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    Underworld
    Underworld
    Underworld
    Audiobook10 hours

    Underworld

    Written by Meg Cabot

    Narrated by Natalia Payne

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Meg Cabot, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Airhead novels, offers up this second exciting installment in her Abandon trilogy. In Underworld, John Hayden is holding 17-year-old Pierce Oliviera captive in the world between heaven and hell-supposedly to keep her safe from the vengeful Furies. But Furies aren't the only danger in this ominous place. Somehow, Pierce has got to find a way to escape-before she's trapped there forever.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMay 8, 2012
    ISBN9781464036217
    Underworld
    Author

    Meg Cabot

    MEG CABOT’s many books for both adults and teens have included numerous #1 New York Times bestsellers, with more than twenty-five million copies sold worldwide. Her Princess Diaries series was made into two hit films by Disney, with a third movie coming soon. Meg currently lives in Key West, Florida, with her husband and various cats.

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    Reviews for Underworld

    3.5/5

    176 ratings19 reviews

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    • 3/5
      It was good but not as good as the first book.
    • 5/5
      This book was far better than the first book in the trilogy. There was more action, more romance, more love, more of everything in this book than in the first part. I loved it. John and Pierce's relationship is growing stronger. There are amazing characters in this book. (Like the crew of the Liberty, I love them!) And also this book is more sexier and more fascinating. What else could a girl wish for? LOVED IT!
    • 3/5
      I had a hard time with this book. It seems to me that in a lot of trilogies the second book barely accomplishes anything and the plot is almost nonexistent. I think a good second book should have a plot and should serve to excite the reader for the final installment. Usually Meg does that for me, but this book fell rather flat. There was barely any plot. The plot it did have could have been resolved in a mere 20 pages versus 300. I'll still read the last book because I still really like the concept but I could have lived without this installment. Maybe next time I'll just try not to have such high hopes.
    • 5/5
      **WARNING: I try to be spoiler free, but there was one scene I just had to talk about, so I apologize ahead of time!**

      Wow. Just Wow. I am really loving this series, even with the creepiness that goes along with it. Imagine being 17 years old and trapped in a world you never even knew existed prior to, well, dying and coming back to life. And then, you get sucked back there when you aren't dead any more.

      My heart broke for Pierce when she started learning the truth about what has happened to her and who the people around her really are. I don't know how I would have handled things if I had ever been in the same situation.

      I love the way this is written, and the modernized interpretation of the mythology is absolutely enthralling. I am, however, always amused about how sex is handled in young adult novels. The culmination coming in what is almost described as starbursts and sunshine and all that fluffy stuff just really makes me flip into a fit of giggles. It did not detract from the story at all. I think it is a testament to the nature of reality anymore, though, at the same time.

      I really enjoyed this novel and cannot wait to dive into Awaken, the third book in this series, and find out how it all works out for Pierce and John and Alex and Kayla, because things just got very, very real for all of them.
    • 4/5
      After escaping from the Furies in her town, Pierce once again finds herself living in the Underworld with John. When she discovers that her cousin is in danger back home, Pierce insists to be brought back home to rescue him, in spite of the danger. "Abandon" is another fresh retelling of the Persephone myth, this time focusing on the consequences of Pierce's actions in the Underworld. However, as a sequel, the story was only okay, the plot line not really doing much to move the story forward so much as acting as a bridge between the first and last novels in the trilogy.
    • 4/5
      Pierce just isn't very believable for me - she is all over the place. One minute she knows what is going on, the next moment something that is completely obvious to the reader is somehow not even on her radar. While I like the general idea of this series, I can't quite figure out what the story is, other than a vehicle to throw John and Pierce together. I guess I'll see if the last book in the series pulls it all together.
    • 3/5
      Typical Cabot, YA romance with supernatural accents. Typical 2nd book, not much happened.
    • 3/5
      Modern tech in the Underworld, blatant pop culture references—oh, Meg Cabot, I expect nothing less from you.

      So that aside, I’m actually liking this series. It’s not a spectacular series, but it’s decent and enjoyable enough. Pierce isn’t an informed heroine, despite falling into shrieking damsel mode at times; there’s actual consequences to Pierce and John’s actions; her family actually worries about Pierce; the relationship isn’t idealized as the perfectest most wonderful fairy tale evah. It feels so rare at this point with paranormal YA, you almost want to hold this up as a shining example.

      No, it’s not perfect. As I said before, Pierce does have a tendency to slip into shrieking damsel mode. She does at least make an effort to fight back at times, but most of the fights end with her calling for John who then whisks her away. And while the relationship isn’t romanticized as the ideal, there is a discomforting notion that Pierce is totally okay with this relationship. There are moments where the damaging qualities are called into question—the beginning of the book has Pierce bitching at John for not telling her the rules of the Underworld and not seeing things from her perspective. And I really don’t like the whole “He’s so dangerous, but if only he could learn to love!” theme to John’s character. (Oh, and a BLATANT Beauty & the Beast reference. Which is then followed by the discovery that John has servants who are completely loyal to him. Fortunately, they’re human.) Again, while it’s not romanticized as the ideal, but it is disconcerting as the fact that John’s the hero and we need to be rooting for him. It’s not as bad as in the first book, but it’s still a little unsettling at times.

      And while I don’t think it’s a perfect book, I think that there’s a lot here that works. Pierce isn’t an informed smart girl, she actually has to do research on the Greek myths. There’s a little fail moment on her end with not understanding of the pomegranate seeds rule, but she figures it out fairly quickly. (Oh, and actually grasps the symbolism, unlike some other Cabot heroines, Emerson.) And like I said, she does make an effort to fight back against the Furies, but because Pierce isn’t superpowered, she’s going to have issues. Again, not ideal, but a lot better than a lot of other YA heroines I could name.

      Plus, I’m clinging on to the fact that Pierce’s family isn’t shunted aside. They actually worry about her; it’s a plot point that her dad is driving down from Connecticut to find Pierce. Pierce is always worrying about what her leaving—for all eternity—is going to do to her family. Aside from two members of her family, they’re actually worried for her. Even Pierce’s cousin Alex worries a little about her, even when he’s off being emo. The only two who don’t really have that is Pierce’s Uncle Chris and her grandmother. Her uncle, I can kinda excuse, as it’s mentioned that he’s not really functioning well in society. The grandmother, though. Does Meg Cabot have something against elderly characters, because this is the third grandmother-esque character who’s a horrible person. I mean, I don’t really like one of my grandmothers, but I don’t cast her as a harpy. (/tangent, but like the bitchy blonde cheerleader, I’m really sick of this.) I would have liked to have seen more worry and empathy from Pierce’s friends, but again, they’re teenagers, so I do buy the thought process of “Oh, you’re okay? Oh, you’re with him? I don’t blame you.”

      Plotwise, I think this book moves a little more, even though not much really happens in the plot. But there’s a lot more that you do find out in this, specifically some of the backstory and the Underworld rules. And I do have to chalk slight points to Meg Cabot for some of the mythology used, specifically for referencing an alternate version of the Hades & Persephone myth that yes, everything was consensual. (Yes, this is an actual thing and dates back to ancient Greece, IIRC. I need to hunt down my mythology notes.) Oh, and the symbolism of pomegranate seeds—well done, and to that scene in question, where has that Meg Cabot been?

