Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 10/01/2004 Gregor and Boots (from Gregor the Overlander, BCCB 1/04) again descend below the streets of New York to answer the call of a prophecy, this time crossing the Waterway to track down a mysterious white rat known as the Bane, around which the formerly vanquished rat forces are beginning to rally. Peace-loving Gregor, who is disturbed to discover his unsuspected capacities as a warrior, sets out with Boots and other questers, battling giant squid and flesh-stripping gnats before the party is split during an attack by vicious rats and carnivorous plesiosaurs. Convinced that Boots, Underland princess Luxa, and Luxa's bat Aurora have been drowned and/or eaten, the grief-maddened Gregor and his bat Ares continue the search for the Bane alone, determined to fulfill the prophecy by killing the cursed animal on sight. What they find, however, calls their interpretation of the prophecy into question, and their decision regarding the fate of the Bane changes the balance of power for all the nations of the Underland. Gregor's parents' inability to care for their children after the return of his father in the first book sets the stage for this second journey, in which the counsel of adults is well meant but morally ambiguous and Gregor's own wisdom must carry the day. That continuing realism wraps the mile-a-minute adventure in a satisfyingly complex political and social network and provides the whole with a compelling emotional foundation. Throughout, the motivations and growth of individual characters drive the action—Gregor's unearthing of his warrior tendencies is an unexpected innovation, but his discovery is described in sufficient detail to be acceptable to returning fans—and the reappearance (and disappearance) of old friends, with some plot ends deliberately left loose, will pull readers right through to the end and set them clamoring for the third installment in the series. - Copyright 2004 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 10/01/2004 Gr 5-8-Readers are quickly drawn into this sequel to Gregor the Overlander (Scholastic, 2003), which concluded with Gregor and his toddler sister, Boots, returning from the Underland, an underground realm populated by humans and giant creatures. When Boots is kidnapped and taken back to the Underland, Gregor follows her to the city of Regalia, where he is reunited with Luxa and her wise grandfather. Vikus tells the boy of the "Prophecy of Bane," which foretold of Gregor's return to the land to find and fight a legendary white super-rat. The siblings are joined by Luxa and other humans, as well as giant talking bats and cockroaches, in the quest to find the Bane. As in the first book, the questers face adventure, danger, death, loss, and change on their journey, and the surprising conclusion leaves room for another sequel. Interpersonal conflict and old enmities among the well-developed characters add depth, and the hazards and beauties of the subterranean Underland are fully realized and clearly presented. An urgent mood and a sense of impending danger are conveyed. This is a strong choice for fantasy fans, including reluctant readers, even if they're not familiar with Gregor's first adventure.-Beth L. Meister, Yeshiva of Central Queens, Flushing, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. - Copyright 2004 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2004 In this exciting, fast-paced sequel to Gregor the Overlander BKL O 15 03, 11-year-old Gregor and his little sister, Boots, return to the Underland to battle the evil giant rats, which have conspired to kill Boots in order to destroy Gregor, their primary obstacle to conquering all the Underland. To save his sister, Gregor sails across a subterranean sea with his bat and cockroach allies to find and kill the prophesied rat leader of the Underland war. Most of the action takes place on the water, including a memorable battle with a sea serpent, and there are plenty of suspenseful moments and exciting developments. Gregor, of course, is courageous, selfless, and ultimately triumphant. Readers unfamiliar with the first novel will be at a disadvantage; Collins assumes knowledge of the characters and developments from the first book. But fans will not be disappointed with this exciting, action-packed sequel, whose ending suggests more adventures to come. - Copyright 2004 Booklist.

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