After filmmakers stretched the Hellraiser concept to the breaking point, Barker revisits the his sadomasochistic demon, rescuing him from his current cinematic status as a poor man’s Fred Krueger. It seems the cenobite has been busy, breaking into our world to slay any and all magicians he can find. Pitted against him is another Barker character, Harry D’Amour, the world-weary detective continually at war with the supernatural forces that surround him. As the chase travels from our world to the literal pits of Hell, you can feel the old Barker at work, combing gore, puns, and literate style with glee. It’s not quite a perfect return to the genre; it never reaches the heights of pure horror Barker hit with [b:The Hellbound Heart|52635|The Hellbound Heart|Clive Barker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327312426s/52635.jpg|1093522] and [b:Books of Blood, Volumes One to Three|32626|Books of Blood Volumes One to Three (Books of Blood #1-3)|Clive Barker|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1306747123s/32626.jpg|1913322], and it loses a little steam the more fantastical it becomes. It’s still a vastly fun trek, though, as D’Amour and his companions battle demons, spout magical gibberish, and follow the steps of Pinhead up to the throne of Lucifer. And for a fan, it’s a true pleasure to revel in Barker’s imagination once again and learn of the ultimate fate of his most famous creation.

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