This is the second time I’ve read this novel, mostly because I remembered I like it the first time, but not enough to want to keep it. So I figured I’d read it again to check, enjoy the best bits again, and then be happy to give it away if I still felt that way. And I do. Let me know if you’d like it! I’ll post it to you for free :)
What I think is good about this book:
- The plot is ridiculous, in the best way
- Everything is fantastically self-consistent, very much that Suvian sci-fi fantasy that Miéville sets out to right
- Very satisfying urban fantasy. Some excellent characters. Mostly well-written
- The villains are truly villainous
- Politically charged
- The internal logic of the magic system had the potential to be really wooly, but it wasn’t
What I think is bad about this book:
- Probably 100 pages too long. I’m not sure what I’d cut, but I’d like it if either there was less of everything, or everything was a bit pacier
- I was quite frustrated by the ending. I feel like for how long the middle was, the end could have been a lot longer too
- The Reveal wasn’t very well cued, I thought. I’d have been more satisfied if I’d had a better idea as to what’s about to happen. The hidden vilain was a bit too hidden
The magic system is really quite interesting. It’s probably as soft, conceptually, as you can get: “the universe takes metaphors and symbolism seriously, it’s all a matter of persuasion/the way you look”. But each application of a metaphor or symbolism is very rigourous and strictly followed. It feels very satisfying, and it’s impressive how vague the underlying principle is but how little I could argue with any application. I’d love to see more books written in this vein. I love the miscellaneous (an old internet acquaintence would call them “Fortean”, after the Fortean Times) magic systems you get in like superhero comics, or Kraken, or the Adepts in Skullduggery Pleasant. Where you have super specific powers.
So yeah, whilst I don’t want to read it a third time, but I think it’s worth someone else reading (that’s called a reccomendation, Mags). If you’d like to read it, let me know!