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Abarat Review

The only criticism this book deserves is that it really leaves you hanging. It's a wonderful book, but you better buy both at once, because it'll be almost impossible for you to wait.
"Abarat" is a very rich, engaging fantasy, written for children but easily enjoyed by most. The protaganist is downtrodden but spunky, smart but not brilliant, curious but not reckless, introspective but interesting, and--this is the best--she's believable. Her reactions to the Abarat are realistic. Ccandy Quackenbush is an excellent leading lady, complex but not confusing. Barker made his heroine well.
The book does start off, not rockily, but ambiguously; if you're not at least a little patient, this book will drive you crazy, especially when it starts jumping between the two major groups of characters--who basically haven't even met each other yet. While "Abarat" ties together marvelously, you can't believe that it will at times.
As well, the writing at the beginning is a little static. While this is to emphasize the drudgery of Candy's life, Barker did it a little too well; however much we like Candy, neither she nor her situation is interesting. Luckily that changes fast--Barker gets the book off the ground as quickly as he can--it's easy to think you aren't really going to like it. Don't let it fool you, though. It might start with a little too much mystery, and a little too much--how shall we say--boringness, and it might end jumping around with not nearly enough resolution as one may like, but these are relatively minor problems. "Abarat" is a good fantasy, and is definitely worth the read.

Abarat Overview

A dazzling fantasy adventure for all ages, the first of a quartet. Abarat: an archipelago of amazement and wonder. A land made up of twenty-five islands, each one representing one hour of the day, each one a unique place of adventure and danger (and one mysterious place out of time), all ruled over by the evil Christopher Carrion, Lord of Midnight, and his monstrous grandmother, Mater Motley. Candy Quackenbush, a 16-year old from Chickentown, Minnesota, crosses by accident from our world into Abarat, and discovers she has been there many, many times before. She has friends there and she has enemies. As Candy makes her journey between all the islands of the archipelago, she will discover a plot by Christopher Carrion to block out the Sun, Moon and stars to achieve a condition of Permanent Midnight. In order to prevent this disaster, Candy must find the courage to confront the Lord of Midnight; and in doing so come to know who she really is: a revelation which will transform her own understanding of her place in the epic events. The first book of Abarat is a spellbinding adventure for all ages, combining the heartstopping tension of a thriller with the powerful charm of the most enduring fable. And beneath all, it possesses the quicksilver imagination of one of the finest writers at work today. The four books of Abarat have been rightly called Clive Barker's Narnia, his Wonderland. A sumptuous treat that will capture the imaginations of adults and children alike.

Abarat Specifications

In Abarat, accomplished novelist and artist Clive Barker turns his considerable talents to creating a rich fantasy world for young adults.

Candy Quackenbush is growing up in Chickentown, Minnesota, yearning for more--which she finds, quite unexpectedly, when a man with eight heads appears from nowhere in the middle of the prairie, being chased by something really monstrous. And so begins Candy's epic adventure to the islands of the Abarat. Peopled by all manner of creatures, cultures, and customs, the islands should prove a fertile setting for the series that Barker is calling The Books of Abarat. Candy is an intelligent and likable heroine, and the many supporting characters are deftly drawn, both in words and in the full-color interior art that Barker has produced to give the story an extra dimension.

Abarat delivers the rich and imaginative storytelling that Barker is known for, with less overt horror or violence than one of his adult novels might include. However, Candy's path isn't an easy one, and young adult readers should appreciate the hard choices she must make along the way. --Roz Genessee

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Customer Reviews

AMAZING PAGE TURNER - The ClosetNERD -
This book is amazing clive barker creativity and imagination is one of a kind this book makes want to keep turning the pages this book also touches the heart i highly recommend this book.

Trippy in a good way - J. Ball - Seattle, WA
Abarat was a pretty legit fantasy book. I mean it would be hard to get any more fantastical than this. The world described was a feast for the imagination that actually made my brain hurt a couple of times. As much as I thought the illustrations were very clever and well-done, I almost wish they hadn't been there so my imagination could have run even more freely. Beyond that, it did seem disjointed at times, but maybe that can be attributed to the fact that I have only read this, book 1. The main girl, Candy Quackenbush, is about as boring as the town she comes from, which makes the story a bit irritating because, of course, I find myself only wanting to read about the more interesting characters (like Christopher Carrion). Near the end of the book, there was no more suspense for me because I was so bored with Candy I didn't really care if she lived or died. But some of the other characters are very interesting and much make up for it.
Overall, slightly crazy but enjoyable.

One of my favorite books! - C. Carow - Seattle, WA
I originally heard this book on CD, and it hooked me immediately. I've read a lot of books in my short life, but this is one that I absolutely LOVE! In fact, it is one of my most favorite books that I have ever read. Though there may be a few minor flaws, the imagination that went into this book and its sequel blew me away. The plot was unique, which may have been what caught my attention. When you've read as much teen fantasy as I have, you start to see the same ideas over and over. This however was completely new. Though I missed the illustrations when I first "read" the book, they greatly add to the story. I would definitely recommend this book, though not everyone may love it as much as I do.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 31, 2010 16:27:04

Children's Books

Tuesday, August 31, 2010