Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane is the second book in Suzanne Collins's children's novel series "The Underland Chronicles". Published in 2004, the novel contains elements of high fantasy. The novel focuses on a prophecy mentioned at the end of "Gregor the Overlander" which the Underlanders believe requires the protagonist Gregor to hunt down and kill an evil white rat known as the "Bane". It is told in third person. Several editions have been published, including standalone paperbacks and hardcovers and a paperback boxed set including all five books of the series . Listening Library published an audiobook version read by Paul Boehmer on April 11, 2006. The novel has also been released as an ebook, and is available from various online stores. Scholastic has rated its grade level equivalent as 5.3 and its lexile score as 680L, making it appropriate for the average 11–13 year-old. It has been praised as a sequel to the preceding novel and for showing the maturation of Gregor in the face of continually dark events. Plot summary. Several months have passed since the events of the first novel, when Gregor and his baby sister Boots first  fell into the subterranean city of Regalia (a part of the "Underland") and undertook a quest to save their father, who was being held prisoner by a group of Underland rats. The Underland humans supported the siblings' mission because they believed it was prophesied by their founder, Bartholomew of Sandwich. At the beginning of the second novel, the Underland humans kidnap Boots to force her and Gregor (whom they call the "Warrior") to participate in another of their prophecies. They interpret "The Prophecy of Bane" to mean that Gregor must kill a white rat (the "Bane") in order to prevent  the humans' main enemies, the rats, from taking over. A set of lines about a dying baby "turn[ing] the Warrior weak" convince the humans that Boots is in danger, so Gregor sails off on an underground lake with only a few soldiers and their giant bats to hunt the Bane in the Labyrinth. During their journey, the questers are caught in a whirlpool, encounter an island of carnivorous insects, which results in Howard's bat, Pandora, being eaten alive, and are betrayed by the two shiners (fireflies) who were hired to provide them with light. Gregor himself begins to struggle  with a new "power" that manifests when he is in battle. He is what the Underland creatures call a "rager", a person who is overcome by a kind of "battle-fury" when they fight, making them completely deadly even without training. Gregor and his bond Ares' worst trouble, however, is when they and the remaining questers become separated from the human queen Luxa, the cockroach Temp, and Boots during a fight with some serpents. The three missing are assumed dead, and Gregor finds himself emotionally frozen at the thought of having lost his baby sister. When he finally finds the  Bane, he learns that it is not an adult monster, as was assumed, but instead a baby whose parents have just died. He can not bring himself to kill it, and so he and Ares take it to be raised by the only friendly rat they know: Ripred. After this, the two return to Regalia, where Nerissa has just been crowned queen. The surviving quest members - the bat Andromeda, human Howard, Ares, and Gregor - are tried for treason because they failed to kill the Bane. They are saved, though, by Nerissa, who controversially decrees it is good that Gregor was  not heartless enough to kill a baby. Shortly thereafter, Gregor is trying to finally face the reality of going home without Boots when she is suddenly returned to the palace, having been saved in turn by Luxa, Temp, and an unnamed moth. The two then return to the surface world. Publication. Scholastic has licensed rights to publish in 20 different languages. As of 2018, editions have been published in Italian, Turkish, German, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Finnish, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, French, Greek, Norwegian, Polish, Persian, and Chinese. Many foreign-language editions have titles different from the typical English translation, such as  the Dutch "Het Labyrint" ("The Labyrinth") and Portuguese "Gregor e a Segunda Profecia" ("Gregor and the Second Prophecy"). The second United States English edition (), released in 2013 as part of a boxed set, has cover art by Vivienne To. New United Kingdom editions, published in 2013 () and 2016 (), respectively, have different cover art. The novel has also been released in ebook and audiobook form. Multiple editions have been published in most languages; for example, audiobooks, paperbacks, and hardcovers have been published in English, German, and Spanish. The English audiobook published April 11, 2006 is read by actor Paul Boehmer. The  book's lexile score is 680L, making it appropriate for child readers in the 4th-6th grades. Scholastic, the book's publisher, recommends the novel for children in grades 3-8. Reception. "Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane" received critical acclaim, especially for its treatment of difficult issues in a way that is accessible for young readers. "VOYA" reviewer Nancy K. Wallace notes the discussions of revenge, murder, and betrayal. She remarks on how Gregor is "prepared to heartlessly slaughter The Bane" yet overcomes his "hatred for the rats that killed his sister", but must still "face charges of treason" for  his apparent betrayal of his duties. Timnah Card of the "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books" describes how Gregor is "disturbed to discover his unsuspected capacities as a warrior". In a similar way, the book's "Kirkus Reviews" review notes the way that "humor and terror alternate" throughout the story. The Children's Cooperative Book Center (CCBC) of the University of Wisconsin–Madison wrote "Scenes...range from fast to funny to deliciously frightening. Gregor also faces several moral choices. As in the first volume of The Underland Chronicles, there is plenty of humor and plenty of intense action  in this riveting, fast-paced novel." More generally, "School Library Journal" said, "This is a strong choice for fantasy fans, including reluctant readers, even if they're not familiar with Gregor's first adventure." Kathy L. Fiedler of the "Kutztown University Book Review" called the novel "a hit with young readers, especially those who've enjoyed "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau". Several critics, including "Publishers Weekly", lauded the novel specifically as a sequel to the well-received "Gregor the Overlander". Wallace calls "Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane" a "welcome sequel", going on to state that "on the  last page, the scene is skillfully set for [further sequels]". "The Horn Book Magazine" similarly stated, "Gregor’s fans will cheer the promise of future visits." On a more negative note, Peg Glisson writes for "Children's Literature" that "those who have not read the first Gregor will be at a slight disadvantage. Collins tries to weave necessary details from Gregor's first visit to the Underworld into this one, but it definitely slows the early chapters down and is not completely satisfying." Ed Sullivan of "Booklist" claims "...fans will not be disappointed with this exciting, action-packed sequel", although  he also warns "readers unfamiliar with the first novel will be at a disadvantage [as] Collins assumes knowledge of the characters and developments from the first book". The CCBC also praised the book for its portrayal of strong and healthy sibling relationships as it "[continued] the saga of two contemporary siblings navigating their way through unfamiliar territory". Card says, "Gregor's parents' inability to care for their children after the return of his father in the first book sets the stage for this second journey, in which the counsel of adults is well meant but morally ambiguous and Gregor's  own wisdom must carry the day. That continuing realism wraps the mile-a-minute adventure in a satisfyingly complex political and social network and provides the whole with a compelling emotional foundation. Throughout, the motivations and growth of individual characters drive the action..." Glisson writes as well of how Gregor has "matured since his last adventure" and "learns to deal with the fact that he is a "rager," a deadly and efficient fighter." "Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane" was on the "New York Times" and Book Sense Bestseller lists. It was also a Book Sense Children's Pick for  2005. The book has received several other awards as well. In 2005, it was a Connecticut Book Award Finalist and a Cooperative Children's Book Center recommended book. In 2007, it was nominated for the Sequoyah Children's Book Award, but did not win.