I love Abarat! it also make me wonder why this book is not famous. I found this book in my town public library. The world Clive's describing is just so awesome, with the painting illustrations, I got lost inside. People, please read Abarat!
You are the only person I have found that has even reviewed this book on UA-cam. I reread it a third time past few days and still loved it. I originally read it in 2003 and have often cited it over the years as my favorite book and that is coming from someone who read a lot of books. Something about the first act of the book always arrested me completely. The images of Candy leaving school and walking to the edge of the street and off into a field of grass to find a lighthouse was so magical even before anything really gets going. Anyways, cheers.
Woah, this books sounds like such a jewel.The illustration in this look incredible. I love how you are able to discuss books without giving too much away. I've added this to my tbr :)
Thank you for the review, I felll into this threw the hell raiser series/Clive Barker and I’m glad I did. I started listening to the audiobook but I have to admit that the visuals were hard to grasp. I believe the visual aid Will greatly increase the fun. I’ve only got into this the first 10 minutes then I wanted to see the reviews because again the mental imagery was kind of hard to wrap my mind around.It reminds me of a dungeons and dragons meet Allison Wonderland. I could be wrong in that as I am very new to this. Again thank you for your review I wish you all the luck
Oh I think Clive has pretty much let it go quietly. The series started in 2002 and there are only three of the five books written in 18 years. That’s a problem. He’s lost the whole generation that started the series, they’re all twenty years older now.
I've always loved aborat. I own it now but I haven't read it since I was a child. I didn't even know till recently that there are more books of that series.
Hello, great video! I just discovered this book (which I am currently in the middle of) in the best way. See, I am one of the only people in the world it seems who hasn't installed Pokemon Go onto my phone yet. But my friends have you see, and they live right next to the city library. So one midnight while we were all drunk we went to this library and there happened to be a box of free books outside of it's front door. My friend found all three of the core D&D 4th edition books and I saw this damn Abarat book. Seeing as how it was Clive Barker, who I was only familiar with from Hellraiser (a movie I was probably too young to see when I did). Intrigued, I grabbed it, and even though it's the non-illustrated version, I am very happy with the book so far. So just, thank you Pokemon Go, I guess. But again, great video. Glad to hear that the first two books are where it's at (at least until the 4th and 5th ones come out). When I get to the second one, I will absolutely get the illustrated edition. :)
Yaaaaaay! I will! Now, that being said, a couple of other points. Firstly, I love fantasy books like Abarat because they have very non-traditional fantasy settings. With something like Abarat, I think the term 'island fantasy' kinda works. Other things that are kinda like island fantasy include stuff like One Piece and... Um, I don't know any more than this one. Whatever, it's awesome, I love Abarat. Secondly, I did some research on the book before beginning it and saw a lot of comments stating disappointment with Candy as a protagonist. Something about how she is a 'flat' character or otherwise doesn't have a reason to be doing what she's doing. You're one of the only people I've seen so far who has really praised her. Personally, I am okay with a hero being a bit of a goody two-shoes in crazy worlds like this as it gives us, oh, not necessarily a moral anchor but rather an 'ethical compass' for the reader to wonder how they would act in this situation. But maybe I'm reading too much into it? :/
I don't think you're reading too much into it :) Books are what we make them. I think it would be hard for any protagonist to compete with the world and characters of the Abarat. So maybe we think Candy is flat because of the backdrop of her story. But I always thought she was just a good person who didn't have the easiest time of things but always managed to know what the right thing to do was, and then actually did it. I, too, don't mind a goody-two-shoes every once in a while. I really do like Candy :)
I got the illustrated version a few years after originally reading the first Abarat and it was a fun/weird experience to see how he depicted the characters I was imagining based on his descriptions.
does anyone have any news about books 4 and 5? the anticipation is killing me! i hope clive barker will manage to finish this series before his health declines even more :/
Abarat is a fantastic book! Stumbled upon a pack of cassettes on sale at a public library. Got it for the weird art on the box cover - and loved every minute of it! Astonishing imagination! Clive Barker is sooooo weird - the world he created is just like no other. No longer live in the US, though, looking forward to getting hold of the second book of the series. Great thanks, Amanda, for an overview. Really good seeing other fans of this incredible book. Best of everything to you!
