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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this book is really cool. it knows exactly what it's trying to do and executes it almost flawlessly. the sleep deprivation to finish this for book club was worth it actually. great hugo winner, 2010.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A typical police procedural: murdered woman is found, police interrogate several thugs, uncooperative witnesses, and have to deal with interference from higher up the command chain.
But that’s not the main point of the book. The main point is the setting: two cities, Besźel and Ul Qoma, somewhere in Eastern Europe, have a common history but diverged at some point. And they are in the same spot, geographically. It’s possible to get glimpses from the other city, but that’s a crime called Breach, enforced by a shadowy entity, so you need to unsee the other side continuously. It’s an absolutely fascinating concept, and executed really well. Highly recommended!
But that’s not the main point of the book. The main point is the setting: two cities, Besźel and Ul Qoma, somewhere in Eastern Europe, have a common history but diverged at some point. And they are in the same spot, geographically. It’s possible to get glimpses from the other city, but that’s a crime called Breach, enforced by a shadowy entity, so you need to unsee the other side continuously. It’s an absolutely fascinating concept, and executed really well. Highly recommended!
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes