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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
As all Cabot books this is very nice chick-lit. I also liked the idea of making a modern version of an old Greek myth. I also like Isla de Huesos. But somehow this second part of the trilogy did not draw me in all the way. I was very often annoyed with the protagonist Pierce because she can be so thickheaded... and has slightly weird preferences in scrupling over... Then I did not like the repitition in the plot. John would never trick me in having to stay here! John you tricked me! Pierce, I thought you knew! I am so sorry! repeated about three times... then the supposedly main story line... rescuing her cousin I thought. nope more john and pierce. and then finally a bit of suspense at the end... and cliffhanger! As Isaid most of the time I liked the trilogy so far. Mayhap Cabot's YA protagonists are staying too much teens for my liking... moreso American teens ;) can not really be against that since that is her main audience after all. I will definitely read the next installment not only because she cliffhangered very well but also because I am and will stay a Cabot fan. But I do not believe that this series is one of her better works. Still fun read.
I liked Underworld more than the previous book, Abandon. Underworld has a much faster pace than Abandon and more happens in this book even though the events only occur over a period of around 24 hours. The fast pace of this book ensured that I kept turning the pages as I needed to find out what would happen. This also led me to finish Underworld in a day.
I also now have a favourite character in the series, Henry. I find him just adorable, especially his excitement over trying candy floss for the first time. Along with Henry, we are also introduced to John's "crew" as they appear to think of themselves - Frank, Mr Lui and Mr Graves. They complete a bit more of the puzzle that is John Hayden and led to many questions being answered that had been left out in Abandon. What happened to John? Why is he in the Underworld?
I still however find Pierce slightly annoying. And what's worse is that she has known John 2 days and is so "in love" with him that she can't picture his life without him... I mean COME ON!!! That's worse than Bella Swan! However, to be fair she wasn't constantly repeating phrases unlike she was in Abandon and that fine with me. John also has that quite annoying overly-protective streak that so many male love interests have in fiction today. But to be fair he is from the 1800's and there is the issue with the Furies so he does have his reasons I suppose.
I also noticed a few typos and repeated words in sentences, i.e. "There was no web to surf in the Underworld, and John had already said he'd get me whatever books I needed and it wasn't like there was a web to surf in the Underworld" and also "There's no safe place safe...". I'm not sure if these were intentionally used to convey Pierce's thoughts or if they were overlooked during editing but I sat at looked at them for ages trying to work it out. It may have just been a blonde moment on my part.
The ending was also really abrupt. One minute I'm reading quite the thing... then "Oh! That's it!" It leaves you wanting to know what will happen next and therefore I now have the third book, Awaken, on its way to me.
I also now have a favourite character in the series, Henry. I find him just adorable, especially his excitement over trying candy floss for the first time. Along with Henry, we are also introduced to John's "crew" as they appear to think of themselves - Frank, Mr Lui and Mr Graves. They complete a bit more of the puzzle that is John Hayden and led to many questions being answered that had been left out in Abandon. What happened to John? Why is he in the Underworld?
I still however find Pierce slightly annoying. And what's worse is that she has known John 2 days and is so "in love" with him that she can't picture his life without him... I mean COME ON!!! That's worse than Bella Swan! However, to be fair she wasn't constantly repeating phrases unlike she was in Abandon and that fine with me. John also has that quite annoying overly-protective streak that so many male love interests have in fiction today. But to be fair he is from the 1800's and there is the issue with the Furies so he does have his reasons I suppose.
I also noticed a few typos and repeated words in sentences, i.e. "There was no web to surf in the Underworld, and John had already said he'd get me whatever books I needed and it wasn't like there was a web to surf in the Underworld" and also "There's no safe place safe...". I'm not sure if these were intentionally used to convey Pierce's thoughts or if they were overlooked during editing but I sat at looked at them for ages trying to work it out. It may have just been a blonde moment on my part.
The ending was also really abrupt. One minute I'm reading quite the thing... then "Oh! That's it!" It leaves you wanting to know what will happen next and therefore I now have the third book, Awaken, on its way to me.
I have to say, it is an interesting concept. Still has an interesting but the story was missing something. The more mature elements were glazed over. The story needs to expand the exciting parts and cut the dull parts.
Pierce, girl, can you at least think for once before making rush decisions and consequently affecting everyone else around you? *sighs* I'm so tired of seeing my man, John, cleaning up your childish mess.
I have so much to question but here are two of them:
#1: why do Pierce got dumber in this second book? She was quite a badass on the first.
#2: can someone tell her to transform that Fury-detecting necklace into bracelet or something else that she won't have to look down (if she remembers to) to notice the warning? it'll make her life much easier and John's too.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I have so much to question but here are two of them:
#1: why do Pierce got dumber in this second book? She was quite a badass on the first.