You can't go wrong with clive barker from imajica to everville (my favourite) abarat is underestimated and I'm trying to get my niece to read it . Great review aswell. Mine doesn't have any pictures though :(.
It's actually a shame that the book hasn't been discussed much more, because it's definitely one of the most beautiful and interesting books I've ever read. I started with the German paperback version without many pictures and loved it so much that I bought all the English-language hardcover versions, which, as explained here, have great illustrations and enrich the story so much. Thanks for the only review of the book I found.
I'm really into this book 😊❤️ I love all Barker's book anyway, but this one is absolutely different to the others I've read 🥰 I'm in love with Abarat Islands, with all the story. I also have the 2nd part so that after these few pages I have to finish, I'll starnd the 2nd 😁😁😁
I got hooked on Clive Barker when I read Weaveworld when I was about 18 and it blew me away. Then The Great And Secret Show. Just A note that He Painted the pictures before writing the books. All 3 are great books. Christopher Carrion Is so Dark.
The third book is great also. Not sure what you were trying to say there and I feel it may send the wrong message to potential readers. We should pray that Clive Barker will complete the series just the way he wants to. Because that's just the way he started it.
I LOVE Abarat so much, thank you for featuring!! It's a world with so many hidden little facets and secrets that's so fully thought out. Also! I'm sure you know this but your viewers might like to know that the cover title reads ABARAT even if you flip the book upside down! Which is fitting for such an upside down world.
That is so true! I thought of mentioning the title, but it must have slipped my mind. That's one of the extra special things about it my friend used to get me to read it in the first place :)
From what I remember, the pacing was really off, the characters didn't feel like themselves and, overall, it felt like a book from a completely different series.
I've been trying to get people to read this book for years!! Thanks for bringing it up!! (even though this comment is 2 years late...) Also.... Can we just cry a bit because we're STILL waiting for #4. Even if you're turned off from the 3rd one... Legit supposed to come out 5 years ago
I love this book and am so glad to see someone talk about it on booktube! I'm definitely going to reread it soon as I can't remember the plot at all but the images have stuck with me for a long time. I haven't read the third one yet as I wanted an illustrated version but haven't been able to find one for a reasonable price but if what you say is true I may not pick it up. I guess I'll have to see how the reread goes. Thanks for talking about this awesome book!
Thank you so much for talking about this series!! I love Clive Barker is one of my favourite writers. Have your read Imajica or Weaveworld yet? If not, I cannot recommend them highly enough, especially if you love Abarat. He also has a middle grade book called The Thief of Always which is absolutely amazing!!! Great video though hun, my partner and I enjoyed it a lot.m and again thanks for shinning some light on this gem 😊 Randall and Greg
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!! I've not read anything else by Barker because I'm not used to horror and am not sure if it will be too scary/gruesome for me... :)
I just love this book. It inspired me greatly and I still use it as an inspiration source for my art. Second book was fine too, and it ended on a very dramatic and logical note. It's sad to hear that third book is not that good. Maybe it's necessary to add that this book is not a typical teenager book, where every drama is a "diet" drama with no real problems. Abarat is quite dark in some parts and Candy's disfunctional family is truly disfunctional. Thanks for thr review.
You're absolutely right. I totally forgot to speak about the horror elements of the world of Abarat and the serious nature of her life in the "real world." :)
I like your cover better then mine. Haha I have one and two on my shelf already because my big order this winter was at the start of our friendship i asked what you thought I needed and that's what you've told me. Number one is on hold but I'm still loving it each time i pick it up. I just keep getting side tracked. I need to stop that.
