• click here to return to the homepage •
or 
Home > Categories > Books > Young Adult > Underland Chronicles 1 - Gregor the Overlander review
When eleven-year-old Gregor follows his little sister through a grate in the laundry room of their New York apartment, he hurtles into the dark Underland beneath the city. There, humans live uneasily beside giant spiders, bats, cockroaches, and rats, but the fragile peace is about to fall apart.
Gregor wants no part of a conflict between these creepy creatures. He just wants to find his way home. But when he discovers that a strange prophecy foretells a role for him in the Underland's uncertain future, he realizes it might be the only way to solve the biggest mystery of his life. Little does he know his quest will change him and the Underland forever.
Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, Suzanne Collin's debut marked a thrilling new talent, and introduced a character no young reader will ever forget.
Bad Luck and Trouble
EJ12 Girl Hero: 1: Hot and Cold
A Song of Ice and Fire 1: A Game of Thrones
Prince of the Icemark
Snail and Turtle are Friends
Piggy Pasta and More Food with Attitude
Little Red Riding Hood: Not Quite
Two Birds on a Wire
The Drizzly Bear
Miniwings #6: Moonlight the Unicorn's High Tea Hiccup
Ko Ihaka me te Manuwhiri i Puta Ohorere mai
Heartstopper: Volume Two
Our Infinite FatesProduct reviews...
Review by: kiwiblondie (Michelle)
Dated: 28th of December, 2013
The story was a bit unexpected, I wasn't sure what to expect but found the book easy to read and some parts had me laughing out loud, which got my kids asking what was so funny. The characters are well written and you could almost imagine being there but I'm glad I'm not as I don't do well with rodents and things, if they crawl then I'm not a big fan.
I did like how the book told the whole story, not stopped part way through the journey and made you read the next book to find out more of the story but it does hint at quests so if you want to know more then you can keep reading but if you only wanted to know if Gregor and Boots ever made it home then that question is answered.
There were a few surprises and twists which keeps the story interesting. There was no romance but since they are only 12 years old, romance was not on Gregor's mind. He is like most people, has his fears and things that he does well and he has to learn to trust others even if they are creepy and strange.
I thought that I wouldn't want to read the next book but by the end of the book I was hoping that there is more books to follow. I'm definitely going to be reading the next book.
Review by: mizim (Miriam)
Dated: 12th of September, 2013
Gregor is an eleven year old boy who has had to grow up a little sooner than normal as just over two years ago his father disappeared. One day, while left looking after his two year old sister, they end up falling through a vent and find themselves in the Underland. Soon he finds out he is there to fulfil a prophecy.
I liked Gregor, he was easy to like and very human at the same time, not too dramatic or strong, just the right amount of vulnerability. Boots, his younger sister, is well written and acts just like you would expect a 2 year old to act (too many times they are written as if they are older(), so Collins did a great job there.
The world of the Underland is easy to imagine, she doesn't go into a huge amount of detail which is great for being able to picture it how you think it would look. I loved how some of the creatures in the Underland are the same as what we have in the 'Overland', they're just far bigger and more intelligent.
One thing I really liked that whilst there is a main female character (other than his sister), there is NO romance between them (and I'm kinda hoping it will stay that way), they start off disliking each other and by the end of the first book have an appreciation of each other. What I didn't like, I can't go into without spoilers, but needless to say I felt it could have been done better in one aspect.
I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read the next one in the series.
Random listing from 'Books'...
It is Flanders in June 1917: a British officer and celebrated poet, is shot dead, killed not by German fire, but while recuperating from shell shock well behind the lines. A young English soldier is arrested and, although he protests his innocence, charged with his murder.
Douglas Kingsley is a conscientious objector, previously a detective with the London police, now imprisoned for his beliefs. He is released and sent to France in ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Next to being shot at and missed, nothing is really quite as satisfying as an income tax refund."
F. J. Raymond
