Reasons why you should read this book
Fast-paced plot/actionThis book has a lot of action and is very fast paced. There is always something intense happening. Whether it's Harvey trying to kill Wendell or Harvey trying to destroy a house, there are always interesting things going on in the house. Like when Harvey turns into a vampire and Jive is trying to make Harvey kill Wendell, "Harvey felt Jive's hand on his back. 'Do it!' Jive said. Harvey looked at Wendell's tear-stained face and trembling hands. If the situation had been revered, he thought to himself, would I have been much braver? The answer, he knew, was no. 'It's now or never,' said Jive. 'Then it's never,' Harvey said. 'Never!' The word came out as a guttural roar, and Wendell fled before it, yelling at the top of his voice. Harvey didn't give chase. 'You disappoint me, boy,' Jive said. 'I thought you had the killer instinct.'" (page 99).
Interesting Structure/Plot
Clive Barker is a very interesting writer. All of his books have interesting structures and are very different from other books. He also likes to include his very own pictures into his books. There are at the start of the chapters and give you a little preview of what is coming next. Of course you have no idea what is coming next since it is impossible to predict what is going to happen next. You are sort of entranced by the pictures and it makes you very curious of what is going to happen. It makes you want to keep reading. He always has interesting ideas and it makes the plot so much better. He has a lot of unexpected things happen in the book like when you learn that the house is a time trap and time goes by slower there than in the real world. It just brings another layer to his stories and it makes his stories that much better.
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Horror and FantasyIf you like horror and are a younger reader this book is perfect for you. It has very creepy vibes, but isn't too gory or nasty. Clive Barker is a horror writer and this is the only, dubbed "children's story" he has ever written. His other stories are definitely for older and more mature readers. If you want to read his books I would start with this one to see if you are into horror. It's a good starter horror book. It could be categorized as a horror/fantasy book. There is a lot fantasy and almost whimsical. Mr. Barker likes to make up fantasy lands and that is where he makes most of the setting. He also likes to add parts in his book where it is 'reality'. He intertwines the two worlds very well and it makes his books that much more interesting. Like when Harvey and Rictus are traveling to the house, "'it looks like a wall,' Harvey said, 'but it's not a wall.' 'You're very observant,' Rictus replied admiringly. 'Most people just see a dead end, so they turn around and take another street.' 'But not us.' 'No, not us. We're going to keep on walking. You know why?' 'Because the Holiday House is on the other side?'" (pages 16, 17). He makes the transition from the real world to the fantasy world so well.
Suspense
This book is full of suspense. Clive Barker is that sort of writer that leaves cliff-hangers at the end of every chapter. He's amazing at that technique because you just find yourself immersed in his world and you never want to stop reading. For example, in the middle of the book after Harvey and Wendell realize they have to go back to the house, "'Now!' said Harvey grimly. 'We've lost too much time already.'" (page 156). Then it's the end of the chapter. When the reader reads the passage it compels them to want to find out what happens next, what's going to happen to Harvey and Wendell when they get back to the house. I personally love this technique because it just gives me another good reason to keep on reading.
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Clive Barker, Picture of masks on a wall, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Picture of "Mr. Hood", Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Pumpkin being hung, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Picture of Harvey as a vampire, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Picture of the Hood House in the four different seasons, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Picture of "Mr. Hood", Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Pumpkin being hung, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Picture of Harvey as a vampire, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.
Clive Barker, Picture of the Hood House in the four different seasons, Illustration, n.d., Clivebarker.org, Clivebarker.org Web., 01 June 2014.