Eleven-year-old Gregor has had it rough. His dad disappeared several years ago, leaving him with his mom, grandma and two younger sisters. They're having financial issues. And now his sister Lizzie gets to go to summer camp, while he has to stay home and take care of two-year-old Boots and Grandma. That's not exactly how it turns out, however. While Gregor is doing laundry in their apartment, Boots falls into an opening in the wall behind an old air vent. When Gregor dives in after her, they find themselves falling down into the depths of the Underland, a place inhabited by giant cockroaches, giant rats, giant bats, and a race of pale, silver-haired, purple-eyed people. It doesn't take long for Gregor to get on the bad side of their queen. He is absolutely determined to get himself and Boots back home, but suddenly he's being hunted by rats, sucked into a crazy prophecy about some Warrior--and could it possibly be that maybe his dad is down here?

​

In Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane, Gregor is introduced to the second prophecy about himself, the legendary "Warrior". It is made quite clear that if Gregor does not destroy the evil, white-coated rat known as the Bane--Boots will die. She's not even safe up in the world above the Underland. Given no other choice, Gregor embarks on a long journey through the darkest parts of the Underland in search of the legendary rat, making new friends and enemies along the way.

​

Even Gregor's mother is not safe from the Underland in Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods. While on a quick visit with Gregor and Boots, she is exposed to a disease running rampant in the Underland. It is known as the Curse of the Warmbloods, and with his mother and bonded Flier, Ares, dying from the disease, Gregor is left no choice but to follow yet another prophecy in search for the cure. His journey takes him to the Underland's jungles, where he meets Hamnet (uncle of the Regalian queen Luxa) and his son Hazard (who is half Overlander).

​

The Underland falls into a time of war in Gregor and the Marks of Secret. Gregor leaves the city of Regalia with Boots, Luxa and others by his side to investigate the disappearance of the "Nibblers" (giant mice). Their investigation quickly evolves into a much longer adventure when the Gnawers' sinister plan is unraveled and Luxa declares war. Suddenly, Gregor is thrown into a war he didn't ask for and is forced to face the last and most terrible prophecy about the Warrior.

​

In the grand conclusion to the Underland Chronicles, Gregor and the Code of Claw, Gregor understands that he must face the Bane at last. Not only that, but the final prophecy predicts his own death. With both his younger sisters in the Underland now, Gregor has his hands full with keeping Boots safe and helping Lizzy (puzzle-solving master) to unravel the Gnawers' secret Code of Claw. Predicted demise hanging on his heart and torn between the people he loves, Gregor must defeat the Bane, once and for all--lest the Underland fall to ruin.

​

​