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aisleyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wm94's review against another edition
5.0
“‘No one is!’ Deeba shouted. ‘That’s no way to talk about anyone! To say they’re just hangers-on to someone more important.’”
Miéville really went there and raised a middle finger to the “Chosen One” trope and called it fascist with this one.
This book is for the sidekicks. This book is for the quirky, weird ones out there. The cast of characters in this book are so lovable, fun, and funny, and make this book the amazing book that it is. From Hemi the half-ghost, to Obaday the tailor with a pin-cushion for a head, Jones the conductor, Curdle the milk carton, Skool in his antique diving suit, the utterlings, and even book.
And we can’t forget Deeba, the Unchosen One, the hero of our story. Miéville knew we needed more Asian representation in British literature and made her Desi (descended from people from Pakistan or India). She’s strong, smart, and fearless, and ultimately a fighter for what’s right. She never gives up and that’s what makes her so inspiring.
There’s so much to love about this book, with its intricate storytelling, thoughtful, intentional plotting and the way it really makes you care about each and every one of its colorful cast of characters. Miéville also illustrated it with some pretty awesome and unique pictures, ranging from silly to even scary.
Pick this book up if you’re looking to go on an unconventional adventure, an adventure where you’ll find: tropes subverted, laughs galore, and your heart to be touched.
You won’t regret it.
Miéville really went there and raised a middle finger to the “Chosen One” trope and called it fascist with this one.
This book is for the sidekicks. This book is for the quirky, weird ones out there. The cast of characters in this book are so lovable, fun, and funny, and make this book the amazing book that it is. From Hemi the half-ghost, to Obaday the tailor with a pin-cushion for a head, Jones the conductor, Curdle the milk carton, Skool in his antique diving suit, the utterlings, and even book.
And we can’t forget Deeba, the Unchosen One, the hero of our story. Miéville knew we needed more Asian representation in British literature and made her Desi (descended from people from Pakistan or India). She’s strong, smart, and fearless, and ultimately a fighter for what’s right. She never gives up and that’s what makes her so inspiring.
There’s so much to love about this book, with its intricate storytelling, thoughtful, intentional plotting and the way it really makes you care about each and every one of its colorful cast of characters. Miéville also illustrated it with some pretty awesome and unique pictures, ranging from silly to even scary.
Pick this book up if you’re looking to go on an unconventional adventure, an adventure where you’ll find: tropes subverted, laughs galore, and your heart to be touched.
You won’t regret it.
mipsot's review against another edition
3.0
Like everything else in Un Lun Dun, Miéville takes the typical fantasy fare of a hero’s journey and destiny and turns it on its head. This ends up being a double-edged sword for the book. What would be an unconventional twist in any other fantasy becomes a convention the reader sees coming a mile away in Un Lun Dun simply because it’s Un Lun Dun and you come to expect that everything is backwards. But more than this, it’s a plot-driven work of message-fiction and just isn’t my thing.
Characterization is thin on the ground because Miéville is busy building such a hugely fantastical world that delights in its own cleverness. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to admire in Miéville’s imagination, but between the two main characters I didn’t really care who saved the world because they were nearly indistinguishable from each other. We were told they had some physical differences but other than that they’re interchangeable and just vehicles to move the plot forward.
Now, obviously I’m not in the targeted age-range for the book and what draws me into a book now wasn’t what drew me into one when I was younger. That said, I still enjoy a few children’s books. I just wonder if Miéville struggled with shifting gears to write towards children instead of writing a children’s book. It just seems too self-aware at times.
Characterization is thin on the ground because Miéville is busy building such a hugely fantastical world that delights in its own cleverness. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to admire in Miéville’s imagination, but between the two main characters I didn’t really care who saved the world because they were nearly indistinguishable from each other. We were told they had some physical differences but other than that they’re interchangeable and just vehicles to move the plot forward.
Now, obviously I’m not in the targeted age-range for the book and what draws me into a book now wasn’t what drew me into one when I was younger. That said, I still enjoy a few children’s books. I just wonder if Miéville struggled with shifting gears to write towards children instead of writing a children’s book. It just seems too self-aware at times.
chroniti's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
blazeofredfire's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this! Meiville's worldbuilding is as wacky, creative and fun as ever. He just writes cities so well.
The protagonist, Deeba, is honestly probably one of my favourite protagonists ever I love her so much. This book subverts the "chosen one" trope so well. The plot is, generally, fast paced and really fun- though I think it probably could have been shortened a little bit to let it flow a bit more, I personally didn't mind the extra weirdness. Meiville clearly held himself back a little bit more than he did in Perdido Street Station and all it fit into the setting pretty well I feel. It was never mean spirited- always just really good fun.
The villain may could have been a bit on the nose if it came from other writers, but I thought it was actually really well done and effectively creepy! The social commentary in this book is always very present, but it adds to the story rather than smothering it.
A really good time overall and I can't wait to try more Meiville books!
The protagonist, Deeba, is honestly probably one of my favourite protagonists ever I love her so much. This book subverts the "chosen one" trope so well. The plot is, generally, fast paced and really fun- though I think it probably could have been shortened a little bit to let it flow a bit more, I personally didn't mind the extra weirdness. Meiville clearly held himself back a little bit more than he did in Perdido Street Station and all it fit into the setting pretty well I feel. It was never mean spirited- always just really good fun.
The villain may could have been a bit on the nose if it came from other writers, but I thought it was actually really well done and effectively creepy! The social commentary in this book is always very present, but it adds to the story rather than smothering it.
A really good time overall and I can't wait to try more Meiville books!
sr_marshrat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
conventicleofmagpies's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
ritchie437reads's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled through about the first 1/3 of the book because it was very conventional: unlikely hero is the chosen one who will save the fantastic kingdom. Fortunately through some twists and turns, the book finally comes into its own perspective. Fun (and sometimes frustratingly obvious and too much) wordplay throughout the novel and interesting characters help carry the reader along to the end.
reginas_books's review against another edition
2.0
Let me start off by saying that China Mieville is one of my favorite authors. However, if you're looking for one of his books to convince you of that fact.... You are definitely in the wrong place. Try Embassytown or Kraken instead. This book is for young readers, and I wouldn't touch this book with a 6-foot-pole again unless I was going on a really big kickback to my sixth-grade years.