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Underland Chronicles #1-4
Gregor the Overlander Box Set
Gregor the Overlander, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, and Gregor and the Marks of Secret.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
53 people are currently reading
2811 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Collins
56 books121k 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 240 reviews
June 12, 2009
This is my review for the whole series. There are 5 books and they are all equally wonderful. I bought this series about 3 years ago, but never read them. They just sat on my shelf. Every time I looked at the back, it just didn't draw my interest. I'm not sure why, but I just do not enjoy books that take place underground (City of Ember, Tunnels, etc.). The fact that this takes place underground initially turned me off. However, I decided to give it a try, and I am very glad that I did. The story is very exciting, and all the books were very difficult to put down. The new world is an exciting and interesting place (although at times it is a bit illogical).
My one concern with the book is that even though it is billed for 11-12 year olds, it does seem to have a lot of killing and dying. I think you'd have to be a mature 12 year old to read it. There are also some other serious themes that may be difficult for young readers. Overall, though, I highly recommend this series. It hooked me from the start, and kept me interested the whole time. Be warned: You really have to read the whole series as it's one continous story. The good news is that it is all written!
My one concern with the book is that even though it is billed for 11-12 year olds, it does seem to have a lot of killing and dying. I think you'd have to be a mature 12 year old to read it. There are also some other serious themes that may be difficult for young readers. Overall, though, I highly recommend this series. It hooked me from the start, and kept me interested the whole time. Be warned: You really have to read the whole series as it's one continous story. The good news is that it is all written!
October 22, 2012
I read this series when I entered middle school. I have to say, it is still (six years later) one of my favorite series of all time. Yes, I have read the Hunger Games Trilogy. However, I must say that it pales in comparison to this series.
I am not one to cry at books or movies, but I was brought to tears as I read the final two books of the series. The deaths of certain characters were portrayed well, and I got a real sense of the emotions the characters felt throughout the series.
Also, I haven't found a series yet that has touched me in the way this series has. Single books, like "To Kill A Mockingbird" and various other classics and even some young adult novels, have had some impact on me and I have felt connections to them, of course. However, I always have difficulty in finding a SERIES that remains consistently well-written and enjoyable (and heartbreaking at the same time!) throughout. Susan Collins has definitely written a successful series in "Gregor the Overlander." Or, at least she has in my book.
I am not one to cry at books or movies, but I was brought to tears as I read the final two books of the series. The deaths of certain characters were portrayed well, and I got a real sense of the emotions the characters felt throughout the series.
Also, I haven't found a series yet that has touched me in the way this series has. Single books, like "To Kill A Mockingbird" and various other classics and even some young adult novels, have had some impact on me and I have felt connections to them, of course. However, I always have difficulty in finding a SERIES that remains consistently well-written and enjoyable (and heartbreaking at the same time!) throughout. Susan Collins has definitely written a successful series in "Gregor the Overlander." Or, at least she has in my book.
February 20, 2009
Oh my god.
Let me start this by saying this series and the author deserve ALL the praise, hype, and media attention that Twilight and that hack Stephanie Meyer got.
First, I'll start by talking about Gregor and the Code of Claw, the final book in the series.
NO other book (save Redwall, when I was about 8) made me feel this strongly about a character and their (assumed) death. NO other book I know of potrayed such obvious (for the YA audience), yet such effective symbolism. NO other SERIES I have read has such amazing differentiation of characters through dialogue, which was, again, obvious, but effective - I could tell races, and hell, INDIVIDUALS of the SAME race apart just by the way they talked.
The world that Collins built was just amazing. Having its roots in such reality, yet being a world of fantasy, felt so natural. The Underland would be on the top list of fictional places to visit, despite all the video games that make up most of my time.
Gregor himself wasn't a spectacular character. In fact, he was a bit of a Gary Stu - however, his emotions were all real - so real to make me keep reading and not put down the book in disbelief. It was the supporting characters, however, who made the book (I'm looking at you, Ripred)
The Underland Chronicles series will make you cry on multiple occasions. There's a rather bittersweet ending, but I feel it fits the books themselves.
The whole package comes together - spectacular writing, amazing characterization, awesome world-building...
Oh, but this is a YA book! Well, too bad, adults, so is Harry Potter. And I can guarantee you that this book can live up to all the expectations for YA books left in the wake of the aforementioned magic-based epic.
Let me start this by saying this series and the author deserve ALL the praise, hype, and media attention that Twilight and that hack Stephanie Meyer got.
First, I'll start by talking about Gregor and the Code of Claw, the final book in the series.
NO other book (save Redwall, when I was about 8) made me feel this strongly about a character and their (assumed) death. NO other book I know of potrayed such obvious (for the YA audience), yet such effective symbolism. NO other SERIES I have read has such amazing differentiation of characters through dialogue, which was, again, obvious, but effective - I could tell races, and hell, INDIVIDUALS of the SAME race apart just by the way they talked.
The world that Collins built was just amazing. Having its roots in such reality, yet being a world of fantasy, felt so natural. The Underland would be on the top list of fictional places to visit, despite all the video games that make up most of my time.
Gregor himself wasn't a spectacular character. In fact, he was a bit of a Gary Stu - however, his emotions were all real - so real to make me keep reading and not put down the book in disbelief. It was the supporting characters, however, who made the book (I'm looking at you, Ripred)
The Underland Chronicles series will make you cry on multiple occasions. There's a rather bittersweet ending, but I feel it fits the books themselves.
The whole package comes together - spectacular writing, amazing characterization, awesome world-building...
Oh, but this is a YA book! Well, too bad, adults, so is Harry Potter. And I can guarantee you that this book can live up to all the expectations for YA books left in the wake of the aforementioned magic-based epic.
