ARC Review: Meg Cabot - Underworld

Meg Cabot - Underworld

Abandon Trilogy #2

• Pub Date: May 8, 2012
• Publisher: Point
• Format: Hardcover 230 pages
• Age Range: Young Adult

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.

I received this book from the RT convention in Chicago. Here's my honest review:

It's hard for me to put my finger on why I it took me so long to get through this book. The story just didn't grab me until almost the end. I don't feel for Pierce because I couldn't really remember how the first book ended. Well, I don't remember her feelings anyway. And John came up with too many lies this time. Their relationship is a farce. But I still like him even though I don't want to. Grr.

Usually I love Meg Cabot books, and I enjoyed the first one in this series. But this one didn't keep my interest enough. The end, however.. that got my attention. I do want to read the next one when it comes out. I'm intrigued about where this story will go.

I kind of have a lack of feelings about this one. It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't all that bad really. If I'd read the two closer together, I might feel differently. It's just hard to get over Pierce's lack of decision-making when it comes to her feelings. She's so wishy-washy that the story didn't always make sense. And the pomegranate issue at the end felt so rushed. It almost made me sad for Pierce. Oh well.

What I liked:

• Snark and humor. Pierce is funny even when she's stressed. She has a snarky attitude, and it made me laugh.
• The end. It's all up in the air, but I at least have an idea of where it might go. I do want to read the next one thanks to the ending of this one.
• The new characters. Henry, Mr. Liu, Mr. Graves, and Frank were all fun and entertaining bits to this addition to the trilogy.

What I didn't like:

• The old characters. Pierce, John, Alex.. they were all annoying in this one. John tries to be this romantic, love sick dude, but he's a liar. Pierce can't EVER make up her mind. And Alex was just a brat. Ugh.
• Pacing. This story was dull at points. I put this book down for 2 weeks before I finished it. Not good.
• What's the truth? I am still not sure if I get the whole eating in the underworld thing and what causes her to get stuck down there if that's what happens. It never really became clear. 

Bottom line: If you've started this series, you'll want to keep going. If you haven't, enter at your own risk.

Rating:

3/5 book sharks