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A review by tits_mcgee
Cabal by Clive Barker
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A fun read that combines dark folkloric fantasy with sadistic shock horror and slasher elements to create something wholly unique.
This book hit the spot. I was in the mood for weird horror and weird is exactly what this is. From the world building to the character writing, everything felt creepy and otherworldly, adding a gothic atmosphere to an action heavy, plot focussed romp. I'm not a plot person usually, but when a plotty book contains writing like this "wings buttered with death" and "swallowing the bullets like vitamin pills" I become fully engaged.
The descriptions of the Nightbreed and their home Midian are delightfully hellish, and my only complaint is that I would have liked to see this explored more and turned up a notch. Barker is clearly a fan of brevity, which I don't object to usually but a part of me just wants to gorge on hundreds of pages of Midian world building; I feel my imagination did half of the work when it came to immersing myself in those dusty dank hallways.
Barker has tickled my fancy with his unique style, I can't wait to read more. I can tell he's going to be an author I will hold in high regard.
8/10
This book hit the spot. I was in the mood for weird horror and weird is exactly what this is. From the world building to the character writing, everything felt creepy and otherworldly, adding a gothic atmosphere to an action heavy, plot focussed romp. I'm not a plot person usually, but when a plotty book contains writing like this "wings buttered with death" and "swallowing the bullets like vitamin pills" I become fully engaged.
The descriptions of the Nightbreed and their home Midian are delightfully hellish, and my only complaint is that I would have liked to see this explored more and turned up a notch. Barker is clearly a fan of brevity, which I don't object to usually but a part of me just wants to gorge on hundreds of pages of Midian world building; I feel my imagination did half of the work when it came to immersing myself in those dusty dank hallways.
Barker has tickled my fancy with his unique style, I can't wait to read more. I can tell he's going to be an author I will hold in high regard.
8/10