Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War
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Author Description
A dazzling fantasy adventure for all ages, the second part of a quartet appearing at two yearly intervals, richly illustrated by the author. Film rights sold to Disney for USD8 million on the paintings alone. The Abarat:a magical otherworld composed on an archipelago of twenty-five islands -- one for each hour of the day, plus an island out of time. Candy Quackenbush, escaping her dull, dull life from the most boring place in our world, Chickentown, USA, finds that in the Abarat she has another existence entirely, one which links her to marvels and mysteries; and even to murder...In this, the second volume in Clive Barker's extraordinary fantasy for both adults and children, Candy's adventures in the amazing world of the Abarat are getting more strange by the Hour. Christopher Carrion, the Lord of Midnight, has sent his henchmen to capture her. Why? she wonders. What would Carrion want with a girl from Minnesota? And why is Candy beginning to feel that the world of the Abarat is familiar to her? Why can she speak words of magic she doesn't even remember learning? There is a mystery here. And Carrion, along with his fiendish grandmother, Mater Motley, suspects that whatever Candy is, she could spoil his plans to take control of the Abarat. Now Candy's companions must race against time to save her from the clutches of Carrion, and she must solve the mystery of her past before the forces of Night and Day clash and Absolute Midnight descends upon the islands. A final war is about to begin. And Candy is going to need to make some choices that will change her life forever...
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Candy Quackenbush finds herself hunted by the forces of the Lord of Midnight as she navigates the surreal archipelago of the Abarat. Seeking to escape the monotony of her life in Minnesota, Candy discovers that her presence in this magical realm is tied to ancient secrets and a burgeoning power she does not yet understand. As Christopher Carrion and his grandmother, Mater Motley, mobilize to capture her, Candy must rely on her companions to survive the encroaching darkness. The narrative follows her struggle to reconcile her mundane origins with her mysterious, growing influence over the islands of the Abarat, where each hour of the day is represented by a unique landmass.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Surreal world-building featuring an archipelago where each island corresponds to an hour of the day
- Third-person narrative perspective focusing on the protagonist's internal and external development
- Inclusion of original illustrations by the author to enhance the visual experience of the setting
- High-stakes conflict involving the struggle between the forces of Day and Night
- Exploration of themes regarding identity, memory, and the nature of destiny
- Integration of magical systems that respond to the protagonist's latent abilities
- Pacing that emphasizes the urgency of a looming war across the islands
- Character-driven subplots involving a diverse cast of supernatural allies and antagonists
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
This work is characterized by its vivid, imaginative scope and the distinct, dark aesthetic that defines the author's creative output. The narrative structure leans into the conventions of high fantasy while maintaining a focus on the protagonist's personal evolution within a complex, multi-layered world. Readers often note the seamless blend of whimsical elements with more ominous, threatening undertones that propel the plot forward. The series is frequently discussed for its ambitious world-building and the way it balances the scale of a brewing war with the intimate mystery of Candy's past.
Page Count:
512
Publication Date:
2004-01-01
Publisher:
Joanna Cotler
ISBN-10:
0007100450
ISBN-13:
9780007100453
Adventure
Fantasy
Young Adult
High Fantasy
Fiction
Modern fiction
Portal Fantasy