      So, in conclusion—it’s not a perfect book, I’m not holding it up as a perfect book. But I think it’s definitely different enough from the majority of paranormal YA out there, and I’m surprised with how it’s going. There’s a nice lack of stupidity and fuckery on all ends—not completely gone, but less than expected—and the story’s not bad. I do think that this is another series that I think would have worked a lot better as a single book, but I’m not going to knock it completely. Well done.
    • 3/5
      This story is definitely a bridging novel, you learn something more about the characters and their situation and their history. We also learn more about the abilities of the lord of the underworld and what Pierce is willing to sacrafice for family.It's a good read. But nothing terribly exciting, bridging novel to the conclusion of the trilogy, important within the series but not a standalone.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed the first book quite a bit, but by the time I got around to reading this one, my attention was wavering. The plot just wasn't gripping enough, the main characters not quite compelling enough. I liked the book, yes, but only mildly so.
    • 4/5
      Library Summary: "John Hayden, a death deity, takes seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera back to the Underworld against her will to keep her safe from the Furies, but her family is still at risk and she, herself, may never escape his captivity."I absolutely, hands down, LOVE this book! It was way better than Abandon!I like that you find out more about John's past in this book. It helps us form an opinion on him. For example, my opinion on him so far is that he does whatever he thinks is right. He would also do anything for the people he cares about, especially Pierce. He tries to be a good person even though he can't escape the debts of the mistakes he's made in the past. I recommend this to all fans of Abandon.
    • 3/5
      I found this book a little better than it's sequel. The characters and plot are interesting, Meg Cabot's writing is decent. I wouldn't have read it, except a coworker of mine loves the series and enjoys discussing it with me. If she hands me the third book, I'll definitely read it. The myth retelling is pretty interesting, but not one of my favorite stories -- though I've read worse. I am curious as to see how things will change, now that certain characters have had dramatic things happen to them.
    • 4/5
      Imagine if your boyfriend is actually the ruler of the underworld, yep, that’ll be Hades. Now imagine that having died and been revived by him in the past, you’re back in Hades, faced with a choice of – do I stay or do I go? Keep imagining because things are going to get worse! Your grandmother is possessed by a Fury, yes, an evil creature from Greek mythology. She’s trying to kill you so as to punish your boyfriend. Hurting you will hurt him. Now imagine, your cousin Alex is going to be trapped in a coffin on the night when everyone in your hometown of Isla Huesos (which, by the way, means Island of Bones) celebrates a kind of Festival of the Dead tradition. This festival involves lots of coffins … and your cousin is going to suffocate in one of them. Oh, did I mention that a fabulous necklace, given to you by your hunky (dead) boyfriend actually contains the Persephone Diamond, which turns black when Furies are about.Pierce Oliviera has an extraordinary life. Although she started out as a normal girl, family events took a strange turn. In Book 1: Abandon, Pierce died but was brought back to life by John Hayden, ruler of Hades. Now she finds herself half in the world of the living and half in the world of the dead. Underworld is the second book in the series and expands upon the Hades/Persephone Greek myth, where (if you’ve done your homework) you’ll remember that Persephone ate six pomegranate seeds while in the underworld. As a result, she must spend six months on earth, and six months with her dark consort.In Underworld, Pierce finds herself more intrigued than ever by the mysterious John Hayden and his smouldering good looks. He is everything a seventeen-year-old girl could want … or maybe not? John has a guilty secret that’s eating him up because basically he is lying to Pierce. Pierce also finds out more about the convoluted and corrupt relationships between the aristocratic and wealthy families on the island. Their histories are intertwined with John’s previous human life. Unfortunately, the rich and powerful of Isla Huesos stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe and their wicked future plans on track. If this involves killing people, then so be it. John, Pierce, and their friends find themselves targeted at every turn by enemies, both human and eternal.This enchanting and surreal reworking of the Greek legend will definitely intrigue romantic teens as John and Pierce develop their relationship. After all, it’s not every day that a girl says goodbye to the land of the living. The author depicts a plausible underworld, which also has a cast of eccentric characters to assist John as he ferries souls from life into death. Although this is the second book, the author filters enough back history into the story, enabling readers to get the picture. John and Pierce’s otherworldly romance continues in Book 3: Awaken.
