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Tales From The Sinister City #4
The Lunatic's Curse
The town of Opum Oppidulum is home to the freezing Lake Beluarum and its rumored monster. On an island at the center of the lake is an asylum; no one has ever escaped it. So how will Rex, whose father, Ambrose Grammaticus, has been imprisoned there under false pretenses, prove that Ambrose is not insane? And if Rex can free his father, will his evil stepmother drive them both to madness?
Higgins' fans will devour this deliciously scary tale, a "polyquel" to her previous books, all of which can be read singly or together. But not in the dark . . .
Higgins' fans will devour this deliciously scary tale, a "polyquel" to her previous books, all of which can be read singly or together. But not in the dark . . .
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
F.E. Higgins
9 books199 followersF.E. Higgins has been fascinated by the macabre ever since seeing a ghostly apparition as a child. Nowadays Higgins travels the lands that these books describe, collecting strange artifacts and the even stranger stories behind them. When not in pursuit of a story, Higgins may be found in a haunted house in Kent, where a dismembered hand cradles a large diamond on the mantelpiece.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 27, 2020
This was probably my least favourite instalment in the "Tales from the Sinister City" series. It was wonderfully weird and twisted and I especially enjoyed the many little snippets and perspectives the reader was presented with many little twists and turns. However, I really didn't like the ending...
April 14, 2012
While I've enjoyed the other books in F.E. Higgins' series, I cannot say the same for The Lunatic's Curse. For better or worse, I just can't bring myself to say anything good about a book this disturbing. While the other books have flirted with the dark side, they've been well-balanced. Equal parts charm, humor, and dark side. The descriptive writing and atmospheric writing have added to all of the above.
The Lunatic's Curse is set in the same strange world, for the most part. But not really. It is much, much, much, much darker. And there isn't one drop of humor in it. There isn't even a glimpse of lightness, of humor, of hope. And while the other books dependably showed justice being served, The Lunatic's Curse did NOT redeem itself by any stretch of the imagination. It is not only dark and depressing, it is EXCEEDINGLY dark and COMPLETELY depressing.
I don't know that I'd say The Lunatics Curse is as depressingly evil and pointless as say Animal Farm or Jude the Obscure. But. The very fact that they've come to mind, speaks volumes.
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While the rest of the series rests comfortably in the MG camp, I don't know that I'd say the same with The Lunatic's Curse. For it is ALL about cannibalism. Truly. And our narrator? Well, he's a cannibal-in-the-making. And the oh-so-depressing big six-year-later-reveal shows that he is indeed a cannibal. That he could not escape the "curse" brought upon him by his oh-so-incredibly wicked stepmother and his father who had succumbed to his wife's "stew" and unknowingly developed a taste for human flesh. And I HATED learning what happened to his companion. I mean SERIOUSLY. Was that even necessary? Although I guess I should be grateful that he didn't EAT her on his way out of the maze.
Anyway, if you love reading about insanity, lunatics, insane asylums run by cannibals, big scary underwater monsters who live on human flesh, and did I mention cannibals?, then maybe this one is for you.
The Lunatic's Curse is set in the same strange world, for the most part. But not really. It is much, much, much, much darker. And there isn't one drop of humor in it. There isn't even a glimpse of lightness, of humor, of hope. And while the other books dependably showed justice being served, The Lunatic's Curse did NOT redeem itself by any stretch of the imagination. It is not only dark and depressing, it is EXCEEDINGLY dark and COMPLETELY depressing.
I don't know that I'd say The Lunatics Curse is as depressingly evil and pointless as say Animal Farm or Jude the Obscure. But. The very fact that they've come to mind, speaks volumes.
S
p
o
i
l
e
r
While the rest of the series rests comfortably in the MG camp, I don't know that I'd say the same with The Lunatic's Curse. For it is ALL about cannibalism. Truly. And our narrator? Well, he's a cannibal-in-the-making. And the oh-so-depressing big six-year-later-reveal shows that he is indeed a cannibal. That he could not escape the "curse" brought upon him by his oh-so-incredibly wicked stepmother and his father who had succumbed to his wife's "stew" and unknowingly developed a taste for human flesh. And I HATED learning what happened to his companion. I mean SERIOUSLY. Was that even necessary? Although I guess I should be grateful that he didn't EAT her on his way out of the maze.
Anyway, if you love reading about insanity, lunatics, insane asylums run by cannibals, big scary underwater monsters who live on human flesh, and did I mention cannibals?, then maybe this one is for you.
December 21, 2011
Darker/grosser/more disturbing than any of the companion books. Be warned, this book involves cannibalism, dangerous escapees from an insane asylum, murder and murderers, and a number of other things to turn your stomach. Oh yes, and it doesn't even have a happy ending. Now that you are warned, feel free to enjoy. It is not as gruesome as Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist series, but there were times when it felt highly similar to some of Will Henry's adventures. Not for the faint of heart, and definitely not for younger children. Non-squeamish teens and tweens would seem to be the best audience.
May 8, 2012
This will be my final installment of the Sinister City Series. It was too yucky for me. The book had no redeeming qualities, just lots of gross out factor. The Lunatics Curse might have appeal for preteen boys looking for a weird/gross factor, but it has pushed me away from the series, which I used to enjoy. Gone is the character development and descriptive setting, and in their place I again receive a dark and spooky house with an evil woman running the show - This is a repeat of The Eyeball Collector with additional gross factors.
March 8, 2016
wow a very crazy book, sometimes a bit childish but quite often scary exciting and the characters are so weird and the plot so intricate that it keeps the reader guessing till the end. Very clever use of words like Andrew Faye who we only find out almost at the end what the connection is to the name which in reality is no name at all!! am still not sure whether this is a children's book or a young adult book! would love to read the other books by this author as I am a real sucker for crazy!!
August 23, 2015
I love the Tales from the Sinister Series. That being said this one was probably my least favorite out of the four. While it still has the creepy mysterious factor that I have come to love and expect from the series, I wasn't as invested in this story as the others. I think it is still worth reading though!
