Fantasy Aficionados discussion

Hi!

I'm new and this is my first post, I hope it's in the right place. :-)

I'm a bit of a book hoarder, so when I noticed that someone left Imajica 1: The Fifth Dominion and Imajica 2: The Reconciliation in the free book pile, I grabbed them - the covers screamed fantasy.

That was about a year or so ago. Here's my problem: there's no summery in/on the books and all the reviews are rather vague. My TBR pile is out of control so I'm cautious about adding two unknowns to that list.

Can anyone give me a clue? Please :-)

*sigh* Imajica is freaking weird. I read a decade ago and didn't even know there was a second novel. Clive Barker wrote it which is the only reason I read it since I was a fan of some of his horror.

Sweet Lord, the man must have been ripped out of his F'ing gourd on a daily basis on some type of strange nearly fatal brew of illicit drugs and industrial strength solvents. I would tell you what the book was about if I could..honestly I would but the best I can give you is that the books are roughly about how the earth is actually one of five parallel worlds that somehow became separated eons past. The book follows (in a very odd convulted fashion) a character who is traveling across the parallel worlds. I don't believe that there was honestly a plot. Seriously. It was a strange highly detailed account of the goings on of each planet and well...geez. I just can't express how incredibly godawful this book was. I haven't thought of it in years and to be honest I only made it about 2/3rds of the way through before I used it for kindling. Good luck :)

I knew that title sounded familiar. I vaguely remember trying Clive Barker a long time ago (Imajica, Weaveworld, Galilee) mainly because my brother loved Clive Barker's horror stuff so I thought I would try some of his "fantasy??" since I am not into horror.

Biggest mistake of my reading life. My advice is run screaming in the opposite direction while you are still sane. :-)

I love Barker, but I wasn't a big fan of Imajica. I thought I was the only one. LOL

It's not bad. Just not as great as everyone says it is.

Lol! I'm glad I asked. The fact that I couldn't find even one review that told me what the book was about gave me pause. I think I'll not read these books.

BTW, from what I've read it seems that the original Imajica was so large that it was split into two books, there's no real sequel.

Does this one have illustrations like Abarat?

I really loved Weaveworld, and the other day one of my friends told me about this one, so I've put it on my Kindle reading list... I'll let you know what I think when I've read it :)

Christine wrote: "Does this one have illustrations like Abarat?"

From what I've seen, there are no illustrations in the book (but there maybe a few - Lackey has illustrations in her HB Valdemar novels)

Rachel wrote: "I really loved Weaveworld, and the other day one of my friends told me about this one, so I've put it on my Kindle reading list... I'll let you know what I think when I've read it :)"

Can't wait to read your review. I'll keep it on the bookshelf a little while longer...

MrsJoseph wrote: "From what I've seen, there are no illustrations in the book (but there maybe a few - Lackey has illustrations in her HB Valdemar ..."

You cannot miss the illustrations in Abarat One and Two. They are works of art, vibrant pieces that leap off the page. Impatiently waiting for the next book.

Weaveworld is a wonderful read, imo.

Clive Barker did all the art work in the Abarat series, I believe.

Yes, he did and that is why its taking a while for the next book.

Hold on just a sec before you give up on the idea of reading it! Geez a lot of you hated this one!

Well I'm one of those people on the other side of the fence who actually loved the book and got the plot.

While yes, it does go here there and everywhere the general plot boils down to a consideration about deity and about love vs personal identity as a whole (in other words defining yourself as a person in a relationship and out of it rather than defining yourself by that relationship).

If you've read any of Barker's books (such as The Great and Secret Show) you'll have a pretty good idea of the whole fantasy/horror blend he's being doing since the late 80s and how wild it can be.

Imajica tries to blend the modern world of the 90s with a fantasy world as Abarat does in a YA form. It's a pretty big book so that can put some people off but I enjoyed every minute of it once I had. In fact I've read it a couple of times now and consider it one of my top ten to this day.

Amanda wrote: "Hold on just a sec before you give up on the idea of reading it! Geez a lot of you hated this one!

Well I'm one of those people on the other side of the fence who actually loved the book and got t..."