January 14, 2009
Could NOT put these books down.....they caused what my daughter calls a 'book binge' - where you ignore all other responsibilities and get rather irritated when interrupted until you foggily come up for air - only to ask with an eerie urgency where the next book in the series is.... now I want to read everything by this author.
November 24, 2010
It has adventure, mystery, romance, and science fiction (the guy finds a whole city under his apartment building after all). Gregor and his little sister, Boo (?), fall down an air vent in their apartment buildings laundry room and land into a whole new land where bats and cockroaches and bats are as big as horses (big it's not all as discustng as you would think...they don't really ponder on that fact for a long time) and pale skinned, violet eyed people live. Gregory and Boo, having survived the fall, as instant heroes, and are taken to the palace to dine with the King. there they learn Gregory - the only Overlander to have survived into their land in a long, long time - is expected to complete a prophecy to return peace to their land. Each book has it's own prophecy, with the Great Prophecy left for the last book "The Code of Claw". Like i said, romance and mystery, mixed in with a ton of adventure makes this series hard to put down.
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2008
These books are a fabulous young adult fantasy read. (I should note that I typically don't read the fantasy genre.) I couldn't put them down and read all four quite quickly. (I had to wait a bit for the fifth book.) The underworld is so wonderfully described that it sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I could go so far to say I liked it even more than the Harry Potter series. SERIOUSLY!
The only bummer is that Collins isn't going to continue writing this series. Number five is really the last one. Darn!
The only bummer is that Collins isn't going to continue writing this series. Number five is really the last one. Darn!
January 14, 2009
I loved all of them. You don't get a better series about a 12-yr-old. That actually surprised me in the second book - because I read it so long after the first - Gregor is only 12. I liked the way anagrams came into play in the fourth one, and Lizzie thinking Gregor was like Gorger.
I definitely recommend these books.
I definitely recommend these books.
August 21, 2009
SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPER SUPPER GOOD!
I did not want to read it but Anne forced me to, and I am so glad she did!
My new favorite books!!!!!!!!!!
Fantasy, Adventure, a little mystery, and totally fun!!!!!!!!!!!!
I did not want to read it but Anne forced me to, and I am so glad she did!
My new favorite books!!!!!!!!!!
Fantasy, Adventure, a little mystery, and totally fun!!!!!!!!!!!!
Want to read
March 31, 2009I really can't wait to get into this series... I love Suzanne Collins!
April 8, 2012
SPOILERS(?) Ahead:
April 7, 2012
These may be books technically written for children, and I did indeed pick them up when I was really young, but the things you learn, the things glimpsed and hinted at, the ones blatantly laid out and slammed into your face: they aren't pretty little fairy tales with lovely beasts-unicorns-and shiny pretty rainbows and pink satin bows and glitter and sequins, princesses and prince charmings, hah no. I picked this book up, unprepared, I saw a world a little kid wasn't fully aware of yet. I was innocent, I'd heard little and wanted to know more but I didn't know this "children's" book would show or rather shove my curiosity down my throat and suck me into its whirlpool of 'death and despair and adventure and.. everything', I was shown everything with this series, this author. I was horrified-wtf is wrong with this world, us, why am I putting myself through this? I cried, I was scared, what can you do, I was a fucking kid. Reading the books I felt like I'd been chained along for the magnificently mapped out horror rides unsuspecting characters had to suffer, would suffer and endure. But I loved, absolutely, completely, uberly, irrevocably, love the Underland Chronicles. I cried because I loved, I feared because I cared. But what really got to me, wormed its way into my bloodstream--why I kept reading this series, despite my horror--was because it bloody friggin fascinated me. It was a world unknown. Intriguing, amazing, horrifying, strange, unruly, scary, lovable.. messed up, it was fucked up, but it was real; past, current, future. Reading this series is an experience I'm unlikely to forget. I might be scared but I loved, love, this damn book, this whole series, this author. This is my childhood. Reading this book, I lived and breathed through genocide where helpless thousands died, I watched them cough and gag and die and burn to death, I lived in the plague, through various epidemics and health scares, hospitals and needles, dripping ivs and glass windows, quarantined and isolation, murder, food poisoning, flesh-eating insects that left bones polished and bare--I've never looked at bones the same again, exotic plants that played pretend then sucked you in whole and liquidized you into their food, their nutrition, no man/animal-eat-plant here, I saw trees die, clear-cutting wiping out vegetation and life, bodies thrown in rivers like they're trash and dirty and something to litter, corpses littered here-there-and-every-imaginable-place-where, burned, poisoned and sickened, dying, I saw death and chaos and destruction and hell, I watched armies warring one another to the death, watched them emotionlessly forsake thousands to perfect their weapons of mass destruction, I looked on as a helpless baby grew up orphaned then kill, and lead thousands to kill, as a grown up and then I watched him die, I watched the players get betrayed and lied to, broken and left to perish, I stared as cannibalism happened in front of my eyes, I saw starvation, I watched as lives were given for others selflessly, I watched as lives were stolen, I watched as others threw lives away for their own, and I watched the suicides, far off in my corner, where I sat, invisibly chained, soaking up all the horrors Suzanne Collins could throw at me, I just watched and endured and cried and stared with open eyes at all the horrors of the world. I was young when I was thrown splat on my face into the echoes of our--humanity's--past and current affairs. What we've done and will probably do. Science and Medicine, Armies and War, I got an eyeful, I've been interested in such subjects since. And in other peoples' lives and points of view and what their own tragedies may be, what their life may be. Suzanne Collins, she threw death in my face like we were playing tennis where she was making all the hits and I just kept missing, just watching her make her hits, incapable of doing anything. She showed me death. My childhood? I was taught death.
