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Underland Chronicles #4
Gregor and the Marks of Secret
It's only a few months since Gregor and Boots returned from the Underland, leaving their mother behind to heal from the plague. Though Gregor's family receives frequent updates on her condition, they all know Gregor must return to fulfill his role as the warrior who is key to the Underlanders' survival. Accompanied by his now-talkative, potty-trained little sister Boots, still considered the honorary "princess," Gregor joins forces with another princess - 12-year-old Luxa - and Ripred the rat to defend the Underlanders and the vulnerable "Nibblers" or mice, from the rat army.
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First published May 1, 2006
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About the author
Suzanne Collins
67 books126k followersLibrarian 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 Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.
While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles. Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.
The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.
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 Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.
While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles. Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.
The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,773 reviews
July 22, 2012
There are so many fans out there of the Hunger Games books, and every time I encounter one of them I tell them I really liked that trilogy but I absolutely love the Underland Chronicles. With each of the books in the quintet I appreciate the writing and stories more. The growth and development of the characters and the plot is amazing. Watching Lexa and Gregor grow is a wonderful experience. Not since reading Madeleine L'Engle books years ago have I wanted to know what was happening with the characters when I was not reading about them, or found myself wondering what happens to them next, where they will be in 5 years or in 10 years. These are amazing characters and the series is incredible.
The biggest difference in this book over the preceding 3 in the series is that Gregor does not know or have a copy of the prophecy that he so heavily plays a role in. In fact, this prophecy is so dark, so bad, no one will tell him about it, not even Ripred. You know it's bad when a giant rat, considered the most cold- hearted creature in all of the underland, does not want to burden you with it.
The progression in this story was very different from the first three. First, as mentioned, we do not know the prophecy going into the adventure. Second, we do not have a clear resolution like the earlier books. Three, both Gregor and Luxa grow immensely in this book. Their characters mature, and are stretched. C.S. Lewis once stated ""Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth." In both Gregor and Luxa we see serious growth and I cannot wait to start book 5. This is an amazing series; give it a shot - you will find yourself addicted.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More.
The biggest difference in this book over the preceding 3 in the series is that Gregor does not know or have a copy of the prophecy that he so heavily plays a role in. In fact, this prophecy is so dark, so bad, no one will tell him about it, not even Ripred. You know it's bad when a giant rat, considered the most cold- hearted creature in all of the underland, does not want to burden you with it.
The progression in this story was very different from the first three. First, as mentioned, we do not know the prophecy going into the adventure. Second, we do not have a clear resolution like the earlier books. Three, both Gregor and Luxa grow immensely in this book. Their characters mature, and are stretched. C.S. Lewis once stated ""Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth." In both Gregor and Luxa we see serious growth and I cannot wait to start book 5. This is an amazing series; give it a shot - you will find yourself addicted.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the authors on my blog Book Reviews and More.
November 29, 2023
from the series that brought you "eugenics is bad and so is war", "revenge might be easier, but mercy allows for a future", and "in this one the supposed good guys create a superplague" comes "this is a pretty direct parallel to the holocaust, and btw pacifism is great but there are some things you absolutely have to fight for."
this series has never been afraid to tangle with heavy themes, and it's not like the first three books were light on bloodshed. but this book is the most bluntly serious: it is about an ethnic cleansing and a genocide. the fact that it's being done by rats, to mice, doesn't matter; it's very clear. it's not a perfect portrayal—the mice get very little screentime beyond nameless victimhood; to quote my dear friend: "it's too bad that this book is so unflinching in its portrayal of ethnic cleansing but devotes so little attention to the targeted group's point of view." that said, it's still a lot bolder than... any other middle grade fantasy i can think of. the climax of this book, imo, is one of the most harrowing scenes in suzanne collins' body of work, which, if you've managed to miss it, also includes the hunger games.
look, the first two-thirds of this book are like normal underland fare. some ripred action. some musings on pacifism and mercy versus revenge and war. some increased heterosexuality, actually, which part of me groans at, but also luxa and gregor are twelve and it's cute and i thought it was cute when i was the target age, so. (plus that last scene between them got me right in the heart.) and then you get to the last third, and it's like being hit with hammers on literally every page. and it's awful. i mean, it's very well-done, and there's always a light of hope still flickering, because this is a children's book. but this is maybe the moment in this series where that light looks closest to going out.
and maybe it's just the state of the world right now, or the state of my brain, but i can't help wondering—how did i read this as a kid? there’s that post that goes around about coraline, about how coraline scares the daylights out of children but they read it anyway and they love it. the real people who can’t handle coraline are the adults, because for adults, the terror is much, much realer. how does one write a book about genocide for children? how do you read about an eleven-year-old protagonist wondering if the jungle has grown over his friends’ bodies yet without horror? but you don’t, if you’re eleven. when you’re eleven, it’s one of the most compelling stories you’ve ever gotten your grubby little hands on, and the lethal stakes and unflinching portrayals of death are draws, because those things mean the book is taking you seriously. kids can handle a lot more than people think. it’s my twenty-year-old self who had to pause after the climactic scene. maybe because i’m less brave than i used to be. maybe because i can see through the lines of gregor’s world into ours, and that world is scarier than any ten-foot rat.
good book! cool! 👍!
this series has never been afraid to tangle with heavy themes, and it's not like the first three books were light on bloodshed. but this book is the most bluntly serious: it is about an ethnic cleansing and a genocide. the fact that it's being done by rats, to mice, doesn't matter; it's very clear. it's not a perfect portrayal—the mice get very little screentime beyond nameless victimhood; to quote my dear friend: "it's too bad that this book is so unflinching in its portrayal of ethnic cleansing but devotes so little attention to the targeted group's point of view." that said, it's still a lot bolder than... any other middle grade fantasy i can think of. the climax of this book, imo, is one of the most harrowing scenes in suzanne collins' body of work, which, if you've managed to miss it, also includes the hunger games.
look, the first two-thirds of this book are like normal underland fare. some ripred action. some musings on pacifism and mercy versus revenge and war. some increased heterosexuality, actually, which part of me groans at, but also luxa and gregor are twelve and it's cute and i thought it was cute when i was the target age, so. (plus that last scene between them got me right in the heart.) and then you get to the last third, and it's like being hit with hammers on literally every page. and it's awful. i mean, it's very well-done, and there's always a light of hope still flickering, because this is a children's book. but this is maybe the moment in this series where that light looks closest to going out.
and maybe it's just the state of the world right now, or the state of my brain, but i can't help wondering—how did i read this as a kid? there’s that post that goes around about coraline, about how coraline scares the daylights out of children but they read it anyway and they love it. the real people who can’t handle coraline are the adults, because for adults, the terror is much, much realer. how does one write a book about genocide for children? how do you read about an eleven-year-old protagonist wondering if the jungle has grown over his friends’ bodies yet without horror? but you don’t, if you’re eleven. when you’re eleven, it’s one of the most compelling stories you’ve ever gotten your grubby little hands on, and the lethal stakes and unflinching portrayals of death are draws, because those things mean the book is taking you seriously. kids can handle a lot more than people think. it’s my twenty-year-old self who had to pause after the climactic scene. maybe because i’m less brave than i used to be. maybe because i can see through the lines of gregor’s world into ours, and that world is scarier than any ten-foot rat.
good book! cool! 👍!
August 2, 2022
"Life is short. There are only a few good things in it, really. Don't pretend that one isn't happening."
°•*⁀➷
I think this is going to be my favorite of the series simply because it's got the best message in it. That time goes on no matter if good or bad things are happening, and you have to see the good as often as you see the bad. That's something that I think I will always struggle with when the bad is overwhelming. It's so difficult to see the good when everything else is so much easier to focus on.
I love that Ripred is the one that says the above quote to Gregor since they're on completely different sides of the war they're fighting. Together, but apart. I think it helps the quote to hit so much deeper.
There's also the idea that Boots, Gregor's younger sister, needs to learn at some point that people die and don't come back. I love that she was told that they will always be in her heart, and since they're dealing with animals, and in this case a bat, she asks "They won't fly away?" and the adults smile and say no. Because they won't fly away from your heart after they've passed away. It was very sweet and a beautiful lesson.
The continuous idea of teaching children young to be better than the adults is also so important in this story. The difference between Boots and the Bane and how they were raised. In Boot's case, the lessons they teach her now compared to the things they tried to reverse in the Bane. I can't wait to see how this all concludes and bet it's going to be just as wonderful as everything in between.
- Paige
°•*⁀➷
I think this is going to be my favorite of the series simply because it's got the best message in it. That time goes on no matter if good or bad things are happening, and you have to see the good as often as you see the bad. That's something that I think I will always struggle with when the bad is overwhelming. It's so difficult to see the good when everything else is so much easier to focus on.
I love that Ripred is the one that says the above quote to Gregor since they're on completely different sides of the war they're fighting. Together, but apart. I think it helps the quote to hit so much deeper.
There's also the idea that Boots, Gregor's younger sister, needs to learn at some point that people die and don't come back. I love that she was told that they will always be in her heart, and since they're dealing with animals, and in this case a bat, she asks "They won't fly away?" and the adults smile and say no. Because they won't fly away from your heart after they've passed away. It was very sweet and a beautiful lesson.
The continuous idea of teaching children young to be better than the adults is also so important in this story. The difference between Boots and the Bane and how they were raised. In Boot's case, the lessons they teach her now compared to the things they tried to reverse in the Bane. I can't wait to see how this all concludes and bet it's going to be just as wonderful as everything in between.
- Paige
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May 6, 2025Das war schon ziemlich brutal für ein Kinderbuch 🫠 Ich muss noch über eine Bewertung nachdenken
December 29, 2015
Such a flipping great series. Only one issue...as much as I love Boots and she is adorable (and a bit heartbreaking), I question why you keep bringing her on dangerous adventures. She's 2 years old man, give her a break. The first three it is kind of justified because she is the prophecies, but not this one. Oh well.
The story is still great and it's also so harsh. The poor mice :'( *SPOILERS AHEAD*....The bit where a load of mice die gives an image of what gas chambers must've been like during the Holocaust. What are you doing to my emotions Suzanne Collins. Then there is the little 7 year old kid Hazard who became an orphan at the end of book 3, and then he gets this a new friend and potential bond in the form of Thalia. They have such a great friendship and he's so happy and then it's like Collins goes and kill Thalia off. What the helllllll?! After the group are trying to comfort him and talking about the dead living on in your heart, he says "My heart is so crowded already, but I'm sure the others will make room for Thalia. She is not a very big bat." Bloody hell. Just pull at my heartstrings why don't you kid.
*SPOILERS END*
I can't wait to see how this series ends. I'm actually worried haha.
The story is still great and it's also so harsh. The poor mice :'( *SPOILERS AHEAD*....The bit where a load of mice die gives an image of what gas chambers must've been like during the Holocaust. What are you doing to my emotions Suzanne Collins. Then there is the little 7 year old kid Hazard who became an orphan at the end of book 3, and then he gets this a new friend and potential bond in the form of Thalia. They have such a great friendship and he's so happy and then it's like Collins goes and kill Thalia off. What the helllllll?! After the group are trying to comfort him and talking about the dead living on in your heart, he says "My heart is so crowded already, but I'm sure the others will make room for Thalia. She is not a very big bat." Bloody hell. Just pull at my heartstrings why don't you kid.
*SPOILERS END*
I can't wait to see how this series ends. I'm actually worried haha.
March 5, 2024
Suzanne, who hurt you?
April 17, 2019
Wow. I can’t believe these books keep getting darker and darker. We’re sort of left on a cliffhanger and I’m concerned because so many have died already and the last book sounds ominous cause of this prophecy that no one will explain to Gregor. Also...MOUSES (as Boots would say). My whole Merlin vs Mordred theory seems to be coming to fruition. I feel so sorry for Luxa cause no one can really understand what it’s like for her and her anger feels more justified by the end. Yes, she takes it out on Gregor a lot (and Gregor isn’t perfect), but she’s in pain and stressed out and definitely keeping a lot of her feelings in. Howard is the best and I swear if something happens to him I will riot. He’s the dad of the group and loves to drug everyone which I do not recommend but he’s adorable and soft and so understanding and he cries it’s just perfect okay I love him.
Gregor is totally getting grounded after this. For the rest of his life
Gregor is totally getting grounded after this. For the rest of his life
November 6, 2021
When Hazard says that thing about his heart being so full already...I CAN'T EVEN.
Sorry if these reviews are useless, but I have so many feels right now.
Sorry if these reviews are useless, but I have so many feels right now.
January 18, 2020
So this is how a war starts, thought Gregor.
Not with two armies facing off, waiting for the signal to charge. Not with a wave of rats invading the avenues of Regalia. Not with a formation of bats swooping down on an unsuspecting colony of rats. It begins much more quietly. In a room, on a field, in a remote tunnel when someone who has power decides the time has come.
My Underland Chronicles buddy read with Stephanie continues! I liked this one much more than the previous, largely because of that quote above, which is right up my alley: the war themes are kicking in in earnest now, and Gregor's even unhappier about it, and the content of this series is just getting darker and darker. It starts off innocently enough, with Gregor and Luxa setting out to investigate some missing mice, but the stakes get ramped up extremely high by the end: with the atrocities of war (including a death march, dang) and Holocaust-like genocidal slaughter, even as Gregor rails against the necessity of war itself. I think I'm going to officially bump this book from my middlegrade to my YA shelf as a result of it, actually.
There's also some heavy-handed burgeoning romance, but I appreciate that, although I could have seen it coming all the way from the first book, it took until now before Gregor's obvious crush on Luxa finally became a thing.
I'm sorry to report that I'm starting to get a bit tired of Boots' precocious baby-talk toddler presence, though. The darker the content, the more absurd it is that a three-year-old is still tagging along on these incredibly dangerous adventures, and I wish Lizzie could have gotten her chance to shine and join them below (maybe... the last book...?). I do like, however, that the formula was finally changed up a tiny bit: Gregor isn't trying to interpret a prophecy, he proactively chooses to set out with Luxa to investigate the mystery, and this book has more of a cliffhanger ending rather than the usual wrap-up.
Anyway! War is finally here, and thus I'm even more interested in what's going to happen in the last book. Because I am me, my sudden dream finale is one where Luxa actually becomes the villainess of the whole series and undergoes a Daenerys-esque downfall, but I doubt it's going to go in that direction. We'll see!
October 10, 2011
So far this is the most mature and well-formed book in the series. The focus on ethnic-cleansing resonated with my Jewish heritage. Characters and story elements have finally begun to mature and pay off.
The old contrivances are still there, including childish prophecies, the 'rager' conceit, and dragging a toddler into the most dangerous situations imaginable. They continue to hold back what could be a pretty cool story.
The biggest complaint I have is that the Underlanders, despite having interest in and access to the Overland, never visit or move there. Why has there never been a person who said, "Hey, the rats are coming. Let's go above ground and get a few of those 'gun' things we keep hearing about!"
However, with only one book left, I will be finishing off this series. I hope that they continue the upward trend.
The old contrivances are still there, including childish prophecies, the 'rager' conceit, and dragging a toddler into the most dangerous situations imaginable. They continue to hold back what could be a pretty cool story.
The biggest complaint I have is that the Underlanders, despite having interest in and access to the Overland, never visit or move there. Why has there never been a person who said, "Hey, the rats are coming. Let's go above ground and get a few of those 'gun' things we keep hearing about!"
However, with only one book left, I will be finishing off this series. I hope that they continue the upward trend.
November 22, 2014
Понякога трябва да си напомням, че „Подземните хроники“ (изд. „Екслибрис“) е излязла доста преди „Игрите на глада“. Сюзан Колинс изобщо не се опитва да тушира или смекчи размаха на ужаса, с които описва трагедията и смъртта дори в уж детска книга. Докато в „Игрите на глада“ имахме свят, който е постоянно на ръба на война, и смъртта е чест гост в живота на героите, в тази поредица имаме жесток сблъсък между защитеното съществуване на „нормалните деца“ – Грегор, Лизи, Буутс – и постоянната смърт, с която се сблъскват жителите на Регалия от най-ранна възраст.
Естествено, смъртта слага отпечатъка си най-вече върху живите – отваря нови рани и не позволява на старите да зараснат. Завърта колелото на омразата и после вече няма спиране, историята се повтаря, смъртта е сита, ужасът тържествува, а омразата между следващите поколения е още по-люта и ожесточена.
„Грегор и тайните знаци“ е изключително динамична. Колинс отново използва познатата формула „главният герой тръгва на път, за да се пребори с опасностите и да спаси народа си“, но този път я оголва от всякакъв приказен чар. Книгата е мрачна, тъжна и оставя дори възрастните читатели с неприятен вкус в устата. Срещаме се отново с Гибелния – гигантски плъх, събрал всички надежди за господство на гризачите. Чудовищните му размери и слуховете за предопределеността на съдбата му пречат на всички – Грегор, Рипред и останалите плъхове – да видят, че той е едно уплашено дете, което копнее згрегор и шифърът на ноктитеа ласка и разбиране. Страхът и очакването са лош възпитател и лесно отблъскват Бисерно кожухче (истинското име на плъхчето), подтиквайки го да потърси утеха при по-ласкави и ловки с думите „приятели“, които заедно с милувките наливат отрова в сърцето му.
