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writerwendywag's review against another edition
4.0
Beneath the surface of this ridiculous urban fantasy lies a warning against humanity's addiction to dangerous stories--and a moving tribute to the beauty of science and history. The ending, while a surprise, is one of the most perfect endings I've gotten to read in years.
Alas, the mystery elements of this one aren't too deftly handled, and the middle is more than a bit of a slog. I'd call this book a 3-star read if it wasn't for last twenty pages.
Alas, the mystery elements of this one aren't too deftly handled, and the middle is more than a bit of a slog. I'd call this book a 3-star read if it wasn't for last twenty pages.
shortykorte's review against another edition
2.0
Not my jam. Odd interesting world building but didn't care about any of the characters and the world wasn't interesting enough.
summer_teeth's review against another edition
3.0
liked it mostly but a few notes. so i was reading a desolation called peace alongside this one and like kraken, it was told from multiple different characters’
perspectives to demonstrate the complexity of this fictional world’s political situation and to help the readers solve the mystery just a skosche quicker than the characters, is nice bc it makes u feel at least a little smart. but adcp does this a bit more successfully and better maintains its focus overall. kraken seemed to meander at times to me, but idk i may need to reread it to be sure. like i think i wanted more on the angels of memory and billy’s relationship on them, somewhat bc that concept was cool as hell but mostly bc it was the secret crux of the story. also that dane/billy dynamic of crusader/semi-false prophet? woof (complimentary)
perspectives to demonstrate the complexity of this fictional world’s political situation and to help the readers solve the mystery just a skosche quicker than the characters, is nice bc it makes u feel at least a little smart. but adcp does this a bit more successfully and better maintains its focus overall. kraken seemed to meander at times to me, but idk i may need to reread it to be sure. like i think i wanted more on the angels of memory and billy’s relationship on them, somewhat bc that concept was cool as hell but mostly bc it was the secret crux of the story. also that dane/billy dynamic of crusader/semi-false prophet? woof (complimentary)
anunusedmoniker's review against another edition
4.0
It's a London mystery, and if this were the first Miéville book I'd read, it would be five stars all the way. I did not like it quite as much as some of his other settings, but it's another wonderful read, and so very worth the time.
Especially recommended for people who like Gaiman's work.
Especially recommended for people who like Gaiman's work.
ririkolyana's review against another edition
4.0
At times plodding and meandering, both for good and ill, but every once in a while you get walloped by a paragraph about the nature of faith so good that you keep going.
jordan_mmj's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
kim_koriander's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
It started out more slowly than other Mieville novels for me but quickly turned into one of my favourites.
Once again, he takes a seemingly simple concept and turns it into a complex narrative.
Once again, he takes a seemingly simple concept and turns it into a complex narrative.
reneeinco's review against another edition
2.0
I really kept reading this when I should have jumped ship because I love The City & The City so much. I hope I've learned my lesson about not continuing with a book I'm not enjoying. I will try some of the other Miéville books, though, I think this was just not his strongest.
johncrawford53's review against another edition
4.0
Billy Harrow is a mullosc specialist in London's natural history museum. As such, it was his job to prepare the recently acquired giant squid specimen for display and preservation. But now that the squid has disappeared, Billy has been mistaken for its prophet, and dozens of competing apocalypses have all suddenly come to mutual agreement regarding the impending end of the world, Billy must quickly figure out what it all means and how to stop the momentum. Because all the lunatic and legitimate religions of London see one thing: the world burning forever without end.
This is a very London book. At least, I imagine it is, having only ever been in London for 3 days. The language and the theology are coarse and ad hoc, but that is the appeal. Billy and his companions are appealing and deeply flawed. The villains are particularly villainous, especially the dreaded duo of Goss and Subby. The whole book has a sense of bigger things in the background, even when the end of all existence is on the table. Its a fun, epic read.
This is a very London book. At least, I imagine it is, having only ever been in London for 3 days. The language and the theology are coarse and ad hoc, but that is the appeal. Billy and his companions are appealing and deeply flawed. The villains are particularly villainous, especially the dreaded duo of Goss and Subby. The whole book has a sense of bigger things in the background, even when the end of all existence is on the table. Its a fun, epic read.