-----------------------------
December 5, 2011
I was horrified of the situations, the characters, the mysteries, the prophecies, their world. I was scared of the impending dooms, the tragedies that no doubt would occur and did, the plague frightened me, the curses and epidemics chilled me. I was fascinated by the complexity of the storyline, the plot, the characters' three-dimensional selves, the underland and it's dark beauty, the twists and turns, how everything worked out like puzzle pieces. I was in love with Gregor, Boots, Ripred, everyone, just everyone, and the author most definitely, the prophecies, the fantasy and depth of their world; it was like wonderland or neverland but seeded in darkness. It was brilliant. I was enraptured by the characters, amazed by how incredibly unique and thrilling and REWARDING the "Underland Chronicles" was. I was happy reading this. I wanted more and I got more. I was greedy, ravenous, always for more more more more more and more of Gregor the Overlander. It was just so good, too good. I craved more and more. I grieved as well for all the tragedies, the heartlessness of their world, the corruptions of characters especially the Bane, God the Bane why couldn't things have worked out? And Henry and Solovet, who I grew to despise. I was always impatient for Ms. Collins' series. I wish there had been more so I would be able to wait with excitement and anticipation for her continuation of such a captivating and exceptional series. But dreadfully, all good things come to an end and the series died. It ended. I'm so heartbroken I'll always crave and thirst and hunger for more. The tragedies and simple happiness attracted me like a fly to a carrion flower. This book left bitterness in your mouth. At how harsh reality is and how horrible some people have it. It makes one disgusted with the world and yet in love because there's hope. This series, the highlight of my childhood obsession, led me to books that weren't all roses, rainbows, smiles, faeries, and happiness. ... I love this series so much. I'm so incredibly honored to have read the "Underland Chronicles" and I thank Suzanne Collins, most deeply, for allowing us readers to delve into her imagination and made-up world with her. She's a powerful author who can take hold of your mind and run with it or leave it for the flesh-eating mites' enjoyment. Thank you for the read. You are a delightful and engrossing character yourself, to have such a bold and intriguing and bewildering and sophisticated mind. It's been my pleasure to review and read this series.
Ntsuab.
April 7, 2012
These may be books technically written for children, and I did indeed pick them up when I was really young, but the things you learn, the things glimpsed and hinted at, the ones blatantly laid out and slammed into your face: they aren't pretty little fairy tales with lovely beasts-unicorns-and shiny pretty rainbows and pink satin bows and glitter and sequins, princesses and prince charmings, hah no. I picked this book up, unprepared, I saw a world a little kid wasn't fully aware of yet. I was innocent, I'd heard little and wanted to know more but I didn't know this "children's" book would show or rather shove my curiosity down my throat and suck me into its whirlpool of 'death and despair and adventure and.. everything', I was shown everything with this series, this author. I was horrified-wtf is wrong with this world, us, why am I putting myself through this? I cried, I was scared, what can you do, I was a fucking kid. Reading the books I felt like I'd been chained along for the magnificently mapped out horror rides unsuspecting characters had to suffer, would suffer and endure. But I loved, absolutely, completely, uberly, irrevocably, love the Underland Chronicles. I cried because I loved, I feared because I cared. But what really got to me, wormed its way into my bloodstream--why I kept reading this series, despite my horror--was because it bloody friggin fascinated me. It was a world unknown. Intriguing, amazing, horrifying, strange, unruly, scary, lovable.. messed up, it was fucked up, but it was real; past, current, future. Reading this series is an experience I'm unlikely to forget. I might be scared but I loved, love, this damn book, this whole series, this author. This is my childhood. Reading this book, I lived and breathed through genocide where helpless thousands died, I watched them cough and gag and die and burn to death, I lived in the plague, through various epidemics and health scares, hospitals and needles, dripping ivs and glass windows, quarantined and isolation, murder, food poisoning, flesh-eating insects that left bones polished and bare--I've never looked at bones the same again, exotic plants that played pretend then sucked you in whole and liquidized you into their food, their nutrition, no man/animal-eat-plant here, I saw trees die, clear-cutting wiping out vegetation and life, bodies thrown in rivers like they're trash and dirty and something to litter, corpses littered here-there-and-every-imaginable-place-where, burned, poisoned and sickened, dying, I saw death and chaos and destruction and hell, I watched armies warring one another to the death, watched them emotionlessly forsake thousands to perfect their weapons of mass destruction, I looked on as a helpless baby grew up orphaned then kill, and lead thousands to kill, as a grown up and then I watched him die, I watched the players get betrayed and lied to, broken and left to perish, I stared as cannibalism happened in front of my eyes, I saw starvation, I watched as lives were given for others selflessly, I watched as lives were stolen, I watched as others threw lives away for their own, and I watched the suicides, far off in my corner, where I sat, invisibly chained, soaking up all the horrors Suzanne Collins could throw at me, I just watched and endured and cried and stared with open eyes at all the horrors of the world. I was young when I was thrown splat on my face into the echoes of our--humanity's--past and current affairs. What we've done and will probably do. Science and Medicine, Armies and War, I got an eyeful, I've been interested in such subjects since. And in other peoples' lives and points of view and what their own tragedies may be, what their life may be. Suzanne Collins, she threw death in my face like we were playing tennis where she was making all the hits and I just kept missing, just watching her make her hits, incapable of doing anything. She showed me death. My childhood? I was taught death.