October 26, 2015
I was not so impressed with this book because it tried to be really scary but actually wasn't. You have to wait for the real action which isn't until the very end of the story and the story didn't build up the suspense very well because the pace of the story was too slow.
December 16, 2024
The Lunatics Curse by F.E.Higgins is the tale of Rex Grammaticus and Hildred. The story begins in the town of Oppum Oppidulum at the Grammaticus household in the dinning room where Acantha (the villainess and stepmother) and dearly damned (Ambrose Grammaticus/Rex’s Father) are dinning. Ambrose starts going mad and inevitably chops off his hand after trying to strangle young Rex. After that Rex’s father is sent to droprock island, a bit of land in the middle of a lake said to house a great monster, to the asylum that resides there. Rex knows his father to be sane blaming his stepmother responsible and continues to plead so for many months. After 100 days though, Ancantha takes over her husbands assets and plans to send the young boy away. Soon a breakout happens on the island killing the doctor that runs the place. Rex and his father a reunited for a short time only for his father to be killed. Now Rex tries to continue solve how Ancantha drove his father mad. Now Ancatha sends Rex to island to work with the new psychiatrist there about both his mind and hard labor. Will he find out about his father illness? Why does the new psychiatrist have his father’s submersible design? And what is the society of Andrew Faye? Find out in F.E.Higgins Lunatic’s Curse.
Okay lets be real I preferred her other books to this one. It much darker in every sense from the humor to the actual atrocities committed but still a good book. Another thing is that it’s a little late in the hook but it is still there. Also it is good to remember that this is one of the Polyquel books that run in tandem. Altogether I do recommend a read if you are into the macabre.
Okay lets be real I preferred her other books to this one. It much darker in every sense from the humor to the actual atrocities committed but still a good book. Another thing is that it’s a little late in the hook but it is still there. Also it is good to remember that this is one of the Polyquel books that run in tandem. Altogether I do recommend a read if you are into the macabre.
February 25, 2019
Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG-13
Rex has an awesome relationship with his father, a famous engineer, but he is suspicious of his step-mother. This suspicion becomes more justified once his father gets put in the town asylum. Sneaking around and absorbing all the information he can only leads Rex to more questions. It isn't until a stroke of luck sends Rex to follow a lead as an assistant at the asylum that he gains answers and an ally. Rex finally approaches the answer to the mystery, but also finds that ignorance might have been bliss.
I was curious but unenthralled when I started reading, but was happy when the pace picked up. Once that happened, I could hardly put it down. The suspense was killing me as I kept figuring out more before Rex and had to wait for him to catch up before uncovering more. But by the end I was getting freaked out and confused. I did not like how it turned out and ignorance would've been bliss for me now that I know the big secret.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Rex has an awesome relationship with his father, a famous engineer, but he is suspicious of his step-mother. This suspicion becomes more justified once his father gets put in the town asylum. Sneaking around and absorbing all the information he can only leads Rex to more questions. It isn't until a stroke of luck sends Rex to follow a lead as an assistant at the asylum that he gains answers and an ally. Rex finally approaches the answer to the mystery, but also finds that ignorance might have been bliss.
I was curious but unenthralled when I started reading, but was happy when the pace picked up. Once that happened, I could hardly put it down. The suspense was killing me as I kept figuring out more before Rex and had to wait for him to catch up before uncovering more. But by the end I was getting freaked out and confused. I did not like how it turned out and ignorance would've been bliss for me now that I know the big secret.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
December 28, 2020
I personally enjoy FE Higgins’ Tales from Sinister City. I started reading the Black Book of Secrets more than 10 years ago and I remember loving it so much. I guess life got in the way cause I missed the release of the Lunatic’s Curse in 2010. It took me 2 years (since 2018) to find this book and only a few days to finish it. Reading it as adult, I’m confused on why this is considered a children’s book. The plot itself is extremely horrific and eerie. It should be at least in the YA genre. Nevertheless I did enjoy it. Not as much as the first 3 books but the plot twist was interesting for me to keep reading 3.2 ⭐️
July 27, 2021
soo sadly this was the last one in this series, and ohhhmyyyyyyyyyy
the last thirty pages, the reveal of everything, what happened to our two main protaginiists by the end, that was very unexpected ,dark and heart breaking, and my love of dark tales loved every little shock of it.
it was AMAZING, but be warned it does NOT hav a happy ending , I dont rememeber reading anything with such cruel ending. it is a prrof that middle-ages stories, have more twist and macabre than adult ones.
I LOVED IT .
I hope there would be a fifth book soon.
the last thirty pages, the reveal of everything, what happened to our two main protaginiists by the end, that was very unexpected ,dark and heart breaking, and my love of dark tales loved every little shock of it.
it was AMAZING, but be warned it does NOT hav a happy ending , I dont rememeber reading anything with such cruel ending. it is a prrof that middle-ages stories, have more twist and macabre than adult ones.
I LOVED IT .
I hope there would be a fifth book soon.
November 20, 2023
I enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this one took a dark turn, and the vocabulary shot off way above what you would expect for a children's book.
I kept thinking, "What happened to the author while writing this that the book was so cruel?"
The others were a tad scary, dark, and sad, but this one ended unsatisfactorily.
I kept thinking, "What happened to the author while writing this that the book was so cruel?"
The others were a tad scary, dark, and sad, but this one ended unsatisfactorily.
December 12, 2023
Funny how the books I’m always lazy to start on are always the ones I end up enjoying the most. This is not the genre I usually go for but this one didn’t disappoint at all. I wish it didn’t end. I really enjoyed reading this book. Please recommend any other book in the series that I can read which is equally as good or better!
June 16, 2022
Really good dark story perfect for those that like Goosebumps but want something more in depth. The characters are very interesting even the side characters. Loved the ending linking up to another book as well
September 1, 2017
This is the most darkly macabre story in the entire series.
Higgins' plot involves a remote asylum, hidden treasure,
and cannibalism.
Higgins' plot involves a remote asylum, hidden treasure,
and cannibalism.
July 1, 2019
The first 60 pages are dark and depressing. However the last half of the book I couldn't put it down.
September 1, 2021
Creepy for a kid's book. A lot of fun.
July 9, 2012
Reviewed for: Awake at Midnight
This new “polyquel” of Higgins’ Tales of the Sinister City harbors the wickedest horrors and the greatest potential of the human condition manifested in unforgettable characters. The city itself becomes a player in this complex maze of pseudo-Dickensian atmosphere, along with a bottomless lake, an asylum on a hill, and a labyrinth of subterranean tunnels.
Although mired in oppressive despair, captivating personalities and suspense drive the narrative in a relentless dirge of cold realism. There is no magic in this world, so the story must rely on force of character to pull you into a fantastic Victorian realm. The good hold love deep in their hearts despite the grim and desperate world they are thrust into. The bad guys are vermin. They fall because of their own choices, and as if gaping at an accident scene, we are held in the spine-tingling clutches of macabre fascination. Higgins weaves such a world decorated with interesting names and truly unique situations. The mind dwells on these books for days after they are finished.
The story unfolds in Oppum Oppidulum, home for the wealthy, far from the squalor of Urbs Umida seen in earlier novels. The wealthy and famous Ambrose Grammaticus is an engineer and a genius, founder of his own design and construction company. Before we can learn anything more about him, Ambrose goes mad at the dinner table in front of his son Rex, and his strangely unconcerned wife Acantha. Almost as if it had been expected, the authorities rush in and remove Ambrose to Droprock asylum for the Peculiar and Bizarre, a cold dungeon towering above Lake Beluarum.
Under the dubious care of Cadmus Chapelizod, there is an uprising at the Asylum. Ambrose gains his freedom, takes Rex on a surreptitious jaunt to a strange nightlife underworld, and gifts him with both a diamond and a series of riddles. “Don’t fly too close to the sun,” and “On your head be it.” He tells Rex that the proof he needs to expose Acantha for the hateful criminal she is lay hidden on the island. All he need do is take it to Cecil at the local newspaper: <>The Hebdomidal.<>
This clears the way for Tibor Vehildegildus, inventor of the new and mysterious “Lodestone Procedure” (hypnosis,) who is invited to come from the city of Urbs Umida to preside as the new superintendent. This is lucky for Rex in that Tibor has possession of his father’s plans for a “perambulating submersible” (submarine), but unlucky in that Acantha is first in line to have Tibor try the new procedure on Rex, to discover what it was his father told him the night Ambrose was captured as an escapee.
Meanwhile, Hildred Buttonquail, a contortionist, leaves her home at a sideshow and comes to work restoring the Asylum after the riot. She discovers that Lake Beluarum does indeed have a monster, and that Droprock Asylum has a maze of tunnels carved deep within the bedrock below, filled with skeletons. Rex joins with her when Tibor unexpectedly offers that, should he wish to stay and help build the submersible, (being a Grammaticus and thus an excellent engineer,) he would not be returned to Acantha’s care. Though Tibor claims to have designed the submersible, Rex stays and he and Hildred become companions in searching for the proof Ambrose promised.
Soon they run into Gerulphus, the caretaker, in a room that can be disguised as nothing more than a torture chamber. Will they escape? Will Rex find the proof his father left? What is the mysterious golden egg that Rex has in his pocket? Will the mysterious Andrew Faye finally reveal himself? Who has been feeding the lake monster in the blue-glowing cavern at the end of the tunnels? Who did Rex’s father take him to visit that fateful night?
In tying up the loose ends, which Higgins does satisfyingly and with flair, we also learn how the characters are woven together throughout the sinister cities. Gerulphus appeared in the previous novel, the Eyeball Collector; we are reminded that we have already met Hildred’s father, and Rex ends his journey in the shop spotlighted in the fist polyquel, The Black Book of Secrets. In fact, there are so many details and facets within the story, it almost begs to be re-read with a new perspective.
You will never see what is coming. Who survives and who does not is unpredictable in the whirlwind climax.
There is a curse, and it is unforgettable.
This new “polyquel” of Higgins’ Tales of the Sinister City harbors the wickedest horrors and the greatest potential of the human condition manifested in unforgettable characters. The city itself becomes a player in this complex maze of pseudo-Dickensian atmosphere, along with a bottomless lake, an asylum on a hill, and a labyrinth of subterranean tunnels.
Although mired in oppressive despair, captivating personalities and suspense drive the narrative in a relentless dirge of cold realism. There is no magic in this world, so the story must rely on force of character to pull you into a fantastic Victorian realm. The good hold love deep in their hearts despite the grim and desperate world they are thrust into. The bad guys are vermin. They fall because of their own choices, and as if gaping at an accident scene, we are held in the spine-tingling clutches of macabre fascination. Higgins weaves such a world decorated with interesting names and truly unique situations. The mind dwells on these books for days after they are finished.
The story unfolds in Oppum Oppidulum, home for the wealthy, far from the squalor of Urbs Umida seen in earlier novels. The wealthy and famous Ambrose Grammaticus is an engineer and a genius, founder of his own design and construction company. Before we can learn anything more about him, Ambrose goes mad at the dinner table in front of his son Rex, and his strangely unconcerned wife Acantha. Almost as if it had been expected, the authorities rush in and remove Ambrose to Droprock asylum for the Peculiar and Bizarre, a cold dungeon towering above Lake Beluarum.
Under the dubious care of Cadmus Chapelizod, there is an uprising at the Asylum. Ambrose gains his freedom, takes Rex on a surreptitious jaunt to a strange nightlife underworld, and gifts him with both a diamond and a series of riddles. “Don’t fly too close to the sun,” and “On your head be it.” He tells Rex that the proof he needs to expose Acantha for the hateful criminal she is lay hidden on the island. All he need do is take it to Cecil at the local newspaper: <>The Hebdomidal.<>
This clears the way for Tibor Vehildegildus, inventor of the new and mysterious “Lodestone Procedure” (hypnosis,) who is invited to come from the city of Urbs Umida to preside as the new superintendent. This is lucky for Rex in that Tibor has possession of his father’s plans for a “perambulating submersible” (submarine), but unlucky in that Acantha is first in line to have Tibor try the new procedure on Rex, to discover what it was his father told him the night Ambrose was captured as an escapee.
