Title: Underworld
Author: Meg Cabot
Reviewed by: Cassie
Rating: 3 glass slippers
Summary (from BN.com)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, the dark reimagining of the Persephone myth begun in ABANDON continues ... into the Underworld.
Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn't dead.
Not this time.
But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.
Her captor, John Hayden, claims it's for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they've come back as Furies, intent on vengeance . . . on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.
But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there . . . and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies.
And unless Pierce is careful, this time there'll be no escape.
As a reader, I really liked Meg Cabot's retelling of Persephone's tale. Abandon stuck with me- the characters, plot, and details just clung to my brain. Even though I had my dislikes, it kind of slightly blew my mind. As we continue with Pierce's tale, I was a bit disappointed with the second book. I thought that this would be centered (FINALLY!) in the Underworld (thus the title) and we'd get to see just how Pierce would adapt to life as John's queen. I really wanted more details on the Underworld, but unfortunately I didn't get that. Soy un perrito MUY triste!! (I am a VERY sad puppy!!)
As the first book leaves off, Pierce is in the Underworld. She's having a nightmare and wakes up to one delicious sight. (not telling ;) Then John goes off to work and Pierce explores. Somehow she finds something alarming in her exploration and tells John. They then go on a journey to fix this problem. SPOILER ALERT: It's not in the Underworld.
The protagonist-
Pierce is the same as ever. Stubborn, good-willed, lovely, and... full of tears. In the beginning she cries so much. But as the story goes on, she steels herself and toughens up a little. She tries to do good to the world and shows her love.
The romantic interest-
Yep I'm using fancy terms today. Well, John is the same ol' same ol'. Same dark, wavy/curly long hair that occasionally falls into his eyes. Which, by the way, are a gray/silver. Apparently he has golden skin with many pale marks all over from mysterious scars. We don't find out how exactly he acquired these. He's very masculine, protective, strong, sweet, and mysterious. VERY mysterious about his past. For those who were curious about this past, it gets mostly revealed in Underworld.
The plot-
Compared to Abandon, I felt this plot line was weak and unnecessary. I was thinking Pierce would learn to be queen and maybe find out how to kill the Furies, but she ends up on this reckless, slightly-pointless rescue mission. Some of the mystery about John and the Underworld gets cleared up but I'm assuming in the last book we'll learn even MORE! Score.
Overall: I felt like this was a good book, but it was carried out wrong. It could have been amazing but instead I felt slightly bored sometimes. The details and story still sticks with me and I keep thinking about it (despite not wanting to so I can focus!) However, I felt like a certain scene about a touch of stars, cosmos, and whatnot (you'll know what I mean) with a scandalously rumpled white dress was VERY lacking!! My frustration was practically tangible. Non-enigmatic talk? The romantic scenes were lacking. Sure, there was some heat but the emotions were unavailable. There was talk about love but no actual... thoughts of it. Like, Pierce would feel this emotion and say "this is what makes me love you more, John" [cough, cough and possibly cry] but then there wasn't this deep love. It was more of a "I know some of your past! I'm attracted to you and you really care/obsess/love me! I'm intrigued by you and no one else is like you, thus I love you!" Now, she did love him but my standards are high. Very high. I am sure you will enjoy this book very much, as of course it is Meg Cabot. The Underworld is as gorgeous as ever, the stakes are high, and love swirls around in this memorable book. I recommend you read this if you don't have other books to read or you're off on an airplane ride/car ride/you know what I mean.
Now, toodles! Back to my homework!
Cassie
As a reader, I really liked Meg Cabot's retelling of Persephone's tale. Abandon stuck with me- the characters, plot, and details just clung to my brain. Even though I had my dislikes, it kind of slightly blew my mind. As we continue with Pierce's tale, I was a bit disappointed with the second book. I thought that this would be centered (FINALLY!) in the Underworld (thus the title) and we'd get to see just how Pierce would adapt to life as John's queen. I really wanted more details on the Underworld, but unfortunately I didn't get that. Soy un perrito MUY triste!! (I am a VERY sad puppy!!)
As the first book leaves off, Pierce is in the Underworld. She's having a nightmare and wakes up to one delicious sight. (not telling ;) Then John goes off to work and Pierce explores. Somehow she finds something alarming in her exploration and tells John. They then go on a journey to fix this problem. SPOILER ALERT: It's not in the Underworld.
The protagonist-
Pierce is the same as ever. Stubborn, good-willed, lovely, and... full of tears. In the beginning she cries so much. But as the story goes on, she steels herself and toughens up a little. She tries to do good to the world and shows her love.
The romantic interest-
Yep I'm using fancy terms today. Well, John is the same ol' same ol'. Same dark, wavy/curly long hair that occasionally falls into his eyes. Which, by the way, are a gray/silver. Apparently he has golden skin with many pale marks all over from mysterious scars. We don't find out how exactly he acquired these. He's very masculine, protective, strong, sweet, and mysterious. VERY mysterious about his past. For those who were curious about this past, it gets mostly revealed in Underworld.
The plot-
Compared to Abandon, I felt this plot line was weak and unnecessary. I was thinking Pierce would learn to be queen and maybe find out how to kill the Furies, but she ends up on this reckless, slightly-pointless rescue mission. Some of the mystery about John and the Underworld gets cleared up but I'm assuming in the last book we'll learn even MORE! Score.
Overall: I felt like this was a good book, but it was carried out wrong. It could have been amazing but instead I felt slightly bored sometimes. The details and story still sticks with me and I keep thinking about it (despite not wanting to so I can focus!) However, I felt like a certain scene about a touch of stars, cosmos, and whatnot (you'll know what I mean) with a scandalously rumpled white dress was VERY lacking!! My frustration was practically tangible. Non-enigmatic talk? The romantic scenes were lacking. Sure, there was some heat but the emotions were unavailable. There was talk about love but no actual... thoughts of it. Like, Pierce would feel this emotion and say "this is what makes me love you more, John" [cough, cough and possibly cry] but then there wasn't this deep love. It was more of a "I know some of your past! I'm attracted to you and you really care/obsess/love me! I'm intrigued by you and no one else is like you, thus I love you!" Now, she did love him but my standards are high. Very high. I am sure you will enjoy this book very much, as of course it is Meg Cabot. The Underworld is as gorgeous as ever, the stakes are high, and love swirls around in this memorable book. I recommend you read this if you don't have other books to read or you're off on an airplane ride/car ride/you know what I mean.
Now, toodles! Back to my homework!
....
Not.
Cassie
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