    • 2/5
      Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: This is a sequel based heavily on misunderstandings, making some aspects of the plot hard to believe. While John and Pierce’s relationship is fleshed out a little more, most of the characters are stock types.Opening Sentence: “Pierce keeps having the most terrible nightmares.”The Review: Being back in the realm of the dead is quite a bit different than Pierce thought it would be this time around. For starters, it’s one thing to live in the Underworld with your boyfriend, it’s another thing to be trapped in it, imprisoned in a castle. If the dark, exotic beauty of the Underworld isn’t exactly Pierce’s style, neither is John confining her to her wing of the castle and keeping her in the dark. Her closet contains only white, flowy dresses, the kind John said he likes on her, but after a little digging Pierce finds her bag. And her working cell phone. Talk about roaming charges.But the cell isn’t calling or texting Pierce, it’s not that kind of message. It’s a video of her cousin, trapped inside a coffin. More than likely, it’s the seniors’ Coffin Night coffin — the one Pierce let the seniors store the materials for in her garage. Alex is in trouble, literally suffocating before her eyes. But the Furies are definitely setting a trap for Pierce on the surface and John doesn’t want her in any danger. Pierce strikes up a bargain: If John will take her to the surface and help free her cousin, she’ll forgive him for her being stuck in the Underworld.Of course, it’s never that easy. For one thing, the video could be of something that’s already happened since they came to the Underworld yesterday and Alex might already be dead. Or it could be happening now. Or it hasn’t happened at all, and it’s up to John and Pierce to stop Alex from doing something stupid that gets him locked in a coffin. The Furies are waiting for Pierce on the surface and ready to strike. It doesn’t help that the catastrophe at the end of Abandon has made her a face on the national news. Just by going out in public, the islanders will do half the Furies’ work for them by recognizing her.And then there’s her mother. So close and yet so far away. Because if Grandma sees Pierce — well, we’ll get a repeat of the end of Abandon won’t we? Can Pierce really leave without saying goodbye — especially since this is her only chance to do so? There’s no question that her parent’s divorce was in part her fault, whether they know it or not. For the most part, I think Pierce’s relationship with her parents is one-dimensional. Which is a pity, because there’s a lot that could be done with them that could have brought another dimension to the story.Honestly, the entire subplot of Pierce being trapped in the Underworld would have been blown out of the water if she knew the myth of Persephone. Cabot says they studied it in school, which unfortunately puts Pierce in the less-than-intelligent heroine category. It might not be so bad if this subplot didn’t drive the actual plot, but it’s pretty much the only catalyst to leaving the Underworld. The narrative voice is engaging, but beware of excessive description and conversation tags. It made the easy read take a whole lot longer. John is as sexy as ever, but takes overprotective to a whole new level. Like, Edward-watches-you-sleep new levels. However, the summary of Underworld calls John her captor. He’s not. He’s Pierce’s boyfriend. It’s Pierce’s misunderstandings and charge-first-ask-later philosophy that seems to get her stuck in the strangest situations. All in all, while it wasn’t a bad read by any means I didn’t really like the way the story was executed or the measures Cabot took to make the plot go her way. It tied in a bow a little too nicely for my tastes.Notable Scene:“Does Captain Hayden know you have that?” Mr. Graves asked, nervously. “I can’t imagine he’d be too pleased–”“May I see it?” Mr. Liu held out a hand the size of a slice of county ham. It hadn’t been a question so much as a command.I passed him the phone, then glanced down at my necklace because of the sense of foreboding that had once again gripped me. As I’d expected, the stone had turned black.Henry noticed it, too, and asked, curiously, “Wasn’t your necklace silver before?”Before I could answer, Mr. Liu looked up from the screen.“This boy,” he said, solemnly, “isn’t in a box. He’s in a coffin.”The Abandon Trilogy:1. Abandon2. Underworld3. AwakenFTC Advisory: Point/Scholastic provided me with a copy of Underworld. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don’t receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.
    • 3/5
      Meg Cabot has always been a fave of my since my introductions to her Mediator Series. While I am not a huge fan of the chic lit novels that she has created; I can honestly say that she definitely knows her way around paranormal. I am absolutely not a mythology buff, but I love reader stories that are a retelling of these various myths. Abandon was just that in the variation to the tale of Hates and Persephone. This is a dark and twisting tale in itself, and I felt that Cabot captures that mystery and intrigue in her writing. Regretfully, I did not find Underworld to captivate me as deeply as book one, but all in all it was a good addition this this loved story. I look forward to seeing if Cabot will be offering more in the way of supernatural, but I have to say that this novel has made me question the continuation of this particular series.  
