A review by craftysnailtail
Abarat by Clive Barker

adventurous dark mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Funny enough, I had no idea who Barker was before I read this eons ago. The cover caught my attention at the library and that was it- I read it and fell in love. My partner gifted me the set with the original art and that's really the best way to read it. His art is amazing and added so much to the experience. 

This book is Alice in Wonderland meets Neverwhere and I adore it. Barker's world building is so trippy and fantastical that sometimes the plot seems to be completely lost in the oddities of his world, but not in a bad way. I REALLY hope he eventually finishes this series, but even if he doesn't, I'll continue to recommend them. There is a horror sort of undercurrent to them, but nothing like his adult works. I scare very easily, but this is more... disconcerting with mildly disturbing elements every once in a while. If the rest of the trippy fantasy vibes seem like your type of book, then definitely give it a try! It's truly in a class of its own.
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