Rating: 
Summary: Everville could have been better.
Review: Okay. Now although Everville was a good book I feel it didn't deserve anything higher than a 7. I mean, how can this book compare to "The Great and Secret Show"? I miss the Jaff to tell you the truth. And Tommy Ray didn't seem to have a reason for being there other than to get Jo Beth. It never really explains in which way he loved her either. I did find that many of the characters that COULD have been interesting were killed before they could develop. And I REALLY think Clive should dispose of the whole Lix thing. It really is disgusting Clive. And although Kissoon was a GREAT villain, I prefer Barker's other evils such as Pinhead or Nix. And what's strange is that in Everville the Iad are written to be like Kissoon's puppets while in the first Art novel they were supposed to be benevolent creatures of destruction with no leaders. Now, anyone who hasn't read this book yet I'll have to warn you. The beginnings and endings are tedious! The beginning was so boring I skipped over a few pages. And the ending was sooooo confusing I almost threw the book I was so angry. The whole thing with Flicker and Phoebe REALLY looped my mind. But there is one element that gripped me in here. And that's The Jai Wai. Now THEY were interesting. I also found myself waiting and waiting for Tesla to come into it. Was I happy when she finally did! Well, there's my review. I suggest reading it but don't expect it to be better than the first one.
Rating: 
Summary: The dramatic consequence of Love & Hate
Review: So here we are, a long way from the 'Dead letter Room' sorting through lost mail with the Jaff in the original, "The Great and Secret Show". The way Mr Barker indulges the minds eye is astonishing, painting a picture so vivid you'd swear you are really there. Following the story of Tessa, Grillo and D'Amour's attempt in finding and truly understanding Quiddity 'the dream sea of the Metacosm'; a fascination they're not only propelled into but, compelled to journey through. We are also reunited with Jo-Beth & Howie and the horrible yet somehow romantic consequence when once again, they're face-to-face with Tommy-Ray, the 'Death-Boy'. We learn too, that Kissoon is still with us and his relation to the city of Everville's founder, Mauve O'Connell and in turn, how she becomes bound to Coker Amino from the 'other side'. This story is bursting with flavours from one World to the next, from would be seductors made of stone (King Texas), to lovers lost in a new World (Phoebe & Joe) to Lix, the 'Shu', the Iad and so much more. This is an extraordinary adventure and highly recommended to anyone in love with imagination of the fantastical-metaphysical-psychological. I wholly look forward to part 3. Anyone expecting mass market horror should look elsewhere. For Clive Barker horror, read his Books of Blood series. Review constructed in a non-order of appearance so as not to spoil anything.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't stand on its own
Review: Somehow, I missed that this novel was a sequel when I picked it up. I only gradually realized it as I read, when the text kept referring to characters as if I should already be familiar with their histories and should have had knowledge of prior events. That, the large cast of characters and the disjointed nature of the writing left me confused and frustrated as I delved deeper into the book. I must confess that I was hooked by a strong, interesting opening, but I was quickly lost in a muddy soup of characters and events, feeling like I was on the outside, lacking some secret knowledge that would keep me from fully enjoying the story. Barker should probably have done a better job of making this a standalone novel, and the book's cover should have done a better job of making clear that this was a sequel (in which case, I probably would never have started reading it in the first place). As it was, I was left feeling dissatisfied and like I had wasted a huge chunk of my reading time, once again convinced to remove Barker's name from my reading list.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Ingenious
Review: STOP! This is part two, the first book is The Great and Secret Show (which is not obvious to look at Everville in a local book store.) In fact, when reading it I myself didn't realize what it was a continuation of until about 100 pages in when a barage of characters came into the book I recognized. As so much of Barker's work does this delves heavily into bizarre occult fiction with its characters passing in between alternate universes/realities through strange passageways and many of the main characters nearly immortal. If you enjoyed the Great and Secret Show, you'll love this book and its a must read. This ranks high among the Barker collection of other such greats as Weaveworld, Imajica and Sacrament. Best for patient readers who enjoy long books with complex story lines. If you're idea of reading is short stories and comics, don't bother. But if you're into an adventure it is mandatory reading.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Ingenious
Review: STOP! This is part two, the first book is The Great and Secret Show (which is not obvious to look at Everville in a local book store.) In fact, when reading it I myself didn't realize what it was a continuation of until about 100 pages in when a barage of characters came into the book I recognized. As so much of Barker's work does this delves heavily into bizarre occult fiction with its characters passing in between alternate universes/realities through strange passageways and many of the main characters nearly immortal. If you enjoyed the Great and Secret Show, you'll love this book and its a must read. This ranks high among the Barker collection of other such greats as Weaveworld, Imajica and Sacrament. Best for patient readers who enjoy long books with complex story lines. If you're idea of reading is short stories and comics, don't bother. But if you're into an adventure it is mandatory reading.
Rating:
Summary: An unchartered realm, bending fantasy for creative thinkers.
Review: The first novel I have read of Clive Barker's, although being a fan for years. Incredible, being the first word I would say to describe it, it was just incredible. I would go to bed early at night just so I could read as much as I could before going to sleep. The intensity and captivating thoughts produced by Barker glued my eyes to every page. A clever and imaginative piece. Yours Truly (Gurp)
Rating:
Summary: Just read it! You WON'T be sorry!
Review: There's nothing for me to say except this is an absolutely superb novel. I began with The Great and Secret Show, and was just, completely blown away. I've read many King, Koontz, and Straub stories, among other authors, and must say that a lot are "top of the line", but I had NEVER read anything like The Great and Secret Show. Imagine my surprise at finding out that "Everville: The Second Book of the Art" existed. I was not disappointed. There's no way to describe these two books. Like I said, you just have to read them!!!!!!!!!! They are among my top ten most favorite books, probably even top five. And, I've read hundreds (maybe thousands) of great books! Just discovered Clive Barker's writing's last year, but I'm thoroughly hooked now. Amie J.
Rating:
Summary: One of Clive's best
Review: This book forces one into a world of imagination like no other book has to me before. The beginning is fairly dull, but the rest of the book makes up for that. You probably should read the Great and Secret Show first, but the imagery and character development is good enough to read it in reverse order, honestly.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst horror story I've ever read
Review: This book was a major disappointment. It gets one star, just because there is no 0 star option. The plot is dull, the characters weak and the horror scenes can't scare even a little kid. Although the parallel worlds idea is intriguing, Barker only utilizes it superficially and wasting the potential of making a great story. It is a mediocre book overall and I strongly discourage anyone from buying it.
Rating:
Summary: Evervile is everything but interesting...
Review: This book was to me a meadnering mishmash of demidemonic characters and witless humans. I don't know what's been happening in Clive's head since he wrote Weaveworld. But not only was The Great and Secret Show a serious waste of paper, but this TGSS sequel is likewise not without its inherent meaninglessness either! Again, Clive attempts to make heros out of murderers and perverts, but fails to do so in a convincing way. It's true that many people can redeem themselves through good acts; but there are no good acts that these characters have done, nor any sudden revelations that are genuine enough to warrant earning salvation for these evil characters. Boring and trivial, mixed with copious quantities of irrationality, were the ingredients that I got out of the story. More like another tired old episode of Wagon Train, but with qualude addicted characters to rock you to a not so pleasant sleep. Please, Clive, whatever you did to crank out those knockout short stories and Weaveworld, you need to do so again. If it's starving yourself and smoking ten stogies a day while ingesting two bottles of TUMS, go for it. But get your old searing eye talent back.
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