    • 5/5
      Reading Underworld has made me want to go back in time and lower my rating of Abandon to 4 Snowflakes. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Abandon, but I didn't read it with the fervor that I read Underworld. This is one case where I felt the sequel outdid its predecessor. The story picks right back up from where we last left Pierce and John after he swept her away to the Underworld for her own safety. While Pierce is still hesitant about being in the realm of the dead for eternity, being with John makes it appear more enticing. Speaking of John, although he is still a bit on the brooding side (though what death deity wouldn't be?), there were changes in his character that made him even more likable. Readers get to see this more sensitive side of John through how he has made changes in running the Underworld and how he behaves with his former crew who serve and assist him. I do wish that John had been more honest and upfront about several big factors with Pierce, but if she's willing to overlook that, I suppose I can as well.Let me just say that I enjoyed getting to meet John's crew members, Frank, Mr. Graves, Mr. Liu, and Henry. They're the first "denizens" of the Underworld that Pierce meets, and while she doesn't feel as though she made the best of impressions, they do warm up to her throughout the time that all are on Isla Huesos. It's amazing at how much occurs within the single day or rather night, and Cabot seems to be a master at making a short time feel much longer. This is due to the major plot seeming rather simple, but when factoring in the obstacles placed in Pierce and John's path, it makes the simplest task much more difficult. The Furies involved were no less fierce in their onslaught against Pierce, and I'm eager to see what the resolution will be for these angered spirits present on Isla Huesos.Once again, Cabot has left this reader wanting more, and 2013 cannot get here soon enough when the final installment of the trilogy, Awaken, will be available.
    • 3/5
      The Good StuffThe cover is beautiful (I'm a sucker for a jewel toned cover)Really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially John's crew and KaylaHilarious dialogue at times (Unfortunately, not as much as in previous books)Story is very fast pacedThe premise of the story is a unique twist on the persphone taleKeeps me guessing on what is going on and the motivations behind everyone's actions -- can't wait till the final book in the trilogyAdored the scene where Pierce is discussing pregnancy in the Underworld with Mr. Smith -- it's hilarious, made me giggle on the busSmokin chemistry between Pierce and John (Which probably explains why she puts up with his slightly stalkerish ways)The background info about Isla Huesos is fascinating and enjoy all the bits about mythologyThe Not So Good StuffJohn is a tad too controlling for my comfort - I can understand his reasoning, but still kinda creepyPierce is on the weak side - I expect stronger heroines from MegStory jumps around a little which was a tad frustrating Honestly, I enjoyed Abandon more, but this was ok for a second book in a trilogy -- always a tough book to write I imagineOnly a minor thing but I got a tad irritated with the constant mentions of the Hurricane of October 1846 and that Isla Huesos (Island of Bones) is over the Underworld -- we get it (I know picky picky and I am in a bit of a mood today - so take this with a grain of salt)Favorite Quotes/Passages"Sorry," Kayla said. But she didn't look sorry."Impulse control issues. Why do you think I'm in New Pathways for, anyway? Be happy I didn't hit you in the head with a fire extinguisher.""But I get it. People have always been desperate for stories that explain why bad things happen to good people, myths with happy endings to give them hope. They don't want to know that when we die, what lies beyond may not be all harps and halos.""This is certainly better than world history, which is where I'd be sitting if I were back in Isla Huesos right now." If school hadn't been canceled due to the giant hurricane bearing down on the island, anyway."Who Should/Shouldn't ReadWould say only for those who have read the first book, you may be way too confused if you don'tFor fans of mythology (but start with the first book - trust me)3.5 Dewey'sI received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review
    • 4/5
