Review and Giveaway: Underworld by Meg Cabot

Welcome to one of the stops in the amazing......

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Underworld by Meg Cabot

(Abandon #2)

Publisher: Point

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Pages: 336

— Book Two: Underworld —

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’s been taken by John Hayden, lord of the Underworld, to the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

John claims it’s for her own safety, to protect her from the Furies who yearn for vengeance against him. But John may have reasons of his own for wanting to keep Pierce close…

And soon Pierce learns that while she might be safe from the wrath of the Furies in the Underworld, the people she loves back on earth are not. Can she convince John to release her in order to save the life of someone in her family? Or will the price he asks her to pay for her freedom turn out to be too high? 

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Summary provided by Meg Cabot @ megcabot.com

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This book begins right where the previous left off; Pierce has just been taken "captive" to the Underworld by John in order to protect her from her from the Furies, and specifically, a fury that happens to be part of her family. 

This is all fine and dandy, except Pierce didn't CHOOSE to go. She had no choice, and she's not happy about it. Although, surprisingly, I find that she adjusts fairly well. Until, she somehow receives a video on her cell phone of her cousin Alex and harm that is going to come to him. Once this happens, she'll do everything she can to escape again, in order to save her family. 

That about sums up as much as I can give away, without ruining any plot. 

Now, on to my review.....

I want to start out by letting you know that I am a HUGE Meg Cabot fan. Her Princess Diaries series (as well as Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley Jr. High series) was the reason I really began reading in the first place. I LOVE Meg. She has been a hero in literature for me, and her novels have really touched me in ways that others have not. She is a magnificent, creative, and funny author (both in writing and in person!)

Now, that being said, I want to move on to this specific novel. 

The novel began a little slow for my taste. Granted, the opening scene was intense and intriguing, but after that, I felt that it died down quite a bit. For a while, I sat there wondering when the action and romance was going to begin. However, I didn't have to wait too long. The novel definitely picked up pace, and by the end, I found myself craving more and more!!

As for the romance, I thought it was cute and believable. I mean, I guess the point is that Pierce and John are meant to be together, due to all of their history. Other than that, however, I didn't feel that their relationship developed much. I mean, you can see how he feels about Pierce (by trying to protect her by being a little possessive), but it just didn't click for me. I cannot believe that Pierce would not mind spending the rest of eternity with this guy, when she barely even develops her feelings for him much. Maybe that's just me, though. He's definitely a likeable guy. Granted, he's a little controlling for my taste. But, after all, he is just trying to keep the one he loves safe. And he ends up sacrificing so much for her. I definitely enjoy their relationship. I just feel that it could have been developed a bit more. 

As for the supporting cast, I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Her cousin Alex and uncle Chris are just so wonderfully adorable. Their back story and all of the challenges they've faced really touch me. I adore them! I also really like Mr. Smith, the cemetery saxton. He is just so concerned for doing what's best for Pierce and keeping her safe. He's a wonderful addition to the story. Kayla, however, is my favorite!! She is so fun and sassy. I absolutely adore her spunk and the spark that she adds to this novel, especially when you throw Frank into the mix. It's wayyy too cute, I can't help but giggle at them. I adore this supporting cast. Developing incredible supporting characters has ALWAYS been one of Meg's specialties. She does it well, and she makes you love each and every one of them. That is one of the qualities I love most about her!

My absolute FAVORITE thing about this novel was the cliffhanger at the end. Part of me saw it coming (slightly), but not in the way it happened. I was shocked, and I am so excited to see where it goes from here! I am just dying to read the final book in the trilogy already! Hurry it up, Meg. Don't keep your lovely readers waiting any longer! To be honest, I like Pierce and John's relationship. But I'm much more interested in seeing what happens between Frank and Kayla!!!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It has a creative and intriguing plot, great supporting cast members, very descriptive scenery, and a BEAUTIFUL cover!

I give it 4.5/5 cupcakes! I just couldn't bear to give it only four :P

 

and a 

 

By the way, you can find the recipe for this DELICIOUS looking cupcake here!

A delicious plot,

A tantalizingly amazing supportive cast

and a

cliffhanger of an ending!

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So what wants to win my ARC of this AMAZING book?!

I'm giving it away as part of the Meg-A Reader's Blog Hop! Check out the rest of the stops and giveaways here!

To enter: 

You must be a GFC follower and leave me your GFC name and email!

This contest is only open to those residing in the United States, as I have to ship it myself.

Other entries include: Following on twitter, posting a blog comment, blogging about this contest, etc. 

The contest is open until midnight on May 24!

So get your entries in and don't forget to check out of the rest of the stops in this amazing hop!

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