Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods

Gregor and the Curse of the WarmBloods
Book Three in The Underland Chronicles
By Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press
2005
Audio read by Paul Boehmer

Dedication: For Charlie and Isabel

Target Age Group: 9 years old and up

Must Read
Good Read
Should Read

Best Experienced: This book can best be experience by either reading the book or listening to the CD

Synopsis

Christmas is over, and Spring is around the corner in New York City. But in the Underland, a dangerous and deadly plague is afflicting all the warmbloods – rats, bats and humans. The plague is described in The Prophecy of Blood, one of the least understood of Sandwich’s prophecies. But one thing the Underlanders know for sure -- they need Gregor, the Warrior, and his sister Boots to find the cure.

This quest – like the others – is dangerous. The cure for the plague is located in the Vineyard of Eyes, deep in the jungle. To go may mean Gregor will die, or worse, that Boots could die. To not go means that everyone else will die.

Book Review

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods is my favorite book in The Underland Chronicles. As with all the books in the series, this one is told in close third person from Gregor’s perspective. We feel his conficting emotions about wanting to help his friends in the Underland find a cure for the plague, at the same time not wanting to ignore his mother who does not want him or Boots to go.

We are also introduced to new territory in the Underland – the jungle. It has creatures and surprises of its own.

Like the other books, this is an excellent story, well written, and very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Audio Review

Paul Boehmer once again delivers an excellent performance in this audio book. Because he reads all the books, he maintains the characters from story to story, and introduces new characters with new voices. Mrs. Cormaci is one of my favorite characters of his. His portrayal of her is perfection and a sheer delight.

Amazon Links

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods - The Underland Chronicals Book 3 Audio CD
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods - The Underland Chronicles Book 3 Hardcover
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods - The Underland Chronicles Book 3 Paperback



Characters

Gregor – 11 years old, Gregor is our hero. While he originally didn’t want anything to do with the Underland, he is now fond of the people and bats. So when the Underlanders need help to find the plague, he readily agrees. His mother is not quite as agreeable though.

Boots – 2 year old Boots is Gregor’s baby sister. She trusts everyone, which sometimes gets her in trouble. She’s required on this quest. But is it fair to put her in danger again?

Grace – Gregor’s mother, also know as the Mighty Swatter by the cockroaches because of her skill at killing them in her kitchen. After The Prophecy of Gray and The Prophey of Bane, she doesn’t want her children to go anywhere near the Underland.

Mrs. Cormaci – Gregor’s widowed neighbor in New York City. She doesn’t know about the Underland, but she knows a family in trouble when she sees one, and she’s right there to help Gregor's family.

Luxa – Also 11, Luxa is – was -- the queen of Regalia in the Underland. She went missing in The Prophecy of Bane and is presumed dead.

Aurora – Luxa’s giant bat and her bond. When Luxa disappeared, Aurora disappeared with her and is presumed dead.

Ares – Gregor’s bond and an outcast in the Underland. Luxa and Aurora were his only friends, but since they died, Ares has no one. When he gets the plague, no one knows about it right away.

Solovet – The head of Regalia’s Army. She is also Luxa’s grandmother. She can be as tender as a mother, but don’t underestimate her military skills -- he is a ruthless soldier.

Ripred – A giant rat and ally to the humans. He goes on the quest as a representative for the rats.

Mange and Lapblood – A rat couple who are also on the quest to find the cure. They hate the humans and don’t want to cooperate with them.

Temp – A giant cockroach and one of the first creatures to meet Gregor and Boots when they fall into the Underland. He adores Boots, the princess, won’t go anywhere without her, and would risk his own life to save hers. Temp is often ignored by the others in the group, but they really should listen to him.

Hamnet – Luxa’s uncle, her mother’s twin. He leads the group in the jungle.

Hazard – 6 years old, he is Hamnet’s son by an Overlander woman. This makes him a “halflander.” He has a very special skill: he can speak the languages of other animals in the Underland.