      3.5 StarsGoodReads Synopsis: 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 Thoughts: I was expecting that his trilogy would be about convincing Pierce to join John in the Underworld…and dealing with the Furies. This installment wasn’t what I expected. Pierce joining John in the Underworld wasn’t the issue. The issue was about the Furies and what they will do to Pierce or her family in her stead.The pace was fast and the book hard to put down. Pierce has resigned herself to a life in the Underworld with the love of her life, John, but is concerned about the family she has left behind. Alex, Pierce’s cousin, is pivotal in this story and should figure prominently in the next and last book of this trilogy. In learning more about Alex, we also learned what caused Pierce’s Mom to leave the island, and what prompted Uncle Chris’s stint in jail. I believe that “Awaken”, the last book in the series, will be a fight to the death with the Furies and about righting the wrongs for Uncle Chris and Alex.I do enjoy this series. I love the dark, brooding John Hayden and we did learn more of his history which was troubling. Mr. Smith, the cemetery sexton, encourages Pierce to find out why John became a death deity…I think we only learned part of the story, but not the “why”. Meanwhile Pierce seems to have fallen unconditionally in love with him and comes up with a justification for everything he has done. I suspect this may bite her in the butt later.If you are a fan of Hades and/or Persephone, I suggest you check out this retelling from the creator of the “Princess Diaries”.
    • 5/5
      Underworld is a terrific follow-up to Abandon. Cabot's writing shines in this novel. Underworld has superb world-building, fantastic character development, and an exciting plot. This is a book that you won't be able to put down.Abandon ended with Pierce being taken into the Underworld by John in order to protect her from her grandmother, who is possessed by a Fury and trying to kill her. In Underworld, we get to learn more about the Underworld (big shock there, huh) and who inhabits it. We also get to learn more about John and how he became the keeper of the dead. Cabot introduces some new characters, and they're all well-developed and unique. Henry, Frank, and Hope were my favorite new additions. Hope is a little bird that John gave to Pierce in order to make her feel more at home in the Underworld. I'm not going to explain the other two characters because they're kind of a surprise. You'll just have to read the book to find out about them!The one thing that bothered me a little about this book was the fact that Pierce randomly asked a bunch of dumb questions. Sometimes it seemed to be done to let the reader know what questions they're supposed to be asking, and other times, I think it was done to build suspense, even though Hope knew what was going on and she's a bird. The question thing really didn't work, though. I think less would have been more, and I think the readers can figure out what to think for themselves. Also, I think that having Pierce ask dumb questions just to mislead the reader isn't going to work because it's obvious what's really going on in these instances. Since this was an ARC, the editor may have taken this out. I hope he or she did, but either way, that's why this novel got an A- instead of an A. Otherwise, I simply adored this story.All of the characters in this book were fantastic. There are no stock characters in Cabot's world. Each character has his or her own unique personality. John is less broody this time around, and Pierce grows up a lot. She's learning how to stand on her own, and she's really trying to grow into her role as John's consort. We don't see much of Alex or Kayla in Underworld, but the new characters make up for that. We don't learn much more about Pierce, but we do witness her growing. We do, however, learn a lot more about John. He's a pretty fascinating character, and he has some pretty cool powers. I hope we get to learn even more about him in the next book.The world-building continued where Abandon left off, and we get to learn a lot more about the Underworld and how it works. We don't really get to see what part Pierce plays in all of this, but I have a feeling we'll learn more about that in the next novel. We learn more about the rules and what different things (such as John's tablet/smart phone type thing) are used for. Additionally, we got to know more about the Furies, Pierce's necklace, and some of the main families in the Island of Bones.The plot is fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. There never seemed to be a sense of immediate danger, except at the very end, but there was a sense of suspense. I knew something was going to happen, but I just didn't know when. It was like watching a movie while waiting on the bad guy to jump out. You sit there on the edge of your seat anticipating it long before it happens. That's what most of this book was like. The book focuses on the Furies, of course, and Pierce and John's budding relationship. A lot of what this novel deals with is ironing out the kinks in their relationship, but it also explains more about the Furies, who do happen to jump out from behind things randomly. The pacing is pretty spot on, and I never felt like the book lagged or anything. It's a fairly quick read, but not rushed. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but some things were resolved. I wish it'd been a more complete ending, but it wasn't as cliffhanger-like as some of the books out there. It has made me anxious to read the sequel, though, and this book hasn't even come out yet!Overall, I loved Underworld, and I would recommend it to fans of Greek mythology (it is the re-telling of Hades and Persephone, after all) as well as fans of paranormal romance. This book has something for everyone, and whether you're a mythology buff or not, you're sure to enjoy it. If you haven't read Abandon yet, I suggest going out and getting it right away so that you're prepared for Underworld when it's released. This is definitely a series you don't want to miss.