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mgnbnm's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
It takes a while to understand the world-building, but one I did, it was a good, politically-charged murder mystery.
empoi's review against another edition
4.5
A crime novel with a interesting SF plot. Two cities become intertwined, one ontop of the other in different spacial planes. The author navigates expertly the reality of having to "un-see" the other city as you walk down a street that is two streets at once.
A plot the quickly could have been very confusing was narrated in a way that felt natural. Progressively reminding us less and less of the most basic natural laws that govern this world as we get used to them. We are a frog in a boiling pot no longer noticing the sharp divide between their reality and ours while that same shard divide plays an integral part of the story plot.
A plot the quickly could have been very confusing was narrated in a way that felt natural. Progressively reminding us less and less of the most basic natural laws that govern this world as we get used to them. We are a frog in a boiling pot no longer noticing the sharp divide between their reality and ours while that same shard divide plays an integral part of the story plot.
cassiope_fastigiata's review against another edition
3.0
The murder mystery part of this didn't stick with me at all, but the geographic premise did, and I'm glad I read it. Thanks Jenny for the recommendation and for taking me out of my usual box.
capnmorgan's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't hold my attention.
cellardoor10's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Well, I found a Mieville book I don't hate! In the grand tradition of Asimov's robot books, a murder detective story reveals a world.
Importantly, while drugs are definitely here in the gritty urban setting, they're not a central focus, unlike the other two books where drugs or drug-like effects were central, which I rarely enjoy. Ending lost me a little bit - not a huge fan of the audiobook reader/their accent. But overall really interesting concepts.
Importantly, while drugs are definitely here in the gritty urban setting, they're not a central focus, unlike the other two books where drugs or drug-like effects were central, which I rarely enjoy. Ending lost me a little bit - not a huge fan of the audiobook reader/their accent. But overall really interesting concepts.
theogray's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
Everyone and their aunt mention China Mieville when I mention the third chapter of my dissertation, and unfortunately they were all absolutely correct. This might be the perfect urban borders book…
Overwrought at times, but still brilliant, if only for its literalization of what we already know from urban studies - we only live in a sliver of the city
Overwrought at times, but still brilliant, if only for its literalization of what we already know from urban studies - we only live in a sliver of the city
un4tunatalie's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
_alyosha_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
klaky15_94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
clemo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0