This novel is nothing if not imaginative with high aspirations. It’s Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings and The Wizard of Oz rolled together in its ambitions. A fantastical world with torch-lit tunnels, warring demons, even a three-headed rider on a winged black horse hauling severed heads

A demon was sitting at a table with a headless someone in a pinstripe suit. At the next table were three smaller demons. Two wore hooded robes, and the other had rough red skin and a little patch of black hair poking out of his head. A two-headed vulture hung upside down from a swaying chandelier. He pointed at me as if to let me know I didn’t belong.

Too bad the stiff writing doesn’t match the carefully created world of hell. It’s description heavy, dialogue light, with choppy sentences and a heavy dose of telling, not showing. There are frequent paragraphs with three or four sentences in a row that start with “I,” hindering any rhythm

I ran faster than I ever thought possible – which will happen when you’re being chased by creatures running on walls. I sprinted past Thorlton, following the line of torches that led to a metal gate. On the other side was a refreshing green valley. I was going too fast and was too uncoordinated to stop, so I collided with the gate, causing it to shift loose as rocks and dirt fell on my head and shoulders.

Also, throughout the story, the protagonist has to pause to interpret for readers what’s going on, given that he grew up on storybooks that explain this world. (Is protag-xplain a word?)
Still, there are paragraphs that shine, showing the writer’s potential.
In front of some barrels, a musician in a floppy hat strummed a lute and sang out of key. Next to him was an accordionist whose playing sounded like he was squeezing a wheezy child who had swallowed a horn.
So, lots of potential, truly lots, and maybe the writing quality will catch up with the amazing Underworld by the sequel, since this is intended to be a trilogy.

-P.W.