Underworld By: Meg Cabot Review

Underworld (Abandon #2)
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Scholastic: Point
Pages: 336
Rating: 4.5

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossiblewhen someone there wants you back.                                          Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead. Not this time.      But she’s been taken by John Hayden, lord of the Underworld, to the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.                               John claims it’s for her own safety, to protect her from the Furies who yearn for vengeance against him. But John may have reasons of his own for wanting to keep Pierce close… And soon Pierce learns that while she might be safe from the wrath of the Furies in the Underworld, the people she loves back on earth are not. Can she convince John to release her in order to save the life of someone in her family? Or will the price he asks her to pay for her freedom turn out to be too high? 

   UNDERWORLD is book two in Meg Cabot's Abandon trilogy. Haven't read the first book, Abandon? No worries, read my review here! I read Abandon about four months ago and I was very eager to get my hands on book two. After just finishing Underworld a few hours ago, I am excited to share my thoughts with all of you!

   Underworld kicks off right after the ending events in Abandon. John has taken Pierce to the Underworld once again (seriously, tea in the face wasn't enough for him?!) as a way of protecting her from the deadly furies. Although, John's plan to keep Pierce "locked" in the Underworld doesn't last for long. Instead, Pierce and John journey back to the surface to save Alex (Pierce's cousin) from a danger Pierce isn't even sure exists. 

   Underworld definitely gave us a lot more back-story and history on both the plot and characters. I loved getting  introduced to some new characters that are part of John's life in the underworld-it allowed me to understand his character better as well as being an interesting way of seeing another side of John. Pierce's new pet bird, Hope, also for some reason has really stuck with  me. That bird definitely deserves lots of treats for all the help she's given Pierce and John. 

   Of course I loved returning to John and Pierce's relationship in book two! At the end of the first book, John and Pierce only really started entering "romantic-zone"- making me both giddy and frustrated. Luckily, my desire for this duo was successfully fulfilled in Underworld. Their relationship definitely became more and more intense throughout the course of the book- very intense if you know what I mean ;) I don't know what it is, but seeing such a serious and dark-sided guy like John confess his feeling of love towards Pierce, makes me swoon everytime. (I mean it, you can literally hear the thud of my body hitting the ground!) I also really loved seeing how Pierce has gradually been changing John. There were a couple of scenes where we get to see John gaining more control over both his emotions and temper. His character has definitely changed since we first met him in Abandon. I'm super excited to see how their relationship continues to progress, Eeeep!

   Once again, I continued to enjoy the Greek Mythology in Underworld, (although, I don't think Ill ever be able to look at a pomegranate the same way again ;). I've begun to notice more and more books using the story of Persephone and Hades in their stories- but Meg Cabot has done so in an entertaining and unique way! My only problem with this book would be that the entire pace of the story was a bit slower than I would have liked.

Favourite Quotes...

“...Did you see him? I know the photo was grainy, but he looks like one of those death metal goth heads, or whatever they’re called. All dressed in black with long hair —"

I took umbrage at my mother describing my boyfriend this way. John was the Lord of the Underworld. How else was he supposed to dress?

~~~~~

"This is exactly why Patrick and I chose not to have children." he muttered. "So we would never have to have conversations like this. Andy yet...here I am?"

"If you could answer the question," I said as politely as I could, "that would be great. I really don't want to have a freaky demon baby, and I can't imagine John wants one, either."

~~~~~~

"Cursed?" I offered, my voice croaky because of my unshed tears.

"It isn't cursed." John said deliberately, rearranging the chain around my neck, "if you're wearing it. It's blessed."

Overall...

Overall Underworld was a great sequel to Abandon. I continued to be intrigued by the plot! After the cliffhanger we're left with at the end of Underworld, I'm very curious to see where the story will go! Awaken (book three) should be released sometime in 2013- be sure to check back here for news/cover reveals! Also, take a look at the book trailer for Abandon below :) Let me know your thoughts! Keep Reading!

Your Y.A. Bookworm,

Caitlin <3

Check out UNDERWORLD at Amazon:

Abandon Book 2: Underworld