I've never read any of Barker's work before, I shy away from Horror. I guess that's makes it harder. Do you have a review of it? I would love to read it.

MrsJoseph wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Hold on just a sec before you give up on the idea of reading it! Geez a lot of you hated this one!

Well I'm one of those people on the other side of the fence who actually loved t..."

Here you go :) I have other reviews there too

http://www0.epinions.com/review/Imaji...

I think it just takes a special kind of individual to appreciate that writing style *shrugs* I even find the review posted ridiculously annoying. It's funny how two different people with reasonably similar taste can view the same novel and have such inherently different reactions/viewpoints.

@Amanda - Thanks for the review link! Your review was very clear and I really appreciate that.

I think I'm going to pass on Imajica - I'm not really into self-help from a fantasy author. :-) I'd go crazy in a short period of time. Kind of reminds me of .

Aw geez. I didn't realze that was your review on the link. Lol...I am such an ass :) I'll go attempt to remove my size 12 from my rather large mouth

Christine wrote: "Yes, he did and that is why its taking a while for the next book."

Actually the next Abarat is taking time because Harper Collins is screwing around with Clive. The man has got some 1000+ Abarat pictures already painted, it's the publisher that's been the pill. Hell they single handedly killed Black is the Devils Rainbow and The Scarlet Letters from their adult imprint. But we'll see Abarat: Absolute Midnight this year... apparently.

This book IS is beautifully written and - Not LIke Anything Else....the ONLY way you'll know if it works for you is to try it. It's the sort of book you really cannot take anyone else's opinion on, it's that different and strange.

There is a plot. The imagery is off the scale.

If you don't have an imagination and want everything spelled out simple, then, yes, I'd steer differently.

I'm sad to hear there has been trouble with Harper Collins but so glad to hear we will be seeing the next Abarat book this year. Thanks for clearing that up for me and everyone else.

Janny wrote: If you don't have an imagination and want everything spelled out simple, then, yes, I'd steer differently."

You know, this is kinda insulting. And unnecessary.

I kinda agree, MrsJoseph. Just because you don`t like a book doesn`t mean you don`t have an imagination.

I think it was a rather rude statement as well. I despised the book, however I neither lack imagination nor would I consider myself someone who reads works that spell things out simply. *shrugs*

MrsJoseph wrote: "Janny wrote: If you don't have an imagination and want everything spelled out simple, then, yes, I'd steer differently."

You know, this is kinda insulting. And unnecessary."

Mrs Joseph, I was not referring to you...just a general note to 'anyone' who might not LIKE language that stretches limits - deepest apologies to anyone who thought I was 'insulting them' - everybody is entitled to their likes and dislikes, and 'imagination' takes many varied forms. Some people like to imagine OTHER things about stories, and don't want to chase obscure idioms.

This book was WIERD. It's certainly not going to be everyone's of tea.

Please forgive me for a careless phrase that I had NO idea anyone was going to take personally. :( How I hate, sometimes, that internet posts can be so easily misinterpreted.

My apologies that you felt hurt, for an instant. That was definitely not my intent, here.

Grant wrote: "I think it was a rather rude statement as well. I despised the book, however I neither lack imagination nor would I consider myself someone who reads works that spell things out simply. *shrugs*"

This book wasn't my favorite, either - and truly, I was counting myself among the not enamored - again, apologies - serves me right, I guess - posted while pushing hard, long hours...I did not mean to offend or insult. For that I apologize.

Lord if anyone in this group knows about posting things with unintended consequences, it's this guy. No worries, Janny. Apology gladly accepted. I still think you're a doll. :)

All is forgiven, Janny. At least on my end. :) Having read what you actually meant, I understand and even agree. I know a lot of people who read only light fiction and look at me with disgust if I show them something more complicated.

I'm from the loved-Imajica camp. I think it's his masterpiece.

But, if you want a good introduction of Barker's work, try The Damnation Game. If you liked that, then try his wonderful Weaveworld.
If you liked Weaveworld, and you're ready for a long commitment, then let Imajica take you away.

Thank you, Janny. :-) I'm sorry if I came off as sensitive.

After putting in perspective, I can understand your meaning. :)