Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Suzanne Collins

Premise: Once again, the Underland is in danger and Gregor and his friends must go on another adventure and perform daring feats to save the creatures he loves. The Underland mice are in terrible danger and all evidence points to a rising terror among the rats - The Bane. Gregor and the Underlanders must find the mice and and protect them from the rats before it's too late.

Title: Gregor and the Marks of Secret

Author: Suzanne Collins

Length: 343 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Series or Stand-Alone: 4th book in a 5-book series

Content appropriate for: grades 4-7

4 stars

3 adjectives that describe this book: unexpected, gripping, tragic

I love the Gregor books! Sometimes series books about quests can be repetitive and predictable. However, Suzanne Collins does a great job, in this series, of creating unexpected plot paths for each book. The characters are well-developed, complicated, and messy. Their morals become even more fuzzy and challenged in this installment of the series. Gregor finds violence sickening, but was born with a rare and natural talent for fierce, deadly fighting. Luxa, burdened by responsibility and heartache, emerges as a harsh ruler who is prepared to avenge her allies through slaughter. 

Gregor and the Marks of Secret is the first book in the series that doesn't end with sunshine and roses. It is also the only book in the series that clearly sets up the next book. I can't wait to crack open the final installment and see how conflict in the Underland emerges from it's fever-pitch.