Meanwhile, Hildred Buttonquail, a contortionist, leaves her home at a sideshow and comes to work restoring the Asylum after the riot. She discovers that Lake Beluarum does indeed have a monster, and that Droprock Asylum has a maze of tunnels carved deep within the bedrock below, filled with skeletons. Rex joins with her when Tibor unexpectedly offers that, should he wish to stay and help build the submersible, (being a Grammaticus and thus an excellent engineer,) he would not be returned to Acantha’s care. Though Tibor claims to have designed the submersible, Rex stays and he and Hildred become companions in searching for the proof Ambrose promised.
Soon they run into Gerulphus, the caretaker, in a room that can be disguised as nothing more than a torture chamber. Will they escape? Will Rex find the proof his father left? What is the mysterious golden egg that Rex has in his pocket? Will the mysterious Andrew Faye finally reveal himself? Who has been feeding the lake monster in the blue-glowing cavern at the end of the tunnels? Who did Rex’s father take him to visit that fateful night?
In tying up the loose ends, which Higgins does satisfyingly and with flair, we also learn how the characters are woven together throughout the sinister cities. Gerulphus appeared in the previous novel, the Eyeball Collector; we are reminded that we have already met Hildred’s father, and Rex ends his journey in the shop spotlighted in the fist polyquel, The Black Book of Secrets. In fact, there are so many details and facets within the story, it almost begs to be re-read with a new perspective.
You will never see what is coming. Who survives and who does not is unpredictable in the whirlwind climax.
There is a curse, and it is unforgettable.
Read
July 24, 2017Delightfully dark, creepy and, in places, ewww-out-loud gross. Brave kids, villains who are extremely mad, bad, and dangerous to know (or go to dinner with!), a monster, an asylum with maze-like catacombs beneath it - what more could you ask for in a book? Can be read as a stand-alone or by someone who hasn't read the 3 other books in the Tales from Sinister City series, or someone who has read some/all of them (I've read The Black Book of Secrets and The Bone Magician but have yet to read The Eyeball Collector) but with some wonderful little nods and 'Easter eggs' hidden away for those of us in the know.
In the aftermath, the delightful Ms Higgins has said she may not be finished with the world of these books (or it may not be finished with her). I very much hope that this is true.
In the aftermath, the delightful Ms Higgins has said she may not be finished with the world of these books (or it may not be finished with her). I very much hope that this is true.
June 11, 2012
This is the fourth book in the Tales from the Sinister City; a series of stories featuring different sets of characters. This installment is probably my least favorite of the series, but it is still delightful creepy and disturbing. I love the dark gothic undertone to these books.
Rex lives in the town of Opum Oppidulum which has its own creepy Asylum that is located on an island out on a lake which contains a huge monster. Rex hates his stepmother but adores his inventive father. When his father is accused of being insane, Rex thinks his stepmother may be behind his father’s madness. How will Rex prove his father’s sanity and what disturbing and dark secrets will he uncover along the way?
This book is another delightfully creepy and dark book set outside a town that is similar to dark version of Victorian London. Like previous books this book deals with some uncomfortable topics; mainly insanity and torture with some cannabalism thrown in for good measure ...did I mention this was a dark book? Given the topic I am not sure this is still appropriate for middle grade readers...so just beware of the subject.
The book is well written and full of wonderful descriptions that really make the atmosphere come alive. I really enjoy the way Higgins pieces the story together with newspaper articles and journal entries to make a complete picture. I love how the different pieces of media give the reader glimpses of the whole story.
The characters are well enough done; Rex and a young girl are the feature characters. I liked that Rex was into inventing things and loved that the girl was determined to find out about her past. Still, both of the characters didn’t resonate with me like the characters in the previous books have...the characters are hard to like and engage with.
There were a couple aspects of the story that I really enjoyed. I liked the steampunk feel to it; with Rex helping to build a crazy underwater walking machine. I loved the monster that dwelled in the lake; it was mysterious and eerie.
This was a much darker story overall though. The icky factor was much higher than in the previous three books; more on the order of Rick Yancey’s Monstrumologist series than the previous book in this series. This made the story hard to enjoy; there are just so many dark and depraved things that happen in this book. The whole storyline is hinged on cannabalism and even our protagonist doesn’t escape unscathed.
The book ends okay; let’s just say it’s a pretty depressing read overall. I ended up not enjoying the book as much as all of the others. It was just too dark, disturbing, and depressing.
Overall an okay addition to this series. It is well written and has some really great parts to it; I love the inventing and the monster in the lake. I did not enjoy all of the cannibalism, torture, and the depressing nature of the story. I also had some trouble engaging with the characters. I would recommend this book to fans of Yancey’s Monstrumologist series; but would warn fans of this series that this is a much darker book than previous ones. I will most likely continue to read this series, if the next book follows in this book’s path then I will probably stop.
Rex lives in the town of Opum Oppidulum which has its own creepy Asylum that is located on an island out on a lake which contains a huge monster. Rex hates his stepmother but adores his inventive father. When his father is accused of being insane, Rex thinks his stepmother may be behind his father’s madness. How will Rex prove his father’s sanity and what disturbing and dark secrets will he uncover along the way?
This book is another delightfully creepy and dark book set outside a town that is similar to dark version of Victorian London. Like previous books this book deals with some uncomfortable topics; mainly insanity and torture with some cannabalism thrown in for good measure ...did I mention this was a dark book? Given the topic I am not sure this is still appropriate for middle grade readers...so just beware of the subject.
The book is well written and full of wonderful descriptions that really make the atmosphere come alive. I really enjoy the way Higgins pieces the story together with newspaper articles and journal entries to make a complete picture. I love how the different pieces of media give the reader glimpses of the whole story.
