When Monsters Escape

Underworlds #2

by Tony Abbott, Antonio Javier Caparo (Illustrator)

An action-packed, mythological chapter book series from Tony Abbott!The underworld is in our world now. . . .Owen, Jon, and Sydney managed to rescue Dana from the underworld. But if they don't fulfill their end of the bargain with Hades, she might be headed back -- forever. As if that wasn't bad enough, some very creepy, very one-eyed mythological beasts are on the loose. Cyclopes have taken over the power plant in Pinewood Bluffs! Owen and his friends have to stop them before they destroy the town. But what chance do four kids stand against an army of mythological monsters?

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Tony Abbott (born 1952) is an American author of children's books. His most popular work is the book series The Secrets of Droon, which includes over 40 books. He has sold over 12 million copies of his books and they have been translated into several other languages, including Italian, Spanish, Korean, French, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, and Russian. He has also written the bestseller Firegirl.

Abbott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952. His father was a university professor and had an extensive library of books which became one of Abbott's first sources of literature. When he was eight years old, his family moved to Connecticut where he went through elementary school and high school.

Abbott attended the University of Connecticut, and after studying both music and psychology, decided to study English and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in English literature. He attended the workshops of Patricia Reilly Giff to further develop his writing after college.

Abbott currently lives in Trumbull, Connecticut, with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. Tony had one brother and two sisters.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I thought book one The Battle Begins was a race from start to finish, book two is even more so. This story continues on the heels of book1, with our four friends - Owen Brown, Dana Runson, Sydney Lambertti, and Jon Doyle. These four fourth graders know what is really going on. Loki has launched a war in the underworlds and it is spilling over into our world. Loki has one goal, to take over not just the underworlds and earth, but through the power gained in that process to take over Ragnorok. Somehow it is all linked to Dana Runson and her parents' research into Norse mythology.

Soon the children have visited the underworlds again and they have managed to return yet again, but that is really just the beginning of their adventure. In a story with battles with Draugs, Loki and giant Cyclopes, this story races from beginning to end. Children will love the adventures and seeing kids their own age as heroes working together to thwart evil. It is another great book in a wonderful series by an amazing author.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and with links to other reviews by the author and an author interview.

[Rogerio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kidz book with lots of action and monsters. Mythology learning is in there as well. This second book is more focussed on the Norse myths.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Constant action and kids with creative solutions to an unpredictable situation make for a good read for kids.

[Grace Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not ashamed to have read a book way to easy for me.

[Tejaswini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another 100 page turner. We start with action, we end with action. There's more exclamation points than ever before!

Owen is still leading the pack, Jon is still trying to be funny, Sydney... did she do anything this time? And Dana has a cool new gauntlet.

Loki has thrown Hades off his trail, and now the Norse god is off to tangle up another Underworld. I'd say these books would make great starters for anyone who wants to get into Percy Jackson, and maybe isn't quite old enough.

[Jenevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the Underworlds series for kids by Tony Abbott. They've gotten Dana out from the Greek Underworld but only by promising Hades that they would return the Cyclopses that were released into their world within a week. Brave words and now even braver deeds must follow if they are to pull that off and keep Dana free until her appointed time to travel to the Underworld. However finding out that the Cyclopses are making armor for Loki which will make him invincible and they have a whole nother set of problems to deal with since Loki has now stated that he wants to burn the Earth in order to wage and win a war against Odin. That would kinda suck for those of us still living here. Owen and his friends aren't about to let that happen tho especially since he still has Orpheus's lyre and now Dana has stolen one of Loki's magical armor gloves that has really cool lightening attacks.

So really, not a lot to say about this. It's all action with the occasional snarky comment from the characters. It's introducing different ancient mythologies (so far Greek and Norse) and is entertaining for my little guy to read. And read he is as he is devouring these books. He seriously loves them and is putting aside video games in favor of these books. Yeah, not my cup of tea since they are written for 7yr olds but you know what, the almost 7yr old LOVES it and it has encouraged him to read a LOT so for that, I will say that it is one of the most awesome series ever!

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen, Jon, and Sidney successfully negotiate with Hades, the god of the Greek underworld, to bring Dana home. Unfortunately, she can only stay if her friends find the Cyclopes that Loki, a Norse shape-shifter, released into the world of men. The Cyclopes took over the town’s power plant in order to forge a powerful suit of armor for their master. The power required plunges the town into darkness. Once the Cyclopes are done, they return to Loki. Owen and his friends follow them by holding on to a Draug thread and chanting runes. Disguised a Viking warriors, they enter the Norse underworld where they watch the armor grow into Loki’s skin. Practically invincible, Loki releases dragons on a town in Iceland as the battle for world domination gets closer.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a great alternative to Percy Jackson for younger or reluctant readers. I would actually give this a 3.5 rating if I could.

Booktalk:
Owen, Jon, and Sydney have rescued their friend Dana from the underworld--you can read that story in the first book--but if they don't fulfill their bargain w/ Hades, she'll have to go back. But it's not just Greek mythological monsters they have to deal with, but one's from Norse mythology as well. And not only that, but they get to visit not one, not two, but 3 different underworlds. Will these 4 friends manage to stay alive? Find out in "When Monsters Escape" by Tony Abbott.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are great for middle grade, reluctant readers. They're full of action and adventure, and they're pretty short; this book was only fifty-six pages long. The author doesn't spend a lot of time developing the characters personalities, so the action moves along quickly. Actually, the whole series of books could be combined to create one entertaining novel. Owen is the narrator of the story, and he learned to use a magical lyre in the first book. It gets them out of many problems, but Loki seems to have a special interest in Dana. The reason is not clear in this book, but I assume it will be one more evident in the future.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

My younger dd got excited about this book, I think because it's quite similar to the Percy Jackson series that older sis and I have read but more on her level. I'd recommend it for kids (6-9 maybe) who can handle a lot of action and monsters. That said, the plot was nothing to brag about for adults.

[☽ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see younger kids really enjoying it-- but I personally just kept getting hung up on things that were just glossed over and not answered. Part of it, I suspect, is a result of it being the second out of four books.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread Nov 2021. We are enjoying this series again. So much happened that we forgot a significant amount. Now on to book 3

Really starting to enjoy these kids and their crazy adventures with all the gods of the dead.

[Angel]

i love this series i wish they had more.

[Aryangarg]

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[Mickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this series with my son . . .great book for boys (and moms) who love adventure!

[Jamie G · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an great book

[Vipul Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same thing as last review except this book contains even more adventure.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. The series isn't really for me.

[david w. rong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting!!!

[Jocelin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this book. It was just ok.

[Ryan Kitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy evil gods to indestructible lighting shooting glove. This book was a sensation.