-----------------------------
December 5, 2011
I was horrified of the situations, the characters, the mysteries, the prophecies, their world. I was scared of the impending dooms, the tragedies that no doubt would occur and did, the plague frightened me, the curses and epidemics chilled me. I was fascinated by the complexity of the storyline, the plot, the characters' three-dimensional selves, the underland and it's dark beauty, the twists and turns, how everything worked out like puzzle pieces. I was in love with Gregor, Boots, Ripred, everyone, just everyone, and the author most definitely, the prophecies, the fantasy and depth of their world; it was like wonderland or neverland but seeded in darkness. It was brilliant. I was enraptured by the characters, amazed by how incredibly unique and thrilling and REWARDING the "Underland Chronicles" was. I was happy reading this. I wanted more and I got more. I was greedy, ravenous, always for more more more more more and more of Gregor the Overlander. It was just so good, too good. I craved more and more. I grieved as well for all the tragedies, the heartlessness of their world, the corruptions of characters especially the Bane, God the Bane why couldn't things have worked out? And Henry and Solovet, who I grew to despise. I was always impatient for Ms. Collins' series. I wish there had been more so I would be able to wait with excitement and anticipation for her continuation of such a captivating and exceptional series. But dreadfully, all good things come to an end and the series died. It ended. I'm so heartbroken I'll always crave and thirst and hunger for more. The tragedies and simple happiness attracted me like a fly to a carrion flower. This book left bitterness in your mouth. At how harsh reality is and how horrible some people have it. It makes one disgusted with the world and yet in love because there's hope. This series, the highlight of my childhood obsession, led me to books that weren't all roses, rainbows, smiles, faeries, and happiness. ... I love this series so much. I'm so incredibly honored to have read the "Underland Chronicles" and I thank Suzanne Collins, most deeply, for allowing us readers to delve into her imagination and made-up world with her. She's a powerful author who can take hold of your mind and run with it or leave it for the flesh-eating mites' enjoyment. Thank you for the read. You are a delightful and engrossing character yourself, to have such a bold and intriguing and bewildering and sophisticated mind. It's been my pleasure to review and read this series.
Ntsuab.
January 31, 2021
So when ever I was 10 this was read to our class in school. I instantly got hooked to these books and so did my class, we were only meant to read one but since we loved it so much our teacher read us the second. I then went to the library and got the third and read it but since I was still quite young I didn’t really understand what was happening. In the first lockdown I wanted to finish the series and maybe read them again so I got the fourth and fifth book on my kindle and I binge read them (that’s probably what messed up my sleep schedule). By the summer 2020 I had bought the first three again and just before Christmas I read them all over again and as I’m now older I understand what more things meant such as words, deaths and even the friendship between Luxa and Gregor.
I would definitely recommend these books to anyone over the age of 12. There is a lot of violence and death and that could be scary for anyone under the age. I really hoped there would be a sixth book about Gregor in Virginia and maybe how Luxa and Ripred are getting on with peace in the underland.
If anyone could recommend me books that are like these please do. I started the hunger games and didn’t really like them but if there are any other books like these please let me know.
I would definitely recommend these books to anyone over the age of 12. There is a lot of violence and death and that could be scary for anyone under the age. I really hoped there would be a sixth book about Gregor in Virginia and maybe how Luxa and Ripred are getting on with peace in the underland.
If anyone could recommend me books that are like these please do. I started the hunger games and didn’t really like them but if there are any other books like these please let me know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2022
I couldn't find the whole series, so I'm using this. Okay, can we all just take a moment to appreciate how wonderfully breathtaking this series is? For real. This is...wonder-tastic. Maybe even better than snuggling with my cat and a cup of hot cocoa. These books transport me to another time, a different world hidden just beneath the surface.
*SPOILER ALERTS*
I think I'm in a moment of forever awe, just about the beauty of the mental picture placed in my head of Regalia. The character development of Luxa is just brilliant, and Boots is perfect forever. Thalia and Ares forever fly in my heart...I may or may not have caused a new Waterway when I read that Ares died. I don't know man, the moisture just jumped out of my eyes!
Furthermore, I think The Underland Chronicles' ending speaks to me especially because I can never find a place to fit in. I'm too outgoing to be an introvert, too shy to be an extrovert. But I think I'll be okay, and I don't need books AS MUCH. They're no longer a distraction from terror, but a pleasure outing in my brain. I think I'll be just fine with the others in-between. All of us have true Halflanders in them, some way or the other we're all mixed boxes.
Ah, I just simply adore these books !! <3
*SPOILER ALERTS*
I think I'm in a moment of forever awe, just about the beauty of the mental picture placed in my head of Regalia. The character development of Luxa is just brilliant, and Boots is perfect forever. Thalia and Ares forever fly in my heart...I may or may not have caused a new Waterway when I read that Ares died. I don't know man, the moisture just jumped out of my eyes!
Furthermore, I think The Underland Chronicles' ending speaks to me especially because I can never find a place to fit in. I'm too outgoing to be an introvert, too shy to be an extrovert. But I think I'll be okay, and I don't need books AS MUCH. They're no longer a distraction from terror, but a pleasure outing in my brain. I think I'll be just fine with the others in-between. All of us have true Halflanders in them, some way or the other we're all mixed boxes.
Ah, I just simply adore these books !! <3
June 11, 2024
I picked these up because I enjoyed Hunger Games also by Collins. Though pitched at a younger YA audience than HG (the protagonist is 11yo), it's still worth reading as an adult.
Gregor the Overlander is essentially a modern-day Narnia premise--but without C. S. Lewis's increasingly overt Christian mythology (Aslan is Jesus! Look, he's really Jesus!) permeating the narrative.
Gregor, an NYC preteen with adult responsibilities, and his toddler sister Boots falls into another world and have to navigate a fundamentally different environment and culture in order to find their way home. The subsequent books deal with Gregor trying to manage his dual roles in both the Overland (NYC) and the Underland (where he is The Warrior of a series of prophecies).
The series credits kids with a level of maturity and agency that many books don't give them--which is very cool. On the other hand, after finishing the series, I keep wonder how much therapy these kids will need, and how they'll cope with all the trauma they've experienced.
Gregor the Overlander is essentially a modern-day Narnia premise--but without C. S. Lewis's increasingly overt Christian mythology (Aslan is Jesus! Look, he's really Jesus!) permeating the narrative.
