Description

‘An instant classic, a work to rank alongside other modern masterpieces of fantasy such as Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Everything fantasy should be: original, magical, well read, compelling’ Guardian

‘MIND-BLOWING’ LAINI TAYLOR
‘ASTOUNDING’ FRANCIS SPUFFORD
‘GORGEOUSLY WRITTEN’ DEBORAH HARKNESS
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Taryn Cornick barely remembers the family library. Since her sister was murdered, she’s forgotten so much.

Now it’s all coming back. The fire. The thief. The scroll box. People are asking questions about the library. Questions that might relate to her sister’s murder.

And something called The Absolute Book.

A book in which secrets are written – and which everyone believes only she can find. They insist Taryn be the hunter. But she knows the truth.

She is the hunted . . .

The Absolute Book is a tale of sisters, ancient blood, a forgotten library, murder, revenge and a book that might just have the answer to everything.
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‘Astonishing. Gripping. Hugely ambitious. An extraordinary conclusion. Admire the sheer scope and grandeur’ DAILY MAIL

‘A marvellous argument for stories. There are Norse gods, references to Merlin, a tour through purgatory and a strange parallel world where magic is real and humans are bit players in the clash of supernatural realms. Bewitching’ THE TIMES

‘Contains multitudes, spanning the geographies of Canada, Britain and New Zealand; the cosmologies of fairies, demons and angels; and the genres of thriller, domestic realism and epic fantasy . . . I’m in awe of it’ NEW YORK TIMES Review of Books

‘Intricately plotted and gorgeously written, THE ABSOLUTE BOOK has something for everyone . . . Here is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful’ DEBORAH HARKNESS, author of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES

‘Fantastical’ THE TIMES

‘Savour and absorb the world Knox conjures’ SUNDAY TIMES

‘Gorgeous. The payoffs and reveals are mind-blowing’ LAINI TAYLOR, author of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE

‘An angelic book, an apocalyptic book, an astounding book’ FRANCIS SPUFFORD

Publisher Review

An angelic book, an apocalyptic book, an astounding book -- Francis Spufford, bestselling author of 'Golden Hill' The power is in the skill and pace of Knox's storytelling, the perfect spinning of the intricate plot, the sharp dialogue and luminous evocation of place -- Charlotte Grimshaw A tour de force. Ursula Le Guin would have loved this book -- Jane Stafford Every page is a declaration of love for story, for literature, for libraries -- Maria McMillan Reminded me of how I felt reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell or His Dark Materials - this is a masterpiece -- Dan Koi * Slate * A propulsive parallel-worlds fantasy epic about the power of stories and storytelling * Guardian, 'What to look forward to this year' * A bibliophile's daydream * Scotland on Sunday * An angelic book, an apocalyptic book, an astounding book -- Francis Spufford The power is in the skill and pace of Knox's storytelling, the perfect spinning of the intricate plot, the sharp dialogue and luminous evocation of place -- Charlotte Grimshaw A tour de force. Ursula Le Guin would have loved this book -- Jane Stafford Every page is a declaration of love for story, for literature, for libraries -- Maria McMillan A triumph. Book where the best hearts meet the best minds meet the best imaginations are few and far between -- Pip Adam Reminded me of how I felt reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell or His Dark Materials - this is a masterpiece -- Dan Kois * Slate * Gorgeous. The payoffs and reveals are mind-blowing -- Laini Taylor * author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone * Intricately plotted and gorgeously written, THE ABSOLUTE BOOK has something for everyone: the search for a mysterious book, talking ravens, police detectives and academics, gods and demons, a giant saltwater crocodile, the bucolic English countryside and magical gates to hidden worlds. Here is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful -- Deborah Harkness * author of A Discovery of Witches *