#2: can someone tell her to transform that Fury-detecting necklace into bracelet or something else that she won't have to look down (if she remembers to) to notice the warning? it'll make her life much easier and John's too.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the first book, but this second one was a giant flop to the point I was tempted many times to stop reading it because I was so bored with it.
My criticisms:
First of all, I was so confused by how in the first book, Pierce absolutely hated John, and wanted nothing to do with him. Now suddenly she is head over heels with him. Why? What happened to change her mind?
Next, why does it matter if Pierce dies?? She's doomed to live in the underworld with John forever because she ate waffles, had sex, and/or was just chosen by John to stay with him. So why is there so much effort to protect her if when she dies, shes just going to go to the underworld anyways like she did the first time she died?
Further, I believe the book was unnecessarily long for what it was. The whole second book was ONE DAYS worth in story time. I think they could've summed up what happened in the second book in a few chapters.
Lastly, someone else mentioned this and I haven't been able to stop noticing the amount of times they mention the words "cemetery sexton". Every time we talk to Mr.Smith, he is referred to as the cemetery sexton. We get it, I've read two books now, I know who Mr Smith is.
I was completely planning on NOT reading the next one, but unfortunately with that bomb they dropped at the end of this book, it looks like I'll be reading the third as well.
My criticisms:
First of all, I was so confused by how in the first book, Pierce absolutely hated John, and wanted nothing to do with him. Now suddenly she is head over heels with him. Why? What happened to change her mind?
Next, why does it matter if Pierce dies?? She's doomed to live in the underworld with John forever because she ate waffles, had sex, and/or was just chosen by John to stay with him. So why is there so much effort to protect her if when she dies, shes just going to go to the underworld anyways like she did the first time she died?
Further, I believe the book was unnecessarily long for what it was. The whole second book was ONE DAYS worth in story time. I think they could've summed up what happened in the second book in a few chapters.
Lastly, someone else mentioned this and I haven't been able to stop noticing the amount of times they mention the words "cemetery sexton". Every time we talk to Mr.Smith, he is referred to as the cemetery sexton. We get it, I've read two books now, I know who Mr Smith is.
I was completely planning on NOT reading the next one, but unfortunately with that bomb they dropped at the end of this book, it looks like I'll be reading the third as well.
3.5 Stars
Definitely better than the first one! Had more of a plot and was more action packed— always had something going on. I love Pierce’s and John’s relationship in this book, they definitely got more mature as a couple and were SO CUTE!
Pierce still kind of annoys me but not as bad as the first book. In this one I could understand her actions and why she makes some of these reckless decisions lol. 3.5 stars because it wasn’t the BEST read but I’m still glad I read it and enjoyed the book, it just wasn’t a super memorable or out of this world read
Definitely better than the first one! Had more of a plot and was more action packed— always had something going on. I love Pierce’s and John’s relationship in this book, they definitely got more mature as a couple and were SO CUTE!
Pierce still kind of annoys me but not as bad as the first book. In this one I could understand her actions and why she makes some of these reckless decisions lol. 3.5 stars because it wasn’t the BEST read but I’m still glad I read it and enjoyed the book, it just wasn’t a super memorable or out of this world read
I really enjoyed following Pierce’s adventure to the Underworld as she learns more of John’s past, and the pomegranate symbolism, which is taken to a whole new level of context in this retelling. What I wanted most of all - I didn’t get. I wanted Pierce and John to have a better relationship - one rooted in trust. I also wanted less miscommunication.
I have mixed feelings about John and Pierce’s relationship as that is a central storyline. On one hand, it is toxic and machismo driven - on the other, I can see the romantic and sensitive nature within John to protect Pierce. It just ...it definitely does not stand the test of time.
The story is still relatively told in a past-reflection tone as Pierce is recalling the moments that led her to be with John Hayden. The style of writing is different and engaging. I also LOVED the motifs in this installment.
I look forward to the last book in the series. I am hoping that it is better when it comes to the romance that has ignited a new power within the two main characters.
I have mixed feelings about John and Pierce’s relationship as that is a central storyline. On one hand, it is toxic and machismo driven - on the other, I can see the romantic and sensitive nature within John to protect Pierce. It just ...it definitely does not stand the test of time.
The story is still relatively told in a past-reflection tone as Pierce is recalling the moments that led her to be with John Hayden. The style of writing is different and engaging. I also LOVED the motifs in this installment.
I look forward to the last book in the series. I am hoping that it is better when it comes to the romance that has ignited a new power within the two main characters.
I really enjoyed reading Underworld. Pierce and John are such an amazing couple and I can't wait to find out what happens next and how the series ends.
I just don't like Pierce. She's way too self-absorbed, to the extent that it makes her supremely dense until she is completely hit over the head with reality. It's Meg Cabot, though, so I'll hold out hope for book three....
Ma chronique : http://books-in-bag.blogspot.fr/2012/11/les-enfers-abandon-tome-2-meg-cabot.html