Gregor the Overlander

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I finally got around to reading this book by Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins.  My granddaughter really loved this book, and I know why.  It is a delightful fantasy book about 11-year-old Gregor and his sister, Boots, who fall down a grate in the laundry room of their apartment in New York City.  They end up in a new world, Underland, that is inhabited by humans, giant cockroaches, spiders, rats and bats (and who knows what else).  Gregor, as it turns out, is part of an ancient prophecy, which involves a war between the rats and the humans, bats, and roaches.  Although he doesn't feel destined to lead, he is thrust into the role. I truly enjoyed following Gregor and Boots into the Underland.  Collins creates a magical world.  Definitely a must read for middle schoolers.



View all my reviews

Dark Life

Dark Life by Kat Falls

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Although a little slow at first, it wasn't long before this undersea thriller had me hooked.  It is the story of a futuristic community that has taken up residence in the ocean due to the rising oceans and lack of dry land. Those who remain "topside" live in extremely crowded conditions.  The main character, Ty, is the son of some pioneers who began the settlement.  Since he was raised in the ocean, he doesn't have much regard for the "topsiders," until he meets Gemma.  Gemma has come undersea to find her missing brother, and enlists Ty's help in doing so.  Ty and Gemma soon encounter the Seablite gang,a group of criminals that seem to be set on destroying the underwater community.  Things get worse when the Commonwealth Government (located topside) decide that the undersea community must take care of the outlaws themselves.  Of course Ty and Gemma end up in the thick of the adventure.  The story holds the interest not only with the twists and turns of the plot, but with the imaginative creation of this underwater community, where people born there seem to have evolved special gifts.  This should be a hit for middle schoolers and above.



View all my reviews