Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
Macmillan Children's Books (2009), Hardcover, 288 pages
Description
Although Hector Fitzbaudly has always lived a plush life on the posh side of the River Foedus, he's yearned to slip away from his comfortable home and see the seedy side of Urbs Umida. Unfortunately, he gets his chance when a blackmail artist confronts his father with a terrible secret from his past, and Hector finds himself penniless and on the streets. He is determined to get his revenge against the man responsible, who has been a pauper, a gentleman, and an Eyeball Collector--stealing jewels from the wealthy to make false eyes to replace his missing one. He is a master of disguise, and a swindler who moves from place to place. Hector trails the Eyeball Collector to the small village of Pagus Parvus and the foreboding Withypitts Hall, run by the eccentric Lady Mandible who has a strange taste for the macabre. He takes a job incubating butterflies for Lady Mandible, and places himself in the perfect position to take revenge. Hector is so close to the Eyeball Collector, but will he be able to go through with his plan?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member SmithSJ01
Having read the other two books written by F.E. Higgins I didn’t find this instalment as good but it was still a great read. Although it isn’t a sequel it definitely helps if you’ve read the other two books written before it – ‘The Black Book of Secrets’ and ‘The Bone Magician’ - as
In this story, we have Hector who has been cruelly orphaned. His life takes a change when he discovers Withypitts Hall and he is faced with some difficult decisions. Hector is very different from Ludlow and Pin (characters featuring in the previous two novels) in that he is from across the river and has experienced a different and more prosperous life that Ludlow and Pin.
F.E. Higgins makes use of letters found from Hector to Polly (a character from TBBOS). She explains in her introduction that these were discovered on her travels and along with other items she has found she is able to tell the story of Hector. Even this concept, of the author being part of the story seems somewhat unusual in comparison to some fiction for younger readers. It is a clever idea that makes the reader feel more involved.
Although I didn’t enjoy this story as much it does require slightly more investment from the reader in that you need to link everything together as you’re going. There are even riddles along the way to solve should you desire as Hector enjoyed riddling with his father and continues the tradition once orphaned.
A recommended read for adults and children, however this is the first one out of the three where it will help to read the others.
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previous characters make an appearance and locations and incidents are referred to.In this story, we have Hector who has been cruelly orphaned. His life takes a change when he discovers Withypitts Hall and he is faced with some difficult decisions. Hector is very different from Ludlow and Pin (characters featuring in the previous two novels) in that he is from across the river and has experienced a different and more prosperous life that Ludlow and Pin.
F.E. Higgins makes use of letters found from Hector to Polly (a character from TBBOS). She explains in her introduction that these were discovered on her travels and along with other items she has found she is able to tell the story of Hector. Even this concept, of the author being part of the story seems somewhat unusual in comparison to some fiction for younger readers. It is a clever idea that makes the reader feel more involved.
Although I didn’t enjoy this story as much it does require slightly more investment from the reader in that you need to link everything together as you’re going. There are even riddles along the way to solve should you desire as Hector enjoyed riddling with his father and continues the tradition once orphaned.
A recommended read for adults and children, however this is the first one out of the three where it will help to read the others.
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LibraryThing member audramelissa
Hector Fitzbaudly gets his wish to experience the seedier side of Urbs Umida when his father is blackmailed with a secret form his past. Finding himself penniless and homeless, Hector realizes this is not the life he wants and he decides to seek revenge. Unfortunately, the Eyeball Collector is a
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master of disguise! This book is called a “polyquel” by the author, as it contains elements from both The Black Book of Secrets and The Bone Magician as well as its own mysteries. This book may not interest readers who haven't read the two previous books but it can stand alone. More than likely readers will be intrigued by this book to go an pick up the other works which I feel are stronger and more fun to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member StEdwardsCollege
When his butterfly-collector father is swindled to within an inch of his life, a vengeful Hector leaves the city of Urbs Umida in pursuit of a fiendish villain with a glass eye. The trail leads to Withypitts Hall, a forbidding Gothic mansion as warped as its inhabitants and their secret schemes.
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Soon Hector finds himself embroiled in mysterious deeds more poisonous than his worst imaginings, but every twist and turn brings him closer to his revenge... Show Less
LibraryThing member rata
THE EYEBALL COLLECTOR - Great read with lots of twists and turns. I like the way that Higgins writes about the dark, dank streets of Urbs Umida and the filthy putrid Foedus River. Higgins cleverly adds excerpts from letters that Hector has penned to Polly; these are great to better understand the
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various tenses of the story, past life tales of young Hector. This is a story of a young Hector whose life goes from Ritches to Rags in one foul swoop by the hands of Gulliver Truepin (alias Baron Bovrik de Vandolin). When his butterfly-collector father is swindled to within an inch of his life , a vengeful Hector leaves the city of Urbs Umida in pursuit of a fiendish villain with a glass eye known as Baron Bovrik de Vandolin. The trail leads to Withypitts Hall, a forbidding Gothic mansion as warped as its inhabitants and their secret schemes. Soon Hector finds himself embroiled in mysterious deeds more poisonous than his worst imaginings, but every twist and turn brings him closer to his revenge ...but does it, will Hector have revenge or will he heed the words of his father ... Show Less
LibraryThing member mstrust
Hector Fitzbaudly is fascinated by the bad side of town until his wealthy father is ruined by a one-eyed blackmailer. Forced to sell everything they own, Hector is soon left an orphan and has to live among the desperate people he had been so curious about. He finds friends, but he swears to avenge
A grim and well-written tale of revenge set in a fictional version of the Victorian era.
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his father by making the man responsible pay. As it turns out, the villain is currently living among the depraved local nobility, and Hector finds there's a job opening. Living among them, he can observe and carry out his revenge.A grim and well-written tale of revenge set in a fictional version of the Victorian era.
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Awards
USBBY Outstanding International Book (Grades 9-12 — 2010)
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2010)
Language
Original publication date
2009
Physical description
288 p.; 7.32 inches
ISBN
0230532284 / 9780230532281
Local notes
When his butterfly-collector father is swindled to within an inch of his life, a vengeful Hector goes to Withypitts Hall, a forbidding Gothic mansion as warped as its inhabitants and their secret schemes.
Signed by Higgins. UK First Edition / First Printing.
Signed by Higgins. UK First Edition / First Printing.