The Absolute Book cover art

The Absolute Book

A Novel

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About this listen

 A bewitching epic fantasy about a revenge killing, a mysterious scroll box that has survived centuries of fires, and the book that changed everything

"Intricately plotted and gorgeously written, The Absolute Book is a cinematic tale that is by turns dark and dreamlike, yet ultimately hopeful." --Deborah Harkness, New York Times bestselling author of A Discovery of Witches

"An instant classic . . . It is everything fantasy should be." --The Guardian

Taryn Cornick believes that the past--her sister's violent death, and her own ill-conceived revenge--is behind her, and she can get on with her life. She has written a successful book about the things that threaten libraries: insects, damp, light, fire, carelessness and uncaring . . . but not all of the attention it brings her is good.

A policeman, Jacob Berger, questions her about a cold case. Then there are questions about a fire in the library at her grandparents' house and an ancient scroll box known as the Firestarter, as well as threatening phone calls and a mysterious illness. Finally a shadowy young man named Shift appears, forcing Taryn and Jacob toward a reckoning felt in more than one world.

The Absolute Book is epic, action-packed fantasy in which hidden treasures are recovered, wicked things resurface, birds can talk, and dead sisters are a living force. It is a book of journeys and returns, from contemporary England to Auckland, New Zealand; from a magical fairyland to Purgatory. Above all, it is a declaration of love for stories and the ways in which they shape our worlds and create gods out of mortals. Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Magic
All stars
Most Relevant
Struggled to finish, I really didn't love the narration. The story was great and I wished I had read this over listening

Great story but

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I had purchased this book in hardcover last year. I had started to read it but due to the cumbersomeness of the book and being easily distracted i did not get very far.
When I discovered it on audible i was going it use to recap what I previously read and then read on.
It was so captivating i listened to it over the course three days at work. It was delightful.
I am very pleased!

Pleasantly surprised

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Difficult to understand mumbled spoken word. Very frustrating. Will not purchase another audible book with this narrator.

Narrator

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After reading some glowing reviews, I had this one on my list for quite a while before the audiobook finally came out. Some parts -- the beginning of the novel, the myth-building, the old stories forgotten and remembered -- were great. But overall everything feels squandered and so many loose ends are completely ignored. Skip this one!

Wanted to love this

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