-58% 🏆 Bestseller Abarat (Revised) — Young Adult Horror

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Abarat (Revised)

Name: Abarat (Revised)
Price: 15.50 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9780006513704

✍️ Clive Barker

Reader Score

4.6

(3 reviews)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Candy Quackenbush explores a twenty-five island realm where time dictates geography.

This revised volume expands on the journey of a bored teenager who escapes her difficult home life in Minnesota. She enters a fantastical archipelago where each island represents an hour. The plot focuses on her adaptation to this new reality and the threat posed by Christopher Carrion. Barker uses the concept of Time Out of Time to add depth to the setting. The narrative does not rely on traditional horror tropes but rather on surrealism and adventure. It appeals to young adult readers who enjoy imaginative settings over gore or fear.

Key Themes

time islands familiarity

Literary Context

Published by Voyager in 2004, this book sits within the tradition of American juvenile fiction and fantasy. It draws on the New York Times bestseller list status to reach a wide audience interested in supernatural themes.

Clive Barker

📚 all books by this author (47) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Neil Gaiman's surreal mythologies · Madeleine L'Engle's dimensional adventures · Susanna Clarke's intricate magical systems

🎃

Young Adult Horror

🏛 Voyager 📅 2004 📖 496 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780006513704

📝 Description: Abarat (Revised)

Clive Barker, a recognized figure in speculative fiction, continues the saga of Candy Quackenbush in this revised edition. The narrative follows the sixteen-year-old protagonist who leaves her mundane existence in Chickentown, Minnesota, after an impulsive departure from school. She crosses into the Sea of Izabella and arrives in the Abarat, a realm composed of twenty-five islands corresponding to the hours of the day. One island remains distinct as the mysterious Time Out of Time. Candy encounters a world that feels strangely familiar while making new allies. However, her presence attracts the attention of Christopher Carrion, Prince of Midnight, who pursues her relentlessly. The story examines her struggle to find her place within this strange archipelago. Barker draws on themes of space and time to structure this juvenile fiction work. The text is organized around Candy’s interactions with these unique geographical and temporal zones. Readers seeking straightforward horror may find the fantasy elements dominant. Those interested in surreal landscapes and coming-of-age narratives will appreciate the detailed world-building. The book concludes with Candy still searching for her identity within this hour-based geography.

💎 Our verdict on Abarat (Revised)

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This revised volume is a distinct departure from Barker’s typical visceral horror, leaning heavily into surrealism and juvenile adventure. While the world-building is intricate and the concept of time dictating geography offers novelty, it may disappoint readers seeking straightforward scares or traditional gothic terror. The narrative focuses on adaptation and identity rather than suspense. It suits those who enjoy intellectual puzzles within fantasy settings, but those expecting dark, terrifying content will likely find the tone too light and the horror elements absent.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who prioritize imaginative settings and surreal landscapes over gore or traditional fear will find this book particularly rewarding. It appeals to those interested in coming-of-age narratives where the protagonist navigates a complex, hour-based geography rather than a simple monster hunt. The text offers deep world-building for fans of speculative fiction who enjoy exploring themes of identity and time through unique geographical zones. Those seeking adventure within a fantastical archipelago will appreciate the detailed structure of the Abarat realm.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Perfect for readers craving surreal, whimsical dark fantasy where time dictates geography. Ideal for fans of bizarre coming-of-age tales and intricate world-building. Those seeking traditional gore or straight horror will likely find the magical elements too dominant and the tone too adventurous.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 3 reviews

Diana W.

September 25, 2025

This has been on my wishlist for months. The monster is scarier for how little you see of it. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. My only regret is not ordering it sooner.

Greg R.

May 14, 2025

Excellent find

This has been on my wishlist for months. Slow burn, but the burn is the point. Shipping was quick too.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, it is more accurately classified as surreal dark fantasy. While Barker’s name evokes horror, the story focuses on magical exploration and personal growth rather than scares or gore.

The realm consists of twenty-five islands, each representing an hour of the day. This temporal geography allows Barker to explore time as a physical landscape, creating a dreamlike and intellectually stimulating environment.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This revised edition revitalizes Clive Barker’s unique contribution to young adult speculative fiction, bridging his signature grotesque sensibilities with imaginative adventure. While Barker often defined modern horror with visceral terror, this work diverges into allegorical fantasy. It stands as a testament to his versatility, offering a dreamlike narrative structure that challenges genre boundaries by prioritizing temporal metaphysics over physical dread.