Book Review: Gregor and the Code of Claw

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A week or so ago, I finished reading The Underland Chronicles series by Suzanne Collins.  I have to say, I really enjoyed the series!  It was definitely something different, and I think this is also a series adults will enjoy as much as the young adults for whom it was intended.

Here's the summary from Goodreads.com:

Everyone in the Underland has been taking great pains to keep The Prophecy of Time from Gregor. Gregor knows it must say something awful but he never imagined just how awful: It calls for the warrior's death. Now, with an army of rats approaching, and his mom and sister still in Regalia, Gregor the warrior must gather up his courage to help defend Regalia and get his family home safely. The entire existence of the Underland is in Gregor's hands, and time is running out. There is a code to be cracked, a mysterious new princess, Gregor's burgeoning dark side, and a war to end all wars.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this book was a great conclusion to this series! It was the first book in the series that truly brought my to tears, and it left me wanting to know so much more about what happens to Gregor and his family! It was exciting to see the final events play out and to continue to follow Gregor's development as a character. He becomes a very wise 12-year-old. It is easy to forget his young age throughout all of the stories.

Overall, I give this series 5 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend it to adults who love YA Fiction and, and I would encourage my students to read it, as well!

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I would add, though, that the ending isn't incredibly conclusive.  I felt like I needed a few more chapters to sum things up or an epilogue that gives some details about what happens in the future for Gregor and his family.  This doesn't change my rating because the fact that I wanted more means that I really enjoyed the book!

Have you read any good books lately??

Book Review: Gregor the Overlander

Something great is going on in the world of Young Adult Fiction.  Seriously, I like these books just as much as "adult" books.  It's also convenient as a 6th Grade teacher.  I'm reading things that my students are reading.

Did you know that Suzanne Collins has not only written The Hunger Games Trilogy??  (Which, you totally should read if you haven't already...)  I was perusing one of my Scholastic Book Orders a few months ago, and I saw a set of books by Suzanne Collins called The Underland Chronicles.  I quickly decided to use my bonus points to get it.  I finished reading the first book in the series a couple of days ago.

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The books in the series:
1. Gregor the Overlander
2. Gregor and the Prophesy of Bane
3. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
4. Gregor and the Marks of Secret
5. Gregor and the Code of Claw

Here are the details from Goodreads.com.

This irresistible first novel tells the story of a quiet boy who embarks on a dangerous quest in order to fulfill his destiny -- and find his father -- in a strange world beneath New York City.

When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first, I wasn't sure that I was going to like this book. It's kind of strange, and a little out of my element. The more I read, the more I enjoyed the interesting but dark and exciting world that Suzanne Collins was creating. I found myself drawn into the story with a need to find out what happens. I sympathized with Gregor and his determination to find his father, keep his sister safe, and to return home. 

This book is a great first start to the series, and I'm looking forward to reading the other four books!

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If you're looking for a new series or enjoyed Suzanne Collins' writing in The Hunger Games, I would recommend this book!