn now, and Naia is feeling haunted. She's seeing things that shouldn't be there, and an unseen hand draws her into a tangled forest, where she meets an Alaric who lives like a savage. Here, in this dying reality, are the answers to so many questions if she can only reach the man who calls himself Aldous U.
Life-changing resolutions are in the air in the worlds of the Underwood See.
Life-changing resolutions are in the air in the worlds of the Underwood See.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 21, 2016
Four months after the tragedy at Withern Rise, the family tree is dying and Alaric and Naia have resigned themselves to never seeing each other again. That is until Naia receives a mysterious letter for Aldous U telling her of another way to travel the worlds. Something is happening. Something that will change Naia and Alaric’s lives forever.
The final book in the Aldous Lexicon trilogy. Many of the questions are answered and a conclusion is brought about, but there are places where the answer either didn't feel satisfactory or seemed rushed. A good book, but not as tight as the first two.
The focus this time around is on the Many Worlds theory, showcasing a wider selection of parallel Earths. This allows for more expansive view of the Underwood multiverse. Places where one thing changed and places where everything changed. The whole tour of the garden of forking paths, including a particularly poignant piece of nightmare fuel that has stayed with me ever since the first time I read this: .
A lot happens, but at the same time it seems like nothing much happens at all. After primarily following Alaric for the first two books, this book has a heavier focus on Naia which can feel a bit jarring at times. This isn't a bad thing, but she's a more reactionary protagonist, waiting for the action to come to her most of the time.
A decent conclusion to a great series.
The final book in the Aldous Lexicon trilogy. Many of the questions are answered and a conclusion is brought about, but there are places where the answer either didn't feel satisfactory or seemed rushed. A good book, but not as tight as the first two.
The focus this time around is on the Many Worlds theory, showcasing a wider selection of parallel Earths. This allows for more expansive view of the Underwood multiverse. Places where one thing changed and places where everything changed. The whole tour of the garden of forking paths, including a particularly poignant piece of nightmare fuel that has stayed with me ever since the first time I read this: .
A lot happens, but at the same time it seems like nothing much happens at all. After primarily following Alaric for the first two books, this book has a heavier focus on Naia which can feel a bit jarring at times. This isn't a bad thing, but she's a more reactionary protagonist, waiting for the action to come to her most of the time.
A decent conclusion to a great series.
did-not-finish
October 6, 2015DNF on page 1.
It says that I have to read the first two books in the series before attempting this one.
Maybe I'm being a little hasty on my DNF but I'm in that mood. :P
Also that dedication, guise, THAT DEDICATION. I can't.
I'm sure this is a great book/great series, and it caught my eye at the library today, but...
It says that I have to read the first two books in the series before attempting this one.
Maybe I'm being a little hasty on my DNF but I'm in that mood. :P
Also that dedication, guise, THAT DEDICATION. I can't.
I'm sure this is a great book/great series, and it caught my eye at the library today, but...
July 14, 2016
This book was such a freaking letdown. I really liked the first two books in the series but hated most this final installment.
The details of how the multiple realities worked was left vague previously but in this book the author tries to explain how everything works, only none of it makes any sense! The plot is also pretty muddled, I guessed all the twists, and the story doesn't have the same cohesive feel as the previous books.
Its also got a number of unpleasant scenes that seemed to have no place in the book. Animal death, animal mutilation, graphic child murder, sexual assault...and none of it dealt with well in my opinion. And even though I still really like the two main characters I find the character of AU (whose name has to be a joke right?) utterly detestable. The author doesnt seem to feel that way though, and AU takes a central role in the story.
I wanted to finish the series and find out what happened, but honestly could have done without reading this. There were a few scenes I enjoyed but overall I just dont know what the author was thinking.
The details of how the multiple realities worked was left vague previously but in this book the author tries to explain how everything works, only none of it makes any sense! The plot is also pretty muddled, I guessed all the twists, and the story doesn't have the same cohesive feel as the previous books.
Its also got a number of unpleasant scenes that seemed to have no place in the book. Animal death, animal mutilation, graphic child murder, sexual assault...and none of it dealt with well in my opinion. And even though I still really like the two main characters I find the character of AU (whose name has to be a joke right?) utterly detestable. The author doesnt seem to feel that way though, and AU takes a central role in the story.
I wanted to finish the series and find out what happened, but honestly could have done without reading this. There were a few scenes I enjoyed but overall I just dont know what the author was thinking.
