Smash reviews Underworld by Meg Cabot

Underworld
by Meg Cabot
Published by Scholastic Point on 5/8/12
Series: Abandon
Abandon | Underworld
 #3 Awaken
Genre: YA Fantasy
Source: ARC from Publisher

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead. Not this time. But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey. Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves. But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies. And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape.

Interest in the book

After reading Abandon, I was surely going to follow Pierce’s journey into the Underworld. The book leaves off right where Abandon ended, which made the story seamless. I am pleasantly surprised and entertained by this retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth.

First Impressions

The book opens with a horrific nightmare that Pierce wakes up from in terror, and suddenly realizes those curtains aren’t familiar. Oh, right. Pierce is not in her bedroom. She’s in John’s. In the Underworld. And he’s next to her. On the bed. This is not a situation that Pierce is ready to encounter. Oh, the woes of teen love!

Characters

Pierce is still that same odd young lady who doesn’t quite fit in with others, but she has matured greatly due to events in Abandon. She remains fiercely protective over her family members and is distraught at the thought of never returning home to tell her mother that she is ok. Pierce meets some new characters that live in John’s home. They all seem to think he’s a captain and they kind of act like seamen. This may or may not be related to a major hurricane and sunken ship and all this other lore that surrounds Isla Huesos.

Pierce becomes more curious about John’s true origins and learns more about him throughout this installment. Of course, John fears the worst and believes Pierce will see him as a monster. While I disagree heavily with John removing Pierce’s choice and free will, he does his best to see that she is happy, even though he is seriously afraid of the dangers she faces. His conscience is on a constant give-and-take and I would hate to have to deal with that! But still, Pierce forgives him way too easily…

I have to mention the Mourning dove that John gifts her in the beginning of the book. The bird is very symbolic to Pierce and her relationship with John, and it also symbolizes something else for Pierce: Hope. So yea, that’s what she ends up calling the bird, even though she is against the name in the beginning. The thing about Hope, you see, is that she pops into existence when Pierce is in trouble or needs assistance. Of course a bird can’t do much to assist a human, but she is great at alerting Pierce to danger. Not only that, but Meg Cabot gave her the sauciest, sassiest little personality, and trust me when I say you will adore this bird!

World-Building

I really enjoyed the time spent in the Underworld. Despite the title, a lot of time is spent “above ground” as Pierce and John try to save her cousin’s life. Of course, the Furies have a different agenda and they face perils of all shapes and sizes. What time is spent in the Underworld, however, really moves the plot forward. I enjoyed Pierce’s discoveries of the other characters and the changes that have occurred in the Underworld due to her compassionate heart.

Lasting Impressions

This series is entertaining, and while the romantic relationship between Pierce and John is not quite right, what relationship is perfect? He is the caretaker of the dead and she is a teen girl who has been chosen as his consort. Things are bound to be less than ideal, though these two do their best to understand the other. The action was great, the secondary characters were fun and the plot has definitely moved forward. I look forward to Awaken!

Favorite Scene

“…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?”

Other Reviews

Are you a fan of Greek mythology? This YA series is a fun, suspenseful way to experience mythology.

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