ALA Booklist (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2006)

Narrator Boehmer has his job cut out for him in this third Underland Chronicles title. Dozens of speaking characters mans, rats, bats, and others ed distinctive voices. By keeping his narrative pace even, Boehmer helps listeners keep the complex story straight. From gruff rat Ripred to coy toddler Boots, the characters are thoughtfully portrayed. At the center of the story is Gregor, the reluctant boy who Underworld denizens laud as a hero. Gregor is destined to fulfill a prophecy to find a cure for a plague that is ripping through the population, including a member of Gregor's family. As he slogs through the complex world underneath Manhattan, the adventures come fast and furious. Thanks to Boehmer's fine interpretation, this will keep series fans enthralled.

Horn Book

In this gripping fantasy novel, Gregor finds himself deciphering another enigmatic prophecy from the Underland. Gregor and his two-year-old sister embark on their third quest in the strange subterranean land, this time to help find a cure for the deadly plague that threatens to wipe out all "warm-bloods"--i.e., mammals. This immensely readable installment won't disappoint fans of the first two books.

Kirkus Reviews

For the third time, Gregor and his stolid little sister Boots descend to the Underland in fulfillment of a prophecy, in a story that delivers the breakneck adventure and strong characters readers have come to expect. The Curse of the Warm-bloods, it turns out, is a terrible plague that threatens every mammal in the Underland. On their perilous journey to a cure, the questing party (which readers will be delighted to find includes the wonderfully caustic rat Ripred), encounters both Luxa, erstwhile Queen of Regalia, along with her bat Aurora, and Hamnet, Luxa's long-lost uncle, who has fled humankind to escape its warring ways. Collins keeps the plot moving at warp speed and includes just enough background to bring readers up to speed on the multitude of characters and the political rivalries that unite and divide them. This offering takes on an even darker tone than the earlier ones, delving into meaty questions of territorial expansion and its justification. Although no further prophecy is unveiled at the end to explicitly promise another sequel, readers will surely be hoping for one. (Fiction. 9-14)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-This third book continues the saga of Gregor's adventures in the amazing subterranean world under New York City. This time the 11-year-old is trying to save victims of an Underland plague, including Ares, his giant bat bond-mate, and Gregor's own mother. The quest for the cure takes the boy and his friends into new sections of the Underland where plants are carnivorous and a giant lizard serves as a guide. The Overlander is again joined on his quest by Boots, his toddler sister; Ripred, the rat; and Temp, the giant cockroach. As before, the quest is guided by a prophecy that only becomes clear in the later stages of the book. Collins maintains the momentum, charm, and vivid settings of the original title. The characterizations continue to be complex with each new book, revealing new sides to familiar individuals. Fans of this inventive series and new readers alike will be instantly caught up in the action and will look forward to future installments.-Tasha Saecker, Caestecker Public Library, Green Lake, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Gregor and Boots are summoned back to Regalia to seek the cure for a deadly plague, foretold in the Prophecy of Blood, that threatens the life of every warm-blooded creature in the kingdom. When their mother, who accompanies them, falls victim to the plague, the youth set out immediately to discover a cure in the uneasy company of both humans and rats, who are sworn enemies. Despite the conflict among the members of the party, they triumph over starvation, quicksand, and flesh-eating plants, discovering previously undisclosed events from Regalia's history that fuel the animosity between races. When the cure, the rare Starshade plant, is found, the company cannot defend it from being devoured by a colony of vicious red ants. Defeated and discouraged, Gregor returns to Regalia, suspecting that the plague might be manmade and that the cure could lie with its originator, Dr. Neveeve. Gregor's hunch provokes action, the plague is contained, and its victims are saved, but more important, progress is made toward peace between the humans and rats who inhabit the Underworld. As usual, Boots steals the show with endearing antics and innocent insight. Gregor is a perfectly charming big brother and hero. The strong, likeable characters, easy reading level, and nonstop action make this series attractive to even reluctant readers. If you have not purchased the first two books in the series, Gregor the Overlander (Scholastic, 2003/VOYA October 2003) and Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (2004, VOYA December 2004), now is the time to buy all three.-Nancy K. Wallace.