May 9, 2007
A dismal end to an otherwise-mediocre series. How do you explain the death of one of your main characters in a previous book? Many Worlds theory: he's not the same one as the one you're following now! You just thought he was. Couple that with the most squick-inducing dedication I've ever read (just a shade away from "To Mom and Dad--thanks for gettin' it on and conceiving me"), and, well, at least it's not a forgettable book. Pass the brain bleach, please.
October 16, 2017
Michael Lawrence fantastically ends the trilogy with this book. He explains just enough of the reality mystery to satisfy, but leaves enough unexplained and vague to muse over after the book is different. Once you realize a lot of what is happening, though, a lot of the book falls into place. I just wish he could have better handled the death of a character from the second book better, though.
February 6, 2019
Although I felt a little bombarded with new characters and settings in book 3 of this trilogy, I still very much enjoyed it. There was a lot of new information and intrigue to wrap my head around, and short chapters made the plot feel a little too disjointed and confusing at times. However, as the threads were pulled together in the final third, I was very impressed with how the saga played out.
June 3, 2017
The first two novels in this series meant a lot to me when I read them upon release years ago. Between my local bookshop not stocking it and eventually moving on to different interests I never actually read the final book in this trilogy. I recently decided to reread the first two and bought a copy of the third so I could finally find out how it all ended. The first two pleasantly surprised me. A Crack In The Line has its faults, but I could see why I was drawn to it years ago. Compared to other YA sci-fi fiction it is very personal and low stakes – no chosen one, few characters and fewer locations. Small Eternities was even better. The plot was more complex, but the prose were tighter and more confident, the characters more clearly defined, and a flooded Withern Rise made for a compelling atmospheric location. After that wonderful gutpunch of an ending I came away from it convinced it really is a minor classic; a book I will definitely reread again in the future.
Because of this I was very excited to finally read The Underwood See, only to face consistent disappointment for 300+ pages. I don’t even know where to start. There is a lack of atmosphere compared to the first two. Snow and flooding lent the previous books a real sense of isolation and mystery that is absent from TUS. This book is constantly explaining the rules of its universe, which helps to shred any semblance of mystery that the others had created. It also chooses to unnecessarily expand its cast of characters to include a variety of pointless non-Underwoods to help pad out the book by adding conflict that results in gratuitous violence that seems at odds with the previous two novels. Did it really need a rape attempt and a mutilated cat?
Really, the worst thing it does is give us two new Alarics. After the ending of Small Eternities it could have been fascinating to see how Withern Rise continued to function in a post-Alaric world. So much of A Crack In The Line was spent with Alaric grieving for his mother, it would have been nice to spend more time with his grieving parents. This is touched on, before being quickly shunted aside in favour of a lot of Aldous U nonsense and far too many goofy realities. I can see a version of this novel working. One that had enough confidence in Naia to carry it without any Alarics and an altered version of Aldous U’s plot that helped tie Naia’s reality back into the one that had just lost Alaric. Alas, that sequel will only ever exist in my mind.
The Underwood See, as written, wasn’t all bad. I enjoyed it in bursts, but those bursts where interspersed with long periods of frustration. I still admire what Lawrence was able to achieve in the first two novels, and I will probably seek out some of his other work due to my enjoyment of them. I guess no novel can really live up to 12 years of expectations, and I am thankful to have read this trilogy if only to be reminded of how much I love Small Eternities. It really is a wonderful little book.
Because of this I was very excited to finally read The Underwood See, only to face consistent disappointment for 300+ pages. I don’t even know where to start. There is a lack of atmosphere compared to the first two. Snow and flooding lent the previous books a real sense of isolation and mystery that is absent from TUS. This book is constantly explaining the rules of its universe, which helps to shred any semblance of mystery that the others had created. It also chooses to unnecessarily expand its cast of characters to include a variety of pointless non-Underwoods to help pad out the book by adding conflict that results in gratuitous violence that seems at odds with the previous two novels. Did it really need a rape attempt and a mutilated cat?
Really, the worst thing it does is give us two new Alarics. After the ending of Small Eternities it could have been fascinating to see how Withern Rise continued to function in a post-Alaric world. So much of A Crack In The Line was spent with Alaric grieving for his mother, it would have been nice to spend more time with his grieving parents. This is touched on, before being quickly shunted aside in favour of a lot of Aldous U nonsense and far too many goofy realities. I can see a version of this novel working. One that had enough confidence in Naia to carry it without any Alarics and an altered version of Aldous U’s plot that helped tie Naia’s reality back into the one that had just lost Alaric. Alas, that sequel will only ever exist in my mind.
