China Mieville

Book review time!!

OK, seriously, if you're a fan of sci fi, fantasy, steampunk, whatever, READ THIS GUY'S BOOKS.

He has the most incredible imagination of any author I've ever read. His worlds are so detailed, so creative, that you are instantly blown away by what you're reading.
I've read four of his books, but I'm only going to review two here (the others are Embassytown and The City And The City, both of which I would really really recommend. TCATC is unlike the rest of his books, more crime/murder mystery, so would appeal to people who would run a mile from his other works).

If you were to say China Mieville to any sci fi fan, chances are the first book that would spring to their mind would be Perdido Street Station. And no wonder - this book deserves all the acolades and awards that have been bestowed on it.

It's set in the incredible, steam-powered metropolis of New Crobuzon (no one writes cities anywhere near as good as Mieville). Its a melting pot of races and cultures - from the scarab beetle-headed khepri and the frog-like vodyanoi, to the Remade criminals who have had their bodies twisted and mutated under the harsh criminal justice system. Parliament and its militia are brutal, but that doesnt hold back a thriving criminal underworld. Every part of the city is described in fantastic detail.

The story revolves around a scientist named Isaac van Der Grimnebulin, who accepts a commission from a member of a bird race (called the Garuda) who has had his wings torn from him. In his search for the secrets of flight, something unthinkable is released. Every single living thing in the city is now in incredible danger from a menace that feeds on your dreams, leaving you a dried-out, soulless husk. And there seems to be nothing that can stand against it.

 

The book is fast paced and shocking at times. The characters were all well rounded and realistic - likeable, but with their flaws. But dont read it if you dont like insects. Especially moths.

Perdido Street Station is followed by The Scar, which despite being set in the same world is not a direct sequel. Some events and characters from PSS are referenced in the background, but they play virtually no effect on the plot and it is not necessary to know any more about them.

The Scar follows a ship of renegades travelling from New Crobuzon to a far away colony. They are captured by pirates and pressganged into becoming citizens of Armada, a floating city made from the hulls of ships. Here in Armada all are equal, and all are offered jobs and a new life. For many of the ship's inhabitants who were previously slaves (such as Tanner Sack), this change of situation is a miracle and a blessing. But this is not the case for everyone. Bellis Coldwine is a linguist who was only travelling to the colony out of a need to escape the city, although she is intent on returning once the danger has passed. Unable to face the thought of never being able to return to New Crobuzon, she searches for a way to escape Armada, and in doing so becomes dragged into its web of lies, intrigue and secret plans... plans to raise the greatest beast in the sea, plans to harness the power of a tear in the fabric of reality.

The Scar was an excellent book, proving once again that Mieville's imagination knows no bounds. It explores in more detail some of the world (known as Bas Lag) beyond New Crobuzon, and introduces dozens more races and cultures (vampires, grindylow, cray, the list goes on...). I did prefer Perdido Street Station, mostly because I didnt really warm to Bellis as a protagonist, but this book is still incredible and definitely deserves to be read.

The third book in the series is called Iron Council, and I look forwad to being able to read that soon.

What books have you all been reading recently?

Even if the morrow is barren of promises, nothing shall forestall my return...

Becky x