{Book Review} Underworld by Meg Cabot

May 30, 2012 Reviews 12



Underworld by Meg Cabot
Pages: 336
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Age Group: YA
Source: ARC from publisher
Series: Abandon trilogy #2
Challenge(s):  Young adult reading challenge, 150+ reading challenge, Sophomore Reading challenge, YA Mythology challenge, sensational seconds challenge, ABC challenge
Buy this Book: Amazon
Summary(from Goodreads):

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.
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.

Read my review of book one, Abandon HERE
It is no secret that Meg Cabot is my favorite author.( Have I started a previous review with this sentence? It feels like I have, and my apologies if that is the case) She has this way with words and characters and her books are all varied, but one thing is always constant- her sense of humor. I know that if I pick up one of her books, ANY one of her books, that I will enjoy myself and that I will get more than a few chuckles out of it. It doesn’t matter if she is writing mythology, contemporary, or paranormal- her characters are always lovable, snarky(or witty, or sarcastic) and awesome. Pierce is no different. She is strong willed but she cares so much about others.

I really enjoyed Abandon. John is brooding and hot and I love his protective streak. I couldn’t wait for the sequel, Underworld to come out. Mythology has been my favorite YA sub-genre for a few months now, and the underworld has always held a certain fascination for me. In college I remember doing a comparative paper analyzing various cultures views on the underworld and it was some of the most fun I have ever had while researching a paper for school.

I liked Underworld even more than Abandon! The story felt a little more developed and I loved all the interactions between Pierce and John. And there were a lot of interactions. While they do need to work on their communication a little bit, you can tell that they are both trying. In that respect this was a very realistic relationship. (you know, minus the whole lord of the underworld thing going on.) And that bird that John gave Pierce- way too cute!

There are a few new characters that we got to know in Underworld and they are each kooky and interesting. Plus, what on earth is going on with Pierce’s cousin? I am still a little baffled by his behavior. I have a feeling we will be finding more out about him in the final book.

Underworld is a brisk, super enjoyable read. Meg Cabot has her finger on the pulse of pop culture and all things teen. I can’t wait to find out what is going to happen next for John and Pierce but I am super sad that it is going to be the last book in the trilogy. I feel like there is easily enough background and plot to make this into a longer series! (wink, wink, nudge nudge Ms. Cabot and Scholastic)

5/5 Gavels

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12 Responses to “{Book Review} Underworld by Meg Cabot”

  1. Kristan

    Yay, I’ve enjoyed this series from the start too! Mythological retellings are addicting and Meg Cabot has a way of making any story come to life. This story just had a way of capturing your attention, especially with the romance between John and Pierce. Or maybe just the brooding John =) Awesome review and I’m anxious to see how this series will end!

    Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves

  2. Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings

    Hanging head, I have been wanting to read a Meg Cabot for awhile. I thought about Abandon but it was one of those books that people either liked or not. I am glad to see that you like both books and five gavels from you indicates this is worth checking out!

  3. kimba88

    I really need to read this series since she is one of your favorite authors. The series sounds intriguing and something I’d enjoy. I love mythology! Thanks for sharing this awesome review..i am adding them both to my wishlist.

  4. Rebecca

    I actually read this book not too long ago and I’m going to have a review up pretty soon. I enjoyed this just as much, if not more than Abandon. It was just an excellent book that I could not put down for the life of me!

  5. HasiVA

    I loved ‘Abandon’! It had that spark in it that instantly drew me in! John seemed like the perfect Ruler of the Underworld with his dark and mysterious aura and Pierce… well, she seemed like a perfect Persephone.
    I’ve been interested in mythology since forever and am very lucky to have got a Lit. teacher with the same interest. The Hades/Persephone myth has always been a avid fascination of mine. What drew me in even further was a Naruto-style Hades/Persephone retold on FFN. They certainly have some chemistry together! <3 vlo

  6. Anna Allegra

    I’m a big Meg Cabot fan and I’m glad you liked Underworld. Abandon wasn’t my favorite book from Meg, but I’ll likely check out Underworld all the same.

  7. Bella

    I’ve been wanting to read this series! Thanks for reminding me that I have Abandon on my TBR pile. 🙂 That’s what summer is for — reading, reading, reading!

  8. Lona

    Great review. I love the cover to this book. I read the first book, so I will have to read this one also. Atleast I know its worth the read now. Thx

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