I was wondering about you and Abarat! I remember you asking for the main book I'd recommend to you. Perhaps we'll pick it up together later this year :)
Hi Amanda! im really new to this bbooktube thing and i was just typing 'abarat' in the search box since i never see/hear people really talk about it. I, myself is not a huge fan of fantasy/YA book, i prefer classic. But abarat is definitely one -if not only- of my favorite YA/fantasy book. Now that ive heard you talk bout abarat so passionately, i feel like i need to re-read this book. Thanks for reminding me how great it is! ♥
I’ve been watching your channel for the last year and just found this review, love this! Abarat was one of my favorite series when I was younger but I never read book 3 for some reason and have always wondered about it (which is why I decided to look up book reviews for abarat 10 years after reading it). Thanks for putting my mind at ease that I didn’t miss out on anything! ❤️❤️
So glad you've been enjoying the channel :) I plan on rereading the rest of the Abarat series next year, so you may see some updates on my Abarat feelings in the future :)
Sounds like a really fun adventure. Will have to add it to my list. Also, I must say, hearing you close your videos out with "continue to be lovely" actually makes me feel like I am lovely. I look forward to it at the end of each video. Cheers me up, even on days when I don't necessarily need cheering.
I have this book and the second one on my TBR, I bought them at a library sale. Great to hear a good review of the books :). I didn't know there was a third book, but now I know I don't necessarily need to bother.
See what you think of the first two and then decide on the third. If you're in love with the world like I am, you may be tempted. But it's definitely not up to par with what came before :)
This sounds wonderful, I'll be getting this really really soon! I just have to figure out which ones are illustrated! Are the illustrations in black and white?
They are all color illustrations! I think you'll be safe picking up a trade paperback version of Abarat. I think it's just the mass markets that aren't illustrated (maybe) :)
You can look at the book dimensions (normally included in the book's details). If you're buying used from a third party seller, you can send them a message before the book ships asking if their copy is illustrated. I didn't realize it would be so hard to make sure your edition is illustrated!!
Clive was at deaths door a few years ago which explains why it's taking him so long. Check some online vids of him that shows him painting the pictures for Abarat. They're huge!
otto houlihan well, Barker is also notorious for not finishing series. He started The Art series (The great and secret show & Everville) in freakin 1987 and still hasn’t written the third book he promised. Galilee, written in 1998, was supposed to have a follow up sequel that never happened. Even without the health issues, Clive isn’t very ... consumer focused, let’s say ... with his creativity, which is to be respected AND is also irritating for his fans.
I love Abarat! it also make me wonder why this book is not famous. I found this book in my town public library. The world Clive's describing is just so awesome, with the painting illustrations, I got lost inside. People, please read Abarat!
It certainly is worth reading :)
Kristina Tobing me too. I found that book on my town public library and that's book amazing
It says it's a New York best selling series
I did too! I was so taken back by it
You are the only person I have found that has even reviewed this book on UA-cam. I reread it a third time past few days and still loved it. I originally read it in 2003 and have often cited it over the years as my favorite book and that is coming from someone who read a lot of books. Something about the first act of the book always arrested me completely. The images of Candy leaving school and walking to the edge of the street and off into a field of grass to find a lighthouse was so magical even before anything really gets going. Anyways, cheers.
จอห์นและคลื่นทะเลคือผู้นำพา
Straight up!
Woah, this books sounds like such a jewel.The illustration in this look incredible. I love how you are able to discuss books without giving too much away. I've added this to my tbr :)
Wonderful!! Thank you for your kind words :)
Thank you for the review, I felll into this threw the hell raiser series/Clive Barker and I’m glad I did. I started listening to the audiobook but I have to admit that the visuals were hard to grasp. I believe the visual aid Will greatly increase the fun. I’ve only got into this the first 10 minutes then I wanted to see the reviews because again the mental imagery was kind of hard to wrap my mind around.It reminds me of a dungeons and dragons meet Allison Wonderland. I could be wrong in that as I am very new to this. Again thank you for your review I wish you all the luck
Oh I think Clive has pretty much let it go quietly. The series started in 2002 and there are only three of the five books written in 18 years. That’s a problem. He’s lost the whole generation that started the series, they’re all twenty years older now.
I think Disney is still sitting on the Movie rights for these books. Let's hope they do it justice...and don't just hand it to Tim Burton.
Guillermo Del Toro could do adaptation
Abarat goes up there with Narnia and Alice in Wonderland. It is a timeless fantasy masterpiece and a classic
I've always loved aborat. I own it now but I haven't read it since I was a child. I didn't even know till recently that there are more books of that series.
I read this book years ago and adored it. I think it's time for a reread!
