This is single handedly the book that really got me into reading as a kid. This book is perfect for late elementary school students (as that is was when it was read to me) and it is a fun introduction to action and adventure on a mild stage. This book follows Gregory and his sister Boots as they discover a hidden world under us that they realize they must save.

Although I have been avoiding this book, once I started I was happy I did. Dark in atmosphere, it is a sweet story of a kind and caring boy who enters a deep underground world to save his sister. My favorite kinds of books are those in which the main character is willing to befriend those who are often outcast, and while I doubt I could ever befriend a giant cockroach, I was glad that Gregor and his sister did. Despite the fighting and the giant rats and cockroaches, this feels like a gentle, innocent read, which i didn't understand until i started it, but i certainly found to be true. ( )

Story: 6 / 10
Characters: 7
Setting: 8
Prose: 6 ( )

11-year-old Gregor is a likable character, as is his 2-year-old sister Boots. When they fall into Underland, a subterranean kingdom populated by old-fashioned humans, fractious rats, talking bats, and noble cockroaches, Gregor has to fulfill an ancient prophecy which includes rescuing his lost father.

This is strange criticism, but I had a hard time picturing Underland as life-sized. In my head, Gregor and Boots shrunk when they fell down to Underland and somehow the Underlanders are all shrunken humans, too (like Borrower-sized, you know?). I guess I find this more believeable than 6-foot tall rats and giant spiders and cockroaches.

Anyway. It's a well-written hero quest tale that will probably get even better as it goes on. ( )

A fantastic middle grade fantasy adventure. It was predictable, but that didn't stop it from being fun and giving me all the feels. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series! ( )