I always tell my students that if Clive Barker weren't so talented, he would be eating people for a living. Though this is a young adult novel, it still has elements of the macabre. Occasionally Barker becomes enthralled by his own imagery, but overall, the plot moves quickly, and you really care about what happens to Candy and what will become of our world once the fate of the Abarat has been decided. I was eager to start book two and have not been disappointed with what I've read so far-about

I have found that there are certain things one can expect when reading a Clive Barker novel. Mr. Barker is not only an author, but an artist as well and he brings this artistic eye to his writings. His descriptions of scenes and characters are designed to create an artists’ picture in the readers mind. I have found this to be especially true in his Young Adult novel Abarat: The First Book Of Hours. Mr. Barker’s best skill is the visuals his writings create. He is able to breathe life into the cr...

I think you have to want it to happen to you to open your mouth wide enough to swallow another land of magic, the best friends you'll ever have in your life, maybe you're more special than you realized and the funny feeling there's a movie of you going on is real (um, other people do do that, right?). All the eyes are on you and it's the nightmare that you're naked on the first day of... Oops. It's delicious fear feeling. You're naked and it's the first day of class! Open wiiiiiiiide. But you WA...

**** October 25, 2018...... Rereading a Third time, this time listening to the audiobook****This is the second time I've read this fascinating, imaginative adventure story. It is intensely creative, with characters and a world only the mind of Clive Barker could conjure up.If you'd like to take a journey through an extraordinary world with the bizarre and freakishly curious things that live in it, then this is definitely the book for you.Like Night and Day, this story has a bit of an odd, distur...

At the time I am writing this review, I am in the 1% of those who have given Abarat a 1 out of 5. So, yes, it is safe to say that I am in the minority on this one. This book so wanted to be Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz, and the Chronicles of Narnia all in one amazing package. Maybe throw in a little Harry Potter for good measure. Unfortunately, I believe the author became so engrossed in creating his world (which is "meh" at best) that he forgot the necessity of plot and characterizatio...

This review is weird to write, because I liked this book. Really, I did! In fact, I shelved it with my "semi-favorites" - I enjoyed it that much. But then I thought about it, and realized that it's glittery, trippy exterior had masked its faults, and that Abarat is worse than it seems.Here's why I liked Abarat: Abarat is not a book. It's an experience.The whole thing is exquisitely bizarre and beautifully grotesque; populated by an odd cast of characters ranging from John Mischief (whose 7 broth...

One of these books that stay in mind because they are so uniquely written and perfectly master the genre-mix.It´s a funny trip trough different elements of horror, sci-fi and fantasy from a multitalented writer, director and painter. This man helped the evolution of the horror movie and created memes and tropes for generations and writes unbelievable books like this too. It´s such a rare occasion, because screenwriting and writing novels may be similar, but directing and writing novels is a real...

This is an excellent book. That doesn't mean you should take it as a life model.

This wonderful, magical book just secured itself a spot in my favourite fantasy books EVER. With this book Barker shows that he can do young adult fantasy just as well as he does horror and it’s just absolutely PHENOMENAL. He blends together such a spectacular mix of dark fantasy with just a dash of horror and the result is just mind blowing. The world Barker has created in this book is just so unique, I’ve never read anything like it and I doubt I ever will again! Not only is the setting unlike...

I was never a fan of Clive Barker's. In fact, I find most of his movies laughably bad. So when my uncle gave me this book for Christmas and I saw Barker's name written across the top, I am sure my uncle received a very strange and questioning glare from me.But then he explained to me why he bought it. We are both artists, and the book is based upon a series of paintings that Barker spent 6 years creating. My uncle had read the book and wanted to share it with me.Boy am I glad he did!While the fi...

I liked the idea of Abarat but after listening to the audiobook, I have to say it wasn't for me. Glad I read it though. Probably won't continue on with the series

I had decided, prior to my reading of even the first page, that I was going to give this book an entire star purely for the illustrations, which I briefly skimmed beforehand. As such, my score breaks down as follows: 4 stars for the wonderful story, writing, and characters.1 star for the gorgeous and enchanting artwork. Anyway...My very first Barker book! A marvelous novel, one that starts what is assuredly to be a fantastic series.I really liked this book. I almost find it hard to believe tha...

Upon rereading this teenaged favorite, present me enjoyed this less. A lot of the mystery in this first book is revealed in the third, so knowing the secrets made this read less exciting. Remembering correctly, teenager-me loved guessing at who Candy would fall in love with, which has never been the point of this book, really, but that's where a lot of my past excitement came from. I have loved the sequel to this book more than this one in the past, so I'm interested to see if that is still so!

Look, i gave Lord of the rings series 5stars ok? As a horror/fantasy book lover i barely give books 5 stars. But this book was so good i can’t even describe it. It felt like Clive Barker was on drugs while writing this book. I suggest it to everyone i like, and i’m definitely gonna continue reading the next two volumes.

OKAY.HOLY-OKAY.GAHHH I CAN'T NEVER MIND.I NEED DAYS OF MAGIC, NIGHTS OF WAR LIKE FIVE YEARS AGO.I will go purchase that RIGHT THE FLIP NOW. YOU CAN'T STOP MEEEE.

Epic fail for Mr. Barker. Here is a review I wrote in 2006:"And now, let's hop alltogether to our third heroine of the day, Candy Quackenbush. If we should hop on top of the book she enacts in, I wouldn't care less.This might come as a surprise, at least to me it was, but the new Clive Barker book was not good. What a big dissapointment from my favourite fairy-teller. Abarat by Clive Barker adds up many weaknesses of a bad written book and I will put them here in a few words.*Few things happen i...

I read this book some time ago, so my memory of it is fading, but the thing I remember the most about it is that it failed to ever develop a plot that drew me in and held me there. I love the illustrations, and some other details about Abarat, but the admittedly whimsical descriptions of this foreign land were not enough to fill 500 pages. I even read the second book but I was so unimpressed that I don't remember anything about it. Still, three stars for the awesome illustrations and imaginative...

Oh Abarat Recommended to me by my Dad who is a HUGE Clive Barker fanI read Weaveworld and I found that was very heavy going and the imagination was so vast. I thought this would be the same Oh no no no. Pure and brilliant fantasy world that you can really sink your teeth into. So many adventures to be had and so much to see. I was fully immersed in this story and enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. I am intrigued to see what happens with Candy in the next one

This is one of those books that I adored in a way that I can't really describe. I'm sorry, I just can't. It was amazing in ways that I can't tell you.If you like fantasy or science fiction or horror or anything along that particular slant, read. this. book.If you're going to BUY Abarat, be sure you pay a little extra and get the version with the full color illustrations throughout. It would NOT be the same without them.

I remembered reading Clive Barker’s classic story, “Abarat” years ago when I was in high school and I remembered really enjoying the story when I first read it. Now, I have taken the time to re-read this book again and lo and behold, I love it just as much now as I did years ago! “Abarat” is clearly a truly creative and exciting for fans of Clive Barker’s novels and exploring surreal fantasy worlds!Candy Quackenbush was just a normal girl who lived in a boring town called Chickentown, where ever...