When it comes to imaginative surrealism that so perfectly oscillates between wondrous and disturbing, I would expect nothing less from the creator of Hellrasier. Clive Barker has created such a unique world in the Abarat, a place where each island represents a different time of day. There are creatures both beautiful and terrifying, helpful eccentrics, malevolent foes, and a promise for a most eventful future for our protagonist. 

For the first book in a series, this book does well to establish the world and what sort of adventures may lay ahead for Candy Quakenbush. However, other than her arrival in the Abarat, it really felt like she didn't have much to do during this story. She doesn't really have a goal in mind other than to get away from her ho hum home in Chickentown and escape from the baddies trying to capture her for the nightmarish Lord Carrion. It's a bit Alice in Wonderland that way, where you go from one oddity to the next without much plot developing. It made for a slow read at times, but the worldbuilding and cast of characters makes up for it.

The art in this book is simply breathtaking. It's weird, cerebral, abstract, the kind of thing you would only see in dreams or nightmares. It really helps drive some of the more horror aspects of the book, as there are definitely some images that are bound to linger with you.

I'm a little hesitant to continue the series since last time I checked it has been at least twelve years since the latest book came out and I really don't want to commit myself to another series that's had over a decade between releases. This is a promising start though, so I hope there is some kind of continuation at some point.