Gregor, an NYC preteen with adult responsibilities, and his toddler sister Boots falls into another world and have to navigate a fundamentally different environment and culture in order to find their way home. The subsequent books deal with Gregor trying to manage his dual roles in both the Overland (NYC) and the Underland (where he is The Warrior of a series of prophecies).
The series credits kids with a level of maturity and agency that many books don't give them--which is very cool. On the other hand, after finishing the series, I keep wonder how much therapy these kids will need, and how they'll cope with all the trauma they've experienced.
August 19, 2022
this first book is basically the entire back story of everyone. Gregor is the main character, he has 2 little sisters one is 2 yo and one is 8 .He has a mom and a crazy grandma. His dad disapeared 2 years ago and they just assumed he cheated and moved on with his life. Gregor thought something was fishy and wanted to find his father, But the thing is he wasn't even above the ground. gregor and his two yo sister fell in a hole in the laundry room.This place was so mysterious that he assumed his father was down here so, he went on a mission. Then after a few months in an unknown place where people were calling him a warrior for no reason he found his father. I'll stop right there with the spoilers. It was a really great book.
September 26, 2023
I started reading this series when I was like 12. I’m 22 now, and it’s still my favourite series to ever exist. I think I’ve read it start to finish 5 times now. The world building is so creative and Suzanne Collins does a remarkable job of creating visuals in all of her work. Each of these books will put you through a ROLLERCOASTER of emotions as you will definitely fall in love while also feeling your heart being ripped out your chest. We all know Collins does an amazing job with The Hunger Games series, but The Underland Chronicles are her underrated treasure. Yes, these are definitely intended for a younger audience than myself, but I would definitely recommend these books to anyone my age that is looking for an easy, but super exciting read.
October 17, 2015
Филмираните книги или книгите по филми са винаги малко проблемна област за оценка – все пак говорим за два различни вида изкуство, и не рядко, ами направо обичайно често, от прекрасни книги стават невероятно шитави филми, а много шарени екранизации се оказват с потресаващо досадни книжни наследници. Та в този ред на мисли, не съм чела нито Игрите на глада, нито Дивергенти или Здрач примерно, но във филмите съм открила целевото безсмислено забавление на дъвката за ума, каквато всъщност е смисловата обосновка на богатството от спец ефекти, битки и любовни сценки с подрастващи хубави артистчета на килограм, които неизменно ни засипват щедро за по час и половина всеки месец.
Историята за Грегор не е филмирана, но е написана така, че предполага някой мастит режисьор да събере екипа си от дизайнери, програмисти и няколко актуални звездици, и да направят поредния коледен блокбъстър, генериращ масивна фен маса, и продаващ сума ти тениски, чашки и екшън фигурки в случая с хлебарки, прилепи и плъхове, каквито са главните герои в поредицата за поредния обречен спасител на света. Както винаги. Общо взето оригиналността не е силна черта на Сюзан Колинс, но понякога добрата експлоатация на едно клише е не по-лоша и от най-алтернативната и невиждана досега идея, хрумнала на някой инди автор сред облак от зелени понита и розови статуи на свободата, заради ефекта на сещате се какво. Е, тук резултатът на тази свободна интерпретация на малкия човек спасяващ големия свят е малко спорен като качество.
Грегор е едно обикновено 11 годишно момче, от доста бедно и несправящо се особено добре в живота семейство, с липсващ баща, умираща баба, и две сестрички (едната от които доста тъпо и нездравословно дружелюбно бебе, а другата е по-приемлива, но с най-малко екранно време), разчитащи финансово само на заплатата на сервитьорка на уморената от живота им майка. Всъщност не особено рядка лична история, очевидно целяща да обере фен базата на поизпадащите от социалната стълбица индивиди. По фентъзийному естествено, така обикновеното и с нищо неотличимо хлапе се оказва единствения Войн, комуто е отредено да спаси Подземния свят – още една версия на така разпространената легенда за Кухата земя, населена с белокоси виолетовооки красавици, мутирали гризачи и насекоми, и месоядна растителност от праисторически времена, живеещи в колония, основана от лорд Сандуич – оня със сандвича, мда. В пътешествието му, разбира се, трябва да присъства и една от сестричките му – не умното хлапе за съжаление, а онова тъпото бебе, което освен да хленчи, прави глупости и застрашава живота си през две минути, както всяко дете на нейната възраст, друго не върши. Но нейното присъствие е нужно, за да напомня на героя ни да не се самозабравя, и да следва целите си в името на чуждото благо. Може би добър урок за подрастващи, като се замисли човек.
Не знам дали е тръгнало от Мартин това да дадеш меч на един петокласник (в случая с Песента и първокласници май се бяха замесили в мелетата), и да очакваш от него да вземе да мачка и убива без обичайния резултат от многогодишно нощно напикаване и зараждащи се интимни различности в стил сивите нюанси. Та достоверността ми идва лично на мен малко никаква, особено като се включи и берсерк елемента, който превръща едно хлапе от типа а-ла „Големи, угрижени, сини очи със шесто чувство“ в студенокръвна машина за убиване. Другият основен проблем на книгите са тяхната крещяща повторяемост, която ме изкара от равновесие на края на третата част – в смисъл – идва Грегор в подземната земя волю или неволю; ако не е взел тъпата си сестричка – му я докарват; вадят някакво зловещо пророчество в рими, за което всички знаят, ама си мълчат за поредното до следващия том; събират го с няколко мутирали паразита в лошо настроение, и айде – отивай на сигурна смърт срещу чудовища-убийци, растения-убийци, местности-убийци, и прочие неща, които – познахте – ще искат да го убият и изядат него първо, и после и сестричката му. По пътя се разнищва всеки ред от пророчеството, в крайна сметка най-малко важният елемент от групата го разкрива, след което същият умира или се губи; и се връщат по живо, по здраво, понякога и малко мъртво, на обратно. И така, до нови срещи.