The Underwood See, as written, wasn’t all bad. I enjoyed it in bursts, but those bursts where interspersed with long periods of frustration. I still admire what Lawrence was able to achieve in the first two novels, and I will probably seek out some of his other work due to my enjoyment of them. I guess no novel can really live up to 12 years of expectations, and I am thankful to have read this trilogy if only to be reminded of how much I love Small Eternities. It really is a wonderful little book.
May 24, 2023
I so wanted to like this one...
I read the first one in Spanish 20ish years ago and I loved it, but #2 and #3 never got translated, so I had to wait until my English became good enough to give those a try.
I re-read #1 in English, loved it again, and now I got to finally read the other two books.
I got the general idea, I actually liked that. The multiverse, etc. But the execution is so confusing.
The numbers in this one, the fact that it needed an explanatory epilogue. This was not a good one I'm afraid.
I read the first one in Spanish 20ish years ago and I loved it, but #2 and #3 never got translated, so I had to wait until my English became good enough to give those a try.
I re-read #1 in English, loved it again, and now I got to finally read the other two books.
I got the general idea, I actually liked that. The multiverse, etc. But the execution is so confusing.
The numbers in this one, the fact that it needed an explanatory epilogue. This was not a good one I'm afraid.
April 11, 2019
Love the premise of the book. But way too confusing, especially at the end. Too many realities with too many of the same people. I couldn't keep them straight. But a cool idea that there are alternate realities....thousands of them that exist side by side. Strong characters and interesting, exciting story.
April 18, 2018
i should have guessed a series about parallel worlds would pull a main character death copout like that but honestly i was alternately so confused or disgusted that i didn't even realize what had happened
at least i finally finished the damn series it's only been like 13 years ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
at least i finally finished the damn series it's only been like 13 years ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2018
Super love this series!
December 30, 2019
Many individuals with the same initials can lead to much injustice.
June 4, 2020
this is a nice ending to the trilogy, at times it got confusing but once all properly explained was really enjoyable
August 9, 2020
This has been one of the weirdest experiences. This book went from problematic to trying to be modern. I don't know what to think. I am glad I finally finished the trilogy
September 20, 2016
Meh ending. Not sure why this book suddenly became so violent.
March 26, 2008
The final and in my opinion the best of the Withern Rise Trilogy. Honeslty I think he could have shortened the other two and molded them into this one as one long novel.
At any rate, while it pretends to have the slow pace of the other novels, it's many many realities and their explinations makes it an exciting read. Of cours to understand most of it I would strongly advise reading the first two.
I had only few small qualms. There is an almost rape in it, which I think the charecter should be a little more scared from. Moving on from that, some of the explinations seem convient, but then he does claim to be no expert and yet while certain things like the pain experienced in the first book isn't quite explained, your own assumptions cane be made.
Another thing, which of course this is actually an after thought, the wereabout of a particularily satanic charecter is never devulged.
Other than it was a very good read. I even I appriciated the kind of Lord of Flies reality of R43. I liek how the author in a way also acknowledges this by have A.U. tell the Ric of that reality "...While you've been lording it up with ihe flies and the other lads..." Nice toss back I think.
Anyway good read. Unfortuently I advise you mull through the other two. It's not that they are bad, but I think their uncharistically slow pace could through some off who are determined to finish them. At least, the second one kind of felt that way.Nice end to the trilogy though, hoorah.
*Note* once again suprised by the overtly modern and not mainstream ideas present in this book. (homosexulity is alluded to and also the possibel theory of no religion being right.
At any rate, while it pretends to have the slow pace of the other novels, it's many many realities and their explinations makes it an exciting read. Of cours to understand most of it I would strongly advise reading the first two.
I had only few small qualms. There is an almost rape in it, which I think the charecter should be a little more scared from. Moving on from that, some of the explinations seem convient, but then he does claim to be no expert and yet while certain things like the pain experienced in the first book isn't quite explained, your own assumptions cane be made.
Another thing, which of course this is actually an after thought, the wereabout of a particularily satanic charecter is never devulged.
Other than it was a very good read. I even I appriciated the kind of Lord of Flies reality of R43. I liek how the author in a way also acknowledges this by have A.U. tell the Ric of that reality "...While you've been lording it up with ihe flies and the other lads..." Nice toss back I think.
Anyway good read. Unfortuently I advise you mull through the other two. It's not that they are bad, but I think their uncharistically slow pace could through some off who are determined to finish them. At least, the second one kind of felt that way.Nice end to the trilogy though, hoorah.
*Note* once again suprised by the overtly modern and not mainstream ideas present in this book. (homosexulity is alluded to and also the possibel theory of no religion being right.
August 26, 2013
Review of the Withern Rise Trilogy:
Overall, I thought these books were very good and a definite cut above the standard young adult fare. These are the first works I've read by Lawrence, and on the evidence of these books I would definitely read more by this author. The plot of the trilogy is generally engaging, but also more complex to follow than other YA books, especially in the third novel. However, in my opinion, the parallel realities are done well enough that it does not get confusing, although by the third book I needed to occasionally remind myself which reality was which. In many ways, particularly in the first two books, it feels like not that much happens in terms of earth shattering events, yet Lawrence still manages to keep it interesting to read. His approach is more subtle than just throwing action at the reader.
If I had any criticisms of the book, it would be that the world building, while I wouldn't dismiss it as awful or anything, perhaps could have been stronger. It could have been made more clear what will and won't lead to the transportation from and to another reality, particularly in the case of Aldous in the second book (why Aldous was able to move around much easier than others). There was some explanations given for the travelling to and from realities as a whole, but I would have liked a clearer explanation for this element. The other part I did not like was a scene in the third book where . I felt that this particular scene was gratuitous and removing it would not have harmed the novel, especially given its minor (at best) influence on the plot.
Overall, I thought these books were very good and a definite cut above the standard young adult fare. These are the first works I've read by Lawrence, and on the evidence of these books I would definitely read more by this author. The plot of the trilogy is generally engaging, but also more complex to follow than other YA books, especially in the third novel. However, in my opinion, the parallel realities are done well enough that it does not get confusing, although by the third book I needed to occasionally remind myself which reality was which. In many ways, particularly in the first two books, it feels like not that much happens in terms of earth shattering events, yet Lawrence still manages to keep it interesting to read. His approach is more subtle than just throwing action at the reader.
If I had any criticisms of the book, it would be that the world building, while I wouldn't dismiss it as awful or anything, perhaps could have been stronger. It could have been made more clear what will and won't lead to the transportation from and to another reality, particularly in the case of Aldous in the second book (why Aldous was able to move around much easier than others). There was some explanations given for the travelling to and from realities as a whole, but I would have liked a clearer explanation for this element. The other part I did not like was a scene in the third book where . I felt that this particular scene was gratuitous and removing it would not have harmed the novel, especially given its minor (at best) influence on the plot.
July 26, 2012
Personally, i loved the series. I've read from other reviews on the series that it was a little bit "too confusing" but that was one of my favorite things about the book. It made me think more than other books. Yes, ill admit there are slow parts. i would skim every now and then when there wasn't much going on, which worked out just fine for me. The reason why i give this closing book in the series 5 stars is because of the way everything comes around full-circle and gives you closure in a way that you wouldn't fully expect. The only thing i have to complin about is *****SPOILER*****
Neither Naia or Alaric #2 are informed of Alaric #1's death, i feel like since he was the main character (other than naia) he should have been mentioned.
*****DONE WITH SPOILER*****
other than that, the ending of the book was great, i enjoyed there being a actual person as an antagonist this time, it gave me something directly to hate :) and i love the way it looks into the Future to show where the the characters are when they reach adult-hood. Im still getting over the trilogy being over.
Neither Naia or Alaric #2 are informed of Alaric #1's death, i feel like since he was the main character (other than naia) he should have been mentioned.
*****DONE WITH SPOILER*****
other than that, the ending of the book was great, i enjoyed there being a actual person as an antagonist this time, it gave me something directly to hate :) and i love the way it looks into the Future to show where the the characters are when they reach adult-hood. Im still getting over the trilogy being over.
November 24, 2012
I've read many trilogies in which the final volume did not live up to the promise of the earlier books in the series. The Underwood See was a marvellous and refreshing change.
It didn't have the emotional impact of the two previous books but that was a good thing, since Lawrence had to tie up so many threads to produce a satisfying resolution.
I am in awe - absolute awe - of his characterisation. Because his plot revolves around so many alternate universes, quite often a variant character of one of the heroes would pop into a chapter very briefly. To be able to highlight the subtle differences in just a few words and to make me, as the reader, care about that ever-so-ephemeral character and be interested in their fate is remarkable!
It didn't have the emotional impact of the two previous books but that was a good thing, since Lawrence had to tie up so many threads to produce a satisfying resolution.
I am in awe - absolute awe - of his characterisation. Because his plot revolves around so many alternate universes, quite often a variant character of one of the heroes would pop into a chapter very briefly. To be able to highlight the subtle differences in just a few words and to make me, as the reader, care about that ever-so-ephemeral character and be interested in their fate is remarkable!
October 3, 2014
I was unimpressed by this conclusion to the trilogy. The second book felt like the natural termination of the story in books one and two, with the result that this book felt unnecessary. It was also far more confusing than the previous books, and there were so many universes to keep straight that it felt as though I was reading a Choose Your Own Adventure cover to cover. There was also a whole Lord of the Flies knockoff that seemed totally unnecessary. I think the main reason to read this book is simply as an epilogue. You learn something about the mechanics of moving between universes, and what happens when a universe...ends. You find out Alaric and Naia's ultimate fate (or at least the fate of one version of them).
October 18, 2012
I just can't force myself to read this anymore. It is too negative and confusing and hopeless. It makes no sense and I have no urge to find out how it ends.
It's just too horrible. Two teens, two moms. One mom dies, leaving a son motherless. He manages to get his mom back at the expense of the other teen. Then he dies and the mom has no child and the daughter has no mom. And the boy died saving the life of a child whose death he was responsible for.
It's pointless and hopeless and cruel. There is enough of that in real life, I don't need it in my book fantasy life too.
I am irked with myself for buying the book. I should have gone to the library or gone without.
April 16, 2016
This review was originally published on my blog on 5th March 2015. You can find it here.
This is the third and final book in the Withern Rise trilogy and I waited a long time to read it. Fortunately I thought it was a very interesting read that definitely got me thinking. This is a book that can get confusing if you’re not careful but one that I ultimately thought was very entertaining. It was addictive, fast-paced and fairly emotional too. It was a fantastic way to finish this trilogy.
This is the third and final book in the Withern Rise trilogy and I waited a long time to read it. Fortunately I thought it was a very interesting read that definitely got me thinking. This is a book that can get confusing if you’re not careful but one that I ultimately thought was very entertaining. It was addictive, fast-paced and fairly emotional too. It was a fantastic way to finish this trilogy.
January 1, 2017
Honestly this series had so much promise, the concept was genius and though it got boring from time to time the overall theme and the intrigue of the whole mystery kept you hooked, that is of course until this book came along. The ending to this series was so unsatisfying it almost made me wish I hadn't read the other two books in the first place. What an absolute let down, I mean I'm sure the author was trying to be wistful and make some statement about how not everything is connected and comes full circle to make absolute sense in the end, but even so it ended up wildly disappointing as opposed to inspiring any philosophical thought. 4/10 would not read again v disappoint
Read
April 25, 2010what a weird weird series. i tore through these second two after realizing that book one was just the first of a trilogy... but i'm not sure what i got out of it. i don't think the internal logic of the whole many-realities situation was quite sound... even after pages and pages of exposition i don't really believe that anyone knew the actual rules of the realities merging/converging.
that said, i appreciate the concept and there are some really great little moments here, and the books read REALLY quickly, so i still recommend the series if anyone is interested.
that said, i appreciate the concept and there are some really great little moments here, and the books read REALLY quickly, so i still recommend the series if anyone is interested.
December 1, 2012
I read this series a few years back and enjoyed them. I loved the first because it was this shiny new idea that I had only half thought about before. The second added in yet another twist and this one added yet another! I rather enjoyed it but man was it confusing! half the time you don't know which character you're following. That said I think it's a fascinating topic and I loved the references to the classics in it (LotF).
December 27, 2015
Significantly darker and with higher stakes than the first two books. A little too expository for my tastes, and with some questionable plot point decisions/character actions (which made me wonder "Why is this included? What's the point?") but many of my questions were answered. I was quite pleased with one final character revelation in the last, like, 3 pages since the story wasn't focused on that aspect of the character!
March 30, 2013
I'm so glad I read until the end! While parts were slow, and there were a lot of things to keep track of, the end was amazing! I loved the resolution, and I had to take a second to fully absorb what happened just to let it sink in.
If you are considering quitting this book, read until the end! It's worth it!
If you are considering quitting this book, read until the end! It's worth it!
February 22, 2008
*spoiler* i think
anyways. I liked this book, up until Alaric died. Ok? I couldn't take that. The series got more and more hooking as it went by and this book was surly intersting. But at the same time this was the most gruesome, with almost everyone dying and such.
anyways. I liked this book, up until Alaric died. Ok? I couldn't take that. The series got more and more hooking as it went by and this book was surly intersting. But at the same time this was the most gruesome, with almost everyone dying and such.
July 14, 2010
Another interesting book in the Withern Rise trilogy. This one tries to wrap up the series and does an OK job. It is somewhat confusing. There are more attempts to explain the different realities and some very different realities are explored.
February 20, 2008
This is a GREAT ending.. well, the before of the end. the wrapping up part. the ending was a tad sad. but the wrapping was excellent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews