A review by ixris
The City & the City by China MiƩville

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Mieville's police procedural has a spare, dry voice and a small love affair with the letter Z that made my early progress very slow. The twisting bureaucracy can lead only one place, and while the ending is satisfying, I found it ultimately very pat. An extremely imaginative pair of cityscapes, though, and definitely worth what felt like a slog in the beginning. 

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