The characters are well enough done; Rex and a young girl are the feature characters. I liked that Rex was into inventing things and loved that the girl was determined to find out about her past. Still, both of the characters didn’t resonate with me like the characters in the previous books have...the characters are hard to like and engage with.
There were a couple aspects of the story that I really enjoyed. I liked the steampunk feel to it; with Rex helping to build a crazy underwater walking machine. I loved the monster that dwelled in the lake; it was mysterious and eerie.
This was a much darker story overall though. The icky factor was much higher than in the previous three books; more on the order of Rick Yancey’s Monstrumologist series than the previous book in this series. This made the story hard to enjoy; there are just so many dark and depraved things that happen in this book. The whole storyline is hinged on cannabalism and even our protagonist doesn’t escape unscathed.
The book ends okay; let’s just say it’s a pretty depressing read overall. I ended up not enjoying the book as much as all of the others. It was just too dark, disturbing, and depressing.
Overall an okay addition to this series. It is well written and has some really great parts to it; I love the inventing and the monster in the lake. I did not enjoy all of the cannibalism, torture, and the depressing nature of the story. I also had some trouble engaging with the characters. I would recommend this book to fans of Yancey’s Monstrumologist series; but would warn fans of this series that this is a much darker book than previous ones. I will most likely continue to read this series, if the next book follows in this book’s path then I will probably stop.
December 27, 2011
Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!
Twelve-year-old Rex Grammaticus lives a happy life with his father, Ambrose, a renowned inventor in the lakeside town of Oppum Oppidulum. When a mysterious woman, Acantha, seduces Ambrose into marrying her, however, Rex is sure that things are going to take a turn for the worse. Rex’s fears are realized when one fateful evening, his father suddenly suffers from a fit of madness, viciously attacking Rex and even cutting off his own hand. Ambrose is committed to the Droprock Island Asylum for the Peculiar and Bizarre, with the help of Acantha’s good friend and superintendent of the asylum, Cadmus Chapelizod, and his business and fortune are left entirely in Acantha’s care. Rex is certain that his stepmother is responsible for Ambrose’s insanity, and vows to free his father from the torturous asylum.
The latest novel in F.E. Higgins’ series for tweens is described as a “polyquel” to the other books, meaning that it can as easily be read as a stand-alone in addition to having some overlap with the other stories. Familiarity with Higgins’ other novels, however, does not determine whether the highly creepy Lunatic’s Curse can be enjoyed by readers: anyone with a slight penchant for the macabre will find this book to be deliciously gruesome and utterly entertaining. From the first pages, the author plunges the reader headfirst into the world of Oppum Oppidulum, a seemingly peaceful lakeside town with more than its fair share of deep, dark secrets. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is the care that Higgins takes in creating the setting and characters. Each has their own unique back-story and is given the opportunity for development, even if they have only minor roles in the plot. This technique immerses the reader in world of the novel, making the story far more engaging. The storyline is also very creative and unique, and Rex Grammaticus is a very likable protagonist. As a side note, squeamish readers should be aware that Higgins does venture into some fairly dark territory, from murder to torture, and even a dash of cannibalism. These elements are not overpowering, however, and Lunatic’s Curse is not only appropriate for tweens and teens, but thoroughly enjoyable as well (especially for reluctant boy readers!)
I was a little concerned about picking this title up at first because I haven’t read the other novels in the series, but since it states clearly in the book jacket that it can be read individually I went ahead and gave it a try. I am glad that I did! As a fan of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events, I found myself really enjoying Higgins’ macabre story as much if not more than Lemony Snicket’s novels. I like that Higgins doesn’t “talk-down” to the reader, and uses words and phrases that will make them think. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants something creepy, and think it has a perfect place in the middle-school classroom for reluctant readers.
Twelve-year-old Rex Grammaticus lives a happy life with his father, Ambrose, a renowned inventor in the lakeside town of Oppum Oppidulum. When a mysterious woman, Acantha, seduces Ambrose into marrying her, however, Rex is sure that things are going to take a turn for the worse. Rex’s fears are realized when one fateful evening, his father suddenly suffers from a fit of madness, viciously attacking Rex and even cutting off his own hand. Ambrose is committed to the Droprock Island Asylum for the Peculiar and Bizarre, with the help of Acantha’s good friend and superintendent of the asylum, Cadmus Chapelizod, and his business and fortune are left entirely in Acantha’s care. Rex is certain that his stepmother is responsible for Ambrose’s insanity, and vows to free his father from the torturous asylum.
The latest novel in F.E. Higgins’ series for tweens is described as a “polyquel” to the other books, meaning that it can as easily be read as a stand-alone in addition to having some overlap with the other stories. Familiarity with Higgins’ other novels, however, does not determine whether the highly creepy Lunatic’s Curse can be enjoyed by readers: anyone with a slight penchant for the macabre will find this book to be deliciously gruesome and utterly entertaining. From the first pages, the author plunges the reader headfirst into the world of Oppum Oppidulum, a seemingly peaceful lakeside town with more than its fair share of deep, dark secrets. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is the care that Higgins takes in creating the setting and characters. Each has their own unique back-story and is given the opportunity for development, even if they have only minor roles in the plot. This technique immerses the reader in world of the novel, making the story far more engaging. The storyline is also very creative and unique, and Rex Grammaticus is a very likable protagonist. As a side note, squeamish readers should be aware that Higgins does venture into some fairly dark territory, from murder to torture, and even a dash of cannibalism. These elements are not overpowering, however, and Lunatic’s Curse is not only appropriate for tweens and teens, but thoroughly enjoyable as well (especially for reluctant boy readers!)
I was a little concerned about picking this title up at first because I haven’t read the other novels in the series, but since it states clearly in the book jacket that it can be read individually I went ahead and gave it a try. I am glad that I did! As a fan of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events, I found myself really enjoying Higgins’ macabre story as much if not more than Lemony Snicket’s novels. I like that Higgins doesn’t “talk-down” to the reader, and uses words and phrases that will make them think. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants something creepy, and think it has a perfect place in the middle-school classroom for reluctant readers.
