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tobyyy's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, what a deliciously creepy story!! This is a late middle grade read, I suppose, if one had to categorize the intended readership. However, I’m an adult and I loved this, and I have several adult friends who I think would also enjoy this story. Creepy, eerie, and definitely filled with the macabre (death by butterfly, cat eaters [must.have.a.strong.stomach to read this part], gorilla chairs, glass eyeball collections, painting in human blood!), this was a PERFECT story for this time of year, as we approach Halloween and I stock up on spooky reads.
Also? I LOVE when authors use amazing vocabulary. Crepuscular, titillated, and many other delicious words were sprinkled throughout the story. And the names!! Urbs Umida. Withypitts Hall. Bovrik de Vandolin. Pragus Parvus. And the various riddles throughout the book, too. My favorite was “e” but I have no idea how Hector figured it out. (The answers to many of the riddles were shared in an appendix.)
I won’t lie, I went ahead and bought myself the other books in this series (from my favorite used book website!). These are stories I can totally see wanting to read and reread multiple times.
Also? I LOVE when authors use amazing vocabulary. Crepuscular, titillated, and many other delicious words were sprinkled throughout the story. And the names!! Urbs Umida. Withypitts Hall. Bovrik de Vandolin. Pragus Parvus. And the various riddles throughout the book, too. My favorite was “e” but I have no idea how Hector figured it out. (The answers to many of the riddles were shared in an appendix.)
I won’t lie, I went ahead and bought myself the other books in this series (from my favorite used book website!). These are stories I can totally see wanting to read and reread multiple times.
lazygal's review
3.0
This book seems perfect for Middle School-age boys: moments of humor, that deliciously gross factor that age group loves, a world they can believe. And riddles.
The plot is pretty simple: boy's father dies after losing his fortune, boy plots revenge, boy almost realizes revenge. The titular man is a blackmailer (among other things) and the to-be-revenged-upon character, with just enough "ewww" in him. Lady Mandible is creepy, and the name! Really: mandible? Love. It.
Not quite a sequel, it's a new part of Higgins' world in the same way the Fire is part of the Graceling world, a world that boys (that supposedly hard-to-reach group) will enjoy exploring.
The plot is pretty simple: boy's father dies after losing his fortune, boy plots revenge, boy almost realizes revenge. The titular man is a blackmailer (among other things) and the to-be-revenged-upon character, with just enough "ewww" in him. Lady Mandible is creepy, and the name! Really: mandible? Love. It.
Not quite a sequel, it's a new part of Higgins' world in the same way the Fire is part of the Graceling world, a world that boys (that supposedly hard-to-reach group) will enjoy exploring.
jordant's review against another edition
3.0
I was quite disappointed with this book, I expected so much from everything I'd heardand it just wasn't that good.
clarkco's review against another edition
4.0
Faux-Victorian mystery novel. The writing and the plotting are brisk and don't get bogged down on atmosphere, which I appreciate, plus the book's title is cool and will appeal to kids.
taaya's review against another edition
3.0
Glasaugen. Sind. Nicht. Rund!
(Ansonsten zwischendurch eher langweilig, zum Ende hin wird es aber doch wieder spannend.)
(Ansonsten zwischendurch eher langweilig, zum Ende hin wird es aber doch wieder spannend.)
kazegami's review against another edition
4.0
Slow to start but a good read. Great imagery. the narrator is charming and funny.
azalia's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flosmith's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third story in the Tales From the Sinister City Series. Its a bit gothic, creepy, and a bit on the dark side and wonderful fun for all.
Hector lives on the wealthy side of Urbs Umida and enjoys crossing over to the wrong side of the river for adventure until he finds himself an orphan with no other place to go. Filled with revenge against the sinister Truepin, he soon finds himself embroiled in a mystery.
Mysteries woven into other mysteries, this story contains threads of the previous books but is a story all its own. I love how some of the previous loose ends are almost tied up but not really explained making you want to know more.
Overall, I love the series and can't wait to read more. This book as well as the series, is great for the kid in all of us. A cross between Poe and Dickens, a little bit dark, but a whole lot fun.
Hector lives on the wealthy side of Urbs Umida and enjoys crossing over to the wrong side of the river for adventure until he finds himself an orphan with no other place to go. Filled with revenge against the sinister Truepin, he soon finds himself embroiled in a mystery.
Mysteries woven into other mysteries, this story contains threads of the previous books but is a story all its own. I love how some of the previous loose ends are almost tied up but not really explained making you want to know more.
Overall, I love the series and can't wait to read more. This book as well as the series, is great for the kid in all of us. A cross between Poe and Dickens, a little bit dark, but a whole lot fun.