Не по-малък товар лежи на плещите на Грегор и Лукса. Той е предопределеният войн, които ненавижда боя и се стреми към мир. Тя е кралицата, която, заслепена от мъка и жажда за мъст, налива ново масло в огъня на една вечена война.
Къде е краят? „Подземните хроники“ е една от поредиците, при които упорито се пазя от спойлери – по принцип нямам никакъв проблем с тях, интересно ми е не просто какво се случва, а защо и как. Приключенията на Грегор обаче предпочитам да следвам заедно с него самия, а не да знам предварително дали и кой отива на сигурна смърт. Затова ми беше и трудно да напиша „10 неща, които не знаеш за „Подземните хроники“. И съм сигурна, че също като с „Игрите на глада“, Колинс ще ме държи в напрежение до последното изречение на петата книга – „Грегор и шифърът на ноктите“.
Естествено, смъртта слага отпечатъка си най-вече върху живите – отваря нови рани и не позволява на старите да зараснат. Завърта колелото на омразата и после вече няма спиране, историята се повтаря, смъртта е сита, ужасът тържествува, а омразата между следващите поколения е още по-люта и ожесточена.
„Грегор и тайните знаци“ е изключително динамична. Колинс отново използва познатата формула „главният герой тръгва на път, за да се пребори с опасностите и да спаси народа си“, но този път я оголва от всякакъв приказен чар. Книгата е мрачна, тъжна и оставя дори възрастните читатели с неприятен вкус в устата. Срещаме се отново с Гибелния – гигантски плъх, събрал всички надежди за господство на гризачите. Чудовищните му размери и слуховете за предопределеността на съдбата му пречат на всички – Грегор, Рипред и останалите плъхове – да видят, че той е едно уплашено дете, което копнее згрегор и шифърът на ноктитеа ласка и разбиране. Страхът и очакването са лош възпитател и лесно отблъскват Бисерно кожухче (истинското име на плъхчето), подтиквайки го да потърси утеха при по-ласкави и ловки с думите „приятели“, които заедно с милувките наливат отрова в сърцето му.
Не по-малък товар лежи на плещите на Грегор и Лукса. Той е предопределеният войн, които ненавижда боя и се стреми към мир. Тя е кралицата, която, заслепена от мъка и жажда за мъст, налива ново масло в огъня на една вечена война.
Къде е краят? „Подземните хроники“ е една от поредиците, при които упорито се пазя от спойлери – по принцип нямам никакъв проблем с тях, интересно ми е не просто какво се случва, а защо и как. Приключенията на Грегор обаче предпочитам да следвам заедно с него самия, а не да знам предварително дали и кой отива на сигурна смърт. Затова ми беше и трудно да напиша „10 неща, които не знаеш за „Подземните хроники“. И съм сигурна, че също като с „Игрите на глада“, Колинс ще ме държи в напрежение до последното изречение на петата книга – „Грегор и шифърът на ноктите“.
August 10, 2009
This wasn't my favorite of the Underland Chronicles so far. Mostly, I think, it just felt like a prelude to the final book. I did like that Gregor continues to think about his role as a warrior and what that really means. I also like that no clear-cut answer is reached. Peace isn't always the right answer, but then neither is war. I'm glad the complexities of the issues weren't oversimplified for the target audience. I imagine there will be more in the fifth book as well.
I found it interesting that Gregor never thinks of Hitler or the Holocaust when he witnesses what happens to the "nibblers" (mice). Or if he did, I missed it. I think it's pretty clear that the Bane is Hitler, the other rats are German soldiers, and the mice are Jews. I recently read the graphic novel Maus I, which also portrays Jews as mice.
It's not related, but there was also a scene that reminded me of a scene from Quigley Down Under. If you've read this book and also seen that movie, you know what I'm talking about. Sad. :(
As with the other books in the series, I think it's very interesting that Collins is willing to have very young children go on the adventures. Also, our hero still has both parents alive - if not necessarily in the best of health. While that's not unheard of, it is unusual for this type of YA fantasy adventure story. I like it!
I found it interesting that Gregor never thinks of Hitler or the Holocaust when he witnesses what happens to the "nibblers" (mice). Or if he did, I missed it. I think it's pretty clear that the Bane is Hitler, the other rats are German soldiers, and the mice are Jews. I recently read the graphic novel Maus I, which also portrays Jews as mice.
It's not related, but there was also a scene that reminded me of a scene from Quigley Down Under. If you've read this book and also seen that movie, you know what I'm talking about. Sad. :(
As with the other books in the series, I think it's very interesting that Collins is willing to have very young children go on the adventures. Also, our hero still has both parents alive - if not necessarily in the best of health. While that's not unheard of, it is unusual for this type of YA fantasy adventure story. I like it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2023
The atmosphere and plot and setup are all extremely ✨heavy✨
A real goblet of fire moment when everything becomes really real and the logo gets all dark and stormy
You will gasp or cry or maybe both… weeeeeeeeeee 🙃
A real goblet of fire moment when everything becomes really real and the logo gets all dark and stormy
You will gasp or cry or maybe both… weeeeeeeeeee 🙃
May 19, 2023
Trevor and Jess, you’ll be hearing from my attorney.
November 19, 2024
Me gusta mucho una buena novela de aventuras, si es en un mundo lleno de animales de todo tipo, mejor. Y resulta que las 5 partes que componen las andanzas de Gregor en las Tierras Bajas, tienen todo eso que me apasiona.
En esta cuarta parte, Gregor y Boots están visitando a sus amigos subterráneos cuando algo sucede, algo que afecta a los ratones, que precisamente son los aliados de la reina Luxa, y a las ratas, justo sus enemigos.
Es una lectura que me ha estado poniendo una sonrisa en la cara cada vez que aparecía mi cucaracha favorita, pero también que me ha puesto el corazón a mil por hora en los momentos en que cada uno de los personajes se encontraba en peligro.
Si yo, con mis taytantos años, he disfrutado mucho con esta lectura, a cualquier lector de menos de 16, supongo que le va a encantar, pero también es cierto que veo necesario leerlos en orden.
En esta cuarta parte, Gregor y Boots están visitando a sus amigos subterráneos cuando algo sucede, algo que afecta a los ratones, que precisamente son los aliados de la reina Luxa, y a las ratas, justo sus enemigos.
Es una lectura que me ha estado poniendo una sonrisa en la cara cada vez que aparecía mi cucaracha favorita, pero también que me ha puesto el corazón a mil por hora en los momentos en que cada uno de los personajes se encontraba en peligro.
Si yo, con mis taytantos años, he disfrutado mucho con esta lectura, a cualquier lector de menos de 16, supongo que le va a encantar, pero también es cierto que veo necesario leerlos en orden.
September 26, 2017
کالینز تازه انگار روند کتاب نوشتن دستش اومده و باز خواننده رو در خلسه نگه میداره تا جلد بعد رو هم بخونی. در واقع کتاب چهارم یه داستان کامل نیست بلکه همش یه پیش درامدی به اتفاقاتی هست که در جلد آخر در انتظار گریگور و دنیای زیرزمینی ست.
اوایل کتاب یه کم بی نظمی و بهم ریختگی وجود داشت که فکر می کنم مترجم گرامی حسابی داستان رو قاطی کرده بود.
اوایل کتاب یه کم بی نظمی و بهم ریختگی وجود داشت که فکر می کنم مترجم گرامی حسابی داستان رو قاطی کرده بود.
August 1, 2020
This installment is a little different as Gregor and Luxa defy the adults and strike out on their own. Needless to say, it doesn't go well. Exceptionally powerful and difficult themes for a MG book.
May 30, 2024
slam-dunked me into a depressive episode, five stars
March 17, 2025
Jedno jest pewne po lekturze Gregor and the Marks of Secret: Suzanne Collins wie, jak zbudować atmosferę przed wielkim finałem.
Dawniej utrzymywał się nadziei, że już nigdy nie odwiedzi tego miejsca, zostawi je bezpieczne pod podłogą pralni; teraz wraca, kiedy tylko może, gdyż za wiele tam zostawił. Rodzice mówią, że wyjadą z Nowego Yorku, kiedy tylko rodzina znów się spotka, lecz jak Gregor miałby pożegnać się z przyjaciółmi z Podziemia? W atmosferze nadchodzącego zakończenia i nowych nadziei bohater staje przed ostatnim wyzwaniem, zanim opuści swój drugi dom; misją, która wywróci losy krainy.
Przedostatniej części The Underland Chronicles towarzyszy takie dziwne uczucie, taki charakterystyczny chłód, który pojawia się, kiedy powoli zbliżamy się do końca. Prawie wszystkie karty zostały już odkryte, lecz teraz przyszedł czas na zmianę zasad gry, i choć zawsze wiadomo było, że ona nastąpi, to w sercu pojawiają się ekscytacja i niepokój. Nawet zarys fabularny jest odmieniony, ponieważ w tej części nikt nie zlecił misji Gregorowi, chłopiec sam ją podjął. Niektóre wątki rozwijają się pod atmosferą sekretności, pewne tematy, które przedtem rozwijały się nieśmiało i po cichu, wychodzą na pierwszy plan i łamią tabu, a towarzyszą im eksplozje emocji i przeżycia, do których strach było się przyznać. Kiedy na jaw wyłaniają się konsekwencje i owoce poprzednich przygód, główni bohaterowie w pełni odkrywają znaczenie swoich czynów oraz dziedzictwo, a nie są one łatwe do przyjęcia. Między postacie wkradają się nieufności i nieoczekiwane momenty bliskości, los wielu bohaterów staje pod znakiem zapytania, co u czytelnika pogłębia poczucie niepewności, zawahania i oczekiwania na wielki finał. Suzanne Collins przedstawia naprawdę wyrafinowaną, intrygującą i świetnie napisaną historię o poniesionej stracie oraz wypowiedzeniu wojny, groźbie i opadającej ciszy, pełną porażających obrazów, wspaniałych zwrotów akcji oraz poruszających postaci, które na oczach czytelnika stają się bohaterami, symbolami, nośnikami kultury i inspiracją, a przy tym twarzami, które rozpoznałoby się od pierwszego wejrzenia, mimo że żyją tylko na kartach powieści. To niewiarygodne, jak autorka jest w stanie zaprezentować tak ciężką opowieść, tak promieniującą krzywdą i tematami, których się lękamy, a zrobić to w ogromnie kochający, troskliwy, czuły i otwarty na serca dziecięcych czytelników sposób. Mam nadzieję, że ta seria zapisze się jeszcze w kulturze jako drugie kultowe dzieło autorki, równie dobre jak osławione Igrzyska Śmierci (jejku, czy wy też tak cieszycie się na nowy prequel tak jak ja?).
W recenzji każdej części tej serii zwracałam uwagę na główne motywy danej książki, aspekty wojny, które tym razem autorka wzięła na swój warsztat i przeobraziła w historię, którą są w stanie pojąć czytające ją dzieci. Po lekturze The Marks of Secret mamy wyjątkowo dużo do odpakowania, zwłaszcza, że to wątki tak aktualne w obecnej sytuacji politycznej! Nie chcę wam zbyt dużo spoilerować, bo moim celem jest to, byście sami podjęli się tej lektury, jednak zdradzę, że mamy tutaj przejmujący i ogromnie angażujący czytelnika motyw podziemnej odmiany ludobójstwa i czystki etnicznej. Ta historia o gatunku, wygnanym z każdego miejsca, gdzie postawi krok, skazanym za czyny, których nie popełnił, ofiarowanym w atmosferze nienawiści i żądzy władzy, czyjejś destrukcyjnej frustracji, osłoniona lękiem i legendą o cichej groźbie czy też ostrzeżeniu, splątana z ciszą… Na niektórych scenach płakałam jak małe dziecko, ogromnie odczuwałam klęskę i trzymam się silnie nadziei na to, co przyniesie ostatni rozdział sagi. Jednak, co ważniejsze, przywiodło mi to na myśl całe cierpienie, którego byliśmy świadkami w ostatnich czasach, za pośrednictwem materiałów udostępnianych w mediach społecznościowych. Wiem, że to banalne porównanie, a fikcja ma o wiele mniejsze znaczenie, lecz to dla mnie ogromnie ważne, że autorka uparcie opowiada historie o takich zdarzeniach, otwierając oczy młodych czytelników, odpowiadając na ich wątpliwości i niosąc w swych słowach historie krzywdy. W czwartej części na pierwszy plan wysuwa się również wątek dyktatora splamionego zbrodnią i nienawiścią, który z jednej strony jest interesującą kontynuacją historii, która ciągnęła się za nami już od drugiej części, a z drugiej stanowi genialne odwołanie do czasów II wojny światowej i ruchów faszystowskich (których echa nadal odbijają się w naszej rzeczywistości). W kwestii przełożenia realiów wojny na literaturę dziecięcą Suzanne Collins wspięła się na wyżyny i stworzyła historię tak wciągającą i złożoną, że z pewnością mogłaby zafascynować nawet wyjątkowo wyrafinowanego czytelnika gatunku. Prezentuje fascynujący, wartościowy i odważny komentarz.
Muszę przyznać, że wyjątkowo leniłam się z recenzjami ostatnich lektur. Z jednej strony sprawia to, że moje wrażenia wydają się bardziej chaotyczne i porozrzucane po różnych sferach, a z drugiej dobrze było spojrzeć na tę książkę z takiej perspektywy minionego czasu. Chociaż tak bardzo nie mogłam doczekać się przeczytania najlepszej części, że w końcu nie miałam wyboru! Do zobaczenia po drugiej stronie, kiedy już wreszcie będę wiedzieć, jak to wszystko się kończy i jakie ma znaczenie.
Dawniej utrzymywał się nadziei, że już nigdy nie odwiedzi tego miejsca, zostawi je bezpieczne pod podłogą pralni; teraz wraca, kiedy tylko może, gdyż za wiele tam zostawił. Rodzice mówią, że wyjadą z Nowego Yorku, kiedy tylko rodzina znów się spotka, lecz jak Gregor miałby pożegnać się z przyjaciółmi z Podziemia? W atmosferze nadchodzącego zakończenia i nowych nadziei bohater staje przed ostatnim wyzwaniem, zanim opuści swój drugi dom; misją, która wywróci losy krainy.
Przedostatniej części The Underland Chronicles towarzyszy takie dziwne uczucie, taki charakterystyczny chłód, który pojawia się, kiedy powoli zbliżamy się do końca. Prawie wszystkie karty zostały już odkryte, lecz teraz przyszedł czas na zmianę zasad gry, i choć zawsze wiadomo było, że ona nastąpi, to w sercu pojawiają się ekscytacja i niepokój. Nawet zarys fabularny jest odmieniony, ponieważ w tej części nikt nie zlecił misji Gregorowi, chłopiec sam ją podjął. Niektóre wątki rozwijają się pod atmosferą sekretności, pewne tematy, które przedtem rozwijały się nieśmiało i po cichu, wychodzą na pierwszy plan i łamią tabu, a towarzyszą im eksplozje emocji i przeżycia, do których strach było się przyznać. Kiedy na jaw wyłaniają się konsekwencje i owoce poprzednich przygód, główni bohaterowie w pełni odkrywają znaczenie swoich czynów oraz dziedzictwo, a nie są one łatwe do przyjęcia. Między postacie wkradają się nieufności i nieoczekiwane momenty bliskości, los wielu bohaterów staje pod znakiem zapytania, co u czytelnika pogłębia poczucie niepewności, zawahania i oczekiwania na wielki finał. Suzanne Collins przedstawia naprawdę wyrafinowaną, intrygującą i świetnie napisaną historię o poniesionej stracie oraz wypowiedzeniu wojny, groźbie i opadającej ciszy, pełną porażających obrazów, wspaniałych zwrotów akcji oraz poruszających postaci, które na oczach czytelnika stają się bohaterami, symbolami, nośnikami kultury i inspiracją, a przy tym twarzami, które rozpoznałoby się od pierwszego wejrzenia, mimo że żyją tylko na kartach powieści. To niewiarygodne, jak autorka jest w stanie zaprezentować tak ciężką opowieść, tak promieniującą krzywdą i tematami, których się lękamy, a zrobić to w ogromnie kochający, troskliwy, czuły i otwarty na serca dziecięcych czytelników sposób. Mam nadzieję, że ta seria zapisze się jeszcze w kulturze jako drugie kultowe dzieło autorki, równie dobre jak osławione Igrzyska Śmierci (jejku, czy wy też tak cieszycie się na nowy prequel tak jak ja?).
