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bookbrunette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
leighanneslit's review against another edition
5.0
So in the third installment of the Abarat series, the action is really starting to pick up. The third book almost ends where the other left off, and the Abarat in is turmoil, thanks to Mater Motley and her impending Absolute Midnight.
I would talk more about the plot of the book, but I can't really do that without giving things away, and I don't want to do that because I WANT YOU TO READ IT. I want you to read this entire series.
I will say that we see even more in character development in this book for Candy and with other characters, and there are a few heart wrenching moments and a few that will make your skin crawl a little, but that's Mr. Barker for you. I liked the pace that we went at, there was never a dull moment.
But the best part of this book: THE ILLUSTRATIONS. Oh my gosh. Barker did a lot of paintings to go along with this book. Some are just random scenery, some are of the characters in the book, or some of the fantastic creatures that live in the Abarat. I really wish that I had read the illustrated versions of the previous two novels. There is SO MUCH imagery in these books that to have the painting go along with the words really adds to the story. Some of the creatures are hard to visualize, or when you do visualize them they're not as horrifying as some of the painting make them out to be and I LOVED IT.
I also loved that at the beginnings of some of the parts of the book, there were little poems that were accompanied with an illustration and the poems were usually written by someone from the book and I thought that was a really nice touch. I took pictures of those and ended up flooding Tumblr and Twitter because I love them so much. Hence, the picture you see above.
Overall, I loved this book, it was my favorite in the series and I wish I could talk more about the plot, but like I said I don't want to give anything away, but you can read my reviews for Abarat and Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War and the synopsis on Goodreads for this book and decide for yourself if you would like to read it, but YOU REALLY SHOULD. 5 out of 5 stars.
I would talk more about the plot of the book, but I can't really do that without giving things away, and I don't want to do that because I WANT YOU TO READ IT. I want you to read this entire series.
I will say that we see even more in character development in this book for Candy and with other characters, and there are a few heart wrenching moments and a few that will make your skin crawl a little, but that's Mr. Barker for you. I liked the pace that we went at, there was never a dull moment.
But the best part of this book: THE ILLUSTRATIONS. Oh my gosh. Barker did a lot of paintings to go along with this book. Some are just random scenery, some are of the characters in the book, or some of the fantastic creatures that live in the Abarat. I really wish that I had read the illustrated versions of the previous two novels. There is SO MUCH imagery in these books that to have the painting go along with the words really adds to the story. Some of the creatures are hard to visualize, or when you do visualize them they're not as horrifying as some of the painting make them out to be and I LOVED IT.
I also loved that at the beginnings of some of the parts of the book, there were little poems that were accompanied with an illustration and the poems were usually written by someone from the book and I thought that was a really nice touch. I took pictures of those and ended up flooding Tumblr and Twitter because I love them so much. Hence, the picture you see above.
Overall, I loved this book, it was my favorite in the series and I wish I could talk more about the plot, but like I said I don't want to give anything away, but you can read my reviews for Abarat and Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War and the synopsis on Goodreads for this book and decide for yourself if you would like to read it, but YOU REALLY SHOULD. 5 out of 5 stars.
daverate's review
1.0
After reading the first book I thought this series was going to be an acquired taste. Turns out that it wasn't.
myweereads's review
5.0
“Hopelessness is reasonable. But nothing of worth in my life came of reason. Not my love, not my art, not my heaven. So I am hopeful..”
Absolute Darkness by Clive Barker is the third volume in the series of The Abarat story and it takes us through the devastating destruction that is being planned by Mater Motely. She wants to envelope Abarat in complete darkness getting rid of the sun, moon and stars. She starts the end of the world and the only obstacle in her way is Candy Quackenbush, the heroine from Chickentown, USA.
This has to be the darkest of the three books. Abarat is a magical world which brings fantasy and horrors to reality and both scares and pleases the reader. Barker has managed to bring about the end of this world for all the residents and the hereafter in a very visceral way. You are left surprised at the development of the characters and don’t expect it to be such an emotional war.
Mater Motely unveils even more evil upon everybody and her past is revealed. Candy is persistent in protecting her friends even though it means the end for her too. Barker excels the relationships between characters through his expressive way of writing and illustrations. The undoing of this diverse world is written in a disturbing, imaginative, unsettling, magical and horrific manner.
The journey the reader takes from the first book to the second is one which is beautiful and fun but when you get to Absolute Midnight like the title suggests the tone of it is a lot darker and disturbing. It’s sad to see adventures coming to an end and I never want this story to come to a stop and need a fourth book 😩
As a famous Carrion once said “ I am hopeful..” 😉
Absolute Darkness by Clive Barker is the third volume in the series of The Abarat story and it takes us through the devastating destruction that is being planned by Mater Motely. She wants to envelope Abarat in complete darkness getting rid of the sun, moon and stars. She starts the end of the world and the only obstacle in her way is Candy Quackenbush, the heroine from Chickentown, USA.
This has to be the darkest of the three books. Abarat is a magical world which brings fantasy and horrors to reality and both scares and pleases the reader. Barker has managed to bring about the end of this world for all the residents and the hereafter in a very visceral way. You are left surprised at the development of the characters and don’t expect it to be such an emotional war.
Mater Motely unveils even more evil upon everybody and her past is revealed. Candy is persistent in protecting her friends even though it means the end for her too. Barker excels the relationships between characters through his expressive way of writing and illustrations. The undoing of this diverse world is written in a disturbing, imaginative, unsettling, magical and horrific manner.
The journey the reader takes from the first book to the second is one which is beautiful and fun but when you get to Absolute Midnight like the title suggests the tone of it is a lot darker and disturbing. It’s sad to see adventures coming to an end and I never want this story to come to a stop and need a fourth book 😩
As a famous Carrion once said “ I am hopeful..” 😉
eclairedelune's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
saramasonjar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
avsdhpn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
asylumteaparty's review
4.0
This fantasy book takes place in a fascinating world where every hour has its own island. The main character is from our world, but has ended up in Abarat, a world where magic is very real. The book is exciting and keeps you listening to the very end. I can't wait to read the ending of this series.
roklobster's review
4.0
Well Midnight comes and it's a doozy. Somewhat darker than I was anticipating for a kids book, but the niblet rolled with it well. An interesting story and I'm game for the next books.
Sort of hope the story tightens up a little - there's a a lot of rambles and perhaps more talk than needed. But perhaps I am just aware that the love talk bores my audience. ;)
Sort of hope the story tightens up a little - there's a a lot of rambles and perhaps more talk than needed. But perhaps I am just aware that the love talk bores my audience. ;)
talyahonor23's review
2.0
This book was a HUGE disappointment!! I am not a fan of Baker's horror, prefer his Young Adult books as they are less gruesome and devoid of necrophilia and such. So, i got into the Abarat series...the first 2 were amazing so of course i was so so keen for the 3rd. What a let down. There was hardly a story line and the characters seem to lose their steam half way through the book. It was like Pirates of the Caribbean 3....too many story lines, none linking up well or fully forming. I am very sad about this outcome, spec when it took him about 4 years to get the next book out...maybe he should spend less time on everything else and just focus on one thing at a time.