F.E. Higgins’ newest book for middle readers, The Eyeball Collector, takes us to another macabre setting in her stories from Urbs Umida. It’s full of mystery, danger, blackmail, the grotesque, and of course, revenge.
Hector Fitzbauldy lives a rich and privileged life on the north side of the River Foedus in a Victorian-esqe Urbs Umida, but he is curious about the seedy, dangerous life on the South side of the river, far from the safety and wealth of his father’s comfortable home. But after his father is blackmailed into losing his wealth, influence and even his life, the gritty life of a street urchin is Hector’s reality. As his father lay dying, Hector swore to avenge his death and will hunt down the man who brought them to ruin.
As luck would have it, Hector stumbles upon Gulliver Truepin now posing as a wealthy Continental Baron, and gains himself a position in the frightning Withypitts Hall, in preparation for the Lady Mandible’s MidWinter feast. Once there, Hector is surrounded by murderous plots, sinister deceptions, grotesque people and creatures, and evils dark enough to drive one mad. When the time comes for him to finally take his revenge on Truepin/Baron Bovrik, Hector is confronted with the realization and the choice to either become one of the ghastly wolves or step away and keep a firm hand on his soul.
Readers will certainly enjoy the mystery and intrigue of this dark tale. Riddles abound and it’s rarely clear who’s plotting against whom and how the dark plots will eventually unfold. Readers with slightly squimish stomachs may find some of the macabre, grotesque scenes too much to bear, but for the rest, Higgins’ character, place, and scene are deliciously nasty and this book fits in perfectly with her other tales from her travels, The Black Book of Secrets and The Bone Magician.
- Posted by Cori