June 25, 2014
I read the 'Black Book of Secrets', Book 1 in this set years ago for a Book Day at work and really enjoyed it, as the other books have come out I have bought them but never actually got round to reading them, so when I was looking for something to listen to in my car- I always like to have an audiobook for when I'm driving round as the radio is so annoying most of the time, I saw this on the shelf and thought why not! It saves me time actually reading it as my TBR pile is so huge.
We follow the story of Rex who lives with his father and stepmother, that is until his father goes 'mad' and gets carted off to the asylum across the lake. But not everything is as it seems and when Rex discovers a dark and dangerous plan he must try to help his father and discover the truth of what really goes on in the asylum.
When this first started I wasn't convinced I would like it, but the person narrating the audiobook was doing a good job and had a nice voice so I decided to stick with it for a while and I slowly started to get into the story. Rex is quite willful and resourceful and I liked his character, he can also be a bit impatient. We also meet Hildred a young girl come to work at the asylum as the cooks assistant, she was my favourite character, she has a sort of witty sarcasm and honesty about her that you can't help but like, she's good for Rex too and keeps him in line.
This story is quite dark in places but more creepy than scary, I was mostly just intrigued to find out what would happen next. I did keep expecting there to be more though, not sure what but just more. More detail, more information, more story. It felt like we only ever really brushed the surface and the ending was a bit weak in my opinion, but I did enjoy it overall.
Although this is book 4, the stories don't have to be read in order, they are all set in the same area and sometimes cross mention characters but they don't actually follow on form one another as far as I can tell.
I am quite glad I listened to this in the end as some of the names he read out were very long and strange and I may have got a bit confused had I actually been reading it, and it added another dimension to the story, the narrator sets the scene more with his tone of voice and pauses.
I wouldn't ever re-read it but I am glad I heard it.
We follow the story of Rex who lives with his father and stepmother, that is until his father goes 'mad' and gets carted off to the asylum across the lake. But not everything is as it seems and when Rex discovers a dark and dangerous plan he must try to help his father and discover the truth of what really goes on in the asylum.
When this first started I wasn't convinced I would like it, but the person narrating the audiobook was doing a good job and had a nice voice so I decided to stick with it for a while and I slowly started to get into the story. Rex is quite willful and resourceful and I liked his character, he can also be a bit impatient. We also meet Hildred a young girl come to work at the asylum as the cooks assistant, she was my favourite character, she has a sort of witty sarcasm and honesty about her that you can't help but like, she's good for Rex too and keeps him in line.
This story is quite dark in places but more creepy than scary, I was mostly just intrigued to find out what would happen next. I did keep expecting there to be more though, not sure what but just more. More detail, more information, more story. It felt like we only ever really brushed the surface and the ending was a bit weak in my opinion, but I did enjoy it overall.
Although this is book 4, the stories don't have to be read in order, they are all set in the same area and sometimes cross mention characters but they don't actually follow on form one another as far as I can tell.
I am quite glad I listened to this in the end as some of the names he read out were very long and strange and I may have got a bit confused had I actually been reading it, and it added another dimension to the story, the narrator sets the scene more with his tone of voice and pauses.
I wouldn't ever re-read it but I am glad I heard it.
September 10, 2011
The Lunatic’s Curse is a strange little book – part of the ‘Tales from Sinister City’ series by F. E. Higgins (although you don’t have to have read the previous titles to enjoy The Lunatic’s Curse, there are nice little tie-ins), which recount odd tales about the fictional city of Urbs Umida and its peculiar residents in and around the 1800s. It is aimed at older children, but don't be put off as I think all ages will enjoy the delightful offerings: the plot is always very inventive, clever and unique with plenty of twists to shock you and keep you stuck to the book; they’re very well-written in an appropriate style for the time era with humour and unusual well-chosen words that may have you consulting a dictionary. They all have fairly morbid and gruesome parts, but they give the books a very definite and unique feel. It’s a shame the series doesn’t appear to be very popular as they really are treats to read.
It’s difficult to describe it well and not give away any spoilers, but basically The Lunatic’s Curse focuses on Rex, whose father turns suddenly mad one evening at dinner, and is taken to the inescapable Lunatic Asylum. Rex, desperate to prove his father’s sanity (as he is sure his father was set up by his new wife) and see him again, uncovers a shocking scandal when all of the lunatics manage to escape and the tramps begin to disappear off the streets… Secrets are brought to light, no one is to be trusted and seemingly unrelated events are revealed to be connected in a brilliantly clever way in the adrenalin-fuelling climax.
I liked the different formats, such as the letters and newspaper extracts, and I also liked the varied points of view, like the interesting one of the monster in the lake. You really root for the characters, or genuinely despise them and hope that they get their comeuppance they are so well-written. The twists are sometimes obvious and clearly some things were not-so-subtly placed there to set up twists, but on the whole I was not expecting them.
I really recommend The Lunatic’s Curse and its predecessors The Black Book of Secrets, The Bone Magician and The Eyeball Collector, even if they’re not your usual type of book, you are sure to enjoy them.
It’s difficult to describe it well and not give away any spoilers, but basically The Lunatic’s Curse focuses on Rex, whose father turns suddenly mad one evening at dinner, and is taken to the inescapable Lunatic Asylum. Rex, desperate to prove his father’s sanity (as he is sure his father was set up by his new wife) and see him again, uncovers a shocking scandal when all of the lunatics manage to escape and the tramps begin to disappear off the streets… Secrets are brought to light, no one is to be trusted and seemingly unrelated events are revealed to be connected in a brilliantly clever way in the adrenalin-fuelling climax.
I liked the different formats, such as the letters and newspaper extracts, and I also liked the varied points of view, like the interesting one of the monster in the lake. You really root for the characters, or genuinely despise them and hope that they get their comeuppance they are so well-written. The twists are sometimes obvious and clearly some things were not-so-subtly placed there to set up twists, but on the whole I was not expecting them.
