Gregor the Overlander: Book One in the Underland Chronicles [Paperback]

 

 

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After surviving a bizarre fall through a gateway to the Underland--conveniently located in the laundry room of their NYC apartment building--eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister Boots discover a world filled with giant talking cockroaches, rats, spiders, and bats. The humans of this formidable world take them in as "guests," but, as Gregor astutely observes, "Guests could leave it they wanted to" (p. 54). Not knowing whom to trust, Gregor flees the palace with Boots, inadvertently igniting the prophesied war between the humans and rats.

Highlighting Gregor's role as the consistently responsible older brother, Collins creates a heroic character for young adult readers even before revealing that Gregor is about to fulfill his destiny as "an Overland Warrior, a Son of the Sun" (p. 109). Yes, there is violence, but not simply for the sake of being violent; Collins's use of violence is appropriate to her story.

Gregor is a great introduction for readers who are new to the fantasy genre. The main characters are human, and are well-grounded in reality--New York City, doing laundry, babysitting, summer camp. Still, there is enough of the fantastic--giant talking animals, gateways into another world, prophecies--to stimulate the imagination and introduce newcomers to fantasy without being overwhelming.

Massachusetts Children's Book Award Honor Book, 2006

Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2006

NAIBA Book of the Year Award, 2004

Reviewed by: Mechele R. Dillard

I loved the first book in the Hunger Games Trilogy, and enjoyed the whole series. After reading this first book in Suzanne Collins' earlier series, I like it even more. The story begins in New York City, but soon moves to the Underland. Gregor is a typical 11-year-old boy. He lives with his mother, grandmother and two younger sisters. His father has been missing for 2 Years, 7 Months and 13 days. Gregor stays home from summer camp so his sister can go; he is helping to look after his aging grandmother and his baby sister Boots. One day while doing laundry, Boots seems to disappear. Soon Gregor finds himself falling and falling. When he lands, he is in a strange Underland, full of giant bats, spiders, roaches, rats and a human colony that came below ground many years ago. There is an uneasy peace among the rats and the other Underland kingdoms, and Gregor seems to set off a war between the humans and rats. And many of the humans seem to believe he is fulfilling an ancient prophecy. The prophecy states:

"Underlanders, time hangs by a thread. The hunters are hunted, white water runs red. The gnawers will strike to extinguish the rest. The hope of the hopeless resides in a quest.

An Overland warrior, a son of the sun, May bring us back light, he may bring us back none. But gather your neighbors and follow his call, or rats will most surely devour us all.

Two over, two under, of royal descent. Two flyers, two crawlers, two spinners assent. One gnawer beside and one lost up ahead. And eight will be left when we count up the dead.

The last who will die must decide where he stands.
The fate of the eight is contained in his hands. So bid him take care, bid him look where he leaps, as life may be death and death life again reaps."

Gregory does not believe he is the predicted warrior. But if this is his best chance to get back to Overland he will do so, especially if it means saving his system and himself.

This is the first book in a quintology and it looks like it will be an incredible series. I highly recommend this first book and believe you will become as hooked as I did.

Gregor the Overlander

A land where all humans have silver hair and purple eyes, where giant bats, cockroaches, rats and other weird creatures roam... Gregor the Overlander is written by Suzanne Collins, and it's about a boy named Gregor. Gregor lives in New York City with his mom and sister. His dad has disappeared for over two years! But when Gregor follows his two year old sister through a grate in their laundry room, they hurtle into darkness and end up in an underground city named Regalia. There, he has to complete a prophecy in order to go home.

There are many themes in this book like family, bravery, friendship, determination and courage. These themes all tie in with the story because Gregor is always thinking about his family, even when he is in Regalia. He also makes a lot of new friends. And with his new friends by his side, he has to find bravery, determination and courage inside him to be able to go on the adventure of his life, and fulfill the prophecy.

Many characters are in this book, but here are just the main ones. The obvious main character is Gregor. He's eleven years old and is very caring, quick-thinking, smart and brave. Well actually he's not always really that brave. Then there is Boots, she is two years old and is Gregor's sister. Boots can sometimes be a handful, but at least she's very playful and loves everyone. Luxa is also a main character, and a very brave Underlander. Luxa is the same age as Gregor. And she is the queen of Regalia. The last main character I'm going to talk about is Vikus. He was the underlander that told Gregor about the prophecy. Vikus is very wise, and trustworthy. Also he is Luxa's grandpa, and he's pretty old.

This book takes place in New York City and the underland. I'm sure you can look up New York on the internet, so I'm just going to tell you about the Underland. The Underland is filled with very deadly creatures, like the giant rats and spiders. The rats in the Underland aren't the small ones that you might see in your city, they're much, much bigger and the can kill a full grown adult with one swipe of its claws! The spiders that are in this book are also huge; they're probably the size of an adult! Also the spider's web is very thick and strong that it can hold humans! Now, what I've just told you makes the underland a horrible sounding place, but there are nice places too. Like Regalia, for instance, it's a very nice underground city, with lovely stone buildings, and very nice people.

The author style in Gregor the Overlander is in third person. The genre is adventure because Gregor goes on a trip to fulfill a prophecy. And the trip contains great, great risks like fighting deadly creatures and flying on bats hundreds of meters in the air! Also, Gregor almost got himself killed in one part of the book! So obviously after all I've told you, this is a fictional book. But there is some reality in it, and I love the author's creative imagination. She also adds cliff hangers to make you read on.

So I really think you should read this book, it's perfect for ages nine and up and trust me, you'll love it. Also you won't be able to put it down until the very end. But, when you finish don't worry there's a sequel so there's more!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Gregor the Overlander
Eleven year old Gregor and his sister Boots fall through a grate in the laundry room and down into the Underland world. Read more

Published on Jan 24 2009 by Pauline

5.0 out of 5 stars A breathtaking, unforgettable tale!
This is the best fantasy novel I've read in a long, long time. I found out about this book by chance and want to tell everyone I know about it because they might not see it at... Read more

Published on July 7 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Do not miss this book!
This is a terrific fantasy novel that will appeal to guys and girls. Giant cockroaches, bats to ride, and a prophecy to fulfill make this a very fun read. Read more

Published on Jun 27 2004 by Camille

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Bugs
Gregor the Overlander, by Suzanne Collins, is a intense book about an eleven year boy who is pulled into the Underland. Read more

Published on May 29 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book! Now! Or giant rats will chase you!
If you don't love this book, then you are a nitwit! Gregor is a young boy who has had to assume many responsibilities since his father mysteriously vanished 2 years ago. Read more

Published on May 23 2004 by littlegreenmom

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever!!
SIx stars if we could!! Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins is a fantastic book. Our book club of fourth and fifth graders was supposed to read it in six weeks, but it took... Read more

Published on May 19 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Gregor the Overlander
THIS IS MOST AWESOME! My 10 year olds just got this book and before they could read it, I wanted to check it out (plus, I was bored!) Well, I couldn't put it down! Read more

Published on April 28 2004 by Kim

5.0 out of 5 stars great read for young and old!
I had to read this book to approve it for the library at my children's school. I had never heard of it and had no idea what to expect. Read more

Published on April 25 2004 by Dr. Cheddar

5.0 out of 5 stars MY FAVE BOOK!!!!!
This novel's plot is so steep that you can't hold on!!! I love how it just jumps into a conflict and keeps going straight forward. Read more

Published on Mar 26 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Gregor the Overlander
One of the best books I have ever read, without a question. Vivid description, fascinating plot, and interesting characters makes this book one that you can not put down. Read more

Published on Mar 21 2004 by Mark Twain

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