Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (Underland Chronicles Series #2) by Suzanne Collins

From the Publisher

In the months since Gregor first encountered the strange Underland beneath New York City, he’s sworn he won’t ever go back. But when another prophecy, this time about an ominous white rat known as the Bane, calls for Gregor’s help, the Underlanders know the only way they can get his attention is through his little sister, Boots. Now Gregor’s quest reunites him with his bat, Ares, the rebellious princess Luxa, and new allies and sends them through the dangerous and deadly Waterway in search of the Bane. Then Gregor must face the possibility of his greatest loss yet, and make life and death choices that will determine the future of the Underland.
Suzanne Collins has created characters and a world that are capturing countless imaginations. This second installment of the Underland Chronicles is sure to win her even more enthusiastic fans.

Publishers Weekly

In the second title in the Underland Chronicles series, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins, Gregor returns to the world beneath New York City, seeking his young sister, Boots, who has been kidnapped by giant cockroaches that are trying to protect her from murderous rats. PW said of Gregor the Overlander, "Collins does a grand job of world-building.... Unlike Gregor who cannot wait to leave, readers will likely find it to be a fantastically engaging place." Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Peg Glisson - Children's Literature

When Gregor's baby sister Boots is kidnapped by giant cockroaches from Underland, Gregor knows he must once again go there to retrieve her. The Underlanders want Gregor to prevent the Prophecy of Bane, hinted at the end of Gregor the Overlander, from becoming reality. Bane apparently is a large white rat and only Gregor can prevent Bane's upsetting the delicate balance in the Underworld. The rats know the way to Gregor is through Boots and so the lines are drawn. Once again, Collins peppers the book with amazing characters (old and new), tense as well as humorous situations and dialogue, and another world made believable. Gregor has matured some since his last adventure. He learns to deal with the fact that he is a "rager," a deadly and efficient fighter. He is more confident in his own abilities to reason and understand, as well. Readers will be surprised by his resolution of the prophecy. Those who have not read the first Gregor will be at a slight disadvantage. Collins tries to weave necessary details from Gregor's first visit to the Underworld into this one, but it definitely slows the early chapters down and is not completely satisfying. Once details have been attended to and the actual adventure begins, the pace quickens and excitement builds. There's a hint of yet another sequel; by the time readers finish this one, they'll be asking when! 2004, Scholastic Press, Ages 9 to 13.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-With more than capable narration by actor Paul Boehmer, Suzanne Collins's second novel in the Underland Chronicles series (Scholastic, 2004) practically vibrates with excitement and adventure. It takes a bit of time to catch up on characters and events from the first book, but enough hints are dropped along the way to make this accessible to new listeners. Gregor is an Overlander, an 11-year-old who lives in New York City. Boots, his toddler sister, disappears into the Underland, a vast world beneath the city that's populated by enormous bats, cockroaches, and rats, while sledding in Central Park. Gregor knows he must return to the strange underground kingdom of Regalia to rescue her. Boehmer gives each character a distinctive voice, and he has the tone and timing of toddler Boots down perfectly. His voice reflects the change in Gregor as he matures under the weight of his responsibilities. A good choice for fantasy fans in school and public libraries.-Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

When giant cockroaches kidnap his baby sister Boots from Central Park, Gregor knows that he has no choice but to descend to the Underland to find her. Readers will eagerly remember what Gregor has tried to forget: that at the end of Gregor the Overlander (2003), the fey Nerissa had hinted at the Prophecy of Bane. Bane, it appears, is a giant white rat, one whose coming portends the end of the delicate balance of power in the Underland; Gregor is prophesied to be the end of Bane, but not if the rats get Boots first. Collins crafts another edge-of-the-seat quest; a race between Gregor and the rats reunites the boy with Queen Luxa and with Ares, his new bat-bond. Humor and terror alternate, as the third-person narration (heavily flavored by the voice of 11-year-old Gregor) details the bickering brought on by close quarters and then unflinchingly throws the questers into mortal danger. Gregor's resolution of the prophecy will surprise and delight readers-who will be equally delighted to see that Nerissa has packed a new prophecy in Gregor's luggage when he returns home. Yessss! (Fiction. 9-14)

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