This is a very interesting book. I bought it as a "steampunk" genre novel, and it does fit that mold. The world created is very imaginative, and had elements that remined me of Gaiman and early Clive Barker, with bit of Orwell thrown in for good measure. The setting is, I think, needlessly detailed and overly complicated, and I gave up very quickly flipping to the city map at the front of the book. The endless neighbourhood and street names all became a bit of a blur after a while. That aside, a great book, with very imaginative and creative charaters.

Miéville's world is one of a complex urban freak show that takes place a step out of reality, mashing the existential woes of a dozen-odd cross-species, sub-species, super-species, demons, sprites, machines, remade species, and (of course) every dreg of human imaginable. As I have been pondering and practicing the various meditations on writing as of late, there is an appreciation that flows from this tangle of threads. It is as if I am witnessing raw experience form from some focused slake of creativity as a (perhaps) contemporary seeks to drive his will upon the pages.

And the story pushes through, egging the reader to feast upon the rich, lush patterns of evoked emotions a step beyond reality and reeking of the urban grunge that we so love to feel below our feet but no deeper than a scuff.

True, it is not for everyone: dark, gritty, surreal. But for those who choose to indulge, it is like mental oatmeal: it will stick to the ribcage of your mind for a long time. And you will be left satisfied and maybe longing for more.

Masterful writing and a great story line, for me this book sets a standard I'm hard pressed to surpass. I've read it three times and the story doesn't grow old. Mieville's writing is powerful and descriptive. Highly, highly recommended.

Mieville's work is deliciously dark. I haven't felt like this since Swanwick's The Iron Dragon's Daughter. I'm ready to read his next book. China is worthy of a huge fan base...