Still A Good Book

I snatched up Gregor and the Mark of Secrets by Suzanne Collins when I found it on the new book shelf at the library, even though I knew I wouldn't be able to read it for a while. I liked knowing it was waiting for me.

I found The Mark of Secrets the weakest of the Underland Chronicles, which still makes it a good book. I recall the first three books as standing alone, complete books. The Mark of Secrets builds on earlier books to such an extent that the author was still recalling earlier events when she passed page 80. It seemed to take our hero and his cohorts a lot longer to start their journey this time. And the book doesn't end. Instead, it just sets up the next book.

But between the long build up and the no-end ending, we have another great journey story. One of my favorite characters in contemporary children's literature, Ripred, was as marvelous as ever. This giant rat could define anti-hero.

I'm actually looking forward to the next book.