Underground Kingdom

UGH. Were there any more frightening creatures to me as a kid than the Kota Beasts? Long fangs. Weird hair. Huge malicious predatory eyes. Ironically, 20+ years later, I have no problem with Alien, Predator, or Aku from "Samurai Jack." The Rakas, Archpods, Flying Clera/Angel Birds, and the whole Underground Kingdom nevertheless captivated me once the picture of the Kota Beasts (which looked more vivid on the glossy back cover than on plain paper) ceased to creep me out. The premise was "Lost World"/"Journey to the Center of the Earth" with a morality tale and a worthy message about conflict resolution between the Israeli-Palestinian-esque Rakas and Archpods. My favorite among these other than the young Archpod Katu (the only girl other than the ultracool Dr. Vivaldi) was the Grand Akpar. Although I liked the High Raka, Arton, Akpar somehow had more of a forbidding presence. They were equally enigmatic, and highly intelligent. I wish there had been a Return to the Underground Kingdom, unless there's one I don't know about.

Packard is almost at his best in this tale of subterrenean adventure. He utilises his imagination (always his best asset as a writer) and ties in characters from other Packard books. This device, in particular, helps the reader think there's some continuity here, some sense of belonging to the Packard family.We come across all manner of wonderful beasts and baddies (and the odd symbolistic morality tale) down below the Bottomless Crevasse, in what is probably Packard's greatest work outside of 'Hyperspace'.