I agree completely!! :)
Candy comes from the Abarat. Read all 3.
Hello, great video!
I just discovered this book (which I am currently in the middle of) in the best way. See, I am one of the only people in the world it seems who hasn't installed Pokemon Go onto my phone yet. But my friends have you see, and they live right next to the city library. So one midnight while we were all drunk we went to this library and there happened to be a box of free books outside of it's front door. My friend found all three of the core D&D 4th edition books and I saw this damn Abarat book. Seeing as how it was Clive Barker, who I was only familiar with from Hellraiser (a movie I was probably too young to see when I did). Intrigued, I grabbed it, and even though it's the non-illustrated version, I am very happy with the book so far. So just, thank you Pokemon Go, I guess.
But again, great video. Glad to hear that the first two books are where it's at (at least until the 4th and 5th ones come out). When I get to the second one, I will absolutely get the illustrated edition. :)
Thank you Pokemon Go, indeed!! I hope you enjoy the rest of Abarat and find an illustrated edition of the sequel :)
Yaaaaaay! I will!
Now, that being said, a couple of other points.
Firstly, I love fantasy books like Abarat because they have very non-traditional fantasy settings. With something like Abarat, I think the term 'island fantasy' kinda works. Other things that are kinda like island fantasy include stuff like One Piece and... Um, I don't know any more than this one. Whatever, it's awesome, I love Abarat.
Secondly, I did some research on the book before beginning it and saw a lot of comments stating disappointment with Candy as a protagonist. Something about how she is a 'flat' character or otherwise doesn't have a reason to be doing what she's doing. You're one of the only people I've seen so far who has really praised her. Personally, I am okay with a hero being a bit of a goody two-shoes in crazy worlds like this as it gives us, oh, not necessarily a moral anchor but rather an 'ethical compass' for the reader to wonder how they would act in this situation.
But maybe I'm reading too much into it? :/
I don't think you're reading too much into it :) Books are what we make them. I think it would be hard for any protagonist to compete with the world and characters of the Abarat. So maybe we think Candy is flat because of the backdrop of her story. But I always thought she was just a good person who didn't have the easiest time of things but always managed to know what the right thing to do was, and then actually did it. I, too, don't mind a goody-two-shoes every once in a while. I really do like Candy :)
Yay! I like her too. :)
I love Clive Barker....
Love this series and I can’t wait for the 4th book
Will he make the 4th book? :0
Yendi Aditian Putra I hope so it’s one of my favourite series of books.
You are beautiful. Thanks for the review. Hellraiser for life.
I got the illustrated version a few years after originally reading the first Abarat and it was a fun/weird experience to see how he depicted the characters I was imagining based on his descriptions.
does anyone have any news about books 4 and 5? the anticipation is killing me! i hope clive barker will manage to finish this series before his health declines even more :/
Clive apparently has the fourth book finished with its paintings. It just needs to be typed, while the fifth book is half way finished.
Abarat is a fantastic book! Stumbled upon a pack of cassettes on sale at a public library. Got it for the weird art on the box cover - and loved every minute of it! Astonishing imagination! Clive Barker is sooooo weird - the world he created is just like no other. No longer live in the US, though, looking forward to getting hold of the second book of the series.
Great thanks, Amanda, for an overview. Really good seeing other fans of this incredible book. Best of everything to you!
You can't go wrong with clive barker from imajica to everville (my favourite) abarat is underestimated and I'm trying to get my niece to read it . Great review aswell. Mine doesn't have any pictures though :(.
It's actually a shame that the book hasn't been discussed much more, because it's definitely one of the most beautiful and interesting books I've ever read.
I started with the German paperback version without many pictures and loved it so much that I bought all the English-language hardcover versions, which, as explained here, have great illustrations and enrich the story so much.
Thanks for the only review of the book I found.
I'm really into this book 😊❤️
I love all Barker's book anyway, but this one is absolutely different to the others I've read 🥰 I'm in love with Abarat Islands, with all the story. I also have the 2nd part so that after these few pages I have to finish, I'll starnd the 2nd 😁😁😁
I LOVE ABARAT!!!
Although it definitely fell of with Absolute Midnight.......
