Publishers Weekly
Although it arrives from the U.K. amid plenty of fanfare-and to fandom here, too (see Galley Talk, Dec. 10)-this first in a planned series seems full of holes, as if its raison d'être were to set up the action for future books. The plot builds on a secret subterranean culture, a cruel, hierarchical English society that is deeply hostile to "Topsoilers." As the book opens, the punningly named Will Burrows and his archeologist father are tunneling beneath a disused train station, as this is Dr. Burrows's passion. Their bond established, these two major characters soon go off in different directions; as they do later, the authors lengthily follow one protagonist and seemingly abandon the others. Dr. Burrows, having discovered underground passages in local cellars, disappears after a quarrel with his useless wife; Will and a friend go after him. Encumbered by verbose and flat descriptions ("His whole being emanated evil, and his dark eyes never left Will's, who felt a wave of dread wash over him.... {Will] was unable to tear his gaze from the sinister man, whose thin lips twisted into a sardonic smile"), the novel is nearly one-third over before the boys enter the underground Colony-where they are promptly imprisoned and tortured. The narrative at last begins to twist and turn, but the authors still have trouble tracking their cast-and because the offstage characters seem to figure so punily in the others' thinking, readers have little incentive to stay invested in their fates. Ages 8-14. (Jan.)
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School Library Journal
Gr 5-9- Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams' fantasy (Chicken House, 2007) is an exciting story about two 14-year-old boys, Will and Chester, who discover, while digging a tunnel, a strange and dangerous civilization underneath modern London. Will's father, Dr. Burrows, has recently disappeared, and the boy has reason to believe that his dad may have discovered the entrance to this underground city and is being held captive there. The two boys set out to find him and are soon captured by the Styx, a barbaric class of scythe toting soldiers. After undergoing interrogation by the Styx, Will is sent to live in "The Colony" where he learns that the Burrows are not his real family and that his mother escaped from this underground prison with him shortly after he was born. Chester, however, doesn't fare so well. He is doomed to be banished to the deepest, darkest part of this terrifying world. Driven by guilt over Chester's fate, Will vows to rescue him. Narrator Steven Crossley's performance is brilliant. His seamless transition between the characters' voices and his dramatic presentation bring the story to life. Perfect for classroom discussions about despotic governments or issues of trust and loyalty, listeners will eagerly await the sequel to this unresolved tale. For public and middle school libraries with fantasy audiobook collections.-Kathy Miller, Baldwin Junior High School, Baldwin City, KS
Kirkus Reviews
Will finds his way into a frightening underground world in this fantasy adventure. Will's family may be dysfunctional, but he and his father are drawn together by their shared love of tunnels. Father and son dig not-quite-legal tunnels around London, unearthing Victorian jars, Codswallop bottles, 18th-century nails and other detritus of the city's history. When Will's father vanishes, Will and new friend Chester follow his trail into an underground city, the Colony. Will's fascination quickly gives way to dread, as the boys discover the Colony is peopled by xenophobic zealots and policed by the Styx, cruel magical despots. Will is determined to rescue Chester, and his quest leads him up against gruesome cruelties and startling betrayals. Dense but exciting. (Fantasy. 10-12)First printing of 75,000
