Underworld by Meg Cabot

Title: Underworld
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: Abandon Trilogy #2
Published: May 8, 2012 by Scholastic
Rating:

*A Copy of this book was provided by the publisher for Review Purposes

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

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.

My Review:

Underworld begins where we are left off at the end of Abandon, Pierce is now ruling as Queen of the underworld with John, having just escaped a desperate and personal attack from the Furies. Her safety is still in jeopardy though, which leaves the reader constantly questioning who can really be trusted.  Pierce also has some unfinished business left with the living and therefore must return to keep those she's left behind safe, a task that leaves her relationship with John conflicted. This book has definitely added new darker elements to the story with new hilarious characters along with mysterious developments into certain pasts that'll leave you questioning EVERYTHING!

I really loved how this story is progressing. The adrenaline and risk has definitely been increased in this book, with persistent attacks by Furies and Pierce trying to elude the living while still ensuring her family's safety. There is a much stronger sense of danger that is palpable throughout the pages and really makes this story all the more enjoyable. Everything is written so much more intensely- the romance is deeper between Pierce and John, loyalties to friends and family are tested, the Furies are much stronger and a HUGE revelation is made regarding John's past.

While reading this book its really interesting to see how Cabot was able to twist the myth of Hades and Persephone into something completely different. The core of the original myth is still there, but Cabot has added so many other fascinating details to the story that makes it extremely new and fresh. In particular, I love how Pierce's necklace is incorporated into the story as a curse and its involvement with the Furies. 

It'd be remiss of me not to mention that the ending to this book is MIND BLOWINGLY AWESOME! I'm a sucker for cliff hangers, so you're forewarned! I will mention that it had be choked up a bit, so bonus points for completely RIPPING OUT MY HEART!

As the 'bridge' book in this trilogy, Underworld does not disappoint. Oftentimes the second book is considered the filler and often riddled with unnecessary plot lines to extend a series, but Underworld is quite the opposite. If anything, this book has just built this story up to a perfect climax, leaving the reader at the edge and ready to crash down to an incredible conclusion. Be prepared to be completely blown by this book and fall even harder for the King of the Underworld.