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The Mortlock Books
The Demon Collector
Edgy Taylor sees demons. They walk among us, masquerading as humans, but he can see through their disguises. So when Edgy discovers the Royal Society for Daemonologie, he hopes that at last he will find some clue to the origins of his mysterious ability. Within the Society's ancient walls are the answers to many secrets. And when Edgy joins their expedition to the Arctic Circle, he sails through icy seas towards the darkest secret of all ...
432 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Jon Mayhew
32 books31 followersI live on the Wirral Peninsula with my wife and four children. We have a whole menagerie of dogs and cats and chickens and tortoises. My house overlooks the forbidding marshes of the Dee Estuary which is great for wildlife, spooky mists and wet feet.
I love writing but also enjoy running and playing the mandolin. Running is great because it keeps me fit and I can eat as many chips as I like without worrying about putting on weight... I think!
My Favourite food, apart from chips, is probably chicken korma, or maybe mussels or perhaps lasagna or maybe roast lamb...
Some more facts:
I never became a 'free reader' in primary school. Ask me why if I come to your school.
I used to love reading the Moomintroll books and, later the Conan series.
My favourite children's book is Holes by Louis Sachar.
(Copied from Official Website's About Me Page)
I love writing but also enjoy running and playing the mandolin. Running is great because it keeps me fit and I can eat as many chips as I like without worrying about putting on weight... I think!
My Favourite food, apart from chips, is probably chicken korma, or maybe mussels or perhaps lasagna or maybe roast lamb...
Some more facts:
I never became a 'free reader' in primary school. Ask me why if I come to your school.
I used to love reading the Moomintroll books and, later the Conan series.
My favourite children's book is Holes by Louis Sachar.
(Copied from Official Website's About Me Page)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 24, 2012
I decided to read this book becuase it was from the same author from the book i read previously, "Mortlock." So i thought why not give this a try and that's why i picked it up and started reading.
"A book with themes related to those we have studied in class in term one - explain how in your review." This category was a bit hard to complete out of the whoe categories and when i thought about placing this book i was confused. So it came to me that the main character in the book is very good at riddles and is very smart. He knows anyone's next move. But also he doesn't know that the guy he trusts from the start is the one who is going to take his life. Now that's a shock. Also the riddles he solves are very hard. That s why this book completes this category.
I didnt have a favourite quote from this book because it didnt have quotes that were memoraable like the ones in my other books that i have read. For example the quotes were like " Be careful," and stuff like that. I reckon that is why i gave it four stars out of 5 because one star of for not have good quotes, well for me.
I learnt from this novel that you should not trust anyone because sometime later they can betray you very badly and that could possibly be your worst nightmare. It also stings in a way when that happens. I personally have experienced this.
Envry Janus was an interesting character because he portrays himself as a nice person and then betrays the main character at the end. His strange behaviour during the book hints to us that he is planing something mischievous.He was the character in this book that kept me off my seat. NICE JOB Envry!
Review By Adil Imran
August 5, 2011
I'm gonna take a moment and say the presentation is amazing: Black rimmed pages! And lots of flames and a mean looking demon skull on the front. It earned me a few eerie looks, which is always a plus for a book. Also, at the beginning of every chapter there's a few verse from folk songs and poems, which is nice.
At first I thought it would be a child's book and expected it to be silly and not very violent... and boy, was I wrong! The first page features a gruesome death and sets a precedent for the rest of the story. The book's got a nice pace of mystery and intrigues, but the first part of the book I liked way much better than the second. And I have to say the ending felt kind of rushed and deus ex machina-ish. A seasoned reader easily figures out the intrigues and foresees where things are going to end, but it's still a very enjoyable read. Quite straightforward, too. No fancy word or complex narration, very few character's musing; usually I would be critiquing these kind of things, but somehow it works in this book. Yet I can't let it pass so easily, and that's why I'm not giving this five stars. If it had a bit more character development the author would have nailed it.
At first I thought it would be a child's book and expected it to be silly and not very violent... and boy, was I wrong! The first page features a gruesome death and sets a precedent for the rest of the story. The book's got a nice pace of mystery and intrigues, but the first part of the book I liked way much better than the second. And I have to say the ending felt kind of rushed and deus ex machina-ish. A seasoned reader easily figures out the intrigues and foresees where things are going to end, but it's still a very enjoyable read. Quite straightforward, too. No fancy word or complex narration, very few character's musing; usually I would be critiquing these kind of things, but somehow it works in this book. Yet I can't let it pass so easily, and that's why I'm not giving this five stars. If it had a bit more character development the author would have nailed it.
December 29, 2016
Este libro llego a mi por mera casualidad y curiosidad, estaba en la librería buscando las novedades y lo tome de la estantería de libros juveniles y me llamo mucho mi atención su portada y el titulo.
En este libro el autor nos cuenta la historia de Edgy Taylor, un chico que nunca conoció a sus padres y desde su niñez esta bajo la tutoria de Talon un señor que lo hace trabajar recogiendo excremento de perros en las calles de Londres, pero no solamente a esto es obligado el protagonista de esta historia, por una extraña razón Talon un viejo alcohólico y sin escrúpulos lo entrena en el arte de los acertijos, le enseña a Edgy nuevos acertijos y lo obliga a que los descifre cada vez que regresa ebrio y si el chico no lo logra los castiga dándole fatales golpizas.
Pero un extraño evento sera el detonante para descubrir que puede ver demonios y junto a su fiel amigo Henry un perro que lo acompañara en sus aventuras, hasta llegar a la verdad ¿Quien es? y ¿Porque puede ver demonios?, Para responder estas preguntas Edgy se topa con Janus, un anciano miembro de la Sociedad de Demonología que lo encaminara en una peligrosa misión en la cual descubrirá muchos secretos .
...........................................................................................................................................
En realidad este libro es muy sorpresivo, no espere que me fuera a gustar tanto, pues el autor no lo conocía para nada y el libro no es muy conocido por lo que pude indagar por las redes sociales e Internet, pero me ha encantado.
La forma como los personajes toman toman fuerza mientras la historia se desarrolla, tomando un gran sentido dentro de esta es muy impresionante, ademas me pare muy original el hecho de que exista un ARCHIDEMONIO (como lo llaman en el libro), osea demonios mas poderosos que los que representan los pecados.... Específicamente Moloch capaz de derrotar a Satán y comandar un ejercito contra Dios, me parece genial ( pero ojala que solo sea producto de la imaginación del autor, porque que miedo D: donde exista).
También me parece fantástico que en la segunda parte del libro, la forma como se desarrolla y empieza el final, dándole sentido al porque Edgy logra ver a los demonios, siendo solo un humano; desatando la razón principal de su protagonismo y dándole una gran trama a esta.
En conclusión es una historia diferente y vale la pena sumergirse en sus 370 paginas llenas de misterios, grandes demonios y una dolorosa traición.
Posdata: Gracias al dinero de mi hermana que me lo regalo :D
En este libro el autor nos cuenta la historia de Edgy Taylor, un chico que nunca conoció a sus padres y desde su niñez esta bajo la tutoria de Talon un señor que lo hace trabajar recogiendo excremento de perros en las calles de Londres, pero no solamente a esto es obligado el protagonista de esta historia, por una extraña razón Talon un viejo alcohólico y sin escrúpulos lo entrena en el arte de los acertijos, le enseña a Edgy nuevos acertijos y lo obliga a que los descifre cada vez que regresa ebrio y si el chico no lo logra los castiga dándole fatales golpizas.
Pero un extraño evento sera el detonante para descubrir que puede ver demonios y junto a su fiel amigo Henry un perro que lo acompañara en sus aventuras, hasta llegar a la verdad ¿Quien es? y ¿Porque puede ver demonios?, Para responder estas preguntas Edgy se topa con Janus, un anciano miembro de la Sociedad de Demonología que lo encaminara en una peligrosa misión en la cual descubrirá muchos secretos .
...........................................................................................................................................
En realidad este libro es muy sorpresivo, no espere que me fuera a gustar tanto, pues el autor no lo conocía para nada y el libro no es muy conocido por lo que pude indagar por las redes sociales e Internet, pero me ha encantado.
La forma como los personajes toman toman fuerza mientras la historia se desarrolla, tomando un gran sentido dentro de esta es muy impresionante, ademas me pare muy original el hecho de que exista un ARCHIDEMONIO (como lo llaman en el libro), osea demonios mas poderosos que los que representan los pecados.... Específicamente Moloch capaz de derrotar a Satán y comandar un ejercito contra Dios, me parece genial ( pero ojala que solo sea producto de la imaginación del autor, porque que miedo D: donde exista).
También me parece fantástico que en la segunda parte del libro, la forma como se desarrolla y empieza el final, dándole sentido al porque Edgy logra ver a los demonios, siendo solo un humano; desatando la razón principal de su protagonismo y dándole una gran trama a esta.
En conclusión es una historia diferente y vale la pena sumergirse en sus 370 paginas llenas de misterios, grandes demonios y una dolorosa traición.
Posdata: Gracias al dinero de mi hermana que me lo regalo :D
April 10, 2025
Kitabı okurken sürekli düşündüğüm şey bu kitabın bir filmi olmalı oldu. Kitap çok fazla şey anlatmak istiyor ve mükemmel tasarlanmış bir evrende geçiyor ama çok hızlı oluyor her şey. Fikir ve konu bence çok başarılı ama bir olmamışlık hissini üzerimden atamdım. Okurken kesinlikle kötü değildi ama ben bir filmi olsaydı filmini izlemeyi tercih edebilirdim. Olacak ve olabilecekleri kötü karakterin kim olduğunu az çok erkenden tahmin edebildim ama tam olarak ne olacağını anlayamadım.
Kitaptaki yan rollerin bazılarının bir derinliğinin olmasını isterdim yan roller çok yüzeyseldi örneğin Profesör Milberry ve Sally. Sally kitabın başında itici bir karakter gibi yansıtılırken sonlara doğru ona ısınmaya başlıyoruz ve pat diye Sally ile işimiz bitiyor kitap başka bir tarafa odaklanıyor sonra tekrar geri döndüğümüzde kendini feda ediyor evet ısınmaya başlamıştık ve karakter gelişimi açısından önemli bir adım olabilirdi ama burada da bir yarım kalmışlık söz konusu oluyor ve karakterin kendini feda edişi bence çokta etkili kalmıyor. Bence bu evren biraz daha geliştirilseydi daha etkili olabilirdi.
Kitabın sonunda güzel bir şekilde bağlandı şeytanların sonunu vs. beğendim o kısımları. Sanki kitabın sonunda bize devamı gelebilirmiş gibi de bir pencere açık bırakılmış gibi de hissettim.
Özetle konu ve evrem bakımından bayıldım çok yaratıcı buldum. Yan rollerin yüzeyselliğini çok sevemedim. Genel akışta biraz daha derinlik isterdim dediğim gibi bir film izliyormuşum gibi okudum adeta. Sonuç olarak iyi bir kitap ama sanki biraz daha da iyi olabilirmiş.
Kitaptaki yan rollerin bazılarının bir derinliğinin olmasını isterdim yan roller çok yüzeyseldi örneğin Profesör Milberry ve Sally. Sally kitabın başında itici bir karakter gibi yansıtılırken sonlara doğru ona ısınmaya başlıyoruz ve pat diye Sally ile işimiz bitiyor kitap başka bir tarafa odaklanıyor sonra tekrar geri döndüğümüzde kendini feda ediyor evet ısınmaya başlamıştık ve karakter gelişimi açısından önemli bir adım olabilirdi ama burada da bir yarım kalmışlık söz konusu oluyor ve karakterin kendini feda edişi bence çokta etkili kalmıyor. Bence bu evren biraz daha geliştirilseydi daha etkili olabilirdi.
Kitabın sonunda güzel bir şekilde bağlandı şeytanların sonunu vs. beğendim o kısımları. Sanki kitabın sonunda bize devamı gelebilirmiş gibi de bir pencere açık bırakılmış gibi de hissettim.
Özetle konu ve evrem bakımından bayıldım çok yaratıcı buldum. Yan rollerin yüzeyselliğini çok sevemedim. Genel akışta biraz daha derinlik isterdim dediğim gibi bir film izliyormuşum gibi okudum adeta. Sonuç olarak iyi bir kitap ama sanki biraz daha da iyi olabilirmiş.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2017
I approached this book, as usual, with some premade ideas: i expected something between the novels of Barthimeus Series and Harry Potter.
This book is different: it has neither the humor of the aformentioned demon's boastings or the bunch of weird teens dealing with mad teachers and awkward love affairs.
It's more serious, even if there are some funny moments, and reminds me more of Dickens then of more recent literary works, but the reading flows easily and even the more dramatic moments don't leave you looking for your handkerchief.
There are not so many characters, but well constructed and depicted. The plot is convincing with some unexpected twists and a not so obvious ending; even the locations are detailed and convincing.
A book worth of reading, in my opinion, that makes me curious about other ones from the same author.
This book is different: it has neither the humor of the aformentioned demon's boastings or the bunch of weird teens dealing with mad teachers and awkward love affairs.
It's more serious, even if there are some funny moments, and reminds me more of Dickens then of more recent literary works, but the reading flows easily and even the more dramatic moments don't leave you looking for your handkerchief.
There are not so many characters, but well constructed and depicted. The plot is convincing with some unexpected twists and a not so obvious ending; even the locations are detailed and convincing.
A book worth of reading, in my opinion, that makes me curious about other ones from the same author.
October 4, 2025
From my honest opinion, I thought the actual writing was dry and the actual storyline boring for the first part of the book. The second part was more interesting and enjoyable to read, especially the twists that were thrown in.
I already had a feeling that Janus was a walking red flag but made it obvious when from the near deaths that Edgy had, he did not give a shit.
Most characters we’re forgettable, I forgot Trimdon was in the book until at the end and it was painfully obvious that the characters were subtly trying to warn Edgy about Janus’s true intentions until it was too late.
I loved how the snake was Satan the entire time.
And ain’t gunna lie, my favourite character was Henry the dog lol
Overall good read if your into demons and supernatural
I already had a feeling that Janus was a walking red flag but made it obvious when from the near deaths that Edgy had, he did not give a shit.
Most characters we’re forgettable, I forgot Trimdon was in the book until at the end and it was painfully obvious that the characters were subtly trying to warn Edgy about Janus’s true intentions until it was too late.
I loved how the snake was Satan the entire time.
And ain’t gunna lie, my favourite character was Henry the dog lol
Overall good read if your into demons and supernatural
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2020
It's fine as a book, nothing wildly exciting for an adult reader. The chapters are all fairly short so good for someone who wants to read small sections such as a teen or someone who is trying to get into reading. Makes no major mistakes of plot and has some riddles in there, good tension at points but not as clever as I'd want a mystery book to be.
November 19, 2017
2.5
It was a fine book and liked it more then I originally thought I was. Just felt a little too simple for me.
It was a fine book and liked it more then I originally thought I was. Just felt a little too simple for me.
July 7, 2018
Fantastic. Fabulous. And simply Amazing.
January 14, 2019
I guessed the bad guy quite early - but I failed to guess his(her) intention. So a thumbs-up for that. But how could Mayhew completely forget about the dog? There's no mention at all even until the end of the novel. Hey?
Read
November 21, 2021salome had me simping so hard at age 12
June 4, 2011
This is a wonderfully original children's book set in a world where demons, arch demons and even Satan are more than just myths and legends.
Edgy Taylor thinks he's just an ordinary boy with a gift of solving riddles until he suddenly finds himself running for his life and ends up at the Society of Daemonologie. Once there he discovers the most extraordinary things and tumbles head first into a dangerous world filled with demons (some good, some bad), imps and even a snake of knowledge in the library. For the first time in his life he finds himself surrounded by actual friends, but unfortunately also by enemies and it is sometimes hard to define which is which. However, Edgy has to make up his mind fast and be one step ahead of his enemies as making the wrong move can be not only fatal to himself, but to everyone on earth.
The characters in The Demon Collector are well written, the story is action-packed and fast paced and the book will leave you guessing to the very end about the true evil in this world.
Edgy Taylor thinks he's just an ordinary boy with a gift of solving riddles until he suddenly finds himself running for his life and ends up at the Society of Daemonologie. Once there he discovers the most extraordinary things and tumbles head first into a dangerous world filled with demons (some good, some bad), imps and even a snake of knowledge in the library. For the first time in his life he finds himself surrounded by actual friends, but unfortunately also by enemies and it is sometimes hard to define which is which. However, Edgy has to make up his mind fast and be one step ahead of his enemies as making the wrong move can be not only fatal to himself, but to everyone on earth.
The characters in The Demon Collector are well written, the story is action-packed and fast paced and the book will leave you guessing to the very end about the true evil in this world.
May 10, 2014
First of all the i love the cover, flames all over the front an black everywhere else. Secondly the book was interesting but I found that everything was wrote in list-like structure this happened then this happened then that happened.... It soon became boring which made me quickly get bored.
The demon characters were easy to rate to following the seven deadly sins their actions were humorous however the human characters mainly the male protagonist Edgy Taylor was quite simple minded everything he said to me sounded scripted and unnatural.
Now you probably wondering why I have this 3 stars then. Well the sorry itself was unique, mystifying and all round confusing (in a good way). The author Jon Mayhew obviously must've spent a while planning the story line as it is well thought out.
The demon characters were easy to rate to following the seven deadly sins their actions were humorous however the human characters mainly the male protagonist Edgy Taylor was quite simple minded everything he said to me sounded scripted and unnatural.
Now you probably wondering why I have this 3 stars then. Well the sorry itself was unique, mystifying and all round confusing (in a good way). The author Jon Mayhew obviously must've spent a while planning the story line as it is well thought out.
January 19, 2011
This might be a monster of a book page-wise, but I flew through it because I just couldn't put it down! All of the characters are so well written, from plucky, nervous Edgy Taylor and his brave little dog Henry, to all of the members of the Royal Society of Daemonologie, including the demons... especially the demons! I loved the various classes of demons that align themselves with one of the seven deadly sins, and I liked that not every demon is a bad demon. Of course, there are still the bad ones, and some of the creatures featured in this story are absolutely terrifying! A thoroughly enjoyable read in world I hope the author revisits some day.
June 29, 2016
Mayhew has obviously got it into his head that children need constant stimulation. He's worked out a formula of 3 pages story, then a cliffhanger. Three more pages of story, another cliffhanger. It gets a bit predictable after a while, and you stop worrying about what's going to happen to Edgy since it becomes obvious he's going to have another amazing unexpected rescue. And another one. I get the idea, but I think he should give kids a bit more credit. And help extend their attention spans, rather than just pandering to it!
August 10, 2015
These days it seems that a book, particularly YA fiction, can't be written without being part of a series. It is refreshing, then, to find a YA novel that stands entirely alone, and does a rather good job too!
Although I personally would have liked to have seen some more riddles in the book, it is otherwise a great little story that I imagine would appeal to 9+. I will definitely be looking up other books by this author and will recommend this one to whoever I think it might interest.
Although I personally would have liked to have seen some more riddles in the book, it is otherwise a great little story that I imagine would appeal to 9+. I will definitely be looking up other books by this author and will recommend this one to whoever I think it might interest.
August 24, 2011
Really works as a companion novel to Mortlock. I feel like Mayhew knows his stories and knows how he wants to tell them and just goes for it. If Mortlock’s emphasis was on gothic creepiness, The Demon Collector feels more like a mystery adventure. A good, fun and creepy read. Does just what it should.
Full review at:
http://bookgrotto.blogspot.com/search...
Full review at:
http://bookgrotto.blogspot.com/search...
March 30, 2015
I went to University with Jon Mayhew, so I might be biased, but for the last three summers he has published an excellent children's novel. I probably wouldn't have read them if I didn't know him; the loss would have been mine.
They are very good.
They are very good.
December 13, 2012
Thrilling fantasy with all the twists and turns that you'd expected from a book by Jon Mayhew. It's that rollercoaster feel to his writing that grabs you from the start and leaves you breathless to the end. Cracking book.
Currently reading
June 13, 2012Loved this book, even when sometimes the plot was very confusing ti follow.
June 25, 2015
The book was okay. It was intersting near the end
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2015
A little predictable, but exciting and hard to put down. Enjoyed it.
July 9, 2015
Review at Shinraalpha.com - http://shinraalpha.com/2011/12/30/the...
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews