Iron Council

About 50% of this would make an excellent book. I love China Mieville and have read the first 2 Bas-Lag books. This really suffers in comparison. About half of the book is told in uninvolving flashbacks or by a completely colorless character. The part that takes place in New Crobuzon, in contrast, is riveting, fascinating, and mind-blowing, as is usual with Mieville. Still well worth...more

About 50% of this would make an excellent book. I love China Mieville and have read the first 2 Bas-Lag books. This really suffers in comparison. About half of the book is told in uninvolving flashbacks or by a completely colorless character. The part that takes place in New Crobuzon, in contrast, is riveting, fascinating, and mind-blowing, as is usual with Mieville. Still well worth it for Mieville fans, but if you haven't read anything of his, start with Perdido Street Station.   hide

Probably my least favorite of the three Bas Lag books, but definitely an excellent read.

Look, as far as I'm concerned, China Mieville is on a whole other scoring system from most other authors. He's judged on the top shelf. So when I say that this book is not his best, understand that it's still far superior in writing and plot quality to your average fantasy/steampunk novel. Perdido Street Station and The Scar are better stories, in my opinion, but anything Mieville...more

Look, as far as I'm concerned, China Mieville is on a whole other scoring system from most other authors. He's judged on the top shelf. So when I say that this book is not his best, understand that it's still far superior in writing and plot quality to your average fantasy/steampunk novel. Perdido Street Station and The Scar are better stories, in my opinion, but anything Mieville writes is certainly worth owning.   hide

Almost as good as The perdido street station. Continues to move your soul.

My least favorite of the series

Beautiful, poetic prose. Two storylines, one of which was captivating. The commy labor stuff in town is not nearly as interesting as the golem/train thread. But the book is worth reading just for the golems and Judah Low.

Excellent novel that combines fantasy, sci-fi and political ideas. At first the conclusion seemed a cop-out but I've since become reconciled to it as a kind of optimistic ending.

If only it wasn't fantasy (at least up to 2/3 of the way through).

Its interesting how this guy never has any real winners at the end. not really as gripping as perdido street station or the scar, but still an enjoyable enough read