I really recommend The Lunatic’s Curse and its predecessors The Black Book of Secrets, The Bone Magician and The Eyeball Collector, even if they’re not your usual type of book, you are sure to enjoy them.
October 4, 2016
2.5 stars.
This book has lost all the charm of it's predecessors. The writing has become pretentious and hard to get throught, the author has become self important and any love i felt she had for this series is gone.
Charming plot twists, lovable characters, and interesting situations have been replaced with ableist and extremely boring narratives about characters i never bothered to care about. Not to mention, every single name of every single character in this book is completely awful. I didn't even try to read Tibor's last name correctly. They are all pretentious and unbearable. Names like this have become common in middle grade fiction but this is just way, way too much. The main character is named Rex Grammaticus. Awful.
This book is also guilty of swtiching perspective way too much. It keeps throwing new perspectives at you until the end, which in previous books i enjoyed but in this book it just serves to hammer in the mediocrity. Anything that made the other 3 in the series stand out as good has been lost. This feels like a loveless cash grab, a shell. I knew from the second i read the author's introduction that all passion was gone. The author also replaced any hint of mystery with cheap and boring gross-out storytelling and predictable "twists". Twists, i might add, that the author pats herself on the back for as much as possible.
Honestly i still very much reccomend the first three in this series but i highly doubt I'll ever pick up another book by this author after this. Trust me on this; read the first 3 for a charming set of connected but still individual stories set in the victorian era, with lovable characters and interesting plot twists, books that grab a hold of you and don't want to let go. Skip this volume because it is a boring, loveless, obvious cash grab with none of the charm, wit, or heart of the previous installments, and contains pointless callbacks to those books thrown in as if to taunt you. Where has the character development gone!?!! Where is the dark, slightly off-feeling tone i loved so much?? Where are all the CHARACTERS i loved so much??????
What a complete and utter disappointment!!! Do not reccomend!!
This book has lost all the charm of it's predecessors. The writing has become pretentious and hard to get throught, the author has become self important and any love i felt she had for this series is gone.
Charming plot twists, lovable characters, and interesting situations have been replaced with ableist and extremely boring narratives about characters i never bothered to care about. Not to mention, every single name of every single character in this book is completely awful. I didn't even try to read Tibor's last name correctly. They are all pretentious and unbearable. Names like this have become common in middle grade fiction but this is just way, way too much. The main character is named Rex Grammaticus. Awful.
This book is also guilty of swtiching perspective way too much. It keeps throwing new perspectives at you until the end, which in previous books i enjoyed but in this book it just serves to hammer in the mediocrity. Anything that made the other 3 in the series stand out as good has been lost. This feels like a loveless cash grab, a shell. I knew from the second i read the author's introduction that all passion was gone. The author also replaced any hint of mystery with cheap and boring gross-out storytelling and predictable "twists". Twists, i might add, that the author pats herself on the back for as much as possible.
Honestly i still very much reccomend the first three in this series but i highly doubt I'll ever pick up another book by this author after this. Trust me on this; read the first 3 for a charming set of connected but still individual stories set in the victorian era, with lovable characters and interesting plot twists, books that grab a hold of you and don't want to let go. Skip this volume because it is a boring, loveless, obvious cash grab with none of the charm, wit, or heart of the previous installments, and contains pointless callbacks to those books thrown in as if to taunt you. Where has the character development gone!?!! Where is the dark, slightly off-feeling tone i loved so much?? Where are all the CHARACTERS i loved so much??????
What a complete and utter disappointment!!! Do not reccomend!!
August 1, 2011
I won this book through the First Reads Giveaway.
Let me start by saying that this is an enthralling mystery. Its subtle clues and creepy characters kept the pages turning right to the end. I could have put it down, but really didn't want to!
This book is a "polyquel", being part of a companion series of books by F.E. Higgins, all containing elements or characters from the others in the series. This is the first I have read, and as I was reading it, I found myself wondering which of these characters were from the other books. I will definitely be seeking them out in the future.
Now, if I loved this book so much, why did it not get a full five stars? There are two reasons.
The first is that this book is mostly able to stand alone, except for the fact that I have little idea of the when or where this book is happening. Obviously, the town of Oppum Oppidulum is fictitious. It apparently takes place in the world of Ubigentium, although this is not mentioned once in the book. It is assumed that you have read the other books, or at least the first, which is where I suppose the full stage has been set.
As to the when, it is pre-electric, and the existence of perukes gives me a vision of 17th century. But do children even know what a peruke is? Do most adults?
This brings me to the second reason why it is not five stars. The target age of this book is 10 to 14, but I have a hard time imagining putting this book into the hands of the 12 year old in my house. I admit I had to look up the meaning of a couple words, myself, and this could prove to be a source of frustration for a young reader. Or, it could provide a knowledge of new language.
The subject matter is dark and fairly morbid.
I would highly recommend that parents read this first before handing it over to their children, in order to decide for themselves if their kids are mature enough to not be disturbed by it. Not to mention, it's a great read that parents are sure to enjoy! ;)
Let me start by saying that this is an enthralling mystery. Its subtle clues and creepy characters kept the pages turning right to the end. I could have put it down, but really didn't want to!
This book is a "polyquel", being part of a companion series of books by F.E. Higgins, all containing elements or characters from the others in the series. This is the first I have read, and as I was reading it, I found myself wondering which of these characters were from the other books. I will definitely be seeking them out in the future.
Now, if I loved this book so much, why did it not get a full five stars? There are two reasons.
The first is that this book is mostly able to stand alone, except for the fact that I have little idea of the when or where this book is happening. Obviously, the town of Oppum Oppidulum is fictitious. It apparently takes place in the world of Ubigentium, although this is not mentioned once in the book. It is assumed that you have read the other books, or at least the first, which is where I suppose the full stage has been set.
As to the when, it is pre-electric, and the existence of perukes gives me a vision of 17th century. But do children even know what a peruke is? Do most adults?
