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Over and Under
I never figured I would end up fighting shape-shifting monsters in a fake London where everything runs on industrialised magic.
Or that I would turn out to be good at it.
But like everything that involves grown-ups—whether they’re human or not—there are hidden agendas, and when my friend goes missing, nobody wants to know.
And I have to switch from Warrior to Hunter.
Over and Under is the first volume of the Underland series by Robin Hart, a dark fantasy adventure for Young Adults of all ages. Start your journey today.
Or that I would turn out to be good at it.
But like everything that involves grown-ups—whether they’re human or not—there are hidden agendas, and when my friend goes missing, nobody wants to know.
And I have to switch from Warrior to Hunter.
Over and Under is the first volume of the Underland series by Robin Hart, a dark fantasy adventure for Young Adults of all ages. Start your journey today.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 22, 2023
What a beautiful cover. I'm not the kind of reader who basically reads only books with pretty covers, but pretty covers always invite me to read the summary and therefore books with a pretty cover will more often actually reach me. In this case I liked the summary too. A strange world, monsters, politics and a missing friend. I was therefore really happy that I could grab a review copy for this book via BookSirens and even happier that it was finally time to dive in yesterday.
The book started out great. I read the first 40% of the book during the ride to and from work and I really enjoyed stumbling into this hidden world, making friends and fighting monsters. It was a typical YA book, but the typical YA book I liked. An ordinary girl who doesn't believe she's special all of a sudden discovered that maybe she does have a hidden talent and could be extraordinary at something. Even if that something is slightly terrifying.
However, after the powerful start it somehow feels like the book eventually doesn't really deliver. The strange new world we're exploring is never really explored beyond the few places we're introduced to in the beginning. And the search for the missing friend eventually ends with a lot of questions and actually next to no answers. Which means that we basically know next to nothing more than what has already being stated in the blurb. There are hidden agendas.
But maybe I'm simply not the real target audience of this book. I do love an adventure fantasy. I do love a YA, and even one aimed at a younger YA audience. I just also like a little depth and some real emotions in my book. This book was really focussed on the action, on the heroine running from one place to another, on monsters and danger. I'm pretty sure that especially those who prefer Netflix over reading might really enjoy this book a lot more than I did.
The book started out great. I read the first 40% of the book during the ride to and from work and I really enjoyed stumbling into this hidden world, making friends and fighting monsters. It was a typical YA book, but the typical YA book I liked. An ordinary girl who doesn't believe she's special all of a sudden discovered that maybe she does have a hidden talent and could be extraordinary at something. Even if that something is slightly terrifying.
However, after the powerful start it somehow feels like the book eventually doesn't really deliver. The strange new world we're exploring is never really explored beyond the few places we're introduced to in the beginning. And the search for the missing friend eventually ends with a lot of questions and actually next to no answers. Which means that we basically know next to nothing more than what has already being stated in the blurb. There are hidden agendas.
But maybe I'm simply not the real target audience of this book. I do love an adventure fantasy. I do love a YA, and even one aimed at a younger YA audience. I just also like a little depth and some real emotions in my book. This book was really focussed on the action, on the heroine running from one place to another, on monsters and danger. I'm pretty sure that especially those who prefer Netflix over reading might really enjoy this book a lot more than I did.
July 18, 2023
Nancy Drew with a Steampunk twist. Mystery and adventure abound in the fantasy "Over and Under" by Robin Hart. Claire Stone is an ordinary teenager who accidentally finds herself in Underland - a skewed version of our earth with magic, enchanted creatures and a cadre of teenagers who protect our dimension from incursions from mystical monsters called Morphs. After helping rescue a Warrior named Evie Jones, Claire is recruited on probationary terms as a new Warrior. Despite some misgivings, Claire can't resist the opportunity and becomes Evie's protege. The novel follows Claire's training and the mystery that follows concerning an event the affects her directly and threatens her status as a Warrior in Underland.
The book is definitely an enjoyable read, the world-building is immersive and the magic system is intriguing. I liked the mystery aspect the most, though at one point it almost had a procedural sense to it which slowed things down a bit. At certain points, while there was great detail given to the setting, there was less attention to the characters' own emotions; a sentence or two for Claire amidst the description of the surroundings. Expected of a detective novel and not necessarily a bad thing but it did delay my connecting with the characters as much or as quickly as I would have preferred. However, those are minor issues of taste and I would recommend this book to anyone with a love of mystery and Steampunk.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book is definitely an enjoyable read, the world-building is immersive and the magic system is intriguing. I liked the mystery aspect the most, though at one point it almost had a procedural sense to it which slowed things down a bit. At certain points, while there was great detail given to the setting, there was less attention to the characters' own emotions; a sentence or two for Claire amidst the description of the surroundings. Expected of a detective novel and not necessarily a bad thing but it did delay my connecting with the characters as much or as quickly as I would have preferred. However, those are minor issues of taste and I would recommend this book to anyone with a love of mystery and Steampunk.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 21, 2023
This is an incredible adventure that will take you on a journey to an underground world filled with thrills and excitement! Alyssa is about to discover a fascinating place called Underland, where she'll meet all sorts of extraordinary creatures and face challenges that will test her to the max as she tries to stop an evil ruler.
The author, Robin Hart, has done an amazing job of creating an imaginative and mesmerizing world. She's painted a picture of Underland that's both familiar and wonderfully unique, and her characters are so well-developed that you'll feel like you're right there with them.
The story moves at just the right pace, with lots of action and suspense that will keep you hooked from start to finish. And the themes of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery will resonate with everyone who reads this book. I can't wait to see where Robin Hart takes us next!
The author, Robin Hart, has done an amazing job of creating an imaginative and mesmerizing world. She's painted a picture of Underland that's both familiar and wonderfully unique, and her characters are so well-developed that you'll feel like you're right there with them.
The story moves at just the right pace, with lots of action and suspense that will keep you hooked from start to finish. And the themes of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery will resonate with everyone who reads this book. I can't wait to see where Robin Hart takes us next!
March 13, 2024
This was a fun read set in a fun setting. Gatgets and mysteries, magic and a special place called Under. Monsters, friends, and doing things we never expected we would be capable of. This story has it all wrapped up in a fun steampunky YA story. It's safe for most ages and action-packed. The ending is a bit abrupt but it leads you right into the next book. Not a cliffhanger, but an enticing promise of more to come. Two thumbs up from me!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 7, 2025
Needs editing
This book reads as if it was originally written in the third person and incompletely changed to a first person perspective, which is very distracting. Occasionally words are missing, too. Otherwise, the plot is an interesting one, the characters are appealing and some development is shown. The story is of course incomplete, but this book ends at a reasonable stopping place.
This book reads as if it was originally written in the third person and incompletely changed to a first person perspective, which is very distracting. Occasionally words are missing, too. Otherwise, the plot is an interesting one, the characters are appealing and some development is shown. The story is of course incomplete, but this book ends at a reasonable stopping place.
October 2, 2023
What an amazing concept. I was hooked right away and never wanted to stop reading it. The characters are so different and unique compared to other fantasy novels. I can't wait to read the next story.
October 18, 2025
What a fun premise, an alternate universe almost like a computer or video game. This YP book is a science fiction type book. Unfortunately it is one of the most poorly proofread or edited books I have read. If you can wade through that you will enjoy the premise and the way it sets up the series.
September 12, 2024
This story and world were delightful. Fun, quirky, fresh, and original, with well-drawn characters and a writing style that effortlessly pulls you along. Can't wait to read the next book!
don-t-want-to-read
May 18, 2025DNF about 4 chapters in. Had the makings of an enjoyable reading but too much unsavory language for my tastes.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews