Gregor the Overlander: Underland Chronicles, Book 1 by Suzanne Collins
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Summary
Rich in suspense and brimming with adventure, the New York Times-bestselling Underland Chronicles unfold the fate of the Underland and the great warrior, Gregor. Suzanne Collins is also the author of the bestselling Hunger Games trilogy.
This audiobook is absolutely fantastic - it's a charming and enchanting tale filled with magic. The story feels new and invigorating. I was eagerly anticipating listening to it. However, there was one downside. When the narrator voiced Boots, it didn't quite match the character's age of two years old. Instead, it sounded more like a weary prostitute trying to make a living. This aspect took away from the overall enjoyment of the book.
My fifth grader finished reading the Hunger Games and our librarian suggested we give this book a try. While the subject matter is not as challenging as the Hunger Games, the dynamic between the underlanders and the creatures of the underworld provides a unique perspective on inequality, similar to what we see in our society. It's an enjoyable read for both adults and kids aged eight and up.
In my opinion, this fantasy book is decent. Although I didn't find it as captivating as some other books, it does have an imaginative storyline. It lacks the enchantment of "Elves of the Reaches," but there are still some supernatural aspects present. It leans more towards being suitable for children rather than young adults, and the performance might not hold a child's attention very well. Personally, I won't be continuing with the rest of the series.
Maybe it's the person doing the talking, but our whole gang had the feeling that we were posted up in a pre-k classroom, tuned in to this story. My girls were all hyped since they were big fans of the Hunger Games, but this book didn't quite meet those high hopes. It might be a good time for a super young kiddo, but our older crew didn't find it all that thrilling, according to our own personal adventure.
I was really disappointed with this book and how the characters interacted with each other. It caught me off guard, considering that the author also wrote The Hunger Games series, which is amazing. It seems like this book was intended for a younger audience. Despite that, it lacks attention to detail and there are many unresolved plot points. Personally, I didn't enjoy listening to it, but I can see it being more appealing to children aged 10 or younger.
I didn't expect to overcome my aversion to roaches, but surprisingly, I was able to and actually enjoyed the book! In this story, the roaches are portrayed in an endearing manner. The plot is captivating, filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists and turns. The narrative flows smoothly, making it easy to follow. The only drawback for me was Paul Boehmer as the narrator. While he is decent overall, his interpretation of two-year-old Boots is quite bothersome. Instead of sounding like a toddler, his portrayal transforms her into a creepy, breathy old woman. Additionally, her way of saying 'Gregor' ("ge-go") is not accurately captured by Boehmer, as he turns it into a strange sentence add-on rather than a genuine childish pronunciation. However, he does a decent job with the roaches. As for the other characters, Boehmer mainly uses his own voice, providing little differentiation between them. Despite this, I eventually grew accustomed to it and still managed to enjoy the story.
After being recommended the Hunger Games trilogy and finishing it quickly, I decided to dive into this older series. Collins' writing has a raw quality to it, but her distinctive style shines through. I found myself completely engrossed in this book and the narrator did a fantastic job, showing great affection for all the characters, particularly the toddler. The story itself was captivating, and I'm glad I used my first credit on it. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait another three weeks to get a credit for the second installment.
I've been reading this book out loud, complete with different voices, to my students for the past 5 years and they absolutely adore it. At one point, when my voice was strained, I decided to switch to the audiobook for a few chapters. However, I found the narrator's choice of pausing to be quite odd, and it seemed like they hadn't been around a two-year-old before because whenever I mimicked the narration by saying "temp....ticka....dinna....," my students would cringe. I really hope they release a new recording of this book soon because it's not fair to children to have someone who doesn't understand them narrating the child voices.
I suppose I have a soft spot for children's books. The best part is, I never have to fret about encountering any explicit language. It's a breeze to listen to while working out at the gym, and it really helps pass the time quickly.
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