Горният сценарий се повтаря с леки изменения, като групата герои варира, тъй като Сюзан Колинс съвсем по мартиновски не се свени да зачиства от добрите пропорционално на лошите, в някаква ��звратена представа за световна справедливост. Сега, не мога да си кривя душата – самото действие, веднъж почнало, доста грабва, силно кинематографично е и ако и да е малко недоизпипано и преждевременно на места, държи вниманието; и за по-непретенциозни откъм съдържание, но почитатели на екшъна читатели, тази поредица ще е истинско попадение. Въпреки че няма почти нищо общо като сюжет, но като настроение ми напомня някак на поредицата на Дризт на Салваторе – много действие, битки, лека епичност, елемент на социална реалистичност, който ще опонира на доста Грегорци от горната земя, които си мечтаят да са нещо повече от ъндърдогс в собствената си реалмия. Въобще, актуална поредица за подрастващи, не особено активни любители на книгите, но харесващи игри и филмчета, и можещи да понесат някоя и друга смърт в отбор Бяла черешка. Понякога това е доста добър начин да се започне книжната мания по фентъзийните светове, така че – ако имате някое мусещо се на хартиени продукти хлапе наоколо, зарибете го с първата книжка и обещание за нов таблет, пък може и да хванем още един последовател на писаното слово. Разпространете книжната зараза!
Историята за Грегор не е филмирана, но е написана така, че предполага някой мастит режисьор да събере екипа си от дизайнери, програмисти и няколко актуални звездици, и да направят поредния коледен блокбъстър, генериращ масивна фен маса, и продаващ сума ти тениски, чашки и екшън фигурки в случая с хлебарки, прилепи и плъхове, каквито са главните герои в поредицата за поредния обречен спасител на света. Както винаги. Общо взето оригиналността не е силна черта на Сюзан Колинс, но понякога добрата експлоатация на едно клише е не по-лоша и от най-алтернативната и невиждана досега идея, хрумнала на някой инди автор сред облак от зелени понита и розови статуи на свободата, заради ефекта на сещате се какво. Е, тук резултатът на тази свободна интерпретация на малкия човек спасяващ големия свят е малко спорен като качество.
Грегор е едно обикновено 11 годишно момче, от доста бедно и несправящо се особено добре в живота семейство, с липсващ баща, умираща баба, и две сестрички (едната от които доста тъпо и нездравословно дружелюбно бебе, а другата е по-приемлива, но с най-малко екранно време), разчитащи финансово само на заплатата на сервитьорка на уморената от живота им майка. Всъщност не особено рядка лична история, очевидно целяща да обере фен базата на поизпадащите от социалната стълбица индивиди. По фентъзийному естествено, така обикновеното и с нищо неотличимо хлапе се оказва единствения Войн, комуто е отредено да спаси Подземния свят – още една версия на така разпространената легенда за Кухата земя, населена с белокоси виолетовооки красавици, мутирали гризачи и насекоми, и месоядна растителност от праисторически времена, живеещи в колония, основана от лорд Сандуич – оня със сандвича, мда. В пътешествието му, разбира се, трябва да присъства и една от сестричките му – не умното хлапе за съжаление, а онова тъпото бебе, което освен да хленчи, прави глупости и застрашава живота си през две минути, както всяко дете на нейната възраст, друго не върши. Но нейното присъствие е нужно, за да напомня на героя ни да не се самозабравя, и да следва целите си в името на чуждото благо. Може би добър урок за подрастващи, като се замисли човек.
Не знам дали е тръгнало от Мартин това да дадеш меч на един петокласник (в случая с Песента и първокласници май се бяха замесили в мелетата), и да очакваш от него да вземе да мачка и убива без обичайния резултат от многогодишно нощно напикаване и зараждащи се интимни различности в стил сивите нюанси. Та достоверността ми идва лично на мен малко никаква, особено като се включи и берсерк елемента, който превръща едно хлапе от типа а-ла „Големи, угрижени, сини очи със шесто чувство“ в студенокръвна машина за убиване. Другият основен проблем на книгите са тяхната крещяща повторяемост, която ме изкара от равновесие на края на третата част – в смисъл – идва Грегор в подземната земя волю или неволю; ако не е взел тъпата си сестричка – му я докарват; вадят някакво зловещо пророчество в рими, за което всички знаят, ама си мълчат за поредното до следващия том; събират го с няколко мутирали паразита в лошо настроение, и айде – отивай на сигурна смърт срещу чудовища-убийци, растения-убийци, местности-убийци, и прочие неща, които – познахте – ще искат да го убият и изядат него първо, и после и сестричката му. По пътя се разнищва всеки ред от пророчеството, в крайна сметка най-малко важният елемент от групата го разкрива, след което същият умира или се губи; и се връщат по живо, по здраво, понякога и малко мъртво, на обратно. И така, до нови срещи.
Горният сценарий се повтаря с леки изменения, като групата герои варира, тъй като Сюзан Колинс съвсем по мартиновски не се свени да зачиства от добрите пропорционално на лошите, в някаква ��звратена представа за световна справедливост. Сега, не мога да си кривя душата – самото действие, веднъж почнало, доста грабва, силно кинематографично е и ако и да е малко недоизпипано и преждевременно на места, държи вниманието; и за по-непретенциозни откъм съдържание, но почитатели на екшъна читатели, тази поредица ще е истинско попадение. Въпреки че няма почти нищо общо като сюжет, но като настроение ми напомня някак на поредицата на Дризт на Салваторе – много действие, битки, лека епичност, елемент на социална реалистичност, който ще опонира на доста Грегорци от горната земя, които си мечтаят да са нещо повече от ъндърдогс в собствената си реалмия. Въобще, актуална поредица за подрастващи, не особено активни любители на книгите, но харесващи игри и филмчета, и можещи да понесат някоя и друга смърт в отбор Бяла черешка. Понякога това е доста добър начин да се започне книжната мания по фентъзийните светове, така че – ако имате някое мусещо се на хартиени продукти хлапе наоколо, зарибете го с първата книжка и обещание за нов таблет, пък може и да хванем още един последовател на писаното слово. Разпространете книжната зараза!
