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squaternutbosch's review against another edition
3.0
Really tough read, can't say I enjoyed it anywhere near as much as the first two books from the Baslag series. It had some great moments though.
danielcasey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
traitorjoe's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
canaanmerchant's review against another edition
4.0
Do you like your fantasy weird? Like really weird? Like so weird sometimes it skirts ridiculous but also it’s so compelling you keep going? Do you also want some heavy socialist plot involving a proletariat struggle against the state? Most of all? Should there be a train? Well do I have the book for you!
katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
Mieville's New Crobuzon creations kinda creep me out. Like, in an unable to read about them before falling asleep kind of way. And the beginning of the book reminded me in various ways of Stephen King's Dark Tower (well, [b:The Gunslinger|43615|The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, #1)|Stephen King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309288354s/43615.jpg|46575], which is all I made it through). Between those two things, the first 150 pages took me longer than the last 400. If you liked [b:Perdido Street Station|68494|Perdido Street Station (New Crobuzon, #1)|China Miéville|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327891688s/68494.jpg|3221410] and the Dark Tower, you will probably adore this.
As for me, this is one of those books that I appreciate, but I'm not entirely sure whether I like.
+1 - Hated Cutter at the beginning; probably my favorite character by the end.
-1 - Why can't we have a map of Bas Lag?
As for me, this is one of those books that I appreciate, but I'm not entirely sure whether I like.
+1 - Hated Cutter at the beginning; probably my favorite character by the end.
-1 - Why can't we have a map of Bas Lag?
malenfant's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
songwind's review against another edition
2.0
Felt Like Two Books That Never Quite Met
Iron Council is another book about Bas-Lag, and the dystopian city of New Crobozon.
As usual, Miéville does an excellent job of weaving an interesting environment out of words. He mixes straightforward English, archaic phrases and invented terms with excellent facility. The main characters are complex and varied, and don't succumb to cookie cutter roles.
The author expands on the already intricate and varied world of Bas-Lag magic. We get further inside the mind of the people of the city, and learn more about the government, the militia, and the Remaking punishment factories.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't quite hang together. On the one hand, you have the search for and history of the titular Iron Council. On the other hand, you have the story of democratic insurrectionists fighting the heavy-handed parliament and Mayor of New Crobozon. The two stories only intersect at a couple of points, and none of those points really require the inclusion of both full stories.
The story of the Iron Council feels pointless and unfinished. In the greater narrative, it feels more like background information that something the book should have been named after. In the end, the trek of the council across the continent and back amounts to nothing. They don't arrive in time to help the Collective, which loses its battle "off screen."
During the Council's pointless ride to the rescue, Cutter thinks, "this is a prologue. This in going on after the story is over." Sage words, Mr. Miéville.
Iron Council is another book about Bas-Lag, and the dystopian city of New Crobozon.
As usual, Miéville does an excellent job of weaving an interesting environment out of words. He mixes straightforward English, archaic phrases and invented terms with excellent facility. The main characters are complex and varied, and don't succumb to cookie cutter roles.
The author expands on the already intricate and varied world of Bas-Lag magic. We get further inside the mind of the people of the city, and learn more about the government, the militia, and the Remaking punishment factories.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't quite hang together. On the one hand, you have the search for and history of the titular Iron Council. On the other hand, you have the story of democratic insurrectionists fighting the heavy-handed parliament and Mayor of New Crobozon. The two stories only intersect at a couple of points, and none of those points really require the inclusion of both full stories.
The story of the Iron Council feels pointless and unfinished. In the greater narrative, it feels more like background information that something the book should have been named after. In the end, the trek of the council across the continent and back amounts to nothing. They don't arrive in time to help the Collective, which loses its battle "off screen."
During the Council's pointless ride to the rescue, Cutter thinks, "this is a prologue. This in going on after the story is over." Sage words, Mr. Miéville.
sambora's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
I wish I liked this more. The writing is undoubtedly superb, but I simply wasn't engaged by the plot or story at all, and the characters (while interesting) didn't really stir much in me, unlike the cast from the first book in the trilogy.
I have a feeling this will be one that is quickly forgotten, which means - if I'm ever feeling up for it, I can attempt a reread and try to capture what I so evidently missed this time through.
I have a feeling this will be one that is quickly forgotten, which means - if I'm ever feeling up for it, I can attempt a reread and try to capture what I so evidently missed this time through.
cander's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the rest of the series, but still a great read.