Neverwhere

This book was one of the stranger ones I decided to read at the advice of my girlfriend, but it was really quite good. The story is easy to follow, and the character (I say this because none of the other people are revealed that much) is likeable. The author does a good job of describing the mood of Richard Mayhew, and you really get a sense of what it would be like to be taken to a strange place just beneath your own streets.
The premise of this book is interesting and strange at the same time. There are undersides to every major city in the world, and these sides are filled with magic and strange creatures. It was like the author took all the local myths from London and turned it into a real place, with competing groups, legends, and heroes. The main guy, Richard, is accidentally drawn into this world when he comes across a woman bleeding on the street. Her name is Door (seriously) and we already know that she is running from two creepy hired killers named Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar. By helping her and trying to save her, Richard is drawn into this world on accident, and the result is that people in the normal world can no longer see him, and barely notice him even when he is shouting in their faces. Due to the craziness of this, he is forced to go hunting for Door, and through the people she led him to, is able to gain access to this world. in fact he is becoming part of the world. Richard eventually finds her and helps her to avenge the deaths of her family. They are drawn into service by an actual angel, and through this they are constantly assailed by Croup and Vandemar, and a variety of other obstacles and problems. Richard is finally faced with the reality that he is becoming more a part of this world than his own.
It sounds like a childrens book now that I am looking at my review, but it is actually quite good, with some seriously dark stuff in there regarding the corruption of good, loss and regret. I know I say this too much, but if you are looking for a good story, try "Neverwhere."