May 4, 2025
more like a 4.8 but i’m rounding up. the only reason why it gets a lower score is because i find books 2-4 openings in new york to drag on and be a bit boring but once the story gets started it takes of like a bat. beautiful story can’t believe this is for kids it was my absolute favorite childhood book/s and it still holds up incredibly well. so nuanced about war hate and forgiveness. i always was sad this didn’t get the same popularity as the hunger games but i think everyone that read it agrees it deserves the same limelight
May 16, 2025
MAJOR SPOILERS! I first read this book series when i was around nine years old. Six years later i have read it again and it still hits just as hard. This is around my third or fourth time reading the series, and every time without fail, I cry in the code of claw at Ares death. So many characters are so dear to me and Ares death and Ripred’s “death” hit me the hardest. This touches on so many important themes and is so tragic yet so comforting and necessary. I love almost every bit of the books and the topic and the way they are handled. I strongly recommend everyone to read this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2018
It was the best series ever!!! I'm 16, and though it's officially for kids and I only appreciate enthralling plots and great writing, I found this to be a FANTASTIC, 100% ClEAN story (for those of you who are parents;))
Definitely a "Must read to or with your child" book, or even for adults it's really great!!!
Definitely a "Must read to or with your child" book, or even for adults it's really great!!!
October 2, 2018
really need to to re-read this series. I read this when I was a lot younger and I remember loving it but my strongest memory is it being really really sad at times like worse than in other books somehow. I really want to see if my views sadness ect. will change after having read so many other books in the meantime.
September 1, 2015
Series Overview
Since his father disappeared, it's up to 11-year-old Gregor to look after his younger sisters, while his mother struggles to put food on the table. When toddler sister Boots tumbles through a hole in the laundry grate, Gregor doesn't hesitate to leap in after her. What he finds below is a dark, cavernous world populated by giant rats, bats, and bugs that live beside normal-sized humans with translucent skin and violet eyes.
Led by soon-to-be-queen Luxa, the humans of Underland rule a magnificent glowing city called Regalia and train incessantly to do battle with their mortal enemies, the Gnawers (or, as Overlanders call them, rats). Gregor's arrival is enough to push the two kingdoms to the brink of war. According to a number of ancient prophecies, the humans are doomed, unless a mysterious "warrior" from the overland aids them on their quests.
Gregor has no desire to be this "warrior," nor fulfill any prophecy. But fate intervenes, and he has no choice. Soon he and Boots are off and running with the brave and arrogant Luxa, bonded bats devoted to their humans, friendly cockroaches, and even a wise-cracking rat with hidden motives for joining the humans. From a rescue mission deep inside the rat kingdom to a sea voyage into a labyrinth to a search for life-saving medicine in a poisonous jungle, Gregor's adventures will bring out abilities he never knew he had. Perhaps this peace-loving boy really can be the warrior.
Series Review
I find the writing of Suzanne Collins (author of The Hunger Games) addicting. After reading Gregor the Overlander, the first of The Underland Chronicles, I felt compelled to get my hands on the second book. Wisely, I ordered the next four books of The Underland Chronicles together, and when they finally arrived, I devoured them one after the other, like chocolate truffles in a sampler box.
It probably has to do with the way Suzanne Collins builds the suspense. Gregor has become the caretaker of his family; every minute he stays in Underland, he causes worry to his mother and leaves dependent members of the family to fend for themselves. Of course Underland has problems of its own, and there's almost always some kind of crisis going on which requires the warrior, as well as a prophecy predicting that things will get much, much worse. Now the prophecies tend to be cryptic and subject to more than one interpretation, so even when you think you know where it's going, you probably don't.
All this is enough to keep the pages turning. But then we're introduced to our companions. Most of them don't get along, are hiding secrets, are mortal enemies, or all of the above. The quest sets off, and there's action, action, and more action, pausing only enough to get to know our new friends. But be careful who you grow to like, because characters die constantly—at least one in every book. And even after the crisis has been averted, the underlying hostilities between rats and humans are still boiling hot.
The interesting thing is that Gregor, though named the Warrior, is probably one of the most peaceful characters in the books. He doesn't have the same prejudice as the Underlanders and is willing to accept almost all of his companions. He's quick to apologize, quick to forgive, quick to come to the aid of anyone he thinks is being bullied or treated unfairly. He's not always perfect, but he's willing to understand. He's a genuinely good guy.
And like all good guys, he gets put through the wringer. I'm starting to think Katniss had it easy compared to all that Gregor had to go through. Not only is he an unarmed kid pitted against monstrous rats and told to carry out prophecies he can't understand, he has to do it while babysitting a toddler. Most of the adults don't care a whit for his safety. If they're not shoving him into dangerous quests or expecting him to fight in a war, they're locking him in dungeons or trying to stone him. And these are the "good guys."
This should give you an idea that while talking animals and rhyming prophecies sound all very cute, this is actually a pretty intense series. The main themes are war and peace, and the books deal with such light and fluffy subjects as child soldiers, biological warfare, and genocide. All the while characters are decapitated, devoured alive by mites, suffocated, and thrown to their deaths. I swear, if these weren't animals dying, this book would be slapped with an R rating.
Don't get me wrong; it's not that I don't think kids can handle it. It just gets dark and depressing at time, especially in the last two books.