Hello Amanda, Great video, I love Abarat, I just started reading Absolute Midnight, I'm 68 Pages in and loving it so far, Cheers from Tasmania
I got hooked on Clive Barker when I read Weaveworld when I was about 18 and it blew me away. Then The Great And Secret Show.
Just A note that He Painted the pictures before writing the books. All 3 are great books. Christopher Carrion Is so Dark.
I was so into this when I found it in 8th grade , shame it didn’t take off
The third book is great also. Not sure what you were trying to say there and I feel it may send the wrong message to potential readers. We should pray that Clive Barker will complete the series just the way he wants to. Because that's just the way he started it.
He fucked up the 3rd book
Loved these books as a kid, should reread it :)
ผมเคยมีและอ่านจนจบชอบทุกเกาะ25ชม.
มันหายไปเพราะเพื่อนยืมไปไม่คืนและโปสเตอร์เหลือแต่เพียงความทรงจำที่ชัดเจน
25 islands??? A lighthouse in the middle of the U.S.??? Sounds interesting.
It's awesome!
I read abarat 2 maybe in 2015
I LOVE Abarat so much, thank you for featuring!! It's a world with so many hidden little facets and secrets that's so fully thought out. Also! I'm sure you know this but your viewers might like to know that the cover title reads ABARAT even if you flip the book upside down! Which is fitting for such an upside down world.
That is so true! I thought of mentioning the title, but it must have slipped my mind. That's one of the extra special things about it my friend used to get me to read it in the first place :)
+Amanda Center (IntrovertX) What a cool friend forcing you to read good books!
Totally didn't read your username when I wrote that first comment :P Hiya, friend!!
+Amanda Center (IntrovertX) Hiya!! I'm like a secret agent creeping on your channel don't mind me!
You got it, Serena Cocheque!!
I love it so much
Aqui é Brasil. Vou ler Abarat agora. Você me convenceu. Beijos
Pena que as continuações não sairam no Brasil
Whats wrong with abarat 3? I'm going to buy it at online shop
From what I remember, the pacing was really off, the characters didn't feel like themselves and, overall, it felt like a book from a completely different series.
I've been trying to get people to read this book for years!! Thanks for bringing it up!! (even though this comment is 2 years late...)
Also.... Can we just cry a bit because we're STILL waiting for #4. Even if you're turned off from the 3rd one...
Legit supposed to come out 5 years ago
Cry we shall!! It's so disappointing when a series takes forever to conclude/continue :/
I love this book and am so glad to see someone talk about it on booktube! I'm definitely going to reread it soon as I can't remember the plot at all but the images have stuck with me for a long time. I haven't read the third one yet as I wanted an illustrated version but haven't been able to find one for a reasonable price but if what you say is true I may not pick it up. I guess I'll have to see how the reread goes. Thanks for talking about this awesome book!
My absolute pleasure! I hope you enjoy your rereading :)
Have you re-read absolute midnight yet?
I still haven't!! I need to reread the second book, too... better get on that :/
@@AmandaQuotidianBooks hahaha watching this vid makes me want to re-read those books too.
Thank you so much for talking about this series!! I love Clive Barker is one of my favourite writers. Have your read Imajica or Weaveworld yet? If not, I cannot recommend them highly enough, especially if you love Abarat. He also has a middle grade book called The Thief of Always which is absolutely amazing!!! Great video though hun, my partner and I enjoyed it a lot.m and again thanks for shinning some light on this gem 😊
Randall and Greg
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!! I've not read anything else by Barker because I'm not used to horror and am not sure if it will be too scary/gruesome for me... :)
I just love this book. It inspired me greatly and I still use it as an inspiration source for my art. Second book was fine too, and it ended on a very dramatic and logical note. It's sad to hear that third book is not that good.
Maybe it's necessary to add that this book is not a typical teenager book, where every drama is a "diet" drama with no real problems. Abarat is quite dark in some parts and Candy's disfunctional family is truly disfunctional.
Thanks for thr review.
You're absolutely right. I totally forgot to speak about the horror elements of the world of Abarat and the serious nature of her life in the "real world." :)
Ooh, I'm reading his short stories Books of Blood right now and really like it. I'm into the horror stuffs but this sounds great :) great review
Abarat is very different from his other works, from what I know. I've been too chicken to pick up his adult novels :)
Though there are horror elements to the creatures and world of the Abarat, so it might be right up your alley!!
I like your cover better then mine. Haha I have one and two on my shelf already because my big order this winter was at the start of our friendship i asked what you thought I needed and that's what you've told me. Number one is on hold but I'm still loving it each time i pick it up. I just keep getting side tracked. I need to stop that.
I was wondering about you and Abarat! I remember you asking for the main book I'd recommend to you. Perhaps we'll pick it up together later this year :)
Oo. Yes I mean we both share so many on our tbr why not just buddy read party it up!
Why not!? :D
I am LOVING this week of reviews by you!
Thank you so much for doing these!!!
I'm so glad :D You're very welcome!!
I love the illustrations! Another book to add to my tbr! (And I still need to read Skullduggery Pleasant...!)
Both I believe are very much worth your time :D
Amanda Center Now currently reading Skullduggery, and Abarat is on the "to buy" list :)
:D
Hi Amanda!
im really new to this bbooktube thing and i was just typing 'abarat' in the search box since i never see/hear people really talk about it. I, myself is not a huge fan of fantasy/YA book, i prefer classic. But abarat is definitely one -if not only- of my favorite YA/fantasy book.
Now that ive heard you talk bout abarat so passionately, i feel like i need to re-read this book.
Thanks for reminding me how great it is! ♥
I'm so glad you enjoyed my review, Jessica! May BookTube continue to treat you well :)
I’ve been watching your channel for the last year and just found this review, love this! Abarat was one of my favorite series when I was younger but I never read book 3 for some reason and have always wondered about it (which is why I decided to look up book reviews for abarat 10 years after reading it). Thanks for putting my mind at ease that I didn’t miss out on anything! ❤️❤️
So glad you've been enjoying the channel :) I plan on rereading the rest of the Abarat series next year, so you may see some updates on my Abarat feelings in the future :)
Sounds like a really fun adventure. Will have to add it to my list. Also, I must say, hearing you close your videos out with "continue to be lovely" actually makes me feel like I am lovely. I look forward to it at the end of each video. Cheers me up, even on days when I don't necessarily need cheering.
I'm so pleased to hear it!! I'm glad even in videos that aren't your favorite, you have my outro to look forward to :)
I have this book and the second one on my TBR, I bought them at a library sale. Great to hear a good review of the books :). I didn't know there was a third book, but now I know I don't necessarily need to bother.
See what you think of the first two and then decide on the third. If you're in love with the world like I am, you may be tempted. But it's definitely not up to par with what came before :)
I loved the first one! Unfortunately, that one and the the second one are with my mom...thousands of miles away.
I hope you get them back eventually!!
This sounds wonderful, I'll be getting this really really soon! I just have to figure out which ones are illustrated! Are the illustrations in black and white?
They are all color illustrations! I think you'll be safe picking up a trade paperback version of Abarat. I think it's just the mass markets that aren't illustrated (maybe) :)
Amanda Center How do I know if something is mass marketed? (A) I would love to have the same edition as you have, but it's not available anymore... :(
You can look at the book dimensions (normally included in the book's details). If you're buying used from a third party seller, you can send them a message before the book ships asking if their copy is illustrated. I didn't realize it would be so hard to make sure your edition is illustrated!!
Thanks! I will just go on a hunt to find the right one :)
i thought the whole series was amazing to be honest
Awesome!
Clive was at deaths door a few years ago which explains why it's taking him so long. Check some online vids of him that shows him painting the pictures for Abarat. They're huge!
otto houlihan well, Barker is also notorious for not finishing series. He started The Art series (The great and secret show & Everville) in freakin 1987 and still hasn’t written the third book he promised. Galilee, written in 1998, was supposed to have a follow up sequel that never happened.
Even without the health issues, Clive isn’t very ... consumer focused, let’s say ... with his creativity, which is to be respected AND is also irritating for his fans.
Been holding back from reading Abarat 'cause it's a teenager book. I'm so glad I stated to read it. Abarat is soooo good
I'm so glad you're enjoying it :D
You kinda look like bijork lol