Prophecy of the Underworld by Low Ying Ping | Book Review

Prophecy of the Underworld by Low Ying Ping

Publisher: Penguin SEA

Publication Date:February 28th, 2022

Genre: Middle Grade

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Source: Thank you Times Read for the review copy

Buy Links: Kinokuniya Malaysia

Rating: 4.5★

Blurb

When the prophesied hero dies one day before the world needs saving, 13-year-old Julian Kee is randomly chosen as a last-minute replacement. With absolutely no world-saving skills whatsoever, he must nonetheless lead his friends into the Underworld to retrieve a magical rock that can save their world.

The problem is that the ruling council of the Underworld objects to their quest, and the rock can only be obtained by passing through a series of terrible trials, including navigating an unsolvable maze, enduring unspeakable tortures in the dungeons of the council’s citadel, and facing a really cute bunny. And is the Underworlder who cheerfully volunteers to risk her life to help them simply a girl with a very kind, selfless heart, or is she really a spy for the council?

A fast-paced adventure filled with lots of exciting twists and turns, this hilarious spoof of adventure/hero stories will be enjoyed by both the young and the not-so-young!

Review

A Prophecy of the Underworld is a story about a boy named Julian who is on a quest to save the world along with his two sidekids, Mia and Ryan. The quest was supposed to be another boy named Mathew Pane, but something happened, hence Julian is the replacement. This is the best adventure that I have had in a while. I am enjoying following Julian and his two friends into the underworld. Their quest is to find Eff-rock (a magical rock) and bring it to Wuchiwark.

To obtain the magical rock, there are many obstacles that need to be gotten through. They have to get past the swan and then the complicated maze, meeting people along the way and a cute bunny (?). Following their journey really put me on the edge of my seat. I'm afraid of them in case they are captured by the people from the underworld, and quite sceptical about the girl that they met. All the imagination in the underworld was amazing. Can we get those foods on the trees in our world? I mean, beef on the tree? Who doesn't want it, right?

The story is very entertaining, funny, and about a very sweet friendship. I had fun following their adventure, although sometimes I do find Mia a little bit annoying, but all is well; she knows what to do and why she acts that way. Still, I love her. Overall, it was a wonderful and entertaining read. The braveness they show to save the world is really amazing, despite being puzzled at first.