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Cabal

Name: Cabal
Price: 18.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780743417327

✍️ Clive Barker

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$18.99 ~~$25.00~~ Save $6.01 (24%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Clive Barker's Cabal is a dark novella about broken promises and supernatural dread.

This volume contains the 1988 novella Cabal alongside other short stories from Barker’s final Books of Blood collection. The text examines themes of love, betrayal, and horror through a gothic lens. It draws on traditions of ghost stories and general horror fiction to create an atmosphere of suspense. The inclusion of previously published British material adds depth to the American release. The narrative structure supports a steady progression into terror without relying on excessive exposition.

Key Themes

broken promises supernatural horror gothic fiction

Literary Context

Cabal emerged in 1988 as part of Clive Barker’s sixth and final Books of Blood volume. It was later compiled with short stories for a 2001 Gallery Books release, bridging British Sphere Books editions with American audiences.

Clive Barker

📚 all books by this author (47) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Peter Straub · Daphne du Maurier

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Gallery Books 📅 2001 📖 368 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780743417327

📚 This Book in Collections

📚 Horror Anthologies & Story Collections

📝 Description: Cabal

Cabal is a horror novella originally released in the United States within a collection drawn from Clive Barker's sixth and final volume of the Books of Blood. This edition, published by Gallery Books in 2001, spans 368 pages and includes stories previously issued in Great Britain by Sphere Books, Ltd. The narrative opens with Boone reflecting on broken promises made in the name of love, setting a tone of dread that permeates the text. The work blends adventure thriller elements with traditional horror and ghost story conventions. Barker organizes the material to showcase his distinct voice within the supernatural fiction genre. Readers seeking visceral, gothic tales will find this volume aligned with their tastes. Those preferring lighthearted or purely academic historical fiction may wish to look elsewhere. The novella stands as a significant entry in Barker’s bibliography. It relies on established horror tropes rather than experimental structures. The text does not shy away from the darker aspects of human commitment and betrayal. It remains a focused exploration of fear for those who appreciate the genre's classic roots.

💎 Our verdict on Cabal

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Cabal delivers a potent mix of adventure thriller elements and traditional ghost story conventions, anchored by Barker’s signature dread. The novella effectively examines love and betrayal through a gothic lens, creating an atmosphere of suspense without relying on heavy exposition. However, it is not for those preferring lighthearted narratives or purely academic historical fiction. The text relies on established horror tropes rather than experimental structures, which may disappoint readers seeking avant-garde innovation. It remains a focused, visceral experience for genre enthusiasts who appreciate classic roots and dark fantasy. Those looking for complex, non-linear storytelling might find the straightforward progression too conventional.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the visceral intensity of gothic horror and the psychological depth of supernatural fiction will find Cabal a compelling addition to their shelves. This volume offers a focused exploration of fear, betrayal, and broken promises, delivered through Barker’s distinct narrative voice. It is ideal for those seeking suspenseful tales that rely on classic horror tropes rather than experimental structures. The collection provides a steady progression into terror, making it suitable for fans who value atmospheric dread over excessive exposition. Those drawn to dark fantasy and true crime elements may also find the themes of commitment and human darkness resonant. It serves as a significant entry for bibliophiles interested in Barker’s bibliography and the evolution of modern horror fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Readers who appreciate atmospheric dread over visceral gore will find this collection compelling. It suits those who enjoy gothic themes of betrayal and broken promises. Fans of Clive Barker’s earlier work or those seeking a steady progression into terror without excessive exposition will likely…

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, this volume contains the novella Cabal alongside other short stories from Barker’s final Books of Blood collection, standing as a complete work rather than a serialized entry.

372 pages, book.

Published in 2001 by Gallery Books.

Orders ship from a US warehouse. The shipping cost is shown before you pay, and returns are accepted within 30 days.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This volume features the 1988 novella Cabal mixed with other short stories from Barker's final Books of Blood collection. It relies on ghost story traditions and general horror to build suspense. The mix of previously published British material adds depth to the American release, exploring love and horror through a gothic perspective.