I'm a little torn with how the series ended. On the one hand, threads from as early as Book 2 got tied into the ending, nice and neat. But then there were some things I thought were being set-up—interesting characters, new skills—that either didn't go anywhere or ended up being too little, too late.
Moreover, the story ended on a bit of a depressing note. For as much as it was teased that peace might be possibly, war ultimately reigned, and it was sad and violent and morally ambiguous. Realistic? Perhaps. But in a kid’s book about giant talking animals, I’d prefer a little fantasy.
Since his father disappeared, it's up to 11-year-old Gregor to look after his younger sisters, while his mother struggles to put food on the table. When toddler sister Boots tumbles through a hole in the laundry grate, Gregor doesn't hesitate to leap in after her. What he finds below is a dark, cavernous world populated by giant rats, bats, and bugs that live beside normal-sized humans with translucent skin and violet eyes.
Led by soon-to-be-queen Luxa, the humans of Underland rule a magnificent glowing city called Regalia and train incessantly to do battle with their mortal enemies, the Gnawers (or, as Overlanders call them, rats). Gregor's arrival is enough to push the two kingdoms to the brink of war. According to a number of ancient prophecies, the humans are doomed, unless a mysterious "warrior" from the overland aids them on their quests.
Gregor has no desire to be this "warrior," nor fulfill any prophecy. But fate intervenes, and he has no choice. Soon he and Boots are off and running with the brave and arrogant Luxa, bonded bats devoted to their humans, friendly cockroaches, and even a wise-cracking rat with hidden motives for joining the humans. From a rescue mission deep inside the rat kingdom to a sea voyage into a labyrinth to a search for life-saving medicine in a poisonous jungle, Gregor's adventures will bring out abilities he never knew he had. Perhaps this peace-loving boy really can be the warrior.
Series Review
I find the writing of Suzanne Collins (author of The Hunger Games) addicting. After reading Gregor the Overlander, the first of The Underland Chronicles, I felt compelled to get my hands on the second book. Wisely, I ordered the next four books of The Underland Chronicles together, and when they finally arrived, I devoured them one after the other, like chocolate truffles in a sampler box.
It probably has to do with the way Suzanne Collins builds the suspense. Gregor has become the caretaker of his family; every minute he stays in Underland, he causes worry to his mother and leaves dependent members of the family to fend for themselves. Of course Underland has problems of its own, and there's almost always some kind of crisis going on which requires the warrior, as well as a prophecy predicting that things will get much, much worse. Now the prophecies tend to be cryptic and subject to more than one interpretation, so even when you think you know where it's going, you probably don't.
All this is enough to keep the pages turning. But then we're introduced to our companions. Most of them don't get along, are hiding secrets, are mortal enemies, or all of the above. The quest sets off, and there's action, action, and more action, pausing only enough to get to know our new friends. But be careful who you grow to like, because characters die constantly—at least one in every book. And even after the crisis has been averted, the underlying hostilities between rats and humans are still boiling hot.
The interesting thing is that Gregor, though named the Warrior, is probably one of the most peaceful characters in the books. He doesn't have the same prejudice as the Underlanders and is willing to accept almost all of his companions. He's quick to apologize, quick to forgive, quick to come to the aid of anyone he thinks is being bullied or treated unfairly. He's not always perfect, but he's willing to understand. He's a genuinely good guy.
And like all good guys, he gets put through the wringer. I'm starting to think Katniss had it easy compared to all that Gregor had to go through. Not only is he an unarmed kid pitted against monstrous rats and told to carry out prophecies he can't understand, he has to do it while babysitting a toddler. Most of the adults don't care a whit for his safety. If they're not shoving him into dangerous quests or expecting him to fight in a war, they're locking him in dungeons or trying to stone him. And these are the "good guys."
This should give you an idea that while talking animals and rhyming prophecies sound all very cute, this is actually a pretty intense series. The main themes are war and peace, and the books deal with such light and fluffy subjects as child soldiers, biological warfare, and genocide. All the while characters are decapitated, devoured alive by mites, suffocated, and thrown to their deaths. I swear, if these weren't animals dying, this book would be slapped with an R rating.
Don't get me wrong; it's not that I don't think kids can handle it. It just gets dark and depressing at time, especially in the last two books.
I'm a little torn with how the series ended. On the one hand, threads from as early as Book 2 got tied into the ending, nice and neat. But then there were some things I thought were being set-up—interesting characters, new skills—that either didn't go anywhere or ended up being too little, too late.
Moreover, the story ended on a bit of a depressing note. For as much as it was teased that peace might be possibly, war ultimately reigned, and it was sad and violent and morally ambiguous. Realistic? Perhaps. But in a kid’s book about giant talking animals, I’d prefer a little fantasy.
December 11, 2024
Honestly in my opinion the superior series that Suzanne Collins has written. Ripred is a phenomenal mentor character and Gregor was a very relatable protagonist. I just wish I could read these all again for the first time ;-;
September 4, 2017
Great for kids! Read ALL Of these with James (age 9-10 at the time) and we both loved them. Even D listened to a lot of the reading.
November 3, 2017
This was my absolute favorite book series when I was a child. It became a big part of me, and the stories and characters are still colorful in my mind. Highly suggest to anyone, of any age.
April 23, 2018
This was my favorite series when I was a kid, I can't tell you how many times I read and reread this book!
December 18, 2018
It's a little sketch but I did finish most of the book today and it was pretty entertaining so it wasn't hard to do. I had about 120 pages already read but I didn't update it for whatever reason.
January 9, 2020
Beautiful
August 31, 2020
Perfection! I read these books awhile ago and still reread them from time to time, I cannot express how much i enjoyed these books when i was little.
September 13, 2020
This series has been very fun. I enjoyed all the adventure and suspense. I can't wait to read the last book.
November 15, 2020
This is by far my favorite Suzanne Collins series. It’s something original and fun!
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