W recenzji każdej części tej serii zwracałam uwagę na główne motywy danej książki, aspekty wojny, które tym razem autorka wzięła na swój warsztat i przeobraziła w historię, którą są w stanie pojąć czytające ją dzieci. Po lekturze The Marks of Secret mamy wyjątkowo dużo do odpakowania, zwłaszcza, że to wątki tak aktualne w obecnej sytuacji politycznej! Nie chcę wam zbyt dużo spoilerować, bo moim celem jest to, byście sami podjęli się tej lektury, jednak zdradzę, że mamy tutaj przejmujący i ogromnie angażujący czytelnika motyw podziemnej odmiany ludobójstwa i czystki etnicznej. Ta historia o gatunku, wygnanym z każdego miejsca, gdzie postawi krok, skazanym za czyny, których nie popełnił, ofiarowanym w atmosferze nienawiści i żądzy władzy, czyjejś destrukcyjnej frustracji, osłoniona lękiem i legendą o cichej groźbie czy też ostrzeżeniu, splątana z ciszą… Na niektórych scenach płakałam jak małe dziecko, ogromnie odczuwałam klęskę i trzymam się silnie nadziei na to, co przyniesie ostatni rozdział sagi. Jednak, co ważniejsze, przywiodło mi to na myśl całe cierpienie, którego byliśmy świadkami w ostatnich czasach, za pośrednictwem materiałów udostępnianych w mediach społecznościowych. Wiem, że to banalne porównanie, a fikcja ma o wiele mniejsze znaczenie, lecz to dla mnie ogromnie ważne, że autorka uparcie opowiada historie o takich zdarzeniach, otwierając oczy młodych czytelników, odpowiadając na ich wątpliwości i niosąc w swych słowach historie krzywdy. W czwartej części na pierwszy plan wysuwa się również wątek dyktatora splamionego zbrodnią i nienawiścią, który z jednej strony jest interesującą kontynuacją historii, która ciągnęła się za nami już od drugiej części, a z drugiej stanowi genialne odwołanie do czasów II wojny światowej i ruchów faszystowskich (których echa nadal odbijają się w naszej rzeczywistości). W kwestii przełożenia realiów wojny na literaturę dziecięcą Suzanne Collins wspięła się na wyżyny i stworzyła historię tak wciągającą i złożoną, że z pewnością mogłaby zafascynować nawet wyjątkowo wyrafinowanego czytelnika gatunku. Prezentuje fascynujący, wartościowy i odważny komentarz.
Muszę przyznać, że wyjątkowo leniłam się z recenzjami ostatnich lektur. Z jednej strony sprawia to, że moje wrażenia wydają się bardziej chaotyczne i porozrzucane po różnych sferach, a z drugiej dobrze było spojrzeć na tę książkę z takiej perspektywy minionego czasu. Chociaż tak bardzo nie mogłam doczekać się przeczytania najlepszej części, że w końcu nie miałam wyboru! Do zobaczenia po drugiej stronie, kiedy już wreszcie będę wiedzieć, jak to wszystko się kończy i jakie ma znaczenie.
July 22, 2022
Better than the third. With a clever hidden prophecy and the return of so many likeable characters this was a win for me. Although I will note, this volume takes a markedly darker and more serious/mature tone than the previous entries. Younger readers may not be as prepared to deal with themes like genocide, mass murder, and heavy war.
Read
March 14, 2025increasing skeptical about how they fit all these people and creatures onto a single giant bat !!!
(for instance: a toddler, a seven year old, two teenagers, a giant cockroach AND a giant mouse??? gimme a break, very unrealistic)
(for instance: a toddler, a seven year old, two teenagers, a giant cockroach AND a giant mouse??? gimme a break, very unrealistic)
November 18, 2017
Bence Bot hiç büyümesin, biz onu hep Ge-go derken hatırlayalım.
January 29, 2024
4.5 - I can’t say what I want to say about this book without hella spoilers, but mannn this is dark and devastating. I am not ready to read the last book 😣 Like I’m fr stressed
November 29, 2025
This review is for Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, and Gregor and the Marks of Secret (Underland Chronicles, #2-4).
I've really enjoyed reading this series to my kiddos! We're on the last book now (Gregor and the Code of Claw) and had stop due to uncontrollable crying (mine). I don't think I'll be able to keep reading this one to them before bed because my tears make them think something is wrong with me. It's hard to explain that nothing is physically wrong, just Suzanne Collins shredding my heart. She has a knack for making you love characters and then destroying you with them later on.
This series does have some darker aspects, so I've had to be selective about what I read out loud. They're still a little young to hear about mass murder and excessive violence. It's meant for middle grade readers, and I think it's perfect for that age, but there is a lot of death and sadness (feelings a five-year-old might not be ready to address).
I love everything about this series. The characters, the world, the individual prophesies -- all amazing, detailed, and expertly executed. I try to figure the prophesies out as I read, but nothing is clear until the very end (not for me or the characters). The giant bats, rats, and cockroaches are all very unique and interesting. Boots, Gregor, Luxa, Henry, Ares, Temp, Ripred, Twitchtip -- I really do love them all! Everyone brings something to the story, and this series wouldn't be the same without every single one of them. Collins has created a story that I will remember for the rest of my life, and one that I look forward to revisiting in the future.
I've really enjoyed reading this series to my kiddos! We're on the last book now (Gregor and the Code of Claw) and had stop due to uncontrollable crying (mine). I don't think I'll be able to keep reading this one to them before bed because my tears make them think something is wrong with me. It's hard to explain that nothing is physically wrong, just Suzanne Collins shredding my heart. She has a knack for making you love characters and then destroying you with them later on.
This series does have some darker aspects, so I've had to be selective about what I read out loud. They're still a little young to hear about mass murder and excessive violence. It's meant for middle grade readers, and I think it's perfect for that age, but there is a lot of death and sadness (feelings a five-year-old might not be ready to address).
