The Thief of Always

The Thief of Always is a 1992 novel written and illustrated by Clive Barker. The plot concerns an 10-year-old boy who journeys to a magical house, only to discover its master uses the home to attract children and steal their youth to ensure his own immortality.

Plot
The Thief of Always follows the adventure of Harvey Swick, a bored and discontented young boy who is lured away by the enigmatic Mr. Hood to the Holiday House, a fantastical place promising endless fun and excitement. At first, Harvey is delighted by the wonders of the house, where every day is filled with new activities and adventures.

However, Harvey soon realizes that something is amiss. He notices that time seems to pass unusually quickly within the house, and he becomes suspicious of Mr. Hood and his intentions. With the help of other children trapped in the Holiday House, including Wendell, Lulu, and the mysterious Rictus, Harvey discovers the dark secret of the house: it feeds on the life force of its inhabitants, draining them of their vitality.

Determined to escape and save himself and the other children, Harvey embarks on a perilous journey to confront Mr. Hood and reclaim the stolen time. Along the way, he faces numerous challenges and dangers, including the monstrous inhabitants of the house and the seductive allure of its illusions.

In the end, Harvey confronts Mr. Hood in a climactic showdown and manages to defeat him, freeing himself and the other children from the Holiday House's grasp. With the help of a magical creature named Jive, Harvey returns home, forever changed by his experiences but wiser and more appreciative of the value of time and the importance of cherishing the present moment.

Reception
The Thief of Always has received positive reviews from both critics and casual readers alike. The book has an approximate 4.20 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.

Publishers Weekly described the book as "both cute and horrifying", noting its similarity to Grimm's Fairy Tales.

Kirkus Reviews described Barker's "studiously simple narration" as lacking in spirit.

Adaptations
The Thief of Always was adapted as a bimonthly three-part comic book, published between January and May 2005, by IDW Publishing.