Imajica

You might also call this one The Lord of the Rings of horror books -- a somewhat apt description that describes what this is. It's not a book that will appeal to everyone (fans of easy-to-read epic fantasy where all the cards are laid out on the table by page 10 probably won't), but what I will guarantee is that Imajiica is a feast of the senses and the imagination. Not all 'epic fantasy' is derivative of Tolkien or Jordan. Imajiica is an epic fantasy with a new face -- rather than an all-consuming struggle against an implacable and unstoppable outside force of evil, it's a struggle to save mankind from itself. This is a monster of a book at almost 1200 pages, but it's a book that will have you captivated the whole way through; there is no useful filler, only laser-sharp plotting and even sharper prose. The setting is quite unique -- a mystical fantasy universe, Imajiica, made up of 5 worlds/dimensions (called Dominions). The 4th Dominion, our world, has been separated from the other 5 worlds. The last great attempt to reconcile our world with the other 5 backfired, and nearly all the metaphysically talented people died (Shamans, Magicians, etc.). But now, things are again ripe for another attempt, and this time if the worlds are not reconciled, mankind will certainly destroy itself in the future. Barker is famous for writing his stories where there is another world underpinning the reality of our own, just a pin prick away, if one knows exactly where to prick. This makes for a creepy, atmospheric setting, much in the way of a Lovecraftian novel. The quality of the writing is high too with beautiful atmospheric prose.