*RECOMMENDED BY KATE BALLARD

Kate was so persistent about her love for this series that I eventually broke down and tried one. While I liked it enough (especially the interactions between Boots and the cockroaches), many aspects of Gregor the Overlander just frustrated me.

I wish the timescale had been slower. I know this book was written for young kids who can't concentrate for more than 3 minutes, but the prophecy seemed so intense that I expected it to last for the entirety of the series. I was shocked when it was neatly wrapped up in one short book.

Gregor's lack of inquisitiveness irritated me. If I was trapped in an underground world, you can bet I'd ask more questions than this moron. Also, he's always feeling emotions and having revelations ALL OF A SUDDEN, which reminds me of Maze Runner-style characterization, in which the author manufactures plot artificially by implanting thoughts and feelings in the mindless main character. Ew.

Overall, I can see the merits of this book, and I know that if I were younger I probably would have loved it. However, I'm not younger, and I didn't love it. So I'm not going to read the others in the series. Sorry, Kate.

The first time I read this book, I sped through it in about 3 hours. I loved the plot and was completely taken with the romance. I read it again this year, and was shocked at how badly it was written.