I love everything about this series. The characters, the world, the individual prophesies -- all amazing, detailed, and expertly executed. I try to figure the prophesies out as I read, but nothing is clear until the very end (not for me or the characters). The giant bats, rats, and cockroaches are all very unique and interesting. Boots, Gregor, Luxa, Henry, Ares, Temp, Ripred, Twitchtip -- I really do love them all! Everyone brings something to the story, and this series wouldn't be the same without every single one of them. Collins has created a story that I will remember for the rest of my life, and one that I look forward to revisiting in the future.
May 12, 2013
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 discussed through different books in the series: biological warfare, genocide, stealing land, starving another people group, etc.
Though animals, some of these characters are quite memorable, including the unforgettable Ripred - an uber intelligent and deadly rat. There is another similarity to THG in that the main character is not a violent person by choice, but is forced into circumstances in order to defend his younger sister, Boots... and later the rest of his family. Gregor is a very different hero than Katniss - he is more in touch with his feelings and is not shut down emotionally until the end - but he is responsible for his family in ways that children "should not be", forced out of childhood by the world surrounding him.
Though animals, some of these characters are quite memorable, including the unforgettable Ripred - an uber intelligent and deadly rat. There is another similarity to THG in that the main character is not a violent person by choice, but is forced into circumstances in order to defend his younger sister, Boots... and later the rest of his family. Gregor is a very different hero than Katniss - he is more in touch with his feelings and is not shut down emotionally until the end - but he is responsible for his family in ways that children "should not be", forced out of childhood by the world surrounding him.
January 31, 2024
Such a heartbreaking read - and even more so, now that I read it as an adult. This book handles some really, seriously heavy topics (like the pain of war, the injustice of murder, and the heartbreak of losing people close to you). An amazing read that made me both laugh and tear up at different times. Highly recommend!
Content warnings: graphic violence, death, murder, suffering.
Content warnings: graphic violence, death, murder, suffering.
July 11, 2023
When I first read this series in middle school, I did not see what I now feel like is one of the most important messages of these books:
the ones who lose the most in war are children. Each child in this series experiences great loss, must grow up too quickly, and has their prime self-discovery years stolen from them. They are victims of violence whether they live or die.
the ones who lose the most in war are children. Each child in this series experiences great loss, must grow up too quickly, and has their prime self-discovery years stolen from them. They are victims of violence whether they live or die.
January 27, 2024
i am seriously so scared for the last book. i love everyone so so much and i’m so scared.
March 31, 2021
Gregor and the Marks of Secret, fourth of the Underland Chronicles, is really the first of a two part finale. In the Underland again both to visit his Mum (who is still recuperating from the Plague which afflicted her in the previous book) and for Hazard's birthday party, he is quickly once again embroiled in adventure, when Luxa is summoned to aid the nibblers in keeping with her promise in the preceding story. At first, their plight is unknown, but it soon becomes clear that the Bane is gathering forces and has the mice in his sights.
Unlike the other books, the prophecy in this volume is only gradually revealed, and many hints are also dropped about that which will guide the action in the concluding part of the series. Thus, Gregor and the Marks of Secret ends on a cliffhanger, with Regalia under attack from the rats and plunged into the beginning of a battle.
As exciting as ever, pacy and with the usual excellent character development, this was yet another fabulous instalment in the series. My son and I are very much looking forward to seeing how everything comes together in the "Code of Claw", although we will no doubt also be sad that it has to come to an end.
Very much recommended.
Unlike the other books, the prophecy in this volume is only gradually revealed, and many hints are also dropped about that which will guide the action in the concluding part of the series. Thus, Gregor and the Marks of Secret ends on a cliffhanger, with Regalia under attack from the rats and plunged into the beginning of a battle.
As exciting as ever, pacy and with the usual excellent character development, this was yet another fabulous instalment in the series. My son and I are very much looking forward to seeing how everything comes together in the "Code of Claw", although we will no doubt also be sad that it has to come to an end.
Very much recommended.
February 24, 2025
Gregor har sommarlov och spenderar de flesta dagarna i Underjord. När Luxa, Regalias 12-åriga drottning, får ett anrop om hjälp från mössen så blir hon orolig. Tillsammans med Gregor, Boots och några andra ger hon sig av för att ta reda på vad som hänt. När de upptäcker den fasansfulla sanningen inser de att de står inför ett krig.
Det var några år sen jag läste den senaste delen i serien så det tog ett tag att minnas vilka alla var. Tack och lov återberättas en del händelser så jag har inga större problem att hänga med.
Den här serien är spännande, med mycket action, så passar bra för målgruppen 9-12 år. Kan vara bra att veta att den bitvis faktiskt är ganska mörk och man får vara beredd på att karaktärer dör. Tanken slog mig att den här boken har en hel del likheter med det som pågår i världen idag (tänk krig och utplåning), trots att den släpptes redan 2006 (originalet). Det är kanske inget som barn tänker på när de läser, men som vuxen kan jag definitivt se paralleller. Nu ska jag försöka läsa sista delen inom en snar framtid - speciellt eftersom den här slutade så spännande!
Det var några år sen jag läste den senaste delen i serien så det tog ett tag att minnas vilka alla var. Tack och lov återberättas en del händelser så jag har inga större problem att hänga med.
Den här serien är spännande, med mycket action, så passar bra för målgruppen 9-12 år. Kan vara bra att veta att den bitvis faktiskt är ganska mörk och man får vara beredd på att karaktärer dör. Tanken slog mig att den här boken har en hel del likheter med det som pågår i världen idag (tänk krig och utplåning), trots att den släpptes redan 2006 (originalet). Det är kanske inget som barn tänker på när de läser, men som vuxen kan jag definitivt se paralleller. Nu ska jag försöka läsa sista delen inom en snar framtid - speciellt eftersom den här slutade så spännande!
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