This brings me to the second reason why it is not five stars. The target age of this book is 10 to 14, but I have a hard time imagining putting this book into the hands of the 12 year old in my house. I admit I had to look up the meaning of a couple words, myself, and this could prove to be a source of frustration for a young reader. Or, it could provide a knowledge of new language.
The subject matter is dark and fairly morbid.
I would highly recommend that parents read this first before handing it over to their children, in order to decide for themselves if their kids are mature enough to not be disturbed by it. Not to mention, it's a great read that parents are sure to enjoy! ;)
Read
September 20, 2016This was a wicked book literally, wicked. Of all curses and drama they really comprehended together pretty well.
August 4, 2010
Another great story in the F.E. Higgins series that is now dubbed "Tales from the Sinister City". The Lunatic's Curse is a prequel to The Black Book of Secrets whose paraquel is The Bone Magician and whose sequel is The Eyeball Collector.
This tale concerns itself with a boy named Rex Grammaticus, whose father, a successful inventor and engineer, goes mysteriously insane during dinner while his new step-mother sits by idly smirking. Soon his father is committed to the local insane asylum situated on an impenetrable island in the middle of a mysterious lake and a dark alliance behind the betrayal is revealed. Rex is left alone to solve the mystery himself and avenge his father.
I was so eager to read the latest installment, I ordered the book from England because it hasn't quite reached the United States yet, then consumed it in a matter of a few days. This is classic F.E. Higgins: she starts with a dramatic page-turning incident as she plunges you into an elaborate mystery in a truly dark world with wholly evil and depraved villains scheming for personal gain while the protagonist must overcome themselves to do good in their horribly bad situation. All throughout, she drops hints and clues that become obvious at the end (I could guess some in this book, but was blind-sided by a few others). All the books are interwoven so that, while each story stands alone, their characters appear in other books, hinting at a many more stories behind them all.
So far F.E. Higgins has been writing a new book a year. Now I'm eagerly awaiting next summer's release and hoping this will appear in audio book in the United States soon.
This tale concerns itself with a boy named Rex Grammaticus, whose father, a successful inventor and engineer, goes mysteriously insane during dinner while his new step-mother sits by idly smirking. Soon his father is committed to the local insane asylum situated on an impenetrable island in the middle of a mysterious lake and a dark alliance behind the betrayal is revealed. Rex is left alone to solve the mystery himself and avenge his father.
I was so eager to read the latest installment, I ordered the book from England because it hasn't quite reached the United States yet, then consumed it in a matter of a few days. This is classic F.E. Higgins: she starts with a dramatic page-turning incident as she plunges you into an elaborate mystery in a truly dark world with wholly evil and depraved villains scheming for personal gain while the protagonist must overcome themselves to do good in their horribly bad situation. All throughout, she drops hints and clues that become obvious at the end (I could guess some in this book, but was blind-sided by a few others). All the books are interwoven so that, while each story stands alone, their characters appear in other books, hinting at a many more stories behind them all.
So far F.E. Higgins has been writing a new book a year. Now I'm eagerly awaiting next summer's release and hoping this will appear in audio book in the United States soon.
May 3, 2012
I won this book from a goodreads giveaway and free is always exciting, but this book was a disappointment. For a book that was targeted to young adults this book is all over the place. The author seems to forget whom she is writing for the vocabulary is fine for the most part but there is a fair sprinkling of GRE level vocabulary words (perhaps I only noticed because I was studying for it at the time). While having great confidence in her audiences’ vocabulary she over explains and foreshadows most events belittling the intelligence of the reader. For those concerned about the horror and violence, I suggest they read the prologue and the last chapter prior to allowing their child to read it. In my opinion if you find those chapters too graphic then pass on the book but those are also the most graphic scenes.
Overall I did not like the book at all but it might be good for a young adult to build their vocabulary and those who want to read something slightly scary that will make them feel more adult.
Overall I did not like the book at all but it might be good for a young adult to build their vocabulary and those who want to read something slightly scary that will make them feel more adult.
April 24, 2014
I love the Tales from the Sinister City. However, this is a bit much for the age group it was written for. Reminiscent of RL Stein or Ray Bradbury, this read is a dark and creepy. It contains elements of horror that children may not understand such as cannibalism.
The Lunatic's Curse involves the mystery of the madness and death of the famous inventor Grammaticus. The creepiness level is increased by setting the story at the local lunatic asylum. Murder and mystery abounds through this book as Rex and his new friend Hildred try to discover what's happening. With escaped lunatics and a monster in the bottomless lake, there is much mystery, adventure, and evil about.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Once I started reading it I couldn't quit and was sorry to see it end. I want to know more about what happened and can't wait for the next installment. However, I think it is not appropriate for the intended audience of the younger persuasion with the underlying theme of cannibalism. Its not for the feint of heart to be sure.
The Lunatic's Curse involves the mystery of the madness and death of the famous inventor Grammaticus. The creepiness level is increased by setting the story at the local lunatic asylum. Murder and mystery abounds through this book as Rex and his new friend Hildred try to discover what's happening. With escaped lunatics and a monster in the bottomless lake, there is much mystery, adventure, and evil about.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Once I started reading it I couldn't quit and was sorry to see it end. I want to know more about what happened and can't wait for the next installment. However, I think it is not appropriate for the intended audience of the younger persuasion with the underlying theme of cannibalism. Its not for the feint of heart to be sure.
March 19, 2013
I really love FE Higgins' books...although there are many solid new entries in the "Dickensian-horror" genre for middle schoolers. Like the Clockwork Three, Splendors and Glooms, Shane Peacock's young Sherlock Holmes and the Last Apprentice series...this book is an atmospheric tale with a few horrors thrown into the mystery-adventure for good measure. Kids who can tolerate unusual characters, some difficult (invented or antiquated) vocabulary and dark plots will love it. As much as I've grown to appreciate this genre, I'm distressed that it has started to enter the market for much younger children. The macabre seems to be the norm, and while I think it's appropriate for middle schoolers, I'm not sure that the sudden deluge of horror books for children is a good thing. As a librarian, I've had to take a measured look at many titles to pick only the best...or else the library would start to take a depressing turn!
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