Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Collins is the second book her the Underland Chronicles series. Although Gregor's father has returned home, life at their New York apartment is far from normal. His father is too ill from his time in the Underland to work, and the expenses related to his medical bills have pushed the family into a very tight financial position. Gregor has taken a once a week job assisting his neighbor Mrs. Cormaci, who gives him an old pair of boots that were just laying around and never fails to send him home without food for his own family. Shortly before Christmas, Gregor takes his youngest sister Boots sledding in Central Park, but in one unwatched instant she disappears. He quickly realizes that she has been taken back to the Underworld by some crawlers, calls his father to let him know what has happened, and heads after his sister. Ares finds him and flies him to Regalia where he reunites with his sister. The crawlers explain that the rats were after Boots trying to kill her because they believe that the prophecy of Bane means that her death will lead to their triumph. Gregor agrees to set out in search of the Bane, which is supposed to be a vicious, ten foot white rat, capable of leading the rats to victory over the people of the Underland. Gregor and a crew set out by boat to hunt for the Bane in the labyrinth. Before they even reach the labyrinth, they encounter giant squid, a whirlpool, flesh eating mites, and massive serpents and suffer both injury and loss. In the end the group becomes separated, and Gregor and Ares must finish the quest alone.
An excellent follow up to the original book Gregor the Overlander, my boys and I completely enjoyed Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane together as a read aloud and are looking forward to starting the third book in the series this coming week. I highly recommend this